Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: East Strike, West Assault (3)
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[Meanwhile, in the United States. In a certain senator's office.]
"No matter how desperate we are to recruit an S-Rank Hunter, does that justify mobilizing an aircraft carrier?"
The elderly senator, his head bald like a bald eagle, bellowed with a face flushed red.
"Speak up, you two. Does this even make sense? Where's the procedure? Nothing's following process. Just because the president gives an order, everything has to move immediately? Is that acceptable?"
The two men standing before the senator offered no response.
In the old days, they might have made some excuses, but the Black man among them held his head high stiffly, while the white man yawned long and drawn-out, as if to emphasize he wasn't even listening.
"Hey, Director!"
"Listen here, Senator Rockefeller."
The yawning man pointed to his name tag on his left chest—as if his suit had one—and opened his mouth.
"Do you think the CIA doesn't know who 'Master' is?"
"That's why...!"
"We know Master's name, nationality, age, occupation, and assets. Everything. The only thing we don't know is his awakened ability and how he has that [Coser] with him. That's it."
The man, the CIA Director, pointed irritably at his ear toward the senator.
"We're listening to everything. Master knows we're listening too. And yet, we're not releasing that information, and he's cooperating with us. That's our tacit agreement."
"Release it, then!"
"Sure, and he'll come right over to America."
The Black man standing next to the CIA Director snapped sharply at the senator.
"And he'll say something like, 'I was going to challenge America's Towers thanks to the president's persuasion, but Senator Rockefeller made me change my mind about coming to the US.'"
"Damn it, even you, the FBI Director! Do you know how much support I gave to get you to that position...!"
"Senator Rockefeller. What's wrong with transporting tactical nukes on an aircraft carrier?"
"What...?"
"Master is like a tactical nuke. A tactical nuke with a will that moves on its own. For such a being, ignoring established procedures and not notifying the other country in advance... there's something more valuable than rigidly following those 'established procedures.'"
"Master's safety. And Master coming to America."
The two intelligence directors glanced at each other once, then firmly shook their heads at the senator.
"The CIA rejects the opposition's information disclosure request."
"The FBI also refuses to submit the list of American nationals in Korea who have awakened abilities. We have no intention of informing you privately either."
"...You think you'll make it through your term unscathed after this?"
"Yes."
"Senator. We're mobilizing an aircraft carrier for Master. Do you think this situation is a 'normal' one from your long years in politics?"
The senator's face grew even redder at the directors' words.
"No, damn it...! For America, for us, to be swayed by just one hunter...!"
"That one hunter possesses more power than any other right now and has already proven it by conquering an S-Rank Tower."
"Whether that Coser Maid is his alter ego, another personality, or some illusion he's summoned and overlaid with information... the fact is, he's conquered two S-Rank Towers, and he's about to tackle another one right now."
"So where is it?!"
"Let's say Jeju Island."
At the FBI Director's words, the senator slammed his chair back and stormed out.
Suddenly, only the two directors remained in the office.
"...Hey. Do you know why that old man's acting up?"
"Yeah. His political donor group is connected to Japanese Yakuza."
"I know that, but is he throwing this tantrum just because of that? He called us here for something this trivial?"
"Surprisingly, yes."
The two directors clicked their tongues briefly.
"Does he think it's two years ago? Still treating us like his underlings... Sigh."
"What do you think about mobilizing an aircraft carrier for an S-Rank Hunter?"
"If we could build an aerial fortress for a superhero to ride around in, it'd be no big deal to start construction immediately, right?"
"Superhero?"
"Many call those who climb the Towers hunters, but if the result saves people and protects Earth, they're superheroes."
The Black director mimed covering one eye with his hand.
"If I get fired as FBI Director, I'll ask the president to create a government agency to protect S-Rank Hunters. Call it 'Shield.' What do you think?"
"SHIELD?"
"In a world where S-Rank Hunters cosplay, there's no reason the government wouldn't make one. No need to promote some complicated organization name to the public either."
"It's straightforward, alright. So what now? The carrier stationed in Japan is leaving for Korea. You sure it wasn't a mistake to tip him off?"
"Let's investigate after the old man rats it out to his Yakuza buddies. See who's moving under the surface. Those kinds... they'll be a huge tumor in President Luigi's vision for the future."
"Pax Americana?"
"Super America."
The two directors nodded briefly at each other.
