Jorgen-2

"I don't need him," said Mardias.

After conversing with Mardias, Jorgen brought him in front of the old man.

"Make it clear," the old man said.

"I don't need something like that by my side. Besides, I seriously doubt the positive impact of this plan on the future of the MI7," Mardias replied.

Jorgen, standing on the side, observed Mardias. The statement was more controversial than it sounded because they both knew that the future of the MI7 was essentially the future of Mardias. From the perspective of the future leader, he judged that the meticulous and secretive plan the old man had been working on for so many years lacked significance.

A moment of silence filled the room. The old man raised his eyes, waiting for further explanation.

"I've studied every task executed by the Pallbearers as recorded in the files," Mardias continued. "They do have a significant advantage in high-destructive and extremely dangerous missions, making them excellent bodyguards. However, in tasks requiring high secrecy, a well-trained MI7 agent clearly outperforms them. Not to mention intelligence work, which the Pallbearers are utterly incapable of, and that's the core of the MI7's work. So, I believe they do have a special role, but it's not worth too much attention."

"We understand the pros and cons you've listed. In fact, this basic understanding is the premise of discussing this issue," the old man said. "However, Mardias, you should think carefully before speaking. Don't think that such a shallow analysis will be beneficial. The more extensive the destructive action, the more difficult it is to maintain secrecy. But involving the Pallbearers can easily achieve this."

After a few seconds, Mardias continued, "But there are other aspects. If the mastermind behind the plan can't keep secrets, then security is just talk. You've been too indulgent with Lawrence, Lord Shawl. Lawrence is not a person who can keep absolute secrecy, and you've given him too much autonomy, even without restricting him by sharing his technology. I know this is unavoidable because dispersing this technology may lead to more secrecy issues. But, exaggeratingly speaking, Lawrence's position in the entire plan has now surpassed yours. It's like giving Lawrence a knife and ordering him to 'kill,' but without restricting 'whom.' Yes, his research relies on your assistance, but if he's smart enough to realize your considerable dependence on him, it's hard to predict what might happen. The files clearly show that you've been concealing the actual application of the completed Pallbearers from him, making him think these 'rejects' are just killers and bodyguards. So, obviously, you have concerns about this yourself."

"Jorgen," the old man said. "What are your thoughts on Mardias's words?"

"In fact, the technology has already been shared now, with Tusha's involvement. Based on my personal understanding of him, he won't unconditionally side with Lawrence. His actions have a considerable degree of mystery, undoubtedly affecting Lawrence's control. So, I think Mardias overestimates Lawrence's position in the plan. Of course, this complicates the situation, so understanding Tusha's intentions is crucial."

As Mardias was about to speak, Jorgen continued, "But from another perspective, Mardias's judgment also makes sense. The simplest and most effective way to control a person is to decide their life and death. Unfortunately, due to Prince Galin's intervention, we haven't truly mastered Lawrence's life. According to your files, Prince Galin cooperates with us because he wants powerful warriors to assist him in reclaiming his country. But out of pride, personal likes, and dislikes, he refuses 'rejects' without human thinking, like the Pallbearers. What he needs are warriors who can stand by him gloriously, or in his words, 'fearless knights.' He is patiently waiting for Lawrence to complete his research, and until that day comes, he won't allow us to act against Lawrence. Lawrence should be aware of this. Without controlling his life, comprehensive control is impossible."

"Moreover, although Prince Galin hasn't shown much intelligence, he is still the sovereign of a country, making it challenging for us to guide him," Mardias added. Whatever he intended to say earlier, he chose to support Jorgen with a straightforward and hurried reason this time.

"Your viewpoints are that the plan carries too much risk, not that it lacks value," the old man said, turning his gaze to Jorgen.

"The value diminishes with the increased risk," Mardias said.

This time, Jorgen did not express agreement. "I think it's too early to make that judgment. The individual named 'Renner,' his current status is more important than Lawrence and Tusha. Although Lawrence claims he is the current perfect product, the actual situation? Has he met Lawrence's requirements, Galin's requirements, Tusha's requirements, or ours? Without understanding the actual situation, we cannot devise an effective strategy. Speaking of which, I want to ask a question, Lord Shawl."

"Speak," the old man said.

"According to the files, Lawrence was very enthusiastic about inviting you to visit his achievements. Did you give him any promises? Because I didn't read..."

"My promise is that the first perfect specimen will become Mardias's guardian. Although both of you argue about how Lawrence might be, you don't understand his vanity. Studying for the sake of studying sounds noble, but the phrase 'the MI7 heir will adopt your achievements, and you will go down in history' is also an indispensable motivation for him. To establish a master-servant relationship between the Pallbearers and specific individuals, a specific training program involving the master is required. So my original plan was for you to review the data, and then Mardias would proceed to receive the completed specimen, as the first step in continuing the entire plan. But now, Mardias, you said 'no.' Leaving aside the broader aspects, let me ask again, Mardias: do you think you don't need Pallbearers by your side?"

Jorgen noticed the phrase "continuing the entire plan." The old man indirectly admitted that he was now incapable of continuing. Time and energy did not allow it. Whether the Pallbearers plan was something he had long prepared to pass on to the heir or had grown too large, exceeding his life's limits, the only fact was: it was the old man's labor of many years. Mardias was unwilling to accept this legacy.

"No," Mardias said.

"Then, besides what you just said, do you have any other reasons to add?"

"I think... I believe that a perfect specimen with free will, looking and behaving like an ordinary person, is not what you want, even though the files don't mention this. You value using the Pallbearers to spread panic, making everyone fear you more. For outsiders who don't know the facts, a significant symbol of the Pallbearers is 'Shawl can control minds.' I don't want to build my reputation through such means—having a puppet without thoughts by my side. Over time, this fear, unsupported by actual evidence, will turn the MI7 into everyone's enemy. The future of the MI7 should not be like this."

