9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 120 - Corpse Flower (2)

After reading President Brightner’s journal, Erika scrunched up her face in disgust.

She must be conflicted between guilt and sympathy for her father, and contempt and hatred.

However, I let out a hollow laugh.

“This is obviously drugs, isn’t it?”

Forgetting hunger and fatigue, feeling stronger, dramatically improved concentration, and mood becoming inexplicably euphoric for no reason.

Side effects include itching spreading from the body’s extremities, bloodshot eyes, convulsive laughter, loss of judgment, etc.

Yeah, it’s just drugs.

This world has drugs too.

Things like refined plant sap, leaves chewed for fatigue recovery, even chemical compounds.

I’ve seen plenty of that stuff.

Just recalling Lucas’s memories from before I possessed him, it was commonplace. Ameli’s tavern sold alcohol and drugs together.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t illegal.

Schufaben’s revolutionary government had tried to “create a clean society!” and harshly cracked down on underground culture, only to face massive backlash.

Along with economic problems, it could be called one of the two major causes of the revolutionary government’s downfall.

Kruger, who stole power, gained popularity by abolishing all regulations.

Of course from Kruger’s perspective, it would be good for citizens to indulge in pleasure rather than pay attention to politics.

Anyway, despite all that, severe addicts still weren’t welcomed anywhere.

I had planned Redan Tavern as an “upper-class club,” so I didn’t bring in drugs, but sometimes guys who looked like they were in bad shape would come. I often kicked them out for quality control.

When I lived in Rubellia, there were nobles who were obviously drug addicts frequenting the salon, and they didn’t seem to think about hiding it.

‘Come to think of it, Lucas was clean in that regard.’

Lucas Redan, who had suffered from alcohol addiction, nicotine addiction, and even sugar addiction—making it difficult for me who possessed this body—strangely never touched drugs.

“Please never do drugs.”

Was it because Ameli had asked him? No, it seemed more like he was afraid.

‘If my mind becomes scattered, I won’t be able to devote my loyalty to Supreme Leader!’

What kind of guy is this?

He was afraid that if he got high on drugs, he wouldn’t be able to worship Kruger sincerely? While freely drinking and smoking. Looking at it again, he was insane.

***

“So that’s why I called you.”

I shrugged my shoulders while looking at Johann.

“Killing Lieutenant General Kaiser is too out of the blue.”

“Ha.”

Johann swept his bangs back with a twisted smile.

“First, let me say this. I was thoroughly excluded from the experiments.”

His voice as he tapped the journal was extremely dry and businesslike.

“This record starts from November 1901. If that’s when Ossel contacted the businessmen, the plan must have been proceeding from much earlier. Do you understand?”

“What do you take me for?”

“At least three years. I never noticed such movements during that time. Not when I was under Colonel Eric Klein in District 13, nor when I caught Lieutenant General Kaiser’s eye and worked at headquarters in District 1. You can see how top secret this was handled.”

“But you found out like this.”

“Right. The fact that you bastards found out means this drug could be released to civilians any time now.”

I nodded.

“That’s right. Oscar also said he found related reports at the factory. Want to see?”

He quickly turned his head to look at Oscar, then took the materials I handed him.

The report Oscar had copied from the factory research lab contained content about drugs that “improve workers’ efficiency.”

“Since that was originally state-owned, it wouldn’t be strange if they knew about this experiment, right?”

“We have to assume commercialization is almost complete.”

Johann put down the materials.

“Since it’s such a convenient drug, it must be being used somewhere. They couldn’t have only released it to factories.”

“If not factories, then where?”

“Don’t you know?”

He pointed at me mockingly.

“Ah, ah! Damn it!”

I felt like electricity shot through my brain as chills ran down my spine.

You idiot! How are you only realizing this now?

“Erika, please hit my head hard once.”

“Okay.”

When I grabbed Erika’s hand and asked, she struck my forehead without any hesitation.

