291 弱さと強さ
翌日、疲労もあって昼過ぎまで寝ていたアキラは、
『アキラ。大丈夫? 一晩寝ただけでは疲れが取れなかった?』
『いや......、まあ......、疲れてるのもそうなんだけど......』
賞金を取り下げられ、クガマヤマ都市からのモンスター認定も解除され、クロエも死んだのにも
くはゆっくり休みましょう。確かに随分無理をしたからね。疲れが残るのは仕方無いわ』
『......、ああ』
アキラも気を切り替えようと深く
そこにシズカから通話要求が届いた。アルファを介してそれに出る。
『アキラ。私よ。大変だったみたいだけど、無事で何よりだわ』
『ありがとう御座います。御心配をお掛けしました』
『本当よ。全く、店の常連客が賞金首になったって聞いた時はどうしようかと思ったわ』
軽い調子で冗談のようにそう言ってきたシズカに、アキラは笑ってごまかした。そうやって笑うことが出来た。
『まあ、その辺は、またシズカさんのところで弾薬やら何やら沢山買うんで、それで一つ、勘弁してください』
そのまま歓談しながら互いの近況などを話していった。その心地良さがアキラの精神的な疲労を大分取り去った頃、シズカがその口調を少し
れたことを言うから、私の勘違いだったら鼻で笑ってちょうだい』
『えっ? あ、はい』
少し戸惑いながらもそう答えたアキラに、シズカがゆっくりと、はっきりと続ける。
『今回もいろいろあったんだと思う。多分これからもいろいろあるんだと思う。それを、アキラが、アキラの
アキラは今まで何度も暴走していたが、その行動原理は基本的に報復であり、やられたらやり返すであり、突き詰めれば自衛だ。動いた時の範囲と限度が大きすぎるだけであり、地雷と同じく踏まなければ問題無い。
だがアキラも少しずつ変わっていた。敵か、敵ではないか、という二択で構成されていた世界にも、味方や身内という区分が構築されていた。それは基本的には良いことなのだが、アキラに新たな行動原理を生む理由にもなっていた。
報復であれば、敵から己を
そして必ず破滅する。それを許すほど世界は弱くなく、何よりもその先に続く道は、アキラと共に破滅する者をどこまでも増やし続ける結末だけだからだ。
そう懸念を覚えたシズカは、自分達がアキラをそうさせる理由になってしまわないように、何よりもアキラをそうさせない
しいけど、ちょっと落ち着いて考えたり、誰かに相談したり、いろいろしなさいってことよ。......アキラ、聞いてる?』
シズカからそう軽い調子で呼び掛けられて、アキラは我に返った。そして苦笑を浮かべると、
『ほら、やっぱりそうじゃないですか。だから俺もその辺を......』
アキラはシズカとそのまま冗談交じりの歓談を続けながら、自分の中にあった
りの正体は、無力感を伴った消化不良だった。一連の出来事はアキラがクロエに脅されたことから始まったが、アキラが退かなかった大きな要素として、自身を取るに足らない弱者だと見下されたことと、刃向かうならば友人に手を出すと脅されたことがあった。
アキラはその両方を自力で解決しようとした。そこには今の自分ならば可能だという考え、ある種の無知と
だがある意味でどちらも失敗した。事態は収拾したが、アリスに戦意があれば自分は死んでおり、生き延びたのは相手の都合。また、クロエもアリスの都合で、恐らく究極的にはどうでも良い理由で死んだ。その結末に自分の意志や行動など何の影響も無かった。
かつての自分とは違うのだと、自分は強くなったのだと、それを自他共に示す
『......で、まあ、そういう訳なんで、弾薬を山ほど使ったんです。その分を補充しないといけないんで、すみませんが、先に手配してもらっても良いですか?』
『分かったわ。でも対滅弾頭を調達するのは
い商売人もいるのね。貴重な常連客を奪われないように私も頑張らないと』
『大丈夫ですよ。それじゃあ、近いうちにそっちに行きますので、お願いします』
『お待ちしているわ。じゃあね』
シズカとの話を終えたアキラが大きく伸びをする。そこには一仕事
『......何だよ』
『アキラはシズカが相手だといつも随分素直になるけれど、そろそろ私にもその態度を取ってくれても良い頃だと思うのだけれど?』
アキラはアルファから視線を
詳しいことは不明だがアキラが勝ち、賞金も取り下げられ、モンスター認定も解除された。それはシェリル達にとっても勝利だった。絶望的なほどに崖っぷちの状況が劇的な勝利で終わった歓喜。戦いで仲間を失った悲しみ。それらは非常に強いものだったが、一夜明けたこともあってシェリル達は落ち着きを取り戻していた。
しかしシェリルの激務は続いていた。徒党のボスとしてやることは山積みであり、目を覚ましたアキラが風呂に入っていると知らされても、そこに駆け付けることすら出来ないほどに忙しかった。
一息吐ける状態にすることが出来たシェリルが急いで浴室に向かう。そして脱衣所に入ると、既に浴室を出たアキラが服を着ている最中だった。
