Chapter 210

Some people attended in person, while others participated via holographic projection.

After all, as a super-giant company with businesses spanning the Earth and Moon systems, Arasaka has made as many enemies as other cyber giants.

The senior Corporate Dog present were all heads or key personnel of their respective regions. To prevent being targeted by thieves or exploited, they avoided gathering together unless absolutely necessary. Their meetings were primarily conducted in rotation, with staff going to headquarters to report on their work.

The speaker just now was Ms. Vera Adelheid Russell, who was praised by the "Old Emperor" Saburo Arasaka as "the most dazzling gem in Night City" and "the unpolished jade of Arasaka".

"The Pacific Ocean is vast, but it cannot accommodate two masters."

Vera's voice was clear and her tone firm. "So, I think—"

"Militech must be destroyed!"

With a smile, Vera finished her speech and looked at the head of the huge oval conference table— Saburo Arasaka, who looked to be over seventy but was actually over one hundred and fifty-seven years old, yet was still very energetic.

Mouth replacement finished.

She was simply helping Sanlang say what he wanted to say.

Compared to six months ago, after undergoing a special treatment with a targeted modified version of the R-618 'Rebirth' drug, Old Deng looks like a withered tree has been rejuvenated, and he looks like he's going to work for another ten years.

Not only did he have a better complexion, but he also had fewer age warts on his face and head, and the basal cell papilloma on his forehead had disappeared. Even his hair was sprouting new buds, and the amount and quality of his hair were almost as good as his son, Sano Arasaka.

"That is truly insightful, Vera."

Sanlang nodded slightly, clapped his hands, and laughed.

The praise and the increased investment in cultivating a successor are self-evident.

Saburo looked at Vera, dressed in an Arasaka -style executive suit, sitting at the back of the right side of the oval conference table. Vera, feeling that she was less senior, took the initiative to sit behind the veteran directors and faction representatives. Saburo was increasingly satisfied with her.

The padded shoulders of the upper body are sharp and capable, while the dark suit trousers are gentle and elegant. The overall look is subtle and restrained, graceful yet sophisticated and luxurious. It is proud but not arrogant, respectful but not fearful, humble but not servile... It perfectly matches the new militarism he advocates and can further spur on Norinobu.

As for ambition?

Having ambition is never a bad thing in Arasaka.

The reason why a person can grow is that they are not content with what they have, are never satisfied, and never stop.

The key is to have self-awareness, know one's limits, be able to restrain oneself, and not let ambition cloud one's judgment.

And what about those who are not of our kind?

After the deaths of his beloved wife and eldest son, Arasaka, the loss of the Fourth Corporate War by Arakasaka, the alienation of his half-Japanese, half-American granddaughter Michiko from the main family, and the rebellious acts of his youngest son, Norinobu, Saburo's traditional values, which had once been disheartened, have actually changed considerably.

He can now make an exception and accept Black people as company directors, so what's so unacceptable about Vera, a descendant of a meritorious figure who is so capable, has a deep understanding of Eastern culture, and whose style of doing things conforms to old-fashioned aesthetics and values?

That's how the bottom line is broken step by step.

Then.

Saburo discovered, "It smells amazing!"

The world is currently facing Great Upheaval.

In 2077, the era of great strife is about to begin. Undercurrents are swirling among the Major Corporations. If war breaks out, the strong will prevail and the weak will perish. There is no middle ground. Arasaka must not cling to the old ways.

Like old Edo Japan before its doors were forced open by the Black Ships, it will only perish, losing to Militech and the New America.

Losing again was absolutely unacceptable to Saburo!

In the Fifth Corporate War, only one of Arasaka and Militech can survive!

Vera, who took over Kei Arasaka's legacy and political legacy, was the best candidate Saburo chose after comprehensive testing from various aspects - an alternate member of the Arasaka Board of Directors, Chairperson of the North American Arasaka Tower Director of Operations, and Director of Night City Security Department.

This is both a reward for merit and an entrustment of heavy responsibilities.

Six months have passed since Vera ignited tensions in North America, Shintaro Takayama led two supercarriers and their escort fleet to de-escalate tensions in the New America, Saburo Arasaka held a second peace negotiation with NUSA President Rosalind Miles in Alvin, Southern California, via video conference.

The Barghest Mercenary Group and the Lazarus Mercenary Group continue their dirty tricks, but on the surface, at least Arasaka and the Militech haven't directly clashed.

The reward was Vera for solidifying Arasaka's foundation in Night City, Northern California, supporting the Barghest Mercenary Group, instigating the independence of the Western States of NUSA, re-establishing the Western Free State Alliance to split New America, and helping Arasaka to further conquer the Pacific Rim region.

Contributions in the fields of scientific research and technology are counted separately.

