A Scientific Urban Detective

“Misaki Shokuhou, you and your companions can obtain a peaceful and stable life, as well as absolutely abundant scholarships,” Kihara only offered these conditions. “Even Dolly can be protected. She will obtain a new identity and gain freedom.”

“And what you need to do is guard the secret of the ‘clone’,” Kihara only said. “You cannot let anyone outside know, especially Mikoto Misaka herself, about the existence of the clones!”

“Can you ensure the safety of the clones?” Misaki Shokuhou retorted with a hint of mockery.

“Yes, you can rest assured about this,” Kihara only nodded seriously. “The ‘Artificial Atelier’ no longer exists, and all related research has been completely terminated. Dolly's experimental value… also no longer exists.”

“But a verbal agreement like this doesn't seem very convincing,” Misaki Shokuhou nitpicked.

“If you insist, we can of course sign a contract,” Kihara only spread her hands. “But the purpose of this transaction is secrecy, which means that the keywords such as Mikoto Misaka and clone are destined not to appear on the contract. So, even if there is a contract, it won't have much meaning.”

The two had a detailed discussion about whether to sign a contract and the specific terms of the exchange.

But tacitly, neither of them mentioned the subsequent “Mass Production-type Esper” project, nor did they mention the subsequent 20,000 “Misaka Sisters.”

Misaki Shokuhou was afraid of alarming the enemy, which would arouse suspicion from the Kihara clan and Chairman Aleister. At this stage, knowing nothing was the best protection for the “Misaka Sisters.”

As for Kihara only, she was also very wary of Misaki Shokuhou's “Mental Out,” and didn't want to become a “mobile hard drive” that was delivered to her door. So, at the first moment after accepting the task, she took the initiative to delete all confidential information from her mind.

——This time, Kihara only volunteered to come and negotiate face-to-face with Misaki Shokuhou, partly with the intention of testing this set of precautions.

The negotiation proceeded amidst the mutual vigilance and probing between the two.

After repeated confirmation and judging that there were no traps set in Kihara only's brain, Misaki Shokuhou gradually became bolder and tentatively launched "Mental Out" to monitor the other party's thought activities.

“There's no need to sign a contract. Just like you said, it's impossible to clearly specify the detailed terms on paper, so such a contract is meaningless.” Misaki Shokuhou seemed to make a concession, but then said, “Since you are the real Kihara, I can trust your promise, right?”

Kihara only revealed a smile: “You know about our clan? That's good. But you obviously don't know enough about the real ‘Kihara’, otherwise you should know that we are pure researchers, and any moral and legal constraints have no binding force on the real Kihara.”

“I know.” Misaki Shokuhou nodded. She already knew what kind of oddballs the Kihara clan were. “But since you appeared here to negotiate with me, it means that you will abide by this agreement. Or rather, the big shots of the Governing Board you represent will recognize this agreement.”

If it was just the promise of a “Kihara,” it would of course not be trustworthy. But the Governing Board, as the management organization of Academy City, their promises are effective.

Ruling and managing a super city requires attention to a complex and diverse range of issues. If it can be resolved through negotiation and compromise, it is not worth wasting more other resources on it.

“Okay, I'll consider it your win.” Kihara only shrugged. “Misaki Shokuhou, you and your companions must not leak any information about Mikoto Misaka's clones. In exchange, you will receive abundant material resources and a peaceful and stable future life.”

“No, there's still a little bit missing.” Misaki Shokuhou suddenly shook her head.

“What other requirements do you have?” Kihara only asked.

“There's no need to hide it. You and I both know that there is more than just Dolly as a clone…” Misaki Shokuhou took out her phone from her bag and opened a file she had specially saved.

——《Feasibility Analysis of Mikoto Misaka No. 0 Clone “Dolly” and Her Backup Shared Personality and Memory Information》.

Kihara only immediately understood: “You've been investigating this recently, haven't you?”

Dolly and her backup are the same batch of “products”, and their numbers are both No. 0. They are essentially the same person.

Of course, from the perspective of ordinary people, two bodies are two people.

——It seems that even a Level 5 is ultimately just an ordinary girl in terms of concepts, vulgar and outdated.

Kihara only suddenly felt a little bored to death: “So, you want the location of this backup?”

Misaki Shokuhou said: “Not only that, I demand that the safety of all Misaka clones must be protected, and they can no longer be used for experiments under the guise of harming their lives!”

Misaki Shokuhou's eyes were bright and piercing, staring at the woman opposite her. Her description actually set a trap—"all Misaka clones" seemed to refer to Dolly and Thorny in this context, but in fact, this vague statement could also be extended to the later 20,000 Misaka Sisters.

Of course, how much binding force this verbal agreement actually has… even elementary school students know it's unreliable, and Misaki Shokuhou certainly couldn't really pin her hopes on it.

Agreements are often directly related to the strength of both parties.

As long as the strength is sufficient, even if it is just a verbal promise, it will be implemented due to one's own will.

Misaki Shokuhou firmly believed that she would definitely gain the strength to make the Governing Board give in and compromise.

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So, during this negotiation, lay some groundwork first.

“No problem.” Kihara only readily agreed. She had already known about Thorny's existence and expected that Misaki Shokuhou would mention this—this was originally one of the conditions used for negotiation.

“I can tell you the location of that backup and prepare a new identity for her as well,” Kihara only said. “I can also promise on behalf of the Governing Board that I will no longer use them for experiments.”

Her straightforward attitude made Misaki Shokuhou secretly click her tongue—this woman really doesn't seem to know about the “Mass Production-type Esper” project.

But she is a real “Kihara”, so Misaki Shokuhou simply doesn't believe that she doesn't know about this project.

Even if Misaki Shokuhou launched "Mental Out", she couldn't find any flaws.

But sometimes, "finding nothing" is also a discovery.

Therefore, Misaki Shokuhou can be sure that Kihara only must have hidden her true thoughts in some way, or simply deleted this part of her memory.

I can only say that she is worthy of being a member of the Kihara clan, even being so ruthless to herself!

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