Because Calibur insisted on delivering his speech outdoors, Shinobi had no choice but to erect a makeshift stage in the empty field at record speed. Several heroes reshaped the terrain itself, raising the ground to form a platform.
Aside from the extra time required to drag the spotlights, podium, microphones, and speakers from the auditorium to the field, everything else proceeded smoothly. Even enduring Calibur's arrogance was manageable—so long as it kept him pleased.
Titan was the only one openly opposed to the plan. In truth, he prayed Allen would simply crush Calibur. Just imagining Allen calling down the same meteor he had used to kill Gigax Leo relieved half the stress of having to endure Calibur's presence.
Titan was currently being treated by several doctors, with Shinobi standing beside him. His right arm lay stretched out on a rectangular table while the physicians forcibly broke what bones remained and extracted the fragments. The metal surface grew slick with blood.
"With his regeneration rate," one doctor said, "the bones will grow back within a day—perhaps less. Until then, he must avoid strain of any kind, and avoid Calibur as much as possible."
The statement was not addressed to Titan—he was sedated to the point his eyelids drooped and his head swayed weakly—but to Shinobi.
"Understood. Let us hope this does not happen again," Shinobi replied with calm courtesy. His formal tone was for the sake of the surrounding personnel. The doctor—and several members of his team—were undercover operatives of Crimson Shadow's villain guild. In private, their conversations were far more natural.
"It is also critical that he not use his right arm. Without any bones inside, its strength is comparable to that of a newborn."
"How is he?"
Before Shinobi could respond, Allen appeared outside the ambulance. Shinobi immediately noticed the way Allen gripped the staff's handle—his knuckles pale, veins pronounced.
"He is fine. He only needs rest. Why do you think we call him Titan? His regeneration is extraordinary, and his strength is on a different—"
Shinobi stopped himself. He refused to say anything that implied Calibur stood above Titan.
"I see."
Allen exhaled heavily and walked away. Shinobi watched his retreating back with a sinking heart. In his eyes, Allen was a ticking bomb—and he had no idea when it would explode.
---
Titan now stood with his right arm in a sling. He, Shinobi, and everyone else watched the earthen stage—and the man standing proudly at its center.
When Calibur saw the gathered crowd, he smiled. A sharp glimmer flashed in his eyes. Had Shinobi, Titan, Crimson Shadow—or Allen—noticed it, they would have immediately understood that his intentions were far from benevolent.
"Well then. Greetings to all present."
Applause and whistles erupted, inflating his already bloated ego. Titan and Shinobi did not clap; their concern rested on someone still absent.
"As many of you know, I am Calibur—S-rank hero and presidential candidate of the Heroic Federation. I am here for a simple reason: to ask for your support in the upcoming vote."
He paused, contemplating his next words. Slowly, the gentle smile twisted.
"But… on the other hand… City F is a lower-tier region. Its heroes are disappointing. The monsters near it hardly warrant study. And the city's income is laughably low."
His grin stretched unnaturally as his eyes grew wild.
"The only noteworthy event this city has ever produced was the emergence of Gigax Leo. And we could not even continue the experiment because of the meteor that struck hi—no, her. Not that it matters. The dead do not speak."
Titan and Shinobi felt the world freeze around them. The crowd murmured, disbelief spreading like frost.
"Do not worry," Calibur continued lightly. "Nothing troublesome will happen. We have simply decided that this city is not worth maintaining. I have been assigned to erase it entirely—down to its foundations. Heroes, villains, civilians… no exceptions."
With that, Calibur snapped his fingers.
A massive iron wall surged up on the horizon, encircling the entire city. Panic erupted instantly. People scattered in every direction, screaming.
Shinobi, Titan, and the remaining heroes surrounded the stage. Calibur stood above them, smiling.
"Should I classify this as a rebellion?"
At that moment, a pillar of flame erupted in the distance. Calibur grinned.
"Level 1.5… his evolution is extraordinary."
With a casual wave, the air around Calibur turned violet. A faint breeze drifted outward—but that breeze sliced through every hero's reinforced suit with surgical precision. The sensation reminded Shinobi of Allen's wind.
Shinobi managed to remain standing, but Titan—already wounded—began bleeding heavily. Crimson pooled beneath them as hero after hero collapsed from massive blood loss.
The pillar of flame vanished. A figure stepped out of it.
Calibur's smile sharpened.
The figure passed beside Shinobi, boots splashing in blood. His suit was red. An axe rested in his right hand.
"I believe I need not explain what I think of you, Calibur."
"I would love to hear your thoughts, Allen."
Calibur answered instantly, unable to restrain his excitement. He wanted—craved—to measure the strength Allen had gained since defeating Gigax Leo.
"In my humble opinion," Allen said, "a hero should be the very embodiment of a knight. And according to the values of a knight, one must never threaten the weak, Calibur."
Calibur froze—then burst into uncontrollable laughter. When it finally subsided, he pointed at Allen.
"And who are you to tell me what I may or may not do? You are nothing but an overgrown child. At your age—and still a virgin—with those lovely marks on your wrists? I would hardly call that knighthood. More like a delusional fool clinging to fairy tales."
His tone was dripping with venomous mockery.
And he achieved exactly what he wanted.
Allen did not lash out. He stood tall.
But his grip on the axe tightened.
And his eyes began to glow.