290 アリスの交渉
ツバキ達はラティスが対滅弾頭を
「あれも倒されましたし、そちらのプレゼンテーションはこれで終わりですね。では私はこれで失礼します」
ツバキはハルカにそう言い残し、返事も待たずに姿を消した。
次にアリスがオリビアへ笑いかける。
「検証に必要なものはこれぐらいで十分に示したと思うのですが、足りませんか?」
ったとします。あとは、後片付けの結果から判断です。そちらも問題無ければ、取引を前向きに考えると約束しましょう」
「ありがとう御座います。では、細かい話は後日ゆっくりと」
アリスはそう言ってオリビアに一礼した。そしてハルカに軽く告げる。
「別件がありますのでこれで失礼します。ああ、そちらの成果は倒されてしまいましたが、御心配無く。支援は継続しますよ。では」
それだけ言い残し、アリスもツバキと同じくハルカの返事を待たずに部下達と一緒に立ち去った。
ハルカが疲れたように
「......じゃあ、私達も帰りますか」
「ああ、帰れ帰れ」
そう言って手で追い払うような仕草を見せるヤツバヤシに、ハルカが
「同行してください」
ヤツバヤシは舌打ちを返して同意を示した。そしてハルカ達もその場から立ち去った。
「......、交渉って何だ?」
交渉の意志を見せたアキラの様子を見てアリスが笑う。そして白いカードを取り出した。
に、このカードに関する全ての権利を放棄して頂きたいのです」
「またそれか......!」
自分に厄介事を運んできた白いカードの再登場に、アキラは思わずうんざりした顔をした。
「前にも言ったけど、それはもうシオリにあげたんだ。俺のじゃない。だからそういう交渉はそっちとしてくれ」
の私物ではないのであれば、権利の放棄を宣言しても現状の肯定に過ぎません。何も問題無いと思いますが」
それを聞いたアキラは、一理ある、とは思った。また、自分に何らかの不利益を与える要求ではないことも理解した。そして状況的にもアリスの要求を素直に聞き入れた方が良いとは分かっていた。
だが、だからといって、アキラが、はい分かりました、と言える人間であれば、そもそも現在の状況になどなっていなかった。
「俺にそっちの頼みを聞く義理でもあると思ってるのか?」
嫌だね、と、あからさまな拒絶の言葉を返さなかっただけ、アキラは一応落ち着こうとしていた。それでも隣でアルファは頭を抱えていた。
「俺はリオンズテイル社から500億オーラムの賞金を掛けられた上に、その
アキラの態度は東部の一般的な感覚では自殺行為でしかない。それは絶望的な戦力差の中で生殺与奪を握られている状況であることを除いても変わらない。一介のハンターと、リオンズテイル社という東部に名だたる大企業にはそれだけの差が存在していた。
その上で、アリスはアキラの態度を見ても反応を変えなかった。
「ではこうしましょう。その賞金はこちらで取り下げさせます。モンスター認定の方も取り消させましょう。加えて、その一連の騒動で掛かった経費は全額こちらで補填致します。これでどうですか?」
その提案にはアキラも面食らった。軽い混乱もあって
「......断れば殺す......とか、言わないのか?」
「御希望でしたら付け加えますが」
るのであれば、この場で自分を殺すのが一番確実で手っ取り早いと、アキラ自身分かっているからだ。相手がそちらの手段を選ばない理由を全く思い付けなかった。
だがそこでアリスは僅かに考えるような様子を見せた。しかしすぐに決断する。
「クロエですか。まあ良いでしょう。少々お待ちを」
そのままアキラは待たされる。その顔は警戒よりも困惑の方が強くなっていた。
『アルファ......。どうなってるんだと思う?』
『分からないわ。でも、向こうに交戦の意志が無いのは本当なのでしょうね。だからアキラも短気を起こしたり
くするとアリスの直属の部下に連れられてシオリとカナエが現れる。二人とも状況を把握しておらず、アキラと同様に困惑した様子を見せていた。
