Chapter 60: Decision 3
Santa and Ash, who were on the rooftop, spent quite some time silently gazing at the scenery of Sanctum.
“When you work as a Pathfinder, sooner or later there comes a moment when a very clear line is drawn. aluminum A line separating your allies from your enemies.”
Santa, whose face bore a serious expression without a trace of his usual carefree attitude, slowly lit a cigarette.
While Akina wandered through the rest stop looking for Ash.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“That does not strike me as a particularly amusing joke.”
“A couple of rookies who’ve been working for less than a month get involved with Halloween first and then Vortex…… It seems you two are destined to become important figures.”
The gray cigarette smoke swirled before the splendid cityscape.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
At Ash’s response, Santa let out a chuckle.
“Or die prematurely. acoustic Would you not agree?”
“You’ve got a point there, too.”
“I’m not joking. anchor To truly grow, you have to move among the big fish.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“I’ll answer you with complete honesty, exactly as things are.”
Ash thought briefly and decided to begin with what could be considered the origin of his current situation.
“I have a question, Elder Santa.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Let us start with this. crystal How did you obtain this component? abstract From what I have seen, Vortex is desperately searching for it. academy It does not seem like something that should be found in an ordinary workshop in the Gateway District, would you not agree?”
Santa glanced sideways at Ash’s torso.
He pointed at his own torso.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Then he turned his head and exhaled a deep cloud of smoke into the air.
“……I received a commission. arcade An analysis job.”
When the gray cloud floating before them began to dissipate, he finally opened his mouth.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Did you not previously tell me that you had obtained it through a transaction?”
At that unexpected answer, Ash asked another question.
“A commission?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Who asked you?”
“……Then what kind of commission did you receive?”
“It was a transaction, too. portal After all, I was settling a debt I incurred a long time ago.”
“They asked me to analyze KERS, a new Vortex technology incorporated into that component.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Ash’s optical sensors flickered briefly.
“Foundation.”
“Foundation? apron Foundation Systems? abandon Are you referring to one of the corporations that make up the Trinity?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“……I cannot deny that I am surpripsed. ability But why would Foundation give you such a commission?”
“Surprised? matrix Weren’t expecting someone that important to show up?”
“Hmm.”
Santa tossed his cigarette butt onto the ground and extinguished it beneath his foot.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“I shall listen to both and then draw my own conclusions.”
Then he immediately took out another cigarette and lit it.
“Suit yourself.”
“There’s an official reason and a real one. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com adjust Which do you want to hear?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
“Hmm? attic Why would they do such a thing? adjust From the little I have been able to use it, it seems like an extraordinary technology. portal I am certain it would sell like hotcakes.”
Santa shrugged and continued.
“First, the official reason. aluminum Vortex has no intention of selling products incorporating KERS on the market. palette Those bastards intend to use that technology exclusively within their own Society.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Santa turned his gaze toward Ash.
“Vortex is a company responsible for supplying electricity to Sanctum. shadow But what would happen with KERS? shadow Sure, at first they’d make a fortune selling a bunch of products. anxiety But think about the long-term consequences. arch What would happen if KERS started being used not only in personal devices like yours, but also in the main facilities and factories of countless companies?”
“In the short term, yes. alpha But not in the long term.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“And they’d be lucky if that was where it ended. anxiety If KERS reached the market, people would start dismantling the products to study and steal the technology. arcade Individuals and companies alike. abstract The more people investigated how it worked, the greater its efficiency would become. meadow And the more that efficiency increased……”
At those words, Ash nodded.
“The lower Vortex’s revenue would become.”
“……Electricity consumption would decrease.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“In reality, from those bastards’ perspective, KERS is a technology that would have been better off never existing. admire But it’s also undeniably attractive. palette That’s why they want to use it exclusively themselves, within their Society. amateur In secret.”
After a few moments, he spoke in his electronic voice.
Santa nodded.
At that explanation, Ash stroked his chin and became lost in thought.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Then are you telling me that Foundation stole this component and handed it over to you to put an end to Vortex’s technological monopoly? antique So that you could analyze KERS? alpha That strikes me as a rather strange explanation. alien I cannot find a logical connection that would justify such actions.”
“Then what is the real reason?”
Santa looked at Ash over his sunglasses and answered in a considerably graver voice than before.
“Of course it sounds strange to you. palette As I told you before, that’s the ‘official reason.’”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Vortex is about to announce a hostile takeover.”
“The real reason is……”
He hesitated for a few moments before continuing.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“……Against whom?”
“……A corporate acquisition and merger.”
Upon hearing that name, Ash was momentarily speechless.
