"That's odd! How come there isn't a single human defender? Do the humans of this world really trust those few broken stones so much?"
Lord Benimaru looked at the city's edge in the distance, devoid of any defensive personnel, and couldn't help but complain to Rengoku Kyoujurou, who was beside him.
"It is indeed very strange! Logically, even if they aren't heavily guarded, there should at least be some observers or patrols. How can there be none at all?"
Rengoku Kyoujurou also spoke, clearly puzzled.
"Never mind. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Let's quickly enter the city and rendezvous with Lord Zhong Chen!"
"Understood!"
The two looked at the massive procession moving in a long line, and neither spoke again… "What exactly are you planning to show us? Half a day has already passed!"
Saint Tenko looked at Zhong Chen, who was leisurely sipping tea in his chair, and couldn't help but ask.
"Don't rush. This is a grand play, and the actors haven't even made their appearance yet. As the saying goes, a good show is worth waiting for!"
Zhong Chen took a sip of tea, scanned everyone present, and spoke indifferently.
Everyone present who was met by Zhong Chen's gaze lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes, fearing that this lord might kill them if he became displeased.
Just as Zhong Chen finished one cup of tea and was about to pour a second, he suddenly sensed that Lord Benimaru and the others had arrived at the city's edge. He then spoke:
"Oh! They're here!"
"What's here?!"
"This 'oh'!"
After speaking, Zhong Chen waved his hand, and a massive water mirror appeared in the center of the conference table. The scene within the mirror completely shocked everyone present.
"Bang!"
"What is this?! Pig-headed people? Humans with horns?! What are all these things?!"
"What's wrong with this world? How can this be? Have the Gastrea evolved or something?!"
"Your Excellency, what… what exactly is going on?!"
Saint Tenko looked at the scene in the water mirror and asked Zhong Chen, her face filled with shock.
"This is what's going on! My subordinates have arrived. Weren't you discussing the army outside the city earlier?"
"What?! This is the unit outside the city? They're not even human!"
"Your Excellency, what exactly do you want to do? Do you intend to invade the Tokyo Area? If so, I can give you my position."
Zhong Chen glanced at Saint Tenko and spoke indifferently:
"You truly are a bleeding heart, but I'm not interested in your position. Didn't I tell you my objective before?"
"Objective?"
Saint Tenko thought about what Zhong Chen had said, then suddenly remembered something and looked at Zhong Chen with a horrified expression, her voice trembling as she said:
"You… you… you… you want to massacre the city!"
"What?! Massacre the city?!"
Everyone present was startled by Saint Tenko's words and stood up. They hadn't expected that what Zhong Chen had said earlier was actually true.
"Heh heh, you're not too stupid! But even if you know my plan, what can you do? Just sit here obediently and enjoy this grand show!"
Hearing Zhong Chen's cold words, Saint Tenko and the other high-ranking officials present slumped back into their chairs helplessly, looking at the water mirror before them, sinking into deep despair.
Zhong Chen ignored everyone present and began to contact Lord Benimaru:
"Lord Benimaru, proceed directly into the city and execute the plan. There's no need to come find me!"
Lord Benimaru heard the voice suddenly appear in his mind, and his moving footsteps abruptly stopped. He couldn't help but exclaim:
"Lord Zhong Chen!"
Rengoku Kyoujurou, who was beside him, also stopped and looked at Lord Benimaru, asking with confusion:
"Lord Zhong Chen! I haven't spotted Lord Zhong Chen either!"
"It's Lord Zhong Chen's telepathic message!"
Lord Benimaru replied casually, then continued:
"Lord Zhong Chen, where are you now? I'll send a portion of the troops to protect your safety!"
Hearing that Lord Benimaru wanted to send troops to protect his safety, Zhong Chen directly refused:
"No need! Do you think I need your protection? All the troops in this city have already returned to their barracks. This city is undefended now!"
"All the high-ranking officials of this city have already been controlled by me. Just go ahead and do what you need to do!"
Hearing that Zhong Chen had already controlled all the high-ranking officials of the entire city, Lord Benimaru was overjoyed. He then respectfully responded:
"Yes! Lord Zhong Chen, I know what to do!"
"Good!"
After saying that, Zhong Chen stopped speaking. Lord Benimaru then spoke to Rengoku Kyoujurou:
"Lord Zhong Chen has already controlled all the high-ranking officials of the entire city, and the army has also been ordered not to leave their barracks. Our only obstacle remaining is those so-called Civil Security officers!"
"I see, that explains why there aren't any defenders at all. It was all Lord Zhong Chen's doing! As expected of Lord Zhong Chen!"
"In that case… I'll take five thousand men to deal with the troops remaining in the barracks. You lead the remaining ten thousand to execute Lord Zhong Chen's plan!"
Lord Benimaru spoke, a strong killing intent welling up in his eyes. Rengoku Kyoujurou, hearing the order, did not object and nodded, saying:
"Alright, leave it to me! I'll give these scumbags a good welcome!"
Immediately, the two split into two groups to carry out their respective missions.
Seeing this, Zhong Chen waved his hand, splitting the water mirror into two, displaying the different routes of the two units.
Tokyo Area · Outskirts
"Miss Shizu, all the children in this area should have been found. It's time for us to move to the next area!"
Kurut, clad in armor, spoke softly to Miss Shizu in front of him.
"Thank you for your trouble, Kurut!"
Miss Shizu said to Kurut with a gentle smile.
"No trouble at all. This is also Lord Benimaru's order! I am merely executing orders! Besides, I also feel sorry for what these children have gone through!"
"Heh heh, Kurut, I didn't expect you to be such a gentle person!"
"Uh… Miss Shizu, you flatter me!"
Hearing Miss Shizu's compliment, Kurut shyly reached up to touch his head.
"Wow! The pig-headed monster is actually a good guy!"
"Yeah, yeah, they feel much nicer than the adults in the city!"
"You mustn't be impolite! You should call them uncles!"
Hearing the little lolis' words, Matsuzaki admonished them.
"Yes! I understand, Elder!"
"I know I was wrong!"
Many little lolis all expressed that they knew their mistake. One little loli walked up to Kurut, bowed slightly, and softly said:
"I'm sorry, Pig-headed Uncle! I shouldn't have called you a monster!"
Kurut looked at the adorable child in front of him and slowly squatted down.
A gentle smile appeared on his face. He pulled out a handful of candies from his pocket, extended his hand towards the little loli, and said:
"It's alright! Uncle forgives you! Do you want some candy?"
Looking at the candies in front of her, the little loli couldn't help but bite her index finger, her eyes filled with longing for the sweets.
But she didn't reach out to take them. Instead, she looked at Elder Matsuzaki, who nodded with a gentle smile.
Only after receiving permission did the little loli slowly reach out and take the candies, then softly said:
"Thank you, Pig-headed Uncle!"
"You're welcome!"
"Everyone, let's eat some candy!"
As all the little lolis present received candy, they all put the sweets into their mouths.
"So sweet!"
"It's so delicious!"
"This is my first time eating candy. Is this what it tastes like?!"
Miss Shizu, Matsuzaki, and the other adults looked at the happy children, their smiles growing increasingly gentle…