kscans

Chapter 231 - Chapter 8: Epilogue - Part 2

Chapter 8: Epilogue - Part 2

No POV

Kasumigaseki, Tokyo. A certain floor in the Central Government Complex.

In a corner of that floor, the staff of the Dungeon Agency were once again gathered for a meeting.

"That concludes the battle reports we have received from the 'A-Rank Candidates'."

"I see..."

Having finished reading the documents in his hand, Director Akasaka gave a small nod.

"Frankly, this is more than I expected."

"Indeed. The candidates' morale is about three times higher than we anticipated."

"Yes."

To be blunt, the Dungeon Agency—or rather, the government—had gone into that briefing half-expecting failure.

The world's gaze upon the Awakened had grown cold. It wasn't like before, when they could find employment just about anywhere.

Recently, a growing number of them had been fired or demoted from security firms and private military companies, only to get involved with local gangs and cause trouble. This trend only accelerated the negative public perception.

But that didn't mean there was no demand for them at all.

While America was working behind the scenes to exclude the Awakened, a select few skilled individuals were receiving more fervent offers than ever before, for reasons like, 'What if a dungeon disaster occurs outside of Japan?' or 'What if a hostile organization uses an Awakened assassin against us?'

Essentially, the plan was to hire a small number of elite individuals while reducing the overall numbers. It was easier to manage their leashes that way.

And the 'A-Rank Candidates' were especially noteworthy among them. At this point, their personal quirks were irrelevant. To say they were in high demand would be an understatement.

And the Japanese government simply didn't have the resources to keep them here.

Trying to persuade them with words was also exceedingly difficult. Even Director Akasaka had almost no experience negotiating with such an openly eccentric group. When a former colleague, who used to walk the halls of Kasumigaseki in a suit alongside him, showed up in a half-naked fairy cosplay, his spirit nearly broke.

This time, however, it wasn't a matter of Director Akasaka succeeding in his negotiations.

They—the candidates—had taken up arms of their own free will.

'My father and my grandfather both died for our country. But I cannot die in the same way. My children and grandchildren are more important. But that is precisely why... I will stake this loincloth. For the future.'

'Justice! That is what I swore upon these Stars and Stripes. Is it justice to abandon my mother's homeland, my friends, my comrades? Nay! I will show them the power of the U.S.-Japan alliance!'

'Why must my path be tied up in tortoiseshell rope by some lizard who is not my destined Master? My path is for me and my yet-unmet Master to decide!'

'I will simply follow my lady. And one day, we shall be kept as a set by a true Master... To make that dream a reality, I will accept any hardship. Oh, I'm getting a little excited.'

'Goo! Goo ga ga! Gaaah!'

'This bikini armor is not just for show. Armor is meant to protect. I shall make this body a shield for those who cannot fight. That is the way of a warrior.'

'I hate getting scars on my back! A fight's gotta be face-to-face! So what? If I die, it just means that was all the woman I was!'

'If this operation is a success, I want you to enroll me in kindergarten as a reward for my service. If that's not possible, I'll compromise with preschool.'

'I was just thinking it'd be fun to whip a dragon.'

'Woof!'

'Backin' down now would be unmanly! The God of Hair would laugh his ass off at us! We're gonna keep tearin' it up 'til the very end! Later, bitches! Rock on!'

'We always thought we were born in the wrong era. But we were mistaken. From the bottom of our hearts, we are grateful to have been born in this age.'

'Honestly, I want to run. But I've come to understand my reason to fight... I will absolutely smash that dragon's skull to pieces.'

"...We have nothing but gratitude for them."

Although about twenty percent of their 'answers' were incomprehensible, the vast majority of the candidates had declared their participation in the operation to subjugate the white dragon, Guivre.

For now, he could only rely on their fighting spirit, but Director Akasaka swore in his heart that he would one day repay this debt.

"So, what's the status of the two dragons?"

"Both remain quiet, as if sleeping. However, the dungeon's expansion is continuing, albeit slightly, and we've been told the maps need to be redrawn."

"I see. We'll need to maintain close coordination with the Self-Defense Force. Make sure information is shared thoroughly, no matter how trivial."

"Yes, sir."

"But the experts concluded that those two are 'dungeons in the shape of living creatures'... is that really true?"

One of the staff members stroked his stubble as he looked at the documents in his hand.

Taking that as a cue, the other staff members began to voice their own thoughts.