実際にシズカと長話をしていたこともあり、アキラは長めの入浴をしていた。それでもシェリルにとってはアキラと一緒に入る機会を逃したことに違いはなく、その顔には残念な気持ちが強く出ていた。アキラのモンスター認定が解除されたこともあり、もうアキラに拠点で過ごす理由は無い。次の機会はいつだろうと待ち遠しく思う分だけ最後の機会を逃したことを残念に思っていた。
着替え終えて外に出るアキラに、シェリルがそのままついていく。
「アキラと一緒でないのなら後にします」
「アキラって、やっぱり年上がタイプなんですか?」
「いえ、エレナさんとかサラさんとかキャロルさんとか、アキラの友人って大人の女性ばかりだと思いまして」
「それは単にハンターには大人が多いからじゃないか?」
「そうですね......。はぁ......」
軽い焼き餅を込めてみても、やはり同じように気にせずに返されたことに、シェリルはまた
「アキラ。そういえば、シジマがアキラに話があると言っていました。直接会って話したいとも。どうします?」
「ああ、あいつか。徒党の話はシェリルとしてくれって言っておいてくれ」
「それが、徒党とは無関係の話だと言っています。何の話か聞いてもアキラにしか話せないの一点張りでして。一応、拠点の部屋で待たせていますけど、適当に追い払いますか?」
以前は、シェリルはスラム街の弱小徒党のボスであり、シジマは中堅徒党のボスということもあって、シェリルの方が弱い立場だった。しかし既にその力関係は完全に逆転している。今回の騒ぎでアキラが勝ったこともあって力の差は更に開いていた。
それでも以前から付き合いのある話の分かる相手として、シェリルはシジマを無下に追い払ったり力尽くで口を割らせたりはしなかった。アキラに関係する話だと言われたこともあって、アキラと会える保証無しに待たせておくのに
「......まあ、もうここにいるなら、帰る前に会うか」
シズカと話して機嫌も良かったアキラは、まあ良いか、ぐらいの判断でそう答えた。
拠点の一室で待たされていたシジマは、応対していたアリシアからアキラが話を聞きに来ると聞かされると、思わず顔を
(会うのかよ......! もうお前なんかと直接話す身分じゃなくなったんだ、で、良いだろうが! 何で律儀に会おうとするんだよ!)
自分で要望しておきながら、シジマは無下に断られることを期待していた。そしてそうならない確率があるからこそ自分がここにいる羽目になったのだと嘆いていた。
そこにアキラがシェリルと一緒に現れる。話を聞いたらそのまま帰るつもりなので帰り支度は済んでいる状態だ。つまりしっかり武装していた。シジマにとっては500億オーラムもの賞金を懸けられていた実力者が目の前に戦える状態で現れた訳であり、自然に緊張も高まる。だが下手に
シジマはそう言ってシェリルをチラッと見た。シェリルに動きは無い。
「先に何の話か話せ。徒党の話だったら、俺はシェリルに任せて帰る」
「......、リオンズテイル社、それも三区支店に絡む話になるんだが、聞かせて良いんだな?」
シジマの予想通り、シェリルの表情が僅かだが明確に厳しくなった。だからシジマはシェリル達に事前に説明するのを避けていた。下手をすればそのまま殺されかねないからだ。
アキラが少し考えてから、シェリルに視線を向ける。
な顔を浮かべた。しかしシジマにとっては三区支店側の人間が現れたことで不機嫌になったとしか思えず、焦りを必死に押し殺していた。
アキラとリオンズテイル社の戦いは区切りが付いた。だが状況的には本店の介入による強制的な停戦に近い状態であり、第三者の視点ではアキラと三区支店は交戦していないだけで敵対状態のままだ。
三区支店長であるベラトラムとしてはこれ以上の交戦は望まない。少なくとも本店から指示が来ない限り、支店として交戦に動くつもりはない。
しかしアキラも同じ考えだろうという楽観視はしない。ローレンス一族の者を殺そうとするなど東部の一般人の感覚では狂人の
また、アキラは坂下重工から最前線向けの装備が届くのを待っている状態だ。今は交戦に消極的であっても、強力な装備を手に入れたことで気が変わる懸念は無視できない。
そしてその時にアキラが敵対的に動くのであれば、ベラトラムも今度は全力で動く。リオンズテイル東部三区支店の威信に懸けて、クロエ程度が動いた時とは比べものにならない力で確実に潰そうとする。だがその時に掛かる膨大な経費を考えれば、多少労力を掛けてでも避けたい未来ではあった。
にはアキラとの和平交渉が必要なのだが、三区支店にも大企業としての体面がある。一介のハンター相手に全面降伏では話にならない。それを理由に他企業に軽んじられ、敵対的に動かれてしまう恐れがある。それらの敵対企業を潰して回る経費、労力を考えれば、どのような内容であれ、アキラが譲歩する形での和平が必要だった。
だがそれが非常に難度の高い交渉であることは、ベラトラムにも容易に理解できた。アキラがそこで譲歩するような人格の持ち主ならば、そもそも初めからクロエを殺そうとなどしないはず、という当然の判断があった。
しかし交渉はしなければならない。それだけのことを成し遂げられる交渉人をリオンズテイル社の情報収集能力で探すと、該当者が1名見付かった。組織の者がアキラと敵対し、クロエと同じようにアキラの身内に危害を加えるような脅し方をしたのにも
