Chapter 381 Recommending [Coffin] as the New Executive
This interlude caused no change. Someone like Kurokawa Iori, who could gain Kazumi’s favor, would even greet the girl’s mental projection. The other figures mostly glanced at the girl before returning to their calm state. For them, the only reason they would be distracted enough to cast a glance was because Kazumi was a mental projection following the Great General Muramasa Hyōshō. As Kazumi was still processing everything she saw, the stone pillars in the center of the assembly hall suddenly changed. A blood-colored spot of light converged in the sky, finally solidifying into a map.
“!!! This is… a map of Kyoto?”
As soon as the map appeared, Kazumi couldn’t help but exclaim. Especially with its terrifyingly familiar appearance, it was unmistakable that what was now laid out on the conference table was a map of the city they were in.
What caught Kazumi’s eye even more, or rather, what she couldn’t help but notice, were the blinking markers on the map. Wasn’t that the location of Kokugakuin, where she was studying?
“The mobilization of the outer defense forces will be carried out according to the previous deployment. The attacks from other cities will also proceed as planned, especially the missions in Nagoya and the north,”
Kuromon’s low voice echoed throughout the entire venue. Although not loud, and there were no other sounds, the words seemed to appear directly in everyone’s ears as if there were no distance. Kazumi also heard the arrangements of the meeting, which was already nearing its end.
As Kuromon’s words fell, an executive projection wearing a dark red cloak immediately stood up. His voice was as grating as the rubbing of metal, “Nagoya’s fireworks display is ready and can be ignited at any time. But considering that group from the Nagoya [Crimson Gang] and the existence of that person, we might need [Coffin] to assist in creating a large sea of benefits. Otherwise, our subordinates might have a hard time even retreating.”
The crimson eyes under the executive’s cloak gazed at the leader Kuromon for a moment, then turned to the tall man with gray hair sitting below. The latter, after receiving a nod from the man on the throne, nodded slightly, his gray-white long hair moving as if by itself without any wind.
“On the night of the new moon, thick fog will cover the entire bay, but it can only last for three hours. Moreover, if a battle occurs on my side, the duration of maintenance will be even shorter. You must manage your time yourselves.”
“Heh heh, understood.”
After receiving a satisfactory reply, the cloaked executive chuckled twice and slowly sat back down.
With the deployment in Nagoya confirmed, an old man’s projection slowly stood up. He held a continuously rotating crystal ball in his hand. Complex runes appeared within the ball.
“The key nodes of the barrier in Kyoto have been analyzed. The level of those Heteromorphs is still too low, but the barrier at the target point cannot be broken. It seems to be coordinated with that person from the academy. My methods may not be able to break it.”
The old man’s gaze drifted to his side, where a figure was sitting in a chair, playing with their long hair. As if hearing the other person’s words, the figure straightened up, unconcernedly dug at their ear, and even provocatively flicked the imaginary earwax towards the old man in front of them.
“I can’t help it either, Old Xi. That thing is no longer a simple technique. If you want me to go to my death, you don’t have to be so subtle about it.”
“Heh heh, it’s all for the mission. Your power might still be useful.”
The old man was not angered, but only smiled sinisterly, his gaze shifting towards the figure on the throne. This was because the old man knew the true thoughts of the one at the top. As for him, it was enough to just put forward this suggestion.
A woman’s projection suddenly let out a bell-like laugh. “Why don’t you let me play with it? I haven’t tasted the youthful vitality of the academy in a long time.” Her empty left sleeve writhed strangely. “An hour will be enough for me.”
“No.” Kuromon’s voice coldly rejected. “Kuromon doesn’t care about the conflicts among his subordinates. He has his own judgment, and what he cares about even more are these more powerful lunatics who have just been dealt with.”
“You need to stay behind to deal with [Raging waves]. That guy’s ability restrains [Dark], otherwise, we will be very passive.”
“Tch~ How boring~” She pouted unhappily, her voice filled with obvious resentment. Although she complained, she still lazily leaned back in her chair, saying no more.
For the next half hour, the meeting proceeded with astonishing efficiency. From personnel deployment to material transport, from escort plans to retreat routes, every link was repeatedly scrutinized and perfected. Kazumi listened with increasing shock. As expected of a super organization that had existed for over a century, their execution of plans was extremely detailed and thorough.
Frankly, if Kurokawa Iori, one of the core executives, hadn’t told her that the current mission was an impulsive decision made by the leader Kuromon, Kazumi would have thought this was a long-term plan that had been prepared for years. When the clock pointed to a specific moment, the lights from all the lamps simultaneously turned pale white. Kuromon slowly stood up, the seemingly ordinary suit he wore moving as if by itself.
“Very well,” his voice cut through everyone’s consciousness like an icy blade. “The first agenda item for today is concluded. Everyone go back and prepare for your respective missions. If you need any material supplies, contact Kurokawa. Are there any other issues?”
The venue fell into a deathly silence. The executives’ projections began to flicker unstably, as they prepared to return to consciousness. However, Muramasa Hyōshō remained in a static posture, as if he had entered standby mode.
At this moment, Muramasa Hyōshō, who had been sitting like a statue, suddenly raised his head. His movement was not large, but in this absolute silence, it was as striking as thunder from a clear sky.
“*Clap clap!*” The white-haired youth’s right hand heavily slapped the armrest of the stone chair. Accompanying this action, the entire stone chair he was on suddenly emitted a deep blue light. The light flowed like a living creature on the ice sculpture on the backrest. Everyone’s gaze was instantly drawn over. Even several Great Generals subtly turned their heads, their eyes’ vortices clearly speeding up, as if wondering what their colleague, who almost never spoke actively, had to say.
Kuromon on the highest throne slowly turned his gaze, his eyes veiled by a blurred face falling on Muramasa Hyōshō. “Speak.”
Muramasa Hyōshō was completely unaffected by the stares. He slowly stood up, the deep blue light from the stone chair rising with him, congealing into wisps of ice crystals among his white hair. When he spoke, his voice was still as cold as ten thousand years of ice, “I have a new agenda. Proposing to recommend the organization member [Coffin] as the new executive.”
This statement was like a massive rock thrown into a calm lake. The entire assembly hall instantly erupted with suppressed gasps. Countless gazes snapped towards Kazumi, who stood behind Muramasa Hyōshō. She felt her projection begin to ripple due to these gazes, like a reflection on water disturbed by a thrown stone.
From the direction of the obsidian throne, Kuromon leaned forward slightly. The mist shrouding his face churned violently, as if something was awakening within it.
