Chapter 101: Deconstruction

"Was the success of this raid mainly due to the establishment of a new weapon production system?"

"Yes. According to the UN announcement, they’ve succeeded in manufacturing 'gunpowder' effective against monsters. Previously, most explosives relied on special metals, like how shells worked. But if gunpowder itself can now be produced, the weapon’s power will skyrocket, wouldn’t it?"

"So we won’t need to rely on supernatural agents to fight directly anymore?"

"Exactly. Europe and the UN seem to be considering publicly sharing the manufacturing method for this weapon. If knowledge and experience are shared globally, regular armies alone could handle the monster threat."

"Thank you. This time, we spoke with Professor Maurice, a military scholar. NewsVision, we’ll wrap up here for tonight."

Night. In a hotel room in Geneva, Leo and Alexander watched the news together, celebrating the successful destruction of Prometheus.

"D-does that mean we’re out of a job?"

"Getting bitter, are we, Carlo?"

Alexander said, a little exasperated.

"Come on. I’m just not in a good mood. We didn’t get much intel on Libya’s ‘Leader,’ but they didn’t seem strong. What do you think, Leo?"

"Who knows. You can’t really gauge a ‘Leader’s’ strength until you’ve fought them."

Leo stared at the TV, lost in thought as the program ended.

"Anyway. We won’t be fighting alongside this force. The Sanctuary Knights are, by nature, a civilian private unit. They were only recognized internationally during emergencies. Now that the monster threat is subsiding, it’s not surprising people are calling for them to be disbanded."

"Different from the national organization's 'Suzaku,' you know."

We all fell silent, lost in thought. Then Alexander spoke up.

"If our Sacred Knights—Sanctuary Knights—were to disappear, I suppose it'd be fine if the world just kept getting peaceful... but..."

"True... if peace really does come, then that's okay."

Leo affirmed Alexander's words, but his expression turned grim.

"But there's no guarantee this peace will actually happen. We don't even know why the world ended up like this in the first place."

Leo's eyes drifted to Durandal, sitting in the corner of the room.

"Even this weapon—no one knows how Salman got it... but the fact that there are so many weapons out there... it feels like there's some deeper meaning. Like some great will is telling people with abilities to fight... to fight each other..."

Leo was right. But politics doesn't always move logically. I just hope this worry is just unnecessary.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

"Eh!? Teacher, what did you just say?"

"We're going to China."

"China!?"

The kids stared in shock. But this wasn’t sudden—it was something I’d been thinking about for a while. Now that they’ve gotten used to fighting undead in Japan, it’s time to face China’s monsters.

It’ll be good experience. And besides...

"I have someone I know in China."

[White Mountain, Jilin Province, China]

A massive wolf charged toward him. Wang closed his eyes, focusing his mind. At the last moment, he snapped them open and kicked the wolf hard with his left foot.

A clear aura of *qigong* radiated from Wang’s entire body.

The wolf soared high into the air, then crashed into the ground—motionless.

"Is this enough, Gojo?"

"Yeah, thanks."

I brought the kids—especially Louis, whose job’s monk—just to show them Wang’s fighting style. I’d asked Wang in advance, and he happily agreed.

"Louis, this is the world’s best *Qigong Martial Arts*, used by Wang. You learn something from this?"

"H-huh? Yeah! I’m a huge fan of Wang’s! Can I shake your hand?"

Wang, shaking hands with Louis, looked a little embarrassed.

"Gojo’s way better at *Qigong Martial Arts* than I am."

Wang said that modestly, but Louis was too excited to even listen. The other members of "Suzaku" were also teaching the kids about their own experiences, fighting styles, and how they use their powers.

They’ve been stuck inside for so long—seeing so many people share their knowledge, the kids are thrilled.

"Gojo, did you see that new military news on TV?"

"Yeah, Prometheus, huh?"

"Seriously, shocked me... There’s never been a case before where a regular army, without using supernatural abilities, took down a *Leader*. Only Georgia did that. Are they really developing a new weapon?"

"I think it’s pretty suspicious."

"Suspicious? What do you mean?"

To explain to Wang’s puzzled expression, I called over Noah, who’d been talking with the "Suzaku" members over there.

"Noah, can you show Wang the Demonology Archive?"

"Huh?"

"I want to talk to Wang... about *that*."

"Uh, sure."

Noah focused his magic on his palm, and the Demonology Archive materialized.

"Is that the Sage’s ability? What’s written in it?"

"I thought it’d mostly be old stuff—how to make swords, spears, armor, magical tools. But look here..."

Wang peered at the page I’d shown him, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

“Huh? What’s this…”

“Modern weapon-making techniques. Stuff like firearms—things that’d work in today’s world… more like ‘demonic weapons’ than magical tools.”

“Demonic weapons… but what does this have to do with Prometheus?”

“Here it even details how to produce explosives—organic compounds derived from monsters.”

“Explosives?!”

“More precisely, the technique to create explosive materials from monsters.”

“From monsters? Seriously…?”

“Prometheus claims it was their research that succeeded in weapon production. But maybe they just forced异能者 to do it. Hiding that fact, perhaps?”

“Seriously? I mean, he’s a politician chosen by the people!”

“Just because someone’s elected democratically doesn’t mean they’re all clean. If they want to erase异能者, they’ll use any method they can.”

“So if that’s the case… the target’s gonna be…”

“Yeah. Leo and the others. That’s what we’re worried about.”

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Swiss Geneva Grand Hotel—

“Sorry to have you come all this way. Couldn’t get my schedule free until today. Really appreciate it, Leo… and Carlo.”

Carlo and I were summoned to a hotel where several European Parliament members had gathered. In front of us stood Hans Berent, the President of the European Parliament.

“So, Mr. Berent—what’s this about?”

“Since you’re so sharp, you’ve probably already figured it out. We’re planning to vote in the Parliament to ban private, civilian combat operations. If passed, the UN will likely follow suit.”

Predictable. No shock. But saying “Yeah, sure” just like that? Not really an option.

"You're world-class heroes. I thought it only proper to inform you in advance."

"I understand the situation. But isn't making such a decision—before the world's crisis has fully passed—kind of rushed?"

"Leo, we're not saying the crisis is over. We're just saying we're ready to handle it. You don't need to risk yourselves anymore. Right?"

A warm smile on his face. But all I feel in his eyes is malice.

"So what exactly do you want us to do?"

"First, announce worldwide that the Sanctuar Knights are suspending operations. It’ll show people the world’s stabilized. You’re the living symbol of peace—your achievements speak for themselves."

Carl laughed through his nose. He’s stringing together compliments, but even a kid could tell he doesn’t mean a word of it.

Hans narrowed his eyes at Carl’s attitude.

"One more thing."

Hans’ eyes looked dull as he stared at us.

"We’d like you to hand over the weapons you’re carrying."

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

We’d just returned from China. I was planning to start real leveling tomorrow.

Emily’s experience is the top priority. As everyone headed back to the dorms, Teacher Philip suddenly called out, flustered.

"Something’s wrong. There’s a news report going on right now...!"

I exchanged glances with the kids and rushed to the lounge’s TV.

"So the vote hasn’t been decided yet—but you’re saying the policy won’t change, right?"

"That’s right. The UN’s agreed too."

"The Sanctori Knights have been guiding the broken world through its darkest times... so this moment really feels like a turning point in history."

"This concludes our coverage of the Sanctori Knights' suspension of operations."

It was news announcing the de facto dismantling of the Sanctori Knights—the moment the last hope the children had been clinging to vanished.