The Idealist and Delusion Syndrome (5.2K) (Continued)
"So, Your Seitenshi, you are far too idealistic."
Mahiro shrugged helplessly.
"While I don't dislike your kindness and naiveté—in fact, I envy them—and your ideas might have been very successful in a peaceful era, unfortunately, you were born in the wrong time."
Are you trying to say that my thinking is wrong?
Although Mahiro's words did not contain any derogatory meaning, the underlying message was one of such disparagement, and the Seitenshi, sensing this, showed a hint of anger on his face.
In response, Mahiro, still resting his head on one hand, nodded in agreement.
"It was indeed wrong, and completely wrong."
As the saying goes, drastic measures are needed in times of chaos. In this messed-up era where heroes rise up everywhere, what is needed is not a benevolent savior, but a tyrant capable of sweeping away everything.
This has been proven countless times throughout history: only an iron-fisted ruler can suppress the demons and monsters below and make them work for you.
Moreover, the CS you're dealing with is even more repulsive than demons and monsters, so you must demonstrate even tougher measures."
Seitenshi: "..."
She couldn't agree with what Mahiro, and even now she still believed that people could understand each other and that human nature was inherently good.
However, she overlooked one point.
Even in times of peace and prosperity, people cannot achieve mutual understanding; how could they possibly do so in a chaotic world?
Blindly showing weakness only leads to boundless indulgence.
However, in those words, the Seitenshi noticed a key point and couldn't help but feel a little puzzled:
"Mr. Mahiro... do you have any opinions about the people of the Tokyo Area?"
"Who knows? Maybe I have opinions about all of humanity... But let's leave it at that for now, we've arrived."
Mahiro gave the Seitenshi a meaningful smile, then pointed out the window.
A super high-rise hotel with 86 floors came into view.
I remember dining and dashing with Kisara on the 30th floor of this hotel a year ago, and I never expected to revisit the same place a year later.
The Seitenshi, however, fixed his gaze on him, as if trying to see through him.
Based on her understanding of Mahiro and judging from his words, she was certain that Mahiro harbored a certain degree of hostility... or rather, hatred towards the people of Tokyo Area.
Moreover, this hatred seems indiscriminate, directed at everyone.
However, they had already arrived at the venue for this informal meeting, so they couldn't continue the conversation.
The Seitenshi could only silently keep this matter in mind.
"Xiao Asaka, Xiao Aihara Enju, you two stay in the car. If you see anyone sneaking around trying to approach the vehicle, don't hold back, just eliminate them."
After getting off the bus, Mahiro gave instructions to the two people in the bus.
"Understood!"
"Yes, Aihara Enju and I will guard the car. Please be careful from now on, Mahiro."
Aihara Enju's liveliness and carefree attitude, and Asaka's seriousness and meticulousness, formed a stark contrast.
However, one thing is certain: regardless of their performance, they will fulfill their duties to the best of their ability.
Afterwards, Mahiro followed the Seitenshi, who was dressed in pure white, and slowly walked into the building.
However, as the elevator started and the numbers on the panel changed rapidly, the Seitenshi's heart gradually became restless.
With her back to Mahiro, she gazed at the Tokyo Area skyline outside the elevator and said, "Mr. Mahiro, I've never met President Qi Wu before, but I know he's no ordinary person. So, I'm entrusting this to you now. Please don't leave my side."
Are you nervous? Or scared?
"I think so..."
Faced with Mahiro's teasing, the Seitenshi calmly replied, "... The other party is someone even Kikunojo would find troublesome, so naturally I must be extremely cautious in everything I do. Also—"
As she spoke, she suddenly turned around, her white dress unfolding and falling like flower petals.
The Seitenshi, however, spoke to him with utmost seriousness and earnestness:
"Next is my personal request: please, under no circumstances, threaten President Qi Wu with force, and direct violence is absolutely unacceptable. Moreover, I am not the naive child you describe, so please maintain the minimum respect you would show me as the head of state."
"Of course, I have always respected you, Seitenshi Majesty."
A flawless smile graced Mahiro's face.
He's not stupid; of course he knows when it's okay to joke and when it's not. At the very least, he has to save face for the Seitenshi in front of outsiders.
And...
"You underestimate me. If I really wanted to take action, I would definitely choose to do it outside."
He spoke very softly, and just then the elevator stopped, which was overheard by the Seitenshi.
The Seitenshi widened his eyes slightly as he looked at him.
But it was too late to say anything, because the elevator doors had already opened.
"Please, Your Highness."
"..."
The Seitenshi gave him a slight glare, hesitated for a moment, then, with a faint blush on his fair face, silently grasped the hand that Mahiro had extended.
The first thing that catches the eye is a blue sky. Because the semi-circular roof is made of transparent hexagonal reinforced glass, it gives the illusion of stretching out infinitely.
The other side had basically the same configuration as them.
Aside from a burly man who looked like a bodyguard standing to one side of the sofa, there was only one other man with a thick beard sitting there.
A moment later, the man who noticed the noise stood up from the sofa and turned to look in their direction.
"Nice to meet you, Your Seitenshi."
With his slicked-back hair, thick beard, pot-bellied figure, and wearing a pair of British gentleman's glasses and a light black suit, he gave off an incongruous and mismatched impression.
This guy, who on the surface looks like a reformed bandit, is none other than Saitake Sougen of Qi.
