◇ Akuzawa’s Perspective

 

Yuuya: “Dad!”

 

I hugged Yuuya with all my might. Hearing that my son was trapped in the Cube, I rushed over, putting aside my work. I arrived, but I was unable to do anything, and could only panic.

And then, I saw him from a distance, he probably saved everyone.

 

Akuzawa: “I’m glad… Yuuya. I’m glad…”

 

My son has returned. His body is covered in wounds, and I can’t even imagine the kind of desperate battle he has been through.

 

Yuuya: “Dad… He saved me. That person…”

 

Yuuya’s gaze turns to, as expected, Kai Amachi. The man I once expelled and drove out of this country.

 

Akuzawa: “…I see.”

 

Expelling him was also a diplomatic defeat. That country, that holds a great amount of information, including that Kai Amachi broke the rules, held his weakness and prompted the expulsion.

Similarly, I knew that America was targeting him, but with the Arnold incident, that country would undoubtedly have the upper hand.

I was troubled. Should we protect him as a country, or should we resist? But, in those great countries, there was Arnold Alteus on one hand, and Wei Wang on the other.

In addition to the two trancedents, the number of S-Ranks is nearly ten times more. It was a difference in national power, a difference that can’t be overcome in case of an emergency.

In a world where the deterrent of nuclear weapons has lost its original meaning (well, this country didn’t have them from the beginning) the strength of the awakened speaks.

The world is able to maintain balance solely due to the existence of the dungeons. A common enemy has appeared, and the world has regained temporary calm, but this tentative peace is so unstable that it could break at any time.

 

◇ Kai’s Perspective

 

Kai: “Nice to meet you, Chairman Akuzawa.”

 

I greeted Chairman Akuzawa who came before me. His expression is serious, surely, he came to point out the rule violation of me, from another country, entering this country’s Cube. Would this become an international issue?

Then, journalists who had sensed the incident and were waiting around the Cube began to gather around us.

Surrounding me and Chairman Akuzawa, they waited for the statements from the two of us.

 

Akuzawa: “First of all, for saving my son. I sincerely thank you. Really, thank you.”

Kai: “…Yes.”

 

Chairman Akuzawa bowed his head. The journalists captured this moment with the sound of their cameras clicking. Regardless of breaking the rules, he seemed to be a person who would indeed be grateful for the saving of his own child.

 

Akuzawa: “If you hadn’t been here, everyone would probably have died. You saved all 50 people here.”

 

I was a little surprised at that statement. It wasn’t just thanks; he explained the situation as if explaining to the reporters. It was almost like he was defending me. But then, a journalist throws a question.

 

Journalist: “Kai Amachi-san. You are a member of the Battle God Guild of China. You shouldn’t have the qualification to act as a clearer in our country. What do you think about this!”

 

This was a perfectly reasonable question. Without any request from the country, an awakened person belonging to another country wielded force within their nation. It was a rule violation that should never be allowed and an international issue. If this is allowed, it would permit other countries to wield force within the nation under the ambiguous explanation of an emergency.

 

Kai: “That is…”

 

I was at a loss for words. Tanaka-san, seeing this, was about to step in and help me.

 

Akuzawa: “I was the one who requested it, none other than me, the chairman for this country. It was an emergency, so I directly skipped the procedures.”

 

It was Chairman Akuzawa.

 

Kai: “Eh?”

 

I couldn’t understand what Chairman Akuzawa was saying. He was supposed to dislike me, yet he is defending me?

 

Journalist: “Is it that Chairman Akuzawa requested from China?”

Akuzawa: “Yes, that’s correct. Normally we would request support from the United States, but this time was special. It wasn’t just a matter of being strong, without his special power, nothing could have been done. Therefore, I thought that he was the only one who could break through this situation, and I requested it. As a result, everyone was saved. I can definitely say that choice was the best.”

Journalist: “You called Amachi-san who was expelled!?”

Akuzawa: “Regarding that, I think there is a need to scrutinize once again, and it is currently being adjusted. The circumstances have changed due to Reina-san’s testimony the other day. It’s something nobody knew in detail; it can’t be helped.”

 

The journalists nodded at Chairman Akuzawa’s clear statement. They also understood the situation and knew that entering the Cube was impossible. That’s why my special power was needed, they seemed to understand.

 

Akuzawa: “Thank you, Kai Amachi-san. For responding to the request. If you hadn’t come, everyone would have died. Really, thank you. I, and this country, have done many things that might have made you bear a grudge. Even then, you came. As a representative of this country, I sincerely thank you.”

 

Chairman Akuzawa offered a handshake. His eyes were looking straight at me.

 

Kai: “…Yes.”

 

I unintentionally shook his hand; it was not the hand of a warrior. But it was still the hand of a father. Chairman Akuzawa, looking into my eyes, nodded.

 

Akuzawa: “We will formally discuss the details and the apology once things have settled down. Excuse me for now, Kai Amachi-san.”

 

Saying so, Chairman Akuzawa bowed his head. Behind him, Yuuya did the same. It was as if nothing had happened, he lied as easily as breathing. What he was thinking did not show on his face or in his words at all, without a doubt, it was the manner of a politician.

But still, his heart…

 

Tanaka: “Haha, maybe your enthusiasm was transmitted… He might have had some thoughts. That person has also gone through various things in the past.”

 

Seeing this, Tanaka-san laughed a little.

 

Kai: “Who knows… but…”

 

I looked at their departing backs and somehow, I ended up smiling a little. Even with the eyes of a god, after all, I understood nothing about people’s insides.

 

Kai: “Chairman Akuzawa!”

Akuzawa: “…What is it?”

 

I called the chairman with a loud voice. At that voice, the chairman and his son, Yuuya-kun, turned around.

 

Kai: “You have a cool son!!”

 

I sincerely said what I thought. To the brave child who saved Nagi, and to his father. Because a child grows up watching their parents.

Understanding the meaning behind my words, Chairman Akuzawa, who had turned around, returned a slightly wry smile.

 

Akuzawa: “Huh… Yes, that’s right.”

 

Then he faced forward again, waved his hand over his shoulder, and said to me in a small voice.

 

Akuzawa: “I’m glad he doesn’t resemble me.”

 

Giving a contrary answer till the end.