"Your job is merely to make one appearance when necessary, and then you can exit the stage," the young man, who had wanted to take a shortcut to complete his mission but hadn't received the system's approval, said to the dazed girl.
"Of course, I won't have you work for free. Once this matter is concluded, I can help you rescue Raiden Ryoma, who was framed, from prison."
"Eh—" Raiden Mei, completely oblivious to what use she could possibly be, exclaimed in surprise upon suddenly hearing such a grand promise.
On November 16, 2013, ME Corp was suddenly embroiled in a scandal involving alleged economic fraud. President Raiden Ryoma was accused of embezzling approximately 3.4 billion US dollars under the guise of fundraising for the development of ultra-high frequency electromagnetic field confinement, leading to his imprisonment.
It was precisely because of this incident that Anti-Entropy's radical faction swiftly took control of ME Corp, Anti-Entropy's most important economic lifeline, as well as its underground factories for mecha construction and development, greatly bolstering their power.
Honestly, if Raiden Ryoma hadn't "GG'd," Cocolia's influence within Anti-Entropy wouldn't be so exaggerated, nor would she have had the capability to use a part of Tokyo Metropolis as her personal testing ground.
Translator's Note: Both Nagazora City and Academy City from "A Certain Magical Index" are based on Tachikawa City, an important constituent area of Tokyo Metropolis.
"You also believe my father was framed?" Raiden Mei couldn't help but become agitated upon suddenly hearing news about her father.
She firmly believed that her father, the man who had taught her swordsmanship, who was strict yet unfailingly loving, would never be the kind of person to engage in economic fraud.
However, after her father's arrest, the classmates who had once surrounded her all dispersed, and rumors like "daughter of a fraudster" began to circulate.
All of this subjected Raiden Mei to immense torment.
Now, finally encountering someone willing to speak up for her father, Raiden Mei even forgot the fear Li Zihan had instilled in her. She took a step forward and grasped his hand.
Should I grab her in return, teach her a lesson? Li Zihan, feeling his hand ache, mused as he looked at the pretty face so close to his own.
Even though Raiden Mei couldn't utilize the power of her sealed Stigmata and unawakened Gem of Conquest, she had still been enhanced to a certain degree. When she exerted her strength, she could send burly, muscle-bound types flying several city blocks.
Raiden Mei was indeed very beautiful, but when she grabbed someone, it really, really hurt.
"It's an internal struggle within the organization," the young man, who knew exactly why Raiden Ryoma was imprisoned, stated. "A struggle between Anti-Entropy's conservative faction and its radical faction. The leader of the radical faction, to achieve her own objectives, plotted against your father."
"Anti-Entropy?" Raiden Mei was stunned, suddenly hearing such a grand-sounding term.
The existence of Honkai had not yet been fully disclosed to the public. Whether it was Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, or even World Serpent—which lacked Kevin's presence at this time—all were consciously concealing their tracks.
Honkai energy was a force of misfortune; those who came into contact with it rarely met a good end.
Raiden Mei's father, Raiden Ryoma, was an out-and-out doting father. To prevent her from coming into contact with the Honkai, he had even employed special techniques to seal her Stigmata.
With such a father, the only reason Raiden Mei even knew about the existence of Dead Ones was because Kiana had told her.
Kiana, who herself was unaware of an organization like Anti-Entropy, could only tell Raiden Mei some basic information about the Honkai, and certainly couldn't provide any intelligence regarding Anti-Entropy.
"What is that?" the girl, vaguely guessing that Anti-Entropy was an organization, asked, looking at the kidnapper, who seemed to know a great deal, with her bright eyes.
"Honkai, you should be aware of it, right? Anti-Entropy is a relatively humane organization that resists the Honkai," the young man, not minding sharing some information, explained about Anti-Entropy to Raiden Mei.
"Your father was an agent of Anti-Entropy's conservative faction, controlling vast resources. A rival agent from the radical faction, in order to seize those resources and test subjects, employed certain tactics to send him to prison."
Hearing these words, entirely different emotions surged within Raiden Mei's purple eyes. One was joy, the other, anger.
The joy, naturally, stemmed from the confirmation that her father was still that upright, indomitable man, not some petty thief who defrauded money.
The anger, then, was because her father had been framed by an agent seeking resources, his reputation dragged through the mud, and he had been thrown into prison.
"Can you tell me the name of the person who framed my father?" The doted-upon girl's delicate eyebrows arched, a sharp, incisive aura radiating from her.
Clearly, she was truly enraged.
"The leader of Anti-Entropy's radical faction, Cocolia," Li Zihan stated the name without any hesitation. "With Anti-Entropy's Sovereign, Welt, missing, and your father taken down, she's a madwoman who can practically represent more than half of Anti-Entropy."
Raiden Mei pressed her lips together tightly. She understood that Cocolia would be an incredibly difficult enemy for her to overcome, but she was still determined to confront her and seek justice for her father.
"If you want to defeat her, it would be best to wait until after Raiden Ryoma is rescued," the young man, who needed to establish contact with Anti-Entropy's two major factions, Schicksal, and World Serpent for his future operations, said, looking at Raiden Ryoma's daughter.
"Thank you so much for your help," Raiden Mei said softly, looking at the young man who, not long ago, had said he would rescue her father after she helped him with one task.
Although this fellow was crude and impolite, he was, after all, someone who would help rescue her father.
In light of such a kindness, any previous unpleasantness had long since vanished like smoke.
"As a Hero, I won't stand on the same battle line as some talentless madwoman who only knows how to recklessly cause trouble." The young man, who much preferred cooperating with Anti-Entropy's conservative faction over its radicals, let the corners of his mouth curve upwards slightly.
Compared to the conservative faction, whose members were mostly super-scientists and which had the support of Welt II, the value that Cocolia's radical faction could offer was pitifully small.
"I thank you on my father's behalf." Joy bloomed on Raiden Mei's face upon learning of the young man's stance, and the strength in her hand unconsciously increased by several degrees.
"There's no need for thanks," the young man, who had his own calculations, said, his mouth twitching slightly as he looked at the girl still gripping his hand.
He seemed to finally understand what those peculiar metaphors from "Type-Moon Heavy Industries" were all about. These girls possessing supernatural powers truly had astounding physical strength.
"Although being held by a pretty girl like this should count as me gaining an advantage, your grip is too strong. It really does hurt."
"Eh—"