Chapter 59
Chapter 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Black Lion Arrives
-----------------------------------------------------------------
6 PM at the port district of T&C's Special Trade Center.
Normally, this would be the time when workers in coveralls bustled about, but not today.
Instead, soldiers from the defense fleet and police from the security team had turned out in full force, standing by in the port district.
"The Ezerton patriarch is arriving earlier than originally scheduled. We absolutely cannot afford any mistakes."
"Of course, Director!"
Laila Chemberlin, the city's ruler, nodded silently at the Crisis Management Team Leader's response.
The Ezerton patriarch was known to the public as the Black Lion, flaunting his bravery, but he was treated a bit differently among Mega Corp's upper echelons.
Laila defined Mars noble Denver Ezerton this way.
'An eccentric.'
Generally, humans of Noble Capital or Prime Capital stock weren't kind to those beneath them. It was typical to view them as slaves or possessions, like Akira Yujin, or to treat them with cold professionalism, like Laila herself.
The only Prime Capital who enjoyed widespread popularity among the masses was the Ezerton family patriarch.
'Which means all the hassle falls on us.'
Laila kept a blank expression on the outside, but inside, irritation and anger were bubbling up.
Denver was originally supposed to arrive two days from now, the day before the board meeting.
Yet Laila was preparing to receive him this early because intelligence had come in that Denver was already en route to the city ahead of schedule.
'He loves his surprise shows.'
It was undoubtedly a stunt to show off to the city's masses.
Still, she couldn't just let him show up whenever. Snubbing a popular guest would have the citizens pointing fingers at Laila, and Saddam Chemberlin would surely be deeply disappointed in her performance.
'...That fox.'
While Laila was suppressing her frustration on one side, security team police were gathered on the other, holding a meeting.
"Is the port district security team finished with cleanup?"
"Damn, coming right in the middle of the smuggler mess. We really had our hands full."
"Good work. Oh, and William, you did great tracking those smugglers. If not for you, we'd have embarrassed ourselves in front of our VIP guest. Haha."
"...Thank you."
"Ahem, you're still hanging on as port district detective captain, but good news should be coming soon. Look forward to it."
William was receiving congratulations from everyone, but he felt deeply uneasy inside.
They knew nothing. They had no idea how grave the danger this city was currently facing.
'...Ezerton.'
In the past, William had been a soldier. Not in a regular Crisis Management Team, but in a secret unit directly under the incoming Denver Ezerton.
'The place testing the new Hulk Mutants.'
Improving Hulk Mutants was tantamount to challenging the Yujin Family, so Denver had poured resources into secrecy.
All members of that unit had been given falsified records. On paper, William had served in the Crisis Management Team aboard the Ezerton flagship.
But in William's eyes, Denver wasn't a bad man. On the contrary, he was unusually good-hearted for a Mega Corp ruler, almost a saint. Officially, Denver denied the secret unit's existence, but he quietly looked after its members.
If not for that incident, William and his comrades would still be loyally serving under Denver.
'If only that damn traitor hadn't colluded with the test subject...'
One comrade in the secret unit had betrayed Denver. He'd escaped with a prototype new-type Hulk Mutant and vanished.
Fortunately for Denver and William, the news hadn't reached the Yujin Family. But for secrecy's sake, the unit was disbanded, and William and the others had to start new lives.
'If His Highness still remembers me...'
If he could just convey his situation, perhaps the being threatening this city could be dealt with.
As William was lost in thought, alarm sirens blared suddenly from speakers installed throughout the district.
It was the signal that a ship had arrived.
The dark sky over the port district shimmered briefly in response. The double shield gates installed there had activated, affecting the hologram.
Then, a rift at least 200 meters wide tore open in the sky. The massive shield gates parted, and a warship emerged, proudly displaying its might.
The new-model warship was primarily white with golden accents. At 700 meters long and 100 meters tall, its colossal size was visible even from the district boundaries.
Bathed in light pouring from the dome-shaped ceiling fixtures, it evoked the image of a hero's vessel from ancient myths.
"So, a new model after five years, finally."
Laila muttered upon seeing the warship for the first time.
