Chapter 276 - Mission
(1)
Beep, beep, beep…….
The alarm went off.
I shut it off for now.
I check the time.
It's 22:00.
Who the hell set this for this hour?
I try to go back to sleep.
Whap.
"Time to get up~"
So it was Airi's doing.
You want me to keep you company tonight too, huh?
Fine, I'll keep you company as much as you want.
I pull Airi close.
"Kyaa! Wait, we can't, we don't have time~"
We have plenty of time, right?
I unhook Airi's bra and flip up her shirt.
"Ah... come on, I mean it!"
Smack smack.
"Wake up already! Did you forget!? We're going soon!"
"Going where?"
"That's what I'm saying! To Nidhogg's headquarters!!"
Oh, right.
I took a nap earlier because I was worried, "If the Commander's judgment gets dull, that'll be a problem."
"I remember now."
"Let's continue this after the operation is a success, okay? ♪"
"Airi, that's..."
"You want to say it's a death flag, right? That stuff doesn't apply to Toya-kun anyway~"
Airi was wearing newly bought camouflage cargo pants, a black T-shirt, and a lightweight camouflage hoodie.
I was in my usual clothes.
Once we were ready, we left the room and said to my parents, who were watching TV in the living room, "Well, I'm off."
"Right, take care. Give my regards to Tosaka-san."
For the scale of the operation we were about to undertake, their reaction was frighteningly normal, but I can't really talk.
I put Airi in the car and headed for the target mountain.
Nidhogg's base is officially a recycling factory. Internally, it's a base of operations for an armed organization.
Everyone parked their cars at a nearby park and gathered.
There are a lot of black vans parked there.
Well, that's only natural,
since they brought eight 4-man squads. Plus cars with equipment.
The squads take Haruto and Shinjo-san and go around the back of the factory.
Our group takes position on a cliff overlooking the factory and checks the enemy's situation with night vision scopes.
Makoto and Alpha Squad set up the communication equipment.
"This is Alpha 1. Beginning data link with all squads."
The leisurely soaring Predator sends its data to Makoto's laptop, along with information from the biometric sensors and thermal sensors attached to every soldier. Everything is covered.
It's also linked to the tablet held by each squad leader.
23:50.
Everyone starts synchronizing their watches.
Clocks synchronized, Ishihara-kun takes a prone position with a large rifle.
"Nozomi, how is it?"
"Visibility is good. Cover is clear."
"Bravo Team in position."
"Charlie Team in position."
"Delta Team in position."
This time, the teams go from Alpha to Hotel.
Alpha is for command, control, and scouting. Bravo, Charlie, and Delta are the strike forces. Echo through Hotel are on escort duty.
"Alpha 3, commence operations at 23:50."
The operation has begun.
A long night is starting.
(2)
"Look, it's a bother having you show up at this hour, you know."
I was arguing with the security guard.
"We've got a search warrant coming through tomorrow. We're ready to move in as soon as the date changes..."
"Then please come tomorrow morning. We'll be in trouble if there's no one in charge!"
"Hmm, very well... But I will be checking the people coming and going."
"I can't imagine anyone will be coming or going at this hour. This is just a recycling factory."
"...I'll do as I please."
With that, I left the spot.
"Superintendent! Is this okay!? We finally got that warrant!"
"It's fine, but stand by ready to enter at any time. But don't move until I give the order."
"...Is there something you know about?"
The young detective kept pressing.
I was this reckless too when I was young.
When did I get such a laid-back personality?
Even so, I usually deal with militaristic organizations and crime syndicates.
But this time, the opponent is a gang. The lives of my subordinates come first.
I can't let a young detective with a future die in the line of duty.
I check the clock.
Is it about time?
"Get to your post as planned. Act according to plan no matter what happens."
"What's going to happen?"
"You'll see."
The young detective reluctantly complies.
Can't blame him.
I can't exactly explain what's about to happen.
Once I confirmed my subordinate was gone, I spoke quietly into my headset.
"This is Alpha 3. In position as planned."
"This is Alpha 1. Roger."
"Good work, Papa-san~"
"Be careful. It's not safe there either."
