Chapter 402
2-in-1-chapter
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"After Aurora PMC was founded, they soon relocated to Bolivia. Over the following year or so, it appears they eliminated the country's remaining factions and became the dominant power in Bolivia."
Her niece's words sent Hanako Arasaka into quiet contemplation.
To wipe out the competing powers within Bolivia was not an extraordinary feat on its own—Arasaka, Militech, or even Continental Arms could have achieved it. The difference was that Aurora was a new company, barely a year into its existence, and yet they had done just that. That alone proved they were not to be underestimated.
The irritation in Hanako Arasaka's expression faded slightly.
"And how's their operational performance?"
"Very good. Before they went to Bolivia, there was a case involving the son of a tire magnate who had been kidnapped. Aurora not only rescued the client's son, but also eliminated all future threats for him."
"What kind of threats?"
"The group responsible for the kidnapping was the Salamanca Cartel out of Mexico. If Aurora had simply rescued the boy, the client would have remained vulnerable to future attacks. So instead, Aurora killed the Salamanca Cartel's boss."
"That's... ruthless."
Hanako Arasaka's eyes lit up.
Now she understood why her niece had recommended this PMC in the first place.
This was what it meant to solve problems for a price. Not just to retrieve the hostage, but to remove every loose end that could cause trouble down the line.
"Very well. Then go ahead and make contact with Aurora PMC."
Michiko Arasaka tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued.
"Aurora's track record is certainly impressive, but Kaukaz Tech is no slouch either. Why don't you even consider them?"
"The Russians have strength, yes, but their trustworthiness? Never trust a Russian," Hanako replied, shaking her head. "Back during the Seven Years War, Russia was originally in an alliance with France and Austria, fighting against Prussia and Britain."
"At one point, Prussia was nearly defeated. Then Peter III of Russia ascended to the throne and suddenly proposed peace with Prussia. Russia pulled out of the alliance and even returned occupied Prussian territories."
"That betrayal didn't just stab France and Austria in the back—it disgraced every Russian soldier who had shed blood on the front lines."
"The Seven Years' War is only one of many examples. Russia has betrayed its allies time and time again throughout history. So if we have a choice, we'd best avoid working with them."
Michiko didn't object either way.
Still, in the quiet of her thoughts, she noticed how pointed her aunt's disdain sounded—less like strategic caution and more like long-held bias. Hanako had always been firm in her views, but the way she spoke of the Russians carried a tone of finality that left no room for nuance.
Michiko, though educated in the New United States, had earned her degree from a top-tier institution and maintained a thorough, self-directed study of international history and political behavior. She was no stranger to the legacy of betrayal Hanako referred to—she simply didn't believe history alone could dictate present-day alliances.
That said, with Hanako having already dismissed Kaukaz Tech, there was little point in pressing the issue. Judging by the performance reports alone, Aurora's short history was already more impressive. If the choice were left to her, she would likely have made the same call.
"Understood, Aunt Hanako. I'll reach out to them."
The words came from Michiko Arasaka, speaking through the holoprojection.
"Money isn't an issue. As long as they can eliminate Yorinobu Arasaka, whatever they ask, we'll pay it."
Hanako wasn't the least bit concerned about feeding Aurora PMC to the point of creating another Militech.
Even if they were kings in Bolivia, Bolivia was no New United States.
Whatever Arasaka could give, it could also take back.
After discussing a few more matters with Michiko, the call ended.
Once the projection faded, the room dimmed into silence.
Hanako whispered, "Lights," and the room lit up brightly once again.
She sat down. A service drone rolled over silently, bringing her a bottle of wine and a tall crystal glass.
Even though the plan to deal with Yorinobu was now underway, Hanako didn't feel any particular relief.
She couldn't be certain Aurora PMC could actually kill him.
And if even they failed, she'd have to come up with a new solution.
But it was already late.
Whatever problems or complications awaited—she could leave them to tomorrow's self.
Late nights were a woman's worst enemy.
Even in 2077, with mature beauty treatments and anti-aging tech, if one stayed up night after night, smoking and drinking without restraint, no technology would save them.
Even uploading one's consciousness to Mikoshi and downloading it into a fresh body wouldn't work forever.
With the current limits of Arasaka's relic technology, such "rebirth" could only happen a few times before the soul began to degrade.
True immortality wasn't possible yet.
To live longer, one needed to care for the body after each transfer—healthy diet, healthy routines, healthy living.
Only then could one survive long enough to reach the era of true eternal life.
Just as Hanako prepared to rest, a voice suddenly echoed through the room.
"It is an honor that Miss Hanako would entrust our company with such delicate matters."
"Who's there?!"
She turned toward the source of the voice.
From thin air, a figure materialized where moments earlier there had been nothing.
The figure wore a full-body exosuit, and their face was completely hidden behind a sealed helmet. Gender and identity were unidentifiable.
Hanako instinctively stepped back, her face filled with alarm.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?"
"Weren't you planning to contact Aurora PMC? I am the director of Aurora."
"The director of Aurora PMC? Did Yorinobu send you?!"
Hanako wasn't foolish—she quickly put the pieces together.
If the head of Aurora was here in her residence, then there was only one explanation.
Yorinobu had gotten to them first and hired them already.
She and her brother had reached the same conclusion—and acted on it.
Her expression shifted as her mind raced.
"Wait," she said quickly. "I know my brother hired you—but that doesn't matter. Whatever he's paying you, I'll double it."
Her residence was under strict guard, and yet this man had entered without triggering a single alarm.
That alone proved Aurora PMC's strength.
And if they could reach her, they could reach Yorinobu too.
If they could kill him, then Arasaka would belong to her.
Yes—to her alone, not shared with her niece.
Once Yorinobu was dead, Michiko wouldn't be needed.
This wasn't just about power—Hanako had never respected her niece.
Michiko had lived her entire life as a caged bird, rarely leaving Japan, and in doing so had absorbed the greatest amount of influence from their father, Saburo Arasaka.
And Saburo had despised Americans more than anyone.
After America's collapse, it was replaced by the New United States.
Hanako, having inherited her father's hatred completely, saw Michiko—born and raised in the New United States—as inherently unworthy.
Especially when she remembered what Michiko had done during the Fourth Corporate War, just to avoid deportation. In Hanako's eyes, her niece had no spine at all.
Hanako wasn't as aggressive as Yorinobu, but she too saw no honor in groveling before the New United States or Militech. It was beneath Arasaka.
Her cooperation with Michiko had only been out of necessity—Yorinobu's faction was powerful. Without an alliance, their weaker factions would have been crushed one by one.
But if Yorinobu died, that alliance would become obsolete. Michiko could join their father in the afterlife, and Hanako would lose no sleep over it.
"Double the payment…" Hanako said firmly.
Upon hearing Hanako Arasaka's words, Leo's expression turned strange. "Do you even know what your brother promised me?"
She caught the implication instantly, but pressed forward without hesitation.
"Whatever he promised, I'll pay you twice as much. Arasaka honors its debts."
Leo remembered the stockpiles of rare materials hidden in the coastal warehouses. He recalled the generous aid package Yorinobu had promised.
If that offer were doubled, Bolivia might leap from one of Latin America's poorest nations to its most developed stronghold.
"Tempting offer," Leo said.
"But I refuse."
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