Chapter 88: Your Excellency Seitenshi, Do You Dare to Bet on Human Nature?
Time passed day by day. Spring ended, and summer quietly arrived.
Although this year's summer in Tokyo wasn't as sweltering as previous years—instead being unusually cool—the atmosphere in the streets was inexplicably oppressive.
The reason was simple: Seitenshi's New Gastrea Act had overcome all opposition and was enacted with unprecedented force, officially coming into effect.
It granted the Cursed Children corresponding protections and human rights.
Many people had already begun privately cursing Seitenshi as a dictator. Some even questioned whether she was one of those Cursed Children herself—whether she was one of those damned Gastrea in disguise.
Rumors like these had already spread throughout Tokyo and even all of Japan.
"So you can do it after all."
Looking at the bold, ink-black headline on the newspaper—Tokyo's Iron-Fisted Dictator: Seitenshi—Mahiro's lips curled into a faint smile.
As expected, he hadn't misjudged her.
If Seitenshi put her mind to it, she could make it happen.
On another note, after a long absence, Rentaro had finally been discharged from the hospital.
However, the only one who came to pick him up was Kisara. Mahiro was currently at Arcadia, helping Kayo sort through documents.
He was also handling some basic planning work for Arcadia.
With the ever-expanding shelter demanding so much effort, he barely had any energy left to visit the agency.
His days were spent assisting Kayo, while his nights were occupied with lab work alongside the doctor. Even sleep had become a luxury.
Thankfully, his body was tough enough to endure it.
After finally wrapping up all these tasks, he managed to carve out a short break for himself. The moment he lay down on his bed, ready to enjoy a good night's sleep—
His phone rang.
"...It's been a while, Mahiro-san."
Ah, the familiar greeting. Same as always.
"Your Excellency Seitenshi... Congratulations. You've finally developed a bit of the backbone needed to survive in this messed-up world."
Mahiro yawned as he spoke offhandedly.
"Mahiro-san, are you mocking me?"
"How could I? Not at all. If anything... I'm relieved."
That once-saintly girl, pure as blank paper, had finally descended into the mortal world under his guidance—tainted with new colors.
"Well, let's not dwell on that. I doubt Your Excellency called just to hear me sing your praises. What's the matter?"
A soft "Mm" came from the other end of the line, followed by a long pause—as if she were steadying her emotions or organizing her thoughts.
Finally, after a while, her voice returned.
"...May I ask where you are right now, Mahiro-san?"
"I'm at home, getting ready to sleep... But first, what's this about?"
"Very well, Mr. Mahiro. There's currently a critical situation concerning the nation's survival, so I need to ask for your assistance."
"I must decline."
"Eh?.... No, wait, I haven't even said anything yet!"
Mahiro's immediate, almost thoughtless response left Seitenshi utterly stunned, even flustered to the point of panic.
"Please don't refuse so quickly!"
"But it can't be anything good, right? And if it's a matter of life and death for the nation, that's even more troublesome. Lady Seitenshi, have you forgotten what I once told you?"
"I remember... but... even so, I'd like you to hear me out before making a decision."
He had been about to say, "I won't listen, I won't listen, like a turtle chanting sutras," but before the words could leave his mouth, she spoke again:
"...I'll be heading to your apartment right away. You're not allowed to refuse now."
With that, the call ended.
Such a forceful attitude—there was even a hint of that uniquely girlish willfulness in it.
"Well, since it's the first time she's being this willful, I might as well hear her out."
Mahiro sat up from the bed, got dressed, and stepped out of his apartment to greet her.
After all, no matter what, she was the head of state, and since she was personally paying him a visit, he had to show at least a little courtesy.
However, the moment he stepped downstairs, he felt a chill brush against his face.
"It's raining?"
Looking up, he saw that the sky, which had been clear and sunny just moments ago, was now overcast with dark clouds, a fine drizzle falling from above.
He waited at the building's entrance for a long time, but the extended luxury limousine from the Holy Palace never arrived.
Instead, in the steadily intensifying rain, he spotted a white figure running toward him from the distance.
"...Seitenshi???"
Yes, it was Seitenshi.
Running alone in the rain, without bodyguards, without the usual luxury limousine—she had come to his apartment building like this.
And perhaps because she wasn't used to exercise, or maybe because she was wearing high heels, she accidentally stepped on the edge of a small pebble, lost her balance, and immediately tumbled forward.
Fortunately, Mahiro caught her in time, his hands registering the soft, springy sensation of her body.
"Ah... sorry."
Seitenshi lifted her head, her damp eyes meeting Mahiro's. Her snow-white hair clung to her face, diminishing her usual air of sanctity and instead giving her a pitiful, vulnerable charm.
Not to mention, she was completely drenched. The white dress did nothing to conceal her figure—instead, it clung to her skin, revealing its color beneath.
Hmm. The inside was pure white too.
"My dear Lady Seitenshi, what exactly is this?"
Mahiro averted his gaze and slowly helped her up, opening the umbrella in his hand to shield them from the rain.