シジマが命懸けの交渉を続ける。成功すればリオンズテイル社ほどの大企業に貸しを作れるが、失敗すれば死だ。アキラにこの場で殺されるか、リオンズテイル社に後で殺されるか、その程度の違いでしかない。その思いで必死に話を進めていく。
「......で、その、な? 三区支店の連中はお前と和平がしたいんだが、お前が金を支払う形で和平を成立させたいんだそうだ。待て......、落ち着け。まずは俺の話を最後まで聞け」
なものにしているのだが、シジマにはスラム街を物理的に吹っ飛ばした特大の爆弾が起爆寸前になっているようにしか思えない。とにかく話を続けて起爆までの猶予を延ばそうとしながら説得を続ける。
「それで、その和解金だが、300オーラムだ」
予想外の人物が予想外の交渉を持ち掛けた上に予想外の金額を口にしたことで、困惑を連続で
「......300万? 300億?」
「違う。300オーラムだ」
シジマはそう言ってから、テーブルの上に100オーラム硬貨3枚をアキラに見せ付けるように置いた。
表情に混乱すら見せ始めたアキラの様子を見て、シジマはここが勝負だと決めに掛かる。
規則などでそれを破った場合に罰金を設けると、罰金が無かった時よりも規則を破る者が増える場合がある。何の罰則も無い時は単純に、純粋に守らなければならないものだった事柄が、罰金という具体的な値段、価値をつけられたことで、罰金を支払えば破っても良いものに成り下がる。その罰金が小銭であればあるほど、その価値は相対的に下がっていく。
「リオンズテイル社を相手にあれだけのことをしておいて、たった300オーラム支払えば済む。これだけ連中を馬鹿に出来れば十分だろう? その上で和平まで成り立つんだ。どうだ? 完璧じゃないか?」
きを聞いて、シジマの声が震える。
「な、何が不満なんだ?」
「いや、俺は良いとしても、そこまで馬鹿にされて、連中はそれで良いのか? 向こうも納得しないと駄目なんじゃないか?」
「それをやるから、それで今、この場で払え」
「駄目だ。払うならちゃんと払う」
め息を吐きながらも、アキラを刺激しないように好きにさせることにした。情報端末を取り出して自分の口座を教える。
アキラが情報端末を取り出して振込を済ませる。和解金の振込完了を知らせる通知を
地雷原を駆け抜けたような交渉を終えたシジマは心身の疲労の
えて浮かれることで、崩れ落ちそうな両脚をその気力で支えて帰っていく。
の山と成り果てたスラム街を進んでいった。
シジマが帰った後、アキラはシェリルに状況を軽く説明してから家に帰った。和解金などについては話さなかったが、三区支店との和平が成立したことは教えた。それを聞いたシェリルは
『良かったわね。アキラ。リオンズテイル社とも和平をしたから襲撃される恐れも無いし、ゆっくり休めるわ。......それにしても、アキラにしては珍しく随分譲歩していたわね。少し意外だったわ』
アキラはシジマとの交渉の席で、和解金の具体的な額を口外しないことも認めていた。それを不思議がるアルファに、アキラが軽く笑って返す。
その言葉は間違いなくアキラの本心だ。だがその判断に至ったのは、アキラの中に中途半端に残っていた振り上げられたままの拳を、シズカとの話で下げたからだ。拳を振り上げたままシジマと話していれば、アキラはそれを、拳を振り下ろす理由にしていた恐れがあった。
そして、提示された金額が300オーラムだったことも、アキラの心を少しだが動かしていた。
300オーラム。それは今のアキラには取るに足らない小銭だ。同時に、ハンターとなったアキラが命を賭けて遺跡に行き、初めて稼いだ成果の額だ。
安い額ではある。だがかつての自分が命を賭けた額でもある。その額で、自分がリオンズテイル社ほどの大企業に和平を成立させたことに、アキラは奇妙な満足感を覚えていた。
め事を避けるのは良いことよ。後は坂下重工から装備が届くのをゆっくり待ちましょう』
その時、アキラの情報端末にハンターオフィスから通知が届いた。その件名を見たアキラが顔を僅かに
「賞金首速報。新規賞金首認定者のお知らせ......?」
自分はもう無関係なはずだ。そう思いながらも、アキラはどこか恐る恐る通知の詳細を閲覧した。
賞金首認定者はアキラではなかった。だが記載されていた名前が知人のものであったことに、アキラは少し驚いていた。
先日、都市の幹部であるイナベ達がリオンズテイル社の社員から事態の説明を受けていた頃、ヤナギサワはミハゾノ街遺跡にあるセランタルビルの一室にいた。
「検証が終わったのなら、早速報酬を支払ってほしいんだけど、良いかな?」
「分かりました。約束通りお支払いします」
そしてその報酬として、ある情報を要求していた。
調子良く笑っていたヤナギサワが真面目な顔になる。
「では、あの管理人格達の息が掛かっている現地協力者についての情報を渡してほしい」
「それは駄目です」
「......どういうことだ? 約束が違うぞ?」
歴戦のハンターでもその場で恐慌に陥りかねない威圧が場に満ちる。底冷えする声が部屋の空気を震わせた。
