Chapter 51: It’s the End-of-Year Big Cleanup!
The discussion about the international conference concluded, and Kazuma and the others used Teleportation Magic to leave Ema’s place and return to Ivy.
Upon returning to Ivy, they informed Alicia and Charlotte, who were looking after the children, that they were back.
“Welcome back~”
“We’re home~”
“How did it go?”
“Nothing special. We just talked about the international conference.”
“Where is it being held this time?”
“China. It’s scheduled before New Year’s Eve, so we have to leave soon.”
“It’s the twenty-sixth today, isn’t it~. Oh, in that case, perhaps I should return to France?”
Currently, Charlotte was under the care of the Crimson Knight.
Previously, when Charlotte had been kidnapped, some of France’s most prominent powerful individuals had been killed by Azrael.
Because of that, there were concerns about her protection, so Kazuma had taken her in.
However, now, with her new Powered Suit and Kazuma’s guidance, she could be called one of the world’s foremost powerful individuals.
In other words, she no longer had any particular reason to be here.
“There hasn’t been any word from France, so it’s probably fine for you to stay, right?”
“That’s true!”
Since the French government hadn’t issued any orders for her to return, Charlotte decided to stay in Japan.
“What about you, Alicia?”
“There’s been no word from Stephen, so I think it’s fine. Besides, King is going, so it doesn’t concern me.”
“I see. Well then, let’s take it easy for a while.”
Alicia was also an important Gifted for America, but America had King, who was called the world’s strongest.
Therefore, she wouldn’t be summoned to the international conference.
“So, does that mean we’re free until the day itself?”
“Looks like it. What will you do, Momoko-chan?”
“I’ve confirmed my schedule, so I’ll be on standby at home.”
“You’re not going to hang out with us?”
“Thanks to you, I’m terribly exhausted this year. Please let me rest…”
“Did I do something~?”
“How can you say that with a straight face…?”
“Sorry, sorry. I get it. Well then, I’ll take you home.”
“Please do.”
Momoko, who had been dragged around by Kazuma a lot this year, had accumulated fatigue and mental stress from this recent incident as well, and was weakened to the point where she could collapse at any moment.
Wanting to dive into her bed even a second sooner, Momoko had Kazuma send her home with Teleportation Magic.
After seeing Momoko home, Kazuma spent his time until the international conference going shopping with Alicia, Charlotte, and Sakura Hakanai, and taking care of the children.
◇◇◇◇
While Kazuma and the others were relaxing, at the Ivera Church, Runazeru and the other executives were discussing their future plans.
“When is the international conference being held?”
“The day before New Year’s Eve. The host country is the Chinese Federation. The location is Area Thirteen.”
“Not in the capital?”
“The capital was destroyed in the previous operation.”
In the Ibinom assault incident, which was being called a worldwide simultaneous terrorist attack, the capitals of countries other than Japan had suffered massive damage.
The powerful individuals of each country had succeeded in repelling the Ibinom, but damage to buildings and human casualties were unavoidable.
Japan had also been attacked by Ibinom, but thanks to Kazuma’s efforts, the damage was minimal.
Therefore, there had initially been a proposal to hold the international conference in Japan, but since the hosting order was already decided, it ended up being China.
“What’s the plan?”
“It’s already arranged. We attack during the time the international conference is held. Concurrently, we release the Ibinom stationed in various countries. And then, the annihilation of the Gifted, including the leaders.”
“Who’s going to deal with the Crimson Knight~? Amrutat would be suitable, but he probably wouldn’t even be able to buy time.”
“Regarding that point, after repeated discussions, it was decided to leave it to Founder-sama.”
“Ehh?! He’s our strongest asset! Wasn’t the plan to pit him against King, the Sun King, and the Overlord~?”
“It was decided while you were holed up in your laboratory. We will deal with King, the Sun King, and the Overlord.”
“Uhee~…”
Hearing Runazeru’s words, Asmodeus let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping.
King, the Sun King, and the Overlord were called the strongest in the world, and even for executives of the Ivera Church, a tough fight was certain.
Even if they took the new enhancement drugs developed by Asmodeus, their chances of victory wouldn’t change much.
That’s how extraordinarily powerful those three were.
