2077: V really knows how awesome he is

V breathed a sigh of relief, but then a terrible thought crossed her mind, and she quickly added, "We must thoroughly investigate those who steal boots; we absolutely cannot allow certain bad habits to corrupt our sacred research team!"

Joanne Koch: "..."

In short, even before Ciri woke up, various studies on her had already begun. By the time she awoke naturally a day later, the research team had essentially confirmed that she was not a native species. "Native" here doesn't refer to Earth, but rather the entire solar system. Firstly, the bacteria she carried were unlike anything seen on the Moon, Mars, or any other exoplanet ever set foot on by humans. Secondly, through analysis of the bloodstains on her clothing, Joanne Koch discovered a new substance.

This substance, named after Ciri, does not participate in the transport of nutrients, its production mechanism is unknown, and its function is completely indeterminate. Joanne Koch designed a series of experiments to determine the use of substance C, but it mysteriously disappeared, seemingly unable to survive after leaving its host, which completely violates existing physical rules.

"I suspect that matter C is the reason why this mysterious person is able to achieve warp."

Joanne Koch reported confidently to V, who asked curiously, "How can you be so sure? What crucial evidence have you found?"

“No, not at all.” Joanne Koch shrugged. “I just had Misty do a fortune telling for me.”

V suddenly realized and began to take it seriously.

In a time when science is not progressing, believing in the guidance of theology can be a kind of science for navigating life.

In short, thanks to these discoveries, Ciri escaped the risk of being dissected and used as a lab rat. She woke up a little over a day later, and then the scene before her unfolded.

Over the next few days, Night City made contact with Ciri. To avoid provoking unnecessary hostility, V, the man who had beaten Ciri up, did not appear in person. Instead, they sent Kurt Hansen, David Martinez, Jenkins, River Ward, and even Solomon Reed, all of whom were called back from the set. However, Ciri remained unmoved and refused to cooperate.

“It’s not that she’s unwilling to communicate; she’s already told us her name and background. This Ciri claims to be a time traveler who has accidentally wandered into our world. She has no hostility towards us, and she can leave immediately if we release her.”

River Ward, the main person in charge of communications, reported to V: "But when we brought up the idea of ​​using the warp technology, Ciri became extremely wary and hostile. I told her we wouldn't use this technology for evil purposes, only for space exploration, but she didn't believe me and said..."

River Ward paused here, and V asked curiously, "What did she say?"

Seeing that he couldn't escape the situation, River Ward could only bite the bullet and say, "She said the king of this world is a tyrant, and she would never hand over the secret of the Ancient Blood to such an evil ruler."

V was taken aback: "A monarch? It's 2078 already, where did this monarch come from?"

Everyone looked at her.

V was stunned, pointed to himself, and exclaimed in astonishment, "Me?"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

"Damn it, this is a baseless smear!" V gritted his teeth in anger. "I'm just an ordinary CEO in Night City. When did I become a king? No way, I have to make things clear with her!"

The crowd quickly pulled her out. Ciri already disliked the "King," and if she found out that this "King" was the one who beat her up back then, it would inevitably cause more dissatisfaction and vigilance, making communication even more difficult.

V had no choice but to sit back down, and asked unhappily, "No, why does she think I'm a tyrant when life in Night City is so good right now!"

River Ward replied, "According to Ciri, she visited Night City about three years ago and stayed for six months before leaving, so she witnessed the suffering of the lower classes, and therefore..."

V calculates the time; it's 2078 now. Three years ago was 2075. Back then, he hadn't been "activated" yet and was living a muddled life as a corporate dog. The company ruled everything, the whole world was in turmoil, and Night City was even rated as the worst city in America. Ciri thought that the ruler of this world was a tyrant, and it seems she wasn't wrong.

"So what do we do now? Are we just going to drag this out like this?" V was so eager for the warp technology that he couldn't wait to get his hands on it immediately and didn't want to wait even a minute longer.

River Ward hesitated for a moment, then said, "I have an idea, but I don't know if it will work."

"tell me the story."

“I want to take Ciri out to see Night City for herself. I believe that the real lives of ordinary people are the best proof and will definitely change Ciri’s stereotypes.”

V thought for a moment and finally nodded: "Okay, go do it, be careful."

River Ward stood up and saluted: "Yes, sir. I will have the Terrorist Mobile Unit keep watch in secret and ensure that no civilians are injured!"

V meant that he should be careful, since Ciri was quite capable in combat; killing River Ward would be as easy for her as it was for River Ward to kill a street thug. However, considering that the director of the NCPD and a retired wizard... a retired FIA agent were secretly protecting him, she didn't say anything more.

After River Ward left, V said to the crowd, "I bet Alex came up with this idea. Anyone want to bet with me?"