だがオリビアには
「......、こちらもそれなりに労を執ったと思うのだが」
「それでもです。現在の世界環境に応じて我が社も柔軟な判断をしておりますが、それでも、国の軍事関連情報を社外の者へ提供することに同意した時点で、
そう言われてはヤナギサワも引き下がるしかなかった。難しい顔で言葉を選ぶ。
「私の成果に見合う分だけ提供してもらうというのは?」
「それは駄目です。等価の情報の選別もまた情報です。そして明確に要求されていない情報を提供することは、明確に要求された情報を渡す以上の価値があります。それは
「あの管理人格達に現地協力者はいるか......、違う、今現在、クズスハラ街遺跡の奥部、違う、クガマヤマ都市から延びる後方連絡線の先よりも奥側の遺跡内で活動可能な戦力を最低限持つ現地協力者はいるか? 違う、その存在をそちらで確認できているか、違う、9割以上の確率で存在すると認識しているか?」
「その者の名前を教えてくれ」
あとどれだけ質問できるのか分からない。その不安もあり、ヤナギサワは次の質問を出来る限り慎重に吟味した上で、口を開く。
この質問でも駄目ならば自分の推察に致命的な誤りがある。その上で、これで自分の成果を使い切ったと判断されて情報提供を打ち切られても、その結果から事態を推察し直して今後の活動方針を修正できる。ヤナギサワはそう判断してオリビアの返答を待った。
アイリの拡張視界の中で、エイリアスが不満げな顔を見せている。
「嫌。カツヤを殺したやつを助ける義理なんか無い。この場で殺しにいかないだけ、譲歩した」
アイリはエイリアスとの契約により、自己同一性が揺らぐほどの干渉をエイリアスに許していた。そのエイリアスからの頼みを、アイリは憎悪を
もシロウにはアキラとは異なりアルファのサポートは無く、坂下重工の施設も利用できない状況なので、解析には時間が掛かる。それでも着実に進めていく。
その途中、新たな賞金首の情報が入った。
「リオンズテイル社がまた賞金を懸けてる。ハンターの一団で、中心人物はアイリ......か」
罪状はリオンズテイル社からの依頼の放棄だった。それを見てシロウが
「何で......、ハルカが......、そこに......? ど、どういうことなんだ!?」
坂下重工に逆らってまで助けようとした友人が、そこにいるはずのない少女が、確かにそこにいたことに、それだけ近くにいたことに、シロウはどこまでも驚き、混乱していた。
Ch 291
The next day, Akira slept through the morning and past the afternoon due to fatigue. After he woke up, he went to get something to eat and went to take a bath, inside the base's great bath.
"Akira, are you alright? Do you need more sleep?"
"No... Well... It's true that I'm still tired, but that's not it..."
He no longer had a bounty on his head, his monster designation got removed and Chloe was dead. Even so, Akira still was not content with this outcome. It continued to weigh down on his spirit.
"In that case, let's take the whole day to recuperate. You worked hard yesterday. It can't be helped if you still feel tired after going through all of that."
"...Yeah."
Akira gave a deep nod and tried to brush off that feeling. However, he was not able to do so and slowly returned to his previous state.
That was when a call from Shizuka suddenly reached him. Akira picked up the call via telepathy with Alpha.
"Akira, it's me. It seems that you've gone through quite a lot recently, but I'm glad that you're fine."
"Thank you very much and sorry for making you worry, Shizuka-san."
