Twenty minutes later.
Rentaro Satomi finished reading the last page of the seventh volume and set down the manuscript with satisfaction.
"It was worth the wait," he said reluctantly. "But is this really the final volume?"
"It is. After all, all the plot holes have been filled."
"That's true, but I don't quite understand the ending."
Recalling the plot of the final volume of Silver Bullet, Rentaro Satomi continued, "After learning the truth of the world and gaining ultimate power, Falma's final words 'I want to create a world without evil' did he mean to destroy his world or use that power to make it better?"
"If you were Falma, what would you do?"
"Me?" Rentaro Satomi thought for a moment, then smiled bitterly. "Even though his world is a complete mess, if I had to choose, I'd probably use the power to make the world a better place."
"Even if it means the villains benefit too?"
"But wouldn't the good people also survive?"
"That's so like you, Rentaro," Nia Honjo said, unsurprised. "The ending is open to interpretation. You can think whatever you want."
"Hey, can you two discuss the plot somewhere else?"
At that moment, Kisara Tendo, who had been engrossed in reading the comic, looked up in annoyance. "I've only finished the second volume. How am I supposed to keep reading after you spoiled it for me?"
Her domineering tone made it seem as if she had forgotten this was Nia Honjo home, causing both Rentaro Satomi and Nia Honjo to shrink back.
After finishing the first volume, Kisara had picked up the second and started reading, her expression serious the entire time, making it impossible to tell whether she liked it or not.
But since she was willing to keep reading, she probably didn't hate it, right?
To avoid further spoilers, the two ended their discussion and turned on the TV to pass the time.
"It seems Tokyo has been really chaotic lately," Nia Honjo remarked, flipping through channels. "Every news channel is broadcasting the same thing. The Holy Emperor must be so busy she's going bald."
"Why do you sound like you just found out about this?" Rentaro Satomi gave her a surprised look. "Haven't you watched the news these past few days?"
"I've been busy drawing. I haven't even left the house, let alone watched the news," Nia Honjo shrugged. "Besides, we're in the outer district of the outer district. Most people wouldn't come here without a reason."
Bang !
At that moment, a gunshot rang out.
The three of them exchanged glances, set down what they were holding, and rushed outside.
Arriving at the shelter's wall, they quickly approached Elder Matsuzaki and Kohina Hiruko.
"Elder Matsuzaki, what happened?" Nia Honjo asked immediately.
"Some unfriendly people tried to break into the shelter," Elder Matsuzaki said, looking displeased. "But I stopped them with a warning shot."
Looking over the wall, they saw about twenty or thirty hostile individuals standing nearby.
They held homemade protest signs with radical slogans that made people frown.
"I'll say it again: this is private property. If you thugs take one step closer, I won't miss next time," Elder Matsuzaki declared, his usual kindness replaced by firmness.
"We're not thugs! We're a militia formed to protect Tokyo!"
A man in a suit stepped forward, shouting, "We're here to protect Tokyo from the Gastrea!"
"There are no Gastrea here. Leave immediately," Rentaro Satomi said, stepping in front of Elder Matsuzaki. "Whether you're a mob or a militia, this isn't the place for you."
"No Gastrea? What about that thing next to you?"
The man in the suit sneered, pointing at Kohina Hiruko. "She's been eyeing us since the beginning. I bet she can't wait to satisfy her bloodlust, can she?"
"Nonsense!" Kisara Tendo retorted. "This child's job is to protect this place. You're the ones with bad intentions. Do you think you deserve to be treated as guests?"
"Master, can I kill that guy?" Kohina Hiruko asked eagerly.
"No. If you do, it'll prove their point," Nia Honjo said, calming her.
"We, on behalf of Tokyo citizens, must eliminate all hidden dangers before the monolith collapses," the man in the suit said passionately. "These cursed children here can't fight on the battlefield and might turn into Gastrea at any moment. Keeping them here does Tokyo no good!"
"For Tokyo!"
"Even ordinary people can contribute to this city!"
"Make these monsters disappear from Tokyo!"
Following the man's lead, the crowd began chanting slogans.
Though there were fewer than thirty of them, their combined voices carried an undeniable force.
"What do we do?" Rentaro Satomi clenched his fists. "Reasoning with them is impossible, but if we hurt anyone, public opinion will turn against us, putting us in an even worse position."
"If they go back and exaggerate, more troublemakers will come tomorrow. In a few weeks, we won't be able to stop them," Kisara Tendo said, her face dark. "These idiots have no idea what they're doing. They claim they're helping Tokyo, but they're just causing trouble!"
As the two groups stood at an impasse, the roar of engines echoed in the distance.
Two military armored pickup trucks approached.
"The army is here to wipe them out! Haha! The government's on our side!"
The man in the suit shouted triumphantly as armed soldiers stepped out of the trucks. "These little monsters will be gone soon! And you so-called saints will "
His voice cut off abruptly.
The soldiers raised their rifles, aiming the black muzzles at the troublemakers.
Under the military's intimidation, the mob, who had been so bold moments ago, turned pale and broke into a cold sweat. They obediently followed orders and were escorted into one of the trucks.
Following the pickup trucks was a long, black sedan.
"It seems I've arrived at the right time," the Holy Emperor said, stepping out of the sedan in her pure white attire. "These people were hired by Kikunojou Tendo. Don't worry they won't bother you again."
With the riot quelled, the people in the shelter breathed a sigh of relief.
Nia Honjo opened the shelter's gate and let the Holy Emperor and her guards inside.
"You could've just sent your men to handle this," Nia Honjo said. "Since you're here in person, I assume there's something important you need to discuss?"
"Isn't Miss Honjo omniscient? Then you should know why I'm here."
"I don't like using my abilities unless necessary," Nia Honjo shrugged. "Is something wrong with the government?"
"No, the power transition within the government is going smoothly. I'm here because the monolith and the erosion rate blocker are almost complete."
A genuine smile spread across the Holy Emperor tired face.
"I'd like to discuss the details of the press conference we'll be holding in the next few days."