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I confidently raised my head towards the mercenaries and corporate personnel who had accompanied them for information gathering and situation assessment, all of whom were staring at me.

Some suspicious glances and questioning voices might have made someone with something to hide feel uneasy, but…

“The traces and remnants of the battle have been confirmed. But… don’t you really have anything that could help track or identify them? Even the Droid’s memory data, or something?”

“…They don’t even have hackers? What are you expecting from something in this state?”

Thump, thump!

I expressed my blatant displeasure and tapped the body of the tin can, which had an axe handle sticking out of it, unasked for… and was generally a scratched-up mess.

My actions were laden with the implication that there was no benefit to be gained from a person who had suffered such significant property damage and a robot in such a pitiful state lying.

And… what else are you going to do? Actually arrest the original informant who reported that Five Eyes was lurking nearby?

Both sides glared at each other without budging an inch.

I really, really, really didn’t want to do it, but if they pushed me too hard and left me no choice, I could pretend to be crazy and make a call to someone waaaaay up there and unleash a hellish tirade.

“…It would be difficult to expect anything more than a thorough report. Please wait in the plaza for the remainder of your shift until the event concludes.”

As if having glimpsed the unusual rampage within me, the corporate supervisor took a breath and then led the troops past me.

Whether they turned the scene upside down or started chasing after them blindly was now their problem. It was no longer my concern.

They didn’t even mention compensation or worker’s compensation, trying to get away with it scot-free…

“Ugh… I feel sick…”

Now that all eyes were gone, I gave up pretending to be okay and clutched my churning stomach again.

A stiff but careful hand supported me as I was about to slump to the ground.

-Was it really necessary to help those guys by even lying? You even secretly concealed information about the engineering facility.-

“I don’t gain anything by selling them out. And freelancers like me can only pick up scraps when whales fight each other. More than anything, those two aren’t the type to get messed up in a place like this…”

I subtly hinted at something related to the future knowledge I had explained before, and the tin can quietly agreed.

As I sprawled out in the sturdy iron cradle, completely drained of energy, gazing at the dark blue night sky and stars where the sunset had almost disappeared, the commotion from just moments ago felt like a lie.

-But you were amazing, considering you downplay yourself as a mere freelancer. Even searching the network doesn’t turn up any related technology, let alone similar cases.-

“Ah… that? It’s just simple signal interference. Any hacker worth their salt can do that as a side hustle, you know?”

Originally, Network Hackers have such diverse specialties and skill trees that there aren’t enough sockets to equip everything with Implants.

It’s not for nothing that the hikikomori – shut-in – profession, where they hole up in their rooms, fortify their hideouts with dedicated equipment, and don’t budge from inside, has become so common. I just think I have a little more freedom of movement… and the advantage of not having to buy separate devices.

Even Rosalyn, if she hadn’t been on a business trip outside with inadequate preparation, might have been evenly matched… I cautiously predicted.

-……If Asha is so sure, then I will not disagree separately.-

“Yeah… yeah…”

Even though it made my stomach churn quite a bit.

I reached out and patted the good student, who immediately searched for unknown information and was ready to learn.

My hand automatically rubbed the surface due to the lingering aftershocks.

The rough texture, which had become quite prickly in half a day, gave me a headache. Furthermore, since I had almost no knowledge of mechanics, it was difficult to judge whether the estimate was within the scope of this bonus.

But I couldn’t hold him responsible for something he did to try and be helpful.

Now that I had decided to treat him as an equal individual, a partner, I could slowly adjust our clunky teamwork.

“Let’s go. Even though the leaflet distribution is over, they’re obviously going to use that facility to wrap up the show, so we should wait in the plaza as the corporate supervisor said.”

-If the goal is to interfere, I can go back now and destroy the equipment.-

“…Let’s watch first.”

After answering, I tried to get up from my languid body, but… the tin can’s hand, which had been placed near my lower back, didn’t move away. No, it actually lifted my body higher…?!

“Hey! What are you doing?!”

-? I am aware that Asha strives to improve her physical fitness, but there is no reason to overexert herself even when exhausted. This is basic Care Bot work.-

An arm suddenly came under my knees and snatched me into the air.

