Infinity, progress from Arasaka

With her good eyesight, Vera could see clearly.

The altar is divided into three levels.

There were two tablets on the top, but due to the angle she could only see one, with the Japanese carving "Sanzai".

In the middle, there are three tablets, one in the front middle, for Michiko.

Next, a tablet, respectfully.

Vera understood immediately.

From top to bottom, the altar enshrines Saburo Arasaka's parents and three wives. In the front center is his beloved Michiko, and his only lost child, eldest son Kei Arasaka.

Oh, and Arasaka Yoshinobu wasn't there. In the U.S., Arasaka Michiko, who was named after Saburo's third wife, wasn't there either.

"Master Sanlang." Vera moved her eyes away from the empty cushion in Sanlang's right hand near the tablet, bowed and touched her chest.

"You came."

Hearing Vera's voice, Saburo opened his closed eyes slightly and stood up quickly.

Old Deng, who has recovered to his seventies, is now vigorous and full of energy. He does not need anyone's support. After inserting three more incense sticks into the sacrificial incense burner in front of the tablet of his eldest son Arasaka, Saburo, who looks serious but kind, turns to look at her.

He really is like an entrepreneur who is smart, focused, determined, considerate of his subordinates, and loves his work...

Without exchanging pleasantries, Saburo asked Vera to answer questions regarding the 2075 Tokyo Arasaka Tower Year-End Training Staff Summary Meeting.

The two of them were talking warmly while maintaining a sense of respect for each other.

Saburo briefly commented on Vera's on-the-spot performance, policy proposals, and revengeful tendencies of pro-combat military technology, expressing his appreciation and also warning her not to be careless.

Vera naturally responded by saying yes, yes, yes, without talking back but not blindly following others. Appropriately, she spoke neither arrogantly nor humbly about some of her plans and arrangements for the future when she returns to Night City.

A trick for subordinates and superiors to cooperate and maintain trust is to let your superiors know your intentions and progress in a timely manner and have expectations for your results...

"...Dog Town, Pacific State, Nether Dogs...formed from the NUSA advance troops that broke into Night City during the New American Metal War. They are a military gang that rebelled because they were dissatisfied with the Alvin Peace Unification Agreement...You want to use them to muddy the waters of California and wait for an opportunity to pry open the second rebellion of the former free states in the western part of the New America?"

Hearing this, Saburo's eyes flashed with a gleam of brilliance.

He became interested.

The Metal War, also known as the Unification War, broke out in January 2069. The warring parties were New America and the Free State, and they received support from military technology and Arasaka respectively.

The two sides also refer to this conflict differently, with the New America/Military Technology side calling it the 'Unification War', while Arasaka and the Free State prefer the name 'Metal War'.

Through this battle, Arasaka's military technology momentum was severely damaged and he was able to return to North America.

As for Military Technology, although Saburo didn't want to admit it, he knew very well that he hated this company from the bottom of his heart.

Not only because during the Fourth Corporate War, Arasaka Corporation was in opposition to Militech, causing him to lose his eldest son and suffer the shame of defeat, but also because of the then CEO of Militech - Donald Lundy.

This former general from the old U.S. military's Pentagon and his experience of transitioning from military to business made Saburo see his own shadow and reminded him of the American pilot who shot him down in the Pacific War.

Saburo said in a low voice:

"How can you be sure that this isn't a spike that Rosalind Miles (former CEO of Militech and current president of New America) has driven into Night City, entrenched here and there in the name of the rebels, waiting for an opportunity to drive us out of California?"

Vera looked calm as she elaborated on her thoughts: "I'm not sure if Washington has made any arrangements in there, but we can incite the hatred of the Hellhounds. Betrayal is sometimes more shameful than being an enemy."

A statement with a double meaning.

Sanlang lowered his eyes.

"continue."

"Washington may be able to issue hibernation orders to officers, but he could never do it to the grassroots soldiers. The feeling of being betrayed by one's own people on the eve of victory is unforgettable, enough to destroy all loyal hearts."

After touching her chest again, Vera said calmly:

"It is impossible for a town to survive by relying solely on soldiers. The establishment and development of Dog Town is maintained by the "humanitarian aid" of Su Petrochemical and Arasaka. The characteristics of Night City itself make it natural for Dog Town to provide shelter to all kinds of criminals, such as the black market, intelligence transactions, bounty agencies..."

