484: Chapter 15: Battle for Agents_2 484: Chapter 15: Battle for Agents_2 “Ha ha ha!” The old man laughed heartily, “Little Aureus from the Otimis family, you seemed much livelier when you were a child.
Have a seat—and while you’re at it, fetch me a bottle of whisky.”
“I’d be happy to.”
Aorus put on an animated smile and walked to the liquor cabinet following the old man’s instructions.
“Bottom shelf, grab a bottle of whisky,” the elder chuckled, “Perfect for an early morning pick-me-up.”
“An 80-year-old Red Top whisky,” Aorus took out the bottle as instructed, expressing genuine admiration, “You really have taste.”
This bottle hailed from 27 years ago, produced by the renowned “Red Top” distillery in the western part of Morton.
The distillery had closed down ten years prior due to poor management, and this single bottle could fetch the price of a house in Supibia, yet the old man merely used it as a morning refreshment.
“When it comes to enjoying life…
Ha ha!
You young folks still have a ways to go.”
The amber liquid poured into the glass, casting an intoxicating hue in the sunlight.
The Rainbow Winged Lord rubbed his hands together, conjuring a second glass out of thin air, and placed it in front of the visitor’s seat.
Aorus voiced his thanks and poured himself a full glass as well.
“A toast to…
what shall we toast to?” Hadrian raised his glass, mumbling to himself, “Let’s toast to your father.
To Gaius Otimis’s successful re-election as Vice President!”
“I convey my father’s thanks for your blessing.”
Aorus clinked glasses with the old man and downed the amber spirit in one gulp.
The high-proof alcohol made him feel as though he had swallowed a ball of fire, which burned its way from his throat to his stomach, nearly igniting an impulse to shout.
Aorus managed to control his expression and calmly set down his glass.
“Fine whisky.”
“Indeed, it’s the good stuff.”
Hadrian crossed his arms, leaned back, and sank into the plush chair.
Stroking his beard, he said, “By the way, your father’s decision came as quite a surprise to everyone.
We all thought Gaius was going to run for President this year.”
“My father never discussed these considerations with me…
Just a personal guess, I think the timing isn’t quite right.”
“Isn’t that the truth?
Two Monarch Dragons appearing out of nowhere, one even killed.
With the world in such a state of chaos, everyone is a bit at a loss.”
The old man stroked his beard in a familial manner, discussing the state of the world as though it were everyday chitchat.
“Alright, kid,” he said squinting, “What do you want to say?
There’s no need to beat around the bush, you can be straightforward—you know, I’m 97 years old this year.
For a Creator Realm Mage about to step into triple digits, there’s not much left in this world worth caring about.
Like any old man, I’ve got my personal enjoyments, my personal pursuits, that’s all.”
Aorus knew that the main event had arrived.
The old man in front of him spoke casually, but in reality, he was far from the detachment he described.
From this city to the far-away United States, the Rainbow Winged Lord precisely controlled the entire situation, exerting his influence over the United States even from thousands of miles away.
A misstep in speech, and all he would gain was a glass of fine whisky.
Aorus crossed his arms and looked directly into the old man’s eyes.
“Respected Mr.
Hadrian, I wish to take over the responsibilities of an agent.”
“Oh…
An agent?” Hadrian seemed puzzled, “I don’t remember the city government ever having such a position.”
“Of course, it’s not an actual ‘position,’ but rather a colloquial term,” Aorus explained methodically to the feigning old man, “The Sky City is governed jointly by the Three Great Countries, but the agreements signed at the time of construction meant that the Impermanence Law Enforcers from the three countries couldn’t move freely as they would in their own lands.
They can only fully commit to major incidents—and evidently, disturbances caused by a small number of Dragon Species don’t qualify.”
“But the power of the Dragon Species has turned out much greater than initially anticipated.
We thought this city was to harbor a few hundred thousand harmless research subjects, a few thousand God-reaching Level Dragon Species, and less than a double-digit number of Manifestation Level combatants.
Yet in reality, the number of Dragon Species in Sky City this year has almost reached 4.6 million, and it’s expected to surpass 5 million in three years.
There’re at least 50,000 combatants at the God-reaching Level, and even if we only consider the well-known Dragon Species, there are at least more than 20 at the Manifestation Level.
And as for high-risk Dragon Species like me, all of us are equivalent to the Peak of Manifestation.
Not to mention the new monsters and weapons that the researchers keep creating…”
Aorus spoke methodically: “If we exclude the Creator Realm Mages, the cumulative supernatural power in this city has already surpassed that of any other country in the world.
If we do not make the Impermanence Law Enforcers’ presence overt, the Three Great Countries will no longer be able to manage this city.”
“You’re too pessimistic, child!” Hadrian poured himself another glass of whisky, savoring it, “Let’s take our eyes off the paperwork and look at the world outside the window.
In the six years since its establishment, the city’s security has consistently been improving towards stability!”
Boom!
As if to echo Hadrian’s words, a column of black smoke rose from a distant neighborhood, with a building-sized crocodile raising its head amidst the radiance of many different abilities flaring around it.
Unabashedly, the old man commented, “Only two buildings fell this morning, how great is that!”
Aorus shifted his gaze away, pretending not to see the commotion outside the window.
“The fact that Sky City has held together thus far is inseparable from the existence of an agent.
The city’s security has indeed improved in recent years, and the Dragon Species have become more compliant.
The man who crafted this situation is our dear Mr.
Onowell, the patriarch of the Siluoke family.