kscans

Chapter 191 - Interlude: Upheaval

Side: None

A throng of reporters had descended upon the press conference held by the Prime Minister.

In the past few months, there had been a frequent series of major incidents and disasters related to dungeons. One magazine had even dubbed it 'the worst unlucky year since the war.'

Amidst this, every media outlet was poised with cameras, straining to catch every single word of the 'major announcement.'

In the heavy silence, the Prime Minister announced:

"We are planning to dispatch the Self-Defense Force to the other world to investigate the cause of the increasing number of dungeons, and to find a solution."

It was a statement of fact.

Professor Arisugawa and her team had determined that dungeons were originally a product of another world.

Furthermore, the collapses within the dungeons were intentionally caused by the inhabitants of that other world, and beyond them, there should be other countries.

If they could make contact with that civilization, or even discover relics of 'Atlantis,' they might be able to solve the dungeon problem.

For that purpose, a plan was being put into motion to dispatch the Self-Defense Force to the other side of the dungeons.

Naturally, the conference hall erupted into chaos, and a barrage of questions was hurled at the Prime Minister.

"Do you have a viable plan for a large force to traverse a dungeon!?"

"The detailed operational contents of the Self-Defense Force are a matter of national security, and I cannot comment."

"If there are other countries on the other side of the dungeon, wouldn't this be an act of trespass... an invasion by the Self-Defense Force?"

"This is not an act of aggression, but purely an action for the purpose of negotiation and investigation. Even if we were to encounter people from the other world, we would never be the first to raise our weapons."

"Do you intend to do this alone? Have you not considered coordinating with other countries?"

"Currently, dungeons are only appearing in Japan. Therefore, this is Japan's problem, and we will not trouble foreign nations with it."

"There is a petition circulating to entrust the management of dungeons and Awakened Persons to the United Nations. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

"We have received it as a valuable opinion and are taking it into consideration."

"Is Japan planning to wage a war of aggression against another world!?"

"No. Our country will never turn its weapons on another nation with the intent of invasion. As I stated earlier, this is purely for the purpose of negotiation and investigation—"

The press conference lasted for two hours and was broadcast live and uncut into people's homes.

This news didn't just spread through Japan. It became a major topic of discussion around the world, with heated debates erupting over its veracity, justification, and its potential benefits and drawbacks.

It was such a big story that the buzz about 'a certain organization's participation in a cultural festival' from the previous day was all but forgotten by the public.

＊　　　　　＊　　　　　＊

Shinjuku, Tokyo. A certain conference room in the Ministry of Defense.

Half a day after the Prime Minister's announcement of the SDF dispatch to another world.

As the new day's sun shone brightly, Akasaka Yuusuke, director of the Dungeon Agency, had come to meet with General Marui of the Ground Self-Defense Force and Admiral Kadokura of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

"Well, well. As expected, the news of the SDF dispatch is all anyone's talking about."

Admiral Kadokura, who had brought a newspaper with him, slapped the article down on the desk.

"They haven't actually been dispatched yet, but the plan is steadily moving forward... is that correct?"

"Yes. With the participation of 'B-Rank Adventurers,' we now have more flexibility in the units we can deploy. The work to clear the rubble blocking the entrance of that dungeon at sea is underway."

"Still, needing weapons to clear a dungeon... heh. For that dungeon, those crystals alone should be enough. The Prime Minister really showed his sly old fox side for the first time in a while."

Though Admiral Kadokura, grinning slyly, looked more like a fox himself, Director Akasaka and General Marui managed to bite back the comment.

"...This is also thanks to you, Admiral Kadokura, for protecting that gate. Thank you."

"Cut it out. The ones who fought were the crew of the patrol ship and the cooperating 'B-Rank Candidates'... or I guess it's 'B-Rank Adventurers' now."

"Of course, we are grateful to them as well, but it was thanks to your brilliant maneuvering, Admiral Kadokura, that we avoided a major political incident."

"Hahaha! Being praised by an old guy like you does nothing for me. I was just desperate, thinking Japan would be ruined if we started a war with China in this situation."

After a hearty laugh, Admiral Kadokura's gaze sharpened.

It was not a look directed at an ally, nor an enemy. It was a probing gaze, mixed with a hint of contempt, directed at Director Akasaka.

"But... what's been bothering me more is, it seems like things in the Diet have been moving along quite smoothly lately. I'll ask you straight. Did you turn your own daughter into a 'monster'?"

"If I were to answer with a YES or NO, it would be YES."

At Akasaka's firm declaration, a vein pulsed on Kadokura's forehead.

"I don't care if adults like you and me get our hands dirty. That's our own decision. But making a kid do it, even for the sake of the country, is wrong."

"She stepped into this world of her own free will."

"Kids are idiots who mistake local thugs for cool guys! If they make a wrong decision, it's an adult's job to knock some sense into them and stop 'em!"

