Auren and Rakshala quickly walk toward the largest and most impressive-looking building the city has to offer.
The administrative building, now reaching almost twelve floors and managed directly by Rakshala, is carved deep into the mountain. It is unmistakably the center of the city, and easily the most imposing structure the place has to offer.
As they walk, people politely nod at them. A few even drop to their knees, only for Rakshala to gently lift them back up.
"Don't do that, sister, it makes me worry about you," Rakshala says, as an elderly woman falls onto her knees right in front of her.
"..."
Auren opens his mouth, ready to say something, but decides to stay quiet in the end.
Speeding up, both of them enter the building and head straight toward her office, then continue on to her private quarters. As they walk past the many workers inside, he spots Rosa and Mola—the same two who accompanied him on his first 'business' trip to Yorknew, where he healed Battera.
"Back already, kid?" Rosa calls out loudly, while Mola simply nods at him.
"Yes, I am, nice observation..." Auren replies, following Rakshala, who doesn't slow down for a moment. "It's nice to see you again," he adds before walking past them.
As soon as they reach her private quarters, she shuts the door and locks it.
The room itself hasn't changed. Despite all the recent developments around her, it's still bare, without any real decorations.
"You didn't decorate it yet? You're probably one of the richest people in the world, with the most sparse and empty room ever," Auren remarks. "And why are you still wearing the visor in the first place?"
"Simple," she replies, taking it off and revealing her strikingly blue eyes. "I'll save my vision for the things I truly care about."
"..."
Wha... why is she like that?
Auren crosses his arms, unable to come up with anything to say back.
"Guessing from all the news I've heard about you... things went well?" he asks, shifting the topic.
"Indeed," she answers, sitting down on her bed. "The profits have reached over 35 trillion."
"T...trillion? 35 trillion?" Auren stammers. "How?!"
35 trillion Jenny...? Even all my assets combined are below 500 billion, and I only slowly receive my payment from Battera over many years....
"I mean, insider trading is effective, sure, but you'd still have to wait for opportunities to show up, right?" Auren asks, completely baffled. "How did your operation grow so much? It's insane!"
"We did much more than mere insider trading," Rakshala explains. "We carefully leaked information, caused as much damage as possible, used it to manipulate companies and push personal scandals. At every turn, we shorted stocks with everything we had. Even a drop of 10 percent is enough if we use trillions in funds and leverage."
Leverage? What was that again?
"No wonder Pariston, the Association, and probably the entire V5 are after you," Auren mutters.
Rakshala looks calm, completely unbothered by the enormous sum. "Thirty-five trillion is merely a start. It's a nice amount for a small country, but compared to the combined assets of the V5, it's practically nothing. The United States of Saherta has a yearly budget of around 700 trillion Jenny. That means we only took the whole world for about five percent of one V5 country's yearly budget. That's a pathetic amount, as far as I'm concerned."
"I mean... sure, but you can't compare a country's budget to just our gains. The United States has over 200 million people," Auren argues.
Rakshala remains calm, but Auren catches a glimmer of hatred in her eyes. "I indeed can't compare our family to that corrupt den of evil. Thankfully, I don't want to. The entire 35 trillion we took in is a joke compared to the scale of global corruption, yet our small earnings—earned by playing within their system—are treated like acts of international terrorism. Meanwhile, their own corruption, endless bribes, corporate money, and—more fittingly—their insider trading, are all blatantly ignored. The rot is so deep, these vile festering institutions are beyond saving."
She continues, "Every single member of the V5 could easily waste twice as much money as we have earned, and it would not bother them in the slightest. We are currently consolidating our gains and taking a break, because their surveillance has increased. More importantly, trading is becoming difficult. We are using thousands of different accounts and firms, and a significant percentage of our money is held up by the authorities—some of it has been outright seized. Despite recruitment picking up, we simply do not have the manpower to continue at the same intensity as we only recruit people who agree with our cause. This is the time to consolidate our gains and come up with a new plan of attack."
"We will eventually receive almost all of our earned money, yet from the 35 trillion, we are only able to use two‑thirds at the moment. The other third has either been seized or had to be invested into other assets to avoid further attention. Finally, the number of Hunters who have entered my En radius lately has been simply absurd. My En radius has increased to over one and a half kilometres. Ever since I regained my eyes… my true eyes… I have improved rapidly, as I learned to master my new abilities. I had to use them several times to throw off Hunters who were on our trail. It appears they have developed some method to locate me. It always takes them weeks, yet eventually the situation becomes dangerous."
She had to use her ability? So she robbed them of their sight and hearing. I experienced it myself—it's almost crazy, most people would go mad.
