Black Bullet, Vol. 1: Those Who Would Be Gods

by Shiden Kanzaki

  “Yes.”

  “Good answer.”

  Rentaro stood in front of the large door and took a deep breath. He prepared himself and pushed open the door. It felt cold but was lighter than he expected. Belts of light shone in inside. As he looked back, Kisara smiled at him kindly. “Under the circumstances, you did a good job this time. Good boy. Please continue to work hard and fight, my knight.”

  Emotions welled up in his heart, and he wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out right away. The large door closed, and looking around, he saw a red carpet and a slightly winding marble staircase stretched out in front of him. The Seitenshi sat comfortably at the throne at the top.

  It was a spacious room with high ceilings. Next to the honor guard were ladies and gentlemen around a table looking down at them.

  “Satomi, thank you for coming.” The Seitenshi came down the stairs wearing a slight smile on her face. “Have your wounds healed?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Rentaro answered formally. “They are a lot better.”

  “How does it feel to be the savior of Tokyo Area?”

  A few days had passed already. Even though it was a plan that deployed a large number of civil officers, the details remained hidden to the public. For some reason, a civsec officer happened to be nearby to bring down the Gastrea Scorpion that suddenly attacked Tokyo Area with a super-long-range attack.

  “The reactions of those around me have changed a little, so it’s a little embarrassing,” Rentaro said.

  “I’m sure it is,” said the Seitenshi. “That’s not surprising. Just remembering the scene makes me tremble.”

  The shot that Rentaro and Enju fired at a great speed flew straight into the Scorpion’s head and made a giant hole, blowing away its brains.

  The Varanium’s regeneration interference worked, and it should have died instantly. However, with supernatural strength, right before it died, it swung its upper body and looked in Rentaro’s direction.

  Its half-closed eye sockets seemed to shake as if making an appeal to Rentaro, and when it finally shut them, it fell sideways into the water, and a giant tsunami broke on the shore of Tokyo Bay.

  “I am proud that someone with your abilities was there at that time,” the Seitenshi continued. “Satomi, will you offer your assistance to Tokyo Area in the future, as well?”

  Rentaro kneeled as he had been instructed. “Yes, even if it means my life.”

  The Seitenshi raised both hands high overhead and proclaimed solemnly, “To all who are gathered here today, hear my words. The hero here has sworn to fight for the sake of Tokyo Area. He destroyed the Zodiac Scorpion and the Kagetane Hiruko and Kohina Hiruko pair, who formerly held an IP Rank of 134. In light of those accomplishments, after discussion with the IISO, we have decided to consider this a Special First Level Battle Result and promoted the Rentaro Satomi and Enju Aihara pair to an IP Rank of 1,000.”

  The spectators suddenly let out shouts of joy. The Seitenshi smiled as she shifted her gaze to Rentaro. “Rentaro Satomi, do you accept this decision?”

  “Yes, with pleasure,” he answered.

  The Seitenshi smiled mischievously and continued in a small voice. “The Satomi-Aihara pair originally had a rank of 123,452, so this is a significant promotion. It’s probably the first of its kind in history. You might even make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.”

  “Y-yes, ma’am.”

  “Well then, do you have any final words you would like to say?”

  “No, I don’t.” If he had said that, everything would have ended smoothly. Rentaro made a silent apology to Kisara as he raised his head.

  “There is,” he said.

  The Seitenshi’s eyes opened in surprise, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became so tense that his skin prickled.

  “Let us hear it,” she said.

  “I saw what was in that case,” said Rentaro.

  The Seitenshi’s eyes widened again. The people around them could not tell where he was going with this and started murmuring in confusion.

  Rentaro remained kneeling as he continued. “I know I shouldn’t have. After defeating the Gastrea Zodiac, in the short time before the missiles burned down the church, I opened the case that was recovered and looked inside. I saw…”

  Rentaro hesitated for a moment before continuing. “…a broken tricycle inside. What is the meaning of this? How did that become the catalyst to summon a Stage Five Gastrea? No, what are the Gastrea—the enemy organisms who suddenly appeared in this world—in the first place? What happened in this world ten years ago? Please tell me, Lady Seitenshi.”