"Got it~"
Strange how calm I feel, even though my precious daughter is in such danger.
Katagiri Toya.
My old partner's son.
He grew up to be a good kid. And he's my daughter's favorite, to boot.
There's nothing that makes me happier.
As I was lost in thought. An explosion sounded.
The scene was thrown into chaos.
"Let's move in!"
"No, it's still dangerous. We move in once it settles. Until then, just monitor the comings and goings!"
"This was part of the 'plan' too, wasn't it?"
I nodded without a word.
A detective taking command at his post.
Mighty.
They are just as mighty, I suppose...
I watched as vehicle after vehicle exploded.
(3)
The clock struck 0:00, and explosions rang out.
Lurking in the bushes, I watch as the enemy soldiers rush one after another towards the source of the commotion.
The explosions continued several more times.
Charlie's leader looks at his watch.
"It's time. Begin operations."
With that, a soldier cuts through the chain-link fence.
Once a hole big enough for one person is made, they infiltrate through it.
"Then each member, begin your tasks. Make sure to be back by 0:40."
When the leader says that, everyone disperses.
"This way."
Charlie 3 guides us.
"Follow me, Haruto-kun."
Shinjo-san follows next.
I bring up the rear.
Once we reach the door, Charlie 3 sends directions to Alpha 1.
"This is Charlie 3. Arrived at Point A."
"Roger, wait 3 seconds."
As soon as the reply comes back, the security light changes from red to green in 3 seconds.
We infiltrate the factory.
Following Shinjo-san's directions, I paste something onto the wall.
Then, we arrive at the server room in question.
There are two guards.
Shinjo-san and Charlie 3 take them out, respectively.
"Requesting server room security override."
"Roger."
Just like before, the lock was disengaged in 3 seconds.
"I'll go in first."
As Charlie 3 enters, a faint pish-pish sound echoes.
"Server room clear. You can come in."
"Server room clear, roger. Haruto, the thing."
I plugged the device Makoto-senpai asked for into the USB port of a PC.
"Good work. Now complete your mission and come back."
"Roger, sir."
After attaching the clay-like substance to about twenty locations, soldiers were waiting for us at the exit.
We quickly hid in the shadows.
"When I go out, head for the exit in 10 seconds. 3, 2, 1... Engage!"
Charlie 3 leaped out and mercilessly aimed for the enemy's arms and legs.
The assault rifle the soldier held fired three-round bursts.
He accurately shot through the parts of the targets.
Following that, Shinjo-san charged in and struck a soldier's medulla oblongata with a knife-hand strike.
We escaped through the exit. We met up with the other teams.
"We've got 10 minutes! Hurry up and withdraw!"
Everyone quickly left the scene.
The dismantling isn't done yet, is it? What did we even come here for?
I desperately climb the cliff.
When I got back to camp, Haruna had prepared towels and drinks, saying "Good work."
"This is Alpha 1. Time's up. Anyone left behind?"
"Bravo Team, all present."
"Charlie, all present."
"Delta, same here."
"Roger. Execute as planned."
Alpha 1 looks at Makoto-senpai. Makoto-senpai gives a thumbs up.
"Then... detonate!"
Huh?
When he pressed the switch, the entire building was engulfed in an explosion and blew apart.
The blast wave reached us here on the cliff.
"So this was the dismantling?"
When I said that, Akira-senpai spoke up.
"That's right."
Akira-senpai grinned.
I was dumbfounded, staring at the factory engulfed in flames.
"What are you spacing out for? Withdraw!"
Spurred on by Shinjo-san's words, I hurriedly fled.
Our senpais are seriously badass!
(4)
"This is Alpha 3. In position as planned."
Airi's dad's voice comes through.
Akira-san looks at me.
I look at Makoto.
He gives me a sign that he's ready.
I give the order to Akira-san.
"Begin operation as planned."
Emi-san gives instructions to Ishihara-kun.
Ishihara-kun prepares.
0:00.
Right on time, Ishihara-kun's shot targets a packer truck.
It didn't matter where he aimed.