The warship descended slowly and landed atop the district.
Its hatch opened, and figures clad in silver armor like medieval European knights stepped out. It was the Ezerton Silver Lion Knight Order, known to everyone in Mega Corp.
In truth, they weren't wearing real armor but high-grade reinforced suits painted silver. Far from medieval tradition, but Denver, who valued image, had ordered the theatrics.
'All show and no substance.'
Laila clicked her tongue inwardly, but from a civilian perspective, Denver's choice seemed to garner considerable approval. The soldiers and police in the district were all gazing at the Silver Lion Knights with eyes full of admiration.
The knights who disembarked lined up, leaving the center open. The knight at the far right front, clad in the thickest, largest armor, hoisted a flag emblazoned with a lion high and shouted.
"The great lord of Mars and Black Lion of Ezerton, His Highness Denver Ezerton arrives!"
In time with his introduction, Denver made his final descent.
In contrast to the other knights, he wore black armor with golden decorations. He was Mars's Prime Capital, Denver Ezerton.
As he descended, Denver removed his helmet. The black-skinned man with gleaming white teeth grinned and raised his hand high.
Laila had stationed the soldiers and police to match their side, so she signaled the Crisis Management Team Leader beside her.
He hurriedly started clapping, and the soldiers and police in the port district erupted in cheers.
Denver waved lightly in response to the cheers. Reveling in them, he leisurely passed through the ranks of aligned knights.
And at last, the pinnacle figures of Mega Corp faced each other.
Laila broke the brief silence first.
"Laila Chemberlin, daughter of Saddam Chemberlin, greets Denver Ezerton, patriarch of the Prime Capital Ezerton family."
"It's been a while. Who'd have thought the little girl from not long ago would grow into such a fine lady."
"Thank you. But please address me as Chief Administrator now, Denver."
Denver chuckled at her smile that didn't reach her eyes. He scanned the surroundings again and muttered in apparent admiration.
"Well, well. I put some effort into security myself. Saddam will be pleased."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Give the reporters some time with it. That's why I brought the prototype warship."
"They're already waiting outside the district."
"Oh, really? Impressive!"
Denver nodded with a proud expression. Laila ground her teeth inwardly at his carefree attitude but didn't show it.
'Someday, without fail...!'
In Mega Corp, the Noble Capitals and Prime Capitals together were called the Seven Great Families, Seven Great Nobles, but the gap between the two classes was quite significant.
Only Noble Capitals could run for CEO, while Prime Capitals had voting rights limited to family elders and patriarchs.
Even so, kingmakers held no small influence, so Prime Capitals actively wielded their authority.
Like Denver Ezerton, laughing heartily before Laila's eyes.
Despite arriving early unannounced and rudely pushing warship promotion, it was mere public show. His real intent was to test Laila, tasked with board preparations.
To see if she, if T&C, was worthy of the next CEO seat, if she was worth betting on from the Ezerton family.
"Haha, still no openings, as ever."
As she showed no particular reaction, Denver laughed loudly. The first test was over.
Laila sighed inwardly and spoke again.
"Leave the rest to the others and come with me to the administrative district. I have questions about the new warship."
"I just got here; it'd be a shame to leave right away. I want to greet these folks a bit."
"...We'll wait."
She knew stopping him was pointless; he'd do as he pleased. Laila didn't try to dissuade him. Denver approached the soldiers and police with a smile.
As a star to Mega Corp's public, quite a few among the soldiers and police requested autographs. A fairly positive exchange was unfolding when Denver spotted a familiar face.
"Wait, you? Will... no, NH01, right?"
"...It's been a long time, Your Highness."
William bowed as Denver referenced his old code name familiarly. Denver patted his shoulder happily but then frowned, sensing something off.
"Were you always this thin? You weren't this scrawny before."
"......"
Seeing Denver's concerned demeanor, William realized he still held fondness for his old subordinate.
'His Highness will understand what my actions mean.'
William steeled himself.
"...I beg you, Your Highness."
"Huh?"
With those words, William drew his laser pistol and shot himself in the stomach.
'A hospital.'
