𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐: 𝐔𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
“. . . . . .The All-Rounder has defeated the sniper 『Shepherd』.”
ㅤ
An Actor of the Conductor, who was watching the battle through drone footage, reports in terror.
Perhaps it’s because he had a front-row seat to the series of battles, but he was filled with disbelief.
ㅤ
The All-Rounder, whose weaponry other than grenades was destroyed, located the Shepherd’s sniping point and defeated him.
Everything was summed up in the words someone muttered along the way, “Wow. . . . . .”
Okuma, who was watching the transmitted footage, massages the wrinkles between his brows with a grim face.
ㅤ
“It’s reckless to go after being called an antique and a low-cost All-Rounder, even if caught in a blast. A dangerous person who doesn’t choose means to win.”
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You’d want to point out that an Actanoid is not a consumable item.
Certainly, the All-Rounder had been trapped because they doubted him.
He was trapped, but—―
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“Was there a need to chase in that scene?”
ㅤ
Another subordinate, who was sharing the footage, asks in a puzzled voice.
No one said it was right to chase.
Without intending to, Okuma realizes that the subordinate has sound judgment, and the grimness leaves his face.
ㅤ
“There’s no need. The drone captured the sniping. The All-Rounder’s Actor should have known he was proven innocent when the drone followed Shepherd. It’s normal to call at that point, but. . . . . .”
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Still, the All-Rounder’s Actor Chihaya didn’t understand.
Even now, the All-Rounder, shown on drone footage, is waving both hands with the Shepherd’s black box in one hand, appealing her innocence and defeat of the enemy mech. Chihaya, who is extremely bad at communication, doesn’t know how to talk to the boss who suspects him.
ㅤ
Okuma’s face clouds as he sees the All-Rounder waving the enemy mech’s core parts to appeal.
To Okuma’s eyes, the All-Rounder’s appeal looked like this:
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“Do you understand my skills now? Release your guard now, or your mech’s black boxes will end up like this.”
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Speaking in voice chat would make evidence in recording. Anticipating this, it’s a body language with a hidden meaning.
Truly, a dangerous guy, Okuma sighed.
ㅤ
Though he probably didn’t hear the sigh, a message from the All-Rounder’s Actor arrives at Okuma’s place.
Opening it, it said that the Shepherd’s black box would be sold to Amagi Agricultural Development General Group.
ㅤ
Another actor of the field supervisor, who seems to have received the same message from Amagi Agricultural Development General Group, called out in voice chat.
ㅤ
“Okuma-san, did you get the message too?”
“It seems he will sell it. We won’t be involved. Even though we chased with a drone, everything from discovering the enemy mech to defeating it was done by that Actor individually.”
ㅤ
Okuma, although a field supervisor and the one who formed this formation, is not shameless enough to demand a share of the Shepherd’s selling price.
He’s probably trying to do the right thing, at least contacting about it.
ㅤ
“I’ll include an apology payment for suspecting him, so I’ll send the details later. I don’t want to be resented by him.”
ㅤ
New World Tree Housing has bases called “artworks” in various parts of the New World. Most of them are open to the public, but there are also buildings used only by clan members.
What if that dangerous person rigged mines in such places?
Okuma nearly sighed at the chilling thought but noticed another possibility.
ㅤ
“. . .So that’s it. A mercenary.”
“What do you mean by ‘so that’s it’?”
“He went to steal the black box to identify the disruptor of this request and create a conflict with 『Amagi Agricultural Development General Group』. Because he can sell himself as a mercenary.”
ㅤ
Okuma discovered the reason why the All-Rounder risked the danger of deliberately breaking through and eliminating the escaping Shepherd, all the way to the point of endangering great damage, and found it within a black box.
However, nobody corrected Okuma’s misunderstanding. On the contrary, everyone was convinced.
It was a misunderstanding that everyone believed in because the circumstantial evidence was all there.
Okuma glared at the All-Rounder captured in the drone footage.
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“That All-Rounder Actor is still eager to fight. An antique combatant, even wanting to engage in battles against Actanoids, is indeed a dangerously unhinged person.”
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While deepening the misunderstanding, Okuma calls out to his subordinates.
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“Do not get involved with that All-Rounder. Associating with such a walking bomb is no joke. But do not oppose him either. I don’t think we would lose, but guerrilla warfare could cause significant damage.”
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The fact that he defeated the Shepherd is true. They have no intention of becoming targets.
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“As of now, stand down from alert status. If you notice any strange behavior from him in the future, report it without fail. Also, let’s put him on the blacklist under the clan’s name.”
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The system will make adjustments so that requests do not overlap with an actor on the blacklist.
Inevitably, they will avoid being involved in that bomber’s explosions.
ㅤ
※
ㅤ
Watching the dispersing Actanoids of 『New World Tree Housing』 as they let down their guard, Chihaya smiled.
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“Fu-he he. . .I’ve been proven innocent. . .”
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Carrying the Shepherd fixed with a wire, Chihaya’s All-Rounder began walking towards the campsite.
The All-Rounder was battered, having experienced a grenade explosion at close range, making creaking noises.
But selling the Shepherd would turn a profit, which Chihaya knew from experience, although it was a regrettable experience.
ㅤ
“I, I should have gained their trust now. I hope they’ll continue to assign me survey requests. . .”
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Even though it was necessary, having defeated the Shepherd meant that combat requests might come up again.
This time, the survey request was being paid daily, so she renewed the contract every day, making it a lucrative offer as the completion rate for non-combat requests was skyrocketing.
If a long-term survey request came, she might be able to eliminate combat requests from the bulletin board.
ㅤ
Chihaya was desperate. Somehow, she wanted 『New World Tree Housing』 to remember her.
She had no way of knowing that she had been remembered for a completely different reason.
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