In fact, Lancer also knew that Aogiri Tree's next target was 'Ghoul Detention Center · Cochlea' in the 23rd ward, but the problem was that he couldn't be sure. After all, in the original timeline, the CCG was severely understaffed because of the operation in the 11th ward. Even the 9th and 10th wards fell under the control of Aogiri Tree, but what about now?
Although the operation in the 11th ward failed, the CCG's personnel loss was less than 10% of the original. The mobile forces were very sufficient, and the 9th and 10th wards were firmly under the CCG's control. Under these circumstances, the number of forces Aogiri Tree would need to attack 'Cochlea' would be several times more than before.
But with a cautious attitude, Lancer still told Kureo Mado his 'thoughts' during their conversation, but the other person just smiled.
"Cochlea holds the most brutal ghouls in all of Japan. Even without Aogiri Tree's previous attack on the 11th ward, the defense there is second only to the headquarters in all of Tokyo. There is one Special Class Investigator and more than three Associate Special Class Investigators stationed there, along with more than 250 investigators. In addition, we can also use the facilities inside the prison. Theoretically, it would take at least twice or even three times the number of ghouls attacking without regard for death to take that place. And once 'Cochlea' is attacked, the nearby investigators will rush there immediately. Within 20 minutes, the number of investigators in all of 'Cochlea' will double. Of course, that's if the other party has the ability to dispatch more than five SS-rank ghouls, but the possibility is not high. After all, there are not many SS-rank ghouls recorded in all of Tokyo."
Although Lancer had known about the existence of 'Cochlea' for a long time, this was actually the first time the two of them had talked about it. After all, the existence of 'Cochlea' was not a secret, but it was also not a topic worth discussing. But ——————
"Then why not just kill them all?"
To be honest, Lancer had always been curious about this. The number of SS-rank and S-rank ghouls held there was not small. In the original timeline, these ghouls became a fighting force for Aogiri Tree, pushing Aogiri Tree's power to an extremely exaggerated level.
"Actually, I didn't quite understand it at first, but the director once explained that to defeat ghouls, you have to at least understand them. So these ghouls can be said to be 'test subjects,' but the only difference is that the stronger ghouls are more valuable, and they generally won't be killed even during experiments."
As for the average ones? That goes without saying.
But for some reason, Lancer always felt that something was strange. Although Lancer knew about the tendencies of the people in the Anteiku cafe because he knew the 'plot,' Lancer didn't believe that no other 'normal' ghouls had appeared in all the years that ghouls had existed. After all, compared to 'torture to extract a confession,' any information that was said normally should be more credible, right?
If this were just a story, Lancer might have just brushed it off as a 'background setting,' but there was no doubt that this world couldn't be without logic.
But unfortunately, even though Lancer felt that something was strange, he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was, so he could only put it aside for now.
Just like that, Lancer life returned to his previous routine. He would patrol the 20th ward every day, then go to the Anteiku cafe for a cup of coffee before dinner. But things had changed a lot recently. For example, he rarely encountered ghouls while patrolling the 20th ward. Lancer guessed that the bosses in the 'Anteiku cafe' had started to take action. They used to have an 'hermit' attitude and ignored the 20th ward, but now that they had 'hope,' they also decided to properly clean it up.
The final result was that because the public security in the 20th ward quickly improved, Lancer and Akira Mado were transferred to another sub-ward.
Patrolling, hunting ghouls, and then going for a cup of coffee every day...
Time passed slowly like this, and Lancer almost-empty points also gradually recovered to 310. But today, while he was, as usual, drinking coffee in the 'Anteiku cafe,' an accident happened.
"Lancer? Where are you?"
Kureo Mado voice on the phone was a bit panicked. To be honest, this was the first time Lancer had ever heard the other person's voice become so panicked.
"I'm drinking coffee now and planning to go home. Did something happen?"
"'Cochlea' has been attacked!"
It still happened!!
"Mr. Mado, can you tell me the specific situation? About the attack on 'Cochlea.'"
While grabbing his suit jacket from the back of the chair, Lancer spoke in a seemingly 'unintentional' loud voice, and Touka Kirishima, who was just cleaning up the tableware on the other side, was completely stunned.
"That's what I'm about to say. Aogiri Tree has attacked 'Cochlea,' but luckily, they haven't broken through 'Cochlea' yet. The battle is still intense there. We in the 20th ward are relatively close, so you need to get to the branch immediately. I will personally lead Amon, you, and Akira to go and support them."
"Yes!!"
After saying that, he picked up the coffee in front of him, drank it in one gulp, and placed it directly on the tray in Touka Kirishima arms, who had walked over.
"Sorry, Touka-san. I have a work matter, so I have to leave. By the way, the coffee you made is much better than before."
After saying that, Lancer didn't say anything more and turned to leave. He thought that the information he left was enough. He guessed that the people at the 'Anteiku cafe' would go and support them later, right?
As for Touka Kirishima, who was holding the tray, she was stunned. At this moment, she only had one question in her mind: 'How did he know that this cup of coffee was made by her?'
But this question was only fleeting. She turned and went to the counter, and Yoshimura just nodded at her directly.
"I heard everything that investigator just said. It seems that Aogiri Tree's initial goal was 'Cochlea.' We cannot let the people of Aogiri Tree release the ghouls in 'Cochlea.' Those guys are already extremely vicious, and after being held by the CCG, they will probably become even more brutal. This will make it much more difficult to formally cooperate with the CCG in the future..."
Yoshimura's words sounded like he was talking to himself, but it also seemed like he was explaining it to Touka Kirishima. And Touka Kirishima was also stunned after hearing Yoshimura's explanation. At the same time, she also thought of another thing.
'Did the other person just unintentionally reveal this to her? Or does the other person already know her identity?'
"Touka, go and find 'Yomo' and have him come and meet up with us. This time... we are all taking action!"
There was no doubt that because of Lancer participation, this timeline was completely messed up. Ken Kaneki, who was supposed to be the 'protagonist,' had not fully recovered his body and had just embarked on the path of finding the person who performed his surgery. And the 'Anteiku cafe' was caught up in the 'Cochlea Siege,' which should have had nothing to do with them.
The entire world began to turn and head towards an unknown future...