Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 240 - 214: Higher Status

Chapter 240: Chapter 214: Higher Status

"I can turn you into a witch," Kanako whispered into Honma Noriko’s ear.

As her words fell, Kanako stepped back slightly and reevaluated her mother, who was looking at her with a complex gaze.

Kanako suppressed the shiver that threatened to run through her, as she sensed a series of emotions in her mother’s eyes, not joy, not astonishment, and not the slightest bit of bewilderment.

It was more like... absolute neutrality and calmness. It was as if Kanako’s words had not provided any unexpected surprise.

This exceeded Kanako’s expectations, and she held her breath, not daring to continue. Without a doubt, her mother was a high-ranking figure who could influence the workings of Xisheng and even determine life and death for Kanako. Every signal conveyed by Honma Noriko must be meticulously interpreted and deeply discerned by Kanako, or else it would be difficult for her to leave this tea room alive today.

She never dared to truly consider her mother as so-called family, as Honma Noriko was both dangerous and indifferent, traits that were now even more apparent.

"Kanako..." her mother beckoned to her with an outstretched hand.

Driven by the instinctive self-preservation of a biological stress response, Kanako’s first thought was to stand up and step back, to distance herself as much as possible from Honma Noriko. But she constrained her animal instincts, and it was this critical moment of choice that distinguished humans from beasts.

"I’m here," Kanako said with a slight smile.

She did not flee; instead, she obediently approached her mother, feeling her skin as fragile and delicate as a thin film of plastic, an exterior too soft to withstand any turbulence, encasing organs that were already decaying.

Kanako remained in her mother’s embrace, with movements that were so subtle that Kanako didn’t dare to break away.

The time left for Kanako was short, her thoughts racing rapidly.

There was only one certainty—

If she wanted to succeed as the heir to Xisheng, she must overcome every challenge, with no turning back or evasion.

"Mother," Kanako said softly, "I have ’Star Crystal Stone’."

"That’s the stone imbued with the witch’s power," Honma Noriko had heard, "...it requires the proper ceremony."

"’Rebirth Witch Secret Ceremony,’" Kanako said, "...I also know someone who can do it."

"How will it be done?" Honma Noriko remained motionless, her tone exceptionally gentle, yet Kanako could sense the lethal intent behind each syllable.

She was so close to her mother that she could hear her heartbeat, which was not like that of a normal person, the rhythm much slower.

Now they had reached a critical juncture.

Either disclose all the information about Xu Yang and Farosa to increase the credibility of her words.

Or conceal key information, be evasive, and shroud the whole affair in mystery.

No, that wasn’t right.

The former would diminish Kanako’s own value to the minimum, after all, Honma Noriko could bypass Kanako and establish contact directly with Xu Yang and the others, rendering Kanako an expendable presence.

The latter would make her sound like she was being deliberately obscure, significantly increasing the risk of being killed or imprisoned, after all, Honma Noriko was decisive and would not tolerate any form of pretense.

Therefore, there was only one way to proceed.

"I can lead all of this," Kanako looked up, "Mother, I can arrange everything, please wait patiently."

"You’ll take charge? You? Little Kanako?" Honma Noriko gazed into her daughter’s eyes, and now, she could discern a decisive execution ability in Kanako, a strong confidence, enough to sever any chain of doubt.

"Yes." Kanako gently extricated herself from her mother’s embrace, as Honma Noriko moved back to give Kanako space, "Mother, I have already contacted the best person to conduct the ceremony; she is a mysterious figure, knowledgeable about the past, and fully aware of the entire ceremony. I have also obtained the Star Crystal Stone, the best and of the finest quality. Soon I will be able to arrange the whole matter neatly. Mother, I want to see you live on; only you are qualified to control Xisheng, the enterprise you have created. If anyone other than you were to lead Xisheng, I would rather see it fall apart, go bankrupt, and be restructured."

Honma Noriko eyed her daughter, and sometimes she felt as if her offspring were extensions of herself, watching their actions as if watching herself move. The closer their actions were to Honma Noriko’s own, the more she felt gratified, as if she had successfully cultivated her own shadows, their behaviors forming an extension of her will.

And Kojima Kanako exhibited this quality.

"I can give you time," Honma Noriko took a deep breath.

Kanako felt so elated she nearly collapsed, she had survived, she had earned her mother’s trust, at least her mother wouldn’t kill her or violently seize control of the event.

