Chapter 83

The mercenaries staring blankly this way and the corporate personnel accompanying me to listen and assess the situation were met with a confident tilt of my head.

Some suspicious gazes and inquisitive voices might have caused discomfort for someone in a precarious position, but…

“We’ve confirmed the traces of combat and the debris. However… is there truly nothing that could help track or identify those guys? Not even the memory data from that droid?”

“…Don’t they have a hacker? What do you expect from something in this state?”

Bang bang!

I expressed my blatant displeasure, along with the unnecessary axe handle that had sprouted, and tapped the body of the tin can that was scratched up in every way possible.

What gain could there possibly be for someone who’s in such a sorry state to lie about it?

And… what are you going to do about it? Are you really going to arrest the first informant who reported that the Five Eyes were lurking nearby?

Both sides glared at each other without a hint of backing down.

As much as I really, really, really don’t want to, if this side pushes too hard and leaves me with no choice, I might just make a call to someone way over there and unleash a hell of a reprimand.

“…It’s hard to expect anything more than thorough reports. You’ll need to wait in the square until the event ends for the remaining working hours.”

As if catching a glimpse of my unusually frantic inner turmoil, the corporate lead quickly guided the troops and briskly passed by me.

That thing that had been stirring up trouble will be dealt with over there now. It’s no longer my concern.

Without a single word about damage compensation or industrial accident processing, they’re trying to get a free ride…

“Ugh… I feel sick…”

With all eyes gone, I gave up on pretending to be fine and clutched my rolling stomach again.

Just as I was about to collapse onto the bare ground, a firm yet gentle hand lifted me up.

– Was it really necessary to go as far as lying to assist them? You even kept secrets about the production facilities. –

“Selling them out wouldn’t benefit me at all. Besides, if the big players don’t fight hard, then freelancers like me won’t be able to pick up anything. Above all, those two are not the type to mess up in a place like this…”

As I subtly hinted at something related to the future knowledge I had previously explained, the tin can nodded in agreement.

Lying back in a sturdy cradle of iron, gazing at the deepening blue sky and stars just as the sunset nearly faded. The commotion from just a moment ago almost felt like a lie.

– However, while you might lower yourself to consider yourself just a freelancer, you were quite impressive. Even a search on the network doesn’t yield similar cases, or any relevant technology for that matter. –

“Oh… that? It’s just basic signal disruption. It’s something the well-known hackers can all manage with finesse, right?”

Originally, net hackers have various specialties and skill trees that diverge, so it’s normal not to have enough slots to handle everything with implants.

Hiding in a cramped room and fortifying a lair with specialized equipment, not moving an inch, is not the norm for the hikikomori type of profession. I just consider myself a bit freer with my body… and I have the advantage of not needing to buy separate devices.

If Rosaline had come out prepared instead of half-heartedly, it might have been a fair match… I cautiously speculated.

– …If Ahsa is that convinced, I won’t hold a different opinion. –

“Yeah… yeah…”

Even though I was feeling quite rotten inside.

I patted the good student who was ready to learn and immediately search for unknown information.

Due to the lingering muscle twitches, my contacting hand instinctively rubbed the surface.

The rough texture that had become quite uneven over half a day made my head ache. Moreover, as I had very little knowledge of mechanics, I couldn’t even judge whether this output could be afforded with the performance bonus.

But considering I went out of my way to try and help, how could I hold them responsible?

Having made up my mind to treat them as an equal entity, a partner, I figured we could work out the squeaky details together slowly.

“Let’s go. Although the leaflet distribution is done, they’ll surely try to wrap up the show using that facility, so just as the corporate supervisor said, we should wait in the square.”

– If your aim is to disrupt, I can go back now and destroy the equipment. –

“…Let’s just see how it goes first.”

After finishing my response, I tried to lift my languid body, but the tin can’s hand that was placed near my back wouldn’t budge. Wait, it actually lifted me up higher…?!

“Hey! What are you doing?!”

