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Ryosuke, having summoned a press conference with a “magic spell,” appeared before them in a shabby outfit.

The term “shabby” didn’t even begin to cover how worn and unappealing the clothes looked. It was as if he had scavenged old clothes from a homeless person, exuding a stench and threatening to tear apart at any moment.

Naturally, when one’s clothes are shabby, the person tends to look shabby too.

As I gazed at Ryosuke, whose face was gaunt and shadowed beneath his eyes, a question arose: “Is this person really a politician?”

“Why does his face look like that?”

“Could it be he’s suffering mentally?”

“No way! Even if he’s having a tough time, can someone change so drastically in such a short period?”

“He looks exactly like the drug addicts I saw when I studied abroad in America….”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, keep your mouth shut. How can you spout such nonsense?”

“Uh, no. That’s not what I meant…”

“Is that the problem? That person belongs to a political family. If you want to keep your journalist gig, keep your mouth in check.”

“…You’re right.”

The journalists gathered at the press conference were stunned by his shocking appearance and whispered among themselves.

Although some linked Ryosuke to drug addiction, the fact that he still belonged to a political family and hadn’t completely fallen from grace made them excited at the prospect of a scoop while trying to hide their feelings.

However, their efforts to maintain composure instantly crumbled.

“Everyone. I apologize for causing a stir!”

Boom!

Ryosuke suddenly kneeled down with all his might, as if his knees might shatter at any moment!

“I sincerely apologize!”

He glanced around, taking in the shocked expressions of the journalists, and then his forehead almost smashed onto the floor as he bowed deeply.

With precise movements, he placed his hands on the ground.

It was the perfect completion of the dogeza (prostrated bowing) posture.

The journalists, horrified by Ryosuke’s sudden prostration without preamble, instinctively snapped photos and recorded videos. Even as they furiously tapped their fingers, concern flickered in their eyes, exchanging nervous glances as if fearing any repercussions from being present.

“Isn’t that guy known for being narrow-minded and dismissive of the public?”

“I’ve heard he never forgets a grudge.”

“When he regains power, will he come for revenge on us who captured his disgraceful moments?”

“If he has a plan, he surely can’t take revenge on everyone. So we need to manage our expressions.”

“Anyone smiling here will come under his radar. If he regains his strength, that person will definitely face retaliation.”

“Make sure to look sorrowful, sorrowful, sorrowful.”

What a pathetic sight, as if he had completely cast aside his pride.

Yet, paradoxically, the journalists felt even more fear at his demeanor.

For someone like him was more likely to reclaim power than a bumbling fool.

Those who behave like that might garner sympathy, and with that sympathy, they could lighten their crimes, absorbing the pity into their strength and ultimately rise again.

Moreover, someone capable of discarding their pride… could be described as a person who would stop at nothing.

What would happen if they bore a grudge against such a person?

If someone could throw their rigid ego away like trash and cast aside their pride to secure a future, and then sought revenge with no holds barred?

That future would undoubtedly be horrifying.

『Now it’s time to rise.』

『You can do it.』

But, thankfully for the journalists, Ryosuke was far from that cunning archetype willing to endure hardship for power.

Rather, his actions resembled someone following whispers he mistook for his own thoughts, swaying and shaking his weakened body to stand up….

He looked more like a puppet controlled by invisible strings.

“Everyone.”

The puppet began to speak.

“I am.”

Acting as his instincts directed, voicing what ‘he thought.’

“I am facing a threat to my life.”

And as that bombshell of a statement emerged, the journalists shot into action, furiously clicking their shutters at a speed unfathomable compared to before. Blinding flashes began to rain down, as many journalists hurried to report, excited by this big scoop.

“What do you mean by a threat to your life?!”

“I’ve heard there was a landslide at the solar energy facility at Kurotsurugimine! Is that related?!”

“Are you saying your involvement in the solar energy facility was not voluntary? Then did some gang or yakuza get involved?!”

“Were you threatened with murder by the villagers affected by the landslide?!”

This was a scoop.

As soon as the thought crossed their minds, the journalists bombarded Ryosuke with questions.

Of course, thanks to the lingering fear of “if you get photographed, you die,” the questions were not too aggressive.

“I am filled with emotions that tightly choke my throat. I cannot express my profound sorrow, and it feels like anguish and sadness are swelling within me. As a mere human, I feel powerless.”

Ryosuke spoke mournfully under the spotlight.

“The law may be distant, but the sword is close at hand. If I had the will, facing that blade, I could have faced it without flinching and presented my neck instead, but, sadly, my resolve was not so. My immaturity, like my age, was unable to overcome this, and the ominous aura was sufficient to instill a single thread of fear in my heart.”

“What do you mean by the blade?!”

“Is there a warrior involved?!”

“Of course, I tried to resist in my own way. However, I could not escape the tightly woven net, and each time I awoke from sleep, I found something in my room neatly sliced, gradually succumbing to fear.”

“Were you threatened?!”

“Who dares to threaten a politician?!”

As Ryosuke spoke, the atmosphere grew increasingly heated.

“But I also carry the responsibility of leading the country in the right direction. If faced with an unreasonable demand, I would block it with my life. But….”

He momentarily paused to intensify the atmosphere and gazed into the fiery eyes of the journalists.

“Their demands were quite simple. Yes, the acts against me were indeed unreasonable, merely a request to involve a certain construction company in the solar energy project.”

Click, click, click, click.

As Ryosuke began to speak, the journalists frantically snapped photos, their breaths hot like steam.

“Of course, the intentions were obvious. No, I thought they were obvious. They aimed to smuggle materials or create double books to profit by involving the designated company. Yes, I believed that was all there was to it. Consequently, I had no choice but to agree to their demands. I thought by complying with just that one thing, I could dispel my deteriorating sanity and the blade that could end my life at any moment.”

Ryosuke paused and tears streamed down his face.

Then he knelt down again and shouted.

“But this cannot stand! To bring such disasters upon innocent people, those who merely strive to live each day! If I had known it would come to this, even if it meant losing my neck, even if I had to face dismemberment and terrible torture, I would not have shut my eyes! With the mindset that closing my eyes for a moment would bring relief, to allow such… this!”

Ryosuke’s tears held undeniable sincerity.

『You must cry. That is why I will let you shed tears.』

『You must scream aloud. Even if the pain means it’s hard to cry out, it can help you forget the suffering.』

『Don’t acknowledge your wrongs. Make the subject ambiguous and evade responsibility as much as possible.』

『You must pour all your focus toward the one who threatens your life, then hide afterward.』

『Responsibility should be shouldered by others if possible, and minimize its weight as much as you can.』

『While emphasizing your human side, you must also show you possess your own resolve.』

『Demonstrate that you’re still incomplete and capable of improvement.』

『Create a connection with the locals. Pose in such a way that their minor faults could easily be overlooked.』

Ryosuke shouted with heartfelt sincerity, pouring out his genuine feelings.

“I cannot forgive them! Those who cursed me with mana and threatened me!”

His outcry was infused with clear anger.

The indignation of an unjustly treated person and the righteous fury of justice against immorality.

『Now it’s enough.』

That fury seemed so intense that it could consume its owner.

It felt like it was igniting, fueled by the dwindling life force and spirit he possessed.

Thud.

Thus, when Ryosuke screamed and collapsed, it carried an unmistakable power that left no room for doubt.

* * *

“What the?”

The flames of trouble had finally reached their destination.

The only sect using mana among those connected with Kurotsurugimine.

It had arrived at Yatadoarangkryu.

 

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