After the battle ended, Charles, Stella, and the others didn't return directly to Breaker Academy. Instead, they headed for the League's Japan branch.
The reason for coming to this place—one that carried bitter memories for Ikki Kurogane—was that the situation had taken a new turn.
Speaking of Ikki, Yakushi Kuiko truly lived up to her reputation as a top-tier doctor. Even though the Puppet King had mangled him badly, after only half a day, he was merely a bit weak.
It was precisely because he could still be considered combat-capable that Kurogane Gensai had brought him along.
Gensai pushed open the doors to the conference room, leading everyone into the spacious chamber.
It was already filled with many people, all seemingly waiting for his arrival.
Charles scanned the room—these were Japan's most renowned Blazers. In fact, it looked like Gensai had gathered nearly every notable name in the country.
He even spotted several familiar faces—contestants from the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival had been called in as well.
Clearly, something major had happened. Otherwise, they wouldn't be summoning even student knights who hadn't yet earned their Magic Knight licenses.
Charles and the others found empty seats, while Gensai took the central position.
"Everyone, thank you for coming here despite the trouble. This is a crisis that concerns the entire nation. I hope you'll stand with me to overcome the trials ahead."
Charles had only seen the stubborn, hard-edged side of Gensai before. But thinking about it, the fact that he could become the League's Japan branch director couldn't be explained by the Kurogane family's influence alone.
Gensai's own qualities were formidable—not just his strength, but also his personal charisma. That sense of reliability, of "as long as this person is here, nothing will go wrong," wasn't something just anyone could inspire.
Ikki was looking at his father with a curious expression—it seemed this was the first time he'd seen him like this.
Gensai continued, "As for exactly what's happened, I'll let someone who experienced it firsthand explain."
The screen behind him lit up, showing a face well-known to everyone present: Minister of State Moya Tsukikage.
But he was far from the spirited man they had met before—his complexion was pale, his whole demeanor deflated.
From Shinguji Kurono, they had previously heard…
Tsukikage coughed once and began, "Everyone, I am Moya Tsukikage, and I have the worst possible news to share.
We are on the brink of war. Our opponent will be the United States of the White Eagle. This war cannot be avoided, and we have no room to back down.
For the sake of protecting our country, I ask you to lend me your strength!"
His words set off a wave of murmuring in the room.
"How could this happen? On what grounds would the White Eagle declare war on us?"
"What about the League? They won't just abandon us, will they?"
"War? There's no way we can beat the White Eagle—shouldn't we try to negotiate?"
"Idiot, the minister just said there's no room to back down. That means negotiation is impossible."
…
"Quiet!" Gensai's cold voice cut through the noise. "Panicking before the war has even started is disgraceful!"
His words silenced the room, all eyes turning to him.
It was Tsukikage on the screen who spoke next. "You should all be aware that there was a period when I lost contact with the country.
The truth is, during that time, I was kidnapped by the White Eagle's 'Superman,' Abraham Carter. I was only rescued thanks to Kurogane Ouma, the War God Minami Torajirou, and Miss Saiguu Ningyin."
Hearing that name, the room grew solemn.
Abraham Carter—captain of the White Eagle's psychic unit [PSYON], currently ranked first in the world, regarded as the strongest Blazer alive.
Alongside the International League's minister "Whitebeard" Arthur Bright, and Rebellion's leader "The Tyrant," these three upheld the balance of the world's major powers.
Charles himself was curious—just how powerful did someone have to be to earn the title of "world's strongest"?
Tsukikage went on, "While imprisoned, I learned of the White Eagle's true aim. They plan to use our country as a pretext to ignite a new world war and seize global dominance.
This war cannot be avoided—not from our side."
Charles raised an eyebrow. The war itself didn't concern him, but his focus was on something else—Tsukikage's vague wording. Exactly what "pretext" was the White Eagle planning to use? That was a critical question.
And clearly, some people here knew the truth. The waters ran deep.
What followed was Tsukikage and Gensai outlining the arrangements for the coming war.
Charles stifled a yawn. This war had nothing to do with him—he had neither the position nor the motivation to get involved.
The meeting was essentially a pre-war rally, and ended after the general points were settled.
Afterward, Gensai stopped Charles and handed him a phone—already connected to a call.
Charles took it, gave Stella a reassuring look, and stepped into a quiet corner before putting it to his ear.
"Elder, long time no see. How's your health?"
A vigorous voice answered, "Not bad. Oh, and Lili's already returned. Thank you for that trouble."
"It was nothing. My pleasure."
The elder sighed. "This may be presumptuous of me, but I have another matter I'd like your help with."
Charles glanced toward Gensai in the distance. "Is this related to the White Eagle's current actions?"
The elder sighed again. "Yes. Their move this time is driven by their own ambition. From our homeland's standpoint, we do not want—and will not welcome—this war.
But because of our alliance treaty, we can't stop it. And once it breaks out, we won't be able to stay uninvolved."
Charles said, "So you need someone independent of the major powers, but strong enough to intervene. I understand. Just tell me what you want done."
The elder paused, then said, "It's a lot to ask… but I want you to capture the 'Grand Professor' Karl Ahrens."
"The Grand Professor? If I remember right, he's one of Rebellion's Twelve Apostles."
"That's right," the elder said. "But he's also the current chairman of the White Eagle's Federal Reserve Board—and a key figure in this war."
Charles gripped the phone. "Elder, I'm not the curious type, but I need to know what's going on."
"Of course. I was going to tell you everything anyway."
And so, the elder began to explain the inner workings of this war in detail.
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