– ? While I know Ahsa is working diligently on physical training, there’s no need to push yourself when you’re exhausted. This is part of the carebot’s basic duties. –

An arm that suddenly came up from behind my knees caught me in midair.

Even though my head might have been jolted from this sudden and forceful repositioning, I was saved thanks to the forearm that supported the back of my head.

In fact, it was more comfortable than I expected… but this was a mode of transportation I could never accept for my dignity.

“Do you want to die? Are you not changing your posture right now?!”

– This is ergonomically verified to be the best… –

I pressed the bewildered tin can, which seemed confused about what it did wrong.

If it could bear the embarrassment and shame, it would have been the perfect escort, but given that the subject was me, it’s absolutely illegal.

Remember this well, you little!

There are only two ways for a man to board a robot, and since you’re not a giant robot with a separate cockpit, we’re only doing it this way from now on, okay?

…First, lower your shoulders a bit.

“Ugh…”

Carriages that had circled the city along the central road began to enter the square one after another.

This haphazard parade, devoid of any religious themes or family-oriented atmosphere and solely focused on increasing consumption, drew a surprisingly large crowd.

Usually, a slight gathering of people would severely restrict visibility, but suddenly my line of sight opened up as my height grew exponentially.

As expected, height is important… Did reducing the hit area really matter that much in the past?

– Are you uncomfortable without a backrest? –

“No, not at all!”

I swung my stretched-out legs rhythmically.

Sitting on the intact shoulder of the tin can, I could clearly see the main stage set up in front of the square and the Christmas tree.

Perhaps if I hacked into one of the flying filming drones, the scenery might be even better, but… I was satisfied with it as it was.

The fabulous decorations surrounding us and the exhilarating atmosphere brought exhilaration.

I could feel the warmth emitted by the densely packed crowd, but I enjoyed the open-air view while being two heads taller than everyone else.

Without even such minor differentiations, I might have been overwhelmed by the crowd and fled back to the control room.

What could these people possibly be hoping to gain by gathering here like this?

Wasn’t there only fireworks and the lighting ceremony left?

Thump… Thump…!

“Ahem… Hm.”

A worker in a bright yellow Paradise suit took the stage and checked the microphone connection.

Once to make noise, and another time to clear their throat, the host gripped the audience’s attention with a cleverly crafted reindeer headband and Rudolph nose.

“Dear citizens…! It is an honor to announce that, thanks to everyone’s dedication and effort, the factory operating rate and the production rate of our goods have reached a record high this year.”

“Of course…!!”

“Isn’t it funny hearing that from the bastards who whipped us into shape?”

“Shh! It’s not like it’s the first or second time, just let it go.”

I could hear the people whispering at the exceedingly formal opening remarks.

Should I call it anticipation? I was somewhat surprised by the overwhelmingly positive outlook.

“Of course! As we exceeded our targets, an additional drawing for winners of the Paradise issued lottery will take place. Also, even if you missed the chance to buy one by the time the lighting ceremony ends, anyone connected to the square’s network will be given one for free, so make sure to receive it through cyberware…”

Ah, so there was something to gain.

If simply staying present provides a sort of lottery, then such participation rates make sense.

Given the number of cameras floating around like a swarm, there were surely many corporate officials watching the event, so it made sense for people to want to be here.

If they want to sway public opinion, giving a candy to stick in their mouths would be less pathetic. Sure.

…Wait, then why didn’t they inform the mercenaries in advance? Could it be that event staff are excluded from the drawing for fairness?

“Ugh… tin can, if you see anything suspicious, speak up right away.”

– Understood. –

Having entrusted the task of surveillance to someone I believed had at least ten times more acute analysis and reading ability than I did, I turned back on my terminal screen, which had been a mess since I rushed out earlier.

And the first thing I saw was the usual noisy and unproductive state that the hacker community had reclaimed.

[A! Where are you?! I’ll exact revenge for the leader! Bring it on!!]

…Clumsy traces of Rosaline.

At this point, I hoped they would prioritize their organizational duties and not worry about me. That way, I could quickly organize things, visit the repair center, and book a train ticket.