Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 349 - 318 Skyscraper Meeting

Chapter 349: Chapter 318 Skyscraper Meeting

Kanako’s shuttle machine had an even brighter appearance, an orange sport model. Du Qianqian looked at it for a long time but couldn’t discern the brand, which made her feel like a pitiful country bumpkin. She organized the documents and then pretended to be Xu Yang’s assistant, following behind him.

"Long time no see!" Kanako walked cheerfully toward Xu Yang and shook his hand.

"Be on guard." Senzoune sized up Xu Yang and the unfamiliar girl behind him, ensuring Kanako’s safety.

As Kanako’s professional ninja, Senzoune wore a purple mask and ninja outfit of the same color, carrying a huge scroll on her back, with several kunai tied to her belt, always on alert.

"Did you take refuge overseas?" Xu Yang noticed Kanako was completely rejuvenated.

"Yes, I took the opportunity to visit many major cities on the Taixi Continent, traveling to Madelis, Lundinium, Seven Hills, and other places." Kanako pulled Xu Yang by the hand into the meeting room, "But mom’s orders are really too frightening, even if I wanted to enjoy the scenery there, I had no choice."

Accompanying them on the journey, Du Qianqian couldn’t stop examining Kanako’s attire. Her jewelry, dress, wristwatch, and earrings all bore a similar design style, clearly from the same high-end custom workshop—fashionable and luxurious, utterly dazzling. Du Qianqian maliciously thought these were nothing but cheap pairings, merely skyrocketing in price through the hands of some fame-seeking designers, designed to deceive the rich of their assets.

She felt a murderous intent at her side and turned her head to see Senzoune keeping a constant watch on her. Du Qianqian, who she was, had remained physically and mentally healthy despite Farosa’s strike, so she wasn’t intimidated by Senzoune. Instead, she met her gaze as an equal, which caused Senzoune to hold her in higher esteem internally.

Next, Senzoune and Du Qianqian were kept outside the door, leaving Xu Yang and Kanako inside the meeting room to discuss important matters.

Xisheng needed safety, and so did Farosa. They both hoped to achieve a win-win outcome through negotiation.

"I’ve received your message," said Xu Yang, "but Farosa will not go to the Xisheng Shrine. She requests a beach to carry out the entire ritual."

"A beach." Kanako was somewhat surprised, "Mother will find it quite dangerous. If she feels her life is at risk, I really don’t know what she might do."

"Farosa will go alone, that will be enough," Xu Yang said.

"She will... she..." Kanako stammered, "Will she really... faithfully fulfill the agreement?"

Xu Yang silently gazed at Kanako, hoping she would realize why he had paused for so long before continuing to speak.

"She will," Xu Yang said.

"That’s a relief." Kanako’s eyes flickered, her fingers having moved to the table unknowingly, unconsciously tracing circles on the crystal surface, "If no one were to get hurt, that would be so good."

"You can persuade Lady Honma Noriko, can’t you?" Xu Yang inquired. "Regarding the change of location."

"Mother’s health should hold up..." Kanako thought for a moment, then firmly nodded, "Yes, we can. We will build a health support facility on the beach in the suburbs of the capital to ensure she can safely carry out the ritual there. But Farosa must arrive a week in advance."

"At most one hour in advance," Xu Yang frowned, "Until then, Farosa’s safety is our responsibility."

"Three to six hours," Kanako insisted on negotiating an appropriate condition, otherwise, she dared not bring these terms back to her mother.

"It doesn’t matter how early you arrive, but Farosa will only appear one hour before the ritual, alone," Xu Yang said.

"Sigh," Kanako leaned back, the chair wheels silently gliding on the ground. She kicked at the floor with her high heels, "I’d rather be playing games."

"This is a unique service: transforming a human into a witch, perhaps a first in the corporate world. I understand how difficult this is, after all, there’s no precedent to follow. I trust Lady Honma Noriko will understand the stakes," he said.

Xu Yang watched as Kojima Kanako slumped in despondence, rising from his seat and approaching her. In front of Xu Yang, she appeared quite small.

Kanako looked up at him, and then thought back to those nights of frenzy, she had done quite a few impulsive things, more willing than others to take control of her own life.

"I can’t appear to be selling off family interests in front of my relatives," Kanako stood up, "I want to set the time with Farosa personally."

"Please."

Through encrypted communication, Kanako sent a message to Farosa, mentioning her intentions. Farosa had to arrive as early as possible, alone, without any attendants or weapons, with all the materials related to the ritual provided by the Xisheng side, of course, Farosa was allowed to inspect them.

"If you are willing to sincerely help my mother," Kanako said, "all the power and authority of Xisheng will have a share for you."

"I understand, I will be there at 5:30," Farosa replied, "The ritual starts at 9 and lasts for six hours during which the beach must be vacated, leaving only me and Lady Honma Noriko."

"Yanagawa Fumihiko and another supervisor will also be present," Kanako said.

"And who is this supervisor?" Farosa asked.

Kanako hesitated, but ultimately she revealed it.

"Mack," she said.

So it was Yanagawa Fumihiko and the fraud, Mack. Xu Yang thought to himself. Yet in such a circumstance, the so-called Mack was merely Du Qianqian in disguise, the real swindler having passed away, leaving the imposter among the living, a peculiar situation indeed.

