Antique Gear is one of only two major corporations that manufacture automatons.

Battle Trench specializes in manufacturing automatons suitable for combat while Antique Gear handles automatons used for everyday life and industrial purposes.

Because they deal with different fields, the two companies have been able to grow without major conflicts.

However, that doesn't mean the two companies have signed a non-aggression treaty promising not to invade each other's territory. Quite the opposite. They desperately wanted to somehow topple the other's position and plant their flag in that territory. They aspire to be the overwhelming number one, not just one of two industry leaders.

That's why Battle Trench subtly extended its reach into manufacturing industrial automatons. Antique Gear also produced automatons that could be used in combat.

'After all, companies inevitably desire to grow larger and develop.'

The pursuit of profit through expansion. That is the destiny of all corporations. Eventually, a clash between the two organizations was inevitable.

Perhaps within a few years, Battle Trench and Antique Gear would have faced off in a life-or-death struggle for the throne of the future. That certainly would have happened if companies manufacturing steam suits hadn't intervened.

Tirna is a city, but it has a harsh environment even worse than the wilderness. Companies prey on other companies and grow taller by absorbing the nutrients from their corpses. It's like looking at an ecological pyramid.

'It's actually closer to a crueler wilderness than the natural ecosystem.'

The apex predators of an ecosystem don't try to eat each other. Predators firmly establish their territories and try not to cross them. That's because if they fight, both sides get injured.

Moreover, they never go hunting when they're full. They only target prey when they need to fill their stomachs.

But companies are different. Despite being natural predators, they don't know how to yield. They devour even when they're not hungry. They continue to grow bigger that way. Rather, they constantly look for opportunities to prey on other predators like themselves.

They might smile at each other on the surface, but behind the scenes, they hide sharply honed knives. This behavior truly befits the name "City of Greed."

'If the city government hadn't imposed certain regulations in this area, probably all companies in Tirna would have disappeared except for a few major corporations.'

Imagine a single company expanding like an octopus and getting involved in all sorts of businesses. The power such a company would wield would be unspeakably enormous, to the point where even the city government would find it difficult to handle.

That's why major corporations establish certain boundaries through deals with the city government. Not recklessly extending their reach into other industries is a prime example of this.

'But the current case is different. Steam suits and automatons. Broadly speaking, they belong to the same field of mechanical engineering. They can cross each other's lines without hesitation.'

There's nothing that violates the laws created for mediation. Even if they engage in a slaughter to devour each other, the city government has no justification to intervene. No, they would probably just watch quietly, knowing full well what's happening. After all, the weaker companies become, the fewer headaches they cause.

That's also why Antique Gear was providing this much information.

At this rate, Battle Trench would get ahead so they were asking to throw hot pepper powder on that situation.

"Well, I appreciate you providing this information, but there must be a price. Do you want Neo too?"

Osian asked sharply. Their goal is to rescue Neo. And Antique Gear's goal is to interfere with Battle Trench's experiment.

For now, the two goals align based on mutual interests. But what about afterward?

Osian needs to protect Neo, and conversely, Antique Gear will likely covet Neo. In other words, even if this mission succeeds, what follows is a new battle.

"You don't need to worry about that."

But contrary to Osian's wariness, Shaloni’ response was rather ordinary.

"Our goal is for Battle Trench to fail this experiment and collapse. We don't want anything more than that."

"Is that really true? I find it hard to believe."

Don Quixote asked incredulously. Antique Gear is the company that directly requested Basilio to confirm Neo's existence in District 49. They must also need data on AI automatons.

"That would have been true before. But not now. I can't tell you the details because they're confidential, but what you're worried about won't happen. I can guarantee that."

It's uncertain whether Shaloni's words can be trusted. But as a representative of a company, she wouldn't make careless false statements. Trust is important for major corporations, after all.

'It seems that some discussion has taken place within Antique Gear without our knowledge.'

Though the exact reason is unknown, it's good if they're not targeting Neo. At least they can focus on the mission without worrying about being betrayed.

"And regarding the equipment for the mission, we're thinking of providing sufficient support."

"You're even offering support?"

"If we're going to do this, wouldn't it be better to do it thoroughly?"

Shaloni spoke as if it were nothing, but Osian could sense a certain emotion in her voice.

'Fighting spirit.'

In other words, Shaloni wanted Battle Trench to get a good thrashing. No, beyond that, she seemed to want them completely destroyed. This would align not just with her personal wishes but with the intentions of Antique Gear as a company.

The reason for providing information and even equipment support to mere fixers, no matter how exceptional it's simple: to stick it to that damned rival company.

That was their only motivation.

'Yes. Indeed, there's hardly a more universal and definite motive than wanting to crush your opponent.'

Even corporations don't always make rational and definite judgments. Sometimes they act emotionally too. Of course, that doesn't deny that a certain calculation goes into those emotions. A warning that if you mess with us, we will never leave you alone.

"Alright. If you're offering support, I won't refuse. So, to what extent can you support us?"

Shaloni didn't answer with "We can do this much and this much." Instead, she said just one thing.

"Tell us whatever you want."

They didn't set any limits on how much support they could provide.

Go ahead and ask for whatever you want. We can provide it all.

