Seitenshi stared at Ren Isana in bewilderment. Yet, after hearing his explanation, she suddenly felt it made perfect sense. After all, there were far too many people in this world desperate to move up in life.
*If you won't do it, plenty of others will.* Realizing this, Seitenshi fell silent. Even if she wanted to argue, the opportunity had passed. By the time Ren finished speaking, Asagi Aiba was already distributing a massive stack of documents.
Their primary targets this time were the higher-ups. Of course, not every single executive was corrupt; there were still a few useful individuals left. Asagi handed the curated list to Ren.
Ren merely glanced at it before losing interest. He casually tossed it over to Seitenshi. "Here. These are the loyalists on your side. As for anyone not on this list, I'll wipe them all out for you tonight. I shouldn't need to teach you what to do after that, right?"
Hearing this, Seitenshi fell silent again. Of course she knew what to do. Next, she simply needed to take the throne of an absolute ruler... and lead the remaining officials in maintaining the city's order.
The other classmates also received the hit list from Asagi. These were the targets they needed to eliminate—not right now, but tonight. After all, a dark and windy night was the perfect time for killing.
Asagi had already thoroughly tracked the targets' itineraries. Tonight, all they had to do was follow the coordinates she provided and strike.
Asagi conveniently forwarded some of the incriminating evidence as well. Seeing the atrocities detailed in the files, a flash of killing intent crossed everyone's eyes. They wouldn't show a shred of mercy when dealing with scum like this.
Having received their assignments, the group wasn't in a rush. The targets hadn't returned home yet, and they couldn't exactly assassinate them in broad daylight at their offices. For now, everyone just went about their own business.
With the arrangements settled, Ren shifted his gaze to Miori Shiba. Suddenly finding herself in his crosshairs, Miori's face filled with question marks. *Is there something else I need to do?*
"You should make some preparations too," Ren said. "A lot of positions are going to open up soon. I assume your family has people ready to fill those seats?"
His words instantly made Miori's eyes light up.
*We absolutely do!* Without a second thought, Miori eagerly agreed. "Understood! I'll get everything arranged. Leave it to me!"
This was fantastic news. She needed to notify her father immediately. Thinking this, Miori hurriedly stood up and walked off to make a phone call. She didn't bother explaining the finer details to him.
She simply told her father that things were going to change tonight and instructed him to have their subordinates on standby. The moment chaos broke out, they needed to be ready to seize power immediately.
Her father was completely bewildered upon hearing the news. However, when he learned that Seitenshi was about to gain absolute authority, he realized something massive was about to go down.
Though he didn't know the inside story, he trusted his daughter and began making the necessary arrangements. If things truly played out as she said, the Shiba family was going to make an absolute killing.
Various tasks were delegated. Even Ren was going to take action tonight, as the Tendo family had been assigned to him. The Tendo family was the most critical target of all.
"There's an exiled girl from the Tendo family who has always harbored a deep hatred for them. Should we let her go back and inherit the family fortune?" Asagi suddenly asked Ren.
That girl was an heir, after all. Even if the Tendo family was destroyed, she could still inherit the estate. A massive clan like the Tendo family would need someone to clean up the mess, right? Besides, keeping the family name around might prove useful later.
Miori, who had just returned from calling her father, heard Asagi's words and looked confused. *The Tendo family... Could she mean her? No, it has to be her. Everything she just described points exactly to her.*
"That could work. So, what's her identity? Why don't we bring her over for a chat?" Ren naturally knew exactly who they were talking about, but he still had to play dumb for now. He couldn't just blurt out her name out of nowhere.
Miori thought for a moment before speaking up. "I know the person you're talking about. Leave this to me. I can get her to come over; she's a classmate of mine."
She voluntarily took on the task. Hearing Miori's offer, no one objected. If she could bring the girl over, that would be perfect. After all, they needed to have a friendly chat.
As for whether the girl would agree? Ren wasn't worried in the slightest. Once she found out they were going to make a move on the Tendo family, she would probably laugh out loud in joy. After all, she had been plotting her revenge this entire time.
Miori picked up her phone and started texting. As for the contents of the message? To ensure the girl took the bait, she bluntly asked if she wanted to see the downfall of the Tendo family. If she did, she needed to come over immediately.
Not long after the message was sent, a string of question marks came back, followed immediately by: "I'll be right there!!!!!" Baiting that girl was almost too easy.
Miori mused that even if someone wanted to trick her into having their babies, as long as they promised to help her destroy the Tendo family, she would probably start prepping for pregnancy that very night. Miori knew exactly how deep her hatred for the Tendo family ran. Little Kisara was incredibly easy to manipulate!
With that matter settled, Miori glanced at Ren and the others. Now, her family was completely tied to Ren's rising empire. If she told anyone about this, they probably wouldn't believe her.
