Part Twenty-Three

Somewhere along England’s eastern coast. Ixan Isphael’s secret manor……

“So, Clint’s on his way?”

“Yes my Lord. He left at dawn, just as you instructed.”

“Mn, then we’ll have to wait and see. Now, how are our overseas operatives faring?”

Regina and Ixan were having their morning debriefing. Regina was in charge of their espionage operations outside of England, and one of her subordinates sent a report every three days.

“Our informants within the Committee tell us that a Lore Seeker has made contact with them. Not only did they inform them about the true nature of World Decay, but they also gave them a proposal to trade aid for material. Should we try to have them disposed of?”

“…No. The Lore Seekers are powerful. Even if we succeed in eliminating this one, another will take their place, and all we’ll have earned is their ire. Besides, the Committee makes for a useful puppet, so long as they don’t grow too powerful. We’ll need to take precautions to prevent that, but they’re fine for now.”

“As you will. Next is that the proposal issued by Director Walters and Saito Takanashi passed in the Japanese Diet, providing funding for the establishment of a Strike Team to be assembled and trained. I believe their plan is to use the Dungeons on Kyushu Island to accelerate their training. So far, over two hundred applicants have been selected, and a few of our agents have successfully infiltrated them. If nothing is done, they’ll likely begin operations by next week.”

“Good. Just like the Committee, we should keep an eye on them while allowing them to grow. I’d already guessed that this would happen, so it’s fine if they proceed. Besides, we can use them when we eventually go to war with the Spirit Lords.”

“Very well, I’ll send word to our agents not to interfere.”

Given that one of those Spirit Lords was basically a walking mass of Miasma, the idea to manipulate the fledgling hero, who likely had an affinity for Holy Magic, could be called a masterstroke. Dread Sprits were incredibly vulnerable to Holy Magic, and the inclusion of Saito in any plan could end up being the difference between success and failure. And while he’d need to plan ahead to rope the boy into his ambitions, he already had several plans in motion, all of which would eventually accomplish the same thing.

His plans to eventually destroy the three Spirit Lords were moving apace, but there was still much work to be done before he could enact them. For the highest chance of success, he’d need to get the whole world involved in his plans, as well as having several talented generals to lead his personal forces. And that brought him to his next quandary.

“Hm, come to think of it, have we heard back from Grant Ward?”

“Not yet. He and Garret Braddock are still recuperating in Berlin. Apologies, my Lord, but despite my best efforts, I’ve yet to discover what they’ve been doing there.”

“It’s fine Regina. I’m certain we’ll hear back from them at some point. Garret Braddock is too much of an idealist to ever sit on the sidelines, especially if he learns of the Spirit Lords and their ambitions. Those creatures cannot be left to their own devices if humanity is to survive.”

“I’m in complete agreement, my Lord. But, may I ask something?”

“What would you like to know?”

“Did something happen that you’re not telling me about?”

“Oh? What makes you say that?” a hint of amusement could be seen in both Ixan’s expression and voice. He clearly liked seeing his most zealous supporter ask questions. She would normally never do that.

“It’s just, the last few times we’ve spoken, I’ve gotten the feeling that you’ve been…calmer than normal. I can’t explain it, but you’ve felt different lately. Like you’re less…intense than you’ve been. More focused, like…all the zeal you’ve displayed is being suppressed. Or maybe…directed would be a better word.”

“Hrm, I suppose you would be the first to notice. Hmmm, I suppose you could say that something’s happened. Hmhmhmhm, you could indeed say that.”

While Regina usually found her master's laughter to be attractive, she found this one to be extremely sinister, like a heretical villain heralding in the end of the world. Even the smile on his face seemed twisted, though she couldn’t figure out why.

***

Shimonoseki, Japan. Kyushu Defensive Line Headquarters……

Saito looked around at everyone gathered outside Headquarters, glad that so many people had volunteered for this endeavor. It was sure to be filled to the brim with hardships, but he was sure that this was the first step to a brighter future.

If only Ouka was here to see this. No, I can’t think like that. I’m sure she’s doing fine in America. Nothing bad's happened to her. Just because I haven’t heard from her since she left doesn’t mean something bad happened.

Saito sighed for the umpteenth time that day. Even though they were taking a massive step forward, it felt bittersweet without his best friend to share it with.

“Oh, there you are Saito. Come on, you’ll be late if you wait much longer.”

“Sorry Director. I just got a bit distracted. I’m ready.”

Saito followed Chris into the building that would temporarily serve as a barracks for everyone gathered here. With the vetting process already complete, and team assignments already decided, all that was left was orientation. Saito didn’t expect this to take very long, though he was also merely a participant this time around.

