Chapter 396: Ensemble Perspective, Parallel Development

In the Holy Residence, inside the Office of Directors, the Young Holy Emperor sat on the sofa in her room wearing sleepwear, watching the quieted online flame war on the tablet in her hand, a somewhat wry expression on her face.

She really hadn't expected that the boy named Broly from the Tenkō Agency would actually be this tough, engaging in a spray-war online with a whole herd of people who loathe the Cursed Children.

However, the fact that two different voices could appear online and spray at each other put this Young Holy Emperor's mind at ease considerably.

This meant that society's attitude toward the Cursed Children was not entirely one of rejection; the resistance she would face in pushing through the New Gastrea Law was far less than imagined.

"Broly, huh... I really ought to properly thank that kid..."

The Young Holy Emperor murmured to herself, and the Happiness Value in the Crystal Palace Panel began to rise.

At the same time, at the Tendo Family, Tenkō Chikunojō was also keeping an eye on the online flame war that had just ended.

"Master, are you alright?"

The Butler presented tea for refreshment and, standing at the side, asked carefully.

"It's nothing."

Tenkō Chikunojō waved his hand.

Online discourse often reflects a more genuine social situation; the fact that quite a few anonymous netizens spoke up for the Cursed Children proves that this society's vigilance toward those monsters who look like humans has decreased.

For him, who opposes the implementation of the New Gastrea Law, this is not a good thing, but Tenkō Chikunojō doesn't mind, because the general trend is still in his hands.

The current situation is unfavorable, but as long as Hiruko Kagetane's side realizes the Phase Five plan of the Relic Summon, he can make the civilians of the Tokyo Area recall their fear of the Gastrea.

At that time, those foolish commoners who have forgotten past hatred will, in fear, pick up their hatred for the Gastrea once more, and consequently those Cursed Children who carry the Gastrea virus in their bodies will also return to their original position of being treated as monsters.

Tenkō Chikunojō waved for the Butler to bring the satellite phone and dialed Hiruko Kagetane's number.

"Huh? I don't need to kill my way into the Office of Directors anymore?"

Hiruko Kagetane stayed in a gloomy room; before him was a running desktop computer, and the web address was precisely the NHK website.

His nickname was 【Man Who Destroys the World】, yet in this flame war that lasted a day, he stood on the minority anti-social-atmosphere side, helping a certain Wanpa Star Saiyan spray at those internet trolls.

"The situation has changed now. I don't need you to show your face in public; I only need you to secretly take the Relic outside the Monolith and open it, summon the Phase Five Scorpius — that's enough."

The content spoken through the voice changer on the phone made Hiruko Kagetane somewhat displeased, but he also knew why that old fox on the other end would make this choice.

"Daddy, can we go on a big killing spree tomorrow?"

Hiruko Kohina ran over and lay on his legs, looking up at him with pure eyes full of expectation, and asked.

"I'm afraid not. The only person we have to kill tomorrow is one."

Hiruko Kagetane stroked his daughter's soft head and answered.

"Eh? How is that different from what you said before?"

Hiruko Kohina puffed up her small cheeks, the look of a child wronged by an adult's deception.

Setting aside the content of her words, she was cute.

"Can't be helped. Who let us father and daughter be outmatched? The role of detonating the social hot topic has already been snatched away by someone else."

"Who snatched it?"

Hiruko Kohina was full of fighting spirit, seemingly wanting to do in the bastard who stole her big killing spree role.

"Who else could it be? Naturally it's that Broly boy. He really let me watch a good show today; those elegant words were simply superb. I truly didn't expect the other party to be such a silver-tongued kid!"

Hiruko Kagetane had been keeping an eye on Broly all along, so when the flame war appeared online, this person quickly locked onto the speaker's identity through Broly's first-party remarks.

"It's just cursing and dirty words. What's the big deal?!"

Hiruko Kohina was a bit unconvinced.

"Cursing itself is no big deal, but he high-intensity cursed and won against everyone he dueled — that is a skill."

"If it were me, I'd definitely find the real-world locations of those bastards who dare duel me online, track them down offline, and chop their heads off."

Hiruko Kohina said it in a fierce-but-cute way.

"But if Broly dueled you, you'd out-curse him? You'd out-fight him?"

Hiruko Kohina's Happiness Value began to decrease.

"Alright. Although we father and daughter can no longer play the most dazzling protagonists, even as supporting characters we must perform our own flair."

Seeing his daughter's unhappiness, Hiruko Kagetane comforted her.

"We father and daughter will be the villains who usher in the Tokyo District's Great Extinction. Ambitious politicians will, because of their behavior of using us to achieve their own ends, lift a rock only to smash their own feet and feel regret..."

As Hiruko Kagetane spoke these words, he tapped the keyboard.

On the desktop computer, a video appeared.

Inside played the recording of the day he and Tenkō Chikunojō had their meeting.

Now just imagining: after the Tokyo District's Great Extinction, that old fox comes out of the shelter built from Varanium metal, only to discover this secretly filmed video that ruins his reputation playing outside — what expression would he show, what response would he make?