Once it hit the vehicle, the depleted uranium round... would be turned into a fine powder by the deformation energy, instantly combine with oxygen in the air, burn violently, and scatter around the surroundings.
Wait, is it okay to just casually fire depleted uranium rounds!?
When Ishihara-kun blew up several vehicles parked outside, enemy soldiers came out.
The operation enters the next phase.
Infiltration.
Exploiting the distraction at the front, we infiltrate from the back entrance.
Makoto hacks and disables the security at the back entrance.
"By the way, what was that thing you gave Haruto?"
I asked Makoto.
"The enemy system's location is physically isolated from the internet. Hacking isn't easy. So, it's part 2 of the Human Trojan Horse operation."
"What did you give Haruto?"
Shiratori-san seemed interested too.
"I guess you could call it a Wi-Fi router? Once attached to a PC, it automatically becomes a Wi-Fi hotspot, physically forcing a connection to the network."
While Makoto was explaining, it seemed Haruto had arrived at the server room.
Makoto disabled the security.
They suppress the interior, and Haruto immediately executes the mission.
"Alright! We're connected!"
Makoto immediately started working.
Time left is just over 20 minutes.
That seemed to be enough.
The team that finished setting up the plastic explosives comes back.
Once I confirm everyone has withdrawn, I look at Makoto.
"Capture complete."
When Makoto says that, he signals to Emi-san.
Emi-san presses the detonation switch.
Dust flew up spectacularly, and the blast wave reached us here.
There must have been gas cylinders and other things inside. A blaze of hellfire rises into the sky.
Confirming this, I give a signal.
Everyone moves to withdraw.
We also quickly get into the cars.
"Alpha 1 to Alpha 3, the mission has been accomplished."
"Alpha 3, roger. Commencing our mission now."
Our operation was a success.
(4)
"Alpha 1 to Alpha 3, the mission has been accomplished."
Upon receiving that report, I gave my men the signal to break in.
The date has changed, the warrant is in effect.
Plus this explosion, it's more than enough justification to raid.
"Equip bulletproof vests, handguns, and helmets! Get the ballistic shields! We're going in!"
Investigators force open the entrance and rush inside.
Of course, the fire department was also on standby.
Not just the packer trucks, but transport vehicles, bullets blown apart by the heat of the explosion...
Firearms are found in a heat-proof and explosion-proof room.
"You're under arrest on suspicion of violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law."
There were some injured, but everyone was arrested.
After about two hours, the fire was put out and on-site inspection was about to begin, but pressure came from above as expected and the processing was halted.
However, we were able to haul in the Nidhogg soldiers who were on the scene as they were caught red-handed.
All that's left is to investigate the identity of the person who applied the pressure.
"Are you going to leave the organization that set this up alone?"
The young detective pressed on.
"Orders from above. The investigation ends here."
"Did you, Superintendent, anticipate this?"
"I had a tip-off. That there would be an explosion today."
"Couldn't he be the culprit?"
"...By tomorrow morning, the official story will likely be 'accumulated combustion gas triggered a secondary explosion at the processing plant.' Someone probably smoked a cigarette nearby."
"But that explosion wasn't on that scale!"
"Rookie, if you want to get ahead, shut up and go with the flow. Unless you want to end up like me..."
"...I know what you were like in your youth, Superintendent. I want to expose the great evil and bring it to justice!"
"...I haven't changed. I will expose the great evil."
"Then!"
"Those above have their reasons. All we can do is figure out how to push the investigation forward under that pressure."
"...I understand."
The rookie detective turned on his heel and took command.
A rookie detective so full of passion is rare.
If that's the case, it's a detective like this that I want to protect.
I want to protect him from base pressure.
But guys like him are the ones who go too far.
Even if it's just to protect one promising young detective.
(5)
"A toast to the operation's success!"
Watanabe's squad was having an after-party at a family restaurant to celebrate the operation's success.
"Good work, Haruto."
"Thanks a ton. You guys are seriously wicked cool. I've only ever seen scenes like that in the movies."
Don't worry, it was my first time seeing it too.
The reality was too far removed from reality for my thoughts to catch up.
Although there are one or two exceptions.