そして都市の方向から別のメイド達が空中を飛ぶように走ってくると、そのままアリスの左右に着地して、連れてきた者達をそこに立たせた。それはクロエとレイナだった。二人とも驚いているが、単純に困惑しているレイナとは異なり、クロエはどこか勝ち誇るような笑みを浮かべていた。
その途中、二人のメイドがエレナ達の前に現れて行く手を遮った。
「誠に申し訳御座いません。この先で当社の者が交渉中で御座います。先に進むのは御遠慮願います」
メイドはそう言ってエレナとサラに丁寧に頭を下げた。
エレナは強い警戒を示しながらも、相手の雰囲気や装備からその実力を察した。サラに視線で強行突破は無理だと示して、下手に動くなと指示を出す。
達、リオンズテイル社の人よね?」
「この先に私達の仲間のアキラってハンターがいるんだけど、
「申し訳御座いません。一切お答えできません」
エレナが険しい顔で息を吐いた。そして同じリオンズテイル社の者であるシオリ達から何か情報を得られないかとそちらを見る。そのシオリ達はエレナ以上に驚いた表情で険しさと焦りを顔に出していた。
「シオリさん......?」
呼びかけられたシオリが我に返る。だが表情の険しさは消えていない。
「......失礼。私にも状況は分かりません。ですので、分かることだけ、推測を交えてお伝えします」
目の前のメイド達はリオンズテイル社東部本店所属の者達であること。自分達など一瞬で皆殺しに出来る実力を持っていること。そのような者が現場に出ている以上、交渉に出ている者はリオンズテイル社でも限られた上位の者であること。それらを伝えた上で、真剣に忠告する。
「軽率な行動は絶対に慎んでください。最悪の場合、本店が敵に回ります」
エレナもリオンズテイル社全体を敵に回す意味は十分に理解している。真剣な顔で
シオリが少し迷ってから一歩前に出る。
「リオンズテイル東部四区支店所属のスズハラ・シオリと申します。私の主であるレイナ・リラルト・ローレンス様がクロエ様と共に本店の保護下にあると伺いました。
「黙れ」
メイドの片方が端的にそう答えた。その顔にエレナ達へ向けていた笑顔、社外の者に向ける愛想は
「職務の邪魔をするな」
次は職務上の障害として処理する。そう視線で忠告し、メイドはシオリから視線を外した。
「......大変失礼致しました」
シオリは深々と頭を下げて一歩下がった。カナエが顔色を悪くして小声で声を掛ける。
わらず恐らく権限的に交渉の場に同席できずにその周囲の警備に回された者が、軽く声を掛けただけでここまで反応を見せたのだ。それだけの上位者が現場にいることになる。そう考えたシオリとカナエの頭に浮かんだ該当者はアリスぐらいしかいなかった。つまりアリスがアキラとの交渉に直接出ていることになる。それはシオリ達にとって途方も無い異常事態だった。
そこにもう一人メイドが現れる。先にいた二人のメイドの反応が、より上位の者だと示していた。その者がシオリとカナエに端的に告げる。
「そこの二人、ついて来なさい」
シオリ達は難しい表情で顔を見合わせたが、大人しくついていくしかなかった。そしてその先にアリスが本当にいたことや、レイナと一緒にクロエまで現れたことに驚きを隠せなかった。
アキラ達の下に連れてこられたクロエは驚きながらも素早く状況の把握に努めた。そしてアキラと交渉するアリスの姿を見て、笑う。
(勝った......!)
アリスはミハゾノ街遺跡でオリビアに自社の現代のリオンズテイル社の情報を渡した。だが旧世界のリオンズテイル社にとっては、自社から切り離された状態の個体から提供された情報に
に交渉する姿を見て、服従させるにしろ殺すにしろ、今回の騒ぎの起点でもあるアキラをアリスが直々に処理することで、その力を内外に示そうとしているのだと判断した。
(騒ぎの沈静化の局面に入ったのなら、これ以上の騒ぎは不要だってこと! つまり、アリス代表とオリビア様の取引は恐らく無事に済んでいる! その取引が成立したのは、間違いなく私の成果よ! 旧世界のリオンズテイル社との取引を成立させたんだもの! 本店所属になっても不思議は無いわ! 勝った......! 私は賭けに勝った!)