"You really did make me worry, good grief. Can you imagine how shocked I was when I found out that one of my shop regulars became a bounty target?"
Shizuka was speaking in a joking manner, which Akira then tried to lightly laugh off. At the very least, he was able to make a chuckle, albeit an awkward one.
"Uhh, about that, because of this, I will soon go purchase ammo and medicine from Shizuka-san's shop, so please let this slide."
They then continued to chat about how they were doing lately in a buoyant mood. The flow of the conversation naturally cheered Akira up. Right around the point where he sounded a little springier, Shizuka's tone changed to a scolding one.
"Akira, this might be nothing but my imagination, so just ignore it if you think that it's just my misunderstanding."
"Eh? Ah, okay."
Akira was taken aback by this sudden change but gave a firm reply. Shizuka continued slowly and clearly.
"I'm sure you've gone through a lot lately and I'm sure you'll have to face a lot of things in the future. If it's something that you are going to do for your own sake, please do so without holding back. You've simply become someone with the capability to do that."
Akira had gone through multiple rampages in the past. Most of the time, it was because of revenge or self-defence. He reacted extremely violently when triggered, he was like a landmine, completely docile in other circumstances.
However, he was slowly changing. Previously he only recognized those around him as either hostile or not hostile. Now, he started to recognize others as friends and allies. It was indeed a good thing, but at the same time, it also gave Akira more trigger points.
If it was for the sake of self-defense, Akira would stop once he was able to protect himself from the enemies. However, if it was for the sake of revenge, the aim was to kill, not to protect. To annihilate his enemies, in such a scenario, it was possible for Akira to never stop. His retribution could grow larger due to hatred, fear, or regret. He might even start to hunt anyone with the slightest relation to his target down to the very last person.
There was no doubt that Akira would meet his end eventually if he went down this path. However, how many people would he drag down to hell before that happened? The world was not naive enough to let him go on a rampage forever, such destruction would be massive, and it would be his own undoing.
With that worry in mind, Shizuka conveyed her warning clearly to him. She firmly wanted to prevent Akria from going down this path. The first and foremost way to prevent him from doing so was to draw the line of avenging those important to him.
"It's just something I think we all share the same sentiments on. It's not like I'm telling you to not care about us. We are happy that you think of us. But I want you to stay calm, think things through, and consult with others more... Akira, are you listening?"
When Shizuka called him, Akira snapped back to reality. He gave a bitter smile and replied with his usual tone.
"Right? As I thought... that's why I did that..."
Akira then continued talking casually with Shizuka. As they conversed, he could feel the weight in his heart slowly being lifted.
The source of that feeling was his inability to process the feeling of helplessness. Although it all started when Chloe threatened him, the two main reasons why he did not back down were because Chloe looked down on him and that she threatened those he had identified as his friends.
Akira then tried to solve both issues with his own power. He decided to do so because he thought he had the power to accomplish it. He had to admit there was a level of pride and ignorance mixed in this decision of his.
However, in the end, Akira basically failed to accomplish both. Although it had come to an end, Alice could have easily killed him and left the other side alive. And Chloe was killed by Alice, which was more than likely out of Alice's whim. In the end, his actions and wishes did not have anything to do with the outcome.
Akira had already thought that he was no longer his old self. That he had grown stronger. To prove that to himself and to others, he used violence fuelled by his strong emotions. However, his opponent did not even see him as someone worthy of being considered an enemy. Even the target of his violence got taken before he could swing his fist. This gave Akira the feeling of helplessness.
"...So well, with that, I ended up using quite a lot of my ammunition. I have to resupply soon so, I'm sorry, but is it okay if I place my order now?"
"Sure, but as expected, I can't get you any annihilator warheads. So please don't expect me to have those."
"There are these kinds of amazing merchants out there, huh? I have to work hard to make sure my regulars don't run off to them."
"Don't worry about it. I will be visiting your shop sometime soon, so I'll be in your care."
"Alright, I'll be looking forward to it. See you."
Shizuka then closed the call. Akira stretched out his body and smiled. It was as if he had accomplished a huge task. He was finally able to put a lid on the previous incident.
"...What?"
"You always listen to everything Shizuka has to say. In all honesty, after watching how you're so obedient to her every word, I would prefer it if you did the same to me as well, you know?"
Akira looked away from Alpha's gaze and laughed awkwardly.
Although no one knew the full details of what had happened, in the end, Akira won, and his bounty was taken down. He was also no longer recognized as a monster by the city. For Sheryl's gang, that was a huge win. They were elated that they had won a battle where they were greatly outnumbered and were in a tight spot. At the same time, they were also greatly saddened by the death of their comrades, who had lost their lives in that battle. The whole gang was flooded with emotion, but after a single night, they calmed down to some extent.