It was absurd. They had known each other for less than a day, yet she was willing to join them in their madness. Feeling the Magic Power circulating within her body, Miori took a deep breath. She didn't regret this decision one bit!
"Are we really going to do this?" Just as Ren and the others were methodically finalizing their plans, Seitenshi spoke up again.
She still had her reservations. Ren was a bit speechless. *Women can be so indecisive sometimes,* he thought. He looked at her calmly and said, "Do you think you have a way back now? Instead of worrying about this, you'd be better off thinking about your next steps."
Hearing Ren's words, Seitenshi fell silent. *There really is no turning back...* She couldn't help but sigh. As for the future? Thinking of this, Seitenshi looked at Ren.
"Your world will eventually connect with ours, right?" Seitenshi asked. Since she couldn't change the outcome, she might as well focus on the future.
Right now, she was more concerned about Ren's world. If an alternate dimension connected with theirs, perhaps their world could be saved. The Gastrea probably wouldn't even be a threat to them, right?
"That's inevitable, and it's going to happen very soon." Seeing that she wasn't dwelling on the previous issue, Ren nodded in satisfaction. *That's more like it. They're just a bunch of people who deserve to die anyway; there's no need to agonize over it.*
Having confirmed this, Seitenshi took a deep breath and asked with utmost solemnity, "Then I want to ask, what is your world's attitude toward ours?"
The connection between two different worlds could be a crisis for either side—or an opportunity. It all depended on the attitude of the stronger party.
Between the two, her world was undoubtedly the weaker one, possessing absolutely no initiative. Whether the other side chose to conquer this world or take pity and lend a helping hand, the decision was entirely out of her control.
"Attitude? If those corrupt old fools were still in charge, they'd probably try to squeeze every possible benefit out of us without offering anything in return. The end result would be us coming over, launching a massive purge, and slowly molding this world into whatever we want it to be." Ren stroked his chin.
The higher-ups' attitude didn't really depend on this world's opinion. After all, if they were obedient, they would reap the benefits. If they weren't? Then they'd just be replaced with people who were. This wasn't exactly a powerful world, after all.
They had no say in the matter. Even if the higher-ups were kind-hearted and wanted peaceful coexistence, that was only possible when both sides were on equal footing. If this world had been stronger, it wouldn't have been Ren and his classmates sent here.
Just like the DanMachi universe before. Was that world strong? Of course it was. It had the qualifications to sit at the negotiating table. That was why Ren and the others were sent to establish a Familia while the higher-ups negotiated with the gods.
Although there had been a few hiccups along the way, the outcome was likely positive; otherwise, Ren and his classmates wouldn't have received such generous rewards. But this world was entirely different.
*After all, your world lacks any real power and is currently in an apocalyptic state. Our arrival is a salvation for you. If you still act ungrateful and try to push your luck, then... I have plenty of ways to conquer this world.*
After listening to Ren's explanation, Seitenshi and Miori understood. If they were obedient, the attitude would be friendly. If they rebelled, they would likely face military subjugation.
"I understand. Please, do whatever you must!" At that moment, Seitenshi completely made up her mind. Those corrupt officials dying would be their contribution to this world. After all, their continued existence would only anger Ren's side, so it was better for them to die—for the sake of the world!
Hearing this, Ren nodded approvingly. *Isn't this attitude great? If she had just thought like this from the start, it would have saved me a lot of breath.*
"Ren-san, does your world have a way to cure the Gastrea virus?" Having moved past her previous dilemma, Seitenshi couldn't help but ask about another pressing issue.
Their biggest problem right now was the Gastrea and the Gastrea virus. If possible, she wanted to eradicate them. As long as the virus and the monsters were dealt with, this world could return to how it used to be.
"We do, but I doubt the higher-ups will actually do it. They're a specialty of your world, after all. They make for a pretty good training ground, so wiping them out completely would be a waste." Ren didn't actually know what the higher-ups were planning.
However, Ren felt that this world should be used exactly like that—treated as a Dungeon to grind for Excelia. There were so many monsters, after all. It would be a shame not to utilize them.
His words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Seitenshi's head. *Used as a training ground? Isn't that a bit too...* Just as she was thinking this, Ren's voice continued.
"Of course, that's just my personal opinion. You'll have to discuss the specifics with the big shots up top. Telling me is useless; we're just a bunch of students. We don't get involved in those kinds of decisions," Ren said, throwing his hands up in a shrug.
Seitenshi fell silent upon hearing this. *Just Ren's opinion? But it's highly likely that many others share the same thought, right? Not wasting the Gastrea, using them for people to train...*
Thinking of this, Seitenshi felt a sense of helplessness, but she didn't say anything more. It seemed she would have to fight for certain things herself.
