Chapter 159: Abandonments
Today is the day I have a meeting with the leaders of other factions from our alliance. Of course we don't meet face to face because travelling is difficult with the monsters infesting our lands, and thus we held an online meeting. A camera is pointed at my face, giving live video feed to other leaders and they did the same. All of our faces are displayed on a large screen and our voices can be heard to each other… though I wish that it isn't.
I was expecting a heavy atmosphere when I heard the news of the alliance's crushing defeat at Tokyo. I expected our fragile alliance to nearly collapse and turn into a blame game as soon as this accursed meeting starts. But I suppose I should've expected the Messiah faction to convince other factions to put pressure on me due to sheltering Alpha-dono and start blaming ME for the whole disaster at Tokyo. I know their game. "Fulfill our demands or we will abandon you."
Obeying the tyrannical emperor was a hard choice to make but at least he kept these old men at bay. Now that he's gone, nothing's stopping these old bastards from doing what they want.
I don't want to deal with this petty politicking but I need their help because the Akihabara settlement is the closest to Tokyo and I have no doubt that we are the Occult Killer's next target. In fact, I'm surprised he hasn't attacked few weeks after destroying Tokyo.
This kind of makes me regret not moving Akihabara further away from Tokyo back when we established our faction.
Now I have to face these selfish old men who care more about themselves.
"Why didn't you convince her to fight, Kuzaya-dono!?"
"I merely shelter her. I neither control nor command her."
"You should've tried harder! Her participation is crucial!"
"She is far too strong and far too wary for that to happen."
"You just didn't try hard enough! Send her to me! I shall make sure to tame her!"
"No. You can't handle such a fine specimen! I'll take good care of her!"
"I thought we agreed that MY faction shall be the one to shelter her? I have the facility that will surely entice her to join our cause!"
These old men are arguing about taking Alpha-dono like she's an exotic animal. Some of them even lick their lips without hiding their lewd intentions. I know Alpha-dono is extremely attractive but she is more powerful and terrifying than she is beautiful!
"I highly suggest not think of her or treat her like a wild beast."
"She is a weapon! An asset! It would be foolish not to use her, Kuzaya-dono! Our survival is at stake here! Surely you understand!?" That is a dangerous mindset and will turn her against us all, you fool! I need to divert the conversation to the more important topic.
"I know that our survival is at stake. Akihabara is the closest to Tokyo and I have no doubt that we are his next target, and I ask that you respect our alliance and send reinforcements or we'll all be-."
"I have a proposal then, Kuzaya-dono. Give that elf woman to our faction and we'll send our reinforcements." Of course they won't let go of the topic about Alpha-dono.
"You have to convince her yourself. As I said, I don't control her. Also, I ask that you refrain from antagonizing her like what Akira-dono did." I turn towards Akira, Akane-chan's brother, who's representing the Messiah faction in this meeting. He merely smirks in response.
"Do not worry about that, Kuzaya-dono. I've prepared a stronger poison extracted from an Apex Beast. We only need your help to put the poison on her meal and-" I slam my hand on my desk angrily, which cuts his words.
"Did you not hear what I said!? If you antagonize her, she will no longer help us! Or worse, she may turn against us!"
"Don't be a coward, Kuzaya-dono. Such cowardice has costed us Tokyo and our emperor. If you want reinforcements, you better do as we say." Akira says with a fiendish smirk. Millions of lives are at stake and you would blackmail me into betraying our strongest ally!?
Just as I was about to refuse, an alarm starts ringing loudly… though thankfully it's not Akihabara's alarm.
"What's going on!?"
"Whose alarm is that?"
"It's mine! Hey you! Report!" The leader of Fukuo faction, who settled in Fukushima and whose family is appropriately named Fukuo, shouts at his subordinate, demanding reports. Eventually his subordinate returns.
"Report, Fukuo-sama! A massive army of zombies suddenly appeared and have laid siege to our city! We're completely surrounded!"
"What!? How could a massive army move unnoticed!?"
"We don't know! Our magic detection radar didn't work these past few days and there was thick fog too so we didn't send out scouts!"
"And why is this the first time I've heard of this!?"
"W-We reported them to you but you didn't-"
"Are you saying that it's MY fault!?"
"N-No, sir!"
"You're dismissed! I'll deal with you later!" The leader of Fukuo faction dismissed his subordinate and sits back in his chair. His previous smirk nowhere to be found, replaced by panic. The rest of the leaders, including Akira, also have lost their smirks and are frowning instead.
"T-The Occult Killer's army has invaded! P-Please! Send reinforcements immediately!" Now that I'm no longer the next target, the leader of Fukuo faction starts begging for aid.
The response? Predictable.
"My apologies, Fukuo-dono. We cannot do that."
"My deepest apologies, Fukuo-dono but we need to protect our own city."
"I also apologize, Fukuo-dono. But considering the unpredictable nature of our enemy, I don't think it is wise to leave my base undefended. Surely you understand?"
