After his wife's death, Goto cemented in his mind the thought that his daughter Kaori was the most important person in his life.
He considered her his highest priority.
Even so, faced with the prospect of losing everything to which he had devoted time, resources, blood, not even his love for Kaori could dissuade him from returning to his work.
Especially after the events that had happened the night before.
"Tell me everything, don't leave anything out."
Seated at his desk with a stone-faced expression, Hajime's godfather asked for a summary from his most faithful subordinate.
The woman, who was cloaked in shadows, didn't hesitate to tell her boss the truth.
"The north and south districts had a quiet night. Kugutsu handled the protests excellently, even the more violent ones. Meanwhile Shogun didn't have to mobilize his [Black corps]: there was nothing that required reinforcements for the [White corps] in his part of the island."
"What did Muzan and Hikari do?" (Goto)
If she hadn't been covered in shadows, Goto could have seen his subordinate's face twist with disgust at the thought of those two.
"The fanatic chose to use an iron fist, but not to spill blood. The entire district calls him a despot after he almost instituted a curfew. Even this morning the situation hasn't changed; the general uncertainty is making the masses 'uneasy'. Not that he cares, he's too busy with his religious rituals."
"That doesn't matter. The sheep who live in the East can be easily calmed. There are many ways to redirect their unease in the right direction; there are just a couple of [Black Ghost] we can eliminate from the group." (Goto)
It was a tried and true strategy: using his secret team of criminals not only to do the dirty work, but also to divert attention away from Goto.
People were more likely to listen to him when there was some dangerous [mage] or [esper] roaming [Fumetsu].
So far, the only one among the [Black Ghost] who was almost immune and safe from Hajime's stepfather was Mary, because of the usefulness of her protégé in impersonating the vice admiral's daughter.
"What happened in the west?" (Goto)
"The killer really outdid himself. The streets are soaked with blood; our cleaners are already working to remove the news, but the civilian casualties were too many. Even if we hide the deaths of the homeless and other small-time criminals, the number of corpses still comes to over five hundred."
For the first time since the start of this conversation, Goto truly felt the blood rush to his head.
"Tsk! Useless parasite! It's time to eliminate him!" (Goto)
"If I may suggest: it would be ideal to make an example of him and of all the others. In these 'uncertain' times, some other individual might decide to act on their own."
"Yes, an exemplary punishment worse than death would be ideal...…" (Goto)
Many had been locked up in prison after the events of last night in front of the main [Black corps] base in the central district.
Goto had not forgiven that slip-up.
If he hadn't planned to feed the wolves the young recruit who started it all, Hajime's stepfather would have torn the boy apart personally.
As things stood, he would be satisfied with killing the boy's closest family members in front of him, after his trial, of course.
"Any news about the people responsible for the website and the videos circulating online?" (Goto)
"I'm sorry, but our experts can't trace the source. For now, we've only managed to exclude the north district from our investigations."
"That's unacceptable! Those cowards will have to face my wrath personally, for the pain they caused my daughter!" (Goto)
"I understand, Goto-sama."
"Go and find me someone who can find the culprits! I don't care if they're from here, from Japan, or from who knows where, I just need someone who knows how to do their job! You can offer them whatever you want; I leave the terms to your discretion!" (Goto)
"As you wish, Goto-sama. I already have some hackers in mind for the task. I will not disappoint you."
"I know. Now go." (Goto)
The woman hidden among the shadows left silently, leaving her boss alone with his thoughts.
"(I feel like I'm in a vise, I can't trust anyone anymore! How many more of my secrets will be brought to light before it's over!? I can't allow that to happen! I-I.....must eliminate them all!)"
Goto's paranoia was taking the place of his reason.
In his head, the man began compiling a list of targets who would end up in graves over the coming months.
Ironically, some of them, by a twist of fate, were affiliated with [New Dawn], the real enemies of Kaori's father's government.
"(I can't kill the journalists… nor silence them after yesterday, that would be madness. The only choice is to buy them. The news will already have reached Japan.....I must ask for favors to keep the truth away from the Prime Minister's ears....)" (Goto)
At that moment, Goto left his office and entered an elevator, descending very deep about 150 meters underground. He entered a heavily guarded area, with hundreds of black corps surrounding it, and entered a code plus retinal and fingerprint scan.
He arrived in a room few knew about, called the "Dark Room," a sort of treasury to be specific. Here Goto kept all the weapons and magical artifacts he had developed or bought, even abroad and on the black market. Everything seemed to bring him a little nostalgia as he walked slowly. Through a glass case he saw the Omega Killer, the armor he had created against omega mages.
(Prepare yourself; I think I'll very likely have to use you… very soon…) (Goto)
Then the man approached a telephone booth he kept in his "Dark Room."
He dialed the number, then waited for a reply.
"Yes… it's me. I need that… I will send payment within 12 hours, but I expect you to do the same with the shipment and the arrival of the 'product'." (Goto)