episode_0205

A lot of time passed while preparing to confront Rigel’s faction’s conspiracy. As the year-end party drew near, the Violets reviewed their plan.

“What’s the status of our weapons and ammo?” “We can definitely fight one battle without a problem! But if it turns into an all-out war, we’ll run out immediately.”

Ammunition was the problem. Once the clan issues and transfer enrollment were handled, they would need to earn money and buy more bullets and explosive materials.

“Should we set up another meeting with Armas?” “Let’s ask a friend to get it for us once this is over! We can even get ammo through the clan.” “Right. We should do that!”

Once the work was done, they would be able to acquire weapons and ammunition more reliably through Helios, which they hadn’t been able to obtain before. Of course, some equipment might be faster to get through Armas.

Violet 1670 pointed out. “Once this is over, let’s get new weapons and armor too! Remember the Helios people when we went to the dungeon last time? Their equipment looked really good.”

Until now, the Violets had been using copied weapons they snuck out of the academy. Their performance was stable, but that was all. According to their experience so far, there was a clear qualitative difference even among 3-star and 4-star equipment of the same type.

“No time to rest, even after this is over.” The Violets’ discussion soon shifted to another topic.

“By the way, how’s Irene doing?” “She’s calm now.”

Everything had been successful, yet there were still many shortcomings. It wouldn’t be easy for her to accept the outcome.

In fact, they had persuaded her so fervently that the surgery could proceed.

“Irene, just imagine, running across the land with a body of steel! The power to destroy monsters with immense force!” “Th-this truly has potential? But…” “Trust us!”

As a result of pressuring the researchers and technicians they had captured on site, they had also obtained positive results.

“Everything else is done. All that’s left is to wait for the year-end party and prepare.” “By the way, the inspector said they’d help too, right?” “Yes! They seem to know what weapon Laflaxia supported. It’s a very dangerous deal.”

They needed to be careful. Stregonix was a weapon that appeared in Part 1, so it was familiar, but they couldn’t even guess what kind of weapon Laflaxia was supporting now.

“It’s probably a biological weapon, right?” They were diligently wiretapping and tailing, but it seemed Rigel’s faction didn’t specifically know what kind of weapon it was either.

“Let’s not let our guard down, everyone!” With this much preparation, there shouldn’t be any failure, but complacency was forbidden.

As time passed, the day of the year-end party finally arrived.

**

Late afternoon, the banquet hall where the year-end party was held was packed with people. The space, adorned with luxurious decorations and numerous tables, gave off an exotic feel. Men and women in formal wear bustled between tables, chatting, while waiters moved busily with plates and trays.

“This year’s year-end party feels different somehow.” Morgan said to Victor, looking around. “Indeed. Especially considering our poor performance.”

Looking at Rigel, who had arrived early and was chatting with people, the two exchanged meaningful glances. The story the Captain’s daughter told them last night kept bothering them.

“Irene seems to be right. Rigel is planning something here.”

Originally, this event, meant to briefly introduce the year’s achievements and foster camaraderie among high-ranking executives and guests, had been somewhat scaled down recently due to declining performance. But this year, it was exceptionally large. To rent such an unnecessarily large venue.

‘Good thing I called the ops team to wait nearby.’

Morgan, as always, posed a question to the man in front of him. “By the way, you said you were quitting, so why are you here?” “…I don’t know either. He just said it would be good to have the squad members wait outside.”

Morgan clicked his tongue, seeing Victor casually brush off the question and take a sip of his champagne.

“Oops!” “Hey, watch out!” Morgan grumbled. The female waiter, flustered, retreated awkwardly.

Once everyone had gathered, the host appeared and announced the start of the event. First, a brief introduction to the clan’s achievements and performance for the year followed.

“Oh dear, have they still not recovered?” “This is a disaster. How did it come to this?”

People who saw the presentation slides displayed at the front of the banquet hall remained silent and half-heartedly applauded. Those gathered here were not people who would fail to see through crudely fabricated falsehoods. The shoddy performance report, which had nothing to show, highlighted the clan’s worsening situation.

“Oh, my…” Hearing one of the guests mumble involuntarily, Morgan lowered his head in embarrassment.

After several presentations, in a subdued atmosphere, the host cleared his throat and drew everyone’s attention.

“Ahem, ahem! Now, before the main event begins, Mr. Rigel Solstice has something to say. Please welcome him with a round of applause!”

