Confession

"Lieutenant General Ricky, did you ask for me?"

After the cooperation was finalized, Shiraishi Wataru did not say much, merely instructing them to deliver this container to the Huajin Group and noting that the remaining details of the partnership could be discussed with the Ninth Guardian.

Exposing the Huajin Group was no longer a concern; in fact, they might even be able to elevate the group's operations further by leveraging their status as Holy Infant Members.

The only prerequisite was that the authorities and the Holy Infant Society did not turn on each other; otherwise, the Huajin Group likely wouldn't survive until the next sunrise.

With that, William's task was complete, and he no longer needed to worry about the rest. Just as he prepared to return to the Special Affairs Bureau, someone approached him to say that Commander Ricky wanted to see him.

Inside the office, Ricky scrutinized William's face and chuckled, "I heard the Special Affairs Bureau is quite busy. How is it that you seem to be getting younger?"

William's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression unchanged. He lowered his head, let out a dry laugh, and then lowered his voice, answering with a non-sequitur, "Commander, do you remember the incident a while back regarding the suppression of the Holy Infant Society President?"

"Oh, I remember. It was our first direct confrontation with transcendent power; naturally, I wouldn't forget such a thing." Ricky patted William's arm. "You even encountered an accident, though fortunately, nothing happened."

William shook his head. "No, Commander. When I was captured by Nakai Hayato and the Ninth Guardian, I traded information about why they were being tracked for a Holy Son Pill."

Ricky's expression didn't change much. He gave a soft "oh" and began to look William over carefully. "So, why choose to tell me now?"

"Because at that time, I was afraid of becoming part of an experiment, and we were in a hostile state with the Holy Infant Society. Furthermore, my mind was not affected in any way; I remain fully loyal to the country and to you."

"Loyalty? Loyalty would have meant reporting it the moment it happened."

"I can infiltrate the society on behalf of the country and, as much as possible, exchange for Holy Son Pills for those who need them."

Ricky was silent for a moment, then waved his hand.

"Go back to the Special Affairs Bureau for now. Don't speak of this yet. I will tell you when I need you to join the Holy Infant Society. Tomorrow, come back to undergo standard anti-brainwashing tests and a loyalty assessment."

"Yes."

Watching William leave, Ricky pressed a device disguised as a button. "Disengage alert."

Two bookcases in the office opened automatically, and seven or eight soldiers emerged, fully clad in tactical armor that looked remarkably like nanosuits from Crysis.

"William is quite capable, just a bit too clever for his own good," Ricky said to one of them.

The man removed his helmet, revealing a face covered in scars. "If it were me, I wouldn't have said anything either. Those scientists are heartless when they get going; didn't I hear that one of them was already butchered?"

Ricky offered no comment, shifting the topic. "What if I needed you to join the Holy Infant Society as my eyes and ears?"

"Forget it. If I had the ability of that Flame Giant, the first thing I'd do is go to the White Palace and roast the President's entire family like suckling pigs." He was terrifyingly honest.

"Hahaha, alright. That's you, Old Jaden. I shouldn't have asked." Ricky laughed heartily and dismissed them all.

"Roasting the President like a pig... heh. That sounds pretty good."

In the office, now left to himself, his own voice echoed in a self-muttered whisper.

Kuroki Niizumi arrived at the Huajin Hotel headquarters with the goal of returning the loyal society members who had been captured to Nakai Hayato.

As for those members who had confessed information, the society wanted none of them back.

Since Toyokawa Jousei and his mother had already pledged themselves to the Special Affairs Bureau, Kuroki Niizumi did not mention them, and Nakai Hayato did not ask.

After Nakai Hayato received and comforted the long-absent members, a crowd had already gathered around him, including Nobuo Hirosue and other members, standing at the entrance to welcome the return of the Holy Infant.

Kuroki took a few extra looks at Nobuo Hirosue. She hadn't expected him to be able to hide his actions from her, providing shelter to the Holy Infant Society and even joining it himself. Given the strength of the Hirosue family, it was indeed surprising; after all, besides the Special Affairs Bureau, a large number of conglomerates and noble families were keeping a close eye on the Holy Infant Society.

She then looked at the devout-looking Nakai Hayato. She had thought there might be a chance to meet him again, but she hadn't expected it to be in such a setting.

For this very reason, she had specifically ordered people to keep a close watch on Noguchi Yuji, fearing he might do something impulsive.

However, it seemed fine for now; Noguchi had suppressed his hatred and impulses, remaining indifferent to this operation.

Soon, an armed convoy arrived at the Huajin Hotel. The rear door of one of the armored vehicles opened, and the first to emerge was a helpless-looking Kasegawa Haru. She had been sent over as the personal maid for the Holy Infant, tasked with handling communication between the two parties, but she felt as though she had been delivered into a tiger's den!

With a stiff face, she directed the others to move the coffin down and carry it before Nakai Hayato.

Nakai Hayato immediately led the members in kneeling and reciting the society's tenets. The maid, Kasegawa, took the opportunity to memorize quite a bit, just in case she needed it later.

Inside the hotel, Ryomiya Hirosue stood in a room with a good view, watching the scene at the entrance. From this day on, the relationship between the Hirosue family and the Holy Infant Society would be completely exposed to everyone's eyes, impossible to sever.

She didn't know if this would bring fortune or disaster, but this was the choice their family had made, and there was only one path forward now.

"Ryomiya, what do you think? Should I join the society too?" Her mother touched the wrinkles on her cheeks, looking somewhat eager.

"Joining now probably won't be that simple. Every major conglomerate family will send at least one descendant to try and join the Holy Infant Society." Ryomiya Hirosue recalled the figure of the Flame Giant; the terrifying pressure had been almost suffocating. Even through a screen, one could feel a sense of despair and powerlessness. Surely, many people would realize that in the face of such great power, the science and technology humanity prided itself on might not be enough to save a single life.

Only the transcendent could oppose the transcendent.

Among those who held capital, who didn't have enemies? If one day their own enemy became a transcendent, the outcome for themselves would be self-evident.

Thinking of this, Ryomiya Hirosue suddenly realized.

The era had undergone a major turning point; only by embracing the transcendent as early as possible could one race toward the future.

She felt some regret that she hadn't followed her father and grandfather to join earlier.

However, compared to others, her advantage remained significant.

It wasn't because she knew the President, but because of the Ninth Guardian.

During this time, under Hideyasu Hirosue's intentional arrangement, it was Ryomiya Hirosue who had been the liaison for the Ninth Guardian, assisting him in the renovation of the warehouse and the batch collection and transport of animals. For this, she hadn't even gone to her classes.

Thus, through their time together, she and the Ninth Guardian were considered acquaintances.

If she applied to join the society, she shouldn't be rejected. Then, she could apply to be the Ninth Guardian's assistant, helping him complete his animal experiments. By demonstrating her own value, she might have a chance to obtain a Holy Son Pill.

Because the Ninth Guardian's animal experiments were essentially an open secret—anyone involved would inevitably know he was conducting experiments on animal slaughter—she guessed that the Ninth Guardian had no intention of hiding them.

Becoming a member and then an assistant—it was perfectly logical!