The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 256: Conflict of Interest

"Boss," Blanc spoke up all of a sudden, as they left the lab some time later, "Do you have any other appointments scheduled for today?"

’Appointments scheduled.’ That sounded so... professional. As if Lane were some kind of CEO, rather than a boss of a secret, illegal organization. And a very chaotic, borderline careless boss at that.

But that was Blanc, after all. He came from a corporate environment, and probably still saw himself as some sort of manager or something. Well, if that made him feel fulfilled, then whatever.

As for Lane’s ’appointments’... Did another bloody date night with monsters count? Probably not! Not that Lane was going to skip on that - he dragged himself all the way to Forbidden Zone No. 74, so he might as well have some fun while here! - but it could afford to wait a bit.

"I have some time now," he said. "Why?"

"In that case, would it be alright if we returned to the office together? There’s something I would like to discuss with you in private."

"Well... Fine," Lane let out a sigh. For some reason, he had a bad feeling about it, but it wasn’t like Blanc could actually harm him, so there was no need to avoid it. Rather, perhaps it was better to hear him out, so that Lane knew what was going through his head. The man was quite an enigma, and so different from Lane, that he could hardly figure him out half the time.

They went to Lane’s office, where Lane threw himself at the black leather chair behind the desk, resting his chin on his hand, and crossing his legs by resting his ankle on his knee. Blanc’s brows twitched as such a casual posture - with the way he was dressed, Lane truly looked more like a villain boss rather than a proper boss of a serious organization - but he didn’t comment on that. As displeasing as it still was, he was already used to Lane’s impropriety.

"Boss, I would like to inquire about the purpose of the Gates you asked us to purchase a few months ago, the ones that are meant to be left uncleared," he just said, getting straight to the point.

"Hmm." Lane’s eyes narrowed. "That’s for my... private project. There’s no need for you to care about it."

"I understand. I have no intention of meddling in Boss’ private affairs... However, as one of the major executives, I can’t help but be concerned about the financial benefits the Association might gain from confiscating high-ranking Gates..."

"That won’t be a problem," Lane cut Blanc off. "Their gains from those dungeons won’t be significant enough to change their overall situation. Even if they use it to purchase better equipment, it won’t improve their forces by much. The top Guilds are still our main concern."

After all, it was the top Guilds that benefited the most in the current situation, and thus were likely to support the Association in maintaining the status quo. Not because they necessarily liked all the rules and restrictions placed on the Guilds and the Awakened... But rather because they were somewhat above the law. The Association was too weak to control them, and relied on the Guilds’ power to maintain peace, whether it was clearing the Gates that appeared, or helping out in case of dungeon breaks. It was only medium and small Guilds, as well as freelancers, who struggled under all the restrictions. But top Guilds didn’t care about them, not as long as they could do whatever they wanted.

And Blanc was aware of it as well, thus he didn’t press any further. Instead, he suggested, "Wouldn’t it be a good opportunity to proceed with the next steps of Manaforming? Although the top Guilds might oppose us, they are not responsible for conducting inspections, only the Association is. We could use the fact that the Association is busy with the Gates they confiscate to dispatch agent to the Restricted Zones to plant the Fertilizer..."

"I believe I have already told you it’s not a good time," Lane snapped, clicking his tongue with annoyance. As expected, this ’thing’ Blanc wanted to discuss was nothing good!

"Yes, that’s true... However, Boss, you haven’t explained as to why. If you did, perhaps we could figure out how to bypass any problems there might be..."

Lane couldn’t help but scoff. How bold! Blanc really was taking it too far...

Well, actually he didn’t. Thinking from his point of view, it was only natural he pushed for the realization of new projects. It was supposed to be one of the major goals of their organization, and while Blanc, as well as all the other members, were working for Lane, they were also working FOR THEMSELVES... It was something they all wanted to achieve, so it must have been frustrating when their Boss suddenly said ’Nope, hold on,’ for no reason...

But just because Blanc’s actions were reasonable, that didn’t mean they were any less irritating to Lane, who didn’t feel like taking things further at that moment.

What was he supposed to do, though? He didn’t have to respond to Blanc, of course. He could just dismiss him, and there was nothing Blanc could do about it...

Not to his face, at least. If Lane wasn’t careful, Blanc could start working under the surface to proceed with the plans against Lane’s orders. He was smart, and with his ability to read minds, he could probably find a way to do it that wouldn’t be traceable back to him. Just give a little nudge to a few people here and there, and things would start moving. Or he could gather people who were loyal to him... It would be hard for them to kick Lane out, but that didn’t mean they were helpless without him. Especially now, when the organization no longer depended on his investments...

So what, hypnotize Blanc? As a mind reader, he had good resistance to mental attacks, but he was still only a B-ranker. Lane would be able to hypnotize him. It was only that...

Lane’s eyes swept through the room, quickly scanning the surroundings. As expected, there were a few hidden cameras. Of course, Lane could still dispose of them afterward, but... The lack of them could alert Blanc that something had happened. And if Lane made him forget about the cameras altogether? No, Blanc was smart, he probably considered that possibility as well. It was likely that he had various reminders and notes spread in different places, that would tip him off that something was wrong... frёewebnoѵēl.com

But if not hypnosis, then how could Lane possibly respond? Just let them proceed with the projects, only trying to slow them down as much as possible? Technically he could, but he’d be on Damien’s team soon, and he would only have very limited time to deal with all the secret organization stuff...

PING!

All of a sudden, Lane’s phone pinged, interrupting the uncomfortable silence.

What a great timing! "Just a sec," Lane exhaled softly, pulling out his phone.

It was Ava. [Nyla’s at ManaTech], she texted.

Oh, well.

"I’m sorry, but we need to end it here for now. I need to make an urgent call," Lane excused himself. "We’ll get back to it later."

He was planning to use his phone to get away regardless, but right now, he really had to go!