厳しい局面は何度もあったが、それだけの危険を冒しただけに栄光も輝くのだと、クロエは自身の輝かしい未来に酔いしれていた。
そのクロエの前でアリスが腕を軽く振るう。発せられた衝撃波を
クロエを殺したアリスが、突然の事態に混乱しているアキラに向けて、交渉を始めてから全く変わっていない笑顔を向ける。
そう声を掛けられてアキラが我に返る。強い混乱は続いているが、その表情には僅かだがアリスを非難するようなものが混ざっていた。
「......そいつ、お前達の身内じゃなかったのか?」
にも、そちらへの謝罪としても、こちらで処理する方が適していると思いますが」
アリスはそう言ってレイナ達に手を向けた。
シオリとカナエが反射的にレイナを
「要求は以上ですね? では、お願いします」
「ありがとう御座います。では、私はこれで失礼致します。機会があれば当社のサービスを是非とも御利用下さい」
いながらそう言い残すと、迷彩機能を使用して姿を消した。他のメイドや執事達も同様に姿を消していく。アキラの情報収集機器に去っていくアリス達の反応が僅かに残っていたが、それもすぐに消えた。
アキラが倒れるように横になる。
「何だったんだよ......」
きに答えられる者はいなかった。
アリス達が去った後、周辺の封鎖が解かれてすぐにエレナ、サラ、キャロルがアキラの前に現れた。エレナ達はアキラの無事を喜びながら状況を尋ねたが、状況を理解していないのはアキラも同じであり答えられない。取り
「あのクソどもが!」
クガマヤマ都市の幹部としてリオンズテイル社の者が全員退出するまで自制できたのは自賛できる忍耐力だったと、イナベはテーブルを余りに強打した
「......全部署に協力を要請して被害額の算出を急げ。防衛隊の出動経費や下位区画の各種保険なども含めろ。請求できそうなものは全部だ」
部下が一礼して作業に入る。その姿を見たイナベは、自身の職務を果たす
クガマヤマ都市の上位区画、坂下重工の管理下にある領域の一室で、坂下重工の重役であるスガドメが、リオンズテイル東部三区支店の支店長であるベラトラムから事態の釈明を受けていた。
「......事故であること、把握した。当社としては、そちらとクガマヤマ都市の間で合意が取れているのであれば口出しする気は無い」
「御理解感謝致します」
「それはそれとして、説明で出た回復薬だが、その関連データをこちらに渡して頂きたい。可能であれば、製法や入手経路に
「......、必要ですか?」
「必要だ。そのような深刻な事故を起こす回復薬が、我が社の経済圏に存在するのはとても危険なのでね。更なる事故を防止する
ベラトラムが再び僅かに黙る。そして断った場合の結果を推察し、社への不利益を考慮して、愛想良く笑った。
「......分かりました。ただ、あのデータは本店の管轄でして、私の権限では即座にお渡しは出来ません。本店への連絡、調整等を含めて
「構わんよ」
「ありがとう御座います。では後日受け渡しを......」
「ああ、データの受け渡しだが、機密情報の取り扱い規約などで我々への提供が難しいのであれば、別のところでも構わない」
の人員を手配していてね。そちらでも良い。統企連の機関であり坂下の人間も所属しているが、あそこの目的は再構築の阻止だ。企業機密を渡しても坂下に情報を流される恐れは無い。五大企業全てで相互に監視しているからな。どうかな?」
予想外の内容に、ベラトラムは一瞬だけ顔から愛想を消してしまった。だがすぐに取り繕う。
「個人的にはそこまでする必要は無いと思いますが、決めるのは本店です。ですので、本店の方には伝えておきます」
スガドメとベラトラムはお互いに他社の重役への敬意を顔に出して話を終えた。
ベラトラムが退室すると、スガドメはすぐにマツバラに連絡を取った。そして真面目な顔で指示を出す。
「私だ。リオンズテイル社のアリス代表がこの地に来訪した理由を至急洗い直せ」
の名に反応した。そして都市襲撃はヒガラカの施設から行われたが、あの施設が建設されたのは今回のカードの騒ぎの前だ」
「......カードの件とは無関係に、以前から都市襲撃の予定があったと?」
その言葉を最後にマツバラとの通信が切れる。その口調は十分に深刻なものであり、事態の共有が出来ていることを示していた。
ベラトラムは三区支店の責任者として、クロエが所属していた派閥の扱いに注意する必要があった。そしてアリスがクロエを処断した以上、その派閥にも影響は出る。アリスの判断と自身の判断が異なっているのであれば、修正する必要があった。
しかしアリスはベラトラム達の判断を肯定する。
て示す過程が終わり、後片付けの局面になったことで、アリスは事態の沈静化に更なる武力を使用するのはオリビアからの評価を下げると判断していた。
アキラからカードの所有権を消したのは、そこが今回の騒ぎの起点となったからであり、事態の沈静化の一環だ。また、自社の者が所有権を持つカードを手にしておきたかったという理由もある。
所有者からカードの権限が失われた場合、本来は単純に返却となる。しかしアキラがカードをシオリに譲渡し、それをオリビアが変則的ではあるが部分的に認めたことで、アキラがカードの所有権を失った場合、規約上、次の所有者はシオリとなっていた。
所有権は所有者が死亡しても失われる。アリスがそれを分かった上でアキラを殺さなかったのは、事態の収拾を前提とする状況だったからだ。そうでなければアキラは殺されており、その前提があったからこそ、アキラに権利の放棄を
しかしアキラは生き延びた。そしてアリスとの交渉でクロエのことを口に出した。その時点で、クロエの命運は尽きた。
アリスからそれらの説明を受けたベラトラムが
Ch 290
Even after they saw Latis' defeat after taking four annihilator warheads, Tsubaki and the others did not show any reaction. They knew that the battle had come to an end and went on their respective business.
"They took it down. That would mark the end of this presentation, I presume. Now then, please allow me to excuse myself."
Tsubaki declared to Haruka and vanished without even waiting for Haruka's reply.
Next, Alice smiled at Olivia and asked.
"I believe this showcase is more than enough to make your decision, or do you still need more?"