Farosa understood the key point as well. As long as Du Qianqian could continue to pose as the fraudster Mack until the day of the winter solstice, the beach would have two from her own side against two from Xisheng. With such a relationship in play, she could make many moves.

"Agreed," Farosa accepted.

"Phew..." Kanako breathed a sigh of relief.

"An agreement reached, quite the rarity," Xu Yang said.

Kanako smiled gently, shaking her head.

"One matter is resolved, but there are many others," she said, "Nestor Corporation now has to take charge of the defense of Anjiu City, right?"

"Of course, we handle professional matters."

"...There’s a rather large order," Kanako blinked.

"I’m all ears."

"You’ve heard of Kamibayashi Himei, right? My elder brother’s daughter, which makes her my niece, of course, although she’s many years older than I am."

"I’ve heard," Xu Yang pondered, "’The eldest grandchild of Xisheng,’ so they say. If we’re talking seniority, her place in the line of succession is quite high."

"This Kamibayashi Himei’s son, Kamibayashi Kurou, is to marry Oohara Risa, the talented daughter of Oohara Nobuhiko, who studied abroad. It’s going to be a very grand marriage alliance."

"Marrying the mayor’s daughter? Looking to get involved in the city affairs of Anjiu City..." Xu Yang mused.

"It’s taking place at a classical residence on the outskirts of Anjiu City, the ancestral home of the Kamibayashi Consortium," Kanako nodded, "It’s quite desolate there, so they’re looking for a suitable security company to protect the entire ceremony, with a bid of 40 million."

"We’ll consider taking on this order," Xu Yang thought aloud.

The strength that Lila had on the table was that of the strongest detective Witch in the Archipelago Continent, renowned far and wide, and she had already formed many partnerships with Mayor Oohara Nobuhiko, even getting a Special Protection Card issued by the Corporate Alliance. In their eyes, she was one of their own.

This fund could save a great number of projects; basically, it was a must-get.

"Any risks involved?" Xu Yang couldn’t help asking.

"A cyber-psychopath," Kanako sighed, "...an incredibly skilled cyber-psychopath named Hosoda Yoshiyuki, who has a major conflict with Kamibayashi Kurou. During the Blackfire Siege, a prison corporation got involved, and he escaped in the chaos, whereabouts unknown. Kurou and this guy have deep grievances, so he’s always complaining to his family that if he can’t kill him, he dares not do anything, let alone get married!"

Xu Yang did a quick search on Hosoda Yoshiyuki and found that his crimes for which he had been arrested were mainly against corporate crimes, that is, forcefully raiding and attacking corporate assets, unconditionally destroying any and all corporate powers.

Similar in nature to a Cyber Specter but this Hosoda Yoshiyuki was more direct, especially good at making his own weapons, unpredictable, and his capture was already 5 years ago.

"The business offered by Xisheng is indeed complicated," Xu Yang remarked, "No wonder they’re so generous."

"So, you’re agreeing?" Kanako was curious, "If it’s settled, I’ll communicate with Lila through official channels."

Xu Yang began to ponder.

Earning money was very important, and it also allowed for the chance to survey this Hosoda Yoshiyuki. If there was a basis for cooperation, then attempts to make contact might be in order.

From this perspective, the order simply had to be secured. After all, even if they didn’t take charge, Nestor Corporation, powerful foreign armies, and professional ninjas would be employed to minimize the threats Hosoda posed to corporate nobility. Better to have one’s own side handle everything and manage this corporate marriage alliance to be "perfect in every way."

"Agreed," Xu Yang nodded.

"That’s great!" Kanako was overjoyed.

Before long, Senzoune noticed that the commotion inside had become inappropriate, and signaled Du Qianqian with a glance, suggesting they move away to a distance. Du Qianqian had not yet reacted before being pulled away, wandering off to the courtyard outside with Senzoune.

"One day, this night view will all be mine," declared Du Qianqian ambitiously as she gazed at the glittering city in the night.

"Patience," Senzoune said.

Late into the night, after saying goodbye to Xu Yang and Du Qianqian, Senzoune helped Kanako tidy up the mess. Kanako seemed more radiant than ever.

"Yanagawa Fumihiko is coming," Senzoune said.

"Well, let him come," Kanako put her clothes back on, "What is he coming for?"

"Patience. I don’t know," Senzoune only had wariness in her heart towards Yanagawa Fumihiko, the First Warrior of Xisheng Enterprise, truly deserves his reputation. Lady Honma Noriko, concerned for her own safety, also commanded the Xisheng Research Center to keep upgrading and modifying Yanagawa Fumihiko until foolproof.

Yanagawa Fumihiko arrived by helicopter, representing Lady Honma Noriko, to inquire about the terms Kanako and the other party had agreed upon.

"Got a man?" he picked up on the pheromones lingering in the air.

"Perhaps," Kanako blushed.

"Why not have him marry into the family and join the Xisheng enterprise?" Yanagawa Fumihiko said coldly.

"I don’t think I hold... a particularly high position in his heart," Kanako sighed.

Yanagawa Fumihiko looked at Kanako, suddenly feeling as if many years were replaying, when numerous competitors for Lady Honma Noriko surrounded her, he had thought the same, not believing he had a special place in Lady Honma Noriko’s heart, thus forgoing all chances to be admitted, silently witnessing her spend her nights with over fifty men.

"If you don’t try, you will lose," he said, "That’s all I can tell you, little Kanako."