I can’t understand.
No, I can’t accept it.
“If the Foundation is such a benevolent entity, can’t it cleanse its cruel past and improve the organization’s structure now that it has gained power?”
“The threat from the underworld still remains. In fact, it grows more powerful as time goes by. There are crazy transcendent beings who consider peace akin to death.”
“…Are you saying that crazy person is the Principal of the Gift Academy?”
Pasible Yep quickly nodded, finally understanding.
“Of course, it is extremely difficult for humans to wield the Dark Mana controlled by the Demon King. Countless demons and rampagers are born, and only after enduring days no different from the minions of the Demon King’s Army could the organization that was once called Gyeolsa gain independence from the Demon King’s Army.”
“Gyeolsa?”
“Do you remember the organization and its leaders who were called the Three Great Evils of the continent until recently?”
The Three Great Evils.
How could one not know of them, even if they hail from the East?
“Revolutionary of the Empire. Man’s Representative. Director of the Foundation.”
“The predecessor of the Foundation was Gyeolsa. This means that Gyeolsa was one of the Three Great Evils of the Empire as well. There were underworld contractors in the Empire too, and Gyeolsa did not discriminate against enemies.”
“Quite a flashy history. The deeds done seem to create a sense of dissonance.”
“Unfortunately, Gyeolsa is an inseparable existence from Dark Mana. To eliminate the underworld contractors who borrow the power of strong beings, one must get close to Dark Mana, and gradually, as they become contaminated, those who commit cruel acts can only increase. The more skilled the members of Gyeolsa, the more frequently and intensely they are exposed to Dark Mana.”
“…There’s a similar concept in the East. Tales of swordsmen who slay demons and ogres stained with mana are surely handed down in every village as tragic warnings that swordsmen too will be stained with mana and evil.”
The policy of the Eastern Empire was simple.
Use and discard.
They planted numerous sword arts to serve as fertile ground for swordsmen to grow freely, leading to the birth of many sword arts. The mission of regional sword arts was to eliminate minions of evil and mana, supporting wandering swordsmen’s livelihoods. If such individuals fall, the beheading squads bred within the Empire exist solely to behead them.
“Looking at this, it seems the Foundation’s actions are no different than the sword arts or swordsmen of my hometown family.”
“Oh. Now that you mention it, that does seem to be the case. I now understand why the Foundation and Lord Oknodie took notice of Sing early on.”
Even if it was not a mission but an obligation and livelihood, if their actions were like those of fellow business partners, the entry into the organization would have appeared easier.
Sing felt an unfamiliar sting as even the sensation of the wind scratching at his clothes felt oddly painful.
“Gyeolsa tried hard as an organization in the shadows, but the Foundation viewed that fruit as insufficient. Thus, the Director swallowed Gyeolsa whole.”
“First Wahyhiemhai. The father of Oknodie. The most dangerous human in the world…”
“Indeed. Ever since the Director transformed Gyeolsa into the Foundation, the Foundation has rapidly expanded its influence, exterminating underworld contractors as if catching mice. They transitioned from being passive defenders to actively invading the underworld. However, the world is becoming increasingly precarious.”
The cause was as clear as day.
“Is it because of the Principal?”
“That’s right. Satisfaction becomes familiar, tedious, and eventually boring over time. The Principal, unable to find satisfaction in wealth, assets, or power, now frequently commits various heinous acts in an attempt to make the world he is bored with more enjoyable. Eventually, an end will come.”
The strongest entity in the world.
The sole existing dragon.
Evil Dragon Omoshiroi.
The moment that being, feeling boredom with the world, is certain that there’s no more enjoyment to be had, that moment will be the world’s end.
“The Foundation is convinced of that. So they have also been instigating various incidents to exploit ‘appropriately evil individuals’ for the Principal’s amusement. According to the records of the former supervisor, that is.”
“…I think what Professor Jonnas does is entirely different from such things.”
“The reason for stepping away from the frontline and nurturing the younger generation, that is, the young lady and young master, is also to proactively gather talented and pure individuals who can be used for Evolution before higher-grade spirits fall into corruption. Their goal is to check and prevent the potential for corruption.”
“Is that why Oknodie has lived an unfortunate life? Is it to confirm whether one falls into corruption when facing misfortune or meets the limits of their abilities and succumbs to temptations from spirits?”
“Haha. You caught me, didn’t you? The essence of the directive is indeed such a test. While providing ample opportunities for growth, once growth is complete, a harsh directive is quickly imposed to thrust them into difficult situations, and that is why.”
Sing couldn’t accept it.
“If one isn’t put into difficult situations, there’s no reason to harbor untoward thoughts. Don’t you think your tests create more fallen individuals and underworld contractors?”
“I do not think so.”
That was an unexpectedly decisive answer.
“Humans are easily shaken and broken. Even with the solid backing of the Foundation. When they cannot enjoy wealth and power or meet expectations, they’ll do anything to find a way. Even accept Dark Mana without hesitation.”
“…Is the reason the Foundation doesn’t stop using Dark Mana because they’d rather make people fall into it than form spirit contracts?”
“You have good intuition. It seems your learning at the Gift Academy was not in vain!”
A spirit contract requires ‘pure individuals.’
‘Fallen individuals’ tainted by Dark Mana become less useful as contractors.
Whether one remains a minion of the Foundation or falls to serve the underworld spirits changes the degree of harm to humanity.
“Can you not feel the grand design of the Director, who has arranged even human frailty to be used for the future of humanity, in the Foundation’s schemes?”
