Arc 1: Epilogue (2)

Epilogue (2)

Side: None

"Hmm."

Somewhere in a certain prefecture.

In a business hotel by the station in a town that could be called neither rural nor urban, a nondescript man was gazing at photographs and murmuring softly.

After examining the photographs from various angles with his right hand, he—Sato—spoke to the smartphone in his left hand.

"These tire tracks really are strange."

'I agree.'

Tōmi, the person on the other end of the phone, spoke in a voice tinged with slight delight.

'The vehicle's width changed several times while it was moving, and it has quite a bit of horsepower. Yet judging from the places it passed through, it was never very wide. Based on the marks left on the nearby walls, I would estimate its width at between 150 and 200 centimeters.'

"I see. What about its estimated weight?"

'I asked an acquaintance to calculate it, and apparently it weighed no more than 500 kilograms. It was heavier than 300, though.'

"Lighter than a kei car, heavier than a large motorcycle..."

'I can't even imagine what kind of vehicle it could be. Perhaps a bipedal robot or something, with wheels attached to the soles of its feet.'

"...That might actually be the case."

Sato placed the photographs on the desk and sat down on the bed.

"Do you know that several witnesses at the gymnasium serving as an evacuation shelter claimed to have 'seen a humanoid robot'?"

'Yes. But couldn't they have mistaken it for a golem or something? Though a combat-capable golem would be extraordinary in itself.'

"Well, yes. But not every Gifted person has reported every detail of their abilities to the government."

'............'

"I'm not saying I suspect you. I'm just saying that people like that exist."

'Yes. I understand.'

Sato crossed his legs, which were of ordinary length for a Japanese man, and continued.

"All right. To return to the subject, the Gifted are currently a minority. In Japan, roughly one person in ten thousand is confirmed to be Gifted. There may also be people who remain silent after awakening their abilities, or who have not realized they possess them, but on the whole, the difference is negligible."

'A minority possessing such extraordinary powers as the Gifted...?'

"It's easy to imagine that nothing good will come of it."

'Indeed.'

"The information isn't confirmed yet, but apparently our neighbor is conducting a 'Gifted hunt.' The state is completely controlling and utilizing the Gifted, and supposedly conducting all kinds of experiments, including selective breeding."

'I've heard about that. Japan's Awakened seem to be targets as well.'

"That's right. And it's not only that country doing the targeting. The divide between the Gifted and non-Gifted in Japan is growing deeper by the day. Coercion and abduction aren't difficult."

'That serial killer has caused us a great deal of trouble.'

"They really have."

A certain incident came to both men's minds.

'The Kanagawa Prefecture Serial Locked-Room Murder Case.'

As its name suggested, it was a series of murders occurring in Kanagawa Prefecture.

The crimes did not remain confined to a single city but targeted the entirety of Kanagawa Prefecture. That alone made them heinous, but every crime had been committed in a locked room.

The physically impossible crimes, the messages from the culprit drawn on walls, and the security-camera footage capturing the moment the culprit teleported.

Based on these facts, there was an extremely high possibility that the culprit was Gifted.

Letters from the culprit had also reached websites and the mass media, bringing the total number of victims since last month to eight.

While news of the spiritual disaster was stirring up society, this case was also attracting considerable attention.

Meanwhile, crimes committed by Gifted people overseas were also making headlines, albeit through different means and under different circumstances, and the eyes of the non-Gifted were becoming increasingly harsh toward the Gifted.

"The fact that monsters generally can't be seen with the naked eye by non-Gifted people might also be creating a difference in awareness. People are more afraid of a visible threat than of something they can't see."

'I thought we might be able to obtain footage of the monsters during this spiritual disaster...'

"But they don't show up properly. You can't even call those things spirit photographs."

Several cameras had captured the lycanthrope rampaging through the city. And yet every photograph and video was shrouded in haze, making it impossible to tell what was actually depicted.

"Monsters are composed of magical power, and because they move in complex ways, they react with the mana in the atmosphere and have a major effect on the surrounding magnetic field... Hmm. As a non-Gifted person, I don't understand it at all."

'Don't worry. I don't really understand it either.'

"The scholars may not understand it all that well themselves. This is only a hypothesis, after all."

Sato chuckled as though the matter had nothing to do with him and reached inside his coat.

"Let's get back to the subject. Japan has a relatively large number of Gifted people, but even so, it isn't enough. After all, the 'dungeons' are increasing. Slowly, but certainly. On top of that, apparently powerful monsters are becoming more likely to appear."