But she couldn’t lose composure, or else all would be in vain.

"Please rest assured, I will provide the highest quality results," Kanako said softly. "My father is a man of moderation, but he also told me, ’What heaven bestows, one must seize.’ This is the opportunity fate has given us, please let me make the arrangements for you, Mother. You will become a Witch, possessing everything that comes with being one—longevity, mastery over Magic Power, and eternal beauty."

"I’m very much looking forward to it," Honma Noriko said softly. "Then, what are your thoughts on other matters, like the rebellion by Black Fire Innovation?"

"What Black Fire Innovation has done has incited the wrath of all peace-lovers in the world," Kanako skillfully shifted her rhetoric. "What we need to do is isolate them. Xisheng has far more friends than Black Fire Innovation."

"You know what to do, you have a clear head. I think you should attain a higher status in the family," Honma Noriko relaxed.

"Yes..." Kanako respectfully bowed her head, lying at her mother’s feet, taking on the appearance of fragility, like a true little green leaf lying down. She must always control the strength she displayed, knowing when to retract it.

"I entrust Evelyn to you," Honma Noriko said.

Evelyn was a fund management company controlled by Xisheng, mainly issuing a series of funds related to the spice concept, ranking among the top fund companies in the Archipelago, with an asset management scale reaching 390 billion Funds. More importantly, it was responsible for the operation, investment, and maintenance of countless spice development companies in the Near East, essentially serving as a lifeline for her mother.

Moreover, regardless of how turbulent the economic situation was, the demand for spices would never shrink. If clothing, food, shelter, and transportation were the essentials for ordinary people, then spices were for the dignified. Even people with a bit of wealth would try to get their hands on spices to improve their health and prolong their lives, which greatly helped enhance the quality of life in later years; spices as an absolute rarity were always in short supply.

"Yes," Kanako replied briefly, yet inside she was thrilled beyond measure.

Taking over Evelyn meant that she had successfully risen within the Xisheng hierarchy, moving closer to her mother’s core circle of influence, no longer a peripheral family member with small-scale influences, greatly shortening the distance between her and her mother!

She almost wanted to burst into song, different degrees of joy blooming in Kanako’s heart, she felt like rushing out, finding Xu Yang, and completely letting go of herself.

Honma Noriko could also see the joy in Kanako at the moment. She gave Kanako a gentle look, signaling that Kanako could leave now.

"I await your news," Honma Noriko said.

Kanako rose to her feet with extremely slow movements, inwardly yearning to leave, to vanish from this oppressive tea room in the blink of an eye, to walk out of the Xisheng Divine Palace immediately. But she couldn’t appear too hasty, she had to be slow, loyal, fully demonstrating her restraint and discipline.

"Then, farewell," Kanako said to her mother with a deep bow, and then slowly left.

After Kanako left, Honma Noriko called her personal guard, Yanagawa Fumihiko, who quickly entered.

"Madam," Yanagawa Fumihiko kneeled before Honma Noriko, not raising his head, displaying absolute loyalty.

"You’ve seen how Black Fire Innovation has insulted Xisheng," Honma Noriko said.

"They must have had their reasons," Yanagawa Fumihiko said. "The Archipelago Continent is under siege."

"Send a message to Northern Military Industry, it’s time for them to enter the game, while ensuring our rear is protected."

"Yes," Yanagawa Fumihiko nodded.

Honma Noriko picked up a cup of essence tea and sipped slowly. It contained a substance mined and extracted from the body of the Forest Master and was key to her pursuit of longevity.

Kyoto Infinity held Zenith captive, and Northern Military Industry detained the Forest Master.

With Zenith breaking free, Honma Noriko considered that the Forest Master might also receive a similar rescue.

"Additionally," Honma Noriko instructed, "have them move the Forest Master’s location, if they can’t do it, I can contact the Seven Seals on their behalf."

"I will emphasize the importance of this to Northern Military Industry," Yanagawa Fumihiko obediently followed the order.

"And..." Honma Noriko looked toward the direction where Kanako had departed. "I have a task for you."

She quietly entrusted Yanagawa Fumihiko with a secret mission, and he quickly understood.

"I will see it done," Yanagawa Fumihiko rose.

He was concerned that Kanako’s plan might have flaws, worried that this little leaf and her friends might harm Honma Noriko. But after hearing the task Honma Noriko had given him, he was reassured.

At least, the lady had designed the ultimate safety net.