Then, he cast a spell, carefully evaporating the moisture from Seitenshi's body to prevent her from catching a cold.
"So amazing..."
Seitenshi blinked in surprise, watching as her white lace gloves gradually dried and feeling warmth spread across her body.
"Is this magic?"
"Yep. Fun, isn't it?"
"..."
Seitenshi seemed about to nod instinctively but quickly stopped herself, her face flushing red.
Her already pale complexion now carried a faint blush—utterly captivating.
Seeing her like this, Mahiro couldn't help but chuckle. "Never mind, let's go upstairs first."
Though the journey had been somewhat rocky, he had managed to pick up Seitenshi and bring her home.
However, when he asked about what had happened, her response amused him.
"So you're saying not only did the car break down halfway, but you also got caught in heavy rain shortly after leaving, and you didn't even have an umbrella, so you ran all the way here?"
Mahiro gave Seitenshi a strange look as she nodded in confirmation, then burst out laughing.
"Seriously, didn't it occur to you to buy an umbrella at a nearby store? Or at least find shelter and wait for me to come get you? Running around alone like that—you really aren't afraid of trouble, are you?"
"...Because it was urgent, I... forgot. And could you please stop laughing?"
"Alright, alright, I'll stop. If it's that urgent, go ahead and tell me."
Even as he said this, Seitenshi continued to glare at him resentfully.
But then her gaze wandered curiously around his home, as if searching for something, before abruptly settling on the bathroom.
"...Excuse me, Mr. Mahiro. Before that, may I use your bathroom?"
"Feel free to take a shower," Mahiro replied without hesitation.
Though he had helped dry her off, she was still a bit dirty—especially the hem of her pure white dress, now stained with mud.
"Th-then, pardon me..."
Seitenshi stood up and hurried into the bathroom.
Honestly, this change in her demeanor was beyond what he had expected.
In his memory, Seitenshi had initially seemed like a saintly figure—angelic, untouchable. But now, she acted more like the sixteen-year-old girl she was—adorably clumsy, yet still clinging to her pride and restraint.
Just as he was pondering this transformation, the faint rustling of fabric came from the closed changing area.
Instinctively, he turned his head and caught sight of a silhouette through the frosted glass.
A dress slipped to the floor, followed by the outline of a slender, breathtaking figure that made him swallow hard.
Truth be told... even though the frosted glass obscured the details, Mahiro didn't need to activate "Multi-Scope" to mentally reconstruct the blurred shadow into its original form.
In the silhouette against the changing room door, a bra slid to the ground, then underwear was peeled off long, graceful legs.
Then her figure vanished completely, replaced by the sound of running water.
"Tch..."
Having enjoyed the show, Mahiro quietly averted his gaze.
About twenty minutes later, Seitenshi finished her shower.
Her clothes had been tossed into the washing machine, so she was now wearing one of Mahiro's shirts.
After all, apart from his own clothes, the only other options in the house belonged to Asaka and Enju—clearly too small for Seitenshi's frame.
Fortunately, the shirt from his six-foot-plus frame draped over her like a dress.
But...
"...Something feels a bit..."
Seitenshi slowly slid open the bathroom door, hugging herself shyly as wisps of steam drifted out.
The pure white maiden in her oversized white shirt emerged timidly from the bathroom, tugging awkwardly at the hem of her clothes. Frankly, it was more alluring than words could describe—especially since she wasn't wearing anything underneath, leaving certain indescribable glimpses just barely visible.
Most men would've lost control by now.
"Seitenshi-sama, I think you should thank Dr. Muroto Sumire."
"…?"
Seitenshi tilted her head in confusion. "The Fourth Sage? What should I thank her for?"
"For helping me achieve sage-like enlightenment," Mahiro said with absolute sincerity.
Though even now, that so-called "enlightenment" was hanging by a thread.
The girl, however, just blinked her damp, pale-purple eyes in utter bewilderment, completely failing to grasp his meaning.
Truly, Seitenshi was as innocent inside as she appeared outside.
Even after shedding her idealistic naivety, she remained pure in both heart and appearance.
"Never mind."
Mahiro waved it off, motioning for her not to dwell on it and gesturing for her to take a seat.
"Then let's get to it. What's this matter of life and death for the nation that couldn't even wait for me to refuse over the phone?"
His teasing deepened the flush already coloring her cheeks, but she steeled herself and spoke with grave seriousness.
"Mahiro-san, the Tokyo Area is on the brink of catastrophe. A calamity is about to befall us."
Wasn't that a good thing?
The kind worth celebrating with champagne on the spot.
But seeing the girl who had poured her heart and soul into the Tokyo Area, he refrained from such cruelty.
The reason for Tokyo's impending doom was simple—just like in the original timeline.
Kisara had uncovered the shoddy construction of Monolith No. 32, which had reduced its Varanium content. Now, it was being eroded by Aldebaran, the former right hand of Taurus and the Gastrea closest to reaching Stage V.
The monolith, injected with corrosive fluid, was already showing signs of whitening.
