Chapter 75 - Breaking the Pact
The Kikyo Society returned in high spirits after their victory, but as they relaxed in their jeeps, a sense of liberation enveloped them. The journey back felt quicker with all the laughter and chatter. They were so refreshed, it felt like all their daily stresses had vanished. They turned the final corner toward Headquarters, ready for a well-deserved rest.
But what greeted them was anything but restful.
The scene was one of chaos and destruction.
The Kikyo Society Headquarters was under attack. Stunned by the sight, they saw several vehicles parked in the wide street in front, their windows shattered by explosions. The sounds of battle were still audible even from a distance.
"What the hell is going on?"
"Who are these guys? They’ve invaded the place!"
"I don’t know who they are, but they’re asking for it. Details later. We need to help now!"
Honestly, they were quite tired, but this wasn’t the time to think about that.
First, they needed to deal with the attackers outside.
Stopping the jeep, the Young Master stepped out and charged forward without a word. The others followed suit without hesitation.
The guards noticed them and, despite the crowded street, opened fire without hesitation.
"Damn, they’re really going all out in the middle of the city!"
Using Active Armor to protect against collateral damage, she approached and kicked the vehicles, incapacitating the attackers.
The other members also quickly subdued the remaining assailants.
"Half of you, stay here and bind these guys! Then keep watch for reinforcements! The rest, follow me and the Young Master!"
"Yukari-dono, I’ll stay here. The Young Master can handle the cleanup. The other leaders, please follow Yukari-dono into the building!"
"Alright, let’s go!"
With Siegrune handling the outside, they sprinted up the stairs and burst through the open front door.
Upon entering, they found one of their members lying unconscious near the entrance. Yukari quickly administered a healing spell. She was going to be fine.
"What are these guys? They’re way stronger than we heard! This isn’t what we were told!"
"Shut up, stop complaining! This is our only chance with the leaders gone!"
"Damn, just die already!"
"Gah! Hang in there!"
"No good, Mike’s been hit! Boss, we can’t hold much longer!"
"Agh! My arm, my arm!"
"Tony! No!"
Yukari quickly assessed the situation. The office was a battlefield, likely due to an initial magical assault. It was in shambles, a terrible sight.
The Kikyo Society members were initially disoriented, but now they were handling the situation calmly. The Secretariat and Intelligence Units were effectively suppressing the attackers.
The Kikyo Society’s Secretariat Unit, despite being non-combatants, could hold their own in a fight.
The injured and apprentices were being tended to by Colette, and the injured member was already out of danger.
They would have managed even without their arrival.
Josephine and Graylease were adept at supporting their comrades, and the Secretariat Unit members were calm and collected, unlike their attackers.
Having Colette, a skilled healer and mage, at Headquarters was a good decision.
With the initial assessment complete, they needed to end this fight. The Combat Unit, which should have been here, was conspicuously absent, which was concerning.
She signaled to Valeria and the others, and they immediately sprang into action.
Yukari approached the leader, grabbed him by the neck, and lifted him up.
The other leaders also identified their targets and quickly incapacitated them from behind. The attackers, already at a disadvantage, quickly fell.
"Yukari! Everyone!"
She winked at Frederica, then threw the struggling leader to the ground.
"Cough, cough, cough."
"Alright, everyone, deal with the others. There are more outside. Bind them together and put them in the vehicles they came in. I don’t want this place to be further defiled. Throw some minor healing potions on them to keep them alive for now."
"Got it, President. Everyone, lend a hand!"
The Secretariat Unit and apprentices took the lead. They used wires from the cabinets to bind the attackers and carry them outside.
Now, it was time for interrogation.
Angeline brought the bound leader to her and made him sit in a formal position.
Yukari sat on a tattered sofa, and Josephine, Ortlinde, and other leaders joined her, watching the man intently.
"Who are you, and which gang do you belong to? I can guess by your crest, but it’s only polite to introduce yourself, right?"
"You’re supposed to be at war!"
"We finished quicker than expected. But that’s beside the point. Who are you?"
The man, surprisingly composed, revealed his identity and even his purpose. He was a high-ranking member of a small gang.
"You’re finished. Even if you defeat us, you’ll have made enemies of other gangs. You’re outnumbered. Enjoy your defeat."
These were mere nuisances, like annoying flies. But the involvement of other gangs was concerning. The attackers outside had different crests.
"Let’s get one thing straight. There’s a mutual non-aggression pact. Did you consider breaking it before acting?"
"Who cares? The higher-ups decided, and we have no say in it."
That wasn’t an acceptable answer. His gang, being a low-level affiliate, had no say, but they were still bound to follow orders.
Moreover, they seemed unaware of the implications of discrediting the Clad Family, who proposed the pact.
"Whatever. The attack here failed, but we hit other places simultaneously. Once they’re dealt with, they’ll all come here. You might want to run while you can."
Indeed, simultaneous attacks on multiple bases. Mary and the others were at Sixth Avenue, but they needed to check on the situation.
"Siegrune and I can handle this. Everyone, split up and check on the Combat Unit on patrol and Sixth Avenue. I know you’re tired, but please."
"Alright, but we’ll take Siegrune and the others outside. We’ll leave a few to watch."
"That works. If other places are still fighting, we’ll need to reinforce them. Bring as many healing potions as you can. Rosabel, can you go to the Branch? Colette will stay at Headquarters."
"Leave it to me. I won’t let anyone die. Colette, this is on you."
"No problem. This will be a valuable experience for the apprentices."
Indeed, it would be a harsh but valuable experience for the apprentices.
They were attacked while the city was on high alert. Breaking the pact was a bold move, but it was infuriating.
She had no intention of letting this go.
"I’m really angry, you know."
She was seething with rage.
Returning from a war, only to find their home under attack. The office was in ruins, and the young members of the Secretariat and Intelligence Units were injured. Even though they were healed, the attack on non-combatants was deeply upsetting.
And her experimental potions, left on her desk, were now useless.
She sighed, feeling the weight of the situation.
"Are you serious?"
"What?"
"We have way more soldiers than you! How can you be so calm!"
"Are you an idiot? You’ll always be a low-level grunt if you can’t figure this out."
"What!?"
She needed to keep this man for further questioning. The Intelligence Unit might uncover more details.
For now, she needed to gather information and assess the overall situation. She wanted to ensure everyone’s safety and check on the Branch and stores.
Then, they needed to identify their enemies. Given the claims about the surrounding gangs, it wouldn’t be just one or two.
Once identified, they would crush them all. The Kikyo Society had the manpower to take over their territories.
However, breaking the pact could backfire. They needed to do some groundwork first.
She would write letters to the major organizations, including the Five Great Families, to avoid unnecessary complications.
"The Kikyo Society will retaliate against those who broke the pact. Do not interfere. If you disagree, contact us. We will consider you an accomplice to the pact breakers."
This was the gist of the message. She would avoid unnecessary embellishments to convey her seriousness.
They were always ready for a fight, even during the pact, but this was more than just a minor skirmish.
This was a full-scale attack during a war, equivalent to a declaration of war.
They wouldn’t run and wouldn’t let their enemies escape.
If the attackers came to destroy, they would be destroyed. Even a small gang should have the resolve to face this. If anyone tried to protect them, they would face no mercy.
After some time, the groundwork was nearly complete, and they were called.
"President, everyone is waiting."
"Got it."
The members who checked the territories had returned. They didn’t seem panicked, so it was probably fine.