But perhaps noticing Mahiro's presence, he paused slightly before looking over.
"If I'm not mistaken, the gentleman next to me must be the renowned Yotsuba Mahiro from the Tokyo Area, right?"
Am I already that famous?
He subtly turned his head and exchanged a glance with the Seitenshi.
But the Seitenshi shook his head, indicating that he did not know.
Moreover, the man's gaze was a little too intense, making Mahiro feel slightly uncomfortable and even giving him the urge to slap him to death.
However, what bothered him even more was what the other person said next.
"It's good that you're here, so I don't have to go to you to discuss it."
"Looking for me?" Mahiro's eyebrows were already furrowed into a V-shape. If he remembered correctly, this was the first time he had met this guy, and they had no interaction whatsoever.
However, Saitake Sougen chuckled and said:
"It's nothing serious. I just hope you can move Arcadia, who is sheltering the Cursed Children, to the Osaka Area, and then you can join my ranks. What do you say?"
A weak and powerless place like Tokyo Area is no place where you can fully utilize your talents. How about we join forces in the Osaka Area instead?!
With your strength and my abilities, plus the army composed of these Cursed Children, we can absolutely make the whole world submit to us!
Saitake Sougen's eyes revealed a hint of fanaticism, and even his tone became more arrogant.
However, the Seitenshi's brows furrowed slightly.
She hadn't expected that the first thing Saitake Sougen would do upon arriving here for talks would be to poach talent.
What surprised her even more was that, according to the other party, Mr. Mahiro had established a sanctuary for the Cursed Children?
But...
"President Qi Wu, please retract your arrogant words." The Seitenshi spoke solemnly, "This idea of attempting to rule the world by violence will not be tolerated in the Tokyo Area."
"Oh..."
Saitake Sougen sneered twice, slowly stood up, and looked down at the Seitenshi.
"Your Seitenshi, you are indeed a short-sighted woman. You have never even considered how the world should be divided after the Gastrea are driven out! We, Japan, as the country that recovered the fastest from the Gastrea War, naturally have the right to become the world leader!"
Japan should take this as its goal; this is a truly great vision that considers the bigger picture!
I will do everything in my power to eliminate those who hinder me, those who are incompetent, and those who do not obey me!
A look of madness flashed in Saitake Sougen's eyes, and he waved his arms with white foam at the corners of his mouth, as if he had already envisioned a future as a hegemon above all others.
Then, he looked at Mahiro and asked again:
"Now that you've heard my plan, what's your answer, Yotsuba Mahiro?"
"That's an interesting point... but I refuse!"
Mahiro said coldly.
This man not only wanted to get something for nothing without mentioning any price, but the real problem is how he even knew about Arcadia.
After all, what he did was relatively secretive, known only to a handful of people. Miori Shiba also instructed him not to reveal it to anyone else, and the location he chose was the District 39, a place where no one could possibly come.
But now, this man he was meeting for the first time seemed to know everything about him.
Could it be that someone on Miori Shiba's side leaked the information?
Out of habit, Mahiro activated his Eidos Eye and analyzed the information about the man in front of him.
But then he discovered something unexpected.
'What is that?'
He "saw" that Saitake Sougen had a strange tattoo on his right chest, with five wings drawn on it.
He vaguely remembered the design; the group that summoned Scorpio to destroy the Tokyo Area had the same tattoo.
I think it was called something like the Five Wings Society...
In an instant, he seemed to understand something.
Upon hearing his reply, the Seitenshi breathed a slight sigh of relief, and her hands, which had been tightly gripping her lace gloves, gradually loosened their grip, her face now somewhat ashen.
Mahiro caught a glimpse of this scene and couldn't help but think to himself, "Wow!"
Hey, are you kidding me, Your Seitenshi? This is just an appetizer to cover the main course.
However, he still chose to fan the flames further, so he added:
"Oh, right, there's something I forgot to tell you. This isn't a mental hospital. If you have mental health issues, please go to a hospital in one of Tokyo's three wards."
I never imagined that in this day and age I'd encounter a madman who wants to rule the world.
Ruling the world is not a problem, but the prerequisite is having the corresponding ability, which is clearly not the case for this man named Saitake Sougen.
If the Seitenshi is an idealist, then this man is simply a delusional patient, and the kind who should be drowned in a cesspool!
"What... what did you say?!"
Saitake Sougen was so angry at his words that his face turned ashen. His large, thick hands almost crushed the wooden armrests of the sofa, and a barely perceptible killing intent flashed in his eyes!
"He's just a lowly policeman, how dare he speak to Lord Qi Wu like that!"
Tendo-style Fighting Technique, Type 1, Eighth Form --
Firework Fan!
Mahiro his palm instead of his fist, and a crisp echo reverberated throughout the room.
Saitake Sougen's subordinate, the one who had just spoken rudely, was seen flying backward.
Even Saitake Sougen didn't see what just happened; he only knew that a gust of wind blew past him and his guards were sent flying.
"Mr. Sogen Saitake, please keep your subordinates in check, or next time it won't be as simple as a slap."
Mahiro wiped the hand he had just used to slap that person away and said calmly.
They completely disregarded what the Seitenshi had said earlier, leaving the Mariana Trench in the dust, and showed no regard for the diplomatic conflict that this would cause.
Strangely, this time the Seitenshi showed no reaction or panic.
She simply sat there calmly, quietly placing her hands in front of her dress and straightening her back.