Chapter 85
「I don’t understand! If you had taken the lead, everything would have been over on the first day…!」
「It can’t be helped. There were no gaps to begin with, and they abbreviated the ceremony to eliminate them. If you don’t even understand that, this is why you youngsters have no manners.」
Shortly after the opening ceremony ended and the dignitaries from each country left the hall, there was an underground waterway at the bottom of a manhole. However, it was ultimately just for draining sewage, and in this region where heavy rains and floods rarely occur, its size was far too small.
But there were several shadows squirming inside. They hadn’t walked through the underground waterway; they had created it themselves. It was the ability of a short, fat man in his 40s. He could liquefy soil and transform it into various shapes. The man, called 「Mogura (mole),」 strokes his unruly beard and grumpily retorts.
「In the battles I’ve experienced, if you launch a surprise attack when your forces aren’t gathered, you’ll die. It’s not enough to just watch for opportunities. This is why you youngsters…」
「『Mogura』!」
「Hmph.」
On the other hand, the one showing anger is 「Tonbo (damselfly).」 Although she’s wearing camouflage clothing to blend into the darkness, the Japanese-style embroidery on various parts, along with her manner of speaking, betrays her origins. That family has already disappeared. though.
Originally, Tonbo was impatient, and above all, she had a reverence for the source of the power that made her who she is. That’s why she instantly cuts off her conversation with Mogura and searches for the person she can say is the only one she respects in 「SOD.」 She finds her just now entering through a hidden passageway. Spinning her body, which is larger than Mogura’s at about 170 cm tall with a slender waist, she calls out to the last person there.
「Sister! Punish Mogura! This person ignored the chance to round up the rebels and ruined the plan!」
「Kurage! Teach this guy some respect for the elderly!」
As Tonbo shouts, Mogura raises his voice, not to be outdone. However, despite the infighting breaking out in front of her, 「Kurage (jellyfish)」 remains calm. Although her features are well-proportioned, her muscular body easily exceeding 190 cm is overwhelmingly beautiful. Above all, Kurage’s hair is a pale gold, or more precisely, a mixture of yellow and white. This is proof of approaching godhood and a symbol that gathers worship.
Kurage glares at the two and takes out a terminal without changing her expression.
「It seems there were obstacles, but she will finally arrive today. Do you understand how reckless it is to charge in without countermeasures when there’s a monster like Shiroinu Reina present? Also, Mogura, I thought respect was something that naturally arises from demonstrating behavior worthy of respect.」
At Kurage’s words, the two fall silent. Even for these two, they have to acknowledge her achievements. It was none other than Kurage’s abilities that prevented the collapse of order within the organization due to the 「Base Collapse,」 united them, and repeatedly achieved victories in small-scale conflicts, gaining influence in the underworld as a so-called mafia.
And most importantly, they are not strictly Espers. Their ability to dig this underground waterway and conduct reconnaissance while overcoming the abnormal security with their physical bodies is due to their abilities, but they are significantly different in nature from the Espers that emerged after the 「Base Collapse.」
To put it simply, they, the 『Subordinates,』 are born with the characteristics of Machine Beasts. Russia artificially created Beastkin, but the same kind of beings certainly existed before that. Such beings sometimes rose to glory and sometimes faced persecution due to their abilities, secretly weaving history. For example, Mogura’s lineage had long been a family of architects, while Tonbo had hidden their true nature and lived as rulers. They were hidden in fairy tales like dwarves and fairies, traces of the naturally occurring Beastkin, the 「UYK,」 in the shadows of the world.
Several metal tentacles extend from Kurage’s buttocks, and Mogura’s arms in front of her have become stern, inhuman metal arms. Tonbo also has thin, transparent metal wings folded on her back, and she can fly using the ability now called 「NMM.」
Such inhuman beings clung to 「UYK」 and began worshipping them to escape persecution after the 「Base Collapse.」 Although on a much smaller scale compared to the past, the doctrine and the sense of solidarity from being persecuted strengthened the connections within the organization far more than before.
「Don’t be hasty. We must not forgive those who oppose God’s judgment, but dying before that is outside of God’s intention.」
Therefore, they perceive the 2050 catastrophe as a judgment upon humanity, who persecuted them and polluted the earth. That’s why they cannot allow Hereafter Corporation, Space Ignition Industries, and above all, Orange, who repeatedly try to change the future.
Mogura and Tonbo calm down, a complete change from their earlier quarrelsome tone, and sit on dull silver metal chairs created by transforming the soil. They then take out a paper map and a roster on the floor. The map has multiple points and arrows drawn towards the innermost hall of the new technology exhibition venue, where the opening ceremony was held earlier. The roster lists various names, including those from outside Japan, with letters like E and C lined up horizontally.
「C was level 3, wasn’t it? Even now, I can’t believe it. We, who once boasted such power, have been reduced to this level of ability before we knew it.」
Many abilities have been weakened or nullified due to the imaginary atoms emitted by the 「Base Collapse.」 This is because the imaginary atoms react with the imaginary molecules in the air, inhibiting the progress of the intended reaction. As a result, those who once possessed powerful abilities are now in a state where they can be defeated even by police officers. Tonbo’s metal wings have also not adapted to the 「Base Collapse」 and are nothing more than defective products that self-destruct every time they are activated.
「I don’t like it, but it seems we have no choice but to rely on that woman. They say an eye for an eye, but it doesn’t feel good.」
「If you don’t like it, you’re free to leave. But the catastrophe will approach again.」
「…I won’t do that. They don’t understand the horror of future prediction. The only foolish act that must be stopped is using devices that bring the user closer to death on civilians and needlessly increasing the power of judgment.」
And they don’t intend to stop 「HAO」 solely out of resentment either. There are several logical reasons.
First, using 「HAO」 will cause 「UYK」 and its Strains to 「synchronize.」 As this is repeated, the catastrophe will transform into a form that kills people more viciously. It’s still fine now, but eventually, the evolution of the catastrophe will outpace human progress. If that happens, humanity will be done for. There will be no chance of winning.
Even if they succeed in killing until 2040, as claimed by Kōmitsu Solutions, the Strains will start running amok next. They must simultaneously kill 46 Strains and 「UYK」 while navigating the interests of various countries and the gaps left by those who don’t believe in the catastrophe. Of course, they must do so while overcoming the countermeasures put in place by their 「synchronization.」
Such a risky gamble may be the best Hereafter Corporation can do, but it’s not something 「SOD」 can tolerate. That’s why they will resort to terrorism to stop it. There is meaning in doing so because dignitaries are gathered, and significant damage can be inflicted at once. And…
「Let’s do it. For our justice. To create a true Ark.」
Above all, they have an alternative plan.
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