No sooner had the words left his lips than Rigel, clad in a white suit, appeared on stage. He remained silent for a moment before opening his mouth.

“Ladies and gentlemen, there is an important reason why I have gathered you all here today.” He calmly took a breath, then continued as if he had never hesitated.

“Unfortunately, it is time for everyone to face reality. It’s a bit grim to talk about such unpleasant things at year-end. But let’s be honest. Our clan is in crisis!”

People’s expressions slightly hardened. They hadn’t expected such negative news to be openly discussed at a year-end party.

“My brother, the head of the clan. The Chief Executive Officer is currently unconscious. The board of directors is divided, and employee morale is at an all-time low. In situations like this, we must unite as one.”

An elderly executive belonging to the conservative faction shouted. “Ha! So what do you want? Are you planning to act as the leader?” “Yes. That’s right.” “What…?”

“Therefore, I boldly declare here today. Our clan, Helios Frontier Service, needs a new leader! With my shares and authority as a director, I propose holding an emergency general meeting right now. Everyone, please delegate management rights to me here and now. I will do my best to lead the company!”

The sudden declaration caused the complexions of those gathered in the banquet hall to turn pale.

“What? Are you crazy?” “What are you suddenly talking about?” “Excuse me, but I don’t think this is the place for such talk…”

Watching the people muttering, Rigel suddenly burst out laughing.

“I knew this would happen. All you can think about is that damn older brother of yours. You still miss that half-corpse, don’t you?”

“What do you mean…?” Beneath the podium, people were bewildered by the sudden outburst, but Rigel, as if he had never laughed, stopped smiling and spoke in a harsh tone.

“Begin.” —Boom!

No sooner had the signal dropped than masked agents and mercenaries poured out from the hall entrance. They quickly surrounded the people and locked the doors.

“Get down! Drop your weapons!” A murmur mixed with screams spread. The waiters and staff of the banquet hall screamed in fright and cowered.

“No! Don’t kill us!” “Kyaaak! Help me!” Terrified cries erupted among the invited guests as well. Executives’ faces also stiffened.

“Wh-what is this? Who are those people?” “Th-they’re holding weapons! Could it be a terrorist attack…?”

The year-end party became a chaotic scene. The banquet hall instantly split into two groups, drawing weapons and confronting each other. On one side were Rigel’s relatives and faction members, gathered around him. On the other were those surrounded by the agents, standing off with their weapons drawn.

Morgan and Victor exchanged glances, engulfed in shock. “Could it be…?” “Irene’s warning.”

They let out ragged breaths. Looking around, they saw others, perhaps forewarned like themselves, quietly observing the situation.

However, not everyone could calmly accept the situation. Amidst the chaos, someone cried out in a trembling voice. “Wh-what are you doing?!”

Rigel scoffed. “What am I doing? It seems you still haven’t grasped the situation, so I’ll explain it simply. Those with shares must immediately transfer them all to me. And sign this document without delay.” Rigel’s secretary approached from behind, holding documents.

An agent belonging to the conservative faction shouted. “Rigel! You idiot, worse than your brother! Are you kidding? Do you really think you can become the clan’s CEO by getting these signatures?”

His words were immediately cut short by threateningly aimed crossbows and swords.

“It seems you still don’t understand, but if you don’t cooperate, it will be hard to leave here gracefully. And…”

“Everyone, charge—” As the leading agents rushed forward, Rigel threatened in a chilling tone. “It would be best not to think of resisting.”

The moment he said that, some of the mercenaries surrounding them inflated like balloons.

—Boom! “Ugh…!”

Everything happened in an instant. The charging agents were subdued in a flash, sent sprawling to the floor.

“M-monsters!” The ones who knocked down the agents were people who looked like monsters. The red monstrous beings, boasting hideous forms three meters tall, threatened people with their sharp, long claws and appendages.

“You’ll never subdue them at this level. Come on, everyone choose. Will you sign or not?” As Rigel scoffed, the mercenaries also aimed their weapons threateningly. The faces of those who grasped the situation turned white.

“Wh-what are you doing?! Are you crazy?!” “Please stop! Let our families go!”

As someone wailed, Rigel and his faction, emboldened, smiled coldly. Despairing screams and cries erupted one by one.

“Looks like we’re screwed, aren’t we? Even if we call the squad members, we can’t stop the damage.” “Are you giving up already? First…”

As Victor smiled bitterly, Morgan tried to quickly summon the excavation team members. That is, if the waiter cowering at his feet hadn’t stopped him.

“…Irene! Later!” “…?”

As Morgan paused at the unexpected restraint, the situation changed. —Crash!

The banquet hall ceiling exploded. Two dark figures struck the monstrous beings. “!” “Roar!”

The red monstrous beings shattered. At the same time, the banquet hall floor broke, and a group in black combat suits poured out from below. —Swish!

“A-an ambush!” Simultaneously, the waiters who had been lying flat on the floor threw off their wigs and masks. The waiters charged towards Rigel.

“Attaaack!” “They’re enemies too! Block them! Aaaargh!” Mercenaries fell one by one. Rigel stared at the banquet hall with a shocked expression.

“…A-Ariel Group! Why are you here?!” Just before he fell into a panic, his wife barely managed to pull him back to reality. “Honey! Snap out of it!”

“Ah, alright. I give up on persuasion. Kill them all! Shoot! Shoot them!” No sooner had the order been given than his subordinates pulled their triggers. Bullets and bolts immediately ricocheted off a pale green barrier, losing their momentum and falling to the floor.

“My God… what is that?!” At the unexpected barrier, Rigel’s golden eyes trembled violently. And as if to put an end to this situation, the closed main entrance of the banquet hall shattered. Through the broken door, a golden magic, shining like the sun, spread out and enveloped the people.

“Thank you, Daphne, for protecting everyone.” “You’re welcome!” The violet-haired girl with a spear stepped forward.

“Violet. Subdue everyone but one person.” “Got it!” Violet Company and Irene charged across the banquet hall.

**

The core of this operation was simple: disguise and infiltration! The day before the year-end party, a group of Violets deployed their clones on the banquet hall floor. Of course, this alone wasn’t enough.

“We investigated the venue and the company hosting this year’s year-end party.” At Irene’s request, our Violets went through several complex processes to become banquet hall waiters. Shoe insoles and makeup. Wigs and silicone masks. Adding the power of a perception-hindering device operating at minimum output, they could deceive people for a short time.

Thus, the waiter Violets waited for the signal. Beginning with Seijis and Sophieel bursting in from the ceiling and slicing through Laflaxia’s monsters, charges from all directions would finish everything.

“Let’s capture them alive!” Thanks to this, Rigel’s faction, caught off guard, was subdued by them one by one.

“Let go of me! Let go!” “Aaaargh! My leg! Don’t bite!”

While the Violets subdued the people, Irene, who had rushed ahead, quickly knocked down several relatives blocking her path and reached Rigel.

“Irene! You damn bitch! How could you even ally with terrorists!” Irene ignored whatever her uncle shouted and charged. Soon, the two engaged in a furious brawl.

“If it weren’t for you… just you!” “…” “Shouldn’t we intervene?” “I don’t think there’s a need.”

Rigel swung his weapon wildly. His weapon was a massive curved sword. As the magic-infused spear and sword clashed, loud sparks flew. His momentum was extremely violent.

“Aaaargh!” In contrast to the flailing Rigel, Irene swung her spear emotionlessly, without wavering. Twisting its trajectory, thrusting, then flowing into a slashing motion.

“Got him!” “Stay still!” Soon after the two began fighting, they had subdued everyone. Now people’s gazes turned to their duel.

At first glance, it appeared to be a situation where the girl, lacking in physique, strength, and magic capacity, was being pushed back by the adult man. However, the reality was different.

—Clang! The curved sword, imbued with fierce sword energy, swayed unsteadily like a flagpole in a storm. In contrast, the long spear, imbued with a seemingly restrained, thin layer of magic, remained unhindered and straight.

The next moment, the seemingly unfavorable situation was instantly reversed. “Guh…!”

Had it all been a trick until now? Rigel’s sword, which had merely been swung, suddenly flashed as if golden magic exploded from the spear tip, sending it flying into the air. His right arm, severed from its master, rolled on the floor.

“Honey!” “Oh, no! We’re ruined!” The wife’s shriek and the relatives’ despair echoed through the banquet hall.

“What, that guy’s weak?” “Irene is strong!”

—Thud! Even with his arm severed, Rigel attempted to resist. He struggled to pull out a dagger with his left hand and swung it, but a kick to his chest sent him sprawling.

“Damn it…! Damn it!” “Shut up. You talk too much.” Only when Irene’s chilling spearhead was pointed at his neck did he finally fall silent.

Victory was decided. “We won! The fight’s over!” Now all that’s left is the cleanup.