As expected, early the next morning, every Civil Security company in the city received a summons from the Tokyo Area governnt.
Although Tendo Civil Security Corporation was only a small company with three mbers, it still received an invitation to the operation eting.
"Rather than an invitation, this feels more like a conscription order."
Drake walked behind Kisara with one hand in his pocket and the other holding Enju's hand.
"By the way, is it really all right to attend this kind of eting in a school uniform?"
"You don't understand."
The company president spoke without even turning her head.
"Miwa Academy is a prestigious school that even the Seitenshi attends."
"This uniform doesn't lose out to expensive formalwear. Besides, we're not attending an evening banquet, so there's no need for an evening dress."
Kisara was right. Judging by the serious expressions of the other people attending the eting around them, there would definitely be no segnt where anyone danced under a spotlight.
This was Drake's second ti coming to IISO headquarters in less than twenty-four hours.
The eting venue was the auditorium of the International Initiator Supervising Organization.
After all the seats were filled, a middle-aged man in military uniform walked onto the stage.
"The incident occurred suddenly. To ensure everyone understands why you have all been called here, I will first explain the trouble currently facing the Tokyo Area."
The military man pressed the remote in his hand, and a sowhat familiar image imdiately appeared on the projection screen behind him.
It was the scene deep inside the forbidden zone that had been fild during yesterday's breaking news broadcast.
Seeing the structure in the center of the image, which was more than ten stories tall, all the Civil Security officers present felt a chill rise up their backs.
Although they did not know what it ant, for humanity… it was absolutely not good news.
"For now, the expert team has temporarily nad it the Hive. I will also use that na to refer to the structure shown on-screen."
The military man's voice was as cold and steady as steel.
"According to warning information transmitted by drones, the Hive recently appeared suddenly in the forbidden zone, one hundred and twenty kiloters from the Tokyo Area."
"Centered around the Hive, a large number of Gastrea carrying wasp genes have gathered. Their estimated evolutionary stages range from Stage I to Stage II. No powerful individual units have been discovered for the ti being."
"These wasps will attack all threatening units that approach. Not only military drones, but even other Gastrea in the forbidden zone are their enemies."
The image changed, and the projection screen showed wasps fighting other Gastrea.
The wasps, possessing the advantage of flight, won almost overwhelmingly.
"If anyone has questions, you may raise them now."
As soon as he finished speaking, a wave of ssy whispers broke out across the auditorium.
Drake did not raise his hand.
After all, he knew the true origin of that thing.
"Excuse …"
After a while, soone finally pressed the speech button.
Once their request was approved, they asked, "Looking at it this way, the Hive's appearance doesn't seem to pose any danger to the Tokyo Area. It's located within a safe range, one hundred and twenty kiloters away, and it shows no rcy to Gastrea either."
"It seems like there's no need for us to make such a big deal out of subjugating it."
This question was also the doubt shared by the other Civil Security officers.
Perhaps having expected this question, the military man calmly switched the screen.
This ti, it was not an actual photograph, but a map.
"You are correct. For now, the Hive does not pose a direct threat to the Tokyo Area. However…"
"Its sphere of influence is expanding at an extrely fast speed."
"If left alone, then in less than a month, a flying wasp army may appear outside the Monoliths!"
"Although their flight altitude is currently unable to cross the Monoliths, if Stage III or higher individuals are born among these wasps, the situation will beco extrely dangerous."
"Furthermore—"
As if delivering the final blow to everyone present, the military man pressed the remote with a grave expression.
The projection screen switched to the final image.
It was an extrely blurry photo, as if it had been transmitted at the last possible mont before the equipnt was destroyed.
Judging from the angle, it seed to be an overhead shot taken from above the Hive.
Unlike the previous photos, this image used thermal imaging.
Through the enormous outer shell of the Hive, the Civil Security officers saw a small figure inside it.
It looked like the chrysalis of so kind of insect, quietly sleeping and waiting for the mont it would break out of its cocoon.
No explanation was needed.
The instant they saw that "chrysalis," a heavy sense of crisis swept over everyone.
A Hive guarded by such a vast wasp army…
If the "chrysalis" inside successfully hatched…
It might grow into a Stage V Gastrea with world-destroying power, just like the Zodiac.
Previously, everyone had believed that one hundred and twenty kiloters was safe enough.
But now…
If a Stage V awakened near the Tokyo Area, a distance of one hundred and twenty kiloters would only give the humans in the city enough ti to finish writing their wills.
Perhaps sensing that the atmosphere had grown too heavy, the military man coughed lightly and broke the dead silence in the auditorium.
"The situation has not yet reached its worst point. This is all the intelligence we currently possess."