  The noise that broke out became so great that it was out of control.

  The Seitenshi made her face blank and murmured in a low voice so that only Rentaro could hear. “The Inheritance of the Seven Stars was hidden outside Tokyo Area in the Unexplored Territory, but one of them was stolen during this incident. If that had been destroyed, I cannot imagine what would have happened. The Zodiac came to get it back. I cannot tell you any more.”

  “What do you mean, you can’t?” said Rentaro.

  The Seitenshi closed her eyes for a long time. Finally, she exhaled and opened her eyelids. “Those Initiator girls are possibilities. As you know, as civil officer pairs are promoted, they also receive certain rights. You obtain a certain social class, but above all, the access key to top-secret information should be tempting. Because you are currently ranked 1,000, you are now at access Level 3. If you defeat your present rivals and get into the top ten, you will receive the highest access key, Level 12.

  “Satomi, please win. Defeat the other eight Zodiacs besides the missing Zodiac, Cancer, and rise in the ranks with Enju Aihara. Then, you will know. You will know what you are and what you were born to do. Please become strong and aim to be the best. If you would call yourself the son of Takaharu and Mafuyu Satomi, then you have a responsibility to know the truth.”

  Rentaro sprang to his feet and pressed the Seitenshi for an answer. “What are you talking about?! Why are my parents’ names coming up now?!”

  No matter how long he waited, there was no answer. He became angry and reached out, about to grab the Seitenshi by the collar. Right before he touched her, the Seitenshi shot him a cold glare and his hand stopped. “Stop. If you grab me now, you will be executed for treason.”

  At that moment, he realized that the room was filled with enough murderous intent to make his blood grow cold, and cold sweat dripped down his cheek.

  He didn’t know where the source of it was. However, it wasn’t a joke or an exaggeration that there was a fighting master who could cut off Rentaro’s head or torso in a split second.

  Rentaro gritted his teeth. His fist shook as he lowered it. “My apologies…”

  He somehow mustered enough strength for that before he threw his body into the large door to open it and left the Seitenshi without looking back.

  Rentaro went to the Tendo residence. The main Tendo residence was a luxurious house located in the best residential neighborhood of the First District of Tokyo Area, with Western-style architecture reminiscent of a country house. This was also the house where the young Rentaro had been taken in and raised. Currently, Rentaro was living two people to a one-room, eight-tatami-mat apartment, and Kisara had also left the main house to be independent. It had been a long time since he visited this house like this.

  Even though all the citizens of the country were complaining about the lack of land, there was easily a hundred meters between the entrance and the actual building of the house, as if trying to rub it in. The trees in the garden were neatly pruned by the gardener, and they were composed in complete symmetry. A fountain with angels bathing in it was covered with shell inlay.

  Going inside with a spare key, Rentaro went straight up to the second floor, heading for the room he had come here for. In the hallway, he passed the elderly housekeeper. Seeing Rentaro, she murmured, “Young master, is that you…?” and looked like she was about to d
rop the linens she held.

  He wanted so much to stop and apologize for not contacting her for so long, but if he didn’t hurry, that man would come home. Rentaro lowered his face, pretending he didn’t know what she was talking about, and rushed past her.

  When he finally came to the door of the room, he pulled out his XD, used his teeth and knee to deftly attach the silencer, and fired a few consecutive shots, breaking off the hinge. Thinking that it really was inconvenient to not have his artificial arm, he took off the silencer, picked up the empty casings, knocked down the door, and went inside.

  It was spacious inside, with a warm carpet and a bookshelf covering half the wall. And in the middle was a work desk made of rosewood. Wanting to get it over with as soon as possible, Rentaro opened a drawer and started examining the papers inside.

  Rentaro’s cell phone chose that moment to vibrate. It was an unknown number. Damn, why did it have to ring at a time like this? Rentaro hesitated for a moment but then put the receiver to his ear.

  “Hello, Satomi. Good afternoon.” A chill ran down his spine. Rentaro tried to calm his wildly pounding heart and let out a deep breath.