"We have no choice but to believe it. They're beings that can't be explained by existing physics or chemistry. We can only bet on the astrologers. Well, we are comparing the readings from multiple practitioners."

"Relying on Onmyoji and astrologers here in the 21st century... It's a little late to be saying this, but it makes me uneasy."

"Don't say that. The fact is, their powers have helped us. We don't have time to be skeptical."

"It'd be great if they just stayed cooped up in their dungeons... but what preparations do we have in case they emerge before the operation?"

"We're preparing unmanned weapons to delay them at a minimum, and we're also preparing for the evacuation of residents from the nuclear missile's blast radius. The latter has already begun, slowly. Can't tell them the real reason, of course."

"This projected blast radius... this could cause more damage than if those dragons just went on a rampage. How many are they planning to drop?"

"They're sure being decisive, just because it's some distant island nation. Damn them...!"

"More importantly, Director. Is it really true? That 'those two won't be resurrected'?"

The staff member's words were met with a nod from Director Akasaka.

"There's a high probability of that. Those two have a different 'purpose' from normal monsters. As a result of being equipped with various functions, they've become independent dungeons. If they die, the altered leylines will return to normal over time, so the 'dungeon that produces them' will cease to exist."

"So even the do-anything Atlantis had its limits."

"That's right. The Atlantis Empire wasn't a nation of gods, and those dragons are ultimately nothing more than things created by man. Therefore, they can be killed... though it pains me to entrust that task to the heroes of our modern age."

For a brief moment, a deep wrinkle creased his brow before Director Akasaka looked around at his subordinates.

"But that's precisely why we will do what we can. We're going to back up the Self-Defense Force and the 'A-Rank Candidates' with everything we've got."

"Yes, sir!"

They determined their respective roles, and the staff members moved out in unison.

Director Akasaka himself headed to his desk and began to organize the documents regarding the candidates' transportation on the day of the operation.

Just then, a male staff member, Satou, approached, holding a tablet. He leaned close to the director's ear and spoke in a low voice, a cold sweat beading on his forehead.

"Director. The 'Lucky Squirrel' is apparently looking for nuts in the desert. Says the bridge construction will take a little more time."

Only a handful of people knew the meaning of these seemingly nonsensical words.

And Director Akasaka, of course, knew that the contents of this report were extremely serious.

"...Understood. I'll send the 'building materials.' Arrange for them to be able to pick them up at the port."

"Yes, sir. I'll pass it on."

As his subordinate quickly operated the tablet, Director Akasaka thought of his daughter for a moment, then gave a small shake of his head.

He, too, had made his resolve. Now that his daughter had chosen this dangerous mission for herself, he would not worry about her beyond his official duties.

But... as 'Director Akasaka of the Dungeon Agency,' surely he was allowed to pray for the safety of the small collaborator who had undertaken the mission to guard the leader and an executive of the 'Walkers.'

He closed his eyes for just a few seconds, then his fingers began to move again.

*

"This is a sweatshop! It's not just a sweatshop, it's a soul-crushing abyss, this guild!"

At the 'Walkers' headquarters.

In one of the executive offices, Yamashita Akemi howled before the mountains of paperwork piled up on either side of her computer.

"Can't be helped, Akemi-chan. Your brother and Shougo-san are across the sea right now," her friend Kiriko replied in a mumble.

"I know, but still... Ugh, I should've volunteered to be a bodyguard!"

"That, I cannot allow, even for my best friend. Do not interfere with a bond between men."

"Could you not do that with my brother, please?"

Akemi's cheeks twitched, but Kiriko was already lost in her own world.

"This time, it's a trio with a handsome middle-aged man joining them... A recently world-weary cat-eared boy. His macho childhood friend. A worldly gentleman who's seen it all... There's no way nothing will happen. There's definitely a 'throbbing' event going on...!"

"There is not. Well, I mean, the airport bus did suddenly stall, and the plane landed somewhere unknown due to mechanical trouble, but..."

"If any woman tries to get in there, I will kill her. I'm prepared to take her down with me. I will absolutely not let their love story be disturbed."

"You know, I think I have the right, as his sister, to punch you, Kiriko-chan."

"Sorry."

"You're forgiven."

With that, Akemi stretched her arms and back with a groan.

"Ngh... Break's over. Gotta get back to work."

"I'm going back to my room, too. I need to somehow gather the materials the club requested."

"This request totally disregards profitability, seriously... At worst, I guess we'll have to gather them in a dungeon ourselves."

