Chapter 185

Somewhere, let’s assume there was a bold maverick, armed with the talent of the century, who already had the capital to establish a household when he came of age.

Imagine a charismatic iconoclast, all set to wield violence in the name of money.

A newly established financial investment company, with almost no tangible assets (land, antiques, factories, etc.) and lacking even patented technology, accelerated its rise.

What would be the most rational way for a latecomer to catch up to the fierce battles for securing fierce alliances waged by mega-corporations that already possessed professionalism and name recognition?

There could have been various methodologies, but the genius’s opinion was unwavering.

It was to acquire the management rights of existing small and medium-sized companies, which were solid and boasted a good market share, all under one banner. To the maximum extent.

Of course, ‘appropriate price negotiations’ and ‘occasionally hostile persuasion processes’ would occur during that process.

While a few examples of harsh consequences for those who were insatiable and the purging of those who dug another hole were present… anyway.

During the turbulent times, the selected company presidents dreamt of forming a third colossal power that aimed for neutrality, preferring to band together instead of being powerless individuals devoured one by one by other giants.

They were lured by Paradise – which at that time officially had no name and was just a gathering of the chairman and her followers – to together create a paradise.

Thus, from the ruins where the subject of antitrust laws was utterly destroyed, the patched-up giant swiftly rose to grip the neck of the real economy and markets.

Although there was no irreplaceable, unique company among its internal subsidiaries, they sold… sold… and sold again, based on a unified brand power and the quality of existing products.

Alcohol, soft drinks, lunch boxes, toilet paper, canned goods, various furniture, diverse components, and all kinds of services.

It was as if a crazy octopus-like conglomerate that had once been pushed into the back alleys of history by the flow of the times had revived, as long as it was profitable.

However… the only blemish that had been haunting Paradise, which joined the ranks as the fifth mega-corporation to this day, was.

To safely get through a period of weak cohesion and military power, it had established its base not in Neo Haven but in the Harvest Planet, a metropolis filled with valuable factory zones.

As a result, even though they supplied tens of millions of tons of goods daily to the capital and processed millions of tons of waste, their direct influence was lukewarm.

…How many buildings were in their name, and the employment effects they generated were tremendous, yet it stung their pride!

When it came to the purely financial aspect, everyone was entangled in various complex situations, hence they avoided unnecessary power struggles. Yet, ambitions toward Neo Haven, which boasted the world’s best nuclear fusion power plant, orbital elevator, and a massive population, remained among the high-ranking members of Paradise.

Therefore, they busied themselves with setting up large branches on the land obtained based on various concessions and promises, allocating ample budgets, and managing assets from multiple angles to secure the possibility of intervening in this conflict at any time.

On top of that… they were also discreetly working on a subtle entry.

Yet, unfortunately, humans can change their minds if physically distanced, and it was an ideal environment for some, detached from the fears of internal political struggles, to become complacent or develop other thoughts.

“Chairman as well… I personally agree. An overflow of hormones driven by greed can indeed be a marvelous source of ambition. What do you think, Chairman Lagus?”

“……Of course. Director Aaron.”

The man referred to as Chairman Lagus, head of the Paradise Neo Haven branch, bitterly nodded in agreement.

It didn’t feel good to have his shortcomings pointed out publicly in front of his subordinates.

Especially since the one doing the pointing out was a man he had once stood shoulder to shoulder with as a founding figure of the nation, further crushing his pride.

After all, most of the management rights and voting rights had shifted to the chairman. Rather than continue a share battle with slim chances of winning, he thought it better to step back and become the head of a snake, thus willingly accepted the position of branch manager and fulfilled his duties.

He was fully prepared to acknowledge a future competitor as a victor and bow his head.

If only… there hadn’t been a situation where a clumsy finance team employee got snared in a plunder between audits.

‘…That damn fool.’

The branch manager ground his teeth inwardly.

In fact, Paradise was far from a small enterprise where an embezzlement worth only a hundred million could overturn a branch and lead to someone being dragged out for scrutiny.

There was a prevailing tendency to overlook minor mistakes or deviations, as long as one could demonstrate results and abilities, but being exposed before someone of high standing was an entirely different story.

What shocked him even more was the ludicrous reason behind the act.

Gambling addiction…!!