"...We have gathered enough information from this ordeal, the rest would depend on how the aftermath is handled. If there are no problems with the aftermath, I can promise that we will consider your offer in a positive light."
"Thank you very much. Well then, we can talk about the details another day."
Alice gave a light bow to Olivia before turning to Haruka.
"I have another thing to attend to, so please excuse me. Ahh, also, although it ended in defeat, you need not worry. We will still continue to support you. Until next time then."
Similar to Tsubaki, Alice immediately left together with her servants without even waiting for Haruka to reply.
Haruka then sighed exasperatedly.
"...I guess we should go back home as well...."
"Yeah yeah, just leave already, go home."
Yatsubayashi said so while lightly waving his hand as if to shoo Haruka away. Haruka sighed again, this time, it was heavier than before.
"You, come with me too."
Yatsubayashi clicked his tongue and left the area together with Haruka.
"...So, what do you want to talk about?"
Seeing that he was willing to negotiate, Alice smiled and pulled out a white card.
"I want you to relinquish all your rights regarding this white card."
"That card again!"
Akira inadvertently frowned the moment he saw the white card, which had given him so much trouble.
"As I've said so many times before. I've given that card to Shiori. So that is not mine. If you have something you want from that card, go talk to Shiori."
"You just need to say that you've relinquished all your rights regarding this card. That would be good enough. If it is no longer yours, it would mean nothing more than ascertaining the fact that you have given it away. I believe there should be no problems with you just stating this fact."
Akira thought her argument was sound. It also informed him that she had no intention to cause him any problems. Judging from this situation, it was clearly in his best interest to do as she said.
However, if he was someone obedient, who would accept others' demands, he would not have found himself to be in this situation.
"There is no reason for me to do that just because you asked me to."
At the very least he was able to calm down and manage not to straightforwardly refuse. Even so, that was enough for Alpha to facepalm.
"Just so you know, it is Lion Steel's fault that I have a 50 billion Aurum bounty on my head and got recognized as a monster by Kugamayama city. Do you really understand what you put me through when you are requesting something of me?"
In his current situation, Akira's attitude was akin to suicide - even from the point of view of those in the eastern district. There was a huge gulf between Akira's and Alices' power, whereby the other party held full control over his life and death. This was the gap between a single Hunter and Lion Steel, a large company well renowned even in the eastern district.
