Chapter 61

– A massive energy terror occurs at the urban gateway? A threatened symbol of abundance, Harvest Planet! –

– Paradise Corporation, which promised to prevent recurrence, claims it was simply a device malfunction. –

– Some testify that just before the incident, they received orders to search for intruders. Could it be the secret society, Five Eyes, claiming social enlightenment? –

“…Ah.”

“Hmm? Are you awake? Miss Valentine?”

The loud broadcast jolted my consciousness back from wandering near the Sando River.

My whole body ached, my head throbbed, and I was in poor condition due to overexerting myself with the city’s computer network and databases late into the night.

However, even though I felt like I might die at any moment, I couldn’t ignore the words of my benefactor, so I removed the blanket that had been draped over me and sat up from the waiting room sofa.

“…Thank you, doctor. I slept… comfortably. Yes. But I recall that title being used for Helena…?”

The doctor, who was still fixated on the TV, answered as if it were obvious.

“Isn’t there only one Valentine sister left now? So, there’s no reason to call you by name just to distinguish you. I prefer not to develop unnecessary close relationships with guests.”

“……”

Despite saying that, I remember the favor when I came in carrying the dying Helena and the doctor readily took on her treatment.

Moreover, thanks to the fact that no medical records were left behind, it became easy for the remaining people to synchronize their stories.

‘Helena Valentine ultimately died without escaping the underground of the gate,’ was a convenient lie.

As for her, she must be busy now, with the help of the 3rd Gate members, forging a new identity while getting scolded by her grandfather at her long-returned hometown. For now, she is officially considered deceased.

The data from the security cameras that should have detailed the circumstances of all incidents became non-functional right after I intervened.

In the end, I had to reconstruct the sequence of events based on the testimonies of the soldiers deployed… but nobody testified to having encountered any intruders. There are records of entry, but no results of exit, so only the person in charge would be in trouble.

…It’s ironic that Helena, even in post-mortem investigations, was not treated as the main culprit.

The damage from an ordinary police officer would be excessive, along with dubious orders confirmed through command records.

The conclusion was narrowing down to the dereliction of duty by the ground commander, who held immense authority last seen, or suspicions of espionage.

Well. Even so, it doesn’t mean Helena’s violation of orders and unauthorized entry just disappears, so I was barely able to gather personal belongings and was chased out of the house that Paradise had seized.

– Miss Valentine, though I’m reluctant, there has been a request to provide breakfast. Do you have a preferred product? –

“…I will eat whatever you provide.”

“Hey?! Jenny! This one’s getting more and more rude as time goes on…!”

I nodded towards the incredibly prickly Droid, Jenny.

She had always wanted to push me away, claiming that I stressed her master excessively.

Although I had no right to speak, as I had caused her trouble and forced her to take on issues that might be problematic… it felt a bit unfair that she acted as if I had bothered the doctor ‘before.’

…Perhaps I was treated like a problematic customer who got checked and left.

– I’ve learned that guest treatment is, after all, the domain of a wife. –

“……Wait, what? Has the personality setting changed again on its own…?”

I slowly retreated to a corner while holding the cup ramen I was handed, continuing my increasingly fascinating observation of the master-servant dynamics.

The doctor, tilting his head and fiddling with the Droid’s face, seemed unable to grasp the situation, but that’s not surprising.

It’s certainly not common for a sprout of self-awareness to emerge on the meticulously packaged road of artificial intelligence.

“Hmm… is this repaired now? Jenny?”

– …Could you please touch me again to make the correction? –

“……”

I turned my eyes away from the scene that suited a much more affectionate atmosphere than a bickering one.

I didn’t remain at Harvest Planet just to see this kind of sight.

At this point, I contemplated leaving for Neo Haven, but if I escape now, there’s a risk of getting caught.

There was also a looming sense that it might lead to a long-lasting misfortune.

I knew it made sense to reach out first since it wasn’t a general employment situation.

However, since Paradise would be busy managing this thoroughly, it felt questionable for a hacker who might have lost interest to step up and start chattering about things after all…

So, I decided to stay in the city to avoid giving the impression that I was running away, but not to step out recklessly.

It was a consequential decision, but it felt right.

Beep beep!

“!!”

Suddenly, a video call request filled my view.

Even though the sender was obscured, I had a good idea of who it was, so I braced myself and accepted the connection.

– Is this… Hacker Anastasia? You’ve submitted your resignation without us noticing, it seems? –

Although we hadn’t met often or were on friendly terms, I could tell instantly just from the first sentence and attitude.

Ah, this person is incredibly angry.

I was completely a basic implant, and even though I knew there was no video data being sent from my side, I felt chills every time his eyes bounced around as if scanning the other side.

“……The mental shock was quite severe, so I needed some time for recovery.”

– Ah, recovery, is it? If that’s the case, our Paradise is practically specialized in such areas, so we can offer the best service! –

“…I’m sorry. It seems I will have to arrange my sister’s funeral, so a luxurious life might be difficult.”

Emphasizing that I no longer had any family left to threaten them after being caught up in a careless accident made Aron Drayfuscus, who had been leaning forward with an intent to devour, relax slightly against his chair’s back.

