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“A strategic partner… Not bad. No, rather, it’s refreshing, so it’s even better.”

“Haa……”

I averted my eyes from Aaron, who was examining his hand under the light after shaking hands with me, turning it this way and that while muttering to himself, even though I didn’t remember getting anything on my hand.

Even if the work is sloppy and formal, isn’t it enough if the person involved is satisfied? I would cautiously assert that… He seems to be feeling a bit too much joy, beyond satisfaction, but I don’t want to bother looking into that man’s head, so I’ll just move on.

Now, all that’s left is to get out of here quickly, before more fault is found.

I’ll just say goodbye to the doctor at the clinic where I stayed for a while, and never revisit this city.

“Hmm? Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“Well… I told you? I have things to do in Neo Haven.”

There shouldn’t be any special business left to stop me in my tracks.

Miraculously. Even though I somehow managed to find a compromise, there was no good reason for me, a virtual outsider, to stay in the heart of the corporation for long.

At least Aaron, who now has more reason to hide my existence from others, will surely take care of keeping things quiet, so I’ll rest assured about that…

“How can I let you go without even reviewing the bereavement compensation you’re here to receive, let alone providing a proper estimate?”

“Ah? But that’s….”

Why bring up the tacit lie we agreed not to delve into now?

The story that came out of the petty criticisms, which were hardly enough to use as an excuse to harass me, was more tempting than I thought.

“Miss Anastasia’s sister. She was an excellent police officer and model citizen who had worked for six years, even by the year, and always received the highest evaluations in her performance reviews. …I can use my discretion to provide very generous compensation for a meritorious person who died in the line of duty while trying to prevent an unfortunate accident.”

“……”

I barely managed to hold onto my head, which was about to nod up and down.

I almost fell for it right away, even though I knew it was dangerous sweet talk.

It’s very appreciated that I’m getting additional income that I wasn’t expecting at all. Especially now that I don’t have a decent job.

However, even if it’s a one-time financial aid, I was afraid of the aftermath of accepting it without knowing why.

“I appreciate the excessive kindness, but I’m not going to just take the money….”

“For example, to add a little to the capital needed to start a new organization to achieve your goals… or something like that.”

…Ah.

I was only planning to ask them to turn a blind eye if I had any more problems with Paradise, but from the start, they were planning to solidify the relationship with quite a full-fledged support. Or maybe, as expected of a rich family’s butler, he doesn’t skimp on things that can be solved with money….

“So, what do you think? A blank check from Paradise is really rare?”

“Hmm….”

But an organization… I don’t know what kind of misunderstanding they’re having.

It’s true that I’ve always been strapped for Credits… but when I’m tempted by the devil’s offer to get rid of all my financial difficulties, I’m speechless.

In the first place, now that the Credits to go out with the Implant have become zero, there’s no urgent need for consumption.

Furthermore, it’s not even difficult to maintain a comfortable life and personal safety, so there’s no need to incur such debt already….

……Wait a minute, debt?

“…100 million Credits.”

“100 million Credits, is it?”

I ignored Aaron’s very strange expression and repeated it firmly.

“No more, no less, 100 million is enough.”

“……”

The sudden silence was short. The laughter that followed was long.

“Hahahaha!! You have quite a cute side to you…? Did you just throw out a big number as you pleased? It’s okay to grow together while trembling at small expenses, but I want to tell you that it’s also really important to know how to objectively assess your value.”

…Does this guy think I’m an idiot or a refugee?

If you want to get some high-tier special equipment or modified vehicles in the late game, it really costs billions of units, so I’d be very disappointed if you thought I said that because I don’t know the ways of the world.

And I know very well that hackers have endless ways to make money if they have bad intentions. …Of course, I’m not saying I’m going to do that.

“Who said my value is 100 million Credits? I’m sorry, but I’m in debt for a life I have to repay, so I’m going to take care of that first.”

You can laugh all you want.

I’ve tied up the loose ends with Aaron for sure. Once I solve this, I can finally live as an individual without any debts of the heart or enemies to repay.

“Are you talking about the baby you woke up with from Cold Sleep?”

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

…It seems that people who think and suspect too much fall into their own tricks.

Well, even while talking about pie in the sky until the end.

