"Your... Excellency?"
Taken by surprise by Asahi's decision, Seitenshi rarely showed such a flustered expression, even forgetting the fear she had felt just a second ago.
Was the Silver King... concerned about her?
No, that couldn't be right?
Seitenshi hastily rejected the hypothesis that had just popped into her head, but the seed had been planted, causing her to indulge in deeper thoughts.
"I have seen enough."
"Furthermore, your authority finally has its limits. I require Authorization Level 12."
Asahi quickly changed the subject, preventing the atmosphere from shifting into something outside his control.
The Silver King's image could not be compromised.
Seitenshi nodded. Her noble demeanor had returned, making the momentary lapse of weakness seem like a mere illusion.
It must be said, though, that she only truly resembled a 16-year-old in that moment.
As Seitenshi explained, only two individuals possessed the capability to hold Level 12 information access authority:
The true leader of the IISO, and IP Rank 1.
Upon hearing this, Asahi's expression grew somewhat grim. Because finding these two individuals was nothing short of a paradox.
He had just scrolled past all the information related to these two individuals, but all of it was redacted and concealed. He was using Seitenshi's Level 11 authority at the time. If the information could conceal access from Level 11 authority, then it must have Level 12 security, requiring Level 12 authority to access. But if he already had Level 12 authority, why would he need to find those two people?
"It seems I'll have to take another route."
He thought to himself, feeling that there was nothing left to remain for here. He turned to leave immediately. Seitenshi understood and still bowed respectfully and courteously. It was only when she saw Asahi about to step out the door that a surge of emotion overwhelmed her, and she spoke, seemingly unable to control herself.
"Your Excellency Silver King!"
"Am I... doing the right thing? Am I succeeding?"
"Will I be able to save the children, save my people, save all of Tokyo, save all of Japan, or even save this entire world?"
Her final question was not uttered aloud, but the urgency in her previous tone seemed to have revealed everything.
From the outside, others only saw a pure, ethereal Seitenshi, like a lotus flower unstained by the dust of the world. But how many understood the burden she carried?
Surrounded by countless pressures, difficulties, scorn, and insults, Seitenshi couldn't even realize how exhausted she was. She had stubbornly pressed forward, even abandoning her real name and true self, yet the outcome she desperately wished for only ran further out of her reach.
Seitenshi was depleted.
Like an ant unable to crawl out of a circle, or a fish unable to leap out of the water.
Even her fear before the pile of hidden information was similar.
She was afraid she would be swallowed by the dark despair of this world, afraid her resolve would waver. When that happened, Seitenshi would truly "die."
But then she finally met the existence standing before her. An existence like a streak of light tearing through the night, a slash cutting across the circle, a stone churning the water's surface.
In that very moment, when he turned his back toward the rising sun, Seitenshi faintly saw something that seemed to have been extinguished in this cruel world.
Hope.
Others saw his great power, his decisiveness, his ruthlessness, his divinity. But only she saw his hope.
It wasn't that others couldn't see it, but deep down they had denied the existence of hope, as if covering their own eyes with their hands. In this world, only foul hope existed, the kind that led to even deeper despair, but the Silver King's hope could not exist.
"You have done well enough."
His voice rang out, leaving Seitenshi stunned. By the time she regained her senses, the Silver King had vanished.
Asahi ultimately couldn't bring himself to say it. To say that all her efforts were destined to fail.
Only a god could save this world.
Yes... a god.
...
Rentaro walked outside, the frustration in his heart now somewhat lessened.
Seitenshi was right. He was still too weak, too weak to even give Enju a proper place to live and study.
He had to become stronger.
Rentaro clenched his fist, the resolution in his eyes masking his denial of the desire for power. Suddenly, the familiar ring of his phone interrupted his thoughts. He opened the call, finding that Kisara was the one calling.
There was no answer from Kisara, only a conversation between two people on the other end of the line. Rentaro recognized both voices, and a look of sorrow flashed in his eyes.
At the same time, behind the Sacred Abode.
"The government has decided that Minister Katsuwada is the mastermind behind this conspiracy. But I have found out..."
"Kisara, you cannot change the government's decision."
Tendou Kikunojou and Tendou Kisara faced each other. Kikunojou's expression was utterly calm, but Kisara's was filled with killing intent.
It was hard to imagine the two were once grandfather and granddaughter. Because at this moment, they looked like sworn enemies confronting each other.
Just then, a third set of footsteps appeared. Rentaro had walked in.
"The New Gastrea Act, that must have been your goal, wasn't it?"
"You orchestrated everything, from the acquisition of the Seven Stars Legacy to hiring Kagetane. All just to prevent the act from being passed."
The New Gastrea Act would enhance the rights of the Cursed Children. That must be the reason he didn't want it to exist.
"As for dealing with the aftermath, you were surely relying on the superweapon 'Ascension Ladder' located in the outer Area. That's why you ordered Kagetane to activate the Seven Stars Legacy outside of Tokyo. This way, the danger of the Gastrea would be reignited, and the association with the Cursed Children would not be allowed to stand."
"It's just that, in the end, Kagetane reneged on his word because of some mysterious third party, placing the Seven Stars Legacy inside the Silver King's Area."
"How do you know all of this?"
"Kagetane told me."
"That freak is still alive?"
"Yes, he said it was to repay a favor."
Kikunojou narrowed his eyes, looking directly into Rentaro's, seemingly trying to find some flaw in him. Unfortunately, he found nothing.
"You are just making baseless claims."
"Perhaps, but that doesn't change the fact that you will have to face judgment."
Rentaro continued.
"No matter how you conceal it, you are still the mastermind of this incident. The Silver King will surely settle the score with you. To preserve the Tendou family, to preserve all of Tokyo, you must be pushed out to take the blame. It is not enough to simply have a scapegoat like Minister Katsuwada this time."
"Just as you said, the government's decision cannot be changed."