However, even after Akira showed an attitude against her, Alice did not show any noticeable reaction.
"I see. How about this then? We will erase that bounty as well as that monster designation. Moreover, we will also reimburse all the expenses caused by this incident. What do you think?"
Akira was completely taken aback. He was obviously confused as he questioned.
"...It's not like you will kill me if I say no, right?"
"If you want me to, then certainly."
Although he was the one who came up with this possibility, for some reason, he was not that fully convinced of it. After all, he understood if Alice had planned on protecting Chloe, it would have been better for her to just kill him. He had no clue as to why Alice did not take that option.
After she heard what Akira said, Alice tilted her head as if she was pondering over something. It took a short while before she immediately made her decision.
"Chloe, huh? Very well, please wait here for a bit."
After she made her request, her group moved away, leaving Akira there, waiting. Meanwhile, the one waiting seemed more perplexed than wary.
"Alpha... What's going on?"
"No idea. But it seems like they seriously have no desire to fight against you. That's why, don't get too emotional and stay calm alright, Akira?"
Not too long after, one of Alice's servants returned with Shiori and Kanae in tow. Both were obviously as perplexed as Akira.
Then, another group of maids came from the direction of Kugamayama city. They stopped beside Alice, bringing with them two particular people, Chloe and Reina. Both were perplexed, but unlike Reina who seemed troubled, Chloe was smiling victoriously.
But before they could reach him, two maids suddenly appeared in front of them and signaled with their hands to stop Elena's group.
"My deepest apologies. Negotiation with our company is going on. Please refrain from coming any closer."
The maids then politely bowed to Elena and Sara.
Elena tensed up. She knew just how powerful the maids were judging from their current attitude and equipment. She glanced at Sara, signaling her not to make any sudden movements.
"Just a question, you are from Lion Steel company, right?"
"A Hunter and a friend of ours by the name of Akira should be over there. When you said 'negotiation', is your company negotiating with him?"
"We're really sorry, but we can't answer that question."
Elena frowned and sighed. She then glanced at Shiori and Kanae, who should be also from Lion Steel, like those maids. She wanted to ask if they knew anything about this. But she quickly noticed that both looked even more worried than Elena, herself.
"Shiori-san?"
Shiori was snapped to reality when Elena called her name. However, her stern expression did not change.
"...My apologies. But I also don't understand what is going on. As such, I can only give you my rough hypothesis."
Shiori explained to Sara and Elena that those maids were affiliated with Lion Steel company's eastern district main branch. They were strong enough to kill everyone here in a blink of an eye. With those maids out here, it meant that the negotiator would be someone of a high position. Thus, she warned Elena and Sara with a grave expression.
"So, please be extra careful with your actions. In the worst-case scenario, it might be interpreted as a hostile action against the main branch."
Naturally, Elena had no desire to pick a fight with the Lion Steel company as she gave a firm nod.
Shiori then hesitated for a second before stepping forward.
"I am Suzuhara Shiori affiliated to Lion Steel company eastern district fourth ward branch. I heard that my master, Reina Rylard Lorentz-sama, is under the main branch's custody. If I may, would you please tell me-"
"Silence!"
One of the maids snapped at her. There was no amiability in her expression. Not even if it was directed to someone from inside the company.
"Don't get in the way of our duty!"
It was a warning from the maid, stating that she would see Shiori's actions as a disturbance and deal with it accordingly the next time she did that.
"...I'm really sorry."
Shiori deeply bowed and stepped back. Kanae's face turned pale as she whispered to Shiori.
Although these maids here were from the main branch, they must be of a lower position. They were posted to watch the area instead of being allowed to be present during the negotiation. However, even when Shiori was being careful with her words, that reply was rather harsh. This hinted that even the maids were on edge, which would only happen if the negotiator was someone of an extremely high position. Kanae and Shiori believe only representative Alice could cause the maids to react in such a manner. Thus, they believe Alice had come directly to meet and negotiate with Akira. This was extremely abnormal.
Soon, another maid appeared. Judging from the attitude of the two maids posted as watchmen, the new maid was of a higher position than them. She walked towards Shiori and Kanae before ordering.
"You two, come with me."
