Chapter 213

On the small terrace of the second-floor bedroom, Sano Arasaka, dressed in a long, black-gray kimono with wide sleeves, remained silent.

The palace walls inside the family compound were not very high. After Vera's conspicuous figure walked out of her courtyard, he watched the crowd under the eaves until Vera met Michiko, and the two groups merged and gradually disappeared into the distance.

His face darkened slightly after not sleeping all night.

I groveled before that old codger Saburo and idly passed another day doing nothing.

Hypocritical, pretentious, and formalistic—everyone except Wako was wearing a mask at the family banquet.

Yesterday, at the banquet, Norinobu was only one step away from Saburo. The thought of killing Saburo on the spot, eliminating insects and shooting the sun, once echoed in his mind.

But he couldn't do it.

The chief retainer, Shintaro Takayama, the leader of the Cyber Ninja, a martial arts expert comparable to the cyber beast Adam Smasher, Vera, a candidate for the North American board of directors, are all here. If he makes any unusual moves, he will be taken down in an instant. Saburo can end his life with a single order.

Norinobu had no doubt about this.

Every time I see Saburo, he's either with his old dog Shintaro Takayama or Goro Takemura by his side.

What to do?

Analyzing the details of Vera and Michiko's leisurely conversation and observing Vera's secret report to Saburo Arasaka, it's likely that in 2077, after digesting the spoils of victory and taking continuous actions to stabilize the North American Free State Alliance, Arasaka's days of taking action on Militech are not far off.

Norinobu felt regretful about Vera's abandonment of virtue for thievery, but at the same time, he couldn't suppress a strange and unwilling excitement.

After his long and defiant pronouncements, the beginnings of a full-blown Corporate War are finally emerging.

Unfortunately, he wasn't the one who directly pushed for it.

Even though he acted swiftly and decisively, leading the Hawks to fully support Vera's strategy, he deserves credit for his efforts, but no one will remember the second place.

Compared to his years of tough rhetoric from the safe Tokyo, Vera, who was on the front lines, was ruthless and taciturn. She had to balance the interests of all parties, coordinate the development of her own side, and face the pressure of Militech and Shin-mi. She was the number one contributor in the eyes of many Arasaka Employee.

In this situation, Corporate War breaks out, and if the victor wins, Arasaka Mirai's power will have nothing to do with him.

Defeat... no, Arasaka cannot lose!

Because he still needs to use Arasaka's power to drag more companies into the war. Arasaka is the fulcrum he uses to leverage the entire company's colonial ambitions; without this 'small force,' how can he achieve such a feat?

How can we break this deadlock?

Norinobu questioned himself again.

Anxiety is gripping my heart, lingering and impossible to shake off.

No one could respond to his inner anxiety.

Even worse is the sense of powerlessness that rises above this anxiety. No matter how hard you try, you can only watch helplessly as you are suppressed little by little, as if you have returned to the self that was suppressed by that beast, Kei Arasaka.

"In the end, I still can't do anything..."

By this time, Vera and Michiko's group had disappeared from sight. Norinobu reluctantly turned around and went inside. When he caught a glimpse of his own listless reflection in the mirror, he was startled and could no longer suppress his anger at his own incompetence. He irritably clenched his fist.

Bang! A fist gently pressed against the mirror.

Norinobu's expression was ferocious, but he managed to suppress and control his emotions.

"Now is not the time to give up. I have never regretted creating the Iron Dragon Society to fight against Arasaka, returning to Arasaka with a bad reputation... Mother, Wako..."

His ideals and love suppressed his anger and loss of composure. Savoring the dry, bitter taste in his mouth, Norinobu calmed down.

Therefore, it seems that he absolutely must go to Night City, the front line of the North American conflict.

And it would be best to do this when Vera is away overseeing the battle and Michiko is also not around.

He had to figure out the hidden moves behind Vera's new "Jurassic Park Project".

Over there, the Solaris Staircase Project has been working for years to establish contact with the prototype library of biological laboratories. According to a senior researcher who was successfully recruited, the latest Progenitor Virus fusion product has been successfully programmed.

