READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 281.2
Chapter 281.2. Behind The Scenes
The pig desperately tries to explain himself… However, when I visited the research lab, he seemed to be working normally. Even though he was berating his subordinates out of frustration, he didn’t seem to have any sense of crisis.
If he had attacked my subordinates, wouldn’t he be trying to pack up and escape, or at least hide in a shelter?
“It’s probably true. Using a bazooka was just a show. A statement that even the Amatsugahara Corporation doesn’t scare them.”
Old man Takanori surprisingly accepts the pig’s explanation, looking bored as he sips his drink. Though, it seems he knows something.
A servant brings over a sake cup, alcohol, and some snacks. Without sparing a glance at the pig, who’s flailing and yelling like a roadside nuisance, the servant calmly continues the task. Quite the personality on that one—just like the old man’s subordinates.
“So, I’ve been feeling pretty worn out lately. My memory’s been terrible. Do any miracle cures? Information on textiles or the like would do nicely.”
The old man is worse off than I am. How does he get his hands on information so quickly? If I asked Karin, she’d know, but then I’d have to deal with this pig’s aftermath.
“What’s the condition?”
I sigh as I sip my sake, and the old man smirks wickedly, as sly as ever.
“You’ll need to set up a factory and arrange for chemicals and machinery.”
“Yeah, yeah. Got it. I don’t have the connections to produce in large quantities anyway.”
Mass production isn’t feasible for me, so it’s no big deal. Old man Takanori knows this and proposes something reasonable.
He must have expected me to agree. Nonchalantly, he pops a snack into his mouth.
“Times are tough for some companies. It’s laughable that they resorted to a bazooka, though.”
“Struggling companies?”
Are there any like that? A company with a bazooka—what kind of company is that? …Oh, a struggling company with weapons.
“Could it be a security company? But I haven’t meddled with inner town security. The adventurer guild’s escort missions focus on the Amatsugahara Special Zone and the outer town.”
“You’re quick to catch on. Inner town security companies are practically private armies. They serve directly under noble houses. Even military personnel moonlight in them.”
“Oh, I see. Lots of fallen noble houses lost their positions. Why not just stay quietly as soldiers?”
Pouring sake into Takanori’s cup, I can’t help but feel exasperated. Are security companies doing something like this? Are they stupid?
“Skilled individuals are rising to prominence. Haven’t you heard of some young girl assembling lower-tier skill holders and starting a respectable security company? They’re starting to feel the heat. Not just security companies, but the military as well.”
“Lower-tier, huh? Skill level 2 already surpasses ordinary humans. Is Serika involved in this behind the scenes?”
“The inner city is in a Sengoku period of its own. The Kamishiro Corporation is on its way to becoming number four in terms of power, wealth, and influence. They’ve got the wealth, so they’re working on securing military and political power in the shadows. You should keep tabs on what your woman’s up to.”
“I’m not the controlling type.”
I did know what Serika was up to, but I didn’t realize it was causing this much alarm. Skilled individuals move differently from ordinary people. Sure, they die just as easily from a bullet, but their enhanced base abilities create a significant combat advantage.
“Until now, highly skilled individuals were treated as officers, but with the advent of skill crystals, which some corporations marketed, they’re becoming commonplace. That’s probably why they’re feeling the pressure.”
“A gap forming between the skilled and the average person, huh? But it’s not an insurmountable divide. Ordinary people can also acquire skills, after all.”
You can level up or just buy them. The gap can be bridged—it just takes money or effort.
“Exactly. So there’s no reason to feel threatened. Dissatisfied soldiers can just buy skill crystals. I could even help them with that.”
This old man sure knows how to profit from a situation.
“Don’t use this as a means to expand your influence. If they’re using a bazooka to prove they can fight without skills, that’s odd.”
Even skill level 4 users would die from a bazooka shot. It’s strange to make such a demonstration. The weapon is too overpowered. Even a child becomes dangerous with a bazooka.
“A bunch of private soldiers from fallen noble houses have formed a union. They call themselves the Tokugawa Union. Laughable, right? They’ve got this slogan about triumphing over skilled individuals. The funny thing is, they’ve got skills themselves. There’s even talk of them rallying support to oppose Amatsugahara Corporation, a bunch of upstarts from the ruins.”
“Tokugawa Union, huh? I don’t recall anyone claiming the Tokugawa name. So, they’ve decided to make Amatsugahara their target…”
Challenging the upstarts from the ruins—a noble goal, I suppose. Now, if only they could stop dragging each other down.
“The problem is the sheer number of fallen noble houses and those about to fall that are involved. Taking them all down would be impossible. Wiping out entire families is an outdated notion.”
What do they think I am? No way I’d do something like that. I’m the kind and popular protector of the neighborhood. But the numbers do make this tricky.
“Sounds like there’s no clear solution. So, this director was just used as a convenient spark to ignite the flames?”
“Lord Takanori, Lord Amano! I can be useful to you. How about letting me help manage the lab? I can be of great service!”
The pig isn’t giving up. Seems he’s still hoping to salvage his position.
“There’s no way you’re staying director after this. We’ll find you a new post, so be thankful you’ll get to keep your life.”
The old man’s decisive words leave the pig slumped in silence. Meanwhile, I ponder the situation.
“Who’s leading the Tokugawa Union?”
“That’s the thing… Too many chiefs, not enough Indians. That’s why I didn’t take them seriously, but someone’s apparently pulling strings behind the scenes. Nobody knows who. This whole mess doesn’t seem profitable for anyone.”
Terrorists making lofty declarations won’t gain any approval. Fallen noble houses would be wiped out. This whole thing reeks of unnaturalness. Who stands to benefit from this?
“Someone working in the shadows, huh… A crafty player who keeps their face hidden.”
Even the old man doesn’t know. Someone that skilled at staying out of sight must be a real mastermind.
…A shadowy manipulator. If they’re that good, they must be formidable indeed.
“Can’t you deduce their identity from their methods?”
“Among the fallen noble houses? Someone adept at that kind of strategy, huh…”
Both of us fall silent, racking our brains. Someone from the fallen houses, orchestrating this while staying hidden.
“There is one person who comes to mind. You know her too.”
He claps his hands as if recalling something. There’s one person—a former number four. Maybe it’s time to have a chat with the girl I keep close as a scarf. She might know something.