Chapter 198: Aya Izumi
One fact remained paramount: regardless of the political shielding or private military the Fourth Prince commanded, Tserriednich himself was currently a "zero."
Ronin, knowing from his past life that the Prince was a biological freak of nature with a learning curve that defied the laws of Nen, realized the only logical course of action. If he could reach the Prince now, before his nodes were opened, he could end the threat in the cradle.
"I'm going to attempt a decapitation strike on the Fourth Prince," Ronin stated, his voice flat.
Kurapika didn't flinch at the suggestion.
"If the Scarlet Eyes can be reclaimed by simply ending him now, I agree. But don't let your guard down, Brother. This country... it breathes a different kind of malice. Everything in Kakin feels like a trap."
Ronin nodded solemnly.
The SUV continued its steady pace toward the capital. While Ronin handled the long-distance drive, the rest of the team settled into a meditative rest, preparing their auras for the urban infiltration ahead.
At the same time, deep within the Mahavi Ruins in the Kingdom of Aitli, Muherr led his unit out of the primary shaft.
Behind them, Golem marched with heavy, hydraulic thuds, carrying a massive, reinforced iron crate.
The unit's exit was monitored by dozens of groups, but the presence of the legendary Rock Mercenaries ensured no one was foolish enough to intercept them.
Waiting at the surface was a secondary tactical unit. They were agents of the V5's Permitted Species Isolation Agency, accompanied by a detail of Pro Hunters. Their mission was to take custody of the high-risk biological specimens harvested from the depths and transport them to a Tier-1 Quarantine Zone for observation.
Inside the iron crate was a living Great Tree, shrunk down to the size of a bonsai and maintained within a localized spatial bubble by a specialized Hatsu.
Sharing the crate's internal "world" were several primitive-type Chimera Ants and a cluster of spider-monsters. These had been found in the residential skyscrapers of the subterranean city. Because that sector had been isolated from any external genetic influx, these ants were "pure"—unrefined by human or mammalian DNA.
These ants were the primary focus of the V5's concern.
As the specialists took custody of the crate, a woman stepped out from Muherr's formation. Ronin hadn't seen her during the earlier clears.
She had long, soft pink hair and an air of dignified, matronly grace. Her voice was gentle and yielding. However, the Hunter License pinned to her vest confirmed her status as a Temp Hunter—a member of the Association's specialized contract workforce. She had been dispatched by Pariston Hill to oversee the logistics of the transport.
Muherr wasn't particularly close to the woman, Aya Izumi.
But he knew her motivation. She hadn't joined the unit for the payout; she was a true believer in Beyond Netero's cause.
Muherr didn't quite grasp the fanaticism. Beyond possessed undeniable charisma, but to Muherr, charisma was a variable; money was a constant.
Vanessa watched the V5 transport ship take flight, a lingering sense of dread gnawing at her.
"Do you think that cargo will actually reach the Quarantine Zone?" she asked Muherr as the unit prepared to descend back into the ruins to finish the map.
"Not our problem," Muherr replied. "Our contract for the transport is fulfilled. Anything that happens from here is on the V5's ledger."
Vanessa wanted to argue, but the words died in her throat.
Mashur stepped up and squeezed her shoulder. "Don't sweat the small stuff. I know what you're worried about, but the man has been waiting decades. If he were going to pull the trigger, he'd do it himself. He wouldn't resort to... that."
"I hope you're right," Vanessa whispered. She didn't trust Beyond.
Every member of the secret team knew the conditions: Beyond Netero was shackled by his father's Vow. Only upon Chairman Netero's death could Beyond regain his freedom to cross the horizon and return to the Dark Continent.
In that context, every action Beyond took had to be viewed through one lens: Does this bring the Chairman closer to the grave?
Muherr paused. "Mashur is right. Beyond is a Machiavellian bastard and an ambitious powerhouse, but I don't believe he's the type to unleash a plague just to spite his father."
Hearing Muherr's endorsement, Vanessa felt her anxiety settle slightly.
Over the next week, no reports of hijacked transport ships or containment breaches surfaced. The cargo had apparently arrived safely. Vanessa finally allowed herself to relax.
She didn't know that Aya Izumi had already arrived in the Kakin capital.
In a secure, soundproof bunker deep beneath Beyond Netero's private estate, a different crate was being opened.
Inside was a single, two-meter-tall Chimera Ant Queen.
If Ronin had been there, he would have recognized her instantly from the details of the manga. This was the specific specimen that would eventually drift to the shores of the NGL.
"The rest of the shipment was handed over to the Agency," Aya Izumi said, her eyes burning with a fervent, devoted light as she looked at Beyond. "No one suspected the Queen was missing from the manifest."
She knew exactly why Beyond wanted her. She knew the devastation this creature would cause if released into a fertile, unregulated environment. She didn't care.
In Aya's worldview, the rest of humanity was disposable. Even Beyond himself, the man she idolized, was someone she was prepared to see die if it served the "Great Voyage." She would weep for him, but she wouldn't stop him.
To her, people were just fuel.
Beyond had approached her for the theft because he recognized that she was a kindred spirit—a soul that found peace in the thought of the world burning to pave the way for something new.
"Good. Keep her fed," Beyond said, giving the Queen only a cursory glance. "The time isn't right yet."
It wasn't a "dignified" strategy, but it was efficient.
Beyond had been preparing for his return to the Dark Continent for too long. He was tired of being a ghost.
As for his father's expectations?
Hmph. If the old man wants to stand in my way, he shouldn't be surprised when I find a way to move him.
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you