Dawn was breaking beneath a gray sky. Neatly dressed, Seitenshi and Tokyo's senior government officials stood at the entrance to the government building, waiting for the Holy Church to send someone to meet with them.
The Tokyo citizens who had gathered outside the government building had also dispersed in small groups after the battle, dragging their exhausted bodies away once they realized the danger had passed. After all, now that they could go home, no one wanted to huddle in a tent and serve as food for summer mosquitoes and flies. With tens of thousands of refugees and no one maintaining order, the camp was filthy and chaotic.
Seitenshi glanced anxiously at the distant intersection from time to time. She did not know what demands the Holy Church would make today, or whether Tokyo could accept them. But on second thought, what right did Tokyo have to refuse anymore?
The thought left Seitenshi deeply dispirited. After all, no ruler wanted an uncontrollable force to emerge within their territory. If one did, it could only be called a failure of those in power.
Time ticked away, and the faces of the senior officials behind Seitenshi gradually darkened. Almost an hour had passed since they had been told to assemble, yet the Holy Church's representatives still had not arrived. Clearly, they thought little of them. Accustomed to power and prestige, the officials grew increasingly impatient. Now that Tokyo's crisis had been resolved, they deeply resented this force that had appeared out of nowhere.
The officials exchanged glances, then looked toward Kikunojo Tendo at the very front, each seemingly trying to convey something with their eyes.
As though sensing their intentions, Kikunojo Tendo turned and nodded to them. Only then did they withdraw their gazes.
Suddenly, the sound of synchronized footsteps approached. Seitenshi