The burden refers to the need for Vera to confront the New America, its Militech, and the backlash from its allies on the front lines in North America, much like the former Crown Prince.

This position requires strong resilience, military command skills, the ability to unite and coordinate new and old factions in North America, and considerable personal strength to prevent inevitable assassination attempts.

It can be said that among the Arasaka Employee in the Americas, apart from the senior national-level directors who need to be given face, Vera's status and power are second only to Michiko Arasaka, who is the CEO of Harazaka America Division and a formal member of the Board of Directors.

Administrative authority rested with Michiko Arasaka, while wartime military command was given to Vera.

Jing's daughter, a biological daughter, and an adopted daughter whom he has never met, will each inherit his bloodline and his past will.

Thinking of this, Saburo's eyes became deep.

A legacy is more important than a flawed bloodline.

Wow, Old Deng seems to be in a good mood.

Vera blinked, silently pondering to herself.

As everyone's attention was focused on Saburo, a barely perceptible, crystalline blue halo suddenly shimmered outwards from beneath her indigo left prosthetic eye.

Geass.

Even in the monkey version, which has lost the collective subconscious support of the [C World], the difference in the original Layla's ability effects and limitations does not require the recipient to look directly into the Geass pattern in the eyes for it to take effect, unlike a certain Black Prince.

Otherwise, even slightly thicker goggles wouldn't be able to penetrate them, and they could only be used once on the same person. In Vera's opinion, such Geass would be far too low-level for the Cyberpunk world.

It's worth noting that even Saburo Arasaka, a remnant of the old era, who was at his most physically weak and vulnerable, and David Martinez, who had a poor childhood, possessed basic cybernetic eyes.

Furthermore, Vera couldn't guarantee whether the drastically nerfed Absolute Command would still have absolute effectiveness, or whether it would temporarily become a hypnotic, monkey-like version due to a temporary cultural incompatibility.

Are you suggesting we send her to punch the Night City Kindergarten?

It's almost 2077. Apart from kindergarten children and a very few pure flesh-and-blood individuals who haven't even installed the 'most basic three-piece prosthetic set', where is she going to find so many idiots without prosthetic eyes to experiment with?

From this perspective, Layla's Geass is still more appealing. It's an area-of-effect attack, doesn't require eye contact, and has no limit on the number of targets or attempts, making it more worthwhile to seize it first and then use it for 'exploring other worlds'.

Temporary monkey-like transformation is fine. Degrading from sharing, exploring, and connecting with specific thoughts and ideas to a general understanding of emotions can still help Vera gain an advantage in many situations.

It's important to know that during negotiations and meetings, being able to roughly gauge the emotional state of those around you... is enough!

He truly has the ability to be a sycophant.

But how do we restore and enhance Geass?

While considering strengthening the technological aspect of military preparedness, Vera thought of the Geass ruins in the world of [CODE GEASS] and the relevant research data in the hands of VV's cult.

Perhaps she could try building her own Geass Temple in the Cyberpunk world.

Hmm, after the year-end performance review meeting, I'll go back to Night City and tinker with it for a bit...

Unaware that Vera was lost in thought, Saburo Arasaka, after affirming his 'granddaughter's' concluding remarks, immediately adjourned the meeting.

This meeting was merely a tool for Saburo to unify thinking and reiterate his uncompromising stance. Important matters are addressed in small meetings, and minor matters in large meetings. This is not surprising.

Next, we'll head to the Arasaka Family mansion for the holiday.

As she stood up, Vera exchanged a glance with Michiko Arasaka had been acting as a mascot for quite some time without making a sound, and then looked at the 3D video clock on the background wall of the conference room.

2076/12/31.

Ah, the Japanese New Year is almost here again.

A family gathering in Arasaka to commemorate the former Crown Prince Kei.

This time, she has been officially given the name Arasaka.

The inscription on the seat plaque that faded after she left read: [Vera Adelheid Arasaka Russell]

204

Chapter 204 Changes and Attending the Banquet.

"Militech must be destroyed? A concise and Hawks stance. Now, should we add salt to the wound? What about our own Arasaka Old Cato and Scipio, and Director Vera?"

As night fell and the city lights began to twinkle, an elegant and luxurious airship drove from the center of Tokyo Metropolis and stopped at the private helipad in the inner courtyard of the Arasaka Family Estate. Click, the cabin door opened, and Vera and Michiko Arasaka stepped out of the car amidst the skilled and attentive greeting of a group of servants.

Because Vera used the Punic Wars allusion in her speech at the pre-presidential meeting, Michiko, as if struck by a thought, said meaningfully, "And then, become Caesar?"

The Punic Wars were the wars between ancient Rome and Carthage.

