Chapter 52

1.

The Advisory Committee readily approved my suggestion.

More than just approving it, they even went so far as to say that they supported my activities. It was merely a verbal promise, but I didn’t doubt their words.

“Thank you, everyone.”

“Cut it out! It’s just that we think it won’t harm us, that’s all!”

“I thought I could trust you, Mr. Hiiro. This is the opinion of all of us!”

“Meh~ Wasn’t that just a way to thank this uncle?”

The reason is simple.

It was due to the conversation we had just before.

After explaining my purpose for visiting Abidos, I continued to share various stories with them, ones that contained nothing but sincerity. These conversations weren’t for any purpose other than to get closer.

Thanks to them, the relationship between me and the Advisory Committee members quickly became much closer.

At first, it was just a faint sense of appreciation from recognizing them as the ‘student council’ of Abidos, but during the conversation, we exchanged our sincere feelings and friendship.

We had such a conversation when we were parting ways.

“Well, I’ll take my leave now. It’s getting late, and it seems like all of you have to go home too.”

“Uh, hey, are you coming tomorrow?”

We were waving farewell in front of the main gate of Abidos when suddenly, Serika grabbed the sleeve of my jacket with a reluctant expression and asked.

She looked like an abandoned kitten.

Something about her demeanor that made me want to protect her and play with her. I placed my hand on my chin and said,

“Maybe? I plan to look into the geography and records of Abidos first. For now, I think I’ll be extracting information while staying with all of you. Hehe.”

“Pfft. What’s with that lame joke?”

“Wow, Mr. Hiiro is actually a spy from Millennium!”

As soon as I grinned mischievously, everyone from the Advisory Committee understood it was a joke and smiled.

With Nomori joining in, we exchanged playful banter until the sun had completely set, and the twilight filled the sky. It was the sign that it was time to part.

“Oh, the sunset.”

“Wow~ what a beautiful view here!”

Hoshino’s words were so calming.

I agreed and nodded. There was no denying the beauty of this world, at least in terms of its scenery.

“Oh, that’s right. Serika.”

“Hm?”

I approached Serika who was still reluctant to part and hugged her by opening my arms wide.

We needed to address that separation anxiety of hers.

“What, what what?! Wh-What are you doing…!”

“Well, I met a lot of new friends today, and I enjoyed it. So, I’ll surely want to see all of you again tomorrow. As for you, Serika?”

“Uh… I-I… it’s…”

I understand. It’s not easy to say.

How embarrassing it is to say it out loud.

In the first place, openly expressing emotions isn’t an easy task, especially when it’s tied to affection. Isn’t the term ‘tsundere’ used to describe those who struggle with expressing their feelings?

But, difficult and disliking something is different, isn’t it?

With just a little encouragement, even those who find it difficult to express themselves can reveal their emotions.

“Ah, really! Sure, I had a great time too! Really embarrassing…! Now let me go already…!!”

Exactly like that.

Serika’s face turned bright red as she shouted, then began pleading with me to let her go.

“Hehe. Alright.”

I grinned contentedly and loosened the firm hug, releasing her.

“Huh?! Oh…”

“Oh, so soft.”

Of course, I touched her cat ears before leaving.

Review: Serika’s cat ears were soft.

Serika’s face blushed as she came after me with anger, but I laughed and ran away from her.

“Hey! You! Over here! Right there, you!”

“Serika’s ears were so soft, I feel good now! Hehehe~!”

“Hey!!!”

Next time, I’ll try touching Shiroko’s ears.

—

2.

It was a chilly night just like any other, where the world was shrouded in darkness, and the lone moonlight faintly illuminated the sky, while the streetlights didn’t reach the back alleys of Abidos.

Someone was busily working under the moon’s light as their only illumination in one of the darkened back alleys where the streetlights didn’t reach. They moved as if the night was their own daylight, only starting their work once the darkness had fallen, avoiding prying eyes.

They hid from the light and worked for their misguided purposes and money, like insects dodging direct light and attention.

Such people existed in any city, and Abidos was no exception.

The unique aspect of Abidos was its deep ties to Kaiser Corporation, so much so that it was often called Kaiser’s nest. Hence, most who operated here were well aware, either subtly or openly, of Kaiser’s vast influence.

Further still, a kind of unwritten rule had formed.