Joanne Koch rolled her eyes at her: "What's the point of betting on something so obvious? I'm leaving, I still have research to do."

And so, everyone scattered like birds and beasts, each busy with their own affairs, leaving V alone once again.

On the contrary, Ciri received long-awaited companionship.

River Ward placed a set of clothes on the bed and said to Ciri, who was doing push-ups, "I've arranged a day of outdoor time for you. Hurry up and take a shower and change your clothes. I'll take you out for a walk."

Ciri was overjoyed and jumped up from the ground, excitedly saying, "That's great, River, I knew you were a good person!"

River Ward deliberately put on a stern face and pointed to his clothes.

Ciri immediately picked him up and carried him into the bathroom: "Don't worry, I'll be quick!"

She was indeed quick; she showered and changed in less than five minutes, much to the surprise of River Ward, a married man who knew all too well how tedious women could be with getting ready.

He glanced at Ciri's still-dripping hair and commented, "Rough and frizzy."

“Just like a boy!” Ciri shrugged nonchalantly. “Geralt said the same thing about me.”

"Geralt is?"

"My adoptive father."

River Ward remembered that name.

Seeing Ciri's expectant gaze, the NCPD director smiled and opened the door.

Ciri was overjoyed and stepped halfway out, but then pulled back.

She asked River Ward, "Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"

River Ward shook his head: "You can't run."

"why?"

"Because I vouched for you, if you run away, my whole family will be beheaded."

"Damn it!" Ciri exclaimed regretfully, "I shouldn't have asked!"

River Ward smiled and said, "Come on, I'll take you around the city first, and then we'll have a meal together."

Ciri perked up again: "Is it riding one of those iron horses?"

"The 'iron horse' you're talking about is called a motorcycle. It's a cool thing, but traffic laws stipulate that motorcycles can't carry passengers, so we drive cars."

"An iron carriage? That's fine, can I drive it?"

"No, traffic laws stipulate that people without a driver's license cannot drive on public roads. Besides, everything is now self-driving, and it's impossible to switch to manual driving mode without special circumstances. However, I can let you sit in the driver's seat."

Hilary seemed to understand but not quite: "This person called 'Traffic Law' must be a high-ranking official here. He's really meddling in other people's business!"

River Ward didn't explain much. Once in the Delaman taxi, Ciri was so captivated by the dazzling skyscrapers that she completely forgot about the traffic law officer.

“Even though it’s not my first time seeing this city, I’m still deeply amazed.” Ciri kept looking out the window. “Any building here is taller than the king’s palace. I really don’t know how you built them. Or is it just my imagination? The street fights have almost disappeared, and the ground is much cleaner and tidier. Last time I went out, I was robbed by some thugs.”

River Ward paused, recalling a case from three years ago: "So you chopped off the thug's head?"

Ciri asked curiously, "Can't we cut it?"

The NCPD chief thought about the gang warfare on the streets three years ago: "That's where you can definitely cut down gangs."

Ciri asked curiously, "You seem a bit sentimental. Did you remember something?"

“No, it’s just that the streets three years ago feel like they’re from the last century.” River Ward’s lips unconsciously curled into a smile: “You’re not mistaken. Compared to three years ago, street fights have indeed disappeared, and the city’s sanitation has improved a lot.”

"A lot must have happened in between."

"Yes, there are so many, as many as a novel that's rushing to its end. One event after another, so fast it's overwhelming. But when everything settles down and you look back, you suddenly realize how much turmoil and joy and sorrow there was."

"Why is this happening?"

“Because of one person,” River Ward said with a smile. “Would you like to hear her story?”

“Of course.” Ciri sat up straight.

The person who can change this city must be a great hero, and she should respect heroes.

Draman's car took the two of them through the city, with skyscrapers serving as the perfect backdrop, as River Ward began to tell Ciri the legend of V.

As the vehicle drove through the company plaza, River Ward recounted the story of V single-handedly breaking through the Arasaka Tower to save his friend;

As the car drove past the Konpi Building, River Ward recounted V's epic showdown with Kenichi Saburo in order to avenge his employees.

As the vehicle drove through Pacific State, River Ward intended to recount the story of how V had manipulated the new US president, but as night fell and the city lights came on, he stopped talking.

“We’ll tell you the rest of the story during our post-dinner chat.” River Ward re-entered the destination: “Let’s go eat first. My wife and sister have prepared dinner and are waiting for us. My nephew and niece are also here. They are very cute. You will love those little guys.”

"Are we going to your house for dinner? I thought we were going to some hotel." Ciri said somewhat uneasily.

"What, eating at home doesn't fit your culture? I apologize if I've offended you."

