Chapter 66
“It is an obvious story. If immortality exists, the powerful figures of Newman aren’t the only ones who want to enjoy its grace.”
“…”
“Do you find the higher-ups of the city disgusting?”
“I just felt that it was very much like Haze.”
Eisen chuckled and laid out the diverse stances shown by the powerful figures of Haze.
“There are those who want to seize the Headquarters of Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals and extort the experiment details once visible results are shown. There are also quite a few voices suggesting we hand over the Lower District and negotiate on the Immortality Experiment.”
“It seems there are many who covet immortality.”
“Yes. In fact, you could say the number of people with my stance, who want to block it in advance, is extremely small.”
“If there are many who wish for the experiment to continue, is there no possibility of interference coming in while digging into Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals?”
“Even if there is, I judged that direct intervention would be extremely low. Since Crimson Howl and Clements are showing the same stance, they will likely just watch for the most part.”
The fact that the Clements Family, like Crimson Howl, held the stance of completely blocking the experiment at its source was very significant information.
Because it meant Ellen being in the office with Flora wouldn’t develop into trouble later on.
“Max. What do you think it would be like if Immortality Magic existed? Would you want to use it?”
“Since I don’t know what form of immortality it is, I feel a sense of repulsion first. Isn’t there a possibility that it could be a messy immortality where one loses their human form and becomes a lump of flesh, only able to watch everything? Or drifting through space for eternity.”
“There are humans who want it even knowing there is such a possibility. Greedy people who haven’t learned satisfaction despite growing old have more fear of death than a child.”
“…What are your thoughts on immortality, Family Head?”
At Max’s question, Eisen answered immediately, as if he had finished organizing his thoughts a long time ago.
“If you ask if I am tempted by immortality, I can’t say no. But the futures I want to reach while leading my life are endlessly trivial things. There is no need to risk the grandiose possibility of Haze’s downfall.”
Eisen seemed to have a clear future he wanted to reach.
And he appeared to have not even an ounce of interest in life beyond that time.
“Family Head. How should I proceed with what you said about taking the seat of the Steiger Family Head?”
“First of all, the 5th tier is not enough. Steiger is a Prestigious Family in its own right, isn’t it? I heard the Previous Family Head died of old age at the 7th tier, and the Current Family Head is at the 6th tier.”
“The information you mentioned, Family Head, is correct.”
“For a clean picture to emerge, you will need to reach the 6th tier.”
“…I will try my best.”
“Once you take over Steiger, how about setting up a Mercenary Office there?”
Eisen probably threw those words out as a joke, but it sounded quite good.
Since he had already heard top-secret information, backing out until the situation was resolved was out of the question.
“I am curious about the timeframe you have in mind, Family Head.”
“I am thinking of cutting ties with Steiger right after Flora graduates from Minerva Academy. Just as Enri said, I don’t want to affect Flora’s studies.”
“I understand.”
It meant that if he wanted to become the Family Head of Steiger, he had to raise his tier before Flora graduated from the Academy. There were only a few months left.
Otherwise, the ending would be the Steiger Family turning into ashes in the flames of Crimson Howl.
However, for Max, who did not fall under the category of punishment, this was not a condition that could be called motivation.
In the first place, whipping someone didn’t make their tier go up. Eisen also knew it was an unreasonable request, so he was devising a move where Crimson Howl would directly intervene when the time came.
The words he spat out largely meant to solidify the flow and direction.
“Ah, and about Geum Jong-Hwa, the Young Family Head of the Geumseong Family you got tangled up with in District 19. That greenhorn.”
“!”
An unexpected name popped out of Eisen’s mouth.
“He survived in tatters and replaced most of his body with machines. Judging by the state of the rumors, it seems he is highly anticipating the day he meets you.”
The moment Max heard the news that Geum Jong-Hwa was alive, he had a gut feeling.
“…I am certain that I will run into him again while doing requests.”
“Haha! Having an opponent you can equally compete with is a truly joyful thing.”
Eisen left his fishing rod as it was, got up from his chair, and headed toward the road.
Max also got up and followed behind him.
In the distance, the waiting vehicle and Driver could be seen at the entrance. It was the car Max had ridden in.
When Eisen gestured, the Driver quickly started the engine and got ready.
“I leave my granddaughter in your care. She seems to follow you well.”
“I will do my best.”
“I trust you won’t bring up any troubling stories to Flora.”
“Yes.”
The car slowly approached the place where Eisen and Max were.
At Eisen’s chin gesture telling him to hurry and go, Max bowed repeatedly before boarding the backseat.
The car rolled its wheels and began to move away from the Reservoir.
“Max-nim. Should I head to the front of the office in District 14?”
“Yes. Please do.”