"...Admiral Kadokura."

Taking a small, deep breath, Director Akasaka met his gaze.

"First, I have not made her kill anyone. Neither directly nor indirectly."

"What...?"

"What I had my daughter do was smoke out the 'clients' who were contacting the politicians. And gather evidence of their secret meetings. Everything after that was handled by me and my subordinates, and all the 'clients' we captured are alive."

"...Are you serious? It's not my place to say, but that's quite..."

"Yes, I am aware that I took a huge risk, and if those we've captured are released now, this country will be in grave danger. They are shady characters, so they can't publicly denounce us, but they still have the power to overturn Japanese politics."

"Director Akasaka."

General Marui, who had been quietly observing their conversation, fixed Akasaka with a cold, piercing glare.

"Is that risk a necessary one?"

"Of course. I have affection for my daughter, but I am not so much of a doting parent as to endanger the country for that reason alone."

Despite a gaze that would make an ordinary man's knees buckle, he showed no signs of faltering.

"Her ability is too powerful for society. She must not be taught to kill. She must not be allowed to forget her sense of ethics. She must always be made to define herself as being 'on the side of justice.' And that 'that justice is based on social order'."

"..."

"We need her power for Japan right now. That's why I can't let her go. But that doesn't mean I can use her without considering the consequences. It's as simple as that."

"...Understood. I misjudged you. I apologize."

"I'll just interpret that as 'you're protecting your daughter for those reasons.' Sorry for jumping on you."

"Understood. Then, let's consider this matter closed."

General Marui and Admiral Kadokura, while sharing the same ambition of protecting the country, had slightly different approaches.

One believed in doing what must be done, even if it meant abandoning emotion, while the other believed that emotion was also necessary to protect the country.

Neither was necessarily right. If anything, both were.

The point was, they couldn't afford to have a falling out right now. Director Akasaka, inwardly relieved, continued the conversation in a calm, businesslike tone.

"Returning to the agenda, regarding future dungeon management. Is it correct to assume that the dispatch to the other world will be primarily led by the GSDF?"

"Yes. We will continue to ask a lot of our troops, but we are finally seeing a glimmer of hope. We'll ask them to push on a little longer."

"And the transport of personnel and supplies, as well as security around the gate, will be the MSDF's job. And it looks like we'll continue to lend personnel and equipment to the army."

"I'm in your debt, Kadokura-san."

"Don't mention it, Marui-san."

The General stated flatly, to which the Admiral responded with a broad grin.

They were a pair that could easily be misinterpreted, but they were generally on good terms. His stomach spared a bout of churning, and Director Akasaka once again breathed a sigh of relief.

"But what are the neighboring countries saying?"

"The Chinese government is currently considering its position. The rest of Asia is neutral, leaning towards opposition, and Russia has taken a clear stance against it. They're saying Japan is repeating the foolish acts of the war... or so they say."

"Hmph. And the Americans?"

"America seems to be considering its stance on the dispatch of Japan's SDF, but the President has made positive posts on social media."

"Eh, what? That sounds shady as hell."

"Yes. It is shady."

Admiral Kadokura's face contorted in a blatant grimace, and General Marui also furrowed his brow.

Director Akasaka nodded, a thin sheen of cold sweat on his forehead.

"I don't believe they will remain passive observers. We can expect some form of intervention."

"...Let's speed up the rubble removal. However, even though we can isolate the monsters in another room, they haven't disappeared. The culling work has to be done in parallel, so it will still take a lot of time."

"Can't we get the 'B-Rank Adventurers' to help with that too?"

"That would be difficult. This is a job for the Self-Defense Force. It's not that I don't trust them, but I don't want to give other countries an opening to interfere."

"I see. And what about Europe and the other countries?"

"The EU, led by France, is leaning towards UN management of the dungeons, but they are not united. The UK, meanwhile, has expressed neutrality, leaning towards support. Though they can't be trusted."

"Hah! That country has never been trustworthy!"

"Hahaha."

Director Akasaka laughed off Admiral Kadokura's menacing baring of his teeth.

"In any case, the GSDF and MSDF will continue to..."

As if to cut him off, the vibration of a smartphone buzzed through the room.

It was on silent mode, so there was no ringtone. But all three of them felt the vibration.

That was only natural. After all, all of their phones had gone off at the same time.

"Excuse me."

Out of habit, Akasaka excused himself before taking out his phone, but the other two, sensing this was no ordinary matter, were already checking their screens.

Their eyes widened in unison as they read the reports from their subordinates.

"Hey, you've got to be kidding me. My subordinate is telling me..."

Admiral Kadokura's face twitched as he showed his phone screen to the other two.

"...that a large-scale rebellion led by Awakened has broken out in China."

