Yukihime knew that secrets and manipulations, in the long run, would destroy [New Dawn] from within.

It was one thing to keep sensitive information away from prying ears, another to send teams on missions whose outcome was already decided.

[New Dawn] was no better than the [Black Corps] if they used their subordinates as cannon fodder or disposable tools.

Still, events like that had happened during their decade-long campaign to bring down Goto.

Even while walking that fine line, between hypocrisy and the ends justifying the means, Yukihime persevered, alongside her companions and the leaders of the group they had founded.

The mission to assassinate the vice admiral’s daughter, Yuki Mikan, was unlike any other Hajime and his friends had ever taken on.

Not even Fumio knew that Mary, the [Black Ghost] guarding the target, had crossed paths with [New Dawn] years ago.

Their “collaboration” was based on convenience. Yukihime needed an infiltrator with many contacts, close to Goto, and the [esper] needed a clean escape route for when the island would blow up.

The woman wasn’t much different from Kugutsu: a rat fleeing a sinking ship.

Perhaps her position was slightly better than the serial killer’s, given her lower number of crimes and less severe ones at that.

Even though she was still a mercenary without morals or scruples, it was less revolting to make a deal with the [esper] than with Kugutsu, who was practically evil incarnate.

---

"Why did you call me here, [Black Ghost]?"

The green-haired woman offered a glass of alcohol, which was instantly frozen in her hand.

Mary, of course, remained expressionless as she placed the two glasses on a small table. Only then, with all the calm in the world, did she sit down in a chair.

"I was there when the news broke. You could’ve warned me… for a moment, I thought Goto-sama was going to crack my skull open… it was terrifying." (Mary)

"Your reaction had to be genuine. Just like the team you faced during the assassination of the VIP you were supposed to protect." (Yukihime)

"Touché. The big boss lost his mind, just as you predicted. Right now, he’s tearing apart his training room, from what I hear. If you keep this up, with the site, he might start with summary executions. I heard he’s already imprisoned those investigating the Yuki Mikan case… and what he did to their families… even I was surprised when they told me."

The [witch] grimaced at those words. She had hoped to prevent several families, children included from being tortured or sent to some lab as test subjects, all because of the failures of sons,

fathers, and brothers who had disappointed Hajime’s stepfather.

"(Victims in a story bigger than themselves… more innocents on my conscience.)" (Yukihime)

"Anyway, that’s not the only reason you called me. When exactly do I get to disappear with my dear ‘daughter’?" (Mary)

"You think I won’t keep my word? Even though I’d love to see you behind bars for the crimes you’ve committed, and put your daughter in the hands of someone who doesn’t see her as a tool… I always keep my word." (Yukihime)

"I know. But when will my part in this be over?" (Mary)

There was a moment of silence before the conversation resumed.

"You’re afraid." (Yukihime)

"Of course I am! You’re making me play with fire, hoping that an enraged Goto will be easier to cover up for what he really is! And for the record, it’s a good plan—hitting him like this! But I’d rather not be in the line of fire when everything goes south!" (Mary)

"That won’t happen. Not after all the effort I put into creating a new identity for you. Soon, you’ll leave this place and live in Japan under a new name. But be warned—I’ll be watching. If you step outside the limits, your past won’t save you from the consequences."

"Sighs I’ll enjoy a well-earned retirement with my little girl… if I make it, of course!"

Yukihime didn’t bother saying anything more. Clearly, Mary already knew there was risk involved in what she was doing.

But she had chosen to play both sides for a life away from [Fumetsu], instead of serving under a madman until the day he finally killed her.

"I have to go. The surveillance will resume soon." (Yukihime)

"Thanks for the visit. Always a pleasure talking to you."

The vampire vanished without saying goodbye, leaving the [esper] to drink alone.

"(Soon… yes, soon I’ll have a nice house, a garden, a new name, a good amount of money in the bank… a life far away from this mess… yes, I just have to keep my guard up for a little longer… months—no, weeks—and everything will fall into place… the big boss will be too busy waging war on [New Dawn] to think about me.)"

*****************

Goto ruled the entire artificial island from the shadows, which served as one of the concentration camps to keep non-“normal” humans (and their descendants) separated from those without powers.

On the surface, Hajime’s godfather was not a politician — quite the opposite. At first glance, and to a blunt observer, Goto appeared to be a man of action rather than games: the kind of man the crowds loved for his decisiveness and straightforwardness.

Of course it was all a mask to hide behind and to look good in the public eye; the leader of the [Black Corps] was as greedy as he was clever.

He knew well that he could easily keep the military power of all [Fumetsu] to himself without arousing suspicions of installing a dictatorship.

But the political power? No, he could not go that far.

Commanding the [Black and White Corps] while taking the island’s governorship would have raised many eyebrows.

All that power and authority in the hands of a single individual would have caused problems even across the sea.

Japan would not have allowed one man to rule so openly without trying to topple him from his throne with scandals, false accusations, and attempts to show him as the danger he might become.

And if none of that worked, the Japanese would not have hesitated to use heavy-handed measures to bring Goto down: murders, attacks, and many other methods would have been used to eliminate Hajime’s stepfather.

No: Goto needed a way to control [Fumetsu]’s politics without giving the impression that he was doing so.

Would it be easy? No. Reaching the top as leader of the [Black Corps] was extremely easy compared to manipulating and hijacking several political parties for his ends.

Still, Goto achieved his aim in due time.

The entire island fell under a parliamentary form of government, with a head of state elected every five years.

Since the enemy of the [New Dawn] took control, a significant number of politicians had retired or, worse, had been eliminated.

With a majority (coming from different parties) that was on his payroll or threatened, Goto always ensured he could manipulate parliament to his advantage and easily elect the people he preferred as presidents.

Of course, not everyone was so servile, loyal, or frightened of the [Black Corps].

They were only keeping their heads down, waiting for their moment.

A small group of them had gathered specifically to discuss this after the recent events that had undermined confidence in the two bodies that served as the island’s police and military forces.

“We all know why we’re here. It’s time to prepare to eliminate Goto, once and for all.”