For those living inside the Monolith, the walls, which were like an insurmountable chasm, restricted their living space but also provided them with security.
As long as they lived inside the Monolith, they didn't have to worry about Gastrea intrusion.
They also believed that even Stage Five could not break through the Monolith.
The Monolith's magnetic field not only suppressed the Gastrea's regenerative abilities but also emitted a magnetic field that they instinctively detested, preventing them from approaching.
So they scoffed at Takatsuki's words, merely thinking he was a madman with superb technology making wild claims.
But the high-ranking officials of the Tokyo Area did not think so.
Because they clearly knew that if Scorpio was determined to land, the Monolith would not be able to stop it.
It's like humans' aversion to excrement; they will avoid it, but they won't actually die from contact.
Scorpio only needed to cross the Monolith's blockade to invade deep into Tokyo.
"Don't panic! Since landing is inevitable, then kill it completely at the Monolith!"
Tendo Kikunojo made a judgment immediately and bowed to the Seitenshi, saying, "Seitenshi, immediately order all remaining Promoters and Initiators in Tokyo to gather at the Monolith to defend against Scorpio!"
Ordinary combinations could not harm Scorpio; the fleet at sea had already provided the answer with their lives.
The only chance was to use the Monolith's magnetic field, made of super-orichalcum, to suppress Scorpio's regeneration while killing it.
"But time-wise..."
Someone raised a question, but Tendo Kikunojo glared at him: "Then can you propose a better method?"
There was, naturally, no method.
But besides finding a way to stop it at the place where it could be killed most effectively, there was only waiting for death.
Distant water cannot quench a nearby fire.
Almost every citizen of Tokyo found that armed helicopters were constantly flying overhead, seemingly transporting something.
But looking at the images displayed on the building screens, they understood.
"They must be going to use armed forces to deal with that monster!"
"It must be!"
A group of people saw armed helicopters constantly flying by. Although the screen remained focused on the advancing Scorpio, they guessed from what was happening around them that the military was going to use real force to deal with Scorpio.
After all, in their minds, the fleet was inferior to those civil police; if the fleet were useful, humanity would have long since reclaimed lost territory, and civil police were professionals specifically dealing with Gastrea, so they must be more professional than the fleet.
Just as they were deceiving themselves, Scorpio... landed.
Its massive body, accompanied by seawater, instantly landed on the ground.
As if attracted by its aura, a large number of Gastrea from the undeveloped area began to gather towards Scorpio.
And this scene was witnessed by the people of Tokyo.
They watched this scene in horror; not to mention Scorpio, just the massive number of Gastrea could slaughter Tokyo clean.
"It's... it's fine... they won't dare to enter the Monolith."
A large part of the reason these Gastrea gathered outside Tokyo was because of the Monolith.
In this cold night, it seemed that only this cold Monolith could bring them some warmth.
But how long could such wishful thinking last?
"Dad, are you really just going to watch?"
"Otherwise, what else can I do?"
High in the sky, Takatsuki watched Scorpio advancing towards the Monolith and the large number of Gastrea attacking below.
"What about Throne of Heroes's feedback?"
"Emmm... still no change."
"Just as I said, they probably still believe in those guys very much."
"Our goal has been very clear from the beginning. Although it's regrettable, we really don't have time to waste with them. Instead of wasting time here with them, I'm more worried about Durandal and the others."
Ai didn't speak; having always watched Takatsuki's actions, she knew her father's character.
He had a kind heart but was not a Holy Mother. When choosing between his own people and strangers, if he had to choose one, he would unhesitatingly choose his own people.
Even if it was just a small risk, he would completely eliminate it.
Not to mention how "unappreciative" the people in this place were.
"Dad, it's started."
"Yes, it has."
"If they win, what will you do?"
"That possibility doesn't exist."
Indeed, as Takatsuki said, that possibility did not exist.
These people in the Tokyo Area were too arrogant, always believing that those people could stop Hiruko Kagetane, so they made no preparations for Scorpio, or rather, they thought their arrangements were sufficient.
This led to the current situation.
The civil police, who served as the last line of defense, were quickly defeated like withered leaves.
And standing before the Gastrea army was...
Tokyo Area's last line of defense, the Monolith.
Almost everyone's gaze was focused here, on this last line of defense.
"It's fine, as long as the Monolith doesn't fall..."
Boom!
As these words fell, a loud bang resounded in everyone's ears.
It echoed not only in the video but also in everyone's ears.
The sound of the Monolith collapsing reverberated throughout Tokyo.
Even without relying on the video, everyone could hear the sound that echoed through the night sky with their ears.
And what followed... was naturally immense panic.
Perhaps some "smart people" had already started to flee very early on.
But besides those rich and powerful who could escape by air, where else could others escape to?
Escape the Monolith?
It was merely suicide.
Those who were fleeing now were completely too late; their only sanctuary, the Monolith, had been directly toppled before Stage Five.
Gastrea, like a tide, surged into the city, closely following Scorpio.
And Scorpio began to move towards the direction of the "bait" that had been placed earlier.
"Ah... it's started, the great collapse. But even now, Mr. Takatsuki doesn't intend to make a move?"
Hiruko Kagetane stood upright on a high platform, looking at the Gastrea as dense as ants below.
His dark red tailcoat swayed continuously in the night wind, while Hiruko Kohina sat somewhat bored on the edge of the rooftop, swinging her fair, tender legs.
"Dad, can I go cut them down?"
"No, Kohina."
"Dad is so annoying..."
Ignoring Kohina's complaints, Hiruko Kagetane shifted his gaze to another direction. In his modified eyes, the distant scene was reflected.
"It actually appeared, Heroic Spirit. How did it appear..."