Chapter 75

“Skipping the pleasantries and heading straight to the point? Someone might call you impatient,” I said with a touch of sarcasm, crossing my legs under the table.

The man sitting opposite me answered without flinching.

“Call it efficiency. You’ve surely looked into us already, haven’t you? Neither of us needs an introduction.”

As he said, I had indeed finished my research on the Representatives.

By the way, this man was known as the Sage, and he was an exceptionally skilled mage. Among the Representatives, he held a leadership-like position. He was apparently famous enough to be known even in other countries.

“Still, why are you so intent on making me a Representative?”

When I asked, the Sage answered without hesitation.

“It’s not a complicated matter. You killed Dorgu. It only stands to reason that you should inherit his legacy and responsibilities.”

“I finally got rid of a competitor like Dorgu. Didn’t you consider just seizing his vacant territory for yourselves instead of scouting a new Representative?”

“That would lead to a conflict with you,” the Sage stated with a bitter expression. “I have no desire to fight a man capable of killing that Great Dragon-Man.”

He had the face of someone who knew Dorgu’s combat capabilities firsthand. Perhaps they had clashed in the past. If he understood the threat that monster posed, it made sense that he feared me.

I spread my hands with a smirk.

“You’re an honest one. I can appreciate that.”

“Avoiding pointless conflict while bolstering the national power of Eurea as a whole—that is our fundamental policy. Isn’t it wonderful?”

A voice spoke up from another direction. It came from one of the Representatives who had been observing quietly until now.

It was a beautiful woman with fox ears. She had dignified features and wore loose, red clothing that hung off her frame. The fabric was scattered with vivid floral patterns, bearing a resemblance to a Japanese kimono. Her poise and appearance exuded a bewitchingly elegant atmosphere.

She was the Sorceress. According to my prior investigation, she could use abilities that were cousins to magic. Apparently, she could even control monsters.

Among the Representatives, she had supposedly held her position the longest. Despite an appearance that made her look no older than her twenties, she was likely quite elderly in reality.

As I stared, for some reason, the Sorceress gave me a wink. Sensing a vaguely dangerous vibe from her, I decided to ignore it. Getting involved with a woman like that never leads to anything good. That’s a lesson from experience.

The Sage cleared his throat and continued the conversation.

“If you were going to let your territory go to ruin, we would have been forced to intervene. However, you are doing well. Dorgu prioritized nothing but military force and neglected urban development. He was a tyrant who brandished the threat of war whenever someone complained.”

“I’ll agree with you there. That guy was the worst.”

I nodded deeply. Looking back, my days with Dorgu were nothing but conflict. I felt our principles and beliefs were somewhat similar, but we likely passed each other by due to the gap in our positions and status. If we had met as fellow mercenaries or something, maybe we would have hit it off. Well, that’s just a meaningless fantasy now.

“Jack Aaron. It is a fact that you are a dangerous individual, but I believe you have the aptitude to be a Representative of Eurea. Why not develop this country alongside us?”

“Hmm…”

I crossed my arms and fell into thought at the Sage’s proposal. He was wooing me quite passionately. This time, it didn’t feel like he was asking me to be a subordinate. We would be equals. It didn’t feel bad.

To be honest, I was already acting as a Representative at this point. I already controlled various locations, starting with the Fortress City. I doubted my daily operations would change much.

“If you become a Representative, I promise commercial assistance. You will be able to develop your territory as you see fit. As a sign of friendship, I’m even willing to provide resources free of charge.”

“That’s quite the generous offer. It sounds so good it’s almost suspicious.”

“It simply shows how much I value you,” the Sage stated with a serious face.

The Sorceress nodded as well. Beside me, Alice looked strangely proud for some reason. If my abilities were being appraised this highly, I couldn’t exactly brush them off. As long as I was active within Eurea, dealing with the Representatives was a necessity.

I held up an index finger and spoke.

“I have one condition.”

“What is it?”