"No! We are allies, remember!? DON'T ABANDON ME! PLEASE!"
"Sorry, Fukuo-dono. It's nothing personal. It's just business."
The rest of faction leaders, who are only here to blackmail me, have lost their leverage over me and thus they decide to abandon their ally and cut off communication one by one. Even Akira shuts down his broadcast without even a single apology. How funny. Just a few seconds ago they were threatening to abandon me and all of Akihabara and yet look at how easily they abandon their own ally.
"What!? Wait! Come back! I beg you! Please!" He starts crying immediately as he sees the other leaders disconnecting one by one. When all of them except me left, he turns to me to beg.
"K-Kuzaya-dono! Please! Send reinforcements immediately! Send that elf woman! Right now! I beg you! I don't want to die!"
There are so many things I want to say… but I decided not to waste my breath and cut off my broadcast as well.
"NO! PLEA-" His words are cut as I disconnect from the group video call.
"Haaah… I don't know if that went better than expected or not. But at least Akihabara is not at immediate danger. That gives us time to let Alpha-dono train our fighters." Luckily I still have the occultist factions, the remnants of the imperial forces and the Japanese Self Defense Forces, the power ranger faction from Kyoto and Alpha-dono herself to count on should the time comes.
But will that be enough? I have a feeling that even with Godzilla on our side, we are still outmatched compared to the Occult Killer's personal strength. His armies, perhaps we can handle. But the man himself? I doubt it. What a nightmare.
"Ha ha ha ha! That's so precious! I knew targeting other cities first would be more amusing than attacking Akihabara first!" I laugh as I finished watching the online meeting between the remaining leaders of the alliance, courtesy of one of the Doomsday Cult's spies planted in one of the factions.
The Fukuo faction, based in Fukushima, does possess nuclear power and thus has developed nuclear weapons for use against the monsters. But has that ever worked out? Certainly not according to America, since the nuclear weapons couldn't cull enough of the monster numbers but would ravage the environment, which eventually become nests for the monsters to breed in after they become immune to nuclear radiation.
All in all, the Fukuo faction that I've sent my army to invade has nothing special about them, just an army of ordinary awakeners and some nuclear weapons. They don't even have anyone that stands out like Nishino Akane or Mari Blue does. Not even a unique super hero theme. In other words, they are doomed. So doomed that I don't even have to watch over the battle and would simply let the horde of undead do the work.
Now then. I've amused myself enough. It is time to go back to creating a proper response to the Godzilla. I've tried some experiments with the emperor but I don't think that's good enough. I need to find the proper species amongst these monsters in order to create a proper rival for the Godzilla.
Finding this elusive species is what takes the most time, which is why I sent my armies and minions to destroy the remaining factions in the meantime, leaving Akihabara and Messiah factions for the last.
Tch. That damn Occult Killer. My plan to force that freaky otaku Kuzaya to give up the elf woman has failed. If the stories of her being an otherworldly being is true, then her DNA is a treasure trove of knowledge and power! Perhaps greater than any Apex Beasts we've ever encountered! With it, I could create awakeners surpassing even the Original Knight! And with such a weapon in our hands, the Nishino family shall not only survive this crisis but also reign supreme!
But no matter. I have another pawn to use. That's why we haven't called my sister Akane back to Messiah and instead let her stay in Akihabara. No matter how defiant she is, she is a daughter of the Nishino and she will obey the will of the family no matter what.
It's a shame that the emperor and his son are dead, and thus we are unable to secure a political marriage with the imperial family. But that only means we just have to seize the empty throne for ourselves.
"A most unfortunate series of events, don't you agree, Akira-dono?" The old man who sat beside me speaks, feigning disappointment even though he is still grinning.
"Indeed. But no matter. We still have pawns over there. My sister and your daughter." I say as I turn to face him, who smirks.
"I thought I told you that I could not control my daughter, Akira-dono. She has been very defiant towards me ever since my wife's unfortunate demise."
"And you have no one but yourself to blame for that, Mr. Abandon My Family While I Escape By Myself."
"Heh heh heh. I know. I know. You don't have to mention that every time, Akira-dono." Says the old man who doesn't feel a single shred of shame or remorse for what he has done.
"Then why are you still grinning?"
"Heh heh heh. You caught me. How observant you are, Akira-dono."
"I don't need to be observant if you barely hid your emotions in the first place. Now tell me. What leverage do you have against her?"
"Heh heh heh. I'd like to keep my secret weapon a secret if that's alright with you, Akira-dono. As long as it could serve for our mutual benefits, you don't have to know." He speaks so arrogantly as if he's a partner, not a pawn himself. But no matter. I don't have to care about his little schemes as long as he plays his role.
"Fine. But I expect you to hold your end of the bargain. That's why I'm keeping you around and even kept our partnership hidden from father after all, OLD MAN." I emphasize the words "old man" when referring to him.
"Of course, Akira-dono. I shall honor our agreements." He says as he left the room.