However, for Sheryl, this was not the end. She was swamped with work as the boss of the gang. She was so busy that she could not head straight to the bath immediately after she heard that Akira went in after he woke up.
When she finally found an opening to wedge in some free time for herself, she immediately went to the bath. However, when she entered the changing room, Akira was already in the middle of wearing his clothes.
Akira was not lying, He did spend quite a long time inside as he took his time chatting with Shizuka. However, that did not change the fact that Sheryl had missed her chance to get in the bath together with him. That regret was obvious from her expression. Now that Akira was no longer recognized as a monster, he no longer had any reason to be staying in her base. The more she thought about it, the more awful she felt. That the next opportunity was so far away, making her regret missing this opportunity even more.
Once Akira finished putting on his clothes and had left the room, Sheryl simply silently followed behind him.
"I wanted to get in with you, but since you've done, I'll take one later."
"Akira, do you like older girls?"
"Nothing, it's just that I saw you with Elena-san, Sara-san, and Carol-san. I just thought that you have quite a lot of mature women as your close friends."
"Isn't that simply because there are a lot of adults among Hunters?"
"...Yeah... That must be it... Yeah..."
Even if she acted a bit jealous, as she had expected, Akira's reaction was as dry as ever. Sheryl could not help but sigh again.
"Akira, I just remembered. Shijima said he wants to meet you face to face. What do you plan to do?"
"Ahhh, that guy, huh? If it's about the gang, tell him to discuss that with you."
"About that, he said that it has nothing to do with gang business. When I asked him what he wanted to talk about, he said that he can't tell anyone else other than you. So, I have him waiting in the guest room. Should I just send him off?"
At one point in the past, Sheryl was just the boss of a small gang in the slums. Meanwhile, Shijima was the boss of a medium-sized gang. At that time, Sheryl was in a lower position in terms of power. However, that power hierarchy had been completely overturned. Furthermore, with Akira emerging victorious from the recent battle, it only served to widen the power gap between the two gangs.
Even so, the two gangs have gotten along for a long time. Therefore, Sheryl was not willing to shoo Shijima away or used force to make him state his business with Akira. Furthermore, since he mentioned it had something to do with Akira, she had to act with more precaution. Sheryl told him to wait in the guest room, and that there was no guarantee that Akira would meet him.
"...Well, if he's already here, might as well meet him before I leave."
Akira was in a good mood after talking with Shizuka. Therefore, he just simply thought that it would not hurt to see Shijima for a bit.
When Alicia told Shijima, who was waiting in the guest room, that Akira would meet him soon, Shijima inadvertently frowned.
[And he's seriously going to meet me...!? You could just say that someone like me isn't worth your time, you know!? Why the heck are you earnestly coming to meet me?!]
Although he was the one who asked to see Akira, he was hoping to get rejected. The reason why he chose to come here today was because he thought there was a good chance Akira would refuse to meet him.
However, despite his wishes, not too long after, Akira came into the room together with Sheryl. To add salt to the wound, Akira was planning to head back home as soon as Shijima's business with him was done. In other words, Akira was carrying all his equipment. With a 50 billion bounty target standing fully armed and ready to fight anytime in front of him, as expected, Shijima tensed up. Thinking that it was counter-effective to be overly cautious and scared, he tried his best to give off the same aura as back when Akira was just a small, unknown Hunter and he was a boss of a medium-sized slum gang.
Shijima said so and glanced at Sheryl. However, Sheryl did not show any reaction to his glance.
"Tell me why you are here first. If it's about gang business, I will leave it to Sheryl and go back home."
"...It's about the third ward branch of the Lion Steel company, are you okay with her listening?"
As Shijima expected, Sheryl's face turned dire. This was why he had refused to explain why he was there to her beforehand. In the worst-case scenario, he might get killed the moment he tried to explain.
Akira thought for a bit before turning to Sheryl.
Akira raised his eyebrows and tilted his head; He did not expect that at all. However, Shijima could not help but see that as him being irritated. From Shijima's point of view, it was only natural because he had mentioned Lion Steel third ward branch in front of Akira. He tried his best to put a lid on his welling anxiety.
The conflict between Akira and Lion Steel had met its end. However, to be more precise, it was forced to end in peace due to the intervention from the main branch. At the moment, although they were not fighting against each other, those from the third branch still saw Akira as hostile.
The manager of the third ward branch, Beltram, thought that there was no need to prolong this conflict any further. At the very least, as long as there was no order from the main branch to continue the fight, Beltram had no wish to continue the third branch's conflict with Akira.
However, it would be naive to assume that Akira also had the same opinion. From the point of view of common sense in the Eastern District, picking a fight against the Lorentz family was simply unthinkable. Although they were certain that Akira would not do something as pointless as attacking the main branch, they feared he would have no problem causing a battle of the same size as before if it was against a branch.