  “You’re alive, Kagetane?” Rentaro’s feet felt restless as he remembered what it felt like when he sent Kagetane Hiruko flying with his kick.

  After that fight, Kohina had gotten up with a selfless expression, slipping past Rentaro to Kagetane’s aid. Kagetane probably did not survive that. That’s what Rentaro had thought at the time even though he wasn’t sure.

  “Yeah, somehow,” said Kagetane. “But it was pretty effective. I’ve been ordered to rest for now. I won’t be able to work for a while. It’s a bother.”

  “Work murdering people?” said Rentaro. “Why don’t you take this as an opportunity to quit that line of work?”

  “No, work my day job. I’m sure we’ll meet again eventually. I just wanted to tell you that today. I won’t lose the next time we meet.”

  “Yeah, I won’t lose either.” In reality, in that fight, Rentaro was only barely able to win because of the pile of clever tricks he’d used to outsmart his enemy. He wasn’t sure what he could do if he had to fight a completely prepared Kagetane pair head-on.

  “Also, I thought it was about time I introduced you to my client.”

  Damn it, that was what it was? Hearing the sound of a gun cock behind his back, Rentaro threw the phone down and drew his XD without looking back. He pointed it at the sound. Standing up slowly, Rentaro prepared himself as he turned around.

  Pointed at his nose was a gun with double Magnum barrels. Rentaro had his finger on his own trigger, at a distance that couldn’t be avoided.

  “Sneaking around like a thief, Rentaro?” said the man holding the gun.

  “You’re home already?” said Rentaro. “I thought you wouldn’t be back until tonight, Lord Tendo.”

  Kikunojo Tendo was wearing a formal Japanese hakama on his toned body, and stood almost 180 centimeters tall. His back was completely straight, and even though his beard and hair were white, the sharp, glittering eyes that Kisara had inherited were serious. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

  “I was looking for things that could be used as evidence,” said Rentaro. “But I don’t need to anymore. Asking the person himself is faster. Kikunojo Tendo—on the surface, the recent incident was settled with the reckless behavior of Defense Minister Kutsuwada. But I don’t think that was the end. The mastermind behind these events was you, Kikunojo Tendo.”

  Kikunojo didn’t move an eyebrow. However, his finger on the trigger tightened slightly, making Rentaro’s heart race faster. With their guns pointed at each other, they moved in a small circle around the fulcrum of the point where their arms crossed. It was a suffocating dance in bad taste that took place on top of the carpet.

  “Did Kisara instigate this?” Kikunojo asked.

  “I’m acting on my own judgment,” said Rentaro.

  When he said that, Kikunojo snorted derisively. “Oh? Why did you suspect me?”

  Rentaro was taken aback. “You’re…not going to deny it?”

  Kikunojo’s shoulders shook as he scoffed at him. “If I did, would you believe me?”

  “No……” But he had still wanted Kikunojo to deny it. He started saying so before he closed his mouth. Rentaro lifted his face. “Defense Minister Kutsuwada died. He hung himself at home while out on bail!”

  “I know that. What about it?”

  “What do you mean, ‘What about it’? I saw the joint compact. It’s true that everyone whose name was written on it was arrested… But the real ringleader’s name wasn’t even on there. I was surprised when I saw the names written on the joint compact. Every single one of them was either in your faction or had been connected to your faction in the past. When I was younger, I greeted all of them at the evening parties held in this house. What is the meaning of this?!”

  “This child seems so wise. Only to be expected from a child adopted by Master Tendo.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be an excellent politician when you grow up, Rentaro.”

  Thinking back on their words, Rentaro’s eyes prickled with tears. His hand shook with anger as he held his gun, and he felt like he could almost pull the trigger.

  “Everyone was kind,” Rentaro continued. “They all respected you! How could I believe that you, their chief, was the only one not part of this plan? Mr. Kutsuwada hanged himself to stop the investigation against you. The second he died, all the people who were arrested immediately used him as a scapegoat. There’s no way I can know what you’re thinking. But… But, after all this, you’re not embarrassed to continue acting arrogantly, Kikunojo Tendo?!” Rentaro said all this, panting.