He is a useful pawn but he is… a little too arrogant and unsettling. I don't know why he is arrogant enough to even call me by my first name (which is why I refuse to even call him by name).
I probably won't ever find out the reason for said arrogance but as soon as he gets his daughter under control, I must remove him before he becomes an even greater threat. If the reports are to be believed, his daughter is currently stronger than even Akane… and his attitude even suggests that he has more leverage against her than I have against Akane.
But no matter. He does not know… none of them know of a secret about Akane… a secret that only I know… A secret that I guarded and almost lost my life over.
And by obtaining the elf woman's DNA, I would be able to make her… complete. Heh heh heh.
And thus, I'll let you behave arrogantly towards me for now, Miyazaki-san. Soon enough, you will be disposed of, for you are nothing but stepping stone for me.
I take my cellphone from my pocket and dials a certain doctor's number.
"Dr. Yuuka. The plan has changed. We have more time, and thus you must work to make a stronger poison. It doesn't matter if we kill the elf woman as long as we can obtain her sample."
"As you command, Nishino-sama."
Author's Note:
This update was delayed for a week because I was busy drawing three big artworks mimicking Light Novel style. If you haven't seen them, visit my socials: Tumblr ( ominousrain), Twitter ( TheOminousRain), Deviantart ( OminousRain) or in The Eminence in Shadow subreddit. Wasn't able to upload them to my instagram due to unknown errors.
Anyway, now the plot thickens and I hope you're not bored by the Japan arc yet because I don't want to shorten the story this time unlike what I did with the Goddess Trial arc (which may be extended in my Records of the Seven Wraiths side story later). And I know I'm constantly teasing Shadow's return… yes I'm so evil. :)
I want his return to happen when you least expect it, though that might be hard considering I want to foreshadow it too and some readers might notice. Either way, I hope I can keep writing!
Generalliam0529: please let goji bd reocurring i beg of you.
Answer: No promises!
Guest: "He must be a nobody! A mob character!"
You have no idea how right on the money you are there buddy.
Answer: That's the intention. :)
DerTrap: Always nice seeing a new chapter : )
Here some potential quotes for Necromancer:
(When he gets jumped by everyone when he raids Akihabara)
Necromancer: "Oh, so you are trying to utilize the sacred art of jumping against me. Well then let me introduce you to the art of... REVERSE JUMPING!"
Also:
(Before King Ghidorah's first appearence)
Necromancer: "Ah I see you brought Godzilla with you Nr. 001."
(Loud screech)
Alpha: "What was that?!"
Necromancer: "Well, I brought my own. Mine's bigger... (grins) SIC' EM BOY!"
(Ghidorah fully appears for the first time)
Answer: We shall see how I write that part when it comes.
GorYase (Chapter 2: Experiment No 001):
Bro. This story promises to be both retarded and entertaining and the same time. Gonna be a good read (I hope)
GorYase (Chapter 10: The Dungeons):
I doubt MC has any chance against the true MC (Your OC I'd simply to weak against the shadow guy)
Answer: He's still a growing boy, and so is Shadow.
GorYase (Chapter 12: Alexia's Kidnapping):
Eh It was cringe, not funny
Answer: Which part is cringe? The Whiny Jerkass name? I followed the TEiS universe's naming sense, though I admit this one is not very good. I believe my naming sense improves later as I kept writing, though nothing beats Perv Asshat.
GorYase (Chapter 14: Shadow):
Ah yes I am atomic bullshit. This shit was so cringe that I had to deafen the sounds
Answer: Blasphemy.
GorYase (Chapter 16: Declaration of War):
That… will be unnecessary." I mean, this guy is just a roleplayer like me. You don't have to take him that seriously.
Is he retarded? Like fuck is he blind to the fact "his fated enemy who is a role player" slaughtered innocent women's/children just for roleplay purposes?
Answer: From that and your previous comment I know you're not a fan of the series.
GorYase (Chapter 17: Reaper Squad on the Move):
Tbh this MC of yours is so irrelevant that I don't even remember his name.
Answer: Is that so? I disagree though. Even until this chapter he is more relevant and has more screen time than even Cid/Shadow himself. If you can't remember his name, that's a you problem.
GorYase (Chapter 32: The Revelation):
Bro the "pervert" theme is so unfunny that it's scary. It wasn't funny since old ecchi animes. Like To Love Ru or Kore Wa Zombie Desu Ka.
Answer: I simply tried to make his character similar but contrasts with Cid's own in many ways, though obviously I didn't overdo it like in those animes.
GorYase (Chapter 158: Please Train Me!):
Eh I'm really disappointed in this story, the "Necromancer" in the title is the disgrace to all these good stories out there. Literally waste of potential.
Good luck tho, you do you I'm dropping out.
Answer: Thank you for reading and yes it is unfortunate that it didn't meet your expectations. I will keep writing the way I wanted to though. And it's okay for you to drop out. I'm sure there are a lot of stories out there that meets your expectations.