kscans

Chapter 68 - 68

There were signs.

By the time we were on Rena's plane heading for Japan, a warning had come from the Shinonome Group's AI.

The police were waiting at the airport.

But I hadn't done anything wrong, and trying to run away felt like I was admitting to some wrongdoing. So when Rena asked if we should change our scheduled landing airport and escape, I told her we didn't need to do that.

Why should I have to run away?

Besides, so what if the police are at the airport? Why is the conversation proceeding on the assumption that I'm the one who's going to be arrested?

Their target might be Rena or someone else.

If Rena were to be arrested by the police, I would use all the power I have now to save her. In the first place, she's the young lady of one of the four great zaibatsu, so Rena will surely be fine.

That's what I thought.

And this is the result.

I was put in a detention cell.

"Not again..."

What's different from the time in America is that my body isn't restrained.

At the airport, I was surrounded by three police officers as I got off Rena's private jet and was arrested on suspicion of violating the 'Dungeon Protection Act.'

What's the Dungeon Protection Act? Was there such a thing?

Apparently, the problem is that I've been clearing dungeons without permission.

Well, now that they mention it, that makes sense.

All the dungeons have appeared on land owned by someone, and I had entered them without permission. If they call it trespassing, I have no choice but to admit it.

...Seriously? I really messed up.

I had been entering dungeons with the same mindset as when FWO was a game.

The Black Dungeon that appeared at the high school was a gray area, but the Gray Dungeon I cleared after that had appeared on private land. That's what was apparently out of bounds.

But still, Japan is nice.

They properly tell you the charges. During the interrogation, they even served me katsudon. And there are no restraints.

In America, they just yelled at me without me understanding anything and immobilized me. Foreign countries are seriously scary. Well, that was David's fault, though.

There's a bed in the Japanese detention cell, and a toilet too...

No, I really don't want to use this. I want to get out as soon as possible.

I think in times like these, I should ask for a lawyer, right? Even if you don't have money, you should be able to get a consultation for the first time. I was a little flustered during the interrogation because it was my first arrest, so I couldn't bring myself to say it.

Alright. When the next guard comes on patrol, I'll ask them to call a lawyer.

"Number 008, out. You have a visitor."

Number 008 is my name here.

I was about to ask for a lawyer, but a visitor...

Could it be that Rena came because she was worried? In that case, maybe it's better to ask Rena for a lawyer.

Thinking that, I followed the prison guard.

"Nice to meet you. You're Shizukuishi Hayate-kun, I presume."

The person in the visitation room wasn't Rena. It was someone I'd seen on TV.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're the Chief Cabinet Secretary."

"I'm Hirata. A pleasure."

This is a seriously important person. Why is he in a place like this?

And he was alone. The prison guard was gone too.

"First, I want to apologize to you."

"Huh?"

Hirata-san suddenly stood up on the other side of the acrylic wall and bowed his head to me.

"U, um, I don't understand."

"This time, due to my lack of power, I allowed you to be arrested. I am truly sorry."

"...What do you mean?"

"Let me explain in order. First, Hayate-kun, who do you think runs the country?"

"Um, politicians?"

"The people choose the politicians, so it is generally said that the people run the country. The people hold the power. That is what democracy is originally supposed to be."

"Originally, meaning it's actually different?"

"That's right, this country's democracy has long been over. You've heard the term 'upper-class citizen,' I'm sure."

"Ah, yes."

Super rich people, or people with power, right? They say things like 'he won't be arrested because he's an upper-class citizen.'

"Those upper-class citizens decide all of this country's policies. The politicians chosen by the people have no right to decide policies. The enactment of the Dungeon Protection Act, which was one of the reasons for your arrest this time, was also decided by the upper-class citizens."

Wait, but does that mean the Shinonome Group is also involved?

Rena is an upper-class citizen too, right?

"No way, Shinonome-san..."

"The president of the Shinonome Group and his daughter, Shinonome Rena, also fall under the category of upper-class citizens. You're dating her, aren't you? Rest assured. She has not betrayed you."

"What do you mean?"

"The Shinonome Group naturally has influence in the political world. However, compared to the other three zaibatsu, its power is not as great. They have built up a position comparable to the others through financial power, not through backroom dealings in the political world. This time too, the politicians affiliated with the Shinonome Group opposed the establishment of the Dungeon Protection Act, believing it would become a hindrance to your future activities. But they were in the minority, so they couldn't fight it."

I see. So Shinonome-san is on my side.

Just knowing that makes me feel a little lighter.

"Getting back to the topic, what is the connection between the upper-class citizens who made that law and my arrest?"

"The upper-class citizens who don't belong to the Shinonome Group want to get their hands on the dungeons, which are expected to be a source of abundant resources. And they have always been targeting you, who has the power to easily clear those dungeons. They were waiting for a chance to make you their own, Hayate-kun. It seems that because you have been acting together with Shinonome Rena recently, the other zaibatsu couldn't make a move."

I thought I was protecting Rena, but it seems she was the one protecting me.

"Frustrated by their inability to secure you, Hayate-kun, the three zaibatsu other than Shinonome created the Dungeon Protection Act and forcibly separated you from Shinonome Rena upon your return from abroad."

"What? D, did they really make a law just for that!?"

"The upper-class citizens have judged that you are worth that much."

Th, that's a little embarrassing to be told. I don't like being arrested or ordered around, though.

"As I said earlier, the politics of this country are controlled by the upper-class citizens. The current Prime Minister and I are considered to be affiliated with the Saionji Group, but in reality, we are acting under instructions from the president of the Shinonome Group."

Whoa! So the Prime Minister and the Chief Cabinet Secretary are on my side!!

The Shinonome Group is amazing.

"But please don't misunderstand, the Prime Minister and I cannot openly support you. If it were revealed that we are affiliated with the Shinonome Group, we would be immediately forced out of office over some fabricated scandal. The zaibatsu have the power to do that. What we usually do is just report the behind-the-scenes movements of the political world to Shinonome-sama. This time, I've bought a little time by saying I would negotiate, but if there's no progress in a week, you will be transferred to one of the zaibatsu."

"R, really?"

"The Saionji Group has lost power due to the Saionji Hisato incident. Right now, the Hojo Group and the Nagumo Group are keeping each other in check, so they haven't made a move, but they will eventually move to secure you. Before that happens, there is something we absolutely want you to do, Hayate-kun. In the process, you will be able to clear dungeons for a while."

Whoa! That's a relief.

"What is it that you want me to do?"

If it's something I can do, it's probably related to dungeons.

It will probably be an indirect request from Shinonome-san, so clearing the mission should also lead to him approving of my relationship with Rena.

I'll do anything. Leave it to me!

"Hayate-kun, I want you to kill the Goddess."