Furthermore, Akira was scheduled to get front-line equipment from Sakashita Heavy Industry sometime soon. He might avoid engagements at the moment, but there was a good chance that he would try to attack the Lion Steel branch once he got his powerful equipment.
Naturally, if it ever came to that, unlike last time, Beltram would use the full might of the third branch to fight back. Compared to the incident with Chloe, it would be a force that was incomparable in size, which would have no problems eradicating Akira. However, considering the expenses needed to create, deploy, and manage such a force, Beltram wanted to avoid this even if it meant that he had to be the one who directly worked on it.
To do that, the third ward branch needed to negotiate a peace treaty with Akira. However, the third ward branch still needed to keep its prestige and still act as a large company. Thus, they could not simply declare that they had backed off because of a Hunter. If they did that, other companies would look down on them and it might become a trigger for more conflicts. Thus, considering both ends, the money and manpower needed to fight against Akira and to prevent other hostile companies from acting up, they needed to make it look as if Akira was the one who sued for peace.
Naturally, Beltram knew that this was an extremely difficult feat to pull off. If Akira was someone who would listen to others' demands without trying to fight back, he would not have fought against Chloe.
However, even so, they still could not afford to continue this fight. They had to negotiate for peace. Thus, Lion Steel used its resources to look for someone who could act in their stead. They came up with one person. Someone who started with a hostile relationship with Akira, and just like Chloe, went as far as to threaten Akira's friends, but somehow managed to find peace with Akira by paying a huge sum to him.
Shijima continued the difficult negotiation, which placed his own life in danger. If he was able to handle things peacefully, Lion Steel would owe him a favour. However, if he failed, only death awaited him. The only difference would be whether it would be Akira killing him now or Lion Steel killing him later. With that in mind, Shijima desperately continued to negotiate.
"...So, uhh, the third ward branch wants to make peace with you but... They want you to pay a small sum to them... Wait, calm down, listen to everything I have to say first, okay?"
Akira's expression only showed bewilderment and doubt. However, Shijima could not help but perceive his expressions as him being on the verge of exploding. Naturally, that would be horrendous considering Akira had the firepower to literally blow up the whole slums. Therefore, Shijima was desperately trying to convince Akira while preventing him from exploding.
"So then, about the money, they asked for three hundred Aurum."
On top of the unexpected subject, Shijima worded out an unexpected number. As expected, it only got Akira to feel even more confused and unsure of how to react.
"...Three hundred? Like, three hundred million Aurum? Or three hundred billion?"
"No, it is just three hundred Aurum."
After Shijima repeated, he put three 100 Aurum coins on top of the table as if to establish what he said further.
As Akira's expression slowly turned into pure bewilderment, Shijima thought that he was close to succeeding and made the push to seal the deal.
People's actions do not always coincide with the rule of law. Some actions were not to be committed, not because it was written in a book. Rather, it was common sense not to do so. When a law gets enacted with a fine in place, it is declaring a price tag for said offences. People's perception of such offences might shift from common sense not to commit, to monetary acceptance - they could do so as long as they could pay the fine. As such, more of such offences might take place, especially if the fine was cheap.
"Even after all you've done against the Lion Steel Company, you can get out scot-free only by paying 300 Aurum. Don't you think it's an excellent offer to mock them? You will also be able to have a peace treaty with them, you know? Isn't it just perfect?"
Seeing Akira mumble, Shijma's voice started to tremble.
"I-Is there something that you don't like?"
"Not really. It's just... let's leave me aside for now. Do you think they will be okay with me mocking them like this? Don't they need to convince their men for this deal?"
"I'll give this to you, so you can pay it right here, right now."
"No, if I'm going to pay, I will do it properly."
Shijima sighed deep inside his heart after watching Akira's problematic side come up. However, to not sour his mood, Shijima decided to let Akira do as he pleased. He took out his information terminal and told Akira where to transfer the money.
Akira took out his own information terminal and completed the transfer. Once he received notification that the transfer went through, a peace treaty between Akira and Lion Steel Third Ward branch was formed.
Shijima was tottering as he was leaving Sheryl's base. Fatigue immediately struck him in one go after he had concluded the deal with Akira. The whole time, he felt like he was walking through a minefield. The feeling of elation from being able to get out alive supported his shaking legs as he returned back home.
Once Akira arrived back home, he put his equipment down and stretched his body.
For now, he decided to not think about it as he heaved a huge sigh and waded through a portion of the slums which had been turned into a mountain of rubble.
After Shijima left, Akira gave Sheryl a brief explanation before he left the base to head back home. He informed Sheryl that he had made a peace deal with the third ward branch, but did not share that he had to pay 300 Aurum to do so. Hearing that, Sheryl sighed in relief.