At those words, General Marui pushed up his glasses, beads of cold sweat running down his face.

"What a coincidence. My subordinate has just informed me that 'remnants of Turohorse have stirred up trouble in China'."

Both men's gazes turned to Director Akasaka.

A loud grinding sound came from his back teeth, even more intense than the churning in his stomach.

"To think he would go this far... Fudge Valentine...!"

Japan was now forced to deliberate on its response to the revolution in China.

Currently, the country was in massive debt to other nations. Since the 'Day of Awakening,' Japan had been constantly strapped for cash. The only reason the majority of its citizens were able to enjoy a sense of 'normalcy' was due to that support.

One of those supporters was China, and now a 'Japanese-led rebellion' had broken out there. If they were to treat it as 'someone else's problem and deal with it later,' their 'credibility' would be shot.

Credibility is collateral. It is precisely because Japan had tried to repay its debts even to countries it had fought against in the war that many investors put their money in it.

Even without that, a powder keg had just ignited next door. Not taking countermeasures was not an option.

Even if it meant throwing the global economy into chaos, that country, President Fudge Valentine, had stopped Japan in its tracks.

Both in the open and in the shadows, the battles were far from over.

If one were not particular about the place or type, they might, perhaps, go on forever.

＊　　　　　＊　　　　　＊

Washington, USA. The Oval Office of the White House.

There, seated in a leather chair, was an elderly man with blond hair, blue eyes, and a well-featured face.

Stroking his neatly trimmed beard, President Valentine smiled at the monitor on his desk.

"I am truly glad to know you are alive, 'George'."

"It's an honor, Mr. President."

Saluting through the screen was a rough-looking man with black hair.

He was the man who had been entrusted with security in the deepest part of the research facility that 'Doctor Tesla' had used in Japan.

"But are you alright? I heard you were badly injured."

"Thanks to you, I'm all patched up. The organs that got blown out are back where they should be. Man, magic is some incredible stuff."

During the 'Tokyo Incident,' he had attempted to infiltrate the Central Government Building to either recapture or silence Doctor Tesla, but his unit was annihilated by a certain trio.

He himself did not escape unscathed, losing both arms and suffering a collapsed lung and multiple crushed organs. It was a severe injury that would have killed most Awakened, let alone a non-Awakened person.

They had attacked with the thought that 'this much force would be necessary to capture him,' but even so, this man had managed to escape.

"It's all thanks to the Awakened you sent, and the magic potions. Now I can still fight."

"That is good to hear. It was unfortunate about your men, but I will send replacements. Put them to good use."

"Yeah, that's fine by me... but what's the job?"

"You will be working for the good of the United States, of course."

Clasping his thick, sturdy fingers, the President continued.

"Due to Akasaka's conspiracy, we have lost many lives. Along with our friends in Japan... We must make them answer for that. Not for revenge, but to prevent such tragedies from happening again."

"Heh. Well now... that sounds perfectly reasonable."

The man, George, nodded deeply with a serious expression.

"And I want you to recover, or destroy, the Doctor and the 'legacy' they possess. Thanks to you, we know that the corpse was not his. I want you to put that nose of yours, and that... 'brutality,' to full use."

"Yes, Mr. President."

George grinned.

It was the face of a starving carnivore, baring its canines. This was his true nature.

As long as he could fight, as long as he could kill, he didn't care about any grand cause. In a different way from the Awakened mercenaries running rampant in the Middle East, he too craved blood.

For a man like George, this president was the perfect client.

Even if he knew he would be disposed of in the end, he had no intention of stopping.

"This George T. Dakota will carry out the mission, staking my life on it."

"Yes, I'm counting on you. My friend."

After ending the communication, the President leaned back deeply in his chair.

Then, he turned his gaze across the desk to the Director of the CIA.

"How are things on your end?"

"Yes. The 'broken wheel' is moving along just as planned."

"I see..."

The operation was proceeding smoothly, but President Fudge Valentine's expression was not bright.

"More needless blood will be shed... Why does Akasaka love conflict so much? When he was at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was a man who loved peace. What changed him?"

"With all due respect, Mr. President, he hasn't changed a bit. He'll do anything for his country. He's the type of man who'd spill everything from his face in a tenth of a second if necessary."

"I see... so he's that type of madman..."

After gently pressing his hand to his eyes, the President stood up from his chair.

"I will not allow such a man to wreak any more havoc on this world. America will seize the frontier, and with that power, we will bring peace to the world. You will lend me your strength, won't you, Director?"

"Of course, Mr. President."

A slick of sweat ran down the back of the CIA Director as he straightened his posture.

His stomach churned, but the Director told himself it was just his imagination.

"Justice is with us, with America. We will absolutely accomplish the 'Tesla Plan'!"

There was no one in this room who could stop the forcefully declared words of President Fudge Valentine.