My head could have shaken violently from the unexpected, violent, and forced change of position, but I was safe thanks to the arm that supported the back of my head.

In fact, it was more than safe, it was surprisingly comfortable… but this was a mode of transportation that my dignity could never accept.

“Do you want to die? Change your position right now?!”

-This is the best ergonomically verified….-

I scolded the tin can, who looked bewildered, not knowing what he had done wrong.

If I could just endure the embarrassment and shame, it would be the perfect escort, but since I was the target, it was absolutely illegal.

Remember this, you little rascal.

There are only two ways for a man to ride a robot, and since you’re not a giant robot with a separate cockpit, you’re only allowed to do it this way from now on?

……First, lower your shoulder a little.

“Oh…”

The carriages that had circled the city along the central road entered the plaza one after another.

Despite being a hastily arranged parade that aimed solely at increasing consumption, without any religious overtones or a family-oriented atmosphere that encouraged population growth, the sight of so many people gathered was spectacular.

Normally, even a small crowd would significantly limit my visibility, but suddenly, my eye level had grown explosively, and my field of vision had widened.

Indeed, one must be tall… was reducing the area of impact that important, past me?

-Are you uncomfortable without a backrest?-

“No, not at all!”

I rhythmically swung my legs that were dangling down.

Sitting on the tin can’s good shoulder, I could see the main stage installed in front of the plaza and the Christmas tree very clearly.

It might be even better if I could subtly tap into the line of one of the filming drones flying above, but… I was satisfied with this.

The exhilarating feeling given by the surrounding colorful decorations and the excited atmosphere.

I could feel the heat emanating from the dense crowd, but I was watching from two heads above the fray, with a sense of openness.

…If it weren’t for even these small differences, I would have been sick of the crowd filling the front of the stage and would have run back to the situation room.

What do these people think they’re going to get out of gathering like this?

Wasn’t all that was left the fireworks and the lighting ceremony?

Thump… thump…!

“Ahem… ahem.”

An employee in a bright yellow Paradise suit, who had climbed onto the stage platform, checked the microphone connection.

Once for noise, and once to clear his throat, the emcee.

As if there were some kind of event regulations, his mouth opened, having meticulously put on reindeer antler headbands and even a Rudolph nose, capturing the attention of the audience.

“Dear citizens…! I am honored to announce with great pleasure that thanks to everyone’s dedication and effort this year, the factory operating rate and industrial product shipment rate have been updated to the highest levels.”

“As expected…!!”

“…Isn’t it funny that the guys who whipped us are saying that?”

“Shh! It’s not like it’s the first time, just let it go.”

I could hear people murmuring at the extremely formal opening remarks.

I was a little surprised that there were so many positive views, or should I say expectations.

“Of course! As we have exceeded our goals, there will be an additional drawing for Paradise-issued pension lottery winners, and those who are connected to the plaza network even at the time the lighting ceremony ends will receive one free ticket even if they missed the purchase opportunity, so please don’t forget to receive it with your Cyberware….”

Ah… there was something, wasn’t there? Something to get.

If just being there provided some kind of lottery ticket, then this level of participation was understandable.

Looking at the number of cameras floating in the air like a swarm of bees, there must be many corporate officials watching the event from here and there, so it must be nice to see so many people.

If you’re going to manipulate public sentiment, it’s less stingy to put a piece of candy in their mouths. Of course.

……Wait, then why didn’t they tell the mercenaries in advance? Could it be that event officials are excluded from the drawing to ensure fairness?

“Sigh… Tin Can, tell me right away if you see anything suspicious.”

-Confirmed.-

I entrusted the task of surveillance to him, who possessed at least ten times the analytical and interpretive power than I did, and turned on the terminal screen, which had not been organized at all since I had rushed out earlier.

And the first thing I saw was the hacker community, which had regained its usual noisy and unproductive appearance, and.

[A-ssi!! Where did you go?! I’ll avenge the leader! Come on!!]

…The traces of Rosalyn, who was full of lingering feelings.

I hope you don’t worry about this side anymore, and please prioritize the work of the organization you belong to. That way, I can quickly wrap things up, stop by the repair center, and book a train ticket.