Moreover, even if they were lucky enough to defeat King, the Sun King, and the Overlord, it would be meaningless if the Crimson Knight remained.
Shindo Makoto, the Founder of the Ivera Church, was set to face the Crimson Knight, but the outcome wouldn’t be known until they fought.
Because neither had shown the full extent of their abilities.
“By the way, where is Founder-sama~?”
“He is out. He said he would show up on the day of the operation.”
“He’s so free~.”
“It’s his first time in the outside world in a while, so he probably wants to see various things.”
“I get the reasoning, but he’s such a free spirit~.”
“Originally, this Ivera Church was built around Founder-sama, but he has no interest in it whatsoever.”
Just as Runazeru said, Shindo Makoto had only ever used his Snatch Gift to live as he pleased, and had no interest in the world.
Therefore, even when revered as the Founder of the Ivera Church, he didn’t understand it.
He only thought of them as a bunch of eccentrics who worshiped him of their own accord.
“Why was he caught in the first place, again?”
“Apparently, to kill time. Founder-sama has been alive for over a hundred years, after all.”
“And we don’t know how many Gifts he Snatched during that time, right?”
“That’s right. At least more than can be counted on both hands.”
Currently, the only Gift that Makoto was known to have Snatched was Immortality.
All others were completely unknown, and the government had no data on them.
After all, although he was in prison, he wasn’t actually restrained.
It was more like he was living in the prison cell voluntarily, so the government couldn’t interfere.
“I owe the Crimson Knight, so I wanted to be the one to do it.”
“I told you. You have an important role. Besides, you know you can’t beat the Crimson Knight, don’t you?”
“That’s right~. Even with the prosthetic arm I made and the enhancement drugs, your chances of winning are practically zero, so just quietly work hard as the transporter~.”
“I’ll fucking kill you, bastard!”
Enraged by Asmodeus’s words, Azrael roared, veins popping on his forehead.
Asmodeus distanced himself from Azrael, saying his spit was flying and it was gross.
“Don’t shout anymore~. Your spit is flying, and it’s gross.”
“Alright! Step outside! I’m gonna beat the shit out of you!”
“Stop it, both of you. Don’t mess around before an important operation.”
“Okaay~.”
“Tch!”
“Honestly…”
Watching Asmodeus with his ditzy reply and Azrael who couldn’t hide his irritation, Runazeru sighed like a tired middle manager.
Azrael, the cornerstone of the operation, and Asmodeus, the brains of the organization.
Since both were indispensable figures, Runazeru seemed to have a hard time.
“By the way, where has Amrutat gone~?”
“He’s conducting covert operations in various places. He’s proliferating, after all. He’s lurking all over the world.”
“But Amrutat really works hard, doesn’t he~?”
“Indeed. Espionage, recruiting believers, fundraising… he works almost too much.”
“He has Proliferation, so he never runs short of manpower.”
“That really is an incredible Gift.”
“Even Founder-sama wanted it, you know~.”
“He has already Snatched it.”
“”Huh?””
The two reacted identically upon being told by Runazeru that Amrutat’s Proliferation Gift had already been Snatched.
The two stared back at Runazeru with expressions of utter disbelief.
“It’s true. Founder-sama Snatched Proliferation from one of Amrutat’s bodies. That individual lost Proliferation, but the other bodies did not.”
“Whoa, whoa, that’s ruthless…”
“Hey, isn’t Founder-sama perhaps the strongest? Just Immortality and Proliferation alone are insane enough…”
“Well, that’s right. Since it’s the same Proliferation as Amrutat’s, identical bodies will increase, and their Gifts will remain intact. No matter how many Gifts the Crimson Knight possesses, he probably can’t win against Founder-sama.”
“Uwah~. It’s a genuine monster battle royale…”
Asmodeus was taken aback, but his expression relaxed with the anticipation of witnessing an amusingly absurd spectacle.
“Yes. With this, our worries are gone. Founder-sama will surely defeat the Crimson Knight.”
The plan had already entered its final stage.
All that remained was to attack during the international conference and expose the pathetic figures of the Crimson Knight, King, the Overlord, and the Sun King to a worldwide internet broadcast.
Convinced of their victory, Runazeru and the others laughed gleefully.