Anders Herman's second-generation Relic prototype chip used the soul imprint of 'Rock Kid' Johnny Silverhand, right? Hopefully, the successful nuclear explosion of Arasaka Tower will be helpful to his career, given that he has repeatedly organized Cyber Legends to deal significant blows to Arasaka...

With my broken body transformed into raging flames, corporate colonialism must be completely buried.

Clenching his fist, Sano Arasaka a vow.

"Come in."

He exhaled a breath of stale air, he said.

"Norinobu."

Norinobu, whose face was as calm as a still lake but whose heart was pounding with rage, was the last to arrive at the main house. He waved his hand, signaling Takemura and Oda, who were guarding the gate, to step back. Just as he was about to enter to pay his respects to his emperor-like father, he was stopped by a clear, cold call.

Inside the main gate, in front of the screen wall, Vera's incredibly clear indigo eyes stared directly at Norinobu.

"Vera."

Norinobu's expression was quite complicated.

Just a few seconds ago he was thinking about how to scheme against the other party when Vera suddenly called out to him, and it seemed she was waiting for him? Norinobu looked at Michiko and Wako beside Vera.

"A reunion is the best thing ever, and it's a perfect way to pay New Year's visits together."

Vera smiled, lifted her skirt, and bowed slightly to Norinobu.

This is a lie.

She was waiting for Norinobu there specifically to check on the situation.

At face-to-face, she had just shouted, and her Geass field could clearly sense a momentary fluctuation in Norinobu's emotions: fear, guilt, regret, and murderous intent...

You want to kill me?

Vera's smile became even brighter.

"Is that so? I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Vera, Michiko, Wako. I couldn't sleep last night after offering prayers at the mother's shrine. I'm sorry I'm late."

One shouldn't hit a smiling face. At least for now, he and Vera were in a state of fair competition without breaking apart. Norinobu immediately bowed in return.

Very composed.

"Uncle."

"Elder brother."

Michiko and Wako returned the greetings one by one.

"Let's go and pay our respects to the old man."

Vera said.

Vera, Norinobu, Michiko, Wako entered together.

The moment she entered, Vera's thoughts shifted, and her attention turned to another dimension.

After paying my New Year's respects, I will return to Night City on the 2nd.

Is your new fusion virus ready?

Outer Heaven.

Vera conveyed what she needed to 'herself' in the venue, which featured flags with black backgrounds and yellow stripes, MILITECH logos with V-shaped patterns nested within squares, American flags, and red star, white background, grizzly bear, and red striped flags.

"I'll get it to you in a moment. I'm currently at the election venue, campaigning for Simmons' presidential campaign."

What kind of momentum are we creating?

"Turn California red."

207

Chapter 207 Interlude: Vera at a Historical Turning Point (Development and Change)

In a modern, secular world where the historical context is normal and the development of human civilization has not deviated from the right path, is it difficult to influence the second presidential election in the USA after entering the 21st century (2004) and for California, which has been a blue state for more than ten years, to turn red again?

"It's difficult, but it's not impossible."

At least for Vera, the chairwoman and Chief of Military Science, the emerging tech giant based in California and the rising Super Industrial Group that controls the San Francisco Bay Area in the world of "Resident Evil," there is a way to reverse the situation.

This means proactively changing the electorate structure in California.

Southern California has no solution yet because of Los Angeles and Hollywood, so let's start by reviving the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California.

She did this as early as the last century.

The reason was nothing more than that Vera simply did not want her military academy to become a paradise for demons and monsters in the near future.

What she truly needs are skilled technicians, highly qualified and educated research personnel, law-abiding community citizens, a company armed force capable of fighting, and a merit-based personnel selection system where the capable rise, the mediocre step aside, the incompetent are demoted, and the incompetent are eliminated...

Instead of a group of correct people who only know how to stack buffs.

Not even the slightest clue!