Would he commit seppuku to apologize, or would he display all manner of ugly behavior in the face of death? It's truly something to look forward to.

"Daddy, is Scorpius really that amazing?"

Hiruko Kohina asked curiously. She had slain Phase Four Gastrea; although it was strenuous, it wasn't undefeatable.

"Phase Five Zodiac-class Gastrea and those Phase Four Gastrea are not the same concept at all.

The latter can be focus-fired to death with modern powerful military firepower, but the former — even if nuclear weapons are used, it's not necessarily guaranteed to kill."

Hiruko Kagetane was a mechanically modified soldier of the New Human Creation Plan from ten years ago, during the period of the great war between humans and Gastrea.

Although he had never directly faced a Zodiac-class Gastrea, he had heard of the terror of that class of Gastrea.

For example, one capable of shooting down artificial satellites flying in the sky from the ground, possessing ultra-long attack range — the Sagittarius that various missile heads cannot easily approach to attack.

For another example, the Scorpius currently slumbering in the deep sea, which in the past could trigger tsunamis just by moving, destroying several countries and dozens of coastal cities.

And there are those that suffered direct nuclear bomb bombardment, yet survived by relying on powerful defense power and regeneration ability, further undergoing evolution — Phase Five Zodiac-class Gastrea.

Rather than calling them Gastrea, it's better to say they are existences that have already evolved into the mythical creatures of legend.

Of course, relying on weapons made of Varanium metal that can suppress Gastrea regenerative abilities, humans do have the capacity to fight them.

It is said that before the war, the Tokyo area prepared the Super Electromagnetic Cannon — Heaven's Ladder — to deal with terrifying Zodiac-class Gastrea.

Although the people here ultimately lost that land, and that ultimate weapon never fired a single shot, theoretically it can deal with Stage Five Gastrea.

"What is a nuclear weapon?"

Hiruko Kohina's questioning voice pulled Hiruko Kagetane's thoughts back.

"Nuclear weapons are one of ordinary humanity's ultimate weapons, however, that thing is a chicken rib; if used indiscriminately against Gastrea, the ones destroyed first would only be weak ordinary humanity itself.

Therefore, aside from a deterrent effect on the surviving human safe zones of the world today, it has no other value."

Radiation is fatal to humans, but for Gastrea it has a somewhat counterproductive effect.

Aside from Gastrea killed by the nuclear blast center's power, other Gastrea that survive radiation exposure will only undergo further terrifying evolution.

Many high-stage Gastrea in this world are the result of evolution brought to Gastrea by residual radiation from nuclear bombs launched by countries worldwide back then.

To the point that humanity itself had to prohibit the use of nuclear bombs and develop other weapons more useful for dealing with Gastrea.

"zzz……"

Listening to the story, Hiruko Kohina gradually fell asleep.

Hiruko Kagetane carried his daughter to the sofa and personally covered her with a blanket.

Ten years ago he abducted a woman for artificial insemination, fed her the Gastrea virus, artificially interfering to give birth to cursed children carrying his own genes.

He raised them in a ruthless manner, making them kill each other in a gu-style slaughter at age seven; the sole surviving daughter, after years of getting along, Hiruko Kagetane also did not know what feelings his somewhat mad self held for her.

The only certainty is that on this night, a man like him actually considered this foolish daughter's future.

The next day, the Holy Son of Heaven arrived at Kōda Elementary School as promised, accompanied by an honor guard and escort team.

Just like many VIP visits, where subordinates are notified in advance to make preparations.

The Young Holy Emperor's visit of condolence this time held no surprises; Principal Yoshida wore a beaming smile, the invited parents were somewhat flattered and fearful, while conversely the elementary students angrily lodged complaints with the Young Holy Emperor, speaking of the media companies' unscrupulousness, speaking of Aihara Enju's innocence.

In response, the Young Holy Emperor showed a faint smile; these elementary students before her who had already changed their view of Cursed Children are the future of the plundered generations.

When these children grow up and become society's mainstream, she believes the world will be better.

Thus, before numerous lenses, the Young Holy Emperor solemnly named and reprimanded several media companies that falsely and recklessly reported campus violence news.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Hiruko Kagetane had already infiltrated the vicinity of the Holy Residence, the Office of Directors.

Of course, actually he merely removed his mask and changed into a black suit, a low-key attire different from his high-profile red suit.

"The appointed time has arrived."

Hiruko Kagetane looked at his watch, and the position behind the Office of Directors also opened a small door on time; a man with a slightly nervous expression walked out.

"You're the person I'm meeting?"

The man was startled; upon discovering a white rose on Hiruko Kagetane's chest, he nodded.

"The goods?"

Hiruko Kagetane asked.

"Right here."

The man carried out a cardboard box from the front door.

"Is there surveillance nearby?"

"Already reported as malfunctioning."

"Are you Tenkō Chikunojō's man?"

"Once received Assistant Official's patronage."

The man answered.

But in fact, his ability to buy a house in the Tokyo Inner Loop at age thirty now is entirely thanks to the money the Tendo Family gave him.