Aaron diligently handled the compensation issue and said goodbye to me with an impeccable attitude.

“I was just curious about the person you cherish so much. Besides, the fact that you remembered me with just this small amount of money… I’m quite jealous.”

“Whatever….”

Whether I should call that a greeting or see it as a notice of a crime to be committed later, I couldn’t tell for now, but anyway. I was finally able to escape safely from the clutches of Paradise, from the monster named Aaron Dreyfus.

But, didn’t I forget something because I was so taken by the huge sum of 100 million Credits…?

……No way, it must be because of his chilling declaration that he would contact me without hesitation if he had something to ask.

Let’s go quickly and use up these burdensome Credits.

I’ll say it in advance, this is Credits received as legitimate compensation, so it would be a big mistake if you think I’ll unconditionally take on dirty work corresponding to it! Really!

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

“Oh dear….”

Aaron didn’t take his eyes off me even through the slowly closing office door, and he continued to watch the camera until Anastasia left the building.

Regret flowed over his lips. The light he had almost grasped in his hand faded into the city.

He wanted to talk a little more and exchange ideas a little more to see the picture she had in her mind, but… unfortunately, the deadline had passed, so he didn’t hold onto his strategic partner any longer.

Even if he had regrets, he would stop here for now. If he prioritized his personal desires too much, he could ruin the great cause.

And above all, an important guest that even Aaron couldn’t ignore could appear through that door at any moment.

“M-Mr. Dreyfussss…? The three servings of breakfast you ordered, I brought them without delay as soon as they were finished cooking!!”

A pathetic and mournful scream echoed from the doorway.

The source of the sound was the employee who had just arrived.

On the large tray held up in one hand were neatly arranged meals and drinks for as many as three people.

Unlike his motionless arm, his face and body were constantly vibrating like an aspen tree, but Aaron didn’t bother to scold the poor employee.

“Thank you for your hard work. You can put it on the table and leave.”

“Yes…!”

Almost bursting into tears, the employee rushed to prepare the meals for the executives.

Naturally, the woman who was standing crookedly with her arm around the employee’s shoulder also entered the room.

“Tsk tsk… These days, young people have so little backbone that it’s hard to play with them.”

“Well… Isn’t it because everyone knows their place and keeps the gaps and differences in society that the chairman created?”

Thump!

The woman, who maintained an unrefined accent, an arrogant and outrageous attitude that didn’t match her glossy appearance, lay down on the sofa without even taking off her shoes.

The employee was restless because of the boot marks clearly imprinted on the sofa and the constantly waving arms.

She had been enjoying the tense reaction until just now, but she didn’t care about it at all, and even while yawning loudly, she replied to her subordinate, who never failed to disappoint her.

“Haa…! Whether it’s the standard of living or social status. We have to clearly divide the sections so that we can easily see the heretics who don’t conform and try to jump over the gaps, right?”

From the deformed structure of Harvest Planet to the thorough top-down company structure. Even the citizenship grades that have become entrenched worldwide.

One of the monsters who forced his own philosophy and ideology on the surviving billions of people was looking at the scenery of the room… and belatedly remembered the purpose of his visit when he saw that there was not even a shadow of the usual AnDroid group.

“So! Where is that cheeky little kid who supposedly gave you a hard time? I really wanted to meet her.”

“Ah, that hacker….”

Slowly dragging out the end of his words, he rolled various excuses in his mouth.

The cleanest way to eliminate the chairman’s strong interest is to report that Anastasia was an insignificant person. But… humans are not animals that only make the right decisions.

Aaron Dreyfus, who managed to control his barely rising lips and twisting face, completed his usual suspicious expression and turned around.

He swept his slightly disheveled hair back again. He told a blatant lie to the chairman, who was his king… his teacher… and whom he had served for half his life, with only half as much respect.

“I’m sorry, Chairman. My abilities were insufficient, so I couldn’t even properly invite that lady to the meal.”

“…That’s quite something.”

The displeasure that his visit had been in vain was only temporary. This time, the chairman called back the employee who was leaving, asking if he would like to join the vacant meal, and began to harass him.

And Aaron, who succeeded in committing an absurd rebellion, took the coffee with the fragrant coffee beans and soft milk from the tray first and brought it to his lips, with a faint smile.