"Yeah. That's probably what'll happen. Let's have the secretaries handle the scheduling."

"Okay. Never thought I'd have a secretary at this age."

"I didn't expect that either."

"Right? Okay. Well then, let's get to this... huh?"

Twitch. Akemi's cat ears moved.

"What is it?"

"No, I just thought I heard something..."

"Ho, as expected of Yamashita-kun's sister."

"W-Who's there?!"

In an instant, the two of them deployed their `Arcane Gear`, standing back-to-back with weapons ready.

They were warriors who had survived numerous desperate battles. Yet, they had allowed someone to get within earshot. Even if they were at headquarters, it must have been due to carelessness and fatigue.

But it was precisely because they were at headquarters that they raised their guard against the mysterious intruder. This building had multiple layers of barriers, set up with the help of the 'Alchemy Enthusiasts Club.' And this intruder had passed through all of them.

A cold drop of sweat trickled down their cheeks.

"Ah, please don't be so alarmed. We're not exactly strangers, are we?"

"Oh yeah...? Then we'd like you to show your face."

"I cannot show my face. But I will show myself."

And then.

"Yo."

"Uwaah."

A section of the ceiling opened, and a man in black descended with a slithering motion.

Akemi recognized the smell, and Kiriko recognized the mana he exuded.

"No way, the Vice-Chairman of the club?"

"Indeed. It has been a while since the izakaya."

"...Why, from a place like that?"

Though he was an acquaintance, Kiriko didn't lower her guard, channeling power into her staff.

In response, the Vice-Chairman gave a small shrug.

"Things have been rather busy lately. If my movements were to be known when I'm out and about, my life would be in danger."

"Your life?"

"Yes. I'd be killed by Akasaka-kun... I wish I could say that as a joke. This week alone, the Chairman and I have been the targets of two kidnapping attempts."

Akemi gasped softly at his words.

"The club has always been targeted by various groups, but it's gotten particularly bad recently. Oh, here's a souvenir and an order form. And an inventory list of the golems we'll be sending you."

"Ah, thanks."

"How very thoughtful."

The two of them reflexively accepted the bag of sweets and the bundle of documents he produced from under his robe.

"You two should be careful as well. These days, I can't even trust important documents unless they're hand-delivered."

"...So, about your entry route?"

"...Doesn't the phrase 'a personal secret passage' stir a certain sense of romance in you?"

"You've got to be kidding me."

Thump, thump. Akemi kicked the Vice-Chairman's shin. And from the other side, Kiriko jabbed the tip of her staff under his chin.

"Ow, ow. Stop that. Don't bully an old man."

"Shut up, I'll sue you."

"Hmph. Don't think you can beat me in court. I am a legal expert."

"The defeat of the rule of law..."

As their assault slackened, the Vice-Chairman slithered back up into the ceiling.

"Well then, ladies. Be very careful not to get kidnapped. America, in particular, seems to have thrown away all restraint lately. Please tell Yamashita-kun I said hello when he returns. If you two were to fall to a malicious bullet now, the Awakened in this country would erupt."

With those parting words, the Vice-Chairman's presence faded away.

Staring up at the closed ceiling, Akemi muttered.

"...I wonder if Nii-san's okay."

"Akemi-chan. This pastry is amazing. It's the limited edition one you have to wait three hours in line for."

Three seconds later, the cat-eared girl delivered a Thai kick to her friend's rather large rear end.

*

Washington, D.C., United States.

In the Oval Office of the White House, President Fudge Valentine rested both elbows on his desk, his fingers steepled before his mouth.

"So, Doc. What's the progress?"

"Everything is proceeding smoothly, Mr. President."

An old man in a white coat, the very picture of a scientist, replied with a smug grin.

Next to him, the Director of the CIA shot the man a glance and clenched his fist.

"I see. Then I'm counting on you. For the future of humanity."

"Of course. I have no such lofty ideals... but if it gets me test subjects and a budget, I will cooperate as much as you like. Now, if you'll excuse me."

As soon as the man called Doc had left the room, the CIA Director spoke up.

"Mr. President. Please, reconsider. A man like that is not worthy of trust. He may be capable, but his character is far too dangerous."

"I know. But he is necessary nonetheless."

The President unlaced his fingers and gently stroked his own left arm.

"Even so... I, and the United States, must atone for our sins."

Below his neatly trimmed mustache, his thin lips spun the words dispassionately.

"The creation of the gate to the other world was a complete accident. I was initially overjoyed by this unintended result... that much is true."