"You did the right thing in taking a break," Auren notes. "Perhaps you should quit while you are ahead. As much as I dislike the V5, do we truly need that much funding? Isn't 35 trillion enough?"
"It's not so much about gaining funds for ourselves, as to hurt our opponent, lower the people's trust in the V5. I will not stop, although it would be impudent and reckless to continue without developing a proper plan to counter their efforts. I refuse to place my people in harm's way out of greed. The strategy I am developing will involve a large number of our strongest Nen users. I am tempted to give the V5 and their overlords what they deserve, although the timing is not yet right. We still require more funds, more members, and more information. We must infiltrate the V5 on every level, in every major organisation. Through bribes, blackmail, threats, and our Nen contracts, we have already achieved quite a lot, yet we are not quite there yet. When the moment comes to strike, it will be decisive, swift, and all‑encompassing," Rakshala says.
"..."
All‑encompassing? What is she talking about?
"That sounds rather frightening," Auren says. "Do not tell me you plan to drop some nukes on them or something."
"I considered sending them a bouquet of roses, although as much as I loathe the V5, that would only embolden them and hurt poor sheep. I shall only consider such desperate measures as a last resort."
Is she insane? She actually considered it?
"Enough about these unpleasant topics," Rakshala says, shaking her arms lightly. "I want to hear more about your adventures. Your messages were always short and to the point."
Auren shrugs. He carefully recounts what happened to him after he left for Meteor City with the Troupe: his time in Swardani City, his encounters with the others, their travel to Glam Gas Land, Eternity's changes, and finally his spars against Pariston, Netero, Uvogin, and Nobunaga.
"After that, we collected my items in Yorknew and Neffi did a small stop at her company," Auren explains. "You will have seen them already. However, apart from Ben's Knives, the bracers, boots, and gauntlets, none of the items are particularly noteworthy or interesting. At least from my point of view. A collector might feel differently, although I do not particularly care. I'll still use them to build my own collection, but I would be willing to hand out a few of you need them. If you wish to take a look yourself, I'll send you a message once I have completed a full inventory and placed everything in my home. Perhaps I can hire a few workers to assist me with that."
Rakshala, who has remained silent throughout Auren's entire story, continues to stare at him with the faintest of smiles.
"I shall gladly take a look at what you collected, and I will send you a few more maids—ones capable of more than just housework," she says. After a brief pause, she adds, quietly but sincerely, "Thank you."
"Well, no problem," Auren replies. "Though I am a little surprised you didn't react to my spars."
Not that I wanted to be praised... but considering my achievements and her... affection toward me, it strikes me as odd.
"It's not surprising to me in the least. Still, learning more about them was truly intriguing. Especially Pariston and Chrollo seem like people I have to look out for. As far as the fighting itself is concerned, soon, you won't have many enemies left. I do not need to tell you to continue your training, so I am not worried at all. With your new equipment, you are even stronger than before. But please, do not forget—Nen is deep and unpredictable. Even the strongest Nen users can die easily when Nen is involved. A single, complex Hatsu with strict conditions can kill or incapacitate anyone, regardless of raw combat strength or even Aura."
"I get it," Auren replies. "I'll be careful... I've seen firsthand how dangerous Specialists can be. I introduced you to the twins... they're about to discover their Hatsu as well."
"I'm intrigued indeed," Rakshala says. "I might train them together with the two special girls you mentioned."
"Can you also find someone for Eren's siblings?" Auren asks. "They might not be particularly talented, but they're making steady progress. I believe that if they choose suitable Hatsus, they could become important members. More importantly, they're young. If they start early enough—and they clearly have—then talent isn't everything. Also... I just want to help them."
"I will ask Grunah. She's been a little lonely without Neffi," Rakshala replies. "If she's not interested, I'll find someone else. Don't worry about them."
Good... now that that's taken care of.
"What are your future plans?" Rakshala asks suddenly.
"I have a meeting in Yorknew scheduled... it's related to my items. It's a gathering of collectors, I suppose. It's in about a month. After that, I'll train, spend some time here, and I plan to participate in the next Hunter Exam. Probably not as a full examiner just yet. I also encouraged Neffi to take it. Besides that, I'm open to helping out wherever I'm needed."
"Is that truly all?" Rakshala asks.
Isn't that enough?
"No," Auren answers. "I want to participate in the next Battle Olympia. I've also struck a deal with Pariston and plan to earn a great deal of money. I've taken all necessary precautions."
"Understood. I also have a favour to ask you..." Rakshala finally says, her expression turning serious for the first time since he arrived. "It is highly secretive, and you must keep it to yourself at all costs."
Auren crosses his arms. "Sure... what is it?"
Seems important...
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