"Actually, becoming a training ground isn't a bad thing. The Gastrea virus won't be a threat anymore, and your world might even develop because of it. After all, attracting people from other worlds to come here would be beneficial for you, wouldn't it?" As long as people came, the Gastrea would no longer pose a threat to humanity.
Ren's words made Seitenshi sigh helplessly. "But if that happens, the people of our world will never be able to return to their old lives."
Hearing her say that, Ren was speechless. He couldn't help but retort, "Then just move to another world! You're already connected to our world; are you really worried about not being able to live a normal life?"
*Sure, that might be what you want, but that doesn't mean everyone else feels the same way, right? I bet some people are dying to leave this hellhole immediately. You want to return to the old days? That's just your own wishful thinking.*
Ren kept these thoughts to himself to avoid crushing the girl's hopes. *Let her keep dreaming.*
"That may be true... but..." Seitenshi couldn't formulate a proper response to Ren's question. Was it a reluctance to leave one's homeland?
Was that how it should be? But for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"There's no point talking about it now. These aren't things I can decide. When the time comes, you can discuss it with the people who actually have the authority to make those calls!" Ren tactfully ended the conversation.
Seitenshi opened her mouth but ultimately said no more. *I'll just have to fight for it when the time comes. Hopefully, I can secure a good outcome for this world.* She stayed quiet, silently pondering her next steps.
Time ticked by. Soon, the villa's doorbell rang. Ren instinctively cast his senses outward. When he detected the arrivals, he frowned. *Aside from Kisara Tendo, that hypocritical goody-two-shoes protagonist tagged along too?*
*I just hope this guy knows his place. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind chopping him to pieces while I'm at it. I really don't like him!*
Miori opened the door. Seeing the person standing behind Kisara Tendo, she also frowned. *Why did she bring her lackey along?* Though slightly confused, Miori still ushered them inside quickly.
As soon as the two entered the villa, Kisara couldn't wait to speak. "Give me the details! What's going on? How is the Tendo family going to fall? What do you need me to do? Tell me everything, right now!"
There was nothing more thrilling to her than this. Rentaro Satomi, who had followed her in, felt his pupils shrink upon hearing Kisara's words. She hadn't told him what was going on; she had just suddenly insisted on coming here.
Now, hearing this, he was shocked. *The Tendo family is going to fall?* He looked at Miori, his mind filled with questions. However, Miori didn't bother explaining. Instead, she gestured inside. "Come in first. Seitenshi is here too."
After saying that, Miori walked further into the villa. Kisara was taken aback. *Could it be that Seitenshi wants to bring down the Tendo family? If that's the case, this is absolutely perfect.*
*I'd walk through fire and water for you, Your Excellency!* Kisara was practically buzzing with excitement, her footsteps quickening. However, when she reached the living room and saw the people inside, she froze.
Seitenshi was sitting on the sofa, lost in thought. Opposite her sat a handsome boy playing on his phone. On the other side sat several girls, and right next to the handsome boy was a young woman rapidly typing away on a laptop.
Looking at the scene before her, Kisara was bewildered. *What is going on?* She recognized Seitenshi, but who were all these other people? For a moment, she couldn't comprehend the situation.
"Sit down first." Miori pulled the dazed Kisara over and sat her down directly across from Ren. It wasn't until they were seated next to Seitenshi that Kisara finally snapped out of her stupor.
Rentaro, who had followed her in, found himself in an awkward position. Unsure of what to do, he simply walked over and stood silently behind Kisara.
"What's going on?" Having regained her senses, Kisara looked at Miori in confusion. She didn't quite understand the situation. The atmosphere in the room felt incredibly strange.
Hearing this, Miori shrugged. She glanced at Ren before explaining the plans they had just finalized, including the mountain of incriminating evidence Asagi had gathered.
After listening to Miori's explanation, Kisara's pupils contracted, but her overwhelming emotion was pure excitement. However, before she could revel in it for long, Rentaro, standing behind her, couldn't hold back anymore.
"Are you kidding me?! Do you have any idea how many people will die if you do this?!" His tone was highly agitated. If they really went through with this plan, how many innocent people would be caught in the crossfire and killed?
Hearing his outburst, Kisara's excitement was instantly doused like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over her. At the same time, everyone in the room turned their gazes toward him. Kisara's expression instantly darkened.
"Are you saying those people don't deserve to die?" After hearing Miori's explanation, Kisara firmly believed that every single one of those targets deserved death. But what the hell was this idiot saying?
Furthermore, was he trying to stop her revenge? What did it matter if people who deserved to die were killed? She actively wished that everyone colluding with the Tendo family would drop dead all at once.
"But you can't just go around murdering people!!" Rentaro was still incredibly worked up. How could these people talk about killing so casually? And such a massive number of people, too!
Hearing his words, Ren stopped what he was doing and shot him an icy glare. At the same time, Asuna and the other girls stood up, seamlessly surrounding the newcomers.