“I won’t be the Representative. Alice will take the post. Her public image is much better.”

Unfortunately, I was widely known as the crazed Bomber. In terms of classification, I was the same as Dorgu. I was someone who sat at the top after crushing my enemies with violence.

If a person like that becomes a Representative, the public image would inevitably be poor.

On the other hand, Alice tended to be perceived as more moderate. A large part of that was because I was by her side. By contrast, she was seen as a person of sound judgment. Her personality was calm and composed, and in terms of practical administration, leaving things to her was beyond reproach.

“Alice is the brains, and I’m the bodyguard. I think the dynamic isn’t bad, but what do you think?”

“I don’t mind that at all. As long as the practical control lies with Jack Aaron, it’s fine by me,” the Sage replied.

“I agree as well. Having a cute girl become a Representative is quite lovely,” the Sorceress added.

The Sage and the Sorceress each gave their approval. It seemed they would be satisfied as long as we joined the faction of Representatives. Whether Alice was the official Representative or not was likely within their margin of error.

I shifted my gaze away from the two of them.

“What about you? You’ve been silent for a while now.”

I directed the question toward the shadow sitting quietly at the edge of the table. A mass of black mist gathered there, barely maintaining a humanoid silhouette. It was eerie, but I wasn’t surprised, as I had looked into their identity beforehand.

That mass of mist was also one of the prominent Representatives. They were the head of an assassination cult and were known in the streets as the Assassin King. It was said they always concealed their appearance with Shadow Magic, and anyone who saw their true face would be buried in the darkness.

The Assassin King’s mist stirred slightly. I felt a gaze turn toward me.

“…I also have no objection. I shall leave it to your judgment.”

The voice was low, like the rumbling of the earth. The phrasing was stiff, but in short, they seemed to agree.

Hearing that, the Sage clapped his hands to gather attention.

“Then it’s settled. A new Representative of Eurea is born here today. I look forward to working with you.”

“Same here—is what I’d like to say, but I’ll give you a warning first.”

I didn’t take the hand offered to me; instead, I stood up and looked around at the three Representatives. After a few seconds of silence, I spoke.

“I don’t expect it to happen, but if you try to scheme behind my back and get in my way… I’ll send you to meet Dorgu immediately.”

“Jack is serious. It would be best not to provoke him,” Alice added with a straight face.

The Sage shook his head.

“I understand. We won’t betray you. I am well aware that you loathe such behavior.”

“Good enough for me.”

I let a thin smile play on my lips and shook hands with the Sage. The Sage nodded and spoke in a somewhat brighter tone.

“Now then, let’s have a celebratory toast. What would you like to drink?”

“Something delicious and rare,” I requested.

“I’ll have the same,” Alice replied instantly.

I didn’t have any particular preference for specific brands. Since it was a special occasion, my intention was to try whatever the Sage recommended.

Next, the Sage questioned the other two Representatives.

“What about you two?”

“Well, I’ll have my usual fruit liquor, please.”

“…Water is fine for me.”

Receiving their requests, the Sage spoke into a crystal at his hand. That thing likely served a role similar to a telephone.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the room’s door.

“Excuse me.”

Along with the voice, a woman entered. She had black hair tied in braids and wore dowdy glasses. On the tray she held were drinks for everyone.

‘This person is…’

The moment I saw her face, I subconsciously knitted my brows. I rested both hands on the pistols in my holsters.

As I stared, my eyes immediately met the woman’s. She froze instantly, as if turned to stone.

“Wa—wha—?! No, wait…”

After a momentary mental freeze, the woman threw down the tray and fell back on her rear. It was obvious she was in a state of extreme panic. She tried to back away with trembling limbs.

Witnessing this, I shrugged my shoulders in exasperation.

“I’m amazed. Is there some rule that people summoned to this other world have to migrate to Eurea?”

It was no wonder I felt like lamenting. For the woman who had brought the drinks was none other than one of the remaining summoned individuals.