Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

”So, what should we do next?”

Standing in an empty building, Kurumi looked at Fang Zheng with a playful smile, while Fang Zheng pondered for a moment.

”Hmm, I also need an office space, but we should find time to tear down this building. Arestar made this to set people up, I don’t need it... Oh right, the space elevator of the Sky Rail Gate Company would be perfect. Once I’ve taken it over, you can handle the rest, and I’ll dispatch a Raider Ship to stand by here.”

Now that Arestar is dead, the Mokuhara Clan is the only threat left. The threat to Little Misaka is basically zero. All Fang Zheng needs to do next is find a time to eliminate the Mokuhara Clan, and the remaining issues will be completely resolved.

”What about the Dark Side?”

”Are you planning to keep it? To be honest, for doing private work, I prefer using Aliens.”

Fang Zheng snapped his fingers, and soon a pitch-black Alien came rolling to Fang Zheng’s side.

”Indeed, the Swarm is a good choice, but... I’m not the Swarm Overlord.”

”Don’t worry about that.”

As Fang Zheng spoke, the ground began to tremble slightly, and soon Kurumi saw an Insect Queen with a woman’s upper body and a spider-like lower body approaching—not only that, but her upper body looked somewhat familiar.

”Isn’t that the fourth...?”

”Hmm, it just looks like her, since she was the Motherbody from which this Insect Queen was born. But other than that, they have nothing in common.”

Speaking of which, Fang Zheng turned his head to look at the Insect Queen, who also lowered her head.

”Overlord...”

”Oh, I haven’t given you a name yet...”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng carefully appraised the Insect Queen before him.

”You’ll be called Krag.”

”Yes.”

Having received her name, the Insect Queen happily stepped back, while Fang Zheng shrugged and looked at Kurumi.

”Alright, that’s about it. I’ll have Krag build a nest beneath your base. Whenever something happens, leave it to her... But, of course, be careful not to let anyone find it.”

”No problem, but what about the current Dark Side organizations? Quite a few of them are directly affiliated with the Coordinating Council, right?”

”That’s simple; after this, I’ll give you data on all the Dark Side squads. Deal directly with the most heinous ones, and for the rest, see the situation and disband them on the spot.”

”Understood.”

Kurumi nodded and then smiled slightly.

”Well then, what about the Coordinating Council?”

”Reorganize and restructure. I’ll conduct an investigation first, and then see who among them is suitable to stay. As for those who aren’t suitable, well, that’s unfortunate.”

”What about the LV5s?”

”Hmm...”

Hearing this, Fang Zheng pondered for a moment. Currently, among the LV5s, Accelerator is completely wasted. Fang Zheng plans to find a time to completely utilize him, just like how the Swarm, having absorbed the Atomic Collapse ability, can emit Light Beams. If they can acquire Accelerator’s Vector Manipulation ability, the Swarm will be nearly invincible.

As for the second place... he heard he’s part of the Dark Side, so Fang Zheng plans to investigate, and if he finds no value, he’ll just eliminate him.

Fang Zheng naturally wouldn’t touch the third place, Misaka Mikoto. He already killed the fourth, and with the fifth, Shihou Souki, Fang Zheng currently has no intention of stirring up any more trouble. As for the sixth... who is the sixth again?

Whatever.

As for the seventh, Fang Zheng remembers him to be a hot-blooded fool. Such a person he’s too lazy to interact with.

”Just leave the LV5s as they are, and if there are vacancies, we’ll provide explanations in due course.”

To be honest, this matter is a bit troublesome, but in Fang Zheng’s view, it’s not particularly troublesome. After all, LV5s in Academy City are known but not familiar faces. Otherwise, who would be stupid enough to try and pick up the Railgun?

Isn’t that just asking for trouble?

For now, Fang Zheng decides to leave it as is and fill the spots when someone suitable comes along.

Actually, Fang Zheng rather hopes Ruiko could take on the responsibility, but unless she gets a brain transplant, she won’t become an LV5 in this lifetime.

Hainara Kuon, on the other hand, has great potential since she’s connected to the world’s Origin and a Gravity Ability User. If she ascends to LV5, Fang Zheng might consider having her take the top spot. Compared to the childish Misaka Mikoto and the perpetually scheming Shihou Souki, Hainara Kuon’s reputation and image align more with Academy City’s standards.

Fang Zheng also heard that Hainara Kuon has co-authored numerous papers with her mentor, which is a bonus. Don’t forget that Academy City is a science city; Arestar turned it into a scientific cult, while Fang Zheng plans to steer it back.

After all, you cannot turn it into a monastery!

A LV5 who is well-rounded certainly holds more appeal than those with character defects, right?

Unfortunately, Hainara Kuon is currently still an LV4, and when she’ll ascend to LV5... well, that’s still an unknown.

Perhaps find some time for a chat with Hainara Kuon.

This thought flitted across Fang Zheng’s mind, but for now... let’s deal with the Coordinating Council first.

Fang Zheng wants to sort out the Coordinating Council by meeting one person.

An elderly man in his sixties with greying hair.

Funebune Saika.