“Are you trying to entice me into joining the Foundation?”
“No. This is merely my thoughts regarding the Foundation and the reasons for my participation. Moreover, isn’t it you, Sing, who knows better about the thoughts of Lord Oknodie, the heir of the Foundation?”
I don’t know.
No one else but Oknodie understands what they truly think.
Sing sincerely believed that.
Unpredictable actions.
Actions that could not be let down.
Yet occasionally showing absurd and trivial obsessions.
Obsession with food.
Obsession with collections.
Obsession with talent.
Amidst such obsessions, an emptiness is felt, as if no matter how much one covets something, their heart remains unfulfilled.
Just like how Sing’s desire for revenge against his younger sister doesn’t relent even with blood staining the blade.
“If you don’t understand, don’t overthink it. Lord Oknodie must have a plan. The very fact that they blocked access from Jibsa Division 1 and sent this golem to rescue me, aiming to inform you about the origin and purpose of the Foundation, shows that intention, doesn’t it?”
“…That does seem to be the case.”
It now became clear what caused the competitive dynamics within the Foundation and the conflict between the Director and Oknodie.
It was about preventing friends from being drafted as tools to eliminate otherworldly monsters while providing them the opportunity to know of the threats exposed to them.
Because Sing was strong enough to know the truth, unlike those who were too weak to return quickly.
Frustrating yet pleasing.
Pleased yet frustrated.
He was the only comrade who could know the truth.
Because he felt ashamed of his pitiful strength that was no better than a golem.
Ultimately, it was about strength.
Without awakening to Stage 4 and equating himself with Butler Rubrio, the Battle Golem, and Hyeolbiggaek, he could not surpass the situation of being dragged around.
“If you’re truly anxious, how about trying out the collection theme park of the Kingdom of Troy?”
“That facility created by Oknodie?”
“Word has it that strong individuals utilizing that place are growing at an alarming pace. The Northern Grand Duke Yuda, loyal to Lord Oknodie, along with Northern Army officers and veteran soldiers have all rapidly leveled up, causing a stir all around the world.”
“…”
“What are you contemplating? If you don’t seize opportunities when they arise, you may never catch them again. If you leverage your friendship with Lord Oknodie, you will surely gain immense strength. I’ve heard that the Foundation is taking the theme park very seriously, so much so that there are plans to expedite the executive meeting.”
The external Butler Organization of Jibsa Division 1, strengthened by the collection of humanity’s threats, and the internal Butler Organizations and management from Divisions 2 and 3 of the Foundation, which were relatively weaker.
The misaligned balance of power was forcibly readjusted by Oknodie’s theme park.
As the heir to the Foundation, Oknodie was preparing to confront his father properly.
‘If I’m also one of Oknodie’s people, wouldn’t I receive means to willingly grow stronger if I visit the theme park?’
Sing concluded.
“…No. I’ll put off using that place for later.”
“Oh? Is there a reason for delaying the opportunity for growth even in such a critical situation?”
“True growth derives from realization. If I were to open the door carelessly, I might never learn how to truly transcend the threshold for a lifetime.”
The promise with Oknodie.
That when the graduation season comes, he would leave the Academy and seek revenge together in the Eastern Empire.
Though Oknodie has advanced to the fourth year, he surely wouldn’t graduate right away.
There were still two years left.
During this time, he must become stronger.
Relying on collections could wait until the last day before heading to the Eastern Empire.
It was an extravagant yet wise decision made possible by the 1000% growth speed buff.
Those strengthened by collection effects would be slow to achieve realization, unable to truly reach a higher state beyond mere skill boosts.
Just as he had been unilaterally toyed with by Hyeolbiggaek, unable to awaken to Stage 4.
This was not a trivial trick that could be countered simply with slightly increased strength or speed.
“Indeed, the young lady sees people correctly. You are certainly someone who is destined to rise high. With that, I can trust you with my suggestion.”
“…What do you mean?”
“The executive meeting of the Foundation has been moved forward. Would you accompany me there?”
“!!”
“I wish to build connections with the rising prodigy you expect, and you seem curious about the intricate affairs of the Foundation. If you follow me in a protective capacity, it would be an excellent opportunity to broaden your horizons by attending the executive meeting. What do you think?”
There are few who could match the existence of Butler Rubrio—a perilous executive meeting.
However, if one dared to take the risk, they could acquire deeper information about Oknodie and the Foundation.
“I will go.”
Sing willingly accepted the proposal.
“Now, please choose which cute girl from this concept book looks good.”
“…Concept book? Cute girl?”
“Haha. It’s just for fun.”
Pasible Yep mumbled about Sing’s obviously perplexed reaction to such nonsense.
Feeling something suspicious, but Sing didn’t seriously ponder its meaning.
The information to be gained from this challenge was simply too immense.
“Well, I can do anything but due to others’ strict gaze, it can’t be helped. So, please choose quickly.”
As the explanations continued, the suspicion only deepened, but Sing ultimately picked one.
He thought perhaps the maid or escort accompanying him from the Foundation would be that.
That guess wasn’t entirely wrong.
There was indeed an escort maid dressed from the categories displayed.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and put it on.”
“…I’m supposed to wear this?”
“That Pasible Yep has been famous since his human days as an extreme possibility enthusiast. However, that radius of defense is limited to ‘women.’ To avoid unnecessary suspicion as a known homosexual, you have no choice but to dress like a woman if you’re to accompany me as an escort.”
I’ve fallen for the Foundation’s despicable trick!
Sing shut his eyes tight, feeling dizzy.
