𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖: 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐫 – 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Originally, the transport truck was filled to capacity with the Jackalope intended for retrieval and destroyed All-Rounders, along with the defeated enemy mechs.
Priority is given to loading the Keeper type of heavy All-Rounders that consume a lot of battery. As a result, the All-Rounder, known for its ability to function even in harsh environments, ends up running alongside the transport truck.
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Absentmindedly thinking that there won’t be time for gaming on the way back, Chihaya’s All-Rounder runs alongside the transport truck on the right.
A report comes from the Jackalope’s Actor over voice chat.
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“I won’t know until I analyze the attacker’s black box, but it’s probably a mercenary Actor from 『Hachigi Technology』.”
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Hachigi Technology is a Japanese gun manufacturer for Actanoids. It’s a medium-sized company that also handles Actanoid modifications.
The Actor of the All-Rounder driving the transport truck mutters in a displeased tone.
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“Hachigi Technology, huh? I haven’t heard good things about them.”
“They’re connected to the Kakuhara Group, right? I’ve heard rumors that they do whatever they want because they can cover up even criminal activities.”
“It’s Kakuhara Tameyuki, the politician, isn’t it? There’s no evidence, but it’s fishy. More than that, it might have been bad to defeat Hachigi Technology’s mercenaries. There was no other choice though.”
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Chihaya shivers with a start.
It was Chihaya who directly destroyed Hachigi Technology’s Actanoid. If there’s retaliation, Chihaya will be targeted first.
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“There are Actors who have opposed Hachigi Technology and have been persistently destroyed by their Actanoids, ended up in debt, and left the New World Development Zone, right? That’s why everyone avoids them.”
“Wait. It’s not confirmed that it’s Hachigi Technology, right? The black box analysis isn’t finished yet, so why do you think it’s Hachigi Technology?”
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Though it was an obvious question, the Jackalope’s Actor answered after prefacing that it was confidential.
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“Everyone, you probably think this request is from Unison Human-Machine Technology. In fact, Unison Human-Machine Technology has not only been attacked this time but has previously been attacked by Actanoids thought to be from Hachigi Technology.”
“I thought the wear rate was unusually high, but that’s why. But this time, the battle happened because the attackers concealed kukumerka grove. It shouldn’t have anything to do with Unison Human-Machine Technology.”
“That’s why I’m not convinced. However, information obtained from the black box of the Berlette defeated by an Actor who accepted Unison Human-Machine Technology’s request a few days ago showed traces likely belonging to Hachigi Technology.”
“I see. Regardless of the affiliation of this attacker, we who are taking Unison Human-Machine Technology’s request should return cautiously, wary of Hachigi Technology’s attacks. Well, we’ve been prepared for an attack from the beginning, so it’s nothing new.”
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Everyone falls silent when the Keeper’s Actor adds, “except one person.”
Realizing what’s implied, Chihaya can’t stand the silence and lets out a laugh.
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“Fufu-hehe.”
“Yeah, well, you probably don’t care. Rather, you might even welcome it. We don’t want to get involved, so we’ll keep this association only for this request.”
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I’m not welcoming it, Chihaya swallows the words that were about to come out of her throat. If she denies, the conversation will expand, and she will have to communicate against her will. It was a social technique for those with communication disorders.
Chihaya begins to look at the monitors in each department more than necessary, becoming alert to an attack.
The All-Rounder driving the transport vehicle points over his shoulder with his thumb at the attackers’ mecha that’s part of the cargo.
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“So, what will you do with that?”
“If it’s about getting more resentment by selling it, it’s too late now, but are we talking about the distribution of the proceeds from the sale?”
“Yeah, that’s it. Well, you could say it’s all Bomber-san’s merit, so we’re fine being left out of the distribution.”
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Who’s Bomber? Chihaya thinks for a moment, then realizes that she was the only one who used a grenade in the previous battle and guesses the identity.
No one notices Chihaya’s confusion, and the Keeper continues the conversation.
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“We don’t want to incur resentment, so we’ll also withdraw from the distribution. How about Bomber-san takes all of it?”
“What will you do, Bomber-san? Either way, we’ll transport it to the Koroge Iwa Garage for sure.”
“. . . . . .Yes.”
“Huh? A little interference? Well, it’s fine. It’s not a disadvantage to Bomber-san, is it?”
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The conversation is abruptly settled, and Chihaya’s eyes well up with tears. Along with the proceeds from the sale, she’s confirmed to take all the resentment as well.
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The Koroge Iwa Garage, where they arrived after such a conversation, was built in a hilly area.
Surrounded by rocks of various sizes on well-drained land, there is an experimental farm owned and managed by the Amagi Agricultural Development General Group.
Besides a warehouse for parking Actanoids, facilities for researching and analyzing plants produced on the farm are enclosed with barbed wire and wooden fences. Heavy machine guns are installed here and there, and the defense seems strong.
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Driving in the transport vehicle, they carry the cargo into the Actanoid maintenance factory inside.
As the other members disperse after confirming the completion of the Unison Human-Machine Technology request, Chihaya sells the attacker’s mecha.
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“I, It’s done. . . . . .It was tough. . . . . .”
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Fatigue hits her all at once, and Chihaya parks the All-Rounder in the warehouse and disconnects.
Holding her stomach, Chihaya grabs a sports drink.
After taking a sip to calm down, she collapses onto a pressure-sensitive mattress and gazes at the floor, muttering.
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“Why am I being forced to fight. . . . . .?”
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She wonders if it’s really worth it.
At that moment, the appraisal of the attacker’s mecha is already finished, and the estimated value reaches Actor’s Quest’s account.
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“. . . . . .T, Thirty six thousand dollars?”
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Since the Conductor, a Lannoid series, was left in almost perfect condition, the evaluation amount was quite high.
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“Fu-hehe, maybe all the hard work paid off?”
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The cash-minded girl Chihaya mumbles with a slightly elated face.
Deciding not to think about the resentment she’s bought.
