Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 212 - 188 Unmissable Opportunity

Chapter 212: Chapter 188 Unmissable Opportunity

"Kanako."

Farosa couldn’t help but start to imagine what Xu Yang and Kanako would do. Her mind conjured up hundreds and thousands of different fantasies, most of which were shrouded in dreamlike Phantom Light, preventing her from seeing the essence behind them. But she knew that empty thoughts would save no one; to chase Power, she had to hone herself to be faster than a blade. She would not allow herself to be hindered by distractions.

So, Farosa gently placed her hand on the table as if laying down a heavy burden, and there were sweeter spoils of war to be picked. Nonsensical worries should not bother the mediocre.

"Why hasn’t Kanako come back?" Farosa asked casually, as if she had never heard anything about Kanako from Lila, "She said she hated that place, that so-called ’home’."

"The Family is no longer a cage but a mansion of wealth now," Xu Yang explained, "I’m afraid she will never leave again. Compared to the ordinary Small Aizu City, Anjiu City, or even Shangjing, are the paradises suited for someone like her to live in."

"Note that the Godbinding Plan has long stored nuclear weapons, specifically to control Yan Duo," Lila pulled up the information from the archives, "If all are deployed against Zenith, it may not cause substantial damage, but it will knock it out for a long time."

"Just use the Law of Recovery to revert Yan Duo back to its pre-bombed state," Xu Yang judged, "After the infiltration and sabotage in the first two phases, the mission for the third phase is also clear. We need to make the Godbinding Plan personnel retreat and ’execute’ Zenith. After Yan Duo has endured the nuclear strike, we’ll use the Law of Recovery to restore it."

"To heal Yan Duo’s wounds," Farosa calculated, "... indeed possible, but it will be tough."

"That’s the price of Power," Xu Yang nodded, "We all need to contribute."

"What news will make the Godbinding Plan personnel escape?" Farosa pondered.

"So far, the greatest threat hanging over the sea is without question the massive warship ’Martinez’ dispatched by the Black Fire Innovative Faction," Xu Yang said, "I will transmit false information to that base, falsely claiming that the Martinez has changed course, attempting to capture the Godbinding Plan. I will also forge high-level orders, claiming that the company requires them to retreat."

"I see," Farosa understood, "To prevent Yan Duo from falling into Blackfire’s hands, the Godbinding Plan personnel will also go to ’execute’ Yan Duo."

"Then the last thing is to decide on the people for this mission," Xu Yang said slowly.

Upon mentioning this issue, their expressions became tense.

The greatest risk was that they might never return.

The target was 2028 nautical miles from Nestor Industrial Park, a maritime operation base located not only far away but also in the desolate sea.

No one knew what might happen there; any accident could lead to them not returning alive.

"I must go, I won’t have any problems," Farosa said lightly, "The gods have authority over the sea, and I have received blessings from them. The sea water is my ally, not my nemesis."

"And I must also go," Xu Yang nodded, "Forging information, hacking into the base’s intranet all require my work."

"I’m going too," Lila responded quickly, "I’m responsible for piloting Innovation."

"If you leave, then there will be no one to take charge of the Industrial Park," Xu Yang didn’t want Lila to take the risk as well.

"Even without me, Asa Katsuragi, Kong Tai, and even 101 can handle the affairs," Lila said firmly, "I want to be by Master’s side."

"With the Witch present, we don’t need to bring others," Farosa pressed her forehead, "I alone am enough."

"What about 101?" Xu Yang thought of her, "Teleportation could save many of us in a critical moment."

"101 can’t leave 102," Farosa said meaningfully, "and if 102 comes along, it would become a burden. She can’t exert her strength in the deep sea... Let’s just set off, the three of us."

"As mentioned earlier, Black Fire Innovation’s ’Martinez’ is heading straight north," Lila pointed out, "Attracting the attention of Kyoto Infinite’s main forces. We must seize this window of opportunity, otherwise Black Fire Innovation might also begin to attack the ’Godbinding Plan,’ and Master’s intended spread of false information may become a reality. And no matter what changes occur, we will lose the crucial opportunity to release Yan Duo."

"An opportunity so rare..." Farosa mused, she really wished to tame that big dumb beast, Zenith.

"Furthermore, there’s one point worth noting," Lila analyzed, "The commander-in-chief of the Godbinding Plan is named ’Sogi Juro.’ He is one of Honma Noriko’s grandsons, 55 years old this year, and his promotion in the military has been rapid. He has been stationed at the Godbinding Plan for 14 years."

"Since he is from the Xisheng Family, Kanako might be familiar with some of his personal styles," Xu Yang nodded, "I will confirm the related information with Kanako."

"We need to calculate all the information and come up with many contingency plans," Farosa whispered, "Prepare for at least a few more days."

"...Indeed," Xu Yang agreed, "We must give it our all to rescue this bound ’god’."

