On the other side, as Lancer was rushing to the branch, Touka Kirishima also brought Ryōko Fueguchi and Hinami Fueguchi back to the Anteiku cafe. The two of them did not say a word on the way, and Touka Kirishima also didn't know what to say for a moment.
Although it had been proven that Ryōko Fueguchi had just simply eaten something, what Touka Kirishima had said before made the two of them feel a bit awkward. As for Hinami, who was following behind Ryouko, although she was finally able to leave that investigator and see her favorite big sister, she also didn't know what to say because of the strange atmosphere.
"Aunt Ryouko, although we've left, you and Hinami will probably have to stay in the cafe."
"That's alright, this is already very good for us."
The two of them deliberately ignored the strange events that had happened before, but thankfully, because they were talking about a serious matter, the awkward atmosphere between them gradually disappeared. On the way, in order to hide their tracks, the two of them even went around the 20th ward and went through the sewers to get back near the Anteiku cafe. Then, as expected, the people in the cafe, who should have gone home long ago, were sitting in the lounge.
"Touka, you're back. Ms. Fueguchi, the room for you and Hinami has been prepared. Please go and rest."
Although the Fueguchi mother and daughter didn't have many restrictions at Lancer house because Lancer was out and about most of the time, they could even be said to have deliberately rested well while Lancer was out so that they could be more vigilant when he came back. But now...
"Then Hinami and I will go and rest first."
It was clear that the other person's intention was to not have them get too involved, and Ryōko Fueguchi only wanted to protect her daughter, so she naturally didn't mind these small things. And seeing the mother and daughter leave, Touka Kirishima bowed directly to Yoshimura.
"Manager, thank you for before!"
Although Touka Kirishima was indeed a bit shocked when she first saw the other person, she later realized something. He had probably been following her and silently protecting her the few times she came before, right? After all, from the battle in the 11th ward before, she had realized how terrifying Lancer strength was.
And Yoshimura just nodded at Touka Kirishima thanks and moved on.
After all, from a certain perspective, Touka Kirishima was a 'substitute' in Yoshimura's eyes. After his 'breakup' with his daughter, he had almost treated Touka Kirishima as his own daughter, and protecting her was his own voluntary act. He just didn't expect to encounter something like this this time...
The topic of the 'Anteiku cafe's' meeting was undoubtedly the 'food' that Lancer had provided. Although it was called a meeting, there was actually nothing to discuss. They were either the moderate faction themselves or they had decided to abandon their past experiences for various reasons. They were naturally 100% in favor of this thing that could help them integrate into society, but compared to the Anteiku cafe, which was full of excitement and could almost be called a celebration, the 'Special Class Meeting' at the CCG headquarters was much more 'terrifying.'
"Bang!!"
"I don't agree! That's just a damned monster!!"
Being called to a meeting at headquarters in the middle of the night, everyone knew that things must be urgent, but no one expected that the first person to fire would be Itsuki Marude.
At this moment, there weren't many investigators in the CCG who were older than Itsuki Marude and knew about his past. Most of their impressions of him were that he was 'good at commanding' and 'good at personnel management,' but people who truly knew him knew how passionate his heart was, hidden beneath his slick exterior, from the founding of the CCG until now!
"Have you all forgotten what the 'Owl' did? It is something that is completely etched into the pillar of shame of our CCG! I have no opinion on this item. I have no right to speak without evidence. Let the R&D department test it first, but I absolutely object to anything about the 'Owl'!!"
There were a total of seven Special Class Investigators, two of whom were absent. Kishou Arima was, as usual, patrolling and hunting throughout Tokyo, while the other person, who was the deputy warden of the 23rd ward and an interrogator, had been stationed in the 23rd ward and had missed who knows how many meetings.
And besides these two, there were a total of five Special Class Investigators present, one of whom was the director who had a voting right. After Itsuki Marude expressed his opinion, the others also spoke up one after another.
