Tokyo Area, Saint Tenko's Residence — Conference Chamber.
The entire room froze.
The moment Takumi uttered those four simple words — "I want you dead." — the temperature in the hall seemed to plummet instantly. Even the guards, who had been shooting wildly at him just seconds ago, felt an instinctive chill crawl up their spines.
Saint Tenko covered her mouth in shock.
Tendo Kikunojo stiffened, his fingers gripping the edge of the table tightly. His face twitched, but he forced out a steady voice:
"Sir… surely, you jest."
Takumi made a small gesture with his hand.
A golden ripple spread through the air, and the bullets still suspended in the barrier dissolved into harmless motes of light.
"I don't joke," Takumi replied calmly. "I dislike wasting time. You're corrupt, you're incompetent, and you harm children for the sake of your own political stability. So yes, my first requirement is your death. Simple."
A suffocating silence filled the conference room.
The guards trembled. Several officials nearly fainted.
Tendo Kikunojo, however, slowly exhaled and forced himself to meet Takumi's gaze.
"I see," he said, forcing a laugh. "Sir, although your strength is extraordinary, killing me here would not benefit you. My death will cause political collapse, panic, and chaos. The entire Tokyo Area will—"
"—be better off?" Takumi finished for him.
Tendo Kikunojo froze.
Takumi stepped off the conference table, boots echoing sharply against the polished floor. The golden shield around him shimmered like a miniature sun.
He walked straight toward Tendo Kikunojo.
Each step felt like a countdown.
"You misunderstand, Assistant Tendo," Takumi said, voice soft. "I'm not here to negotiate with you. I am here to notify you. From this moment onward…"
His eyes narrowed.
"Tokyo Area is under the jurisdiction of Dimensional City."
"Dimensional… City?" Saint Tenko whispered.
Takumi smirked.
"Yes. A civilization far beyond yours. A nation built with magic, technology, discipline, and compassion — everything this world lacks. And unfortunately for you, that means corrupt relics of the old world are… unnecessary."
"You dare—!" Tendo Kikunojo slammed the table and stood.
Takumi raised his index finger.
A beam of white-gold light shot out.
"Finality: Restraint."
The Herrscher authority burst forward.
Tendo Kikunojo froze in place — not like a statue, but like his existence had been put on pause. Even his heartbeat stopped.
Officials screamed. Some fainted.
Saint Tenko fell backward in shock.
Takumi didn't even look at the frozen man as he walked past him, toward the center of the chamber.
"Relax. I didn't kill him." Takumi waved casually. "If I wanted him dead, he'd be dead. But right now, he's more useful alive… for the moment."
A breath of relief escaped many lips.
"But," Takumi added with a soft smile that terrified everyone present, "he will still die."
"Wh-Why…" Saint Tenko whispered, trembling.
Takumi turned to her.
His tone softened.
"You seem like a good girl. Unfortunately, you're surrounded by poisonous snakes. So allow me to be direct. I don't kill people without reason. But I always eliminate those who harm children."
A collective shudder went through the room.
Takumi spread his arms.
"I am Takumi. Ruler of Dimensional City. Herrscher of Finality. The sovereign of an evolving civilization. And today, I officially declare:"
"Tokyo Area's authority is revoked."
Gasps erupted.
Takumi continued as if discussing ordinary weather.
"Your military, your administrative division, your corrupt Enhancement Center, your oppressive laws against Cursed Children — all of it is now obsolete."
He snapped his fingers.
A holographic map of Tokyo Area appeared, projected directly from the Herrscher core.
Glowing lines marked the surrounding plains — where his forces were establishing their camp.
"In less than an hour, my people will enter the city. They will rescue all Cursed Children. They will distribute food, medicine, and shelter. Resistance will be crushed without casualties on our side."
"You… you're invading us?!" cried a cabinet minister.
Takumi tilted his head.
"No. I'm liberating the children you've enslaved."
"And after that—"
He pointed at Tendo Kikunojo.
"—I remove the trash."
"Takumi-san!" Saint Tenko stood up, her voice trembling yet resolute. "Assistant Tendo may have flaws, but Tokyo Area needs stability! And you cannot simply declare our collapse!"
Takumi raised an eyebrow.
"Child, do you believe you currently possess stability?"
Saint Tenko stiffened.
Takumi approached her gently.
"You are compassionate. You have a pure heart. But you are powerless here. They use you as a symbol, nothing more."
Her eyes widened. Because it was true.
Takumi's voice softened even more.
"I'm not here to take your place. I'm here to give you freedom. After this, whether you wish to govern, join Dimensional City, or retire to a peaceful life — that choice will be yours."
The room was dead silent.
Then—
BOOM!!!
A soldier burst into the door, panic on his face.
"Assistant Tendo! The army outside—" He froze upon seeing Takumi.
"—The army outside the city… has begun marching toward the walls!"
Takumi smiled.
"Ah. Perfect timing."
He turned back to Saint Tenko and the officials.
"Everyone, take your seats. The liberation of Tokyo Area is about to begin. And don't bother trying to run — I've already sealed the exits."
He winked.
"Now then, shall we watch the fall of your oppression together?"