The process of meeting Funebune Saika wasn’t complex; on the contrary, it was very straightforward. Fang Zheng merely went to meet him, said he had something to discuss, and the old man immediately invited him to the office.

”Hello, Ms. Funebune.”

Fang Zheng entered the study, slightly nodding as he looked at the elder seated behind the desk.

”Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Fang Zheng, and I am currently the director of the Quantum Neural Research Institute.”

”Hello, Mr. Fang Zheng.”

Hearing Fang Zheng speak, Funebune Saika smiled slightly.

”May I ask, what brings you to this old person?”

”It’s regarding matters of Academy City.”

Fang Zheng sat on the sofa, hands crossed in front of him, looking at the elder.

”I am not interested in beating around the bush, so I’ll say it directly. Arestar, the Chairman of the Coordinating Council, has resigned, and I am taking over his position.”

”.........huh?”

Upon hearing this, even Funebune Saika couldn’t conceal a hint of surprise.

”Are you saying Arestar has...?”

”Resigned.”

Fang Zheng gestured.

”In other words, he won’t be returning. Currently, Academy City is under my management, and I plan to reform the entire Coordinating Council. Frankly, I’ve always been very dissatisfied with Arestar’s modifications to Academy City driven by personal desires, and the current situation of the Coordinating Council is also not to my satisfaction. I intend to completely dissolve the Coordinating Council...”

”Others won’t agree to it.”

”Hmm, whether they agree or not, I actually don’t care.”

Fang Zheng shook his head, looking at Funebune Saika.

”You might not understand, Ms. Funebune. Regardless of their agreement, I have ways to make them resign. However, the next issue is who will take over their positions? I hope to accomplish this transition as smoothly as possible, so I’m asking you to recommend candidates for me.”

”......Why me?”

”Because, in my view, you are one of the few in the Coordinating Council who will not be dismissed. Although I do not completely agree with your ideals, I trust your judgment and perspective.”

With this, Fang Zheng gestured again.

”Arestar regarded this city as a fortress and battlefield, but that far contradicts the true purpose of Academy City. Science should be promoted through communication and interchange, not isolation. We are not eighteenth-century lords hoisting the gates to our domain high and pretending nothing happened. In fact, I hope to gradually open Academy City to exchange technology and academic pursuits with the outside world. The responsibilities of Academy City should be simpler, not burdened with matters they shouldn’t bear.”

”.............”

Hearing this, Funebune Saika was silent for a moment.

”I still hope to meet Chairman Arestar.”

”I told you, Ms. Funebune.”

Fang Zheng stared at Funebune Saika.

”He’s already resigned; you’ll never see him again. Look, this is the difference between you and me. While I don’t agree with some of your views, I respect your character, that’s why I’m discussing this with you. If you don’t have an opinion, then I’ll have no choice but to dissolve the Coordinating Council completely.”

”You can’t do that.”

Funebune Saika shook her head.

”Even Arestar couldn’t completely dissolve the Council. Do you know what kind of people are in the Council? Their power and influence are not restricted to Academy City, but even have a place in the entire world. If you dissolve the Coordinating Council, the collapse of Academy City will be imminent.”

”No, I can do it.”

Fang Zheng’s mouth curved slightly.

”If you don’t believe me, then I can prove it to you. You can name one person, and tomorrow, I’ll make them appear where you want.”

”.........”

This time, Funebune Saika said nothing but stared at Fang Zheng. If the opposite party isn’t joking, then it shows his power... has reached an unimaginable extent.

”In the Coordinating Council, you and Tsugumi Beshaku can remain, but the others must resign. I have seen what they’ve been doing, and it’s horrifying.”

Fang Zheng said this as he ”smacked” a wad of documents in front of Funebune Saika, who picked up the papers quickly perusing them. During the reading process, Funebune Saika’s expression gradually became increasingly astonished. She found the contents recorded were extremely detailed; everything regarding the plans, content, even the conspiracies and plots arranged behind the scenes by all Coordinating Council members were exposed.

Some Funebune Saika knew, some she had only heard about, and some she never knew...

”I didn’t expect the darkness of Academy City to be deeper than I imagined...”

Having finished reading the documents, Funebune Saika’s face was full of bitterness.

”The darkest one was still Arestar, but he’s already resigned, so let’s not mention him.”

With this, Fang Zheng looked once more at Funebune Saika.

”So, Ms. Funebune, have you made your choice?”

”............Who exactly are you?”

Funebune Saika looked at Fang Zheng, asking once more, and Fang Zheng gave her an answer.

”You don’t need to know who I am, just like you don’t need to know who Arestar was. We’re not here for mutual understanding. In short, we are fighting for the same goal; of course, our methods may differ. Additionally, regarding the Dark Side, I’ll dissolve it on the spot as soon as possible. I admit not everything can be done openly in this world, but it’s never trivial enough for children to handle dirty work.”

”I understand.”

Perhaps these words moved Funebune Saika; she was silent for a moment, then reached out to Fang Zheng.

”I am willing to cooperate.”

”Great, then... wishing us a successful collaboration.”

Saying this, Fang Zheng smiled as he grasped Funebune Saika’s extended hand.