Smack! With the sound, my vision went dizzy for a moment.

“Bro, brother, are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine, probably?”

“Your brain must have been shaken.”

And the murmuring sounds. I shook my head vigorously and pulled myself together.

“Thanks. I feel completely alert now. Hey, listen to me. Remember? The majors who enlisted with me and were assassinated.”

“Ah!”

Georg’s eyes widened as if he realized something.

“There were many unresolved questions surrounding their deaths, right?”

“They showed strange behavior before dying.”

“And toxic components were detected in the corpses. From a plant called canil that only grows wild in Cortana, components that only come from canil roots. Of course, it wasn’t poisoning, and canil poison isn’t that strong to begin with.”

I nodded.

“What did Ferint put in the majors’ drinks? I didn’t drink mine. I had completely forgotten about it.”

“It was this drug.”

Now the pieces finally fit together.

I slowly opened my mouth.

“Let me organize this. Kruger has been preparing for war for a long time. And he’s been thoroughly investing in it. Like increasing military spending every year. Just what’s visible on the surface is enough to be called a warmonger, but behind the scenes, who knows what else he’s done…

He must have invested enormously in new technology research too. Things like the new airships Oscar saw at the factory are probably just the tip of the iceberg.

This new drug development was probably in the same context. The poison detected in the majors’ corpses was canil components, but it was said to be too powerful. Maybe the researchers modified the plant.”

“To produce stronger poison…”

Georg muttered, and I nodded.

In the world I lived in, plants were improved through genetic manipulation, combined, or even changed to completely different species levels.

I don’t know what level the biotechnology here is at, but if there’s magic, then maybe.

“Originally canil only grows in parts of the Colt Mountains, so it’s a rare plant that few people know about. It was a common weed that didn’t get attention because it tasted terrible.

But the researchers focused on its toxicity and created an improved variety with powerful drug components.

So, the conclusion is this.

First. Kruger has been preparing for war for a long time.

Second. As part of that, he tried to develop a new drug that could more efficiently exploit workers and soldiers.

Third. Using the fact that the canil used in the new drug development was a Cortana native species, he framed the majors’ deaths as Cortana’s doing. And he’s been secretly cultivating improved canil varieties in the Colt Mountains. That’s how I caught them.

Fourth. The new drug development is almost complete, and several businessmen including Mr. Brightner were involved in the experimental process.

That’s it. Tell me if there are any logical errors.”

The members, lost in thought, all nodded.

“It all seems roughly correct.”

Oscar, who had been rolling his eyes, said.

“Good, then here’s the question. Why do we need to kill Lieutenant General Kaiser now?”

Johann, who had been quietly taking out a cigarette, raised one corner of his mouth.

“Are you an idiot?”

“Yes, yes, I’m an idiot. So please explain.”

Johann crossed his legs, took a deep drag of cigarette smoke, then opened his mouth dryly.

“I want to talk with just the two of us for a moment.”

Suddenly a dangerous tension flowed through the room.

“That’s not—”

Erika tried to step forward, but I jumped up and stopped her.

“If we don’t grant his request, that guy will absolutely never help us. You know that right?”

Erika stepped back with a displeased expression. Georg came over and whispered.

“Brother, what about guns?”

I patted my inner pocket. Oscar nodded.

“Good, we’ll load ours too. We’ll be in the hallway, so yell if you need help.”

***

After the members left and I closed the door firmly before returning, Johann was making an incredulous expression.

“You really think I’m an utter fool.”

“It’s natural to be wary, between us. Now, shall we have a frank conversation? What were you trying to say?”

He frowned slightly, then opened his mouth.

“Excluding Ossel, how many people do you think are directly or indirectly involved in this research?”

“Well. Researchers and government officials, field civil servants, businessmen and workers… At least over 100, wouldn’t it be?”

“Right. For Ossel’s nature of handling things secretively, it’s quite large-scale. Controlling and supervising all of them. This isn’t something one or two low-ranking Ossels can do.”

