"You've already killed so many people. Isn't that enough?"
Seitenshi's face had gone white. Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
"Didn't I say? They all have to die."
Kaito didn't even look at her when he said it. He turned to the room.
"Who's the highest-ranking officer in the military? Step forward."
A man in uniform straightened up, visibly forcing himself to hold still despite the trembling in his legs.
"I... I am. What are your orders, sir?"
"Issue a command. All military units return to barracks immediately. Every patrol pulled back. Nobody moves, no matter what happens outside. Understood?"
The man's composure slipped.
"Sir, if I do that, the entire Tokyo Area will be left completely undefended. If anyone moves against us..."
"I gave you an order. I'm not asking for your opinion."
"I... I can't do it. I won't. It would destroy Tokyo Area."
"Then you're useless."
A golden ray punched through his chest. He dropped.
Kaito looked at the body for a moment, then back up at the room.
"Who's second in command?"
A slightly younger man with general's stars on his shoulder raised a trembling hand.
"I... I'm the Vice Minister of Military Affairs."
Kaito looked at him with half-lidded eyes.
"You'll give the order. Won't you?"
"I... this... I..."
Kaito extended his hand. Another golden ray.
"Next."
"I'll do it! I'll give the order right now, just don't..."
A middle-aged man in uniform was already reaching for his phone, words tumbling out.
"Good. Someone who understands the situation."
The man exhaled shakily and dialed.
"Beep beep beep."
"Hello, Ministry of Defense Command."
"This is Vice Commander Tsukamoto. Relaying a direct military order from the Commander-in-Chief."
"Yes, Vice Commander. Go ahead."
"Effective immediately, all units are to return to barracks. That includes all patrol units. Full withdrawal."
A pause on the other end.
"Vice Commander, are you certain? That would leave the entire Tokyo Area without..."
Tsukamoto looked up at Kaito, who was watching him with a faint smile, and forced himself to keep going.
"That's correct. This order comes from a joint decision by the Commander-in-Chief, the Vice Minister of Military Affairs, and myself. Seitenshi has given her approval."
"...Understood."
"Execute immediately."
"Yes, sir."
The line went dead. Tsukamoto slowly lowered the phone and looked at Kaito.
"Is that... acceptable, sir?"
Kaito smiled at him.
"Very good. I like people who know what's good for them."
The golden ray took him through the chest before he could react.
"You... he did everything you asked! Why?!"
Seitenshi was on her feet, staring at him.
"He's served his purpose. Why would I keep him?"
As far as Kaito was concerned, every person in this world had it coming. He felt nothing. Watching all of this play out in anime in his past life, he had been furious and helpless. Now he wasn't helpless anymore, and he intended to see every thought he'd had back then through to the end.
"You're a devil!"
Seitenshi's voice cracked. There were tears running down her face.
Kaito looked at her, and his tone didn't shift at all.
"If you didn't genuinely want to protect the Cursed Children, you wouldn't still be sitting there. Keep that in mind."
"Stay quiet and stay out of my way. If you can't do that, I'll kill you too."
'I'm not some soft-hearted protagonist from an anime. And even if I were, we're not exactly close.'
He only extended that kind of patience to his own people. Anyone else, no matter who they were, got nothing from him.
Seitenshi opened her mouth. Then closed it. She sat back down.
Kaito turned back to the room and let his expression ease into something almost pleasant.
"Now then, everyone. Sit tight. The show is about to start."
Tokyo Area · Outside the Monolith
"So this is the Monolith that Kaito-sama mentioned. The one that keeps the Gastrea back."
Benimaru stood on elevated ground, eyes moving along the massive structure.
"It should be. Past this point we're officially entering Tokyo Area's outer perimeter." Rengoku Kyojuro stepped up beside him. "Kaito-sama said there are Cursed Children living throughout the outer perimeter. I'd suggest we sweep the whole area before pushing into the main city."
Benimaru listened, then turned to Geld on his other side.
"Geld. Your thoughts?"
"Kyojuro-sama's instinct is right, but I'd say half the force is enough for the sweep. Kaito-sama is already inside the city. The sooner we link up with him the better."
Rengoku Kyojuro nodded.
"Kyojuro-sama has a point. I didn't think it through fully. That's the better call, Benimaru."
Benimaru didn't hesitate.
"Settled. Geld, take half the force and begin the search for Cursed Children in the outer perimeter. Rengoku Kyojuro and I will lead the rest into the city and rendezvous with Kaito-sama."
"Yes! *2"
Both of them moved off immediately to relay the orders.
Benimaru watched them go. Something sharp passed through his eyes.
"It won't be long now," he said quietly, almost to himself. "Rimuru-sama, you're nearly there. Nearly an awakened Demon Lord."
The plan Kaito had laid out was still running through his mind as the force split cleanly in two and began advancing toward their separate objectives.