Reborn as an Evolving Space Monster: Harem Of Otherworldly Beauties

Upon exiting the police station, the Prime Minister's bodyguards positioned themselves in a circle around the two.

This was particularly useful thanks to the bodyguards' height, and the Prime Minister's lack of it.

Cero frowned.

'It's obvious that they're trying to hide who's talking here. People will just think it's a celebrity or some rich person. If he wants to keep our meeting a secret, then he hiding alone should be enough… Although the bodyguards can be recognized despite their masks, as Roka did.' He sighed and decided to hunch over a bit.

"Hahaha. You're too tall for me to hide, Cero." Indeed, even the difference between him and the tallest bodyguard was staggering. "You don't have to."

"I think I should." Cero answered.

"Alright." The Prime Minister nodded.

By the time they arrived at the restaurant and walked in, Cero was complaining internally about his back.

"I'm sorry about that." The Prime Minister smiled apologetically.

"You told me that I don't have to. Why are you apologizing?"

"You're right." He gestured to the server. "Let's order then."

'It's been a while since I ate out.' Cero thought to himself as he looked at the menu. 'Coffee doesn't really count, does it?'

The two remained quiet for most of the meal, only exchanging pleasantries about the meals they had ordered. By the time that the Prime Minister's plate was emptied, Cero had ordered four additional times.

'This silence is starting to annoy me.' Cero thought, his eyebrow almost twitching. 'Still, he's the one who wanted a meeting. I'm not talking until he does.'

To Cero, it felt like the kind of -He who talks first loses- kind of situation.

"Would you like something else, Cero? Or should we get dessert?"

"Dessert is fine."

More plates were brought to their table.

Just when Cero was convinced that the silence was going to last until the end,

"You have quite an interesting face."

"..." Cero took a bite. "Thank you?"

"By interesting, I meant expressive."

"Is that so? Well, feel free to tell me what my face expresses then."

"That you're impatient." The Prime Minister said before asking for the check.

"Is that it?" Cero asked with a chuckle.

"Well, we had a nice dinner." The Prime Minister answered with a smile. "What more can we ask for?"

Cero relaxed back into his seat.

"Are you trying to somehow prove that you don't need or want anything from me? Leaving the talking for the next meeting?"

"Hahaha. That's an interesting thought. But it is true. I don't need or particularly want anything from you."

"Why ask for a meeting then?"

"It's never a bad thing to make someone acquaintance, don't you think?"

While Cero's expressive face betrayed the annoyance and boredom he was trying to hide, the Prime Minister's mind was racing.

There wasn't much to go on.

Asking things directly could cause problems depending on what the truth is.

Funnily enough, both had the same suspicions about the other.

'He became Prime Minister after the Tsero Crystal was lost with no political background. Can't imagine a bigger red flag than that. He's the one who brokered the deals made with that Planet… The one that sells black market Tsero Crystals. He's also the one who failed to prove to the Syndicate the necessity of another Tsero Crystal. According to the Syndicate, it was possible for the Tsero Crystal to still be on Wor, for the government to be hiding it out of greed, or for a dozen other things. Each one of those possibilities having happened in the past on other Planets, the Syndicate now requires a lot of proof for the Tsero Crystal to be replaced.'

Cero rested his elbow on the edge of the table.

"How about some wine?" He suggested.

"Oh, I'm glad you want some as well." The Prime Minister nodded.

It was strange. Too strange.

An individual of unknown species or origin coming to help. The mission, the Prime Minister and the participants knew, had less than a 2% chance of success. It was a desperate bet, but Wor's best bet. The Prime Minister was convinced of that, which is why he approached incredible individuals one-by-one, recruiting them, and talking them into it one way or the other. Elizabeth Vinacci had been particularly easy to convince, but her recruitment had a lasting impact that sent waves through the world, causing more and more amazing individuals to step forward.

In all likelihood, the Prime Minister used to believe that the Syndicate wanted Wor to fall into Jin's grasp, for one reason or another. Now, he wasn't so sure anymore.

'Could the Syndicate have changed their mind? Why would they? In the first place, it was never clear what they had to gain from selling Wor to Jin.' The Prime Minister took a sip from his glass while staring at Cero. 'In any case, it's clear that you will be part of this issue. Either as a savior of Wor, or as a chess piece used by the Syndicate. But which is it? If the Syndicate sent him to help with Roka's mission, then why hasn't he made any demands? Demands under his name, that are actually the Syndicate's. Dubious. There isn't enough evidence to support these suspicions. But there is never enough evidence when the Syndicate is involved. Everyone who worked in close proximity to it or knew of its whereabouts was fired, imprisoned, and every spot they have ever visited was turned upside down, yet the Tsero Crystal we have lost was never found. I have no doubt that Jin and the Syndicate are involved with it disappearing out of thin air. But if that's the case, then who are you? I can't bring myself to believe Roka's report. Firstly, because it sounds too unlikely. Secondly, because I can tell she's hiding something…'

The two ended up finishing the bottle and ordering another one without speaking a word.

It would take quite a bit of time for their suspicions of one another to disappear.

But when they did, the two did become formidable allies.

'Geez, this is the last time I agree to have a meeting with someone that's in politics!"