That was truly refreshingly satisfying. This was exactly what a major corporation in Tirna was like.

The core experiments continued afterward in several instances. Initially cautious, the researchers couldn't hide their excitement when they faced the unknown light flowing from the core.

They continued all experiments as long as Neo didn't break down.

"Is this okay?"

One researcher asked the director. Massive current was flowing through the wires connected to Neo's core, and Neo's body was visibly trembling, unable to withstand it.

There was an unavoidable anxiety that Neo might break down if this continued.

"Look properly at the core."

At the director's words, the researcher stared at the core. While Neo's body couldn't withstand the current, the core was different. Not only was it fully receiving the energy injected from outside, but it had begun to emit a brilliant light.

"It's an outdated automaton originally made as a household helper. The energy capacity of its core isn't that large. But the energy we're flowing in now is enough to easily power 10 military-grade automatons."

"Are you saying the core has been altered to exceed its specifications?"

"Yes. I don't know what altered it, but the answer to artificial intelligence must be there too."

"More amazing is that the artificial intelligence we've been looking for is related to the core, not the computing device. Could it be that the mind exists in the heart, not the brain?"

The researcher's voice carried emotion. A kind of sympathy toward Neo, who was being electrocuted.

"You seem to have literary qualities. Put aside such trivial emotions. Focus on how to apply this. No, it seems the answer is already out."

The power being injected into the core stopped immediately. Neo's body went limp, but the ethereal glow emanating from the core remained.

"Data analysis?"

"The readings are all unprecedented, so I'm not sure how to handle this. But this alone is already an incredible discovery."

"That's not enough. We need to reach a stage where it can be commercialized immediately."

"But there's not enough time for that. It's uncertain how to apply the specifications of this core to the 'new model'."

"From the beginning, this experiment was full of unknowns. Try connecting the core to a non-functioning automaton."

At the director's command, researchers moved busily. Soon, an automaton that had ceased operation was prepared.

"Begin."

One of the numerous wires connected to Neo's core was connected to the core of that automaton. Then something amazing happened. The light flowing from Neo's core moved along the wire to the other automaton.

-Whirrr.

Lights came on in the eyes of the previously non-operational automaton. Its body, which hadn't moved for a long time, creaked as it began to function.

"This can't be. How is this possible?"

"It's an automaton that was essentially disposed of, how?"

The researchers couldn't close their gaping mouths at the miracle they were witnessing yet could hardly believe. The mysterious power of Neo's core had made a lifeless automaton move.

The newly activated automaton turned its head and approached Neo. With creaking movements, it stood in front of Neo, then reached out to caress Neo's cheek.

The researchers watched silently. That automaton, as if it possessed emotions, was showing concern for Neo.

-Bzzzzt!

At that moment, the automaton's body trembled violently, then went completely limp.

"Operation has ceased."

"What's the cause? Analyze it quickly."

"It seems it was too old and couldn't withstand the energy. But more importantly, that last..."

The researchers seemed uncertain if what they had seen was real. The behavior of the automaton influenced by Neo's core was almost like that of a person with emotions.

"It seems we've found the answer."

The director smiled coldly. They had finally found the way forward.

A cargo loading area with countless cargo containers stacked up. Osian led the Knights to this remote place where few people visited.

"This is it."

-Rattle rattle.

Shaloni stood in front of one container and touched something, causing the door to open. Upon seeing the scene inside, everyone except Ossian gaped in amazement.

"What on earth is this..?."

They had thought it was just a small container, but once inside, the space expanded vastly. And what it contained were the latest weapons.

The container was just a disguise. The real thing was a secret weapon storage facility handled by the corporation.

"Is it okay to show such a place to mere fixers?"

"This is just a tiny fraction compared to what the headquarters has. Don't worry."

There were enough weapons to form a battalion-level unit, yet this was called just a fraction. This gave a rough idea of how impressively resourceful major corporations were.

"What you all want is over here."

Shaloni went to one side and pressed a button on the wall. There was a clicking sound and the sound of intricate clockwork mechanisms turning.

-Hisss!

With pure white steam, the wall opened vertically.

What emerged from the fully opened wall was a steam suit perfectly matching a person's form. It was similar yet different from the brass suit Don Quixote was wearing.

"This is..."

Don Quixote, wearing his not fully repaired brass suit, was speechless. He immediately recognized what that suit was.

"Yes. This is a prototype suit our headquarters created to counter Battle Trench."

As she said this, Shaloni’s gaze was directed at Don Quixote. The steam suit he was wearing was manufactured by Battle Trench. It wasn't surprising that Antique Gear had made something similar.

"We've hidden the modified version to prevent information leaks, so unfortunately we can only show you the prototype. But don't worry. Its performance is certainly up to par."

"It seems so."

Osian approached the steam suit and brushed its surface with his fingertips. Unlike Don Quixote's brass color, the Antique Gear product was a piercingly beautiful silver. It truly looked like armor that knights would wear.

"This will do."

Ossian looked back.

David, Don Quixote, Asmer and the knights were the reliable companions who would fight alongside him this time.

And the support didn't end there.

"Do I have to do this too?"

A bewildered voice that didn't understand why they were there. Its owner was Lupona, who was staring at Osian with a blank face.