As expected, Yukinori Shinohara chose to support the plan. In his opinion, if this matter could succeed, it would improve the situation of the entire human society. And Iwao Kuroiwa, who was his good friend and also an older man, did not say much but also chose to agree.
But besides these two, the other two Special Class Investigators both chose to object.
Washu Tsuneyoshi served as the general commander of the 2nd ward, which was one of the wards with the most ghouls. Humans were completely unable to survive there. At 49 years old, he had been fighting ghouls for most of his life, and he had seen too many casualties during this time.
His voice, which always sounded condescending, was unusually gloomy this time as he said, "I object. I cannot tolerate living with those monsters! Even if this is real, it's just giving those monsters another choice. Those monsters have no humanity, and they will still hunt innocent humans! And I also don't want to one day, after I die, meet my former subordinates and tell them that we lived with those monsters! This is a blasphemy to the investigators who fought and sacrificed their lives for ghouls!"
And the reason Kiyoko Aura chose to object was even simpler.
"My best friend died at the hands of that monster! My subordinates! My students! Many people I knew died at the hands of that monster! Who knows if this is a conspiracy? I will absolutely not agree before everything is made clear!"
Out of the five investigators who attended the meeting, three objected, and two chose to support. Everyone's gaze turned to Washu Yoshitoki, who was sitting at the head of the table. There was no doubt that everyone was waiting for his answer.
"Although I also hate those man-eating monsters, if all of this is real, then countless civilians and investigators will be able to survive. At least, I choose to support it until it's proven to be a conspiracy."
Washu Yoshitoki's words undoubtedly made the situation a 3-to-3 tie, and everyone fell silent. But at this moment, Washu Yoshitoki suddenly sat up straight.
"Associate Special Class Mado, what do you think?"
No one expected Washu Yoshitoki to suddenly ask Kureo Mado, who was 'observing' on the side, but after the surprise, no one objected. As mentioned before, Kureo Mado knew all the Special Class Investigators and had even taught them before. Kureo Mado could be said to be a respectable 'senior.'
And Kureo Mado also seemed to not have expected to be asked, but he did not back down. Instead, he walked directly to the side of the conference table.
"I support this plan!"
"Bang!"
"Mado!!"
As soon as Kureo Mado finished speaking, the only female in the room couldn't help but speak up, but Kureo Mado extended his right hand to stop her from speaking and took a deep breath.
"Aura, don't say it. My hatred for the 'Owl' has never disappeared for a single day, but this matter must be separated. The reason I joined the CCG and later served as an instructor was to protect humanity and help more young investigators survive. As her husband! As the successor of her will! I cannot, because of my anger, throw away this opportunity that might be fleeting! When this matter succeeds, that will be the day I settle the score with the 'Owl' once and for all! This is my, Kureo Mado, Kureo Mado, the husband of Mado Mizu, decision!"
The weathered but determined tone showed the speaker's resolve, and his speech made everyone present fall silent, especially Itsuki Marude, who had been the most emotional.
If anyone had the biggest reaction to the name 'Mado Mizu' among those present, it would be him and Kiyoko Aura.
Kiyoko Aura was Mado Mizu's, or Kureo Mado wife's, contemporary and also her best friend. Her determination about her best friend's death could be said to be unwavering.
And Itsuki Marude was not Kureo Mado rival in love as some people might have imagined. He was Kureo Mado and Mado Mizu's former 'captain.' It was he who gave the order for Mado Mizu to stay behind and cover their retreat. Although he knew that he did not give the wrong order, everyone, including him, was either injured or simply didn't have the strength to stop the 'Owl.' It was 'the only choice,' but being correct did not mean he had no regrets. There was no doubt that this matter had been a steel needle piercing his heart. He even wished that it was him who had died there!
And now, hearing Kureo Mado speech, he couldn't help but clench his hands.
'As you said, the day this matter succeeds will be the day we settle the score with the Owl once and for all!'
There was no doubt that Itsuki Marude also made the same decision as Kureo Mado at this moment...