Although the meeting had not begun on a harmonious note, it ultimately ended in a relatively peaceful atmosphere.
The heads of the Eight Clans of the Serpent had yet to verify the materials Amon had provided, but the moment they received them, they already believed seven or eight parts out of ten. Certain details in the documents matched Tachibana Masamune's past habits perfectly, while the tanks in the lower levels of the Iron Dome Temple where Dead Servants were raised were irrefutable proof.
Only a dull ache still lingered in Minamoto Chisaki's heart—after all, that had been his beloved old man.
Amon rose to his feet and said, "Let's leave it at that for now. I'll be going first. You can clean up the mess at Genji Heavy Industries yourselves. Also, the submersible sent by the Headquarters Equipment Department will be arriving soon. Remember to send someone to receive it. And—"
He swept his gaze across everyone present, his tone calm yet beyond question. "From this point on, I will take over as head of the Japan Branch.
"Does anyone object?"
"No," Ryoma Genichiro replied at once. "I will submit my resignation to Principal Angers immediately and recommend that you succeed me."
Amon nodded. He had only taken a few steps when the phone in his pocket began to vibrate. He answered it, and a vigorous female voice, deliberately dragging out its words, burst from the speaker. "Brooo—save me!"
"Murder!"
"These Japan Branch people are trying to silence us!"
Hearing the abundant energy in that voice, Amon knew the girl was perfectly safe. His gaze swept over the clan heads behind him.
Inuyama He was the first to react, his expression changing slightly. "This is bad—perhaps it was the Fuma Patriarch. He may have been assigned by the Patriarch—no, by