If stimulation was lacking, he should have just poured drugs down his throat instead of engaging in ridiculous behavior, all while being a representative of Paradise, which operated thousands of direct casinos and fully aware of the system?

If he was going to get caught, at least hold off and take some risk; what was he doing, completing embezzlement in a business context, instead of selling a house he couldn’t manage and using the proceeds?

It wasn’t that he genuinely lacked money, and he was perfectly capable of paying, as well as having enough work experience, but since he made a mess while customers were present at the headquarters, Lagus felt a sharp pang at the back of his head.

In a rush, they quickly seized the real estate to revert it back to the company’s name, attempting to balance out the loss to zero. Nevertheless, financial crimes were major offenses.

At the very least, a token punishment had to be assured.

Thus, both the punisher and the punished considered each other’s situations prudently and calmly, allowing the proceeding to seem incredibly serious on the surface.

“Isn’t it true that we don’t impose a life of austerity and nobility on you? Thus, we always emphasize that everything should be managed within the limits you can control. If there are inadequate talents who cannot control themselves, isn’t it the responsibility of the branch manager to tighten that reins?”

“…Indeed. I am deeply ashamed. I will ensure that we review our motto, implement a week dedicated to personal lifestyle guidance, and conduct thorough inspections of employee welfare and loan systems to prevent similar incidents.”

“……..”

The secretary and finance team staff, who were present, gritted their teeth at his words, which predicted a storm of hellish reprimands.

While the branch manager was presently apologizing profusely from his seat, comparing his style to the meticulous Aaron, who loosens up his subordinates quite a bit, Lagus tended to tighten his tie to the max.

Henceforth, distractions during and outside of working hours would be thoroughly scrutinized, and it was hardly surprising that everyone sensed they had to be cautious with every falling leaf.

“…Well, if you insist on going that far, it would be hard for me to simulate anything that would undermine your status, Manager Lagus.”

In contrast, while Aaron, casually crossing his legs in the guest chair, felt no animosity toward Lagus.

It was simply that he didn’t want to leave a bad precedent; the personal feelings embedded in the appropriate pressure and sarcasm were not directed toward Lagus at all.

He was just irritated and frustrated because he couldn’t find the girl who had brought him here and was now waiting somewhere for his appearance.

If only he had deployed people to gather testimonies and conduct investigations in the back alleys, he could have discovered Anastasia long ago, regardless of how vast Neo Haven was.

In fact, having exchanged personal contact details, simply making a phone call should have prevented such a wasteful misalignment.

However, Aaron didn’t want to tarnish the subtle connection and problem-solving interactions happening between him and Anastasia in such a clumsy manner. His pride wouldn’t allow it.

She had already proven, several times, with creative means, the fragments of that burning ability within her.

Recently, she had even gone so far as to engage in disguised employment at Enema before vanishing abruptly.

But Aaron Drayfuscus had only accidentally noticed the jewel’s radiance on the street.

While he had boasted of the power he had achieved, had he ever displayed individual qualities as an administrator or politician?

Wishing to be positively evaluated for the accomplishments of the past when establishing Paradise was too shameless. At least, he believed so.

Thus, when a new puzzle – as the concerned party felt – arrived after several months, he moved with a joyful heart.

He thought he had handled the affairs at Enema headquarters according to Anastasia’s objectives.

…So why couldn’t he logically deduce where she might be? Why was he merely conducting these trivial admonishments without even finding a clue?

Had he rusted to the point of failing a basic evaluation act, where one’s issuing a problem and another guesses the answer? Wise-man commented that he seemed sharper than before yet fell prey to his own judgments.

“…Tsk.”

It had already been close to ten days since he hadn’t returned under the pretext of checking the branch’s situations and various meetings.

It was about time he should go back. There were unnegotiable schedules with the chairman, and even more accumulated work.

In that case, if he wanted to meet Anastasia, there was only today left… should he break his stubbornness? No matter how much disappointment lingered in those radiant eyes, he had to slip in the contact…

“…Then, I shall take my leave! It would be too costly to waste precious time of many people with idle chatter…”

Knock knock…!!

Just as he, cheerfully and ceremoniously, was going to conclude his impromptu judgment, a sudden strong knock interrupting his farewell made Aaron stop.

