The autumn equinox had passed, and the cold dew was approaching.
At the end of the month in Tokyo, the atmosphere was joyful and peaceful, yet carried a sense of heaviness and oppression.
Joy belonged to the people, worry to the upper class.
Vela Adelheid Russell, Special Class Investigator of the USA and Special Commissioner with full authority, had already been serving in the Tokyo Commission of Counter Ghoul for over a month.
It was also a month of remarkable achievements for the CCG.
Including but not limited to—
Continuing the pursuit of the surviving 'MADAM' in Ward 7, eradicating the 'Skull Masks' group in Ward 13, purging the remnants of 'Shachi's' organization in Ward 6, sweeping Ward 4 and uncovering the ghoul mask workshop 'HySy ArtMask Studio,' striking Ward 14 and dismantling several ghoul gathering nests, seizing the ghoul bar 'Helter Skelter,' fighting and defeating 'Aogiri Tree' in Wards 9, 10, and 11, destroying multiple strongholds and eliminating numerous harmful ghouls…
Under the drive and leadership of Vela—the 'Angel of Death' cloaked in black, as investigators and ghouls alike called her—the CCG began operating with an efficiency reminiscent of the post-Showa era, starting with the ghoul restaurant cases of Ward 7.
Although the 'Nimura Furuta Case,' that is—the fact that a ghoul had disguised itself as an investigator—had caused a crisis of credibility and cohesion within the CCG, and even led to major upheaval among its top leadership, the organization still maintained its capacity to carry out duties, since high-ranking investigators such as Special Class and Associate Special Class officers had been confirmed to be human.
After all, externally, there were strong institutions providing support—UN troops led by US forces stationed in Japan, the North American Commission of Counter Ghoul, the UN Anti-Ghoul Guidance Organization, the CIA, the DIA, and others.
At this time, Bureau Chief Yoshitoki Washuu had already been dismissed by the Prime Minister for incompetence, due to ghouls infiltrating the Bureau and attacking the Special Commissioner.
Even the retired Grand Chairman Tsuneyoshi Washuu, once behind the CCG, had been held accountable.
With Vela's support, Marude Itsuki returned to the Ward 1 Headquarters and temporarily assumed the position of Bureau Chief.
The maturity brought by an old bureaucrat's experience allowed him to quickly stabilize the situation.
In terms of action: re-examining long-unsolved cold cases in their jurisdiction with greater thoroughness, responding more swiftly to newly emerging ghoul crimes, integrating and upgrading the city's surveillance network in cooperation with the police department…
In terms of management: reorganizing the public relations team, documenting frontline anti-ghoul operations to produce dedicated propaganda films, submitting the 'Legally Recognized Ghouls—Ghouls Against Ghouls' bill to the National Diet for discussion, and seizing favorable ground in public opinion…
This month, with Vela and Marude working together, the CCG had many tasks pending and in progress. Though numerous and varied, all proceeded in an orderly manner.
Among them, the most publicly eye-catching were undoubtedly the physical extermination operations.
Directed personally by Vela, these targeted sweeps against regions plagued by ghoul outbreaks were what citizens could most directly perceive.
Over the past month, CCG operations had followed one after another.
The joy of the citizens lay in the visibly improving public security and the government's demonstrated determination to eradicate the ghoul threat.
In contrast, anxiety lingered among certain members of Tokyo's upper class.
As for foreign military involvement, and whether it was inappropriate for a foreigner like Vela Russell to push reforms, enact new laws, and impose arrests and sanctions—that was considered irrelevant.
Japan had its own national conditions.
There were precedents to follow.
The situation resembled the postwar democratic reforms in Japan under General Douglas MacArthur, which laid the foundations for the nation's comprehensive development and modernization.
The reforms of the Commission of Counter Ghoul under Special Commissioner Vela Russell would likewise open a new chapter in Tokyo's anti-ghoul field.
"About time. The CCG wasted taxpayers' money for so many years. Baka, the Washuu's incompetence drained the entire force."
"I heard the Prime Minister and the Diet are planning to award Ms. Russell and the North American counter-ghoul operatives with medals…"
"Medals? When will that happen?"