'...Is that true?'

"I think it probably is. Judging from the reports of newly discovered dungeons and the monsters inside them, things will become serious if this continues."

After withdrawing his hand from his coat, Sato began rummaging through his bag.

"Our neighbor isn't the only one who needs to think about the next generation. Perhaps our country does too. Tōmi-kun, are you interested in marrying a male high school student?"

'I'd do it if it were work, but personally, I'd rather not. I am a police officer, after all.'

"Ha ha ha. I'm relieved that you have a sense of professional ethics."

'...More importantly, what is that rummaging sound?'

"Oh, sorry. I'm looking for something."

Taking his attention away from the bag, Sato checked beneath the desk and near the entrance.

'...A listening device?'

"No. I've already checked for all that. It's just..."

'Just what?'

"...What was I investigating again?"

'What?'

Tōmi responded in exasperation to Sato's vacant remark.

'What happened? Have you gone senile already?'

"That's harsh. You're not supposed to say things like that anymore. Besides, my memory is still perfectly sound. Shall I tell you the exact year, month, date, and day of the week when you were assigned to our station?"

'No, thank you. ...Could you have been affected by an ability?'

"I don't think so, but there are abilities whose users aren't aware of them. I'll investigate it afterward, just in case."

'Please do. Then, if you'll excuse me.'

"Sure. Enjoy your second high school life."

'I'll sue you for sexual harassment, old man.'

"I'm not an old man yet!"

After ending the call, Sato finished getting ready and left the room.

He was in a hurry to determine what had happened to him. But he was not panicking. Calmly and precisely, he maintained movements that kept him alert to his surroundings without appearing unnatural.

A veteran who had worked in Public Security for over twenty years, the man currently calling himself Sato was exceptionally capable.

Yet, for some reason, this man had not once looked beneath the bed.

＊　　　　＊　　　　　＊

Somewhere in Tokyo.

They were on a floor of a building in a district lined with office towers.

The room was furnished with luxurious pieces arranged to make the most of each one's strengths. The eastern wall was made entirely of glass, offering a beautiful view of the city at night.

In the spacious room, a leather sofa had been placed in the center with ample space left around it. Two men sat facing each other across a transparent table.

"Why, thanks to you, Sensei, our clan has managed to secure an excellent base. I hardly know how to thank you."

The speaker was a golden-haired, extraordinarily handsome man.

His skin was as white as marble, and his features were deeply sculpted. His reddish-gold hair, reminiscent of flames, was brushed back, while his narrow blue eyes were framed by long silver eyelashes.

He wore a flamboyant wine-red suit and a gold tie, an outfit that even a host would rarely wear, but it suited his otherworldly beauty perfectly.

"Not at all. I haven't done anything deserving of gratitude. I merely brought two friends together."

The man who answered was utterly ordinary by comparison.

Unlike the golden-haired beauty, who looked to be around thirty, this man was over fifty, with black hair and black eyes. Other than a slightly large beauty mark beneath one eye, he had no distinguishing features. His suit was of high quality but black, and his tie was blue.

Yet in terms of name recognition, he surpassed almost every celebrity.

'Acting Prime Minister Makoto Izumihara.'

A former Defense Minister, he was now the man at the top of Japanese politics.

"Ha ha ha. To be called a friend by the Prime Minister is an honor."

"Well, even as Prime Minister, I am only serving in an acting capacity."

After waving a hand modestly, he lowered his eyes.

"The previous prime ministers all died at once in the spiritual disaster, and I merely took this seat in an emergency. For the sake of those men who lived for the country and never ceased striving... I intend only to carry this baton carefully to the next prime minister."

"I see... However—"

After nodding repeatedly, the golden-haired beauty continued.

"Japan needs someone like you right now. The resolve to embrace both the clean and the dirty, and the drive to adapt to a new era. There is no politician other than Izumihara-sensei who possesses both."

"...You're overestimating me. Still, I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

Acting Prime Minister Izumihara picked up the glass on the table and elegantly sipped his wine.

Following his example, the handsome man drank as well, then widened his eyes.

"This is something else... What exactly is this that you brought, Sensei?"

"Delicious, isn't it? This is my personal reserve."

"I've never tasted anything like it. Come to think of it, I had never even heard of the brand when you gave it to me. Where exactly is it from...?"

"Naturally, it is wine made using an ability."

