(Heartfelt thanks to 'The Author Who Runs Errands' for the 2,000 reward, and to 'Youyouzi's Lament,' 'Clouds of the Nine Heavens,' and 'YYYu' for their rewards!)
"Albrecht Grunewald?"
The name that emerged from Sumire Muroto's sarcastic tone drew reactions from both Noah and Tina.
"That name..." Tina furrowed her brows and spoke tentatively.
"Wasn't that the name of the chief coordinator of the Mechanized Soldier Project?"
"That's right." The sarcasm in Sumire Muroto's voice did not lessen in the slightest.
"Albrecht Grunewald, who once oversaw the entire Mechanized Soldier Project and commanded all of us chief directors. He's the one I'm talking about."
"Then why bring him up now?" Noah frowned.
"Was he the one who mechanized Howaki Takuto?"
"You think I have no basis for saying that?" Sumire Muroto curled her lip.
"But I can say for certain that he was the one who modified Howaki Takuto. There's absolutely no mistake."
Though she had no evidence at all, Sumire Muroto spoke with such certainty that Noah's frown deepened.
Watching Noah, Sumire Muroto suddenly said something.
"During the early stages of the Mechanized Soldier Project, Ann, Arthur, and I each had our own research institute—in Japan, America, and Australia, respectively. You knew that, didn't you?"
Of course he knew.
After the Mechanized Soldier Project began, it acquired different names due to its respective chief directors.
The Japanese branch was the New Humanity Creation Project.
The American branch was NEXT.
The Australian branch was Obelisk.
Naturally, as the chief directors affiliated with those three nations, Sumire Muroto, Ann Rand, and Arthur Sharnak had each established research institutes in their own countries.
"Since that's the case, let me ask you something." Sumire Muroto looked straight at Noah as she spoke.
"Have you ever heard of the German chief director establishing his own