Kaede Sakon's pupils suddenly contracted. He heard every word Shirakawa Shuu had said, but what he cared about even more were two particular statements: first, that Shuu could complete the final core of Alternative4; second, that he could improve the Tactical Fighter's performance across the board by more than tenfold while still allowing ordinary guards to pilot it normally.
What did a tenfold increase in Tactical Fighter performance even mean? Kaede Sakon did not dare imagine such power. And ordinary guards would be able to pilot them as well—what kind of concept was that? It represented the enormous possibility of humanity rising up and completely wiping out the BETA.
Whether he truly believed those two claims or not, they undeniably stirred Kaede Sakon's curiosity and excitement. He sat upright and stared at Shirakawa Shuu. "What you just said was true!?"
Shirakawa Shuu sneered. "Whether it is true or false is not for you to judge right now. Agree to cooperate with me, and you will see everything you wish to see. Refuse to cooperate with me, and even if it is false, you will never see the final result."
"No." Kaede Sakon shook his head forcefully. "I will not cooperate with you. I do not know who you are, what your purpose is, or how great a threat you may pose to this world and to Alternative4. This concerns humanity's last hope, so I will never cooperate with you. Even if you kill me, it will be the same."
"Heh... hehehe, hahahaha!" Shirakawa Shuu covered his face, his soft laughter growing into wild laughter. To Kaede Sakon's ears, that arrogant laugh was unbearably grating, like the disdainful mockery of a god looking down upon an ant at the very bottom. His face reddened unconsciously, not from embarrassment, but from anger.