Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 743, Section 157: Absolutely Must Not Fall into Others' Hands
In Dogtown, there were quite a few people who could see that Hansen's impromptu banquet and announcement of his successor was actually a "luring the enemy into a trap" tactic, and among them, of course, was Rosalind Miles, who was now under tight protection.

"I have to go."

Her decision was brief and resolute.

Despite having just narrowly escaped Hansen's attack not long ago, she readily accepted this deadly "invitation," a decision so reckless that it made Oliver, who was responsible for protecting her, frown instantly.

“Hey, hey, hey, Ms. Rosalind—no, President Miles,” he drawled, his tone a mix of sarcasm and impatience, “you don’t really think our protection mission is an easy job, do you? We agreed that we would only ensure your safety, not accompany you to your death. Yes, I admit, as someone from Santo Domingo, I have some respect for you, but my ‘Old American sentiment’ isn’t strong enough to make me willingly jump into a fire pit.”

Oliver.

Jack interrupted his complaint at the right moment, but his brow was also furrowed.

Having been a mercenary for many years, he knew how to phrase things when dealing with important figures. He turned to Rosalind, his tone more restrained than Oliver's, yet equally disapproving:
"President Miles, this is outside our scope of authority. For your safety, you'd better proceed with caution. I don't understand the power struggles between politicians, but for an opponent who wanted you dead one minute to send an invitation the next, and you're already planning to accept? That doesn't make sense, even..."

Jack paused, carefully choosing his words, "It's almost like walking into their trap. Our orders were to protect you, not to watch you walk into danger."

His wording was more subtle than Oliver's, but the meaning couldn't be clearer—this was nothing short of a trap, a banquet with no return.

V, who was standing to the side, also shook his head slightly. Clearly, he didn't intend to do anything unnecessary.

Right now, the support team sent by Li De and Blanca is in place. All they need to do is take advantage of the night to safely escort Rosalind Miles out of Dogtown, and the mission will be complete. At this critical juncture, it would be unwise to create any unforeseen complications.

"I can choose not to attend in person."

Despite the objections from Oliver and others, Rosalind remained calm—she had never intended to take the risk herself in the first place.

"The negotiations with Arasaka tomorrow are the most important thing. I believe that with your abilities, you are capable of escorting me safely out of Dogtown. But I must send someone to Hansen's banquet. At the very least, someone needs to talk to that traitor of New America."

"So you mean, in the end, it will still have to be our people who go?"

Oliver immediately understood her intention and turned his gaze to Reed, who was standing to the side: "Do you want the FIA ​​to talk to Hansen about mental health for you? Or are you planning to persuade him to rekindle his patriotism?"

Oliver scoffed, "Judging by this, you're planning to have us send a team to escort Li De to the banquet? Honestly, what's the difference between that and directly protecting you? The mission is clear—we're only responsible for your safety. I really don't see any reason to agree to this extra request."

"It's not about protecting Li De to the banquet, it's about you."

Rosalind Miles's words made V frown.

"What do you mean?" V asked bluntly.

“Nightingale, remember? She is your official client.” A shrewd glint flashed in Rosalind’s eyes. “According to the rules of the trade, the client’s life must be guaranteed before the mission is completed. Although I can take on the responsibility of this mission, the rule of your mercenary world is that the original client’s life must be spared before the mission ends, right?”

“Trying to provoke us won’t work,” Oliver said. “We all know that the lark is just acting on your behalf to give us this commission. If you want to use a mere title to make us go through all the trouble of rescuing the lark, then…”

Halfway through his sentence, Oliver suddenly realized something and raised an eyebrow: "Wait a minute, you mean, we're going to talk to Hansen because we want to exchange for the Lark's life?" He said this with some surprise: "I didn't realize you cared so much about your subordinates' lives, but you're still thinking of making us mercenaries take risks."

“Everyone has their own value, but the lark’s value is especially special. She shouldn’t stay in Hansen’s hands; she must return to where she belongs.”

Rosalind Myers said something somewhat incomprehensible: "There are irreplaceable reasons why she became my personal hacker."

Miles looked at V: "If we let her fall into Hansen's hands, it will affect not only the new America, but the entire world order. So we must ensure her safe return. Since Hansen has taken the initiative to negotiate, it means he has seen through the value of the Nightingale."

Miles shifted her gaze so others could see it: "As long as he returns the lark," her voice suddenly softened, yet sent chills down one's spine, "I can forgive and forget the previous attacks and betrayals, and even welcome him back to the new America to a position worthy of his talents."

She spread her hands: "My negotiations with Arasaka will affect the peace of the entire world. I know Hansen is worried that the harmony between me and Arasaka will put him in an awkward position, so I am willing to make a guarantee. As long as he shows enough sincerity, I can even allow him to keep that list of traitors. I will personally deal with this mess. As long as he can return the Lark, that is my condition."

Miles slowly rose to her feet, her cold gaze sweeping over everyone present. Her voice was deep and resolute, carrying an undeniable authority:
“I know you have no obligation to save the lark—so I won’t try to convince you with high-sounding reasons.” She slightly raised her chin, her fingers clenching lightly. “I just need you to go to Hansen with my sincerity, and I will evacuate Dogtown while you are on your way.”

Her eyes were sharp as blades, as if they could pierce through any doubt: "If the negotiations fail, don't worry—the support team I've arranged will ensure your safe evacuation. Trust me, once I leave Dogtown and confirm my safety to the outside world, I am fully capable of fulfilling this promise."

The curve of her lips deepened, yet it conveyed no warmth whatsoever: "As for the compensation—in addition to doubling the previously promised five million euros, you can also choose a sufficiently prestigious position next to me, as long as you are capable of undertaking it."

Her fingertips lightly traced the tabletop. "Cabinet advisors, heads of government departments, even," she leaned slightly forward, lowering her voice, "if you truly have enough talent and the will to enter politics, I can pave the way for you to stand in a position where you can directly make demands of the president."

“The reward is indeed tempting.” Jack rubbed his chin, but his brows furrowed even more.

Now that he has become famous, he has become more and more composed in the team. This unexpectedly generous reward has made him more vigilant: "But a mercenary who is not blinded by the generous reward may be the truly qualified mercenary. I want to know - just how important is the Lark?"

Miles's fingers suddenly stopped.

“I cannot go into details.” Her voice suddenly turned cold and hard. “But if you accept this additional commission, I will grant you a special privilege.”

"Privileges?" Oliver asked instinctively.

“Execution authority.” When she uttered this word, the temperature in the room, which only contained the KK team members, herself, and Li De, seemed to drop sharply. “If you cannot ensure the return of the Nightingale, I authorize you to execute her on the spot, and the reward will still be doubled, but,” her gaze swept over everyone, “it will be missing a promise that you may not care about.”

The air freezes.

Li De's breathing visibly faltered, and the others froze in place. The power of execution? This meant—

If you can't bring her back, then kill her?

This is not about valuing it at all, but rather...
We must never let the lark fall into the hands of others.

(End of this chapter)