Chapter 380: Directors

On the night of **September 3rd**, Academy City was no different from any other day. Despite Russia's announcement of the end of the war, it seemed to have little impact on the people of this city.

From beginning to end, the war had no significant effect on Academy City.

Russian missiles were intercepted mid-flight, and submarines sent to disrupt supply lines were rendered completely blind by the city's advanced technology. To say they achieved nothing would be an understatement—they were utterly useless.

It was a one-sided war. If not for Russia's limited successes on the eastern front of the **Elizalinna Independent State Alliance**, they would have lost all face.

However, this was merely the perspective of ordinary students. The higher-ups in the **Board of Directors** saw things differently. Over the past month, Academy City had undergone significant changes.

—The **Board of Directors** had undergone numerous changes. In just one month, half of the directors had been replaced. If that were all, it wouldn't have been considered a major upheaval. The turnover rate among directors wasn't particularly slow, and for **Aleister Crowley**, directors were no different from ordinary staff—useless ones were simply replaced.

The real issue was the new director.

A man named **Li Mo**, this director was anything but conventional. Other directors climbed to their positions either for personal gain or to pursue their ideals. He, however, became a director with ease, and his actions seemed more like acts of revenge.

He was a disruptor, a catfish that stirred up the entire Board of Directors, causing a significant shift in its dynamics.

**Oyafune Monaka** adjusted her attire and entered an affiliated hospital in **District 13**.

This was the stronghold of **Yakumi Hisako**, one of the Board of Directors.

Upon being led into the reception room, Oyafune Monaka saw not only the familiar Yakumi Hisako but also another colleague.

—**Heaven Canceller**.

"You've arrived, Oyafune. Now we're only missing one person," Yakumi Hisako said, extinguishing her cigarette with her manicured fingers before tossing it into the trash.

"Apologies for being late," Oyafune Monaka said, taking her seat.

The three directors formed a triangular arrangement. Previously, their relationship had been limited to their shared role as members of the Board of Directors.

But the emergence of a certain young director had brought the three of them closer together.

"Director Yakumi, you remain as youthful as ever. I remember you looking just like this when my daughter was born," Oyafune Monaka remarked.

Heaven Canceller added, "Indeed. Both Oyafune and I have aged, but Director Yakumi remains as youthful as ever. It's quite enviable."

The three directors were not far apart in age, but their appearances were polar opposites. Heaven Canceller and Oyafune Monaka appeared elderly, while Yakumi Hisako looked as though she were in the prime of her life.

Everyone knew that Yakumi Hisako wasn't just young in appearance—her internal organs were also as youthful as a young person's. Excluding factors like experience, from a biological standpoint, she was essentially a young woman.

"We're all old acquaintances. No need to tease me. Let's discuss the matter at hand," Yakumi Hisako said.

A **Rensa** dressed in a nurse's uniform served tea to the three before quietly exiting the room.

Oyafune Monaka began, "You're referring to that young man, **Li Mo**, correct?"

She set the stage, as she had suffered the most losses during this period. While she had some connections to the dark side, they were minimal compared to other directors who were deeply entangled and unable to extricate themselves.

Heaven Canceller chimed in, "I've heard about it, but I'm an old man with a slow mind. My advisor told me not to worry, and I think she's right."

Yakumi Hisako observed her two colleagues. It was clear to her that they were aligned in their stance.

Both had a basis for cooperation, as they had suffered little in the recent upheaval. Most members of the Board were driven by self-interest, but if one were to pick the most morally upright among them, it would be these two.

"Let me be clear. Li Mo has left Academy City, as you both know. I won't dwell on that, but there's one thing that concerns me. His authority has been equally divided among three individuals. These three will form a small council to act on his behalf."

Li Mo was an outsider, so his departure wasn't surprising. The issue lay in the delegation of his authority.

In an age of advanced communication, where could he possibly be that he couldn't exercise his authority as a director? Furthermore, why was his authority being delegated to three others?

"Delegation is fine, as long as it's acceptable. The real question is, who allowed it?"

**He**.

**Aleister Crowley**.

The **Board Chairman** of Academy City had approved this arrangement.

Li Mo wasn't the one to fear—a young man with military power was hardly intimidating. What was terrifying was the man behind him: Aleister Crowley.

Those in high positions understood just how fearsome the Board Chairman truly was.

"In recent years, the Chairman has paid little attention to the major and minor affairs of Academy City. This time, he's taken a keen interest in a young man. How long will this attention and indulgence last?" Yakumi Hisako asked.

Oyafune Monaka replied, "I believe Director Li Mo is a reasonable person. The ones who should be most anxious aren't us, but the others."

"That's true."

Yakumi Hisako realized her objective wouldn't be achieved. Oyafune Monaka had keenly discerned the shifting winds and firmly aligned herself with Li Mo. Heaven Canceller had arrived with the same mindset.

She said, "Very well. I just wonder if the three chosen to act on his behalf will maintain a harmonious relationship. **Musujime Awaki**, **Yomikawa Aiho**, and **Accelerator**… this trio is quite perplexing. Accelerator, who returned to Academy City last night, even submitted a request to disband the dark side. And yet, he's one of the war's heroes."

Yakumi Hisako shifted the topic. She had originally planned to take advantage of Li Mo's absence to exert some pressure. The idea of a three-person council acting on his behalf seemed promising. After all, people were bound to have conflicts—there were no impregnable walls in the world.

But if one of the three was a seasoned diplomat, things would become complicated. Oyafune Monaka had become a director solely due to her ability to read people. Diplomats from various countries dreaded dealing with her. She was a woman who could achieve her goals even at the negotiation table.

"The Chairman has demanded that the war's heroes be rewarded. What are your thoughts on this?"

Oyafune Monaka said, "I agree."

"How so? Director Li Mo just took control of the dark side, and now it's to be disbanded? Will those people agree to that?" Yakumi Hisako asked.

She wanted to hear Oyafune Monaka's judgment, and even Heaven Canceller was eager to hear her perspective.

"There won't be any issues. Among us, Director Li Mo is likely the one who understands the Chairman best," Oyafune Monaka said. "We all know that the existence of the dark side isn't something that can be decided with a single statement."

No further judgment about the three-person council came from Oyafune Monaka.

Yakumi Hisako felt that the day had been fruitless, but the fact that the two were here meant one thing.

They were all part of the same alliance.