In the early morning hours, aboard a Anti-Entropy private jet.
"Is Cocolia being too much of a coward here… just abandoning the ME Corp in the Far East like that?"
Looking over the intelligence reports from Bella and Ryoma Raiden, Lynelle voiced her confusion.
"If I remember correctly, their combat capabilities weren't exactly low. Putting aside the standard mechs, I recall they had at least one 'Lightning' and one 'Rattler' there."
"Theoretically speaking, her actions could be described as 'cutting off the tail to survive.'"
Einstein, pondering the information, replied, "ME Corp is essentially a bargaining chip she's thrown out to distract us, or more accurately, a chip to buy time."
"Anti-Entropy with its Sovereign and one without are two entirely different concepts. Originally, under the Sovereign's leadership, Anti-Entropy wouldn't have had factions like 'Radicals' and 'Conservatives' at all... but as the leader of the Radical faction, her behavior is indeed somewhat illogical."
"After all, the signals Welt sent previously should have been clear enough—he even saved her life from Otto."
"If she had taken the initiative to seek the Sovereign's forgiveness now, dissolved the so-called Radical faction, then after a thorough investigation, it's entirely possible we'd allow her to retain most of her assets and continue as an influential Executor within Anti-Entropy."
"Yet, she'd rather discard half her resources to buy herself time instead of surrendering immediately… This situation is truly peculiar."
"Unless…"
"Ugh."
Tesla sighed. "Unless she has a reason she absolutely cannot surrender. And honestly, I can probably guess what that reason is."
"If she surrendered to us, we would undoubtedly conduct a full audit of Cocolia's forces. After all, we would never let Cocolia retain control of large-scale destructive weapons like the mechs. The crucial part is that very auditing process."
"Einstein, do you remember? Regarding the quantumization technology for the Garrison mechs, a portion of the key breakthroughs were first achieved by Cocolia's so-called 'R&D team.' We found it strange back then—where did Cocolia get an R&D team? It's not like she went talent-scouting after the Soviet Union collapsed, right?"
"You mean…" Einstein mused for a moment. "She's receiving support from an external force?"
"It's likely their connection runs deeper than that. Alternatively, the other party has some leverage over her. Otherwise, Cocolia would have sold them out long ago."
Tesla nodded. "But in the end, it doesn't really matter. We were planning to move against her anyway. If she had just surrendered and dissolved the Radical faction, we'd have lost our justification."
"This current situation… isn't it just perfect? Whatever secret Cocolia is hiding, we're about to find out."
--+--
Meanwhile, at a Anti-Entropy base in North America.
"What do you mean you're pulling out?!"
Cocolia was livid, staring at the expressionless Gray Serpent before her.
"All this time, you've constantly used my resources to handle your World Serpent affairs. Now, just because we've hit a minor setback, you're unilaterally terminating our cooperation?"
"Madam Cocolia, your understanding of the word 'minor' seems to be… slightly flawed," Gray Serpent replied, unhurried.
"For instance, I would not consider being personally purged by the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy a 'minor setback.'"
"While our World Serpent has the power to help you oppose Welt, you simply do not possess the value to warrant such an investment. At this time, the Serpent will not reveal itself openly."
"Won't reveal itself? Do you think you can just walk away unscathed if Welt decides to purge me?" Cocolia sneered. "Or do you believe I have no data on the World Serpent, that I don't know your true situation?"
"My apologies, but you likely know very little," Gray Serpent shrugged indifferently.
"The fact that we are openly 'abandoning' you indicates that you no longer possess any information that poses a threat to us… Or, think carefully. Beyond knowing that the World Serpent seeks Herrscher Cores, what other concrete intelligence do you actually have?"
"And seeking Herrscher Cores—isn't that the goal of virtually every organization in the world?"
"Or do you believe, with your level of perception that considers Welt clones as top-tier combatants, that you could truly comprehend the World Serpent's real strength?"
"You—!"
"So, please get this straight, Madam Cocolia." Gray Serpent ignored the two mechs flanking Cocolia and walked right past her.
"It has always been you who needed World Serpent, wanting us to retrieve the daughter you lost in the Sea of Quanta. The Serpent has never needed you. To this day, you haven't even qualified to become a true ally of the Serpent."
"Oh, and one more thing. I know you're probably hesitating right now, debating whether to have your mechs open fire, eliminate me, and use my head as a tribute to prove your loyalty to Anti-Entropy… But don't say I didn't warn you."
"All the enhancement technology used in your Garrison units was provided by World Serpent. If you don't wish to paralyze every single Garrison in this base right now, I suggest you refrain from any rash actions."
"Furthermore, if you truly care about your daughter, my advice is to immediately destroy all records of your collaboration with the World Serpent. If you are sufficiently obedient… the Serpent might still be able to bring your daughter back."
"Of course, by then, your daughter would naturally become one of us. But at least she would be alive, correct?"
With a meaningful smile, Gray Serpent turned and disappeared from Cocolia's view without a backward glance.
"Damn it…"
Cocolia's fists were clenched so tight her knuckles were white. She desperately wanted to shoot Gray Serpent dead right then and there, but his words had struck a nerve.
Because she truly didn't dare to risk mutual destruction with the World Serpent.
Moreover, the World Serpent was currently the organization with the deepest research into the Sea of Quanta.
While she hadn't gained a deep understanding of them, Cocolia held a significant amount of apprehension towards this ancient organization.
"Madam Cocolia, radar has detected an Anti-Entropy aircraft approaching our base. We've verified the identification; it appears to be Dr. Einstein's…"
Just then, an adjutant knocked and entered, delivering the news Cocolia least wanted to hear.
"Just as I thought… I knew those two wouldn't pass up this opportunity."
Cocolia slammed her fist against the reinforced glass in front of her, then swiftly turned to the adjutant.
"Initiate Contingency Plan Three immediately. Destroy all the documents I previously marked. And be quick about it!"
"And… open the cultivation chambers in the underground lab. Release all those 'Welt' clones. Use them to buy time for the document destruction!"
"P-Plan Three?" The adjutant stammered. "Madam Cocolia, doing this… it means there's basically no way back for you within Anti-Entropy!"
BANG!
Cocolia fired a shot into the ceiling.
"Execute the order. Or the next bullet will be aimed at your head."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.