Bronze pipes clung to the walls.
Gas cylinder valves, jars filled with dark green liquid, and the remains of unknown creatures stored inside them.
Compared to Kanou Akihiro's laboratory, Stylish's laboratory carried a much more "ancient" atmosphere.
At the workbench in the center of the laboratory, Stylish sat in front of the table wearing a white lab coat.
A brand-new electron microscope sat on the desk.
It looked somewhat out of place compared to the surrounding environment.
Stylish was currently observing the bronze-colored venom on the slide through the microscope.
Uesugi Ryu pushed open the laboratory door and walked in.
"How is it? Is the antidote ready?"
Stylish did not even raise his head and continued observing through the microscope.
"More or less. I just need to continue monitoring the condition of the test subjects."
Uesugi Ryu did not have the patience to wait any longer. After all, having Stylish make the antidote was merely a precaution.
Whether it would actually be used was another matter. It was simply preparation out of caution.
"Give me part of the antidote first. Two doses will be enough."
"In such a hurry?"
Only then did Stylish raise his head to look at Uesugi Ryu.
After remaining silent for a second, he nodded.
"Alright, I understand."
Stylish turned around and opened a nearby cabinet. Cold air immediately spread out from inside.
Four syringes were carefully stored within.
Stylish took out two of them and handed them to Uesugi Ryu.
Then he pushed up his glasses, his eyes carrying a hint of curiosity.
"The toxicity of this venom is truly extraordinary. It's stronger than every poison I've ever seen before."
"A Super Danger Beast?"
For the past two days, Stylish had been fully focused on researching the antidote and studying the electron microscope.
He did not know much about what had happened at the border.
Uesugi Ryu answered without much interest.
"You could say that."
Seeing that Uesugi Ryu had no intention of elaborating further, Stylish tactfully skipped over the topic.
He sighed emotionally.
"I never imagined someone could create such a stylish instrument!"
Stylish struck an exaggerated pose and loudly declared,
"It practically feels like something that doesn't belong to this world!"
"Only a stylish instrument combined with the most stylish Imperial Arm could produce an antidote in such a short time."
After putting away the antidotes, Uesugi Ryu watched Stylish's performance expressionlessly.
Uesugi Ryu was fairly experienced when it came to dealing with mad scientists like him.
People like this pursued truth and experimentation beyond even their own lives.
For Uesugi Ryu, winning someone like this over was extremely simple.
An electron microscope that was nothing special in the Tokyo Ghoul world was enough to make Stylish lose his mind with excitement.
This was not merely an information gap. It was a complete industrial-system-level crushing of one world over another.
"It's yours. Study it properly."
Upon hearing that, Stylish nearly failed to suppress the grin on his face.
"Then many thanks. Vice-Captain, you're truly generous!"
Stylish flexed his fingers eagerly.
"I was just thinking about dismantling it and carefully studying its internal structure."
"Do you still have more of these, Vice-Captain?"
A faint smile curved at Uesugi Ryu's lips as he replied,
"What do you think?"
Stylish stroked his chin.
"Then you do have more?"
Uesugi Ryu neither confirmed nor denied it as he turned and walked toward the exit.
"Work for me, and you can have as many of these as you want."
Pushing open the door, Uesugi Ryu glanced back at Stylish.
"Someone will come looking for you later."
With a click, silence once again returned to the laboratory.
Stylish stood there with one hand in his pocket, deep in thought.
"I think I finally understand why Captain admires you so much. What a mysterious man..."
After speaking, Stylish stretched lazily.
"I should probably head out and look around. It seems the situation is changing~"
Stylish did not particularly care about faction struggles.
With his abilities, no matter who came to power, there would always be a place for him.
After all, as the saying goes, science and technology are the primary productive forces. That saying worked everywhere.
After leaving Stylish's laboratory, Uesugi Ryu used Shambhala to teleport back to his mansion.
Time was short, and he needed to manage the relationships on every side.
Although Uesugi Ryu could accomplish these things alone, having others help always made things easier.
