A Shot Away

In the depths of Public Security HQ, the terrorist responsible for the Joy World attack was being “interrogated.”

Held down on the ground by two agents, Okita had placed a cloth over his face. Each time he failed to answer a question, Okita didn’t hesitate to tip over a jug of water, drowning him.

However, even with Okita’s best efforts, he just wouldn’t talk. Despite the garbling and desperately struggling for his life after every wave, his resolve never weakened, and it was starting to get exhausting.

The Kkangpae were known for being hardcore, but this was beyond his expectations. Okita didn’t halfass his work. It was a stroke of luck catching this guy, they had to get something out of him.

But Okita’s train of thought was interrupted by the door bursting open. Looking over, he saw his lord. “Keitaro!? What are you doing here?”

Followed by Musashi, Keitaro slowly walked in, eyeing the prisoner. “Am I not allowed to view the interrogation?”

“You can if you want, but—”

“Then tell me what you’ve found out?”

Okita sighed. “He’s with the Kkangpae. He infiltrated Joy World a week ago, but that’s all we got.”

“That’s a bit strange. Because we only went to Joy World at the White Knight’s behest.” Keitaro walked beside the man. “What I think happened is that the original plan was to blow up Joy World on a busy day. Once me and Toko showed up, the plan changed.”

“I was thinking something like that myself.”

“Now just imagine the original plan had happened. Joy World was only empty because of our visit, on any other day it would’ve been packed. How many hundreds of people would’ve been killed then?” Keitaro stopped walking. “Bring him to his feet.”

At Okita’s signal, the agents complied, standing up the man.

Keitaro walked up to the man. “Answer me. How many people would’ve been killed?”

The man stayed silent, staring at Keitaro with pure hatred.

“Nothing?” Keitaro chuckled. ”I can hate you for attacking my sister, but she’s a combatant at the end of the day. However, what I can’t forgive is the massacre of innocent civilians.”

“As if you’re one to talk…” The man said venomously.

“Oh? Really now?”

“Do you think we’ve forgotten what you did to us!?”

“Excuse me?”

“You killed our people! Raped our women! Destroyed our culture! We’re not going to let it happen again!”

“Are you stupid? How many decades ago was that? And in a different world no less! You think that justifies murdering innocents?”

“None of them were innocent! Each and every one would’ve cheered on our genocide!”

Keitaro sighed. This was really starting to frustrate him. “Just tell me one thing, is the Kkangpae tied to the government?”

“As if I’d tell you a damn thing, you Japanese bastard!”

“Japanese bastard, huh? Bitch all you want. Korea surrendered without even a fight.”

The man cried out in anger and tried to lunge at Keitaro, the agents barely able to hold him back.

“Keitaro, I think that’s enough.” Musashi said to Keitaro.

“I guess so…” Turning around, Keitaro began to walk out. “Okita, I’m calling a strategy meeting in an hour. Be ready.”

“Understood…”

***

Tokyo’s council had convened. Keitaro and Toko were both present as well as General Yamashita and Chancellor Tokugawa. Notably, Spymaster Okita was absent.

Not only were they discussing how to handle the latest attack, but also how to handle Korea’s involvement. The Kkangpae were confirmed to be the perpetrators, but it was unclear if they were acting independently or as a proxy of the Seoul government.

Tokugawa made the first proposal. “I suggest we inquire directly with the Korean government and request an investigation.”

“Nope.” Keitaro immediately responded.

“Lord Keitaro?” Tokugawa looked genuinely confused. “Why not?”

“Let’s say we do that, what do you think happens? I’d bet a billion yen that Seoul’s government is not only involved but orchestrated the entire thing.”

“What!?”

“Think about it. What do these terrorist attacks do? They weaken us, but they also create tension between Tokyo and Seoul in a way that favors Seoul. They give terrorists free reign in our city, we eventually go to them and complain, they deny all involvement, and then we attack. While it’s a reasonable response from us, it makes us look like warmongers, destroying our reputation and netting Seoul international support.”

Tokugawa was surprised to hear such a deduction. “Well, that may all be true, but we have no way of knowing right now.”

“I don’t need to know for sure, but I won’t play into their hands. I say we attack right now.”

Tokugawa slammed his hand down. “We can’t just attack out of the blue!”

“They’re expecting us to go through a whole diplomatic process. If we strike now, we catch them by surprise, giving us a massive advantage.”

“If we attack without any warning at all then we’ll look like complete monsters!”

“Our reputation will get destroyed anyway, might as well destroy it for a strong chance at victory.”

“The young lord makes good points.” Yamashita threw his support behind the plan. “I can mobilize the troops in under sixty minutes. We can strike in the dead of the night, take the city in a matter of hours.”

“I understand the logic, but think rationally. If we end up isolated and a threat then every other city will ally against us. Not to mention, we’d be the first to declare war, compounding the issue.”

Keitaro sighed in defeat. “I guess you’re right…”

A silence fell over the room. Neither plan seemed like a great option, and they couldn’t just allow the terrorist attacks to continue. Okita was skilled, but resources were limited. He estimated that there were thousands of Kkangpae members operating in Tokyo. It just wasn’t feasible to catch them all.

But Keitaro knew what was in store if they did nothing. How many thousands more would have to die then? What if he and Toko weren’t so lucky next time?

“Sorry for the late arrival.” Without anyone even realizing it, Okita had sat down. “I received a letter, it’s from our American friends.” He slid it over the table towards Keitaro.

Without hesitation, Keitaro picked up the letter and opened it, reading aloud, “Paris has allied with Berlin and they are currently preparing to attack London and Rome. Information is tight, but Louis Delacroix, the Blue Knight, might have the strongest Ability of us all. In the near future, I’ll likely invade London and seek an alliance with Paris. Sincerely, Jack Butler.”

This was useful intel to say the least.

Jack and Ella had left immediately after the attack. They plastered on their usual smiles, but Keitaro could tell how fearful they really were. It was the first time either of them had been confronted with death, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. However, it was unclear whether the attack made them lose confidence in the alliance or not.

“That settles it. We’re attacking Seoul.” Keitaro said with clear confidence.

“Will you reconsider, my lord?” Tokugawa was not the type to beg, even if he really felt like doing it.

“Nope. If the rest of Kosma is going to be distracted then Seoul’s plan falls apart. The international support they were banking on won’t ever arrive if they’re busy with their own problems.”

“I understand, but do you truly trust those two?”

“Trust is a strong word, but we don’t have to. As soon as we get word of this war, we’ll invade Seoul.” Keitaro looked at Yamashita. “Draft up the plans and be ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice. I want this operation to be as quick as possible, so don’t hold back.”

Yamashita bowed slightly. “Consider it done, sir.”

Ketiaro then turned his attention to Okita. “Keep our plans secret no matter what and start planning a police force for our occupation.”

“Got it.”

Keitaro stood up. “This will be our first battle and our first victory. The Koreans have acted like thugs, and every thug loses to an organized, tactical force.”