"The MVPs this time are Haruto, Makoto, and Ishihara-kun!"
Watanabe-kun said that.
"By the way, Toya, why do you look so glum?"
Kanna asked.
"No, it's just... it went too smoothly, exactly as planned, which makes me think 'here it comes'..."
"If it went according to plan, what's the problem! Don't make such a sour face!"
"Yeah, Toya! Let's cut loose today. It's Unity's big victory."
The evidence suppression will definitely be secured by the police's involvement.
It's the Takahashi Group who would be troubled if the truth got out.
"Toya, is there still something bothering you?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"Well..."
"That's your bad habit, Toya! Bottling everything up. Since we're all here, just spill it."
"Wait, you knew too, Makoto? Don't tell me this is what you were talking about before?"
"Yeah..."
Kanna's question was answered by Makoto.
"Oh, stop dragging it out! Don't be so coy, just say it already!"
"Well, Toya-kun thinks we were set up."
Airi explained.
"We were careless. I completely forgot about the Egoist."
"Makoto, you got into the server's data, right? How was it?"
"Yeah, I'm analyzing it now, but like Toya said, there was no connection to the Egoist. But I might have stumbled upon an unexpected prize."
"Like Hermit's data?"
"Yeah, that's right... wait, how did you know!?"
"So I was right?"
Just like I had deduced, huh.
"That data can't be trusted either. If my deductions are correct."
"What do you mean?"
"It's a fake. The Hermit's true identity is..."
"...Wait, seriously?"
"If you think about the meaning of 'Hermit', that's the logical conclusion, right?"
"If you say so, it's probably true."
Watanabe-kun was surprised.
"Oh, by the way, all the Egoist's personal info was fake. But it's fine. I've captured everyone who accessed the server from the inside. I'll track them from there."
"Got it."
"But unfortunately, Warlock's data..."
"As long as we have Pope, it's fine."
"I've got Pope nailed down. The info was on the Takahashi Group's server."
I see... so Pope is part of the Takahashi Group. He must be an important figure, right?
If you think about the meaning of 'Pope', he's probably the highest authority in the Egoist.
Is that the only clue we have for now?
But the Hermit's true identity.
That's what was really bothering me.
The Takahashi Group and the Hermit. They probably have an inseparable relationship.
"It's no use brooding over it, Toya! Let's all just have a good time today. We destroyed Nidhogg! Isn't that enough!"
"...Yeah, you're right."
"Here, Toya-kun. I'll drive us home, so have a drink."
Airi poured cold sake into an ochoko.
I downed it in one gulp.
"It's late, so let's keep the snacks light and be moderate, okay?"
"Got it."
"Excuse me! Fried potatoes, deep-fried cartilage, and..."
Watanabe-kun starts ordering appetizers.
For now, today's operation was a success.
But for now, let's just soak in the sweet taste of victory.
That's what I thought.
(6)
"The Great Serpent performed its role well. It bought us plenty of time. Thanks to that, the rebirth seems like it'll finish safely."
"Yeah."
However, we lost our main force.
Won't this affect our future activities?
"It'll be fine. 'Our soldiers' are trained too. By the Eight-Headed Dragon."
"I hope so."
We were watching a late show.
"Is there something you're not happy with?"
"Using the main body's strike force as decoys to strengthen the terminal strike force?"
"I told you, I always cut away all the stains."
Wait, you don't mean...
"They would have noticed Nidhogg's existence sooner or later. So it's better to play out our hand early and discard it. As expected, they got obsessed with the connection to the Egoist, successfully averting their eyes from us, didn't they?"
I guess that's true.
"That was quite a high price."
"It's a cheap price. This much. If it's for the sake of achieving our true goal."
"Hermit is suspicious."
"We can just let him retire. He won't come to the surface."
"But there's nothing more troublesome than someone pulling strings in the shadows."
"It's fine. On the surface, we're just accessories to the main body."
"Yeah, you're right."
We are accessories. When no longer needed, we'll be mercilessly cut off.
"Don't worry, I won't let you die a martyr's death like a god."
"I'll trust those words."
