Transcendent Gene-Chapter 277: Deception [1]

Aren was easily convinced to convey Gio’s words to his superiors. Aren had direct contact with the council Gio wanted to see, so such a conclusion was more than perfect.

Once the important talks were over, Aren subtly asked for a moment of privacy with Gio, which his party members obliged after he gave them the signal.

Gio was curious about this man named Aren.

’He’s not a part of the family I remember. Father never talked about him either, but Serene guaranteed his identity.’

Gio had never seen Serene in the past. She was a part of history that was erased before it could become something, so he felt the need to investigate her before allowing her to become a part of his party.

Unlike Neriah, who had a shady past, or Shiro, whose past was simple and straightforward, Serene had a complicated story. If it weren’t for the man she currently called her father, she would still be in the slums. At best, she’d be attending an ordinary school where her talents could never blossom.

The Riverwood Clan that she belonged to was known for its benevolence. Gio trusted her background, and he trusted that the clan behind her would thoroughly vet anyone who was its close ally.

Aren was one of such people. Gio continued to remind himself of that fact as he spoke to Aren.

’He gives off a suspicious vibe, but that also may be caused by his familiarity with me.’

After speaking for some time, Gio realized that Aren was aware of more than most people. He didn’t know that Gio had been sent to the Wasteland, but he was aware of all of the circumstances surrounding the Atmos Clan’s tragedy back then.

Aren spoke as if he was Gio’s real uncle. He didn’t hold much back and used a casual tone that was clearly not ordinary for him.

’Even the secretary was confused.’

It was an uneventful conversation. Really, Aren only wanted to introduce himself a bit better so Gio could ease the awkwardness he felt.

Gio, however, didn’t find it easy to trust the man.

’It’s only because he’s a stranger.’

If Kyrian could confirm Aren’s identity when they escaped the scenario, there was nothing to worry about. Until then, Gio would always view him through a lens of doubt.

Regardless, the conversations went well. Gio’s party was found by a new individual who revealed that their accommodations had been prepared. It turned out that Aren arranged it the moment he confirmed Gio and Serene’s identities.

As they took some time to rest, Aren did as he promised and took the issue to his superior.

The allied force was being ruled by a council of four people who led different groups.

The first was from NEXUS. The second managed all of the freelance and rogue allies. The third was from the army, while the fourth was a prime strategist who worked on the backlines at a much higher level than Aren.

The last of the four was Aren’s direct superior. It was easy for him to see the benefits of the proposed plan.

In fact, after hearing about how Gio proposed everything, he even gained some interest in the young genius.

"None of what he said to you was without reason," the man said.

His name was Jeriah, but he was better known as the "Divine Strategist." He belonged to the Federation’s military, but his talents gave him an equal or greater position in the Gehenna Army that protected the Complex as a whole.

"His goal was to entice you with words, and it worked. Do you realize that he gave you no concrete proof of anything?"

In reality, if Aren didn’t have some sort of connection with Gio, he would have been forced to reveal a lot more. Convincing someone who was as untrusting as himself was not an easy task, after all.

Gio couldn’t have planned to use his relationship with Aren to his advantage.

"If that is the case, then he has several cards that he was able to keep up his sleeve because of you."

Jeriah was speaking to Aren directly, but none of those words seemed to be meant for him.

"That child is from the First Institute, you said? With such an educational background and the ability to think so practically..."

Jeriah knew who Gio was from Aren’s description alone. He didn’t need anything further.

"That boy knows how to prioritize his interests. He’s trying to manipulate us into securing some benefits for himself, is he...?"

Jeriah smiled to himself.

"I just wonder what kind of benefits he could be chasing."

Gio caught the interest of one of the four council members because of his perceived greed.

"You’ve always achieved more than what I asked for without needing much compensation. I’ll entertain you this time."

Jeriah accepted Gio’s request for a meeting with the council.

Despite how fancy their official titles were, the four council members didn’t necessarily have much to do on a day-to-day basis inside the scenario.

The next day, a little while after noon, they gathered in order to discuss the matter.

Gio went to face them with his party, who insisted on accompanying him despite being aware that they couldn’t do much during the meeting.

They were brought to an office space similar to where they met Aren, however, the space was occupied by a single long table surrounded by rolling chairs.

There were three men and a woman seated around said table with stoic expressions. The air around them was heavy and still, making it hard to stand comfortably in their presence.

"Good afternoon," Gio said with a smile, forcefully breaking the tension.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Yves Atmos. You may have heard of or even met my father before. He was quite famous in the past, you see."

"We are more than aware of the Atmos Clan," the woman of the four said.

"You are Kyrian’s son? If I’m not mistaken, he only had two children, and neither should be your age yet."

’It’s good to know that everyone’s keeping tabs on our clan.’

"I am indeed Kyrian Atmos’ son."

Gio’s thoughts were much more hostile than his words.

"The circumstances are a bit complicated, but my identity can be verified. There’s no need to focus too much on it."

"I agree."

Jeriah spoke up, smiling at Gio.

"The boy’s identity is already confirmed. I gathered the three of you because of something more interesting than what the Atmos Clan is up to."

’He must be the strategist.’

He was the only one Gio received an introduction to, as Aren could really only tell him the details about the individual he knew.

Jeriah gave Gio a look that urged him to talk. The little bit of backing he gave was enough to bring the other three leaders’ attention to him. It was his job to use this time to pitch himself.

And pitch himself he did.

Gio’s plan relied on a lot of assumptions. He made assumptions that he could almost guarantee were true. His audience, on the other hand, made assumptions based on his words and found truth in a place where it was vague.

He wasn’t a scammer. At the end of the day, as long as he returned with information about the other side’s clues, his end of the proposed bargain would be upheld and the allied forces would benefit.

But what was their side of the bargain?

After listening for a long time, Jeriah was the first one to speak up.

"What’s in it for you?"

He asked such a question in a tone of voice far too informal to belong to a world leader.

"Excuse me?" Gio asked, not quite understanding the question. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"You heard me," Jeriah responded.

"You and your team will be at the center of everything. You’ll see our clues, and you’ll bring us theirs. That much is fine, but aren’t you risking a little too much for someone without a connection to either side? There must be something you seek."

"There is."

Gio already had an excuse prepared.

"The clues are useful to you, and there are other things that are useful for us. To put it simply, we plan to take more than just a clue or two and we need an easy way to escape when everything’s done."

They were just hungry students hunting for the biggest prey they could find.

As Gio continued to speak, everything came together. The plan became more cohesive, and through what he picked up about the Old Duke and his forces, he was able to solidify his point even further.

Three of the four leaders were convinced about the veracity of his plan.

"I don’t see the harm in letting you see them. It won’t change anything even if you do."

"If you are able to achieve what you claim to be capable of, you will be rewarded with far more than just what you can find in the other camp."

"Mm."

They all agreed in different ways.

And the last...

"This’ll be fun to watch. I’ll give my blessing as well."

Jeriah didn’t believe Gio in the slightest. He could sense the greed in the boy’s eyes, and as someone who spent his life playing mind games, he immediately saw through the lies being told to his face.

He supported Gio despite his suspicions because he didn’t sense any real hostility from the information being hidden from him. It was more of a situation where facts were being hidden so one side could walk away with more benefits than anyone else.

’What are you trying to do?’

Rather than wariness, he felt a real curiosity that excited him.

Someone was trying to play games right in front of him.

Nobody in the world had the confidence to do such a thing anymore.

So, even if the challenge was accidental and from someone at least twenty years his junior...

’You said Yves, but Aren called you Gio. Congratulations. You have my attention.’

...he was more than happy to accept it.