"All kinds of social dregs gather there, which is why they can survive and even grow stronger."

"But if the army grows too fast and there is no fixed channel to replenish qualified soldiers, it will be diluted. The current Nether Dogs still retain a certain degree of military spirit, but the joining of various ruffians and scum will inevitably affect the 'purity' of the army."

"Six years of decadence and laziness, even if the military quality has not declined, it does not mean that the ideological quality will not decline. Street boys, cyber mercenaries, that group of people who live on the edge of a knife, indulgence is their life, betrayal is commonplace. In such an environment, there is a saying that it takes a thousand days to learn good things, but only one day to learn bad things."

"When the bottom line is broken, loyalty is gone, and hatred is directed, how many people in the Hellhounds can Washington control?"

"Besides." Vera looked at Arasaka Saburo and said proudly, "Will I let them go back?"

Her every move and gesture revealed a confidence and determination that was beyond compare.

"Search for any Cerberus officers who may still be in contact with Washington. We would rather kill the wrong person than let him go. In Night City, there is no shortage of mercenaries who want to get rich overnight and become famous. Let the middleman pass the message. Things that can be solved with money are never a problem."

"Kurt Hansen (former NUSA military colonel, current Dogtown boss), I don't know if he is truly a traitor or loyal, but that doesn't stop us from putting him on the fire."

As one of the most powerful people in the world, the situation in Night City is no secret to Saburo Arasaka, but due to the information asymmetry, Vera could not say that she had glimpsed the future where Rosalind Miles would be betrayed by her subordinates. She just emphasized that she would push for it.

"..."

After a long while, as if he had digested and sorted out the logic of Vera's plan, Sanlang nodded slightly, with a smile on his face, "Vera, I like your courage. But..."

"The New Year's Eve dinner is the most precious one of the year. Don't waste it as a company briefing. As for your detailed plan, submit a specific implementation plan to me within two days."

"As ordered."

At this time, the waiters who had maxed out their skills in observing people's words and expressions had already begun preparing to serve the dishes and set up the dinner.

The separate dining table was decorated with extremely luxurious jade, silver and ivory tableware, and in particular, various famous dishes were served quickly, almost filling the table. Compared with the kaiseki cuisine I had come for the previous times, this one was undoubtedly very meaty, eggy, and milky, very German and American.

"Oh..." Vera was a little surprised.

Saburo seemed very satisfied with Vera's remarks and stance.

"Please take a seat. You are young people after all, and you are greedy for food."

He stood with his hands behind his back and shook his head.

Then the topic turned to the main theme of the dinner.

As the order to take a seat and start the feast was given, Arasaka Hanako stood up from her futon respectfully, like a puppet completely subservient to Saburo's majesty. Takayama Shintaro, who had been hiding behind the screen, also came out.

Saburo is in the middle, on the left, Hanako, Takayama Shintaro, on the right, Kongwei, Kongwei, and Vera.

Takemura and Oda were not eligible to attend.

Soon, as if noticing Vera's inexplicable confusion, Sanlang pointed to the empty seat on his right and said in a self-deprecating tone: "Occasionally, I hear other people talking in the dark about Lai Xuan... his family is unfortunate. My unfilial son Lai Xuan hasn't attended the family dinners of his birth family for decades."

"Michiko is always hanging out. Her unfortunate childhood when she lost her father made her always suspicious of such activities. As Michiko's friend, you who lost your parents in the Metal War should be able to empathize with her."

Vera was silent.

Her eyes seemed to dim in an instant. After a long while, she sighed and spoke in a depressed tone, "Yes, Master Saburo. I often think about how to take revenge and how to repay my father and mother's expectations of me... Sorry, Master Saburo, I don't want to talk about this topic too much."

"I should be the one to apologize. This is a topic that no one wants to recall."

Saburo's voice seemed to become tired in an instant. He looked at the tablet on the altar behind him, his body slightly hunched, and sighed, "Michiko might be lucky that she didn't see the Arasaka family today, otherwise she would be heartbroken because of disappointment..."

The words were genuine, and Vera could not hear any trace of rehearsal at all. When mentioning his beloved wife Michiko, Saburo did smile, even if it was fleeting.

"Family, duty, honor..."

This was the main theme of Vera's speech at Arasaka Academy in Night City.

Saburo once again looked at the young junior in front of him who had blond hair, blue eyes, extraordinary beauty, and a dignified, cold and elegant temperament.