Shiori and Kanae frowned and seemed troubled. However, they did not have a choice. They had to do as they were told. When they reached the premise, they did not expect Alice to be really there, especially with Reina and Chloe.
Chloe was surprised to see Akira there too. However, she quickly came to a conclusion when she saw Alice was in the midst of negotiating with him and smiled.
[I won...!]
Back in Mihazono ruin, Alice had given Olivia some information regarding the current Lion Steel company. However, for the old Lion Steel company, the new Lion Steel company was a completely separate entity and any information provided from Alice's side had been deemed to be without credibility. Thus, Olivia decided there was a need for an investigation.
It was not like Chloe knew Alice's whole plan. However, she had guessed it to some extent. When she saw Alice negotiating with Akira, she believed it to be whether he would surrender or get killed. Chloe believed that eventually, Alice would deal with the source of the incident, Akira, to show Lion Steel's might to both those inside and outside the company.
[Now that we're going into the cooling-off phase, there's no need to cause any further incidents! This means, there is a good chance that negotiations between Olivia and the representative Alice went well! There's no doubt that it is all thanks to my contribution! Since I'm the one who helped smooth the deal with the old-world Lion Steel company, it won't be strange for me to be promoted to the main branch! I did it! I won my bet!!]
Although she had to cross many dangerous bridges, all those dangers she faced only added to how great her achievement was. Chloe was drunk, imagining what kind of bright future awaited her.
Alice then stood in front of Chloe and swung her hand. The shockwave from her hand hit Chloe head-on, turning her into minced meat in a blink of an eye.
After Alice killed her, she then looked at Akira, who was thunderstruck by the sudden change of events. She smiled at him, with the same smile she had since the start of the negotiation.
Akira snapped back to reality. Although he was still as confused as before, there was a slight tint of reproach in his eyes.
"...Isn't she supposed to be on the same side as you?"
"Was that not enough? In that case, should I also do the same to this side as well since they're the ones responsible for getting you involved?"
Alice then directed her arm to Reina's group.
Shiori and Kanae quickly stepped in front of Reina. Although they knew that it was futile, that they would get turned to dust along with Reina, they still could not sit still and stay silent.
"Will that be everything then? If yes, if you may, please."
"Thank you very much! Now then, please let me excuse myself. I look forward to working with you in the future if the chance presents itself."
Alice tucked the white card back and activated her camouflaging device to immediately vanish. The other maids and butlers also did the same afterwards. Although Akira was still able to detect them retreating from the area through his information-gathering device, their signals vanished soon enough.
Akira immediately let gravity take control of his body and collapse to the ground with a thud.
"Just what in the world was that...?"
And as expected, no one there could answer his question, which came from the depths of his heart.
After Alice and her servants left, the isolation of the area was immediately lifted. Not too long after, Elena, Sara, and Carol appeared in front of Akira. They were so glad to find he was still fine. They did try to ask him what had happened, but Akira was just as confused as they were. Therefore, for now, they decided to return back to Sheryl's base together with Reina's group.
"Goddammit!!"
It was amazing how he was able to hold himself back until all the officers from the Lion Steel company had left. However, because of how much he had bottled up, the moment he let it out, it was powerful enough to dent the table.
"...Send a request to the other departments. Get everyone to calculate the total damages incurred. Include the expense from dispatching the defence squad and the damage to the lower district as well. Just include everything, and I mean everything you can find."
His men gave a light bow and quickly got to work. Seeing them leave, Inabe also tried to change his mood and got back to his own duties. However, due to a specific person, his expression was still tinted with irritation.
Inside one of a room under the area owned by Sakashita Heavy Industry, located in the upper district of Kugamayama city, Sugadome, who was a high-ranking officer from Sakashita Heavy Industry, was listening to the explanation regarding the recent incident from the branch manager of Lion Steel company third ward branch, Beltram.
"...Very well, I understand that this was an accident. Our company has no wish to say anything regarding the matter if both Kugamayama city and Lion Steel company are fine with this conclusion."
"Thank you very much!"
"But still, about the medicine that you mentioned before, would it be possible for us to get the data as well? If it's possible, I also want to know how you managed to lay your hands on such a medicine and why you have it stockpiled. I want to know everything."
