Kitajima Maki returned to Tokyo before dawn.
Her return brought a sigh of relief from the deeply unsettled government officials. There was no helping it: after Uehara Takashi's death, they had become like birds startled by the twang of a bowstring, terrified that Fang Cheng, who had already left, might turn around and come back for another attack.
But the news Kitajima Maki brought back wasn't good.
Just as expected, Kamikawa Takumi had cut ties with the Area 11 government.
He had sworn that he was merely resigning, not betraying them, and that he wouldn't oppose the government in the future. But in essence, it was little different from betrayal.
Calling it a resignation was just a play on words, meant to preserve the last shred of face on both sides.
Overnight, two of the Three Aces were gone. The loss was so devastating that even Prime Minister Natsukawa Keishin couldn't bear it. His resignation was now inevitable.
As soon as Kitajima Maki returned, she could tell that everyone's attitude toward her had changed. They were much friendlier and more respectful.
She knew exactly why. With Uehara Takashi dead and Kamikawa Takumi gone, she was now Tokyo's only Ace, taking Uehara Takashi's place.
But Kitajima Maki wasn't happy about it. It meant more work for her and a sharp reduction in her free time. She would also have to shoulder responsibility for protecting the imperial family and all the senior officials.
At the prime minister's official residence in Nagatacho, Kitajima Maki met with the prime minister.
Natsukawa Keishin was nowhere near as confident as he had been at the press conference earlier. His hair had grown whiter, his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like an old man nearing the end of his days.
"Prime Minister."
Kitajima Maki saluted him.