"What stage the unknown creature inside the Hive can grow to is still impossible to predict."
"That is precisely why the Tokyo Area needs your strength."
Finally, the purpose of calling every Civil Security company president in the city to IISO headquarters was revealed.
Although they had already expected this, after hearing that information, the Civil Security officers present felt differently.
"With all due respect, that is a high-risk area one hundred and twenty kiloters deep inside the forbidden zone."
Soone could not help applying to speak.
"Even the most dangerous commissions usually only involve activity within fifty kiloters of the forbidden zone."
"Leaving aside the threat from Gastrea, that distance alone ans the personnel carrying out the mission cannot receive effective resupply!"
It was clear this was an experienced Civil Security officer with considerable forbidden-zone exploration experience.
Faced with such a reasonable statent, the military man did not get angry. Instead, he nodded and said,
"You are correct. That is why, for this operation, we have specially invited Shiba Heavy Industries to serve as the support party for the joint operation."
"Shiba Heavy Industries has promised to establish outposts every ten kiloters from the Hive to ensure the safety and supply needs of the exploration personnel."
"In exchange… they also require everyone to bring back biological samples from the front line."
The mont those words ca out, the entire hall erupted.
If Shiba Heavy Industries was truly providing full support, then this was an entirely different matter.
As the largest military-industrial corporation in the Tokyo Area, the strength of Shiba Heavy Industries was beyond doubt.
Almost all the weapons and equipnt used by the Civil Security officers present had traces of Shiba Heavy Industries in them.
The Gastrea Virus inhibitors that Initiators, as Cursed Children, needed to inject regularly were also researched and produced by Shiba Heavy Industries.
It could be said that if Shiba Heavy Industries wished to maintain its own ard forces, it would absolutely be able to possess a private military not inferior to the army.
"Shiba Heavy Industries…"
Hearing that na, a certain young heiress with a terrible personality appeared in Drake's mind.
"With her style, she'll probably personally go to the front line to command."
"I wonder whether I'll et her there."
After bringing out the na of Shiba Heavy Industries, the Civil Security officers' resistance toward this operation dropped considerably.
The military man struck while the iron was hot and brought out even more attractive practical benefits.
"In addition, those who contribute during this operation will receive dual rewards from both the governnt and IISO."
"Those who make outstanding contributions will receive a significant increase to their IP Ranking, as well as cash rewards…"
Suddenly, the military man's expression changed.
He reached up and touched his earpiece, seemingly receiving so kind of instruction.
The others in the auditorium looked puzzled, but imdiately afterward, they saw the military man quickly compose himself and solemnly say, "Next, we invite Seitenshi to speak."
A sudden silence enveloped the entire venue.
The next second, as if everyone had reacted at once, the presidents of the Civil Security companies in the auditorium quickly stood and saluted the pure figure that appeared on the projection screen.
"You are the heroes who will protect this city. There is no need for excessive ceremony."
The girl, whose skin and hair were as white as snow, spoke softly.
Although she looked about the sa age as Kisara, she gave off a maturity and nobility far beyond her peers.
Drake had only ever sensed a similar aura from Riveria, who was elven royalty.
Of course, Riveria was a genuine long-lived race.
Seitenshi — ruler of the Tokyo Area.
Because the position was hereditary, "Seitenshi" was a title passed down through generations.
The Seitenshi before them was already the third generation.
After people gradually sat down again, the commotion in the auditorium finally settled.
However, the atmosphere in the venue beca even more serious… and uneasy.
For the ruler of the Tokyo Area to appear personally, this incident was probably even more serious than they had imagined.
'I didn't expect to see the Seitenshi at this point in ti.' Drake sighed inwardly.
'With this, the plot has been completely disrupted by a Terraria boss… Hm, not necessarily.'
'Things that have already been confird to happen will probably still continue to happen.'
'Whether it's the collapse of the Monolith, the Vineyard, or the Goshokai.'
'For now… I should deal with the Queen Bee first.'
After all, his World Quest also required him to kill a Queen Bee in the Black Bullet world.
Once he obtained the power of the Shadow Monarch, dealing with later matters would beco much more convenient.
Thinking this, Drake suddenly looked up at the pure and holy figure reflected on the screen, then pressed the button to request permission to speak.
Seitenshi's expression shifted slightly, and she turned her gaze toward his location.
"Mr. Drake of Tendo Civil Security Corporation… please speak."
"Lady Seitenshi."
Under everyone's gaze — especially the shocked gaze of Kisara — Drake spoke without hesitation.
"If I can resolve this crisis, would I be granted the qualification to et with you?"
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