  But Kikunojo’s face only twisted slightly with the faintest bit of self-deprecation. “Why would I do such a thing? Are you saying that my goal was the destruction of Tokyo Area, then? That’s absurd.”

  “I didn’t know why at first, either. But when Kagetane stole the case and went to the Unexplored Territory to summon the Stage Five, for some reason, that information was almost systematically leaked. If that happened, Tokyo Area would’ve fallen into a ruinous panic, and no one stood to benefit from that.”

  “Did you figure it out?”

  “The New Gastrea Law.”

  Kikunojo’s eyebrow twitched in surprise.

  “The bill the Seitenshi is pushing to pass despite the resistance from those around her. A law that would improve the social positions of Initiators and allow the Cursed Children to coexist with everyone else. Ever since your wife was killed by a Gastrea in the Great War ten years ago, you’ve been a staunch advocate of discrimination against Initiators.

  “I don’t know what kind of deal you made with Kagetane, and I don’t want to imagine. However, Kagetane, the Gastrea elite who think it would be disgraceful for humans and Initiators to coexist, shares with you a mutual interest in crushing that bill. If it were leaked to the press that Kohina Hiruko, one of the Cursed Children, was participating in terrorist activities to destroy Tokyo Area, then there would be no one supporting the girls in public opinion. You weren’t planning on destroying Tokyo Area from the start, you coward.”

  Without warning, Rentaro was kicked in the stomach, struck with enough force to make him feel like regurgitating the contents of his stomach. A gun was pressed against his throat, and he was pushed like that into the bookshelf. The moment his back hit, hardcover books began thumping to the floor.

  Kikunojo pressed the gun against Rentaro with a look of rage. “Try saying that again!”

  “I’ll say it as many times as you want!” said Rentaro. “This is how the incident progressed. You had one of your subordinates go to the Unexplored Territory to get the catalyst to summon the Stage Five, what the Seitenshi called the Inheritance of the Seven Stars. He successfully acquired the catalyst and was supposed to hand the case over to Kagetane, thus finishing everything smoothly.

  “However, on his way back from the Unexplored Territory, your subo
rdinate was attacked by a Gastrea and took in its bodily fluids. Your subordinate barely escaped alive running back into the Monolith barrier, but there, he unfortunately turned into a Gastrea. He became a Model Spider Gastrea and infected a human. As evidence, one person whose name was written on the joint compact is still missing even now. I’m sure he was the source Gastrea that Enju and I defeated.

  “In the end, Kagetane was somehow able to get the case, but now the information that was supposed to have been leaked was quickly sealed off with a news blackout by the Seitenshi. So in order to make people remember their fear of the Gastrea and crush the New Gastrea Law, you approved the actual summoning of the Stage Five.”

  “That’s right!” Suddenly, Kikunojo yelled like he was on metaphorical fire. “It was all to wake up those complacent fools. How could they forget? How? Ten years ago on that day, the sun set, the earth split apart, and humans were driven out of their own world! Demon brats with the blood of those worms are strutting around town with innocent looks on their faces, you know. Those Red-Eyes are demons who will destroy the whole world. How can you be so calm about it? You want to give them human rights? Don’t be ridiculous.”

  Rentaro took the space of a moment to brush away the hand with the gun. When he did, the sound of a gunshot boomed and the bullet grazed Rentaro’s cheek. As Rentaro swept Kikunojo’s legs from under him, he drove his knee into the older man’s ribs. The feeling was a familiar one to Rentaro, and Kikunojo raised his voice in anguish.

  “Everyone’s like that!” Rentaro said. “It’s true that your wife was killed. But Kisara’s parents were killed. You lost your lover. But everyone, everyone lives coming to terms with their past. You’re a ghost, Kikunojo Tendo! You’re a ghost being dragged along by hatred from ten years ago. Even in your position of aide to the Seitenshi, you try to forestall her. Do you hate the Seitenshi?”

  Kikunojo coughed violently as he declared, “Don’t say ridiculous things. I regard her with respect and affection. Of all the Seitenshis, she is the only one who could be called a match for the wise monarchs of the past. She is a queen I truly want to serve.”