The people behind the door Rentaro just stepped through were the center of power for the entire Tokyo Area; the individuals he had met outside earlier were merely subordinates.
Feeling numerous gazes focusing on him, Rentaro did not lose his composure.
In front of him was a grand staircase covered with a red carpet. At the very top stood Seitenshi in a pure white gown, wearing an elaborate white hat with blue patterns.
This was Rentaro's first time meeting the ruler of Tokyo in person, and saying he wasn't nervous at all would be a lie.
"You look to have recovered quite well, Satomi Rentaro. May I call you Satomi?"
"That is my honor, Your Excellency Seitenshi."
Rentaro bowed, one hand placed over his chest.
Seeing his demeanor, Seitenshi was somewhat pleased. She slowly descended, speaking as she walked.
"On that day, I was very proud to have someone like you fighting on the battlefield."
"Satomi, are you willing to continue fighting to protect Tokyo?"
"I am willing."
Rentaro dropped to one knee just as Seitenshi reached the floor. The scene truly resembled a knight being knighted by the queen.
And in a sense, Rentaro was being "titled" today.
"Satomi, I have discussed this with the IISO. Considering the incredible performance you showed yesterday, we have decided to promote you in the IP ranking."
"Congratulations. You are now the new IP Rank 134."
A flurry of applause rang out in time with Rentaro's surprise. He looked up, accepting his new Civil Security license. His heart was still beating intensely.
Jumping from outside the 12000s to Rank 134?
What kind of joke was this?
Rentaro genuinely harbored the desire to question the authenticity of this ranking, but asking such a question at a luxurious ceremony like this would be equivalent to slapping Seitenshi in the face, so he could only accept.
Truthfully, although the IP ranking was based on the strength of the Promoter-Initiator duo, strength alone wasn't enough to climb.
To increase one's IP rank, besides being strong, one needed merits, contributions, and all sorts of other requirements before promotion could even be considered. It wasn't as simple as defeating a rank and immediately replacing them.
In that battle, although he demonstrated the ability to defeat Kagetane, he did not succeed in preventing the Gastrea Zodiac from appearing, so his merit wasn't particularly high. There was no logical reason to replace Kagetane's rank.
But that was if they followed the normal procedure.
The real situation was that Rentaro, after failing to stop Kagetane from using the Seven Stars Legacy, had gone to the Silver King's Area. Regardless of his true intention for going there, in the eyes of these people, Rentaro was highly suspected of having gone there to seek refuge. Moreover, he had entered that Area once before.
Thus, they saw Rentaro as "half" a person under the Silver King. Since the IISO had previously offended the Silver King, they needed to quickly find a way to remedy the situation and ease tensions; promoting Rentaro was simply a convenient way to curry favor.
Currently, absolutely no one wanted conflict with the Silver King, literally or figuratively.
Although Rentaro didn't know the full reasons, he no longer cared, calmly accepting that he was now Rank 134. After all, it could only benefit him and Enju, not harm them.
"In that case, do you have any other requests?"
"Seitenshi, forgive my disrespect. But I wish to ask you a few things."
"About the Gastrea."
Seitenshi narrowed her eyes slightly. She raised her hand, signaling for everyone around them—officials and servants alike—to withdraw. In less than twenty seconds, the spacious room contained only the two of them facing each other.
Rentaro also stood up, as if asserting equality with Seitenshi.
"That day, I saw what was inside the suitcase."
Rentaro recalled the scene.
After Asahi returned, an extensive search took place. Shortly thereafