133: Chapter 116: Three Ancient Relics 133: Chapter 116: Three Ancient Relics Xu Yang secretly noted Mireya, taking extra precautions against this mysterious witch, and then continued to analyze the key intelligence obtained from Blackfire Innovation, striving to open up the situation and take the initiative.
With the industrial park as a backup base, Nestor Corporation wasn’t a seedling without roots.
Aizu City was fraught with undercurrents, where giant enterprises, companies, and the criminal underworld intermingled, making it a rather suitable environment for Nestor Corporation to fish in troubled waters and grow gradually.
Upon further inspection, the third task of Blackfire Innovation, beyond selling arms, experimenting on Synthetic Humans and witches, also came to light.
They were purposefully searching for ancient artifacts, and Farosa was just one of them.
“Project code SI14701: Recollect three ancient artifacts within Aizu City, overall progress in Archipelago Continent 23/80.”
There were actually three ancient artifacts within Aizu City!
And there were as many as 80 throughout the Archipelago Continent, with Blackfire Innovation eagerly collecting them, having found a quarter already; it seemed their activities spanned the entire Archipelago Continent.
“Ancient Artifact A: Possible appearance as an ancient witch in the guise of a young girl (or a shockingly old woman), hunted by the Witch Council for causing a tremendous disaster a thousand years ago, currently slumbering in the depths of Aizu City, now noticed by the Corporate Alliance.
Recommendation: Immediately dispatch Team M44 to recover it.”
Ancient Artifact B: A target resembling the remains of an ancient mystical branch, an accessory of the Ancient Mystics, possessing the ancient divine power to completely alter the landscape and nurture vegetation.
Currently activated to a certain degree and held in the main garden’s laboratory of Sun Biotech Company.
Recommendation: After recovering Artifact A, immediately proceed with the retrieval.”
“Ancient Artifact C: Suspected to be the spellbook of an old warlock, a family heirloom not yet deciphered.
Currently located in the house of Izumi Yamazaki, the cemetery caretaker in Aizu City.
Recommendation: Kill Izumi Yamazaki and seize it.”
Blackfire Innovation indeed had obtained extremely substantial intelligence.
Xu Yang’s heart gave a slight jolt; Ancient Artifact A was Farosa, needless to say, already snatched from the hands of Blackfire Innovation.
At the same time, both Artifact B and Artifact C were very important and critical items.
If what Blackfire Innovation described was true, and Artifact B could completely change the environment, then it could effectively improve the barren terrain surrounding Nestor Corporation.
For Nestor Corporation, it could be used to cultivate high-value crops, and for Rat Village, it could increase food production.
There was no need to speak further about Artifact C; the legacy of the old warlocks had been cut off, vanished from the purview of humans, yet in Aizu City, an ancient book remained.
It seemed that although warlocks had lived hidden and on the run from witch persecution, they had managed to leave behind some sole volumes and remnants.
Having obtained such valuable information, an attempt must be made to recover these two artifacts before Blackfire Innovation could regain its strength.
With the two Mattel units that Blackfire Innovation relied on in Aizu City both vanquished, they were running out of cards to play here.
Furthermore, with tensions running high between Blackfire Innovation and Kyoto Infinity, they wouldn’t be able to station new individuals in the short term, leaving their influence in a vacuum.
Xu Yang leaned back, considering that Ancient Artifact B was in Sun Biotech Company, which was located in the Hui City District, quite far away and being a legitimate enterprise, not so easy to reach for now.
Artifact C, on the other hand, was in a regular citizen’s home and seemed accessible.
In line with Xu Yang’s style, he wouldn’t directly seize it, but at the very least, he had to warn the individual of the potential danger.
It would be troublesome if they fell victim to an attack.
Xu Yang had other matters to attend to here, so he couldn’t make a move in person, and he had other plans for Asa Katsuragi, needing her to suppress the criminals on the highways.
As such, the strategy for recovering Artifact C was transferred to Cui Junyou.
He made a call, drafted the message briefly, and sent it over, hoping Cui Junyou would dispatch Seeking Shadow to check Izumi Yamazaki’s residence.
When Xu Yang previously parted ways with Seeking Shadow, he had already helped it download and install many combat files; it should now be capable of executing reconnaissance and combat missions.
Since Seeking Shadow claimed it wanted to become the shadow of Cyber Specter, it ought to help complete some tasks.
Cui Junyou responded swiftly, indicating no problem.
He also suggested that Xu Yang get in touch with Selita again, as her venture in White Elephant Continent seemed to be making progress.
As Xu Yang was about to reply, Sally pushed open the door and entered the office.
I want to know some things,” Sally said.
“There are a few things bothering me.”
“Please,” Xu Yang said.
“I’m wondering what exactly the future holds for Ratman,” Sally sat on a swivel chair, and Lila began to prepare coffee.
“We have a long way to go before we can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Xu Yang said.
“The industrial park is still an unsafe location,” Xu Yang closed his eyes, finding a comfortable position, “The geographic environment is poor, and only Ratman settlements are nearby.
Humans still see Ratmen as animals.
If they find out about our true relationship, we too will be threatened.”
“That’s troublesome for both of us,” Sally frowned.
“Only by destroying corporatism can we build a new order,” Xu Yang said, “I think the future of Ratmen firstly depends on Nestor Corporation establishing dominance globally.
Then Ratmen can gradually transition into civilized society under peaceful conditions—cooperating in tandem with humans, witches, and Ratmen, each using their own strengths.
Humans are good learners and can reproduce witches; witches have supernatural powers; Ratmen are hard-working, resilient, and highly adaptable.
Clearly, the three groups should unite.”
“Corporations are hard to destroy,” Sally emphasized, “There you go with your far-fetched ideas again.”
“We have a friend who’s said to have made some progress in that area,” Xu Yang turned around, operating the smart screen to connect to the deep-web anonymity network, starting to contact Selita Evanny, “If you’re concerned, I can blur your image.”
“No, that’s fine,” Sally said absentmindedly, “I also want to know who you’re introducing me to.”
Soon Selita’s call connected, and the screen showed a tropical grassland dotted with sparse trees.
Selita, holding the screen, sat by the water where dozens of women with brown and yellow skin and tattered clothes were washing clothes by hand.
It seemed to have rained, as the river looked very muddy.
“Welcome,” Selita had a very good impression of Xu Yang because he was quick with the funds, “The money you provided last time helped us buy many medicines, saving many warriors’ lives.”
“It’s the least I could do,” Xu Yang said.
“The most magical thing about this era,” Selita smiled, “is that two people who have both seen Suzukawa Kiyo have more in common than two people from the same social class.
I’m glad we can see eye to eye on some matters.”
“Washing clothes?” Sally was surprised to see the women washing clothes.
She thought that only the Ratmen in Rat Village would wash clothes by hand, and that humans would have universally adopted the use of washing machines.
“Ah, hello,” Selita greeted Sally as if she didn’t see Sally’s rat ears and sharp pupils, completely accepting of her appearance, “We’ve just won a great victory, and the women of the village organized themselves to wash the clothes for the warriors.”
In the background, a sizable market town was faintly visible, with high-flying red flags rising from every corner of the town, naturally exuding a solemn air, as if the flags were dyed with the blood of sacrifice.
“Selita,” Xu Yang said, “I’ve read your writings, and it seems you have quite the insight into this world.
Have you considered the future of the Ratmen?”
“Of course,” Selita agreed wholeheartedly, “Ratmen are an intelligent species, and according to all the evidence, they are also our close kin.
Their fighting spirit is most resolute, and they’re distributed quite abundantly in the White Elephant Continent, undertaking the hardest labor.
After the Rat Tide passed, the surviving Ratmen were confined to shelters, and then they were cheaply sold to various agricultural and mining corporations, becoming the cheapest labor force.
Because the corporations do not recognize the existence of Ratmen, they conceal their whereabouts and provide them no benefits or protections.”
“They are suffering,” Sally said instinctively, thinking of the Ratmen’s miserable situation.
“You must be one of the best among the Ratmen,” Selita, having never heard of witches emerging from Ratmen, didn’t associate Sally with witches and thought of her as a rare individual among them.
“I…” Sally thought for a moment, then said, “I want to raise the status and dignity of Ratmen.”
“Been hitting the stamp, I bet,” Selita had seen too many addicts in the White Elephant Continent.
Although Sally had been sober for a week, the ravages of the stamp on her body and soul had left indelible marks.
“I’m already taking detox pills,” Sally suddenly felt ashamed about hitting the stamp, nervously clasping her own palms, “What more do you want me to do?”
Weathered and battle-scarred, Selita carried marks and tan lines on her body, her eyes filled with a mature charm and a face that expressed her life’s trials.
Secrets seemed impossible to keep from her, rendering Sally feeling immature and at a loss in front of her.
“You can give back to society,” Selita smiled, “doing some meaningful work.
Many addicts strengthen their resolve to sober up after engaging in community service and volunteer work.”
“All I want is to give back to Ratman society,” Sally emphasized.
“That’s what I’m talking about, Ratman society,” Selita nodded, “During the Rat Tide, we set up a web radio channel specifically for Ratmen, which is still in use, connecting Ratman settlements across the White Elephant Continent and even around the world.
Using that channel, your voice can be heard by every Ratman in every corner of the world.”