Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 380 - 343 The Ritual Begins_2

Chapter 380: Chapter 343 The Ritual Begins_2

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"Do we still need 100,000 cannon fodder?" Kanako asked curiously.

"It’s about culture," Xu Yang said, "Training an islander who loves comics into a soldier costs over a hundred thousand, whereas turning those natives of the Taiya Archipelago who are accustomed to blood and violence into soldiers is much cheaper... This is also why Black Fire Innovation can keep waging wars."

"If the tests go well, Xisheng Group will also make large purchases," Kanako said, "I will gather them as Xisheng’s reserve power."

As the private army of Kojima Kanako, Xu Yang thought to himself. If we could produce even 100 units by the end of the year, we’d have an extra trump card in our hands.

With that, the inspection at the Nestor-Tanaka Industrial Park concluded. The production line for Type B Synthetic Humans would soon be set up, and once raw materials were acquired, production could begin.

The funds provided by Kanako fueled the military-industrial complex enterprise of Nestor Corporation, gradually expanding its operations.

Later, Xu Yang returned to his apartment within Shijin Mansion to Farosa’s secret room.

"They’ve all arrived," Farosa showed Xu Yang some ancient manuscripts that had been purchased from overseas, pointing to a folded page in one of the old scrolls, "Look at this stain. One night I left it open on the table and went to sleep, and a cat peed on it. It took a long while to air out."

Kirino Reisei sat in a corner of the secret room, helping to check and translate the secret script footnotes in these manuscripts. Farosa’s understanding of the secret script was not as profound as Kirino Reisei’s. Since the Eternal Cherry Blossom Shrine had a complete system of secret script inheritance, they needed Kirino Reisei’s help.

"Is she feeling better?" Xu Yang asked softly.

"Yes, because Nanase Kizuna published her comics," Farosa opened the news on the smart screen.

Xu Yang saw an array of new headlines—food prices rising over 200%, Suzukawa Kiyo officially announcing an indefinite hiatus, sightings of Yan Duo in the Great Northern Region, and Kirino Reisei’s comic "Siphon!" receiving glowing serial reviews.

Xu Yang opened the first Chapter of "Siphon!" The hand-drawn style of Nanase Kizuna was extremely delicate, capable of impacting even those least able to appreciate art. Its storyboarding and composition were filled with genius concepts. With such incredible visuals, readers were willing to follow the story no matter how absurd it was.

The story itself was also very clear and fast-paced, focusing on a Witch tasked with saving the world, telling her story of being trapped in the mountains, repressed and without freedom, until a seven-tailed fox enters her life. As her quiet life is disrupted, they leave rural life and break into a nest city with technology far beyond the present world, filled with peculiar higher species and plenty of robots. The first Chapter’s world-building was revealing a magnificent glimpse into a larger, intricately crafted universe.

"This is related to Kirino Reisei," Xu Yang smiled, "No wonder she’s motivated."

"Right, I told her that she must finish translating 120,000 characters of secret script before I would allow her to quietly write a letter to Nanase Kizuna," Farosa said, "Another benefit is that she’s not constantly contemplating death anymore."

Xu Yang then saw another headline: Black Fire Innovation rallying its largest force ever in preparation for a strategic battle next spring. To this end, all military units in the Eastern Hemisphere were making ready for what could be the most brutal corporate war in history.

"The focus of everyone outside the island is on this strategic battle," Xu Yang said.

Farosa glanced sideways, noting from military observation reports that the sheer number of space motherships was uncountable. The Black Fire Innovative Faction had dispatched space motherships such as the Martinez, Roberto, The Semburi, and General Songcai, totaling seven; Heavenly Cardinal Manufacturing had dispatched the Tianxuan, Phecda, and Tianquan, totaling six. Kyushu High Pavilion had dispatched two space motherships led by C-1 and C-2 and a fleet consisting of 7000 shuttle machines for warfare.

Additionally, there was the Hanzo previously ordered by Kyoto Infinity, which had now been transferred to Heavenly Cardinal Manufacturing and would participate in the battle. If it survived, it would be returned to Kyoto Infinity.

"What a spectacular fireworks display," Farosa said, "Both sides together have over 600,000 participants in the war."

"Yeah..." Xu Yang thought to himself.

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After several months of mutual probing, both sides realized that only a total war could determine the victor, and they abandoned any attempts at diplomatic mediation.

Thus, this corporate war, which would decide the dominion over the Eastern Hemisphere, was about to erupt thunderously.

"Come, let them slaughter each other, while we make the final preparations for the Witch Transformation Ceremony," Farosa said.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes," Farosa rose, showing Xu Yang the ancient manuscripts she had purchased, "The knowledge recorded in the books is only seventy percent of what’s needed, thankfully Kirino Reisei decoded the secret scripts, allowing me to understand the remaining thirty percent of the meaning."

"A new miracle?"

"A story," Farosa’s fingers intertwined, "about the past Empresses, so intelligent, cunning, and authoritative, it all made me understand deeper. I need your help, Xu Yang."

"I can help you," said Xu Yang, "All other matters have been resolved, or can be disregarded for now, we can now devote ourselves entirely to the ceremony."

"Good," Farosa nodded slightly, her gaze growing more profound, her heart echoing with terrifying illusions and chaotic thoughts, all for the sake of her grand blueprint, her philosophy.

In the following weeks, she and Xu Yang made several key preparations.

Using Yamano Sanae as the vessel, Farosa transferred her Ocean Divine Power into Yamano Sanae, then made sure the transformed seawater from Yamano Sanae could fit into a 750-milliliter thermos cup.

Xu Yang collected the poisons provided by the Poison Master, and in early December, he had Sally release Divine Power to transform Clares the Second back into an enormous Ocean Descendant, the so-called Crimson Prince, hiding it in the deep sea, creating a bit of news to prove its presence to the world.

Farosa also modified the halo of the Chainsaw Angel into a magic power vessel she could use, filling it with the Power of the Law of Recovery. Activating the halo’s power would return the target to its condition from 24 hours prior, with the stored power capable of three uses.

On December 21st, 149, the day before the winter solstice, at about 5 PM.

"It’s time to leave," Xu Yang knocked on the door, "Twelve more hours, as agreed, let’s meet on the beach at 5:30 AM tomorrow."

"Mmm," Farosa answered from behind the door.

She was about to personally change the course of history. Farosa looked up at the pitch-black chamber.

Control history, create the momentum, and propel the historical tides.

Only by attaining such a position, with such a great energy to impact the world, could one be worthy of becoming the Witch Goddess. Otherwise, one would just be a hermit creature cowering in a corner of the world, relegated by the era.

At this moment, her long-awaited state of mind for Ascension was more apparent than ever; all her ambition, ideals, and will were condensed in this ceremony. It was at the instant of the ceremony’s completion that her mindset would reach perfection, suitable for Ascension.

A deep breath.

"Well, let’s begin," Farosa pushed the door open.