"...Is it something really necessary?"
"Yes. If such a medicine that could cause such a huge accident were to be found in our possession, it would be extremely dangerous, no? So, in order to prevent something similar from happening in the future, don't you think it would be wise to share this piece of information?"
Beltram once again went silent. He then thought about what might happen if he refused. After considering the gains and losses for the Lion Steel company, he then said with a smile.
"...Very well. But the data is under the possession of the main branch. As such, I cannot send you the data right away. I will have to contact the main branch and the process would take some time, would that be alright?"
"Yeah, it's fine."
"Thank you very much, we shall send you the data at a later-"
"Also, if it's difficult to send the data to us since it is highly confidential, I don't mind receiving the data through another method."
"I've actually sent a request for anti-rebuild personnel, you see. You can deliver the information through that request. They are affiliated with the Corporate Government and we have some of our men among them as well. Naturally, the main aim is to prevent the rebuild. So, even if you conveyed a corporate secret on such a platform, there would be no need to worry that it might leak to Sakashita. After all, it is under the strict watchful eyes of the Corporate Government. Would that work for you?"
Beltram's amiable smile vanished for a second since that suggestion completely came out of the left field. However, he quickly returned back to his usual smile.
"Personally speaking, I don't think there's any need to go that far, but the one to decide would be the main branch. I will at least convey that suggestion to the main branch."
Beltram and Sugadome looked at each other with mutual respect as fellow high-ranking officers from their respective companies and ended their conversation there.
As soon as Beltram ended the meeting and left the room, Sugadome quickly made a call to Kuzusuhara ruin. He ordered with a solemn expression.
"It's me. Investigate why representative Alice from Lion Steel came to this place right away."
"The head of the third ward branch reacted when I mentioned the anti-rebuild. Furthermore, the assault group that attacked the city came from their facility in Higaraka residence ruin, which was built right before the incident regarding the white card."
"...Which means that they may have planned to attack the city even before the matter with the white card came up?"
Sugadome then ended the call with someone by the name of Matsubara. Judging from his tone, it seemed like Matsubara was able to understand the gravity of the situation.
As the branch manager of the third ward branch, he had to be careful with how he treated those from the same faction as Chloe. With Alice eliminating her, it would definitely affect that faction. Since Alice's evaluation seemed to deviate from his, there was a need for him to fix his evaluations.
However, Alice did not deny Beltram's opinion.
After Alice had demonstrated the power of the current Lion Steel company to Olivia, the only thing left was to deal with the aftermath. Alice thought that using more power to calm down the situation would only lower Olivia's evaluation of her.
The reason why she had Akira give up all his rights regarding the card was because it was the source of all the conflicts. It was also Alice's way to put out the fire of the conflict. Moreover, she wanted to have someone in her own company have ownership rights for the card.
Normally, once the original owner of the card had given up their rights, the card would be simply returned. However, Akira gave that card to Shiori, and although it was not through the correct procedure, Shiori did accept it. With Akira relinquishing his rights, as per protocol, the ownership of the card had transferred onto Shiori.
Although the death of the owner would also free up ownership of the card, Alice did not kill him. The reason being her main goal was to calm down the situation. Otherwise, she would have killed him.
However, Akira survived, and he mentioned Chloe during their negotiation. Thus, Chloe's death was set in stone.
After Alice gave an explanation, Beltram nodded deeply. There was no need for him to fully understand Alice's reasons for why she did what she did. The most important thing for him was to be in line with her way of deciding reward and punishment.
Rebuild World (WN)
リビルドワールド
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rebuild-world/
Action Adventure Drama Harem Mecha Mystery Sci-fi Seinen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alternate World Anti-social Protagonist Apocalypse Artificial Intelligence Beautiful Female Lead Cautious Protagonist Child Protagonist Dense Protagonist Determined Protagonist Distrustful Protagonist Futuristic Setting Gangs Gunfighters Harsh Training Lack of Common Sense Male Protagonist Manipulative Characters Monsters Near-Death Experience Older Love Interests Poor Protagonist Poor to Rich Ruthless Protagonist Shota Sudden Strength Gain Survival Twisted Personality Unlucky Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9736dt/
非公開