The so-called Old Cato was a typical Conservatives figure during the Roman Republic. His most famous achievement was his resolute adherence to the idea of pursuing the enemy to the bitter end, and his vigorous advocacy for the complete annihilation of Carthage. He even ended every speech in the Senate with the sentence: "In the end, I believe that Carthage must be destroyed!"

Scipio refers to two people: Scipio the Great, who defeated Hannibal, a famous Carthaginian general, in the Second Punic Wars; and his adopted son, Scipio the Younger, who destroyed Carthage in the Third Punic Wars, burning its city, exterminating its people, wiping out its descendants, and spreading salt to desolate its land.

"My dear sister, is what you said a blessing or a curse?"

Upon hearing the teasing tone in Michiko's question, Vera simply turned her head slightly, gently smoothing the wrinkles on her hem and collar, and walked towards the inner courtyard with a rather amused smile on her face.

To become Caesar? That would certainly be great.

However, in some contexts where it implies a good beginning and a good end, it's not exactly a positive term.

How is Octavian?

Before Michiko could answer, Vera stretched out a big yawn.

She tilted her head and winked at Michiko playfully.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Michiko paused slightly and narrowed her eyes.

"Every penny counts, Vera."

Octavian, upon closer reflection, does indeed fit the description somewhat.

Her father, Kei Arasaka, was a 'Caesar' who died before completing his business. And like 'Caesar', the one who inherited most of his estate and will was not his biological child, but Octavian, his nephew and adopted son. As Arasaka Kei Arasaka generation, Vera is determined to become 'Octavian'.

So who is she? Is Julia (Caesar's daughter), who married Pompey?

It fits her experience of being born and raised in the United States and marrying an American.

Having spent nearly a year together, Michiko had become accustomed to her younger sister, who was almost half a century younger than her, having ambitions to take over Arasaka's life.

It doesn't matter who goes on stage; she only stands on the side of the victor.

With a slight smile, Michiko shrugged to indicate that she had no objection, and encouraged her with a hint of teasing, "Then good luck, you unyielding Machiavellian, work hard for your path to Augustus."

"I just don't want you to say that to me."

Vera chuckled to herself.

Following the re-independence of the North American Free State in the first half of 2076, and after more than half a year of consolidating power, establishing authority, and building trust, she had surpassed Michiko in control of the political legacy of the former Crown Prince.

Although there is a sense of exhilaration in defying the natural order, upon reflection, isn't this simply a case of mutual benefit, with one party willing to give and the other willing to receive?

Vera, after all, has no blood relation to the Arasaka Family, so Octavian certainly cannot follow Octavian's example and purge other Caesar descendants out of fear that 'too many Caesar's would threaten his position as the sole heir to Caesar.

Based on the principle of unity, and also to demonstrate magnanimity and the order of succession, Vera not only cannot touch Michiko, but also has to pick up the ancient Eastern etiquette of "Two Kings and Three Guards" and take great care of her, giving her wealth and honor.

She won't move until she's firmly in her position and has a firm grasp on Arasaka.

It's best to avoid doing things that are unjustified and punish her; she's not a follower of Khorne.

Michiko is, after all, the leader of the dove faction in Arasaka, with real power, a base of supporters, and her own focused career. You can say she's weak-willed, fence-sitting, complacent, and lacks ambition, but she's definitely not a mere pretty face.

Of course, if Michiko brings trouble upon herself, that's a different story.

Tap, tap.

Without lingering too long on these utilitarian questions about the future, Vera and Michiko walked along the courtyard path of the inner residence and quickly shifted the topic back to the leisurely and interesting things that fit the atmosphere of reuniting on New Year's Eve (the last day of the year) and welcoming the new year.

"Thank goodness, my sister, you finally dyed your hair back to black. At least you didn't wear that non-mainstream blue mohawk and those exaggerated gold earrings today."

"Anteiku aesthetic."

With a light snort, Michiko glanced disdainfully at Vera, who was completely covered up and dressed impeccably. "You, talking to me about fashion trends?"

"The old man isn't here. Let's talk about something youthful. Wei, I admit you're more authoritative than me in other fields. But in the fashion world, you know nothing. You're the one who's into the non-mainstream, right?"

"Hiss..."

Vera remained silent.

That... seems impossible to refute.

It's almost the end of 2076, and we're about to enter 2077. Punk is the mainstream now, but her aesthetic, which combines classic elements with a touch of high-dimensional geometric science fiction, is the non-mainstream.

Faced with Michiko's expression that said, "Even my dad, who died in 2023, is more modern and open-minded than you," Vera coughed a few times, not annoyed at all, and naturally changed the subject, saying, "Speaking of 'Dangerous Girl,' besides the main detective business, how is the expansion in other areas going?"