“True, maintaining secrecy is the most difficult thing. Ah, then a considerable part of the Ossel organization is?”

“In Lieutenant General Kaiser’s grasp.”

For a brief moment, though it passed quickly, Johann’s eyes seemed gloomy. He soon threw away the cigarette that was almost finished and took out a new one.

“Supreme Leader called me and Lieutenant General Kaiser separately and assigned us different tasks. We couldn’t know each other’s missions at all. However, Lieutenant General Kaiser quickly figured out my mission, but I couldn’t do the same. What do you think that means?”

“It’s not that you lack ability, and the guys you thought you had on your side were actually attached to the lieutenant general. But then you really do lack ability.”

I was being sarcastic, but Johann’s expressionless face didn’t break.

“Supreme Leader is preparing for war again, and the continental and Schufaben political situations are chaotic. At times like this, if the intelligence agency’s power is split in two, it can’t function properly.

Supreme Leader isn’t foolish enough not to know that, so he’ll surely try to give power to one of us—me or Lieutenant General Kaiser. After that, he’ll create another competitor and set up a loyalty competition, but that will be someone from outside Ossel.”

“So… your life is.”

“Could end at any time.”

Third cigarette.

His cigarette-smoking pace is getting faster.

‘He doesn’t seem to be aware of it himself.’

I leaned back against the sofa and looked at Johann.

“But there’s also a possibility Kruger will choose you, right? Think about it, Lieutenant General Kaiser killed all the watchers Kruger sent. How annoying is that? So wouldn’t he favor you more, since you haven’t shown your claws yet?”

“That might be so. But it’s not certain. And if I were the lieutenant general, I wouldn’t die quietly with all those Ossels under me. I’d at least make the choice to strike first and eliminate the competition.”

“So you’re going to do the same? Give up the possibility of being chosen even though you could just wait? The odds are fifty-fifty.”

“Unlike you, I don’t like gambling. Especially gambling with my life. If I’m going to gamble, I only do it when I can win.”

“Who said I’m a gambler? No, but more than that, isn’t teaming up with me gambling from the start?”

Having hit a nerve, Johann smiled unpleasantly.

“I thought I could win.”

“Why?”

“You were several times smarter and bolder than Colonel Eric Klein. I absolutely couldn’t lose. That’s all.”

He pointed at me with his burnt-out cigarette.

“Ah… ha.”

I stared at him dumbfounded, then chuckled.

“Thanks for the compliment. I didn’t know you evaluated me so highly. But there’s still insufficient grounds. Even if we take out Lieutenant General Kaiser, if Kruger finds it offensive and tries to eliminate you too, it’s all for nothing.”

And Johann’s answer lightly smacked the back of my head.

“Supreme Leader likes people who are bold and understand his intentions. That’s the secret of how you’ve survived. So I’m just following suit.”

For a moment my mind went blank.

That’s right, that’s how I survived.

Walking a tightrope precariously, by appealing to Kruger. Johann knew that.

I could only smile the same rotten smile as him.

“Well, that’s an honor. Alright, I get it. Let’s kill him, let’s kill him.”

So what’s good for us?

I didn’t ask such an amateur question. Johann naturally didn’t explain either.

“Then.”

“Wait.”

I reached out and stopped Johann, who was crushing his half-smoked cigarette.

“Please help me.”

I grinned wickedly at him.

“Just once, how about it?”

I thought his face would contort. I would have. But Johann surprised me once again.

He glanced at the closed door with an expressionless face.

“You really don’t stray from expectations.”

“What?”

“Why do you think I requested a private meeting?”

“Hey, you don’t mean you knew I’d do this…”

He sent me a gaze full of irritation, then slowly lowered his head.

“Please help me.”

“……”

An awkward silence flowed.

Looking at Johann’s fist clenched white with tension, I shivered slightly.

Ah, he got cornered.