Chapter 730 - 723: Special Recruitment
"Hm?"
Just as Lono was about to ask his secretary to find a reason to politely decline Bernard City’s request, his will wavered for a moment.
Because in that instant, he felt the faint tremor of the crack on the back of his right hand, the one that resembled the slit of an eye.
’This is...’
Lono’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Just now, it seemed "Balance" had tipped ever so slightly.
’Why?’
’Have I encountered something that will affect the path of my own destiny again?’
He turned his head to look at the Data on the floating light screen before him.
’Is it because of this person?’
’Does the stirring of "Balance" mean there’s a risk in contacting him, or is not contacting him the better choice?’
’Every time "Balance" stirs, it’s so difficult to decipher...’
"Should I decline Bernard City’s request for you?"
Just then, his secretary’s voice came through the comms, interrupting Lono’s thoughts.
"No, don’t refuse. I will intervene in this matter. Notify the control room to turn the Aircraft Carrier around. We’re heading to the Gena Continent in the Black Sea Star Zone. I want to meet this person myself."
Lono said, his expression calm.
"This..."
Hearing this, the secretary looked taken aback, apparently not expecting such a drastic change in Lono’s attitude.
"Understood. I’ll notify the control room immediately. However, I must remind you that area is currently under the Holy Mark Steward’s jurisdiction, not ours. Rushing over there now for a candidate he rejected might provoke unnecessary conflict."
"The Holy Mark Steward is, after all, a core member of the Black Seal Civilization’s Batodomiya Clan. He has significant influence within the Primordial Star Organization. Entering his territory unannounced is not a wise move. Perhaps we need a plausible reason."
the secretary said softly to Lono.
"You have a point. Acting without a valid pretext and giving that guy, Holy Mark, a reason to cause trouble would certainly be a headache."
Lono nodded slightly at her words.
"Then, inform the Holy Mark Steward that I am traveling to the Gena Continent not for the recruitment of candidates, but to assess someone for one of my special recruitment slots. That, at least, is within my jurisdiction."
Lono said coolly.
"A special recruitment slot..."
This time, Lono’s words left his secretary astonished once again.
She knew very well what a special recruitment slot signified.
This wasn’t a right related to the recruitment of candidates, but a personal privilege belonging to those at the Steward Level within the Primordial Star Organization.
It allowed them to select a suitable person of exceptional Talent from any eligible Low-level Civilization within the entire East Thirteen Districts. The chosen individual would not need to undergo any tests or have their Power assessed, and they could directly gain entry into the Primordial Star Organization.
However, this privilege came with strict quantitative limits. Even a Steward Level existence only received three such slots every five hundred years.
In reality, this special recruitment slot was a benefit granted to a Steward. It was usually given to their closest confidants. Unless a candidate’s Talent was truly terrifying, no one would use this slot lightly.
If she remembered correctly, Lono had already used two of his special recruitment slots for the current five-hundred-year period, leaving only one.
’What on earth has this candidate from Bernard City done to deserve Lono putting such a valuable chip on the table?’
"No need to be so surprised. As I said, this is just an assessment. Whether I actually use the slot is still uncertain."
"Go send the message. With this excuse, that guy Holy Mark won’t be able to find any fault with it."
Lono said coolly.
"Yes, I understand."
The secretary nodded and spoke softly.
...
...
「The Black Sea Star Zone, aboard the Holy Mark Steward’s massive Aircraft Carrier.」
"The Black Lotus Steward, Lono, is traveling to the Gena Continent to assess someone for a special recruitment slot?"
Seeing the message on the light screen brought by his subordinate, the Holy Mark Steward—who sat upon a bone throne, enveloped in a golden glow, a terrifying vertical eye on his head—showed a slight flicker of surprise.
"Yes. It’s said his target is the very candidate from the Gena Continent whom we rejected."
the lava-like being said respectfully.
"Oh? How interesting."
The Holy Mark Steward said with a hint of amusement, his true feelings inscrutable.
"Is there something strange about this? Or, could this be seen as a provocation from the Black Lotus Steward?"
"Should we... take some kind of countermeasures?"
the lava being asked tentatively.
"No need. The special recruitment slot is indeed within his authority. We have no reason to stop him."
"Just let him be. If he’s willing to waste a special recruitment slot on a being with low racial potential, then let him have it."
The Holy Mark Steward said flatly, "Also, urge the people on the Gena Continent to select a new nominee as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir."
The lava being acknowledged and withdrew.
Silence returned to the captain’s quarters. The Holy Mark Steward sat on his bone throne, his terrifying golden vertical eye gazing into the distance, his thoughts unknown.
...
...
「Meanwhile, on the Gena Continent.」
「Bernard City, Jiaoxing Institute.」
"An assessment for a special recruitment slot?"
Zhou Yuanjue was slightly stunned to hear Modin’s words.
’Weren’t I already rejected? How is there another chance like this?’
"To be honest, we didn’t expect this either. You can’t imagine how rare a special recruitment slot is. We never anticipated that the Black Lotus Steward would value you so highly. The chances of him intervening were already incredibly slim."
Modin also sounded incredulous. As one of Bernard City’s older generation, he was well aware of the weight this slot carried.
He had originally thought the Black Lotus Steward would, at most, lend a hand with the candidate recruitment process.
"However, this isn’t the final decision. The Black Lotus Steward will meet you in person to conduct the assessment. You have to prepare well and seize this opportunity."
Si Enli advised.
"I understand. By the way, if it’s a special recruitment slot, then it has nothing to do with the regular candidate recruitment. The terms promised by the Holy Descendant Civilization will still be honored, right?"
Zhou Yuanjue asked.
"Uh... theoretically, yes."
Modin said, momentarily stunned.
"In that case, I’ll have to trouble you two. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now."
Zhou Yuanjue slowly rose to his feet and said this before turning and walking out of the Light Gate.
As for preparing, he didn’t feel there was anything to prepare for. In fact, after his nomination was rejected, his enthusiasm for the Primordial Star Organization had cooled considerably.
However, if he could go, he wouldn’t refuse. After all, it was a place with better resources for him.
Rather than worry about this, he felt it was more reliable to focus his energy on the target structure for his next Simulation.
’In this world, money can deceive you, power can deceive you, and fame can deceive you. Only your own strength is real and true.’