"Eliminate Goto? Is that why you called us here, in secret!?"
"This is madness..."
"You've put us at risk with those words! Do you realize that!?"
"Are you insane? We all know what happened to the last ones who tried!"
In a villa located in the central district, 14 people were seated around a dining table. 13 of them were shouting at the old man sitting at the head of the table.
They were all members of various political parties, not exactly thrilled, or rather terrified of being under the total control of the head of the [Black Corps], or at least that's what the owner of the villa believed. He was also the man who had organized this meeting.
With a single hand gesture, the man at the head of the table silenced 13 furious individuals. His cold gaze even made the bravest among them, those who had just called him mad shudder. It was proof of just how much power and experience this old man carried.
"My friends, I ask you to listen to me for just a minute. We've had different ideas on many topics, and we've fought each other for years, but I can say with absolute certainty that everyone in this room loves democracy."
The politician speaking was named Oliver Palmer, the son of two [mages], born without powers, and had lived his entire life in [Fumetsu].
At the age of 34, he entered politics, and now, nearing 70, he was about to reveal something that had been on his mind ever since Goto seized power.
His prime years were long gone, his once fiery red hair and beard had turned grey, and his body, once muscular and fit, had grown frail and withered with age.
He even needed a wooden cane to walk.
"I, you, and our parents before us, were all born into a democracy, into a [Fumetsu] that wasn't under the control of a dictator wearing the mask of a hero. I would like to spend my remaining years once again on the island I remember, not this twisted, insane version molded by Mokuro Goto."
Oliver paused, giving anyone the chance to object, to call him crazy. But no one spoke, so he continued.
"My memory isn't what it used to be, but I still remember my first meeting with Goto... I'm ashamed to admit I overestimated him and misjudged him at the time."
The old politician closed his eyes slightly, his face contorted in an expression of regret.
This display of pure emotion caused many of his guests to widen their eyes.
"Whether I wanted to or not, I was the one who introduced him to the world of politics and to its games... Maybe he would've found someone else to mentor him, or maybe not... I can't be sure... The only thing I know for certain is that I'm partly responsible for the man Mokuro Goto has become."
Hajime's stepfather had once been an incredibly versatile, powerful, and disciplined individual. He was a rising star from the moment he began his training as a recruit.
Oliver, with decades of experience behind him, had a keen eye for recognizing who would become "great" in their field.
The old politician met Goto intending to build a connection with a young man he believed would become a key figure in the future.
The nemesis of the [New Dawn] played his cards well, presenting himself as a good, upright, and respectful person, but also someone flexible, enterprising, and capable.
Of course, he couldn't completely fool Oliver not with the latter's experience. The politician saw a flicker of something inside young Goto that made him fear the true nature of the person before him.
But sadly, he underestimated the danger of the monster he had encountered.
For a few years, Hajime's stepfather learned from the politician how to move within parliament, slipping from one party to another without ever making a mistake.
All those lessons were vital to his rise to power.
It started with a murder here and a blackmail there.
Step by step, Goto began to shape parliament to his liking.
By the time Oliver realized what was happening, it was already too late. The head of the [Black Corps] had his hands everywhere, and he was too beloved to be overthrown by force.
But now, finally after years, a glimmer of hope had appeared.
"I know I'm asking a lot, and that our chances of success are slim, but here and now, I want you to consider joining me. If you don't want to... you know where the door is. I ask you, no, I beg you,not to speak of what's been said here to anyone. Even your lives will be at risk if the [Black Corps] gets wind of this."
Of the 13 people at the table, only 6 remained. Oliver lowered his head at the sight.
("Fewer than I'd hoped, but more than I realistically expected.")
The old politician almost admired the fear that Goto could instill in those who truly knew who he was.
"Thank you for your courage and your sacrifice." (Oliver)
"Is there really a way to... free ourselves from him?"
The question came from the youngest of those present. He had a wife and small children, yet he had chosen to stay, putting his present in danger for the sake of a better future.
"The chances are very slim."
That's what the old politician would have said if he were to go by sheer probability.
But it wasn't ideal to start a resistance movement by sowing hopelessness in their leader. So Oliver merely smiled slightly before responding.
"Yes. We can do it."
At the same time, Goto was preparing for his press conference, unaware that among the journalists in attendance, there were not only members of the [New Dawn], but also ordinary people who had been convinced to help them.
With a stone-faced expression, Hajime's stepfather walked forward, mentally rehearsing the speech he had crafted to crush any protest against him before it even began.
"Ladies and gentlemen. I will not waste time with useless chatter: what you saw in those videos is most likely true. Our best technical team made sure of it."
Murmurs and questions filled the room, making it impossible to understand or respond to the flood of voices.
But Goto remained unfazed, even when accusations were hurled at his leadership.
Minutes passed before everyone realized that the head of the [Black Corps] wouldn't speak further until silence was restored.
"The courts of [Fumetsu] do not condemn people to prison on the basis of 'probable' guilt. The men and women in those videos will be tracked down and investigated, and only if—and I repeat, IF—they are guilty, they will have to defend themselves in a courtroom."
The charisma of the man before them was beginning to win over many of those watching the press conference from home, with remarkable effectiveness.
"A dead branch doesn't mean the tree is dead, ladies and gentlemen. I ask you to continue to have faith in me and in the [Black Corps]. Those criminals will no longer tarnish the paradise garden I have built on this island."
He was clearly washing his hands of the 'probable' culprits it was obvious to the smarter journalists.
"The investigations will be made public, to show the entire island that I do not hide rotten apples in my orchard."
A smile broke through the stone mask of the middle-aged man. It looked benevolent, but deep down, it was charged with malevolent intent.
"To those who brought these allegations to light and accused me without revealing their own faces, I say only this: come forward. If you believe in your claims, I will be ready to listen to you, I—"
A phone rang, followed by many others, sparking chaos and instantly shattering the brief moment of silence and trust, as if a thread had snapped, triggering an explosion.
"(What the hell...)" (Goto)
Hajime's stepfather realized quickly what was happening when one of his aides signaled to him from beyond the stage.
But before he could understand the situation, the chaos intensified—this time, directed at him.
"Goto-sama! How do you respond to—"
"The conference is over! I will comment on any further news later!" (Goto)
Realizing he was at a disadvantage, with no information, the head of the [Black Corps] opted for a retreat.
"Show me! Now!" (Goto)
"It was just uploaded online, sir!"
A vein began to pulse on the forehead of the New Dawn's number one enemy.
"How do they know about this!?"