Chapter 173

Isaacs sudden arrogance to talk down to him like a subordinate struck Mazelan like a lightning bolt. Isaac continued as he lit his cigarette.

Ill take control from here. You can go back and work at your old job. Im sure there are plenty of pretty ladies lined up to meet you, now that youve been on broadcast. Why dont you take one and get married?

What do you mean go back?!

The Emperor gave me the honour of resolving this incident, so youll be referring to me as your superior. Ill take care of this place. You should go, since youll just get in the way.

Just when Mazelan was about to let h.e.l.l loose, Colins stepped in.

Ah. I apologise, but we cant have that. You must stay until the job is done.

Who is this?

Mazelan glared at Colins, annoyed.

I am Colins from Central. I have been ordered by the Emperor to a.s.sist Lord Isaac.

Mazelan almost began berating Colins for his insolence, but he remained silent because of the line of cameras ahead of him. Isaac took a breath of his cigarette and spoke to Colins.

Oi.

Yes?

Who is the highest authority here?

Thatll be you, Lord Isaac.

So why is someone who knows that telling me otherwise?

Itll be troublesome if you continue acting like that.

Troublesome? Haha. So youve grown a spine since then, have you?

You cant treat me like you did in the past.

Colins didnt hide his disdain as he glared back.

Ah. Is that so? Whos more important between you and me? Huh? Whose side do you think theyll take if I declare youre the reason I dont want to cooperate anymore?

Stand up straight!

Isaac kicked Colins in the stomach, but he stood back up straight immediately.

Have you lost your senses just because youre doing some bigshot job?

No sir.

Your answer doesnt seem to match your face. You think the hierarchy will disappear just because youve joined Central? Oi, you thereturn off the camera. Children arent allowed to see whats coming.

The broadcast staff were confused when Isaac gave them the order. Just what was Central? It was an organisation with absolute power, standing at the pinnacle of all government bodies.

Even the lowest members of Central were treated like VIPs when deployed elsewhere, yet Isaac didnt hesitate to a.s.sault one, even demanding them to turn off the broadcast.

Im sorry!

Let me go. Now!

Remembering the old days, Colins grabbed Isaacs waist in a panic. He was closest to Isaac, and thus the witness most familiar with how he cared for nothing when he went mad. And he dared to stand up against Isaac when he was already furious.

Hng Why dont you stop now?

Mazelan spoke as he rubbed his temples, watching Isaac smack the back of Colins head repeatedly.

What do you mean stop? In fact, you should be busy packing to go home.

What do you mean, go home! The Emperor may have designated you as the highest authority, but I too was ordered by the Emperor to stabilise the prices of goods in Milros County!

Isaac let out a deep sigh and smacked Colins one more time.

Let me go, dumba.s.s.

Yes!

Colins dodged Isaac nimbly and withdrew.

Tsk. Watch where you stand.

I will.

Cold sweat dripped down Colins back as he replied, avoiding Isaacs cold stare.

Just because youre a part of Central doesnt mean those days where you followed me around back in Campus never happened, idiot.

Ill remember.

Is that the setting?

Mazelan whispered to Isaac to avoid the cameras from hearing him. Isaac smirked and nodded ever so slightly.

So. Are you really not leaving?

Of course!

Mazelan gave no impression of changing his mind. Isaac sighed.

Ha, I put so much thought into giving you a way out, and you do this

What are you on about?

Youll find out soon. We should head to somewhere quiet.

Sure. Follow me. Theres a room we use for meetings.

Ah. You guys arent allowed. Only officials are allowed in this meeting. You guys stand by and wait for the result.

Isaac prevented the broadcast staff. The staff remembered vividly of how Isaac a.s.saulted a Central agent just moments ago and obeyed him.

What bulls.h.i.+t is this!

A table sat in the middle of the briefing room Mazelan led him too. Isaac, Mazelan, Rivelia, Kunette, Reisha, and Rizzly sat, surrounded by a circle of Strategy agents.

Just as Mazelan was questioning the strange behaviour of the Strategy agents, Colins revealed the Queens plan. Mazelan naturally exploded.

Dont shout at me. I only found out moments ago too.

Isaac raised both his hands in innocence. Mazelan turned to Colins and the Strategy agents instead.

They are all Invaders?

Yeap. I see the Emperor didnt tell you anything.

Of course! How dare the Invaders take over the bodies of Strategy agents! What about those who had their bodies taken?!

Who knows?

Youve practically killed them! No, its much worse than that!

Mazelan slammed the table. The Strategy agents silently pulled out their guns from under their clothes. Rivelia, Reisha, and Rizzly readied themselves, ready to pounce at a moments notice.

