Episode 174: Experts and Observers
The next day…
From early morning, experts from various fields were summoned to the main hall of the Prime Minister’s Office.
The topic, needless to say, was the powerful monsters that had appeared all over the world. They took their seats at the long tables arranged in a U-shape.
The faces were diverse, including researchers of Dungeons and Monsters, authorities in biology, and military experts, about twenty people facing each other.
At the head of the table, Prime Minister Iwaki sat heavily, surveying the tense faces.
At the edge of the hall, Honda from Elceed, Fameel, and the head of Kagurazaka Pharmaceuticals were present as observers.
In the heavy atmosphere, Prime Minister Iwaki picked up the microphone placed on the table.
“Thank you all for gathering. As you are aware, monsters are now overflowing from Dungeons around the world, causing enormous damage. In Japan, we have set up shelters in the lower levels and are somehow holding them back, but we cannot be optimistic.”
Iwaki paused and looked around. Everyone had a serious face, their mouths set in a straight line.
The sense of crisis was clearly conveyed.
“The most pressing issue is the monsters moving south through the Chinese continent. A horde of Dragons destroying cities and burning towns and villages is gradually approaching Japan. If they come to Japan as they are, we cannot imagine how far the damage will spread. I would like to hear your frank opinions.”
“May I?”
Kamogawa Aiko, the director of the National Institute of Science, raised her hand. When Iwaki said, “Please,” she lowered her hand and began to speak with a slightly strained expression.
“Summarizing the information we have received so far, monsters that have appeared in America, England, India, and Russia are rampaging, and the number of people who have died is said to be ten to twenty million. I don’t think we can deal with them at all. Shouldn’t we evacuate the citizens as soon as possible?”
“Evacuate? Where exactly are you suggesting we evacuate them to, Kamogawa-san?”
It was Yasugi, the chief researcher of the Japan Dungeon Association, who raised his voice irritably.
He is considered an authority in Dungeon-related research and serves as the chairman of this conference.
He always attends expert meetings and has strong trust from the government.
“The problem now is the monster called 【Red King】 that is traversing China. It commands hundreds of high-ranking Dragons and flies leisurely through the sky. I hear that one Fireball that monster spits out can destroy a city, and it repels all military weapons. If such a monster comes to Japan, there is nowhere to escape!”
No one objected to Yasugi’s forceful words.
As the room fell silent, Prime Minister Iwaki opened his mouth.
“…I have heard that the “nukes” used by Russia and China were completely ineffective. China in particular even used “hydrogen bombs,” but they only managed to kill three Ancient Dragons. What do you think about that, Professor Mizuno?”
The question was directed at Mizuno Tadamasa, a military expert. He is a former Ground Self-Defense Force officer and currently teaches at a university.
He was known for researching the effectiveness of modern weapons against monsters.
“The “nukes” used by Russia and China do not seem to have been tactical nukes. They were of a more powerful type, and it is hard to believe that living things could withstand them.”
Mizuno shook his head as if he didn’t know either.
“Does anyone have any opinions on this point?”
As Iwaki prompted, an elderly man raised his hand. He was a long-haired man in a worn-out suit with an unshaven beard.
It was Takarada, a prominent monster scholar in Japan.
“Please, Professor Takarada.”
“Well, hello.”
All eyes were on Takarada as he stood up, scratching his head.
“First of all, the reason why the nuclear attack was ineffective against the Dragon horde is probably because they are resistant to fire and heat. Originally, “fire” magic is less effective against fire monsters, so I think it’s incompatible with flame Dragons.”
“Then, you can’t defeat them with conventional weapons?”
Takarada nodded at Iwaki’s words.
“It seems that it is less effective against fire and Water Monsters. On the other hand, there are reports that the nukes used in India were quite effective. That’s probably because the opponent was “Insectoid Monsters,” which are said to be weak to fire.”
“If so, is there no countermeasure against Dragons!?”
In response to Iwaki’s raised voice, Takarada lowered his voice, saying, “Unfortunately.”
A heavy atmosphere spread throughout the hall. If military weapons are ineffective, then the only way to defeat them is with the magic of Seekers.
However, it is clear that humans cannot defeat monsters with extraordinary power.
As everyone closed their mouths, one man raised his hand.
“May I speak?”
Iwaki turned his eyes. It was Honda from Elceed Corporation, who was sitting by the wall as an observer, who had raised her hand.
“Please.”
When Iwaki gave permission to speak, Honda bowed and stood up, saying, “Thank you.”
“I am Honda from Elceed Corporation. If a critical situation arises in Japan in the future, we are prepared to fight alongside the Self-Defense Forces. However, it is clear that no matter how many Seekers there are, they cannot defeat such monsters. In fact, I have heard that the Seeker Clan led by China’s strongest Seeker, “Hong Xiaoming,” was annihilated.”
The experts looked even more serious at Honda’s story.
China is the country with the second most powerful Seekers after the United States. If the Seekers in that country can’t do anything about it, there is no reason why Japan can win.
Feeling the color of despair spreading throughout the venue, Honda continued to speak.
“However, it’s not like there’s no hope at all.”
“What do you mean?”
Iwaki raised his face and looked at Honda.
“There is Black Armor… Mitaka Yuma. If he is treated as a Seeker, he is undoubtedly the strongest in the world. After all, it took more than 80 Seekers to finally capture him. There is no reason not to borrow his power.”
“That’s too dangerous. We don’t even know if Black Armor is really human, and I don’t think the war situation will change even if there is one Black Armor.”
Iwaki completely denies it, but Honda still persists.
“According to the report, Black Armor used “Water Magic” during the battle. If so, it should be compatible with the fire monsters, Dragons. Could you please entrust the custody of Mitaka Yuma to us at Elceed? We will definitely do our best to be of service.”
Faced with Honda’s passionate speech, Iwaki crossed his arms and groaned, “Hmm.”
Given the trends in public opinion, he wanted to dispose of the troublesome Black Armor as soon as possible. However, as far as he could tell from the world information coming in now, he could not easily come to a conclusion.
In the United States, falling Lightning is causing enormous sacrifices. In England, the Celtic Sea is freezing, and there are reports that residents along the coast are freezing to death.
In India, they heard that the “Insectoid Monsters” that filled the earth were burned down in a nuclear attack, but in the end, more monsters overflowed from the Dungeon, which was completely meaningless.
It’s certainly an emergency. If they can be a force, he wants to borrow even the devil’s hand.
But if he fights the 【Red King】, there is no way to deal with it if Black Armor rampages at his feet.
The experts’ opinions were also divided, such as “It’s too dangerous, so dispose of it immediately,” “More investigation and research is needed,” or “It’s an emergency, so we should borrow its power!” The opinions were divided and no conclusion was reached.
Iwaki was even more troubled.