Do not oppose Kaiser in its own territory.

This unwritten rule was like a deeply ingrained brand on everyone in Abidos.

Everyone who thrived in the night feared Kaiser and dared not defy it.

That is, until one person showed up.

“Silk! Silk! Silk! Is it you again, Silk?!?”

A meddlesome intruder who appeared seemingly out of nowhere, hindering their progress.

While the public hailed Silk as a hero, to Kaiser, Silk was only an adversary and a pesky nuisance.

The biggest obstacle blocking their ‘great cause,’ and an enemy to be not only overthrown but completely annihilated.

“Why in the world are you showing up now!!!”

The CEO of Kaiser PMC let out a roar of rage, overturning their desk. With a loud crash, items scattered around, and the soldiers present in the CEO’s office flinched noticeably as the CEO was clearly emotionally charged.

Still, none of the soldiers present failed to grasp the CEO’s frustration.

From their standpoint as mere soldiers in Kaiser’s ranks, Silk was a clear and undeniable adversary to Kaiser.

“Damn.”

“Is everything alright, sir?”

“Silk… someone reported that Silk is on our tail…”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Haha… Hahaha… HohohoHOHOHAHAHA!!!”

“…”

The CEO couldn’t help but burst into maniacal laughter.

Kaiser was, undisputedly, a tyrant in Abidos. They had numerous schemes plotted to take control of the Abidos District, and at this point, their plans were coming to fruition, such that no one dared to raise a fist against them—they were thorough and overwhelming.

“This plan took over a decade to set up. It was the first step toward realizing the President’s dream! And now, that the project is at risk because of one guy?! Us, Kaiser!!”

So, it was absurd.

Their carefully laid-out plans over an extended period to dominate Abidos were about to yield results, and they were so close to completing their grand endeavor.

But now,

They were paralyzed by the mere fact that Silk was after them.

“People call us cunning villains who exploit the law’s loopholes. Ha! What a joke! Silk, on the other hand, completely ignores the law and treats Kiburatos like a playground!”

Somewhere along the way, Silk became a force above the law within Kiburatos.

Part of it was because Silk consistently targeted villains, and the main reason was undoubtedly because Silk kept up a constant campaign for the citizens’ good.

A kind, friendly neighbor. Everyone’s hero. A symbol of justice.

Given these perceptions, it was only natural that news of Silk’s movements in Abidos reverberated throughout Kiburatos. And it was strange and captivating that Silk specifically targeted ‘Kaiser’ in Abidos rather than engaging in their usual heroics.

“Why out of all people us?!?”

From Kaiser Corporation’s perspective, it seemed like Silk simply harbored resentment over past grievances, and they protested with a sense of injustice.

“Waiting will be enough. As long as our plans to take over the district remain undiscovered, this situation will resolve itself.”

It had to.

No matter how powerful Silk may be, they didn’t suspect anyone could know their grand schemes. It was generally impossible, considering their objectives had been hidden everywhere, something akin to a prophecy-level achievement.

Still,

They didn’t know.

“Shouldn’t I at least set off a bomb before returning to Millennium?”

Silk’s intention was to dismantle every pillar holding up Kaiser Corporation.

This was just a taste of what’s to come.

“Open wide. The bomb’s coming in.”

I will systematically bring down Kaiser Corporation in many ways.

For I need such weapons to bring down towers built on the sacrifices of others.

That’s why I accumulated so much power and have decided to use it now.

The weapon I’ll use for this—.

[Breaking News: Large corporation, Kaiser Corporation, under suspicion of illegally trading military supplies in the Black Market…]

[Kaiser’s concerning activities revealed. Is Kaiser dreaming of the impossible? From Kaiser Industries to PMC, citizen reactions range from ‘rational suspicions’…]

[Kaiser Corporation faces public outrage due to illegal military supply trafficking allegations. Meanwhile, the well-known ‘Silk’, who is beloved by the citizens as a kind hero, is pursuing Kaiser within the Abidos District… ]

[Shocking! Terrifying! The truth revealed — Kaiser has been working for decades to gain control of the Abidos District?! Signs of Kaiser’s dominion over the district revealed decades ago. Millennium is shocked, Trinity is alarmed, and Gehenna is weeping as we expose the dark secrets of Kaiser Corporation…]

It was the media.

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