– …Didn’t I clearly warn you? Not to interfere with Paradise’s business. –

“I did not interfere! As I wrote in my statement, I was unilaterally abducted while working at the command structure and moved underground. …In fact, during that process, the only family member who came to rescue me ended up dying.”

– ……. –

I expressed the anger and despair I felt back then, trying to revive as many memories as possible.

Moreover, as I commented on the indifference of Paradise, his face lost all traces of emotion.

I’m sure there were many points that would cause suspicion. Naturally, there had to be.

For it to be mere coincidence would be too much of a coincidence, and for it to be deliberate, no one stands to gain, so it doesn’t add up.

However, neither the remaining records nor the testimonies of the surviving witnesses…

Even after closely examining the order and cause of incidents, there was no clear way to explain everything.

– There were access logs from your device on the command structure’s black box, you know? –

“I didn’t do it; the person in charge there did it directly. …I believe that was also noted in my statement?”

…It seemed I needed to add a dash of displeasure as well.

It looked like they were trying to find inconsistencies by continuously probing testimonies or statements, but from my perspective as someone who had been inadvertently caught up in all this, there was no way a loophole would surface even if I repeated this a hundred times.

– …Then, at the point you regained consciousness, you mentioned you temporarily engaged in combat for self-defense. You didn’t witness how the underground was devastated at all? –

Ugh, damn it. Exclude that!

“I was still under the influence of the anesthetic and… by the time I regained consciousness, I had already been transported to the barracks.”

The testimony of a worker who had witnessed me firing a lethal beam was my Achilles’ heel.

In truth, that friend’s account made it easier to portray Helena as an unfortunate victim, but the moment the evidence tied me into self-defense, it would all go down the drain. It wouldn’t just fail, it would categorically fail.

If Helena was stripped of her assets for disobedience and the murder of the collection unit, how would an arsonist setting fire to a store be treated? …I was so curious that I wanted to end the call immediately and dash off to investigate.

– ……. –

“…. ”

It was quiet.

The couple in the background, who had heard the unusual atmosphere and dialogue, held their breath, but more than that, it was scary that Drayfuscus showed no reaction at all.

In this flowing minute, it felt like the level of punishment based on some absurd charge would be increasing in real-time.

……Should I just confess?

After all, what good would it do to engage in a battle of wills with someone who could make several citizens disappear with mere suspicion? Instead of missing an opportunity to properly align our values, forming a suitable relationship doesn’t seem like a bad idea.

Just as I was about to open my mouth first.

By a very… coincidental chance, the other side seemed to have reached a similar conclusion.

– Well, fine. –

“……?”

I’m glad no dumbfounded expression showed on my face; otherwise, the negotiation might have fallen apart.

– Unable to obtain citizenship… unable to provide lawful labor… neither consuming Paradise’s products. Even with such individuals, we were prepared this prospect of allowing them to contribute to society through a grand undertaking called Harvest. I sincerely apologize for the emergence of an unintended victim. –

His heavy head bowed.

His polite demeanor seemed almost tailored to appease me, and hearing his apology shocked me.

Moreover, he assumed I would already know everything as he liberated the content with such casualness.

“……Harvest?”

Not knowing how to respond, I continued the conversation, feigning it was a word I had never heard before.

To be precise, I tried to keep it going until I heard the next sentence.

– Yes, Harvest. If the value-added is higher in death than in life, we chasing after profit simply cannot help it, can we? –

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

If I just nodded and let it go here, wouldn’t a similar facility be built under another gate in less than a week?

If no one points out the fundamental flaw, the massive cog that could never cease its grind wouldn’t stop just from simple sabotage.

“……I guarantee that business will fail within two years. The regeneration technology developed by Enema will be far more convenient than the human experiments or organ trafficking you are dabbling in.”

Ah, I slipped up.

A piece of advice based on future knowledge, disguised as a recommendation.

I admitted that I had a vague understanding of the project through whatever means, but I had no regrets.

If I had the temperament to tolerate such bullshit and let it slide, I wouldn’t be here in the first place, nor would I have opposed him.

Yet, to such a condescending advice, Drayfuscus broke into a hearty laugh.

– Haha! Really… you’re aiding in the decision to scrap this utterly useless business in various ways? I’m so delighted to see such a heart for Paradise! –

“…In various ways?”

Was there a dual meaning in my earlier words?

I didn’t think it sounded suitable for this occasion, but there must have been a reason for him to react that way.

– After all… even without excessive investments from the company, capable talents will naturally emerge, as you have shown us. So… I look forward to seeing you at the headquarters soon. –

I was momentarily struck speechless.

What the hell is this person casually sending out an invitation for?!

“……Why would I have to go to Paradise HQ…?”

– When an employee dies due to an occupational accident, we have established a principle to settle the blood money directly with the bereaved family! –

…That’s a lie.

Helena had already been demoted before her death, so there’s no way there would be a blood compensation.

This was a soft coercion.

Even if I carry some grudge from the death of my family, there was a strong determination to loosely leash me somehow.