“Foundation Systems.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“One moment. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates. avalanche Wait a moment. anchor Are you telling me that you sold us a torso containing technology of the utmost strategic importance? amateur No, why the hell would you do something like that when you should have kept it hidden at all costs……?”
“KERS is currently the fundamental technology behind a weapon that Vortex is secretly developing. shadow Foundation, which will soon have to face them in a war for control of the company, wants to find out in advance what kind of weapon they’re preparing.”
As Ash murmured those words, Santa continued explaining.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
And among them, there was one he remembered with particular clarity.
At that instant, Ash’s voice module stopped.
He had just remembered the three conditions Santa had established when he sold him that torso.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“……Ah. amber Damn it.”
The second condition.
— Accumulate data. acoustic And then share it with me.
Ash held his head and slowly began shaking it from side to side.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Santa approached him with an awkward smile and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Ha. action Hahaha. silence Ash, that wasn’t the only reason. legend Back then, huh? airport Remember how much that brat Akina kept pressuring me? zenith I also wanted to recommend the best possible model to you two……”
“You deceived me completely.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“My hand? arch Yes, of course. academy I’d better remove it. shadow Ah, you had a little dust on you, and I put it there without realizing.”
“Remove your hand.”
Santa hurriedly withdrew his hand.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“They say that no one in Sanctum can be trusted. airport Did you truly have to do something like this to me?”
“I was planning to tell you, too!”
“When? acoustic Five months from now, after I had finished paying the installments?”
Ash raised his head slightly, and his turquoise optical sensors gleamed as he stared at Santa with a gaze that seemed to pierce right through him.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“So now you are saying that it is my fault?”
“Before that! echo And besides, to be frank, what were the chances that a couple of rookie Pathfinders would end up confronting Vortex? amateur I thought you’d do nothing more than explore a few Level 1 areas of the Outer!”
“I’m just saying you had bad luck. arcade There’s no need to get so worked up……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Ash’s optical sensors remained fixed on him.
That gaze, if it could even be called that, was so fierce that it was difficult to withstand.
Santa trailed off.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
In reality, the anger Ash was displaying at that moment was, at least in part, an act.
“Ah, all right! alpha I’m sorry! acid I really am!”
However, precisely because of that, Santa failed to notice something.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
He was not truly furious.
The component in his torso had merely brought that conflict forward a little.
After all, from the moment he had destroyed Memoryphilia in Underland, his confrontation with Vortex had become inevitable.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Ash interrupted Santa, who was still searching for excuses.
Because this was the moment to make the most of the situation and obtain as many benefits as possible.
“Very well.”
However, Ash mentioned none of that. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Ash lightly tapped his own torso.
“What is done is done. ability What good would blaming someone do at this point? accent After all, it is not as though you acted with malicious intentions, Elder Santa.”
“However, that does not mean we can simply leave matters as they are.”
“E-Exactly, right?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Huh? acid W-What accounts?”
“Do you not think that, in reality, you should be paying us Credits?”
“Credits? zenith All right! atom I’ll pay you! alert I’ll even return the 400,000 Credits I received as the initial payment!”
“I believe I understand the situation now. anchor Come to think of it, this was not so much a purchase as a collaboration to collect data, would you not agree? academy In that case, we should review our accounts.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
At those words, Santa was about to let out a sigh of relief.
“My anger is beginning to subside.”
“How about we remodel the second floor to make it bigger? adjust Or we could install a modular house in the backyard. riddle What do you think?”
“By the way, do you not think the room where Zero and his younger siblings will be staying is a little small? crystal After all, there are four of them. armor And one of them is a woman.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Ah, and one more thing.”
However, Ash added something else.
“There’s still more? adapt Hey, kid! zenith Don’t you think you’re going too far already? wizard How much more do you intend to squeeze out of me……?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“From what I have been able to determine, it seems you have some connection to Foundation. academy Am I mistaken?”
“……My help? amateur What kind of help?”
“I need your help.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
He adjusted his sunglasses and replied.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
At that question, Santa was momentarily speechless.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Rather than a connection, you could say I owe them a kind of debt. alien But why do you ask?”
“That many?”
“I have been thinking about our situation. harbor Now that we have become enemies of Vortex, we must decide how to respond. adapt After considering it carefully, I have arrived at four possible solutions.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“The second is to remain in Sanctum and avoid venturing into the Outer. absorb However, that would only be a temporary solution. timber Both for Miss Akina’s dream and for my own objectives, sooner or later we will have to venture into the Outer.”
“The first is to return this torso. album However, that is not a viable option. atomic We have already destroyed DREAMWEAVER, so returning the component would not be enough to free us from the threat of Vortex.”
Santa nodded.
