Rising Rays of the New Century: Tale of the Japanese Empire

The End of the Golden Banquet and a New Threat

Hotel E Bellissimo Notte Lobby

The police quickly arrived as the call came from the hotel where the Miniter of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was holding a meeting. Then, using an android with a shield, the police force rushed into the top floor. While the other guests looked on uneasily, the men in black were apprehended one after the other for violating the Firearms Control Law.

Kondo, the mastermind behind the kidnapping, is then brought in on suspicion of kidnapping. The involvement of Minister Sakuma was undone, and his testimony exposed the fact that kidnapping was involved in this case. The victim, Hagane, is taken into custody and accompanied to the police station for questioning. In addition, Yadoya and Koba, who was revealed to have fought as well through the surveillance camera footage, had to accompany her as witnesses.

"Seriously... what a disturbing bunch..."

One of the guests attending the meeting sighed loudly when he saw the men in black being taken out. In another place, Teru and Yoshihisa, the callers, were talking with police officers.

"........."

Yadoya was admiring Teru dressed in a party dress. Ryuji, a young Ryūjin male, spoke to him.

"...Hi, you must be Kanata Yadoya, the president of the Astronomy Club, right?"

"Y-yes! Err..."

The young man, who had been spoken to out of nowhere, replied with trepidation. Then he calmed himself down and eyed Ryuji's towering stature once again.

'So this man... is he the 'Ryūjin-sama' that Kadoma-san was talking about?'

Combined with his attire, he looked like a very mature young man to Yadoya.

"I've heard about you from Teru that you're very kind to her. I didn't expect to see you here. I am Ryuji Hasena, it's a pleasure to meet you," Ryuji said.

Yadoya returned the right hand he offered.

"...Likewise, my name is Kanata Yadoya, a first-year student at Yokohama Hisui Gakuen High School. It's an honor to meet you," he replied, "I've heard about you from Kadoma-san from time to time... uh..."

"I belong to the Ryūjin demi-humans. I am not related to Teru by blood, but she is an important family member to me... Therefore, please continue to get along."

"O-of course...!"

Yadoya replied firmly. The two were also called by the police officer who had heard the story from Teru and Yoshihisa, and walked toward where they were.

Meanwhile, Hagane, taken into custody by the police, was sitting on a bench outside the hotel. In front of her stood Koba, waiting for a police car. Hagane took a sip of tea given to her by the police officer and spoke weakly, a complete change from the time of the fight.

"I thought gold (I) could make people happy. But because of gold (me), people are trapped, suffering, angry, torn apart, and despairing..."

"........."

The power to create gold... for Hagane, this was the power that would allow her family to live happily, and even the people around her to be happy. However, her grandmother forbade her to use this power in public. She did not understand why. But now, Hagane was painfully reminded of the reason. The power of Midas was a terrifying possibility that could bring any person or organization to its knees and even make people's hearts go crazy in this world.

"Is gold (I) nothing but an existence that brings misfortune to people? Is gold (I) necessary in this world...?"

Hagane felt terrible about her existence. Koba replied gently to her uneasiness.