"Not sure. Maybe when Ms. Russell leaves her post. Rumor is it'll be the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun and the Order of the Precious Crown, White Paulownia."
"Waaah, sugoi."
After school, on the way to the library, Touka Kirishima and Yoriko Kosaka walked side by side up the street. The passersby they brushed past were excitedly discussing the hot news unfolding.
Stopping, Yoriko couldn't help but turn her head curiously toward the television screen hanging outside a small shop, which was broadcasting a live interview with the de facto current head of the CCG—
Vela Adelheid Russell, Special Class Investigator.
"CCG investigators risk their lives every day for the safety of the people. Thanks to them, the citizens of Tokyo can live free from the threat of ghouls. They are noble and worthy of respect."
The blonde, blue-eyed beauty spoke confidently from behind the podium.
"I am here to solve problems, for investigators as well as for the people. Only by properly addressing the concerns of investigators can they fully devote themselves to eradicating the ghoul threat, thus ensuring the safety of all citizens… This is the mission entrusted to our counter-ghoul organization. Thank you."
When the interview mentioned "eradicating the ghoul threat," Yoriko couldn't help but ask: "Ne, Touka, what do you think ghouls are like?"
Her eyes flickering slightly, Touka paused, then replied in a somewhat uncertain tone: "Like humans, I guess. Beyond that, I don't know. Why are you asking—do you want to apply for the CCG?"
"Well, why not?"
Hands on her hips, Yoriko nodded seriously. "Even though my grades can't compare to yours, Touka, my chef certification exam is almost passed. I should be able to apply for a position in the CCG kitchens. Investigators are people too, they need to eat snacks, right?"
"Then do your best."
Eyebrows arched, Touka smiled encouragingly before continuing toward the library.
Yet behind her forced smile, a shadow of sorrow lingered in her eyes.
Eradicate the ghoul threat…
Recalling the rare, solemn expression on Manager Yoshimura's face, Touka felt a suffocating weight like dark clouds ready to crush the city.
Powerless.
The storm named Vela—or rather, the storm named the "Angel of Death," as investigators called her. "Angel of Death," death's messenger—so fitting, for too many ghouls had died directly or indirectly at her hands.
Even the 20th Ward was no longer peaceful.
The CCG's sweeping wind had already reached Ward 20.
Nishio, because of his arrogant behavior in the past, might be suspected by the Doves re-investigating old cases.
And Shuu Tsukiyama, that crazy pervert—the so-called Gourmet—relying on his family's power and connections, had long acted with impunity. Owning his own restaurant, meddling far too much in the Ward 7 ghoul restaurant scene… Now, it had all come back to him.
Even with the influence and networks of the Tsukiyama family and Tsukiyama Group, this month they had been battered badly. The Tokyo Prosecutor's Office, the Metropolitan Police, the Financial Services Agency—all frequently came knocking over economic investigations and consultations. Bleeding them dry.
According to Manager Yoshimura, that foreign Dove, on the surface eliminating active and aggressive criminal ghouls, was secretly rooting out traitors and corrupt figures within.
More than one ghoul family entrenched in Tokyo's high society had already been raided and sealed by the CCG, with assets directly frozen. None of this appeared in the media, clearly suppressed and silenced.
"…Sigh."
Entering the library, sitting down, spreading out her University of Tokyo review notes, Touka let out a faint sigh.
"Manager, Father, Mother, Ayato… can I still grasp the future?"
...
CCG Headquarters, Ward 1.
Section II, office marked with Russell's name.
"Their future? The future I've designed for them has only two options—legal, or illegal. Oh, that doesn't include Aogiri Tree or ghouls who kill deliberately."
With a faint smile, Vela set down the battle report in her hand.
How legal? The right to interpret the law rested with her.
"It's time to finish this."
Her elbows and forearms resting on the desk, Vela's eyes glimmered with shifting colors.
Half-truth, half-illusion. A frog slowly boiled in warm water. Now the fire was ready.
The Clowns, V, Aogiri Tree, the Washuu clan, the Sunlit Garden, even Kishou Arima's Squad 0… all risks were to be eliminated one by one.
Then, mobilize the troops. The time had come…
—
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