Anyone within the branch manager’s office who was aware of the tense atmosphere could not help but turn their wide-eyed gaze to the door.

Ultimately, arriving at a hopeful conclusion that ‘this could trigger another sermon or increase the pay cut,’ Lagus forthrightly decided that if it wasn’t truly urgent, he would gather everyone and hang them upside down.

“I don’t know who it is… but if this is indeed a public matter that needs urgent reporting, I permit you to enter.”

“Uh? Um… Oh! Then I will just say it loudly from here!”

The bold employee didn’t back down despite the odd sensations stirred by the choice of words.

Whether to commend or criticize their grasp of the situation, they rather focused their attention on an entirely irrelevant aspect while attempting to conclude their report.

Among the other employees, fleeting yet desperate exchanges of bewildered glances erupted over this absurd turn of events.

“Who is that? Who is it?”

The newbie left behind to handle customers.

Crazily, didn’t they even memorize the work manual?

…They seem to be adhering to the principle of reporting first, regardless of getting scolded later.

Ah, damn it. Get the senior to come later.

“So… regarding the real estate involved in embezzlement, an agent for an anonymous buyer has requested a commission sale! I wanted to check if we should see this person as a crime associate, so I’ve taken this moment to excuse myself.”

“……Of course, we should consider them an associate and respond accordingly. Return to your seats and wait.”

Lagus massaged his temples out of frustration.

It would have been one thing if this report had emerged after Aaron had left… but this way, it inevitably opened the possibility of planned criminal activity, requiring an investigation. Given suspicions around the situation, dismissing it as merely an individual’s deviation posed substantial risk.

“Um, but the agent Richard, who requested the commission, has a record of working with us, and he also had lunch with the branch manager a time or two. So, he’s buzzing on the phone now asking to relay that if a financial officer is assigned, he hopes they can accommodate…”

“I’ll go myself, so have him wash up and wait. Can you please relay that?”

“Ha ha ha…!!”

Lagus’s lid figuratively blew off as he quickly recalled Richard the broker.

His body was already half-risen from the chair.

Aaron couldn’t have been oblivious to the fact that as a branch manager, he met countless people for networking purposes. He was actually finding it amusing to see Lagus genuinely flipping out beside him.

However, if it was a crime of stumbling over something while not knowing who he’d be facing—if that were considered sin, it would indeed be a sin.

Given that Paradise had sales awaiting under its name, he seemed to have assumed that a dedicated employee was in charge of courtesy, but this situation complicated it, requiring not only a mention of the party involved but also witnesses to confirm their innocence.

Reluctantly feeling he could only make due and hasten from this point onward, Aaron dusted off his crumpled suit before standing up.

…If he had just not overheard the peculiar information being exchanged between Lagus and his subordinate while heading out, he likely would have moved purely for boredom. However, arriving at the scene and being surprised would have been worse than coming prepared—this preemptive measure would likely suit him better now.

“By the way, an ‘anonymous buyer’ you say? Don’t we have someone from that side? Didn’t anyone witness a companion?”

“Just inquired with security, and a black-haired girl is approaching as a potential buyer. The ID request is still pending.”

– …That’s odd.

Suddenly, Zero felt a heightened noise amplifying.

In a room akin to a soundproof chamber, perfectly isolated from external sounds, it wasn’t the sensory vibrations that triggered the direct response—it was an objective conclusion, as seemingly, the ambient vibrations within the entire building had grown unusually louder.

Of course, it was no hallucination, and the reason was simple.

No matter how discreetly something was proceeding, the movement of a person presumed to be practically certain to seize the number two position in Paradise and the local branch manager was evident.

Even just the guard personnel hastily following along numbered in the hundreds, and with no need to exclude machinery for their trusted co-partner, it actually meant a level of military force that required traffic control on the main roads.

Considering how escort systems using drones or robots operated normally, it implied that an intense military presence was in play.

And, the Carebot observing that bright yellow wave through the window naturally posed a concerned question to its owner.

– Um… Ahsa? Would it be alright to ask how far the friendly relations with Paradise that you mentioned earlier are permissible? –

“Uh…? Why?”

– …Paradise forces similar to an encirclement are approaching near the plaza. If there’s an urgent need to escape, I thought it would be necessary to calculate the jump distance to the rooftops of nearby buildings in advance. –

“………What did you say?”