The baton rolled to Inari’s feet. Without sparing even a glance at Kurabayashi, Inari fixed her gaze upon the two n. Most of the others in the room were already collapsing into unconsciousness. That these two remained awake felt like nothing more than Inari’s deliberate choice.
“W-w-what the hell are you!?”
“To pull this stunt out of nowhere…! Have you no sense of decency!?”
“Ho-ho-ho. Compared to waving about such a stick, I should say this is rather temperate.”
Inari tapped the baton lightly with her toe. Yet the two n ignored it entirely. Though cowed by her overwhelming presence, though shivering under that strange pressure, their pride as “those destined to rule” seed to hold them upright. Or perhaps… sothing else.
“First, let confirm. The two candidates spoken of—those are you, aye?”
“Y-you… Think you’ll get away with this!?”
“That’s right! This is outrageous! Will the Association allow such interference!?”
“Who told thee to spew such drivel?”
Yes. This was divine power. And Inari was simply angry. So angry that her magic leaked from her body, manifesting as an oppressive aura that reacted to hostility, driving people into unconsciousness.
The only reason the two n remained awake was likely because Inari judged they still needed to “speak.”
“Now, mark well. I stand here as the backer of Eru. And plainly, you two lack the qualities to lead. To leave you be would bring nothing but misery to all around you.”
“Shut up! You laid hands on us—you’re finished!”
“We’ll lodge a formal protest and sue! You’ll rot in prison, mark my words!”
“Mm?”
Inari turned toward Yasuno. She sighed, then gave the n a look of weary disbelief.
“The Association stands fully on Miss Kogami’s side, you know. Honestly, maybe you’ve been too wrapped up in business to notice, but… do you even understand how awakener society works?”
“Hah?”
“The Awakener Basic Treaty exists. National law cannot touch awakeners. Their issues are handled by awakeners themselves. And in this case, the Association is backing Miss Kogami.”
At that, the two n gaped.
But to Inari—even to any awakener who had truly lived as such—it was only obvious. After all, when she had crushed Black Blade, not a single person had been “arrested.” The Basic Treaty ant exactly that: the state could not interfere with, nor bind, the affairs of the awakener.
In practice, the Japanese awakener were governed only by the Japan Headquarters of the Awakener Association. The Japanese governnt had no rights to intervene.
Any awakener with real experience would at least sense this. Any who worked earnestly would understand it. But these two—awakener in na only, living no differently than ordinary people—did not.
Even considering why thug clans like those ran rampant should have made the truth obvious. Yet they had failed to grasp it.
“Well then. That ans the so-called succession dispute shall drag on a while longer. Do take care.”
As soon as Inari said it, the pressure she had held back slamd into the two. In an instant, they fainted.
Seeing this, Inari gave a satisfied nod and turned.
“Well, that settles it. Shall we return?”
“Is… is this really alright?”
“I an—yes, I wanted to hit them too, but this turned into sothing far bigger than I imagined…”
“Was it not already big?”
“Well, yes, I was prepared but still…”
Turning on her heel, Inari ushered Yasuno and Eru out. Before closing the door, she cast one last glance at a corner of the room—though nothing visible was there—then shut it firmly.
No one stopped them as they exited the headquarters building and boarded the car. Both Yasuno and Eru collapsed into their seats with exhausted sighs.
“Fhhhaaaaaaah…”
“S-so tired…”
“My, my. re weariness of the spirit?”
“I couldn’t relax, thinking so thug clan might attack at any mont…”
“ too…”
Inari nodded.
“There were a fair few skulking about, indeed.”
“Eh!? There were!?”
“Aye. Hidden well, like shinobi perhaps. Yet since they made no move, I left them be.”
“I didn’t notice at all…”
It might have been a skill like one the maids had once used. But to Inari, they were plainly visible. Since they bore no hostility, she ignored them.
“Ehh…? But I don’t recall those clans having that many ninja-types… Don’t tell —the Superhuman League!?”
“They didn’t seem that strong.”
“Ugh, Miss Kogami’s standards can’t be trusted…”
“Now that’s unkind.”
It was a matter for reporting, Yasuno thought. But there were many more to consider—like the utter foolishness of the two candidates. If either inherited Echigo, it would not last. And frankly, even if Eru did, the fallout from the feud would not leave a bright future.
“Ahhh… What’s going to happen? No matter what, Echigo Trading Company is finished…”
Yasuno sank into gloom, already imagining another full eting of her superiors when she filed her report.
Outside, however, the sky was bright and perfectly clear.
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