To Jorgen, Mardias's viewpoint, though reasonable, was more emotionally expressed than logical; he emphasized his own discomfort with a hint of idealism. For a seventeen-year-old, such expression was natural, but from the old man's perspective, it might seem somewhat amusing. Unexpectedly, the old man did not press him.

"You're talking about the situation of the Pallbearers from the past. But if the new specimen is indeed as Lawrence claims, reaching a perfect level with thinking no different from ordinary people, these justifications are invalid," the old man said.

"Even if that's the case," Mardias said, "I still don't need it."

"Why?"

Mardias fell silent. In this conversation, he looked away for the first time to a place where no one was present. After a moment, he looked back at the old man, slightly raising his voice.

"I believe you have just tacitly allowed me not to accept the past Pallbearers but still consider accepting the new form of the specimen. From this perspective, the decision is on my side, even if I don't explain. My instinctive choice is 'not needed,' no need for further explanation. Perhaps you can consider letting Jorgen inherit this plan, but... I've decided to abandon it. I'm sorry."

"Why apologize?" the old man said.

"Because... I am about to, or may have already, violated your will."

"You refuse to accept my most important effort, and you don't intend to give me a reasonable explanation."

"I refuse. And I don't think it's your most important effort—such a risky and malicious plan is a burden on the MI7."

The old man leaned back, looking into Mardias's eyes. Mardias felt uncomfortable, not out of fear, but uncertainty. He knew his words were like a clumsy way of expressing his intentions, almost foolish in front of his grandfather. "The decision is on my side, even if I don't explain," sounded like a child who grabbed someone else's toy and started crying loudly.

"You can leave now," the old man said. "Jorgen, stay."

Mardias left the room, walking down the stairs to the lower level but didn't take another step. He now felt a strong sense of unease, tapping his right index finger on the staircase railing. After reading the files brought by Jorgen, his first thought was that he didn't want to inherit such a plan. Unfounded disgust emerged in his heart, like the stench of a corpse wafting from an abandoned house, yet people couldn't determine its source. Even a perfect specimen, fundamentally speaking, was not much different. He recalled his younger days. He could speak, eat, fight, not only healthy but surpassing ordinary people. Still, many believed he wouldn't think, or rather, confined his thinking within a certain range—the range of the MI7 heir. When Jorgen described the Pallbearers' characteristics to him, he used an analogy of an 'arrow already shot.' Mardias often felt like another arrow shot at a different target. In the past two years, he had made many efforts to dispel these impressions among those around him, but it had almost no effect. The Pallbearers seemed to him like a suggestion: "Your life has only one predetermined destination, just like ours."

He didn't want such a curse to linger on him forever.

However, expressing resistance so directly exceeded his own estimate. Grandfather leaving only Jorgen for a conversation made him believe that his actions would inevitably lead to certain results, but he couldn't determine whether these results were positive or negative.

After more than twenty minutes, Jorgen came down the stairs.

"You're still here."

"What did Grandfather say to you?"

Jorgen could see the anxiety in Mardias's eyes due to his immaturity. Anxiety was always negative, but immaturity wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Since you refused to accept the specimen, you don't plan to go to Stromgarde, right?"

"I can't think of a reason to go."

"That's fine. Lord Shawl asked me to confirm your attitude, then observe the situation at Stromgarde before taking further action."

"What action? This vague order doesn't seem like something he would give."

"He did have two clear requests. First, I need to bring Lawrence back to the MI7 and try to avoid trouble. There's another order he asked me to pass on to you." Jorgen handed over the Pallbearers file. "Take it."

Mardias took the file, still looking at Jorgen.

"According to the information on it, gradually lift the monitoring of all surviving originals, erase related evidence. Finally, burn it. Since you strongly express refusal to inherit the plan, then this 'refusal' itself is a responsibility. Lord Shawl commands you to take up this responsibility."

"Why...?"

"Don't you understand? Abandon the Pallbearers plan. You handle this part, and I'll deal with the matters at Stromgarde. Your actions need to be not only swift but also discreet enough not to let Lawrence and Galin notice the cessation of original supply—at least not while I'm still at Stromgarde."

"...Understood." After Mardias finished speaking, he fell silent for a moment, then turned and left.

"Wait, Mardias."

"What?"

"I'll be away for quite a while this time. Remember the Saturday two weeks from now..."

"I'll go to the hospital for you. You don't need to say that."

After Mardias left, Jorgen returned to his office and found a small bag on his desk.

"What's this?" He asked the guard who opened the door for him. "Did you let others in while I was away?"

The guard raised an eyebrow, glanced at the corner of the room, and then said, "That... that's a snack Miss Elaine sent for you. I indeed didn't let her 'personally' in, but..."

"Alright, alright. Leave. Oh, have someone make me a cup of tea."

"Oh, would you like to have the snacks with tea?"

Jorgen didn't answer, and the guard quickly left the room, closing the door. Jorgen heard him calling a servant to fetch tea leaves.

He sat down, looking at the small blue bag, recalling the tone and expression the old man had when talking to him just now.

In Jorgen's view, the old man might have given up the plan mainly out of a more helpless reason: Mardias was unwilling to inherit, and Jorgen obviously didn't want to either, so it's better to abandon it. Entrusting such a vast and complex plan to someone who wasn't committed would only lead to self-destruction. However, before the end of the conversation, the old man said something unrelated.

"That boy has surpassed you in height."

"...Lord Shawl?"

"I said that boy is taller than you. In the end, he still resembles his father more, and you."

Jorgen felt like he should respond in some way but couldn't organize his words.

"Go away. I'm tired."

Thinking back to this, Jorgen untied the string that secured the small bag.