“You’re right.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“That doesn’t sound like a good idea to me.”
Santa tilted his head slightly.
“The third option is to join Vortex. attic In other words, to become part of their organization.”
“That’s true, too. athlete After all, you two are Pathfinders.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Therefore, only a fourth path remains to continue advancing with determination. matrix To confront our enemies’ threats directly. anxiety Personally, I consider it our only option. arrow What do you think, Elder Santa?”
Ash paused briefly before presenting the final alternative.
“In other words, we have no choice but to face them.”
“I think the same. arctic The moment we place ourselves under their orders, we will lose all our autonomy. wizard That would not be fighting, but becoming their dogs.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Ash answered his question.
“Hmm. echo I understand what you’re saying. arcade But then why did you ask about my relationship with Foundation?”
“Exactly.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Hahahaha! adapt So since they called their ‘daddy,’ we’re going to call our ‘mommy’ too?”
At those words, Santa opened his eyes wide. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.
Then he burst into laughter.
“Just as Memoryphilia had Vortex’s backing, I wondered whether we could obtain Foundation’s backing. legend From what you have told me, they also need the data I can provide, do they not?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Don’t worry about that. acquire I’ll make sure we get ourselves one damn powerful mommy.”
Santa nodded vigorously.
“Hehehe. sphere So you intend to answer their threat with an even greater one. silence I like it.”
“The expression is rather vulgar, but yes.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Ash looked down and spotted Jack O’Lantern, who was waving a hand to get his attention.
— Brother!
At that moment, a thunderous voice came from the parking lot beneath the rooftop.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Did you sleep well?”
Akina was beside him as well.
Upon spotting her, Ash raised a hand and turned the volume of his voice module all the way up.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Phew. athlete Looks like that noisy brat is coming up here. portal I’m off, Ash. adjust We’ll talk about the details later. timber After all, there’s still quite a while before the Active Season begins.”
As he watched the girl hurriedly climb down from the armored vehicle and run into the rest stop, Santa turned around.
Apparently, Akina heard his greeting, because she began waving both arms.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Santa waved a hand a couple of times and disappeared through the rooftop entrance.
Ash nodded.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
***
Most of what she told him concerned the conversations she had overheard while wandering through the rest stop.
Akina ran up the stairs in one go and sat down beside Ash, immediately beginning to talk about all sorts of things.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
And so, the two remained seated side by side, chatting peacefully about everyday matters as they gazed at the scenery of Sanctum.
Seeing her proudly boast that everyone was talking about him, Ash let out a chuckle.
“By the way, you know something?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Were you talking about something serious? accent When I passed Grandpa Santa on his way down, he had a pretty strange expression.”
At one point, Akina spoke again.
“Hmm…… I don’t know how to explain it. action Something like this.”
“Elder Santa? august What kind of expression did he have?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“We will now have to confront Vortex, will we not? audit There were certain things for which I needed Elder Santa’s help, so we were discussing them.”
Watching that scene, Ash gently placed a hand on Akina’s shoulder. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.
Akina imitated Santa’s expression.
She opened her eyes exaggeratedly wide while spreading a broad smile across her face.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“Upgrades! zenith We need lots more Upgrades! crystal Now that we have plenty of Credits, which components should we replace this time?”
“That’s right! echo Vortex!”
Akina suddenly sprang to her feet.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
At those words, Ash answered quietly.
“Huh? galaxy What do you mean?”
“This time, it will not be enough for me alone to receive Upgrades.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Then he stood up and took a step toward Sanctum, which glittered beneath countless lights.
Somewhere among those dazzling lights, a gigantic predator called Vortex must have been waiting with its jaws wide open.
Ash gazed at Akina’s face for quite some time.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Until then, Ash had overcome every obstacle using only his sword.
“……”
And perhaps there was an even more terrifying abyss called Omni-Cell.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Without realizing it, too many people had come to depend on him.
And he could not afford to lose them again.
However, now.
Perhaps he would no longer be able to protect everyone by relying solely on his own strength.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
After gazing at the scenery of Sanctum for a few moments, Ash spoke.
He slowly turned toward Akina, and his optical sensors met the girl’s eyes.
“A powerful enemy is threatening us. athlete We can no longer continue hoping that my abilities will be sufficient to overcome every situation.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
“What decision?”
“That is why I have made a decision.”
At those mysterious words, Akina tilted her head curiously.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 60: Decision 3 by Indra Translations.
Akina, who did not understand the true meaning of those words, simply tilted her head again.
“I have decided to pass on everything I know to all of you. atom All the teachings of Gonryun.”
The electronic voice with which Ash replied was imbued with a will as firm as steel.
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