Even if I bear the heavy responsibility of overseeing the development of the 'Nine Realms of Wei' and the need to lead the military science, I, Vera, can still crush those demons and monsters.

Surrounded by bodyguards from the military, Vera finished her interaction with the Elder Sister "Cyberpunk" group and strode towards the bustling campaign rally.

Just like the Elder Sister over there is spending New Year's Day with Saburo Arasaka... well, she's started playing shogi with Old Deng and can't leave at all. It's not convenient for her to take out the newly developed super fusion virus and send it over for the time being. After all, she would be crazy to carry the Super Virus with her. She's on a business trip attending Simmons' Los Angeles campaign party.

"Chairman Russell."

"Ms. Vera, CEO."

"Your Excellency Vera."

Among the attendees, there was no doubt that everyone knew Vera and greeted her. Some old-fashioned people, like Martin Luther King Jr., who had earned their college degrees through genuine talent and were prominent Black figures who had achieved upward social mobility as "a generation of college students" in American society, would pat her on the chest in respect.

The gathering was not large; it wasn't a speech or rally, but rather a place for celebrities and gentry to connect.

Vera nodded in greeting to each of them.

Many of the former were acquaintances to whom she had donated campaign funds for state, county, and city governments.

Some people may be unfamiliar with this place, but it is likely that in recent years, as Vera's military technology has grown stronger, the security environment has steadily improved, and the high-tech industry chain has formed a cluster effect, it has attracted New Immigrants, middle-class Americans who have recently settled in California, and emerging regional tycoons who have made their fortunes by undertaking the business of military technology auxiliary equipment.

In 2003, the San Francisco Bay Area was again recognized by the Federal Tourism Commission as one of the most civilized cities in the United States, and one of the cities with the best sanitation and safety conditions in the country.

The rapid development of the Greater Bay Area is evident to the whole world, except for those with ulterior motives and those who oppose for the sake of opposition.

With the global headquarters of the Military Science Center located there, the futuristic Vera Adelheid Center, and the rapid progress of the Militech Tower construction, coupled with the existing Silicon Valley, San Francisco has earned the reputation of being a city of the future.

Even the latter, such as the conservative and politically incorrect Vera, still has Black supporters.

Following the Civil Rights Movement in the latter half of the 20th century, a number of Black elites did emerge in the USA, but they made efforts to integrate into mainstream American society and consciously or unconsciously downplayed their Black identity.

These people are largely disconnected from the lower-class Black population in the United States, especially those who live in Black communities.

As for currying favor with Vera?

Sigh, there's nothing we can do, everyone's too eager to improve.

If you can't beat them, join them.

You ask them about their compatriots who are crying out under the iron fist of the military? Sorry, they don't know them.

Therefore, the Military Science's merit-based and virtuous evaluation system is excellent, and I absolutely support it!

Just as Vera activated her Geass stance, a perfectly timed faint smile playing on her lips, multitasking with amusement as she discerned who was friend and foe, and who harbored the deepest resentment, thus deciding who to include in her campaign donation list, "Welcome, Vera!"

A hearty laugh.

Vera looked in the direction of the voice and saw a white man with slicked-back brown hair and a shiny forehead walking briskly towards her.

At the prime of his life, and in the rising phase of his career, a spirited Drake C. Simmons smiled and extended his hand.

"Thank you for your invitation, Mr. Drake."

Under the crystal chandelier, Vera stretched out her hand and lightly shook hands with Simmons, revealing a rather hearty smile.

"Welcome to Los Angeles! Long time no see, Vera. I heard you're planning to build an eco-park in San Francisco? That's quite an amazing change."

At this point, Simmons shrugged humorously.

Vera naturally caught Simmons' little joke.

Vera, who has always been at odds with environmental organizations and even sent protesters who blocked the construction of military science projects to prison, would actually build an eco-park?

Not annoyed, Vera calmly smiled and said, "This eco-park is not that eco-park. How about we leave it as a mystery?"

As a technological reserve and practice, the Jurassic Park Project will naturally not be limited to Arasaka.