During Hajime's first day of training with Veronica, aimed at learning to better master his powers, a piece of explosive news spread across the [Fumetsu] information networks.
A low-ranking [Black Corps] member had used his [magic] to kill a criminal who had already surrendered.
Naturally, the public was outraged and demanded blood.
Goto did not hesitate to throw his subordinate to the wolves. After all, the man was neither powerful nor important to him—just another idiot who had enjoyed himself, like many of his colleagues, without caring about the nearby security cameras.
No, Goto didn't think twice about locking him in a cell, thus earning the public's favor, even though the [Black Corps] member was technically his employee and therefore his responsibility, at least in the eyes of the common people.
Hajime's stepfather didn't even bother to investigate how the footage had been leaked.
It was likely that someone had seen the footage through security cameras and sold it for some money, or perhaps it had been a [White Corps] member too devoted to justice, leaking it after being silenced by someone higher up the chain of command.
Whatever the case, Goto didn't care. He had more pressing matters to deal with, like the one unfolding before him now.
"My little girl has worked hard to impersonate Yuki Mikan, Goto-sama. The old vice admiral hasn't noticed anything... for now. But things might change very soon." (Mary)
Mary, the [esper] also known as [Black Ghost], was the same operative who had "failed" to protect a VIP, one crucial to the leader of the [Black Corps]'s plans.
"They won't change. Your puppet is better than that. I admit it grudgingly... you trained her well." (Goto9
Even though it sounded like a compliment, Hajime's stepfather was anything but friendly toward the woman in front of him.
In fact, the only reason her corpse wasn't lying on the floor already was because Mary was still indispensable to his plans, at least for now.
"Thank you for the compliment, Goto-sama. My adopted daughter will be pleased."
The man's harsh gaze didn't even make the [esper] flinch, at least not outwardly.
She knew very well she was playing with fire.
Someone knocked on the door, catching both their attention. Goto's brow furrowed.
He had been explicit: he did not want to be disturbed. That's why he had even unplugged the office phone.
"Come in." (Goto)
"Sir, I'm sorry for the interruption, but this is urgent. You need to see it, it's on all the news channels."
His personal secretary entered the office with a sense of urgency. She was a stunning 24-year-old who had long since fallen under the charm of her boss, who had already "sampled" her body.
After all, the leader of the [Black Corps] was a man driven by both greed and unrestrained lust.
The young woman immediately grabbed the remote and turned on the TV in the room.
"It just came on a few minutes ago." (Secretary)
Goto began to feel a growing unease, as if something much bigger was unfolding.
"!?" (Goto)
"Oh, my... Now this is new." (Mary)
Hajime's stepfather shot up from his chair, slamming his hands down on the desk in fury.
He was so consumed by anger he didn't even register the mocking comment from his subordinate.
Even Mary didn't hide her surprise, though she was more amused than worried.
Her mood improved further when she noticed a vein pulsing furiously on Goto's temple, visible even beneath the skin.
"Schedule me a press conference!" (Goto)
"For when, sir?!" (Secretary)
"in 3 hours! Don't just stand there like a statue, go do your job!"
"Yes, sir!" (Secretary)
"And I want every district commander to send me a full report by tonight! I won't accept excuses from anyone! Be they [White], [Black Corps], or anyone else! I want to know who helped them with this!"
The man's rage was so palpable the secretary fled the room, afraid he might unleash it on her.
Even Mary decided to keep her mouth shut. She wasn't arrogant enough to provoke a beast in full rage.
"Goto-sama, I believe I'll be leaving now..." (mary)
The woman didn't show it, but for a brief moment, she truly thought Goto might kill her on the spot if she kept talking.
"Out. Now. And don't show your face in here again until I call you." (Goto)
The [esper] didn't need to be told twice.
Sweating slightly, she left the office, fully aware that the man she had just left behind had spared her by a mere thread.
(If he hadn't held himself back in that moment... I'd probably be scraping my guts off the floor right now... I definitely need to speak to that person about this little prank.)
Still seething with rage, Goto continued watching the TV. The news anchor was explaining the situation that the entire island would soon be aware of.
"Ladies and gentlemen, numerous photos and videos featuring [Black Corps] members have been sent to media outlets across the island. In each one, members of Mokuro Goto elité group are seen committing crimes ranging from theft and threats to barbaric acts such as rape and cold-blooded murder! Our editorial team.....excuse me, we have breaking news!"
If Goto had been furious before, he was now on the verge of going completely insane.
"A website has just appeared online, containing more images and footage of crimes committed not only by [Black Corps], but also by [White Corps] and even high-ranking figures of our nation!"
The TV screen showed the site: a black background with bold white letters:
"Mokuro Goto is not the man you think he is."
"Who dares... WHO DARES! WHO DARES TO ATTACK ME AND MY THRONE?!"
Now fully unhinged, Goto stormed out of his office, ignoring everyone and everything in his path, heading straight to his personal training chamber.
He needed to let it out, before he could face the press, the cameras, or anything else.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
With an inhuman scream, he unleashed his power.
Only three hours later would the man leave the room, heading for the press conference arranged by his secretary.
(I don't know who made that site... or who gathered the evidence to discredit me... but they'll pay for this. And they'll pay dearly.) (Goto)
✦✦✦
Meanwhile, Mary had returned home.
Her apartment was located right in the heart of the city—on a busy street lined with 24-hour shops.
The noise was intolerable, but Mary hadn't chosen the place for comfort. She had chosen it for the multiple escape routes and the ability to use crowds as human shields in case someone came after her.
"My dear daughter, how are you today?" (Mary)
"I'm fine, Mom."
Mary's "daughter" was an [esper] who, at that moment, looked and acted exactly like Yuki Mikan—and not just in appearance.
"It's late. Why don't you go to bed? I'll join you soon." (Mary)
"Yes, Mom. I think I'll go now."
Once the girl had gone to her room, Mary took her time. She retrieved a bottle of liquor from the balcony and poured it into two separate glasses.
"If you're here, it means the [White Corps] watching this place are... otherwise occupied."
A figure stepped out of the shadows. Petite in build, yet her power was undeniable.
Mary immediately felt a heavy wave of killing intent pressing down on her shoulders—targeted solely at her, so that her daughter remained unaware of what was happening.
"...isn't that right, Yukihime-sama?" (Mary)
"Why did you call me here, [Black Ghost]?" (Yukihime)