From my memory, the space city has three large hospitals capable of treating severe injuries: one in the administrative district, the rest in the commercial district.
'William can't use the administrative district one; it's for Third Capital and above.'
The parasite's signal is coming from the commercial district. Conveniently, the hospital is near the station, so taking the subway line would be best.
'Route's fine. The issue is it's early evening now.'
Being commercial district, plenty of shoppers still linger on the streets.
The hospital's proximity to the station is good news, but at near-quitting time, the station will be crowded.
I plan to act aggressively, but not to wage full war on the city. Plus, massacring station-goers risks exposing the nest.
'Still, time-wise, there's some leeway.'
Per the parasite's wavelength, William is currently comatose from severe self-inflicted injury. Medical staff would prioritize stabilizing him first. Saving him comes before extracting parasites, so low chance of that initially.
'Still, the parasite getting discovered is inevitable.'
Admitted in critical condition, luck won't hold out.
'Since the parasite's still reporting, let's wait till night.'
I need to plan the hospital assault while waiting.
The hospital William went to is the one I was admitted to after the apartment complex battle.
Back then, I didn't approach the hospital myself but sent an armed cop infected with a parasite to extract him.
'Mega Corp hospitals have lots of androids.'
In Mega Corp, gene-mod doctors handle severely injured patients, those needing genetic tweaks, or Prime Capital and above. Doctors treating general patients only happens aboard ships.
Most patients are treated in medical capsules, handled by androids instead of high-end doctors.
'Not combat types, so fighting them would be easy, but...'
Medical androids were headaches in other ways.
'They all carry call bells.'
When a medical call bell rings, it's instantly relayed to the hospital's central AI, which takes appropriate action. If an android rings during my attack, cops and soldiers would swarm me.
That's why hospitals are tough targets even in the game. Even infiltration expert me didn't fancy assaulting one.
'Without EMP traits or stealth... Ah.'
Stealth reminded me of a good tool.
The high-grade reinforced suit from the port district sniper.
It has a stealth function built-in.
'If I activate the suit then consume it, might I gain the stealth effect?'
Lightly modded with synthetic fibers as base, but laced with special metals for stealth—fair game for my traits.
'Metal absorption lasts over 20 minutes.'
Should be 20, but my body's fully organic-enhanced now. Metal absorption counts, so probably 20-30 minutes leeway.
But 30 minutes isn't long or short. With dense hospital surveillance, dragging time disadvantages me.
'To handle William quick, I need the layout beforehand.'
Luckily, I have a way to scout without going there myself.
I returned to the nest in the commercial district with the kids.
[Zzuzz zzuzz (Don't touch)]
｢Making a nest?｣
[Zz (Yeah)]
｢Baby's making nest. No interrupting.｣
｢?｣
No. 26, having seen me do it on the spaceship before, got it immediately. He took Adhai and moved far away.
'No need to distance that much.'
It's consideration, so no need to point it out.
I sprawled comfortably atop the nest, resting my chin on the floor. My auxiliary organ touched the nest's sticky surface.
As always, my body felt floaty, then suddenly yanked downward like being sucked into a hole.
Familiar now after many tries—the linking sensation.
'Find the hospital.'
The auxiliary organ began searching for the hospital among surface presences per my command.
Footsteps of street walkers, merchants' sales pitches, street chatter—first sensations were city sounds.
Chasing close were olfactory ones: restaurant aromas, sweat-soaked office workers' clothes, unpurified polluted air.
Commercial district might be the city's essence, in a way.
Amid the sensory flood, I isolated the hospital's signature smell—cresol, like in antiseptics or disinfectants.
'Eight-story hospital near the station.'
William was on the third floor, in surgery.
The third floor reeked of disinfectant mixed with thick blood and human scents—definitely surgery and ICU together. Post-op, patients recover in nearby ICU.
'Can settle it all on the third floor.'
I also scoured for server rooms or central AI computers. Most electrical signals concentrated in basement level 2.
'Good. That's enough.'
With the full layout grasped, I severed the link.
Prep for hospital entry complete. Now just wait for nightfall.
Before the day ends, William dies by my hand.