Crossing his legs with practiced ease, the acting prime minister continued.

"Wait. Products made using abilities are supposed to be banned from sale. And alcoholic beverages are subject to the Liquor Tax Act. By what route did you obtain this...?"

The handsome man broke into a cold sweat, and Izumihara gave a small shrug.

"Don't worry. It is perfectly legal. Unlike Japan, there are already countries that are properly confronting the existence of abilities. America and Britain could be called the leading nations in that field at present."

Holding the wine up to the chandelier, the acting prime minister tightened his lips.

"I believe Japan must change as soon as possible."

"............"

As Acting Prime Minister Izumihara began to speak, the handsome man set his glass on the table and straightened his back.

"We cannot continue cowering before the Gifted and living in ignorance. The world is entering an era of change. If we fall behind, we will have no face to show the Japanese people of the future."

"You are absolutely right, Sensei."

"Fortunately, Japan possesses many powerful Gifted people. To throw away that advantage would be utterly unconscionable."

The acting prime minister shifted his gaze to the man before him.

"This country also has an extraordinary man like you. 'Blitz'-san."

Blitz, the golden-haired beauty, gave a bashful, wry smile.

"That is an overestimation too, Sensei."

"No. This clan, 'Earth,' is a crucial factor in guiding Japan to a new stage."

With a fearless smile, Acting Prime Minister Izumihara drained his wine in one gulp.

"The Adventurer System will probably be revised before long. Prepare yourselves by building up your strength."

"Oh! Then at last...!"

The acting prime minister glared at Blitz, who had leaned forward eagerly.

In an instant, the golden-haired beauty straightened as though propelled by a spring. Sweat slowly appeared on his forehead.

"I don't know what you were about to say... but you never know where the eyes and ears of the world may be. It would be in your best interest to avoid careless remarks, Blitz-san."

"Yes... yes... Of course, Sensei."

"...Do you truly understand?"

"Yes! As an ordinary citizen, I will spare no effort to cooperate for the sake of this country's future...!"

Blitz bowed deeply, sweat pouring down him like a waterfall.

After looking down at him with bored disdain, Acting Prime Minister Izumihara placed his glass on the table.

"Then that will do. I'll leave the rest of the wine to you. I shall take my leave for today."

"Yes...! Thank you very much for your valuable time today...!"

"Not at all. We may be far apart in age, but aren't we friends? There's no need to be so formal."

To Blitz, who was still bowing his head, Acting Prime Minister Izumihara turned a refreshingly warm smile unlike the one he had worn moments before.

"So please raise your head, Blitz-san."

"B-but...!"

"Please, stop. This makes it look as though I'm bullying you."

Acting Prime Minister Izumihara approached Blitz and reached out to take him by the shoulder. Sensing his movement, Blitz immediately stood up.

The acting prime minister blinked at the sudden, spring-loaded-doll-like movement, then chuckled.

"You really are an interesting man."

"Yes! I'm honored!"

"It's good to see you so energetic. Let us both continue doing our best from here on."

With that, Acting Prime Minister Izumihara extended his right hand.

Blitz hesitated for an instant, then extended his own right hand.

The instant they shook hands firmly, the acting prime minister leaned toward Blitz's ear.

"Human... moderation is important too, you know."

"Gah...!"

Sweat burst across Blitz's face once more, and his hair stood on end.

After watching him with amusement, the acting prime minister released his hand and turned away.

"Well, I truly must be going now. I enjoyed myself, Blitz-san."

"...Yes."

Leaving the handsome man with bluish-purple lips, Acting Prime Minister Izumihara exited the room.

He strode out of the building. After being ushered into a car by the chauffeur, he looked toward the top floor of the building.

In Japan, there was only one clan that occupied the top three floors of a building in this prime Tokyo location.

Acting Prime Minister Izumihara was the one who had given Blitz that much money and influence. Ever since his days as Defense Minister, ever since the 'Day of Regression,' he had been searching for useful people.

"...See that I get my money's worth, Blitz-kun."

Inside the moving car, the acting prime minister leaned his weight against the leather seatback.

"For the sake of this country... this country of mine... do your very best."

Carrying the man with the face of an ugly monster, the car sped through nighttime Tokyo.

The golden-haired beauty had been watching it from the window. After confirming that the car had disappeared into the distance, Blitz let out a deep sigh, then—

He threw the liquor brought by the acting prime minister into the trash.