Leaning back in his office chair, Uesugi Ryu stared at the ceiling above.
"My side is nearly prepared. Esdeath should make some moves soon."
"I can keep the Jaegers under control, so the issue will probably fall on Honest and Budo's side."
The office chair slowly rotated as Uesugi Ryu sank into thought.
Knock. Knock. A faint knocking sound rang out.
Uesugi Ryu slowly straightened up but did not respond to the visitor.
After waiting several seconds outside, Chelsea finally pushed open the door stiffly.
Looking at Chelsea's rigid body that resembled a zombie, Uesugi Ryu spoke.
"You're Chelsea, right? This should be our first proper meeting."
Chelsea's entire body was tense as she nodded.
Najenda had already told her some things.
Chelsea, meanwhile, was worrying about how to convince Bulat and the others. Even with Najenda backing her up.
She did not think a few verbal explanations alone would be enough to make them believe.
"My words alone probably won't convince Bulat and the others. I need some evidence."
Uesugi Ryu took out Shambhala and placed it on the desk.
"This Imperial Arm, Shambhala, belonged to the Minister's son Syura."
"I killed him and took it. Regarding dealing with the Minister, our goals do not conflict."
Chelsea's eyes stopped on Shambhala. She did not know the truth behind it.
News of Syura's death had not spread yet. Only a small number of people knew.
Uesugi Ryu then placed a key on the desk.
Along with Chelsea's Imperial Arm, Gaia Foundation.
"You can verify it with Chouri. This is the key to the dungeon and your Imperial Arm."
Uesugi Ryu could not be bothered wasting more words. Convincing the remaining people would depend on Chelsea herself.
Given the current situation, if Bulat and the others still refused to cooperate.
Then Uesugi Ryu would have to change his strategy.
Uesugi Ryu raised a hand and pointed toward the door.
"You can leave now."
Chelsea picked up the items from the desk and asked worriedly,
"Boss and the others are alright for now, right?"
Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Uesugi Ryu answered,
"They're being held at Jaegers headquarters."
"Ever since Esdeath entered the palace yesterday, she hasn't shown herself again."
After speaking, Uesugi Ryu paused before casually adding,
"Esdeath will be leaving the Imperial Capital within the next few days."
"She might execute Najenda and the others immediately, so you'd better move quickly."
Chelsea frowned deeply. She nodded and prepared to head to the dungeon to release Tatsumi.
Before she could step out of the room, Uesugi Ryu suddenly looked toward the distance behind her.
"Esdeath is here."
The moment Chelsea heard that, her hand reaching for the door handle froze instantly.
The sharp clacking of high-heeled boots against the floor was already echoing through the corridor.
Without time to think, Chelsea immediately used her Imperial Arm to transform into a kitten.
Then she ran beneath Uesugi Ryu's desk and hid there.
The door was abruptly pushed open as Esdeath strode in first.
Behind her followed two servants with terrified expressions. They did not dare stop Esdeath.
Esdeath swept her gaze across the room's furnishings, carrying the overwhelming aura of a lawful wife catching someone cheating.
"There's a new mission. You have twenty minutes to pack."
Massaging his temples, Uesugi Ryu complained weakly,
"I only got back two days ago, didn't I~"
Esdeath slowly walked into the room, examining the surroundings.
"I never approved any vacation time for you. This time, you're coming with me to hunt a Super Danger Beast at the border."
Uesugi Ryu rose from the office chair with a helpless expression and asked curiously,
"What about those prisoners?"
Esdeath turned and walked toward the exit, replying indifferently,
"Budo will take over. They'll be publicly executed afterward."
A faint smile appeared on Uesugi Ryu's face. He seemed fairly satisfied with that outcome.
"Is that so? That works too."
After speaking, Uesugi Ryu followed Esdeath and left the room.
Hearing this news, Chelsea clenched her teeth tightly and suppressed the emotions in her heart with all her strength.
Only after more than ten minutes had passed did she cautiously leave the room.