Chapter 31: A Dangerous Presence

The news reached the temporary Prime Minister's residence in Osaka with a jolt.

"Really? That the monsters... were all wiped out...?"

"Details are unclear, but they’re certain it’s complete annihilation."

The Prime Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary stared, disbelief etched on their faces, as Chief of Staff Hayata continued.

"According to the Self-Defense Force personnel on-site, a man suddenly flew down from the sky... and used 'magic'... took down the entire horde... by himself..."

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

【Gifu Prefecture • Air Self-Defense Force Gifu Base】

Captain Yamamoto couldn’t believe his ears.

"A human who uses magic? Such a thing... actually exists!?"

He’d heard something like that from Shimizu earlier... No way... Impossible... There’s no way someone like that could exist... could there...?

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

"Back! Hey, over here!"

Shimizu waved energetically. The man named Gojo had flown off just two hours ago and now returned.

There were supposed to be nearly a hundred thousand monsters between here and Nagoya... If he’d taken them all out in such a short time... then he’s no ordinary monster... He’s something worse... something beyond monstrous...

Shimizu clearly trusts him... but me? Honestly... I’m scared... Should I say terrified? Probably not just me feeling that way.

"Shimizu-san, do you know him?"

"Yep! It was this Shimizu here who asked me to find Gojo."

"Ah, so you’re...?"

"Nice to meet you. Captain First Class Sakurai, Air Self-Defense Force. Thank you so much for your help. I’d heard rumors about you and begged this Shimizu to find you at any cost. It’s truly an honor to finally meet you."

"Wha—! Don’t mind him. He’s just stiff."

Gojo laughed, a sharp "Hah!" as he turned back to Shimizu.

"Shimizu, can you lend me a hand?"

"A hand?"

Taking the hand Shimizu offered, a blinding light burst forth.

"What the—?"

"This is...!?"

The light particles converged, wrapping Shimizu in a warm glow.

Light gathered where the legs should have been—rebuilding them... slender, yes, but there—there they were, whole again.

"Wait... no way. My legs... they're back? They're fixed?"

"Such a thing...?"

Everyone there stood frozen, staring in disbelief at the reality unfolding before their eyes... unable to do anything but watch.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Osaka—

A special emergency meeting of high-ranking officials had been called, summoned by the minister.

Here, opinions were divided on how to handle the "magician" Gojo, who had defeated the monsters.

"He's the reason we're even alive right now. Of course, he should be treated as a hero!"

Prime Minister Toda believed that if a human with such power had emerged among the Japanese, they should take pride in it. Whether or not Gojo wanted it, he deserved every honor and award possible.

But the views of the Joint Chiefs and the Chief Cabinet Secretary were different.

"Please, be reasonable. A being with such immense power—can we even be sure he's truly Japanese? Or even human?"

"Even if he is Japanese, allowing someone with power surpassing an entire army to exist freely? That's far too dangerous."

"Still... I mean..."

The Prime Minister, still arguing, was cut off coldly by the Chief Cabinet Secretary.

"He's a threat greater than any monster we've ever faced. We need to take precautions, somehow."