Lila left the office in the Industrial Park with the data to organize the archives and purchase things that might be needed for the plan.

Xu Yang stood up intending to leave, but Farosa was already coming towards him. They embraced and kissed, with Farosa leaning back passionately, seeking consolation not only for Xu Yang but also for herself.

"Will you marry me today?" Farosa asked softly, "Put on the ring, make the vow, one life, one person."

"Didn’t we agree that it would be a long time from now?"

"That’s the uncommitted side of you."

"I hate being bound," Xu Yang said, "I’ve never liked it, and I never will."

His attitude was clear.

Chains, collars, rings, there was no difference, people forge them with special purposes in mind. Watching Xu Yang leave the office, Farosa now fully understood that Xu Yang would never accept any form of restraint.

He was an absolutely free, do-as-I-please kind of person, and if she attempted to prohibit Xu Yang from doing something, Xu Yang would resist her just as he would resist corporatism. So he would only do what he wanted, and no external force could control him. Like a bird in flight, the more the black cat flapped its wings, the further away it escaped.

The air was still slightly warm from the revelry moments ago, and although she stood barefoot on the chrome plated ground, she felt as if she were standing on clouds. All her life, the many things she had longed for were still beyond her reach: power wasn’t hers, neither wisdom nor Xu Yang.

On the other side, for a meticulous operation, Xu Yang needed more intelligence.

He contacted Kojima Kanako first.

"Kanako, I need Kyoto Infinity’s internal communication security key."

"How could I have such a thing?" Kojima Kanako didn’t yet understand what Xu Yang was asking for.

"There must be close and frequent contact between Xisheng and Kyoto Infinity. Such communication must be completed within encrypted channels. If you forward me the relevant communication content, I could decrypt the key myself."

"What... what do you want to do? It always feels like something very important, I can’t just give it away..."

"If you want to rise within Xisheng, there are some things you must do."

"I don’t know if I should give it to you."

"Just trust me, Kanako. You will become the ruler of Xisheng... but before you learn to take, you must first give."

"Mom’s attitude towards me is hot and cold, I don’t know." Kanako’s tone seemed a bit anxious, "If I make a mistake at a time like this, I’m done for."

"How could I lead you to make a mistake?" Xu Yang said, "I just want to remind you that our situations are quite similar, we both need to take risks to get bigger benefits."

"...I understand, I will forward it to you. Xu Yang, I hope you don’t break your promise."

"Yes."

Kojima Kanako forwarded Xu Yang a series of files, the raw files of communication between Xisheng Group and Kyoto Infinity. By analyzing them, Xu Yang secured a channel into Kyoto Infinity’s secret communication frequency.

This communication channel was built by the conglomerate itself, and the content transmitted within it was highly secure. If he used this channel to send messages about the "Godbinding Plan," at least they wouldn’t become suspicious.

"Right," Xu Yang followed up, "what’s your impression of ’Sogi Juro’?"

"He’s one of my nephews... in the military," Kanako said, "What about him?"

For the time being, Xu Yang couldn’t let Kanako suspect anything about the Godbinding Plan.

"I’m investigating Xisheng’s control over Kyoto Infinite Company troops, and he’s the first one I found." Xu Yang probed indirectly, "What are your impressions of him? Tell me everything."

"He’s been stationed at the Godbinding Plan for many years, guarding that red giant, rarely comes back for family gatherings. I saw him when I was a child, the elders in the family berated him for being a lackluster, idle fellow," Kanako said. "Typical of relying on connections with Xisheng to get ahead. I guess he knows his own capabilities are limited, so he stays idle in that far-off base. Now even warfare can hardly reach there; it’s too far from the theater of operations."

"I see..."

The current security commander of the Godbinding Plan was a mediocrity, which was good news; it improved the odds of success in rescuing Yan Duo. To lower Kanako’s guard, Xu Yang casually talked about important persons the Xisheng family had placed in various security departments at Kyoto Infinity, before ending the communication.

To make thorough preparations, Xu Yang and Lila spent 1.8 million to add an atmospheric exchange chamber suitable for deep-sea operations and a spare lifeboat to the Innovation, filled its ammunition to the brim, then spent another 4 million funds to purchase four underwater missiles, loading them into the Innovation’s missile bays.

Upon hearing that Xu Yang and his team were about to leave the industrial park for a risky expedition, 101 came by specially to see them off.

"Don’t I need to go?" 101 cautiously phrased his question.

"No," Xu Yang said, "Just wait for us to come back."

"Then, be careful."

"Understood."

"This is no joke, if you can’t come back, 102 and I will be in great danger," 101 spoke earnestly. "So, even for our sake, you have to stay alive."

"Don’t worry, we’ll do our best," Xu Yang said, "nothing will go wrong."

"Bring more books then." 101 teleported away.

Books?