Therefore, when the Tendo Family sent word for him to swap out an item from the Holy Son of Heaven's room, this man fundamentally could not refuse.

"Do you know why Assistant Official Tenkō insists on swapping this children's tricycle stored in a safe?"

The man doing this kind of thing for the first time felt uneasy in his heart and couldn't help inquiring.

"Don't you know the Seven Star Relic?"

Hiruko Kagetane asked curiously.

"My rank isn't enough to know these things."

The man shook his head.

"Alright, then I'll tell you……"

Hiruko Kagetane plainly told the man before him about the Seven Star Relic's ability to attract Scorpio.

After hearing this, the man widened his eyes, as if in disbelief that the item he had swapped out could be something that might trigger a great extinction of the Tokyo District.

"How is that possible?!"

"If it were impossible, why would this thing need strict guarding?"

"Does Assistant Official Tenkō want to destroy the Tokyo area?"

The man asked with a slight tremble.

"He merely wants to achieve his own political goals through this matter."

"So, he won't really summon Scorpio, right?"

The man looked at Hiruko Kagetane with eyes full of hope.

"Heh, worried about becoming an accomplice to the destruction of the Tokyo area? No matter, you don't need to worry about such things, Kohina……"

Before the man could react, he felt a pain in his back.

He lowered his head to look, and a knife had already pierced out from his front chest.

"In your next life, you'd better accept less aid from others, because that might be the price of your life."

The man's corpse was stuffed into a cardboard box; this place was remote, so the corpse being discovered would definitely be a later matter.

And with the other party dead, the Tendo Family would be hard to suspect.

Of course, to Hiruko Kagetane, killing the other party according to requirements was merely giving that old fox Tendo Chikunojō a false peace of mind before he would fall into the abyss of ruin and disgrace afterwards.

"If the person behind the one who hired Hiruko Kagetane did not aim to destroy the Tokyo Area, then there is suspicion among Tokyo insiders.

Guys who can get their hands on an item of the Seven Star Relic level must hold high positions and have connections with these departments......"

Tendo Agency. Tendo Kisara was currently compiling the intelligence investigated over the past few days.

Inspired by the campus drama Broly arranged, she changed her line of thinking and had her list suspects with the capability and motive to hire Hiruko Kagetane for a terror attack.

One could see that on the suspect list laid out before the girl, her grandfather Tendo Chikunojō's name was prominently listed.

However, the people on the list were merely under suspicion for now; Tendo Kisara had not found concrete evidence.

Although she was hostile toward the Tendo Family, she would not let her personal grudge influence her own judgment.

"If the mastermind's purpose is to stop the promotion of the Gastrea New Law.

Then those media companies that exposed Enju's campus violence dirt would not have stopped just because the Holy Son of Heaven named and scolded them.

Come on, let me verify my idea......"

As long as media still jump out to smear the Cursed Children group during this recent period, there is a very high probability proving that someone might be pushing this matter behind the scenes.

At that time, catching those media people reporting dirt might allow tracing the vine to find the mastermind.

Although her speculation might not hold, it is indeed a clue.

At the elementary school side, after finishing the condolence visit in front of the cameras, the Young Holy Emperor sought out the Saiyan boy to express her gratitude.

Broly was a bit dazed at suddenly being sought out for thanks; after inquiring, he discovered that his behavior of engaging in a massive online cursing war with internet trolls yesterday had unexpectedly and inexplicably boosted the White-haired Holy Emperor's confidence in promoting the Gastrea New Law.

And the Happiness Value on her had unknowingly risen to fourteen points.

Pity, this person had already refused once the invitation to become his wife.

Just as Broly was thinking of trying again, an escort team captain walked over.

"Holy Son of Heaven-sama, it is time to leave."

"Then, Broly, see you again if there's a chance."

The Young Holy Emperor waved goodbye to the boy in a friendly manner.

Broly's impression of this Young Holy Emperor was still not bad, even though the other party had once refused him over the phone.

"Commoner brat, since you received an audience with the Holy Son of Heaven-sama, you should show more humility!"

Rather, the escort team captain who came to urge the Young Holy Emperor to leave was somewhat inexplicable; before leaving, he let out a contemptuous cold hmph from his nostrils and said this to the boy.

Then, with a disdainful gaze, he glanced at Satomi Rentaro standing beside him.

"What's this person's deal?"

"Probably an admirer by the Holy Son of Heaven's side; outstanding women's sides always have some smug bastards."

Satomi Rentaro said, then felt a chill rise beside him, but it quickly disappeared.

"Broly, you wouldn't want to kill him, would you?"

The youth asked with some surprise and doubt.

"Thought about it, but that Holy Son of Heaven doesn't seem to have agreed to become my wife, so I gave up."

Broly answered honestly, attention returning to the notebook computer in front of him; instead, he was chatting quite well with that Miss Nightingale he just met yesterday.

Right now, the America where Tina was located was night, but she was a night owl, just woke up full of energy, chatting enthusiastically with the netizen she just met.

(Chapter End)