Undoubtedly, everything about her is excellent: her outstanding abilities, clean background, contributions to Arasaka, her hostility towards military technology, and her high scores in his many inspections within a year...Except that she is a little too rebellious and her ambition is difficult to measure, she is simply like the successor of Arasaka given by God.

Yoshinori is rebellious, Hanako is incompetent, and Michiko lacks prestige.

Even though Saburo is the guardian of traditional Japanese family values, is culturally xenophobic, and looks down on the American and Western values ​​of freedom and democracy from the bottom of his heart, he simply cannot ignore Vera, a talented younger generation who emerged from his company.

He must reuse her!

To tie her completely to Arasaka's chariot.

"You have passed my test. Vera, you are a wise person. You know when to stop and when to stop. 'The feeling of being betrayed by your own people on the eve of victory is unforgettable and enough to destroy all loyal hearts.' I would like to add that it is enough to destroy all trusting hearts."

Saburo said.

"Now, go, Dai Michiko." He pointed to the altar, "Fred, Mia." He said the names of Vera's parents, "They are just like my Jing. Arasaka will also be their, your, eternal home."

Remind Vera to be like her parents.

This Michiko is not that Michiko. Vera did not say anything, but stood up and walked to the altar.

Michiko Arasaka's father, Kei Arasaka... the former crown prince.

Yeah.

After lighting three incense sticks, under the guidance of the chief priest of the family shrine in the Arasaka family compound, Vera politely and impartially offered three incense sticks to the sacrificial incense burner.

I will inherit your legacy, defeat military technology where you once failed, and then inherit everything from you.

She muttered to herself.

------

Chapter 088 The prince died early, Lai Xuan suffered from many illnesses, you should encourage him (4.5K)

Arasaka family compound, guest room and residence area.

dong dong dong-

"Ms. Vera, it's time to get up and have breakfast."

In the bedroom, which was completely inconsistent with the simple Japanese and Western style exterior and was extremely luxuriously decorated, Vera was awakened by the knocking on the door by a group of female servants.

"Ahaha... huh."

Yawning, Vera, who had slept soundly all night without any burden or tossing and turning, turned over and got up with sleepy eyes.

"Refreshing."

Stretching her muscles, she walked to the window and opened it.

Vera's indigo pupils regained clarity and focus in an instant. She looked out the window at the beautiful garden scenery that seemed to be covered by a layer of elegant snow gauze. The shrine, eaves, corridors, rockery... were all covered in silver, sparkling with a cool light in the sun.

Recalling the Arasaka family welcome dinner that Saburo invited her to last night and early in the morning, Vera couldn't help but feel emotional.

Showing courtesy for nothing is either cheating or stealing.

It can be either bottom to top or top to bottom.

Vera Adelheid Arasaka Russell?

Although Saburo did not explicitly say that she was given a surname, he allowed her to participate in this private family banquet and to burn incense and offer sacrifices to the tablet of Arasaka. All the hints and cues made the meaning very clear: she was qualified to enter the center of power of the Arasaka Empire.

The designated person to burn incense and commemorate is Arasaka Kei, which means that she will inherit the mantle of the "former prince" in the future.

This was undoubtedly another encouragement and promise from Saburo to Vera.

To give an inappropriate analogy: The prince is often ill, so you should encourage him.

After all, qualifications are just qualifications, an equal exchange. If Vera wants to convert her vague qualifications into actual benefits, she will need unparalleled dedication and hard work.

What was the thing that consumed the most energy for the "former prince" Arasaka Kei during his lifetime?

The Fourth Corporate War;

Who directly undermined Arasaka Kei’s grand vision and took his life?

New America and military technology, as well as some insignificant cyber lone wolf mercenaries;

As the heir to the mantle and even the legal inheritance rights, Vera must avenge her father.

This father includes both her biological father and mother who died in the Metal War, as well as the 'father in terms of legal succession' who might be announced in the future.

It is true that Arasaka Kei is Saburo's eldest son, but he is also the loser in the corporate war.

Defeat in war is a disgrace.

If the legal heir of the loser wants to successfully regain power and inheritance rights, he must avenge the previous shame.

How can we avenge our humiliation? Restore Arasaka to its peak in 2020, expand into the Eastern Pacific, fight again on the West Coast, split New America, and suppress military technology...