Chapter 115: Unpatriotic

John placed the wooden pendant beside him, observing it with keen interest.

"Indestructible, impervious to X-rays, and even electron microscopy fails to analyze its composition... Is this truly something crafted by the so-called gods of this land? It is utterly fascinating. Yet, no matter how I scan it, I cannot sense any trace of transcendent elements within. Perhaps I need to study the classics and ancient texts of this country to trigger the power locked inside, much like Professor Benedict once did?"

Robert stepped away from the window and sat down on the sofa opposite John with a heavy, deliberate air. However, his gaze remained fixed on the pendant with a scrutiny and cold sharpness that differed from John’s.

"It has been less than a few hours since we obtained it; it is only natural that we have yet to analyze anything. Once we send it—along with that Japanese girl—to the Nevada laboratory, I trust our most elite scientists will extract something useful. When that day comes, whether they are transcendent beings or so-called gods, their charade of divinity will be stripped away, and we will trample them firmly beneath our feet."

He adjusted the back of the sofa comfortably, rolled his neck, and continued, "The Prime Minister of this country believes he can use supernatural power to wrest authority from the United States, but he likely never imagined that once we unravel its mysteries, the light of America will shine even higher, illuminating the entire globe with unprecedented intensity."

John smiled in acknowledgment, and suddenly, his pocket vibrated. He picked up his phone, glanced at the number displayed, and raised an eyebrow.

"Who is it?" Robert asked.

John smiled. "That old friend from the Liberal Democratic Party, Shingo Uchida, the Director of Intelligence for the Public Prosecutors Office. You should remember him—he was the one who secretly reported the existence of that Japanese girl and this wooden pendant to us a few days ago."

With that, he answered the call.

"Hello?"

...

At the same time, in a waiting room at Yokota Air Base, a Japanese man picked up his phone, accompanied by a white officer with lieutenant colonel insignia on his lapels.

"Hello, Mr. John. This is Shingo Uchida."

"...Is that so? It seems the intelligence I provided was indeed useful to your side. That is excellent."

"...Precisely. We in the Liberal Democratic Party hold views entirely contrary to the policies and ideas of the Social Democratic Party and the current Prime Minister. We are unanimous in our belief that a world order led by the United States is the best possible order."

"...I am deeply honored to be of service to the United States."

"By the way, I wonder if I might have the opportunity to meet you in person, Mr. John? I have long heard of your reputation. As the intelligence commander of the Seventh Fleet, your name is legendary. To meet with such a political elite of a Great Power would be a refreshing experience, and I would be honored to receive your guidance."

"...I see. There is no opportunity for the moment? That is most regrettable. Nevertheless, I sincerely look forward to the next chance, when we might truly meet."

...

Hanging up the phone, Shingo Uchida sighed with a hint of regret.

The lieutenant colonel, having received word through his earpiece, walked over and extended a hand, inviting Uchida to leave.

"Mr. Uchida, I have received orders from above. Please allow me to escort you off the base."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Darcy," Uchida replied with a nod. He stood up with a smile and allowed Darcy to lead him away.

Just as they were exiting the base gate, he suddenly turned his head to look toward the horizon.

"...What a pity. Time is running out."

"Mr. Uchida, is something wrong?" Hearing the tone of Uchida’s lament, Lieutenant Colonel Darcy turned to look at him.

"...It is nothing."

Shingo Uchida smiled, a faint, ethereal red glow flickering in his eyes.

"...Lieutenant Colonel Darcy, please continue to lead the way."

...

The black sedan that had been driving stopped in front of the gate.

Mizuhara Manami stepped out and gazed at the sign hanging above the gate, which read "Yokota Air Base." She took a deep breath. She turned back to look at Tachibana Asosuke, who had stepped out and was standing beside her.

"...Is this what you called 'the future of Japan'?"

Tachibana Asosuke showed no sign of embarrassment, merely looking at her with a smile.

"Is it not, Miss Manami? The future of Japan has always existed only in the United States—it has been that way for over a hundred years."

Mizuhara Manami seemed to lack the strength to argue; she shook her head. Yet, in the middle of that shake, her hand reached into her pocket.

However, the moment her hand entered her pocket, a sharp, icy chill pierced her neck. A second later, Mizuhara Manami lost consciousness.

...

In the conference hall of the Prime Minister’s Official Residence.

Fusaishi San sat beside the calm-faced Prime Minister. While he appeared to be simply recording the proceedings, his pen was trembling, and his face had turned crimson with the rage surging from his heart.

If he had not been keeping his head bowed, this expression would surely have drawn unwanted attention.

The source of this anger sat directly across from them: the Governor of Tokyo, Minamoto Ikkei; the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, Fujiwara Akio; and the Chief Prosecutor of the Public Prosecutors Office, Abe Shinichi.

These three were the most powerful figures within the Liberal Democratic Party today.

After coming here in response to the Prime Minister’s invitation, these LDP members were now using shameless rhetoric to argue their case, even arrogantly accusing the Prime Minister himself.

"...Why we leaked the information to the U.S. military and cooperated with the United States? You should ask yourself that!"

"...Opposing the United States is an extremely unwise act. Once the relationship with the Great Power is severed, who else in East Asia can we cooperate with? China?"

"...Even if we possess transcendent beings, how much profit can we actually gain from them? Can it possibly outweigh the losses incurred by becoming enemies with America?"

"...The interests of Japan are not something that can be achieved just by mouthing empty words. Japan is a tiny, insignificant country. Only by cooperating with the United States can we ensure that our domestic goods are sold smoothly across the globe and keep our economy running!"

"...Your so-called 'idea of letting Japan rise again' is a scheme that runs contrary to the free world, and it is destined to be spat upon by the international community."

"...You are merely dragging all of Japan into the abyss for the sake of your own selfish ambitions!"

The words of these high-ranking, powerful figures made Fusaishi San’s teeth grind together.

*Traitors!*

Their shameless and unprincipled nature reminded Fusaishi of the term used to describe those despised by everyone during the last World War.

*If this were a hundred years ago, all of you would be facing a military tribunal and shot to death on the spot!*