LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 246.2
Chapter 246.2. Hokkaido
..If one ignores the inhumanity, that is. They are probably modified. What kind of modification, I don’t know, but even a fool can tell it’s something cruel that comes at the cost of human emotions.
“Oh, I’m busy, so I’ll head back to the ship now. Just ask someone around to arrange a taxi for me. See you later~”
“Understood. I wish you success in your mission.”
As Omokane waves goodbye, a man with a face reminiscent of Greek sculpture, likely one of Sakimori, follows behind. He glances over at Nobuhiro as he passes by, and maintaining a cheerful smile, Nobuhiro sees him off. The man raises his eyebrows slightly at Nobuhiro but leaves without saying anything.
Once Omokane departs and only the emotionless group he refers to as the “Kiten Unit” remains, Nobuhiro hears footsteps on the ground approaching from behind. He knows who is coming, so he doesn’t turn around.
“Father, is this really okay? To ally with those whose identities we don’t even know?”
“It is fine. After all, they are a secret unit of the United Nations.”
The voice of the young girl carries a tone of disapproval. Well, it’s only natural, Nobuhiro thinks as he smirks and turns his gaze to the girl beside him.
“Yoko. Those people are indeed suspicious. But, as they say, you can counter poison with poison, right?”
The fox girl Yoko twitches her fox ears in annoyance and squints her eyes. Her obvious attitude is a sign of protest. However, Nobuhiro has no intention of yielding.
“Poison… Amatsugahara Corporation, I see. They are indeed poison, but they are also a remedy. If our actions were to be exposed, other houses would surely strike us down.”
“What you say has merit. However, the inner town is stabilizing. A prosperous era not seen in recent years is about to arrive. No, after years of a steady decline, it might be the first since the Dungeon’s emergence.”
Until now, the resources available had been diminishing year by year, and crops were becoming harder to obtain. Even among the power holders in the inner town, there was an understanding that if things continued this way, they would face slow ruin.
Still, is it human nature that they cannot stop their power struggles? As resources began to dwindle, there were already rumors of plans to further shrink the inner town.
“People are feeling jubilant. Yet, while recent events have strengthened the foundations of the three great houses, we can no longer ignore the power of Amatsugahara Corporation. It’s time to weaken them a bit.”
“Are you planning to pit those people against them?”
“That researcher, Omokane. It seems he intends to open a gate to the remaining island of the Earth Federation Army. I hear there are tens of thousands? I’ve been told there are at least ten thousand soldiers. Moreover, most of them are modified enhanced humans.”
He looks back with disdain at those who work like machines, as if they’ve undergone lobotomy surgery, known as Angels.
“Due to inhumane research, they have amassed many skilled individuals and possess unknown technologies that far exceed ours. It is far too dangerous to accept them into the inner town as they are. Therefore, if we could reduce their numbers somewhat, the subsequent negotiations should go smoothly.”
“Are you intending to clash with the now powerful Amatsugahara Corporation? You could reduce those suspicious soldiers while also inflicting damage on Amatsugahara Corporation. I see, in that case, it might be possible to absorb them.”
“We might also gain access to the Special Zone and core store analysis technology, as well as the technology possessed by the Earth Federation Army… Don’t you think the three great houses, let alone the other families, will be more focused on fighting over the divided pie rather than searching for culprits?”
Nobuhiro nods, acknowledging that she is right. As expected from his daughter; she has easily seen through his intentions. Indeed, if the technology of the Special Zone can be acquired, no one would voice objections.
“But are you really planning to clash directly? Sakimori of Amatsugahara Corporation are cunning. He surely won’t stand at the front line.”
Yoko understands that Sakimori won’t easily engage in battle. She grimaces at the thought that he will likely devise a strategy to push the inner town’s forces to the forefront. If it becomes known that Oda is involved, she might face dire consequences, causing her to shiver. Perhaps she will end up with a collar around her neck again.
“I understand. So, I’ll borrow a few modified humans from Omokane. Then, we’ll have them target Hira Konou. Now, if we were to attack the leader of the Jester Knights and it turns out they were from our former unit, I wonder how Rei would react? Might he move to counter us?”
Nobuhiro has already considered that aspect. Amano Sakimori is an exceedingly intelligent and dangerous man. However, it seems that his rival Rei is not quite on the same level. It appears she is adept at resolving matters through force.
And those modified humans will likely act faithfully without concern for any disadvantages to the military. That’s the weakness of beings without self-awareness.
If they think it’s a hunt for deserters, the Rei faction of the Jester Knights will surely intercept them. That will be the critical point.
“This plan must succeed. It certainly must. Otherwise, neither the three great houses nor Amatsugahara Corporation will be stopped.”
Nobuhiro mutters with a stern expression and begins to devise a plan to break through the critical situation. It would be bad if it became known that the Oda family was involved, and although this is not his usual style, there are no suitable houses left that he can manipulate. But there are methods.
He cannot afford to lose this bet. He will skillfully guide that seemingly incompetent researcher to fight.
Thinking of the strategy for that, Nobuhiro’s lips twisted into a smirk.