"Mr. President...?"

"But."

His left arm slammed down on the heavy desk.

A loud bang echoed through the office. A picture frame that had been on the desk fell to the floor, the glass shattering.

"As a result, I unleashed unspeakable monsters upon this world...! If this is not a sin, then what is!"

"...The damage from monsters is certainly immense. But that's precisely why we should use Japan's adventurers—"

"No."

"...?"

The denial was so forceful that the Director furrowed his brow.

"The monsters I speak of have human forms, speak human words, are indistinguishable from humans. And they are the inhuman beings that humans have twisted into."

"...Don't tell me."

"Yes."

President Fudge Valentine stood up, clenching his fists tightly.

"The Awakened. I cannot allow those monsters to run free."

At those words, the Director was momentarily speechless.

"I was deceiving myself. Pretending to focus on the 'frontier' and short-term gains. I was averting my eyes from my own sin."

"............"

"When I learned of the other world... I was immediately terrified. I didn't know when those monsters might invade our world. And we were the ones who opened that path. Japan is already contaminated. I couldn't bear... the weight of that sin."

A single tear traced a path down the President's cheek.

"But, even after becoming a demon, George gave me advice. I... will not run anymore."

His blue eyes shining brighter than ever, he declared.

"Before any more humans turn into monsters, we must stop the 'infection.' We must prevent them from multiplying any further, no matter what it takes."

---President Fudge Valentine had a certain nickname.

He had been given many glamorous monikers for his handsome looks and brilliant career, but shortly after he took office, an article appeared with this headline:

'The Most Radical President in History: Fudge Valentine.'

"We will erase that invasive alien species from this world. That will be our atonement."

The CIA Director swallowed a hard lump in his throat.

"...What will you do about the dungeons?"

"Of course, I don't expect to be able to exterminate those monsters immediately. We will reduce their numbers gradually while also making use of them. An eye for an eye. The people of that country 'create reasons' for the injustices that befall them. And then they convince themselves of those reasons. Even after we drop the nukes, depending on how we handle it, it will still be possible to keep a lid on the dungeons in Japan. Eventually, we will destroy the Awakened on the other side and eradicate them as well..."

"Will it really go so smoothly?"

"It is not a matter of whether it will go smoothly. We must do it. To protect the world. The Atlantis Empire is said to have possessed technology that surpassed worlds. As long as that is the case, there is a possibility that their world could invade ours."

"...To protect the world, you say."

"Yes."

The President moved away from his desk and gripped the CIA Director's shoulders.

"I am counting on you. I know you'll do what's necessary."

He glanced for a moment at the desk, which was heavily dented from where he had punched it.

"...Yes, Mr. President. I will see it done, even if it costs me my life."

He met the President's glittering blue eyes and nodded.

*

"I can't believe... even the Cessna crashed."

"This is beyond being cursed."

Speeding through the desert in a car driven by his childhood friend, Yamashita, the leader of the 'Walkers,' let out a small sigh.

"I expected assassins from somewhere to come after us, but I never thought we'd be targeted this relentlessly."

"But we haven't even properly seen the enemy yet, have we?"

"It seems like they either self-destruct on their own or get neutralized by the local police..."

"It feels a bit too convenient to call it a silver lining. Is this also thanks to that 'Lucky Squirrel' of ours?"

"Chichi..."

When Yamashita and the others looked back, they saw a squirrel lying sprawled out and exhausted on the seat...

"Oh, Chris-san. Are you contacting someone?"

"...Yes. I was arranging our next destination through a connection of a former superior... someone I should now call an older friend."

Former Ambassador Chris Mackenzie, now in his usual attire and a pair of sunglasses, having decided there was no point in a disguise anymore, was sitting there.

A smartphone was clutched in his hand, and he stared at the screen with a difficult expression.

"...If this were a movie, this would be the part where Chris-san is revealed to be the enemy spy."

"Haha. If that were the case, I'd do a much better job of it. Besides..."

After a weak laugh, Chris lightly pushed up his sunglasses with a finger.

"I have to make sure you get back to Japan safely, Yamashita-san. And I have one more reason for that now."

The car sped through the desert. The squirrel would go missing for about an hour from this point, but since it reappeared so suddenly, Yamashita and his companions, though suspicious, outwardly accepted that it must have been hiding in the gap between the seats.

They would never know that the squirrel was gasping for breath as if on the verge of death, and that former Ambassador Chris was desperately tending to it.