"Satomi, I have a job for you."
In the office, Kisara pulled Rentaro to sit opposite her. He was about to act casually, but seeing her serious expression, he restrained himself.
"Boss, what kind of mission is so serious?"
After mastering his "divine skill," ordinary Gastrea were no longer a match for him. Rentaro believed he could easily handle anything below a Rank Four Gastrea, even without Enju's support. So, he didn't know what mission could make Kisara's face change color like this.
"It's a bodyguard mission."
"Bodyguard? I'm not really familiar with that, but it doesn't need to be so serious, right?"
"Don't be hasty. His Excellency Seitenshi personally requested you, and she is the target you will be protecting."
Rentaro's expression changed as well.
Given Seitenshi's position, if she had to hire Civil Security for something, it was absolutely, extremely troublesome.
The previous mission to capture Kagetane killed almost all of Tokyo's high-ranking Civil Security agents. If Rentaro hadn't defeated Kagetane at the last moment, utter destruction would have been the unavoidable outcome.
Thus, it could be said that while Seitenshi's rewards were generous, they were never easy to earn.
"What is the mission content?"
"I didn't see it mentioned; it seems to be classified. Seitenshi only said that if you agree, come to the Holy Residence tomorrow."
"Alright then, please contact Seitenshi for me. I accept. But remember to tell Seitenshi to let someone with this appearance in."
"Because I'll be dressing a bit differently..."
The next day.
In front of the Holy Residence, a person completely covered appeared.
It was Rentaro, wearing the full-body super-heavy suit underneath, and then a decent-looking suit on the outside. This completely concealed his identity.
Security personnel looked at Rentaro with apprehension; if Seitenshi hadn't given instructions beforehand, they would probably have opened fire.
After all, the last person who appeared "masked" caused a catastrophe, making those who knew about it shudder.
Rentaro ignored the strange looks being pressed upon him. He calmly followed the staff's guidance deep into the Holy Residence, arriving before Seitenshi.
She sat at a table near a window, her gaze directed far outside. Only when she heard footsteps behind her did she gently turn her head.
"A good day, Satomi-kun."
"A good day, Your Excellency Seitenshi. Please forgive me for my discourtesy last time."
"It's alright. There's no need to be so formal between us."
Knowing there was no third person in the room, Rentaro also took off his hood.
Seeing this, Seitenshi covered her mouth and chuckled, as if she had just seen something very interesting.
"You have changed a lot, Satomi-kun."
The first time they met, Rentaro was too depressed and impulsive. But now, Seitenshi saw a composure that came with time, making her wonder how such a transformation could occur in such a short period.
Looking into Rentaro's deep blue, ocean-like eyes, Seitenshi suddenly felt captivated. She blurted out.
"Has anyone ever told you that your eyes are very beautiful?"
"Your Excellency?"
"It's nothing..."
Seitenshi shook her head.
"Why are you wearing a mask?"
"You should know, shouldn't you?"
Rentaro sighed.
He had been branded halfway as "a person of the Silver King's Area." If Rentaro associated closely with the leader of Tokyo, wouldn't that be equivalent to saying Tokyo was allied with the Area?
If they truly allied, it wouldn't matter, but the key was that the Silver King fundamentally did not react to Tokyo. If this news spread, Tokyo would be isolated, without allies, and targeted in all sorts of ways.
Politics and combat often happen without bullets, but many people still die.
Seitenshi was surprised, not expecting Rentaro to consider things so carefully; he was indeed very different from her previous impression.
Now, there were many more things she could discuss.
"The representative of the Osaka Area has invited me and three other representatives to his area the day after tomorrow."
"Saitake Sogen, huh... what is his goal?"
"To redistribute the varanium supply."
Rentaro frowned. Everyone knew the importance of varanium, so no one wanted to give up even a little bit.
"Rentaro, what kind of person do you think Saitake Sogen is?"
"I don't recall clearly, but the old man once took me to meet him. An arrogant and radical individual, and also quite... contemptuous of women."
Rentaro pondered for a moment before answering, based on his faint impression from memory.
Previously, the old man Kikunojou often took him to parties and gatherings of the elite so Rentaro could become familiar with them.
Among them, Saitake Sogen left absolutely the deepest impression, even if it wasn't a good one. He didn't even bother to pretend to be a gentleman like others; his flaws were completely exposed.
Unsurprisingly, Seitenshi had similar experiences. Being female and sitting on equal footing with Saitake Sogen, it would be strange if he wasn't annoyed with her. Sarcasm and slander could only be considered minor tactics.
"Although I don't know why he proposed redistributing the varanium supply, the closest reason I can think of is that Osaka is going bankrupt."
"Bankrupt?"
"Yes."
Seitenshi paused, then continued to explain.
"The Osaka Area is almost completely militarized. Therefore, it consumes almost all its resources to maintain the operation of a massive war machine. Saitake is an ambitious man, but I didn't think he would actually go this far."
"Thus, unlike Tokyo, paper money there has no real value. The currency there is varanium, which never depreciates. So to pay for most military operations, Osaka's varanium reserves must be reaching the bottom."
"Therefore, he urgently proposed redistributing the varanium supply. To put it bluntly, he wants to steal from us."
That was also the reason Seitenshi decided she had to go, even though she knew a fire pit lay ahead. Because she was afraid Saitake would seize this opportunity to launch a war over varanium.
Even so, Seitenshi still felt uneasy, as if her danger sensing function was trying to warn her.
"Satomi-kun, although I was the one who hired you, the danger level of this trip is unclear. It's okay if you refuse..."
"Your Excellency Seitenshi, I will not withdraw."
Rentaro looked resolutely at the person with the highest status in all of Tokyo.
"Tokyo needs you, Seitenshi."
"And no matter what jumps out, just leave it to me."
Startled by his serious demeanor, Seitenshi was stunned, then smiled.
"Alright, I'm counting on you."
"But I have one question. Didn't you already have a security detail? Why hire an external bodyguard?"
"That... is very complicated. Let me take you to see."
Thinking of something, Seitenshi sighed gloomily. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, turning her head to ask Rentaro.
"But if you are concealing your identity, what should I call you now, Satomi Rentaro?"
"...In that case... Seitenshi can call me Black Face."