"Thank you. Well, I suppose I should get back to my real duties."
"Resuming activities?"
"Along with that, the work I really should have started: destroying Unity."
"Do you have a plan?"
The hostage card won't work.
"The reason we lost was carelessness. So wouldn't the opposite hold true too?"
"Yeah."
"Normally, the best method is to leave it alone. The one who makes the first move loses."
Unless you have a significant advantage, going second is better. Right now, they have the advantage.
"If my plan works, they will absolutely never reach the Egoist."
And yet, you're going to make a move?
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"It'd piss me off to just take it lying down. To take it lying down from a bunch of hobbyists."
"Do you have the cards together?"
"Yeah, I bought enough time. It's our turn to counterattack."
The movie ended.
A cliché success story.
But a movie with a beautiful soundtrack.
"Well, shall we get going soon?"
We leave the theater.
"Alright, I'll contact you again in a week."
He said that and walked off.
I make a call on my phone.
"What's up?"
"Have every newspaper run the Nidhogg's destruction story. Make it as flashy as possible."
"Understood."
What I can do, defend the Egoist.
For that, I'll use anything.
Even Grandpa.
(7)
"Good morning, Toya-kun. It's morning~"
"Oh, yeah. Morning, Airi."
I wake up to Airi's voice in the morning.
Last night's abnormality fades back into everyday life with just her voice.
"Let's go for a jog soon? It's sunny again today."
"Yeah, let's go soon."
I go for a jog with Airi, take a shower, and have breakfast.
Father is watching the news from the morning.
Every news channel was talking about the explosion at the local recycling facility.
Can't really blame them.
We did it pretty spectacularly.
But all the news channels stopped at just investigating the cause of the explosion.
I thought they wouldn't talk about Nidhogg or the Takahashi Group behind it, but —
"Toya, look at this article."
Father handed me the newspaper.
Local Gang Destroyed.
It was written in big letters in the headline.
I read the article.
The content was vastly different from what Airi's dad had explained to us.
It said the cause of the explosion was a clash with a rival group.
There's nothing about Unity.
Lies are mixed in too.
The schemer has woven a complex, tangled story laced with deliberate lies.
This isn't a police statement.
It's an illusion created by the Takahashi Group.
Why did they leak the information?
They should be able to cover up the information.
That was within our expectations.
They're advertising the existence of an organization that opposed Nidhogg.
Is the goal to tarnish Unity's image?
After breakfast, I get ready and go back to my room to think alone.
Even if they suppress it, the cards are in our hands.
Is Warlock's aim to nullify our cards?
On the contrary, they've turned them into cards in their own hand.
It looks like a threat that says 'We can turn the police's attention to Unity anytime we want'.
Are they planning to negotiate again soon?
"Toya-kun, what's wrong?"
Airi came back.
"It's nothing. Airi, you better get changed soon too."
"Huh?"
Huh?
Did I say something wrong?
"Mmmph. Usually, you'd hug me."
"Oh, sorry."
"You were thinking again, weren't you? About what Toya-kun's dad said."
She sees right through me.
"Yeah, it's so eerily simple it's almost creepy."
"It's the Egoist's doing anyway, isn't it? They just want to make it look like Unity and Nidhogg were fighting each other so they can claim to be uninvolved."
Airi's reasoning is probably spot on.
Makoto said yesterday that there wasn't a single thing connecting the Egoist and Nidhogg.
But the connection between Nidhogg and the Takahashi Group was definitely there.
If that were made public, wouldn't the Egoist naturally come to light too?
Do they intend to cut even that connection?
There's no connection between Emperor and the Takahashi Group.
The connection is probably with Pope.
I don't know what the relationship is, though.
"Toya-kun, quick, look at this news!"
Airi is making a fuss. I look at the TV. I'm lost for words.
"Takahashi Kenshin collapses from illness."
Is this what the Takahashi Group wanted to hide?
No, it's different!?
My intuition was screaming that.
But this could be a clue.
I had a feeling.
I pat Airi's head, who is looking at me with concern.
The thing that connects the Takahashi Group, the Egoist, and Nidhogg... it's surely...