"It is indeed great. Since you have made peace with Lion Steel, there's no need to worry about ambushes and you can take a good rest... But still, it was rare for you to be willing to make a compromise like that. It was quite unexpected of you."
During his negotiation with Shijima, Akira was asked not to say anything about the amount to outsiders. He easily agreed to this, which took Alpha by surprise. Akira simply gave a soft smile and explained.
Everything he said were all his honest feelings. However, it was also true that such a conclusion was reached only because of his conversation with Shizuka beforehand. Had he not lowered his fist before he negotiated with Shijima, Akira might have used this as a reason to bring it down.
On top of that, the 300 Aurum price tag played a small role in changing his heart.
That 300 Aurum was a small amount for him right now. At the same time, it was the same amount he first received after he officially became a Hunter.
On one hand, it was a small amount of money, but on another, it was the first amount he had earned through risking his life. The mere fact he was able to form a peace treaty with a large company like Lion Steel filled him with mixed emotions. A conflicted feeling of accomplishment.
"I see. Either way, being able to avoid any unnecessary conflict is a good thing. We can now just wait patiently until your front-line equipment from Sakashita Heavy Industry arrives."
Right at that time, a notice from the Hunter Office reached his information terminal. When Akira read through the content, he could not help but knit his eyebrows.
"Bounty target notice, it says that it's a notice for a new bounty target...?"
Akira told himself that it should not have anything to do with him as he slowly read through the notice.
The new bounty target was not Akira. However, he was slightly surprised to see the name written being someone he knew.
Yesterday, around the time when the city officers, including Inabe, were receiving an explanation from the Lion Steel company about what had happened, Yanagisawa was not in the city. He was staying inside a particular room in the Seranthal building back in Mihazono ruin.
"If you're done with your investigation, it would be great if you can deliver my agreed-upon payment already."
"Very well, as I have promised, here is your reward."
And as payment, Yanagisawa was to be given a certain piece of information.
Yanagisawa, who was smiling happily up until now, suddenly turned solemn.
"Now then, I want to get information about the people who are working together with those AIs."
"That would be rejected."
"...What do you mean? That's not what you had promised."
Yanagisawa's voice was filled with intimidation, enough to freeze even veteran Hunters in the vicinity.
Even so, Olivia was not bothered by it at all.
"...I'm pretty sure I worked pretty hard back there."
"That does not concern us. Our company is willing to adapt our decision depending on the current situation. Since we were forced to share national military-grade information with someone outside the company, that alone took away most of your achievements."
Yanagisawa had no other choice but to withdraw after Olivia stated such a thing to him. He then carefully chose his words to ask her.
"Then, how about you tell me what I am allowed to ask considering my contribution to your investigation?"
"That will also be rejected. The method that we use to decide the value of information is also a form of information. Moreover, not giving you the information that you're looking for can also be interpreted as giving more information than what you're asking for. That would mean paying more than what you deserve."
"Then just tell me if those AIs have people working with them around here... No, right now, in the deeper part of Kuzusuhara ruin... No, do those AIs have someone working under them who is strong enough to go to the deeper section of Kuzusuhara ruin? Not on the route made by Kugamayama city. No, scratch that, can you recognize those people? Wait, no, can you find any individual with over 90% chance?"
"Can you tell me their name?"
Yanagisawa did not know how many more questions he could ask. With that in mind, he carefully chose his next question.
If Olivia refused, then Yanagisawa must have made a fatal mistake in his estimation. However, even if he exhausted all his achievements with this one request, it would give him enough information to readjust his next moves. Yanagisawa concluded as he waited for Olivia's reply.
Inside Airi's enhanced vision, Alias pouted her lips as she stated.
"Absolutely not. There's no reason for me to help the person who killed Katsuya. At least I'm holding myself back from attacking him."
According to her contract with Airi, Alias even had the permission to interfere with her self-identity. Even so, Airi could still refuse Alias' request due to her deep-seated hatred.
However, without the help from an old-world AI like Alpha, and without access to Sakashita Heavy Industry's facilities, he needed more time to analyze it. Even so, he was able to process the data at a relatively good pace.
In the middle of processing, he received information about a new bounty target.
"Lion Steel has put up a bounty for someone again, huh? Oh? It's for a group of Hunters with someone by the name of Airi leading that group, huh..."
The reason for this bounty was because the group had abandoned their contract with the Lion Steel company. Seeing that, Shirou frowned and mumbled.
"Haruka... Why... Are you there...? W-what's going on?"
Shirou was greatly shaken and confused. The girl in that picture was a friend that he wanted to save. He wanted to save her so much that he was willing to betray Sakashita Heavy Industry. Never would he have imagined her to be somewhere so close.
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/
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