Watching the mood turn south so quickly, Isaac spoke with an annoyed look.

Calm down. Nothing will change no matter how mad you get.

Do you think this is something I can be calm about?! Rivelia, why are you staying so silent?!

Mazelan shouted. Rivelia spoke with a pained look.

They invoked the First Contract.

s.h.i.+t. Your despicable nature puts demons to shame! It wont go as you planned. Im going to report this immediately! Where are the Inspectors? I received a report saying that they came here too! Did you kill them already?

Mazelans furious belching reminded Isaac.

Oh yeah, where are those three?

I dont know, but Three-eyed despises locations filled with humans. Im sure he locked himself somewhere quiet and is enjoying the scene.

Colins replied as he dug into his ears, annoyed. Mazelan was left in shock, standing in the room with despair on his face.

The head of Inspectors is a Three-eyed?

Mazelan knew well just how much the Three-eyed hated humans. No amount of begging would be able to enlist their help. No, the chance to even meet them was non-existent.

What, was the Inspectors your final ray of hope? Should I prepare you a Communicator if youre so sad?

Mazelan was just about to lose himself and attack Colins himself when Isaac stopped him.

Stop. Dont taunt him needlessly. And you calm down too, sunbaenim. The Queen has already taken full control of the communications. There is no way to reveal this news to the outside.

Mazelan was left silent for a moment. His expression then changed to one of scheming. Isaac sighed and spoke.

If youre planning on using the media, I suggest you give up. Do you plan on revealing the existence of Invaders?

Mazelan glared at Isaac, his teeth clenched. He then collapsed into his seat weakly, wrapping his head with his hands.

What are you planning? Just what are you scheming, killing all of Strategys combat agents and taking over their bodies?

Figuring that out wont help your headache. Im still pondering how far-fetched this was.

Both Colins and Strategy agents were noticeably shaken by Isaacs words.

What do you mean, pondering?

Colins argued, and Isaac shrugged as he answered.

Im pondering if theres a peaceful way to resolve this issue.

Not only Colins and the Strategy agentsbut even Mazelan, Rivelia, and the three non-humans frowned like they had heard

Hey now, you guys of all people shouldnt react like that.

Isaac spoke out begrudgingly, seemingly almost hurt. Everyone coughed dryly and avoided Isaacs gaze.

Everyone has actions and words that fit them. But what you just said before gave me gooseb.u.mps.

Isaac grumbled at Mazelans criticism.

Thats harsh. Im actually trying pretty hard here.

Colins spoke his dissatisfaction to Isaac.

I dont understand. Why are you taking their side?

Isaac turned to see the faces of the other Strategy agents. They all seemed to share Colins exact thoughts. Isaac took a puff of his cigarette and spoke.

Its me who doesnt understand you. Just why are you guys in such a hurry? Time is on your side anyway.

Colins face twisted as he spoke.

How long have you been in this world?

Me? Lets see Is it short of 10 years? Ive been here for a long time.

Kuk! Youre talking about time when youve only been here for 10 years? Our youngest member has been in this world for almost 40 years. For me, Ive been here for a hundred. We dont plan on waiting anymore.

Isaac apathetically exhaled through his mouth and commented.

Youre going to complain after living for that amount of time after telling me how nice itll be to live forever?

Neither Colins nor the agents had an answer to Isaacs comment.

But I now understand why you have to put everything on the line for this job.

Their youngest member was 40 years. As the saying went, mountains and rivers change after 10 years. Multiples of that were more than enough to change a mans thoughts and beliefs. Other voices must have been speaking up within the Independence Army at this point.

How long could an organisation stay devoted to a single goal? Even 10 years was too many. At this point, other opinions would diverge so far that they couldnt just be ignored.

That was why they were pus.h.i.+ng this so hard. If more time pa.s.sed, their original goal would be left in the dust, and everyone would move for their own profit. That was human instinctselfishness.

But they were too rushed. You couldnt even call this a plan since its success or failure hinged on the non-humans decisions. Lets say, it did work out. How long would that last? From the non-humans perspective, both humans from this world and the other were the same.

Do you think we will fail?

Whether you succeed or not is none of my business.

Colins bit his lip, deep in thought. Isaac watched him apathetically as he continued to smoke. Colins sighed, as if hed come to a decision.

I guess theres no choice. Lord Isaac

Suddenly, there was a ruckus outside. Colins frowned and looked at one of the agents. The agent immediately rushed to open the door to find out whats happening. But as soon as the door opened, the employees of the Department of Supplies whod come with Mazelan rushed in.

Theres been a case of infection!