Chris led him to a room where everyone who’d been chosen to be captains and vice-captains had gathered. Since there were just over two hundred applicants, and there were ten people assigned to each group, there were just over forty people here. Essentially, a fifth of the applicants would be present for this meeting, making the room rather boisterous. Saito quickly found a seat near the back, slipping in just before the Director. His role here was as just another captain, and that’s how he wanted it to stay, at least for now. Also, he was thankful that he’d taken the last month to seriously work on his English. Ouka would be proud of him.

“If you could all quiet down, I’d like to get underway. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover today, so I’d like to get started as soon as possible.”

Since everyone here was here of their own will, and had been thoroughly vetted to remove any potential troublemakers, it didn’t take long for the group to come to attention. No one wanted this to drag on longer than it had to.

“First, I’d like to thank everyone for having the courage to come out here today. We’re about to undertake a great endeavor, and possibly the first step in helping humanity retake what has been lost. I’m certain that this is a day that will go down in history.”

Polite applause filled the room, though it soon faded. No one wanted to risk missing his next words.

“I’m sure most of you have heard of the recent increase in monster attacks along the Kyushu Defensive Line? Well, as of a month ago, the cause of those attacks was eliminated by the JASDF, and after a massive operation which continues even now, we’ve determined that nearly every single monster in Kyushu Island has been killed.”

Those words sent a shock through the crowd. While many had speculated about the possibility, very few had ever actually believed it was possible to wipe out all the monsters within a zone. And it likely wouldn’t have been if the Gluttonist horde had never appeared.

“However, this is not the end of the current crisis. There are six other zones, each filled with countless monsters. Who’s to say that this will not repeat itself if we sit back and do nothing? To that end, myself, the Committee, and the Japanese have all decided to found a task force to be used in times of danger. Of course, you all already know this. That’s why you’re here. But what you likely don’t know is that the JSDF has discovered and cataloged over one hundred Dungeons of E-Rank through C-Rank. I’m sure you can all infer why I’m telling you this.”

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll all be sent out in your assigned groups to clear these Dungeons, with the main focus being on training instead of procuring the items found within. And while anything you find inside is yours to keep, I hope that the spirit of cooperation will at least ensure that no one tries to be too greedy during the operation.”

There were a few nervous chuckles at that. While the applicants had already been vetted, it wasn’t hard to imagine that anyone would feel a little tempted in this situation, even if they normally wouldn’t be. Items found in Dungeons were just that valuable to the right people, something everyone here knew.

“Everyone here has been chosen to be either a captain or a vice-captain. I know that this may be a responsibility that some of you do not wish for, but we have confidence that you’re in the right place.”

There were surprisingly few worried expressions in the crowd at this, nor were there any expressions of discontent. The officials who’d done the vetting had likely done a very good job in choosing people of good character.

“Now, all of you have already been given your squad assignments, so everyone should head back outside to meet their squad mates. After a brief period for introductions, we’ll move on to the next part of orientation.”

Hm, that went well. There were less issues than I’d thought, and no one really seemed confused about anything. Granted, I imagine everyone here already knows what they’re getting into, so it might’ve been a bigger problem if there had been.

Saito felt pretty satisfied with the reactions he’d noticed, and he decided to wait for everyone else to leave before he’d follow them and meet up with his assigned squad. As the captain of Squad A, Saito expected there to be a certain level of scrutiny on him. And while he didn’t know who’d been assigned to him, he expected most of them to be soldiers who’d stood out in one way or another.

“Saito? Could you come here for a moment?”

Just before he could get up to leave, the Director called for him. Since he’d lost sight of him at some point, he hadn’t noticed that Chris had been joined by a rather large man wearing full-body armor with a greataxe slung on his back. And while he should’ve felt intimidated by such a get-up, he only felt a sort of reliableness from him.

“Sorry about this. I just want to personally introduce the two of you. Squad A’s supposed to be our poster squad. And while there aren’t going to be any particular duties for you for some time, I’m sure something dangerous will eventually come up. I figure it’s in our best interests if the two of you get to know each other as soon as possible.”

“That’s fine, Director Walters. I knew what I was getting into when I volunteered. And I’m sure he does too. Ain’t that right, lad?” lad? Did I miss hear him?

“…Yes, I suppose that’s true.” Saito suddenly realized that the man before him was going to be his vice-captain, so he stuck his hand out for a proper greeting. “Saito Takanashi. I look forward to working with you.”

The man looked slightly confused for a moment, before chuckling and shaking his hand..

“Cameron Hayes, and the same to you, lad.”