"If Master comes to America, it'll be a safer country than before."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ So fixated on summoning my fourth familiar as a 'battleship,' I unwittingly demanded a ship as the way to get to Dokdo.
Thinking back now, there might have been other ways.
Like taking a submarine quietly to near Dokdo, or riding a tourist boat since I wanted to move as discreetly as possible.
Or flying through the skies.
Of course, considering all options, traveling by a fairly large ship seemed most appropriate...
"Isn't this a bit excessive?"
I showed Patrick, sitting across from me, the breaking news on my smartphone.
-[Breaking News] Military vessel departs Okinawa US base. Heading to Korea's East Sea.
-[Breaking News] US Navy: "Just scheduled training, no issues."
"Won't this turn into an international incident?"
"To be honest, yes."
Aide Patrick smiled candidly at my question.
"Please take it as the president's sincere intent toward Master."
His sincerity goes beyond excessive—it's straight-up brain-dead levels, isn't it?
"This isn't meant to disparage Master at all, but in the East, they treat S-Rank Hunters like handy tools for the state to use at will. Something unimaginable in America."
"So that's why even an aircraft carrier...?"
"It's proper respect for an S-Rank Hunter."
Over here, we think the treatment's too much, but over there, they see it as insufficient and want to do more.
"Bulletproof limos are standard. Private jets for flying. The safest ship for crossing the sea. Just in case."
"If I said I won't tackle the S-Rank Tower in America, you'd be in quite the bind, huh?"
"......."
Patrick's face hardened seriously.
"I'm kidding. I have some shame—I wouldn't betray people going this far for me."
"Haha. Right? What a joke."
"Since it's a joke, let me ask: what would you have done if it wasn't?"
"Plenty in America want Master's info. Including not just East Asia, but Europe and third-world countries. It'd 'leak' to them... no, the whole world. Haha."
Patrick waved his hand with a laugh.
It ended as a joke, but obviously, if I broke my promise, the aftermath would be predictable.
Maybe staying in Korea would be safer than going to America.
Betrayal hits hardest after being treated well.
"Master. May I ask something?"
"What?"
"If competent Korean government agents are tailing us right now, how would you respond?"
Patrick asked me seriously, checking his watch intermittently...
"They're coming soon?"
"In three minutes?"
"Better tell me now, then?"
"Yes."
Can't see outside in the limo, but being a limo probably draws more eyes.
"Tch... 'Elaine's' drawing attention right now, and they're not biting?"
"Beyond those focused on Miss Elaine, the agents moving on orders are zeroed in on Master, who might be the link."
"Should I be glad or sad about these agents' competence."
I checked another breaking news.
-[Breaking News] Coser Hunter appears in Yeosu.
-[Breaking News] Coser declares, "While I'm here, I'll clear the Tower too."
Video showed Elaine wandering near Yeosu's A-Rank Tower, drawing public eyes, but from the government's view, some of those eyes were on this limo.
"...You called an aircraft carrier; I can't just sit back and accept the favor."
I pulled my smartphone closer.
'Start.'
I sent a single text.
"...? What did you just...?"
"Nothing much."
A moment later.
"Just lightly, so they can't follow."
Boom, boom, boooom!!
Behind the limo.
Not full explosions, but powerful shockwaves rang out in succession.
"......!!"
Patrick stared at me in shock.
I quietly raised one finger at him and said nothing.
-Commander. This is how you do it in these situations~
Just like Dray taught me.
"......."
I lowered my finger.
My reflection in the limo's interior looked annoyingly smug.
'Dray made it look cute and cool.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Heh heh hum."
In front of a computer.
"Phew, good thing. If it was an analog car blocking electronic signals, I couldn't have even drained the battery."
Dray stretched in her chair, grinning at the CCTV footage of the four-car pileup with black sedans.
"Admirable effort tailing us... Oh?"
Clunk.
The front door moved.
"...Heh. They actually came?"
Dray quietly moved her hand toward her thigh.
"How do you plan to clean this up later? Hmm, what to do."
Click.
"I'll handle the cleanup since telling you would just worry you. Hmm..."
Beep, bleep beep.
"Looks like special forces... And I sense 'mana' too."
As soon as the door code finished, Dray aimed her pistol at the entrance.
"Let's see what you've got."
Creeeak.
As the door opened.
"Breach-"
"Why's a Russian speaking Korean?"
Bang!!
"You're Russian, right?"
Gunshots echoed from an officetel.