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[FMMIKA] Chapter 138: Incidents
🕑 Added 2023-08-21 20:35:40 +0000 UTC"Tokyo Tower fell down~ fell down~ fell down~ Tokyo Tower fell down~ fell down~"
In a narrow alley at night, a tipsy white-collar worker sang a tuneless song. After work, he had to go to a pub with colleagues for social activities, draining the last bit of energy.
The annoying aspects of the Japanese work culture were evident.
Of course, as a salaryman, having been prepared well, even if exhausted, he still had to put on a happy face and go to work the next day as if nothing happened.
"It'd be great if the Empire ruled here. I heard that there, labor laws are thoroughly enforced, no need to worry about being bullied, and you can't be fired easily."
Mumbling this, the white-collar worker suddenly felt nauseous and began vomiting by the roadside.
"How disappointing."
After vomiting for who knows how long, he heard a voice nearby, clearly filled with disgust.
"Food like him must not taste good."
"..."
The white-collar worker looked up in confusion and saw a girl with a sensual and provocative outfit, looking like a rebellious girl, or maybe a streetwalker, or even a chuunibyou.
"...?" The white-collar worker just stared in confusion.
"Want to have a go?" The girl suddenly said.
He couldn't help but feel lust. Perhaps letting off steam might improve his mood.
With that thought, the white-collar worker was pulled by the girl and walked into the alley.
After a series of teeth-grating creaks noises, the satisfied girl left the alley, and the worker never emerged again.
From today on, he didn't need to worry about work, getting fired, or anything of the sort.
===
Such incidents continued to unfold in the Tokyo nights.
Aside from hunting for food, senseless killings were just as frequent, if not more so.
For pleasure, for revenge, or simply out of meaningless desires. In an instant, hundreds, thousands, and even more people, were fallen in Tokyo.
The vampires who wore joyful smiles reveled in their pleasure, while those who displayed delighted expressions reveled in slaughter.
Once suppressed by the might of the Empire, they, who had been nearly incapable of fighting back, now swarmed forth in full force.
Under the cover of the night, an unparalleled panic spread throughout the city like a plague.
===
The next day in daylight.
"This feels awful."
Watching the news on TV continuously reporting various violent incidents, Servants and Masters in the hotel had heavy expressions.
"Are these enemies causing trouble?"
"We can't just ignore it..."
"Hmph..."
For once, X didn't exclaim something like—"It's Evil Artoria's conspiracy!" But, she seriously pondered with a frown. Since she often appeared silly and dumb, her serious behavior right now felt unusual.
Gilgamesh, on the other hand, looked indifferent, surprisingly not making any sarcastic or arrogant remarks as always. Shuten's situation was quite similar as well. However, she offered her help proactively and even said—"If My Lord wishes it, I can go exterminate these pests."
As everyone watched the news in silence, Rudolf spoke.
"I apologize deeply, Your Majesty."
As an Imperial liaison officer communicating between the Empire and Artorius, Rudolf felt under pressure.
"The Imperial Mystery Bureau has deployed many personnel..."
"Can you ensure that things like last night won't happen again?" Artorius said calmly.
"That..."
"Do your best." Seeing Rudolf's distressed face, Artorius didn't press him.
After all, he was just a Major. It wasn't his responsibility to handle such matters.
"So, you've arrested quite a number of vampire criminals, right?"
"Yes." Hearing the Emperor ask, Rudolf breathed a sigh of relief. "We've apprehended many of them."
"Then the intelligence?" Iskandar suddenly chimed in before Artorius could continue his questioning. "Since so many are captured, can't you torture them to reveal their hideouts? They're not human anyway, a little violence won't matter."
"That..." Rudolf glanced at Artorius first. After confirming the Emperor had no objections, he answered Iskandar with a forced smile, "Those captured..."
"Hmm?" Iskandar raised an eyebrow.
"The moment they were captured, they were all died." Rudolf continued.
"Hmm..." Artorius nodded, "Have you tried using magecraft to extract their memories?"
"..."
"Their memories were also destroyed."
Rudolf clenched his teeth in response, followed by another wave of silence.
Although it wasn't his fault, speaking of such failure and frustration from his own mouth made it incredibly uncomfortable, even difficult to accept.
"So, what then? Are we just going to let this slide?" Iskandar exclaimed to Artorius, his voice raised. "You gathered us here to deal with the vampires, right? And now that they've caused a ruckus, we can't even strike back?"
"All the enemies were captured, but they died instantly!"
Rudolf defended, but Iskandar was indifferent and paid him no heed at all.
The intent of the King of Conquerors was clear. In a conversation between rulers, the subject should obediently shut up.
"How much information do we currently possess?"
Artorius gestured to Iskandar to calm down, then turned his gaze back to Rudolf.
"Umm..." Rudolf still struggled to find his words.
It was expected. In the first place, if the Empire had the intelligence, today's events might not happened.
"What incompetence, your subordinates. Do you think you can protect your Empire with such mongrels? Don't make me laugh."
Seeing Rudolf at a loss for words, Gilgamesh, as usual, began to speak provocatively. Afterward, he stood up and walked away.
"Where are you off to, King of Heroes?" Iskandar asked curiously.
"Just going for a stroll, a breath of fresh air." Gilgamesh replied in a casual tone.
"Can you be a bit more specific?"
"How I act is my business. Since when did I need to report to you?"
With those words, the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, disappeared.
"Well, that might be a solution too, King Artorius." Iskandar turned back, looking at Artorius. "We might as well split up. Since your people can't find the enemy's hideout, we can lend a hand."
"The Empire's intelligence network is top-notch!" Hearing Iskandar's words, Rudolf restrained his displeasure and retorted, "If even we can't locate them, inexperienced individuals will likely struggle even more."
"In any case, it's better than sitting here doing nothing." As Iskandar spoke, he stood up. "Alright, Master, let's get moving too!"
"O-Oyy—?!"
Though Waver wanted to protest loudly, before he could, he was lifted by Iskandar and thrown over his shoulder.
"Let's go!"
"..."
"Gahh—put me down!"
Feeling like a woman abducted by a savage, Waver protested loudly and struggled vigorously—which actually made the situation even more like that.