“No, no, no, I appreciate your invitation, but…” Ciri hesitated, “It’s my first time visiting, and I have nothing to offer as a gift…”

"Haha, no need to be so formal. You, a visitor from another world, are the best gift. If you are really troubled by this, tell us about your story, anything you want. My nephew and niece have been very curious about you for a long time."

Chatting and bragging?

Ciri is very good at this.

Having traveled through countless worlds, she had countless adventure stories to tell, and immediately agreed: "No problem, I will repay your hospitality with the most exciting stories!"

Chapter 119 Clash of Titans

Ciri enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at River Ward's house. Alex and River's sister warmly welcomed her, and River's nephew and niece were also very cute and well-behaved. After dinner, Ciri played a holographic game called "Battle of Heywood" with them, which made her shout like a child again after a long time, and she once again felt the beauty of everyday life.

After the game, River Ward took the children to wash their dirty hands, while River Ward brought out some chilled beer, and the three adults then enjoyed their post-dinner chat.

Ciri loved this atmosphere, or rather, this was the life she longed for, but the ancient blood within her forced her into a life of wandering.

"Tell me more about V's story."

River was more than happy to accept Ciri's request, and he continued with the previous story, recounting the tale of the Arasaka invasion.

When Ciri heard that V had single-handedly destroyed an aircraft carrier and then single-handedly stormed Tokyo to throw Arasaka Yorinobu off a tower, she excitedly cheered loudly, raised the can in her hand and shouted "Homage to the hero!" The three of them then drank a glass together and opened a new can.

The narrator then changed from River Ward to Alex, since no one can tell the story better than someone directly involved.

Miles's shamelessness angered Ciri, Solomon Reed's blind loyalty moved her, and the fate of the lark Song Zhaomei evoked both love and hate in her, leading her to believe that such selfish individuals were not worth saving. However, when she heard that the rogue AIs had been released and that Song Zhaomei, under V's guidance, finally understood the greater good and was prepared to sacrifice herself to protect all of humanity, she felt immense admiration.

“Even someone like this doesn’t give up on you, and you’re willing to go and save him yourself. V is truly a benevolent and great monarch,” Ciri said from the bottom of her heart.

River Ward then recounted a story that had just ended.

The meteorite attack dropped from the moon terrified Ciri, the human civil war saddened her, and when she heard that Ultraman could control billions of people in the world with a single thought, Ciri experienced a deep-seated horror. When she heard that V was not human but a wandering AI, she was shocked to the core!

"V isn't human, but the roaming AI you've been talking about, the ghost of the cyber world?" Ciri exclaimed incredulously. "How could a human submit to a non-human being? This is too bizarre."

"Is that place strange?" Alex asked.

"You are two different species!"

Does species matter?

"Isn't species important?"

“I’m not a scholar, so I don’t know.” Alex’s tone shifted. “I’m just an ordinary person. I only know who brought me a good life. Compulsory education, universal healthcare, safer communities, healthier food, fairer laws—you only see V’s inhuman side. Why don’t you see everything V has done for everyone? You might say that humanity’s fate should be in its own hands, but history has proven that humans are the main force persecuting other humans. If that’s the case, why can’t we change our way of life and let a non-human lead humanity?”

Ciri didn't know how to respond to this argument, and could only say, "You guys are really brave."

Alex chuckled: "It's not as great as you make it out to be. We're just tired of being scammed. Culture, tradition, nationalism—those are indeed very, very great things, but they're too far removed from us ordinary folks. They're not as practical as the necessities of daily life."

Ciri fell into deep thought.

River Ward stood up: "Let's go, it's too late, I'll take you home."

Ciri said goodbye to Alex.

On the way back, Ciri remained silent, gazing quietly at the colorful city outside the car window, seemingly immersed in the beautiful night scene.

River Ward escorted her back to the white room, and as he was closing the door, Ciri suddenly said, "President V is a great hero, without a doubt. I want to see her."

The bureau chief was overjoyed: "Great, I'll make the arrangements."

Back home, River Ward picked up Alex, threw her onto the bed, and then launched into a frenzy, pinning his wife firmly to the polymer nano mattress.

"Did Ciri give in?" Alex asked.

“Yes, she said she wanted to see President V, so she probably intends to hand over the jump technology.” River Ward asked curiously, “How did you come up with this idea?”

Alex squinted, enjoying the moment as he slowly explained, "Because Ciri is a lot like me."

"Where does it look like?"

"We are all people who want a stable life, but are forced to wander. What can move a person is a good life."

River Ward understood, and he tenderly stroked his wife's cheek, his expression softening considerably.

Alex, however, was unimpressed: "What, it's not working again?"

No man could stand this. River Ward's dark face turned red with frustration, and he immediately increased his attack speed, determined to cut the succubus between his legs.