Chapter 96: Yet Another Little Act of Power’s Whim

The heavy office door was suddenly slammed open from outside, the panel smashing against the wall with a thunderous crash.

It interrupted Yamada’s thoughts.

Matsumoto, the Director of the Intelligence Analysis Room, strode in, his face dark as iron, a stark contrast to his usual mild demeanor.

He ignored basic etiquette completely and spoke.

“DRG is here again.”

“Dawn Resources Group?”

The Vice Minister’s hand trembled slightly— the relationship between Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu and Dawn Resources Group had always been a subtly delicate surface harmony.

To a large extent, it was built on a key figure— Yuki Asahi.

After all, he was the one rumored to be the beloved of that legendary young lady.

—Because of Morita Aoya’s previous act of rescuing someone, Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu was the first place to start spreading rumors.

And after the last GPRI Hunter Incident ended, the Japanese Government gained significant African resource extraction and trade rights through security cooperation with Dawn Resources Group.

As the Vice Minister overseeing the daily operations of Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu, Yamada wasn’t as politically naive as his superior, the Minister.

But in this position, he was by no means a dullard with a poor political sense.

He’d also heard other bits of news.

For example, negotiations for the withdrawal of the United States Forces Japan were accelerating.

Also… major domestic enterprises were becoming closer than before to secure the emerging African market, forming a community of interest led by Dawn Resources Group.

Because of the implied meaning of “gathering under the same banner,” and since the influence of Dawn Resources Group mainly spread across the former French Equatorial Africa and surrounding countries—

People called it the “Equator United Forces,” or the “Red Army (?).”

Combining these fragmented pieces of information, an obvious conclusion could be drawn: if North America’s strategic contraction was inevitable, then among the many forces seeking to fill the East Asian power vacuum, the manufacturing conglomerate alliance centered on Dawn Resources Group would see its influence in Japan’s future political and economic landscape expand rapidly.

Therefore, the principle of Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu regarding Dawn Resources Group was unambiguous.

If you can avoid offending them, absolutely avoid it!

If you can cooperate, cooperate as much as possible!

This was the way of survival for the Edge Department.

“This time, they want someone again— they want to take Saiyonji away.”

Director Matsumoto watched as Yamada’s face instantly became unusually grave, his tone even more suppressed.

“Immediately. They want her now.”

“Saiyonji?”

The Vice Minister was slightly stunned.

At such a sensitive time… they wanted someone?

***

Three floors underground in Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu, inside a Special Interrogation Room, the lighting was cold and harsh.

Even wrapped in a thick blanket, Saori Saiyonji’s body trembled violently, uncontrollably.

The bone-chilling cold didn’t come from the air conditioning, but from the exhaustion seeping from her very marrow.

Her stomach cramped and convulsed, waves of nausea overwhelming her, making her throat tighten with the urge to retch, but nothing came out.

These physiological reactions came from the side effects of the drugs— as the rush of excitement and alertness receded like a tide, the price to pay became even more painful.

On the other side of the interrogation table sat three people, each representing different positions.

One was the Coordinator and Ability Assessment Specialist dispatched by Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu, his expression stern.

One was a Senior Police Inspector representing the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, in charge of the criminal investigation, eyes sharp and carrying the undeniable authority of law enforcement.

The third was a little unusual— he should also be from Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu, but had another identity— Curtain Cluster.

In name, Curtain Cluster had already dissolved and joined Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu.

But its members, having encountered supernatural incidents earlier and possessing more field experience as “Predecessors,” still maintained a certain invisible cohesion and influence within Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu.

In the air, only Saiyonji’s heavy, intermittent breathing and the involuntary “clack clack” of her chattering teeth could be heard.

The Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu staff and the police inspector exchanged a helpless glance.

“It seems… it’s impossible to conduct a formal interrogation today. Her physical and psychological state is completely unsuitable.”

“I think Saiyonji-kun is fine, though.”

The silver-haired man said with a cheerful smile.

Saiyonji, still trembling, nodded with difficulty.

“I’m fine.”

“Is it too tense with so many people watching? How about I question her alone?”

The silver-haired man seemed to be seeking Saiyonji’s opinion.

“Hey! Shiying, that’s against the rules.”

The Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu staff member whispered a reminder.

The police inspector frowned— this strange guy didn’t seem to have any basic interrogation skills or awareness.

Shiying shrugged and said no more.

Bang bang bang—

The door was suddenly knocked, and a small gap opened.

A hand waved at the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu staff.

He hurried out… about a few minutes later, he returned with a rather unsightly expression.

“What’s wrong?”

The police inspector asked.

The Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu staff didn’t respond, but instead walked over to Saiyonji and unlocked her handcuffs with a key.

“What are you doing?”

The police inspector shot to his feet, his tone harsh.

“Do you know what you’re doing?”

“I do! But there’s no choice!”

The staff member sighed, patting the bewildered Saiyonji.

“Let’s go.”

“G-Go where?”

Saiyonji was uneasy, suspecting that removing her handcuffs meant some secret execution was imminent.

“You’re free.”

“Huh?”

The police inspector slammed the table, glancing nervously at the camera recording beside them.

“You have no authority to release her! I’m reporting this to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department!”

“Do as you please.”

Saiyonji was pushed out of the interrogation room, and under the guidance of the staff, exited through the doors of the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu building.

It wasn’t until the night wind scattered his confusion that he finally snapped back to reality—he’d actually been released so easily?

The shock even suppressed the discomfort in his body.

What was going on?

Wasn’t he about to be declared an escaped criminal the moment he stepped outside?

“What are you spacing out for?”

He was gently pushed forward from behind, and Saiyonji walked out the outer doors with unease.

As soon as he stepped onto the sidewalk, a Lexus stopped in front of him, and the rear door slowly opened.

“You’re Saiyonji-kun, right?”

Koji Hattori leaned out from the passenger seat, motioning with his mouth.

“Get in.”

***

In a certain meeting room inside the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu building, Shiying watched the Lexus speed away into the night, his expression gloomy.

“This Dawn Resources Group—are they deliberately antagonizing us?”

“Provocation, definitely provocation, right?”

G said, his expression showing a hint of excitement, feet propped up on the conference table—he always seemed unable to resist putting his feet up.

Shiying sighed, turned, and looked at the dozen or so members of the Curtain Cluster in the room.

“We’ll conduct a democratic vote now. Those who believe we shouldn’t currently consider Dawn Resources Group an enemy, raise your hand.”

A short-haired woman with brown hair raised her hand.

No one else did, making it look awkwardly conspicuous.

She looked around in panic, then quietly lowered her hand.

“Two votes.”

Shiying raised his own hand, already counting hers in the tally.

“Those who think we need to start targeting Dawn Resources Group now, raise your hand.”

Everyone else raised their hands.

“Sixteen votes.”

Shiying pressed his lips together tightly.

“I’ll report the situation to Headquarters. Now, let’s hear everyone’s thoughts.”