"So, we have six days left. In six days, the monolith will collapse, Gastrea will swarm in, and the Tokyo Area will be overrun and destroyed by the infection?"
"Yes." Seitenshi nodded solemnly.
Meanwhile, Mahiro stared at the photos spread across the glass table—images of the whitening monolith and the horrifying close-up of the Gastrea's head.
"Honestly, given how far the erosion has progressed, I'm surprised the ever-prying media hasn't plastered this breaking news about the monolith all over the headlines… You really have changed a lot, huh?"
"You can mock me all you want. I know full well that the people see me as a witch now, a ruthless dictator."
Seitenshi smiled bitterly and shook her head lightly.
"But even so, it doesn't matter. I still want to make the Tokyo Area better. That's why I'm asking you, Mahiro-san, to lend your strength to us one more time."
Behind that crumbling monolith lay roughly two thousand Gastrea of varying stages.
It wasn't a situation anyone could laugh about.
Even though the military's Self-Defense Forces had sworn a military pledge to eliminate these Gastrea, Seitenshi was no longer that naive little girl. She understood clearly.
That was impossible.
If Gastrea could be repelled so easily, humanity wouldn't have suffered such a devastating defeat ten years ago, confined to such narrow territories.
"So, I beg of you, Mahiro-san. Please act once more for the sake of Tokyo Area."
Seitenshi bowed deeply, disregarding the proud winter plum standing resolute in the snowstorm.
"Raise your head, Seitenshi. No matter what, you are the leader of Tokyo Area. You shouldn't lower it."
"...Does that mean you accept?"
"No, I refuse."
"Why?"
Hearing his decisive response, Seitenshi's lips pressed tightly together, her eyes filled with sorrow and urgency as she quickly added:
"If it's a matter of compensation, we can negotiate. Any price—as long as it can save Tokyo Area, I'm willing to pay."
"That's not the issue."
Mahiro shook his head, then raised a finger toward the girl. "Seitenshi, you've misunderstood three things."
"Th-three things?"
"First, this is a request. You should have gone to President Kisara first, then had her assign the task to me. That's the proper procedure. But now, you came directly to me, bypassing the agency's president. That greatly affects my reputation."
"...Huh?"
Seitenshi froze, staring at him blankly.
What kind of reason was that?
"Second, I've never fought for Tokyo Area. Whether it was Hiruko Kagetane or the Scorpion, it was entirely out of consideration for you, Seitenshi."
Hearing this, Seitenshi's face had already turned pale.
Although she had guessed what Mahiro was about to say next, she couldn't help but tremble as she asked:
"...Then... what about the third?"
"The third is—what gave you the illusion that I would lift a finger for these mongrels of Tokyo Area?"
Just as expected.
She had known this all along.
But she had still clung to a sliver of hope, which was why she had come. Yet now...
Seitenshi lowered her head, her face shadowed with sorrow.
"...Why won't you give the people of Tokyo Area some time, as well as a chance to atone?"
"Because it's meaningless."
Mahiro stated bluntly and sneered. "People only turn the wheel when the car's about to hit the wall; they only buy stocks when they're already rising; they only repent after being sentenced for their crimes... By the time things have reached this point, it's already too late for anything."
"If you're still unconvinced, Seitenshi-sama, how about we make a bet?"
"Let's bet on how the citizens will react once the news of the Monolith's whitening leaks out."
"Now that Arcadia's location is exposed to everyone's sight, if they don't seek revenge against Arcadia after learning of this, then I'll step in and help you save Tokyo Area. How about that?"
His words made Seitenshi raise her head again, hope rekindled in her eyes.
"...Are you serious?"
"Of course."
"Fine, I'll take that bet."
Unsurprisingly, Seitenshi agreed.
However, from the moment she accepted, she had already lost.
At her core, Seitenshi was still that kind-hearted girl—so kind that she would even believe in something as fickle as human nature.
In truth, that was the last thing one should ever bet on.
Once the heavy rain stopped, Seitenshi dressed and left.
Meanwhile, he took out his phone and made a call.
"Hey, Kanae?"
"Yes. I thought you would be resting by now, but since you're calling, there must be an emergency?"
"Sharp as ever. Later, could you contact Miori and inform her that I want to raise the city walls?"
"By how much?"
"Another twenty meters."
"Huh?"
A small gasp came from the other end of the line. Kanae asked in confusion, "Why? Our current ten-meter walls are already more than enough to prevent outsiders from climbing over..."
Before she could finish, Mahiro relayed everything Seitenshi had told him earlier, word for word.
After listening, Kanae fell silent for a long moment before speaking slowly. "I understand. I'll contact Miss Shiba later. The reinforcement method will be the same as before—using super-varanium alloy, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
The previous walls had been built the same way, constructed from countless layers of super-varanium alloy, much like the Monoliths.
Not only were they incredibly sturdy, but they could also repel Gastrea attacks.
This was why Miori had once referred to his place as Noah's Ark.
If the Gastrea ever launched a full-scale assault, there was no doubt that his territory would be the safest place—bar none.
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan