Ch.57Fake Human (3)

The Round Table, where only S-Class heroes could sit.

It was located on the highest floor of the Hero Association building.

A mysterious place that I had only heard mentioned but never visited, even by the 5th anniversary of when I quit “Monster Frontline.”

I had always wondered when that plot point would be resolved.

I remember feeling regretful about it even as I deleted the game, but I never dreamed I would enter this place so quickly.

And as an ordinary college student, no less.

[No, a civilian… moreover, a man being here makes no sense.]

In the dark space, at the round table made of pure white marble, it was perhaps to be expected.

Before the meeting began, the high-ranking Association officials, displayed as holograms around the room, were in an uproar about my presence—someone who shouldn’t be here.

Fitting for a world where women handle important matters, there was a strong patriarchal gaze directed at me, especially from the elderly officials.

The higher-ups were demanding that I be thrown out immediately.

Feeling uncomfortable myself, I was about to get up and leave when—

*Shing*

[Wh-what?!]

[L-L-Lady Makoto…?!]

[Lady Makoto…?]

“Enough.”

As if her own child had been disrespected.

Lady Makoto drew her sword against the Association’s higher-ups instead of using words.

“This child is like family to me, whom I personally brought here.”

[Lady Makoto personally brought him…?]

[Even so, having a man present at such an important meeting is…]

[Ahem, it goes against tradition…]

“If anything happens, I will take full responsibility.”

As expected of the S-Class Rank 3.

I was nervous about what would happen, but after Lady Makoto’s brief statement, even the Association’s higher-ups seemed to have their knees weakened and kept their mouths shut.

*Whisper whisper*

“Is it really okay to do this?”

“Hehe. What does it matter? All four of us here don’t mind Janghoon being present anyway~.”

That was a relief.

But on the other hand, I was worried about Lady Makoto.

So I carefully asked Yoon Ha-eun who was sitting right next to me, but she just shrugged as if it was fine.

‘Everyone’s okay with me being here?’

I could understand the two members of the Okami family and Yoon Ha-eun accepting me due to our friendship.

But directly across from me, watching me intently, was the S-Class Rank 4 hero.

Roselia came from an aristocratic family known for their conservative values, so I expected her to say something.

However.

“It’s fine, young master. You’ve already missed your chance to leave, so just sit quietly.”

“Ah, yes…?”

Surprisingly, she was accommodating me.

‘Is it because I’m associated with the Okami family?’

In the original work, Roselia had a tendency to look down on men, so perhaps it was because Lady Makoto was backing me.

Even the mighty S-Class Rank 4 seemed to lower her tail before the Rank 3.

“…So, enough idle talk. Why exactly were all S-Class heroes summoned here?”

[Ahem! Regarding that… well… we have someone else who will explain.]

“…? Wait, are you telling me that even the Association’s top brass attended this meeting without knowing its content?!”

Typical of monster stories.

The higher-ups are incompetent to an absurd degree.

True to that trope, those who had called the meeting fell silent, as if they had only come to fill seats.

Enraged by this, Lady Makoto glared at each hologram, seemingly ready to wake these rotten old folks from their stupor.

But with bad timing.

“Now, why don’t we set aside the anger and get to the main point? Lady Makoto.”

“?! You are…?”

“Huh?”

“Oh?”

“!!”

Walking toward the round table from the darkness was a member of the National Assembly—not as a hologram, but in person.

Snow-white hair cascading down.

Lifting her glasses slightly, she took us all in with her pure white eyes.

She was Representative Avanka, leader of the Progressive Party, who made even the Association’s higher-ups bow their heads in fear.

“A-Assembly Member Avanka?”

“It’s been a while, Lady Makoto. Have you been well?”

“Ah, yes… Thanks to you…”

“And thanks to you, we can still live in a city that hasn’t been destroyed.”

Wait, why is a member of the National Assembly coming out of the Hero Association headquarters?

Someone who should be doing politics at the National Assembly building was exchanging greetings and handshakes in a completely unrelated place.

Even the mighty Lady Makoto seemed surprised by this fact.

After leaving the stunned Lady Makoto behind, Assembly Member Avanka turned to look at the four of us, who were just as shocked as she was.

Among us, I must have stood out the most.

“…A man?”

“Ah, haha… Hello?”

A male college student crashing an S-Class meeting.

The Assembly Member’s gaze fixed on me, someone who clearly didn’t belong here.

I was sure I was about to get scolded, but then—

*Clap clap clap clap*

“…?”

[???]

The sound of Assembly Member Avanka’s applause stunned everyone around the round table and even the Association executives beyond the holograms.

“Excellent. I thought the Hero Association still had strong conservative tendencies due to its emphasis on outdated traditions, but it seems you’re finally opening your eyes to the glass ceiling of gender.”

“P-pardon?”

[Ha, haha…]

[Y-yes, of course…]

“Bravo. This is wonderful. Humanity has always ‘progressed.’ We’ve always evolved to survive and moved beyond our failed past. In that sense, this gathering—where we now rely on the strength of not just women but men as well to survive—is truly historic!”

Umm…

I just came here by mistake though?

*Whisper whisper*

“Hey, Janghoon.”

“Yes, miss.”

“That Assembly Member. She seems like a surprisingly good person, don’t you think?”

“Well… I suppose she has to be decent, being the leader of a political party and all.”

“That’s true!”

From her first appearance, she was truly a politician.

Assembly Member Avanka made her presence known with words and actions that couldn’t help but catch people’s attention.

But that atmosphere was very short-lived.

“But why is Assembly Member Avanka here?”

Lady Makoto asked the question I wanted to ask.

With that, the gazes of the other heroes seated at the round table naturally turned toward her.

Then came the answer.

“Well, it’s nothing major, but there’s a document related to hero legislation that’s about to be passed in the National Assembly.”

“Hero-related… document?”

At those words, neither I nor Rookie Hero Miss Hoshino had much of a reaction.

“Hmm~.”

“Why would people who should be doing politics take an interest in this place?”

“Weren’t businesses and heroes supposed to stay out of politics by the unspoken rule of Hero City?”

The three S-Class heroes at the round table.

Including Lady Makoto, neither Roselia nor Yoon Ha-eun—who usually had a lovely, smiling demeanor—was smiling now.

It was as if they were looking at a rogue trying to cross a line that shouldn’t be crossed.

“Since when did we heroes become ‘servants’ who blindly follow the words of politicians?”

“Hahaha… Servants? That’s a misunderstanding, Lady Makoto.”

“‘Misunderstanding’… For something like that, the leader of the Progressive Party—which has the highest approval rating in Hero City—has come in person. Are you saying this is all a lie?”

“Well……”

Following Lady Makoto, Roselia attacked Assembly Member Avanka.

With the dignity of a noble, she glared down at her like a commoner, her ruby eyes gleaming.

Then even Yoon Ha-eun, not showing her usual heart-filled demeanor:

“Please just leave, Assembly Member Avanka.”

“Hero Yoon Ha-eun…”

“The Hero Association and politics are incompatible. What would happen if politics, where taking sides is commonplace, interfered with saving lives?”

“Sigh, I expected this, but my head is already spinning even though all five aren’t even here yet.”

“Yes, so if you have something official to request from us, this sudden announcement is unpleasant. Please follow proper procedures and come back, thank you.”

The round table froze before the meeting even began.

The executives beyond the holograms had either fled or were keeping quiet like dead mice.

Only a few seconds of heavy silence flowed.

But true to being a politician who couldn’t bend her will:

“I understand. I apologize for my rudeness.”

“Then please—”

“But! For the sake of Hero City! For humanity’s sake, I must speak about this legislation here and now!”

“Are you serious?!”

“Did you not hear us? Just leave!”

“Just one word! Let me start with just one word!”

“Do you want to be forcibly removed?!”

Assembly Member Avanka clung to the round table, refusing to be thrown out.

“Please leave now!”

“Don’t touch me! I said don’t touch me!”

Unable to watch any longer, Yoon Ha-eun stood up and tried to pull her away without hurting her, but she stuck like a leech.

Then, facing all of us who were sighing:

“As of this moment! The number of S-Class heroes in the Hero Association will be increased from 5 to 15!”

“Eh?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“…What the hell?”

The legislation that the National Assembly was trying to pass by summoning only the Hero City executives.

Assembly Member Avanka had just revealed to us all the increase in the number of S-Class heroes—something that hadn’t even existed in the original work.

“Huh? So does that mean I’m going to be an S-Class hero now?”

“Yes~. Of course, Princess. From now on, you’ll be S-Class Hero Okami Hoshino!”

“Ooooh! Mom, that means I’m now the same rank as—”

“Hoshino, be quiet. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you can’t approach Janghoon during your heat period.”

“?! Y-yes, ma’am!”