He confirmed the destination with the Driver and sent his gaze outside.
“…”
Max understood all the hidden meanings contained in their conversation.
When Eisen said it would be a better picture to seat him as the Family Head rather than burning the Steiger Family to the ground, it wasn’t about some underdog’s rebellion where a Person who left home due to a lack of talent in Shooting Magic returned to the Family and reclaimed their position through their abilities.
It was to satisfy those expressing dissatisfaction internally by showing off their dominance through a performance where Crimson Howl decided the head of the Steiger Family.
‘It can’t be helped for now.’
Max knew his own position and Eisen’s stance.
The Temporary Clan Head of Crimson Howl had no need to consider the feelings of a mere Mercenary; wasn’t this the first time they were actually meeting face-to-face? Even if temporary, as the Family Head, it was natural for him to prioritize the Family’s interests.
Just the fact that he took the time to converse and resolve things this way showed how much Eisen respected Max.
‘Did he go easy on me for Flora’s sake?’
Flora seemed to find her grandfather and Family Head, Eisen Crimsonhowl, difficult to deal with, but to Max’s eyes, Eisen looked like he would give her the world if Flora asked.
He didn’t know if the atmosphere was the same inside the Family, but that was his impression.
‘Anyway… I’ve dipped my feet in deep, but this meeting was meaningful.’
He also found out who the Person issuing the Designated Request to the Association was. It was highly significant in that most of the information he had connected together.
In particular, the 'reward' Eisen told him to think about was like a hidden card.
“It will be a solid Background until I gain strength.”
Unable to hold back, Max reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a Lollipop.
The Driver thought Max was about to put a cigarette in his mouth and tried to press the air purification button, but upon seeing the candy in his hand, he grabbed the steering wheel with both hands again.
“Melon Flavor.”
To Max, it was the best flavor. Was it a sign that this meeting would act as good luck?
It seemed he would have to think a lot from now on.
* * *
“Hmm…”
Eisen returned to the spot where he had been fishing and plopped down.
He took out the phone he had put in his pocket and made a call. - The meeting must be over. How is he in Person?
A woman’s voice could be heard.
The Current Family Head of the Magic Noble Family Clements and Ellen Clements’s mother, Bella Clements.
“Dog Father, Tiger Son.”
Eisen gave his impression dryly.
It was short, yet the best description.
It was an indication that he couldn’t understand how such a tiger-like child was born under Layton Steiger. - Hmm~ It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Mage you praise. Isn’t he the first one other than your granddaughter and my daughter?
“I am not such a stingy Old Man. Even when you were young, I was certain you would become an outstanding Mage.” - Don’t think I’ll let you evaluate me.
“Haha! You’re still as prickly as ever.”
Regardless, Eisen’s words were not a lie. Max was a Mage whose future was highly anticipated, the likes of which he hadn’t seen in a very long time.
If Steiger wanted to rise to the ranks of a Magic Noble Family, it was highly probable that intensively investing in Max, rather than holding hands with Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals, was the way to go. - So, does your impression end with Dog Father, Tiger Son?
“Even though he has a soft side for a Mercenary, he seems to know well how to live in the city. He is strangely well-balanced for his young age.” - Seeing as my daughter is interested in him, he must not be ordinary. Your granddaughter also has good eyes and intuition, so isn’t that why she follows him?
“That sounds like an unnecessary addition, so I’ll leave out this Old Man’s opinion. It’s incredibly difficult to read a granddaughter’s heart.”
At Eisen’s answer, it became quiet for a moment, and Bella let out a cold voice. - You know. You’ve become boring since becoming the Family Head.
“Not the Family Head, but the Temporary Clan Head. I’m being forced to sit in a seat that doesn’t fit my vessel, so I’m breaking down in real-time.” - Pathetic… Anyway, you’re saying you’ll keep your granddaughter by the Mercenary’s side?
“If that is Flora’s will, how could I stop her? And since talented Mages can inspire each other, it is right to watch over them.” - If you keep her by a Mercenary’s side, she’ll also see the dirty aspects of Haze.
“Of course, that is also important.”
At Eisen’s affirmation, Bella Clements let out a laugh, as if she had remembered something. - My daughter is an immature child who only pretends to know everything about the world, and while that is lovely and cute, I’d like her to get a taste of the harsh reality for her future.
“Hoh, is the Family Head of Clements thinking of putting in a request directly?” - No matter how pretty and precious a daughter is, if you coddle and spoil her, won’t she just become a greenhouse flower?
“…” - Even if her tier gets higher like this, she’ll only grow up to be the kind of Mage who relies on her Shield and ends up getting stabbed to death. Would you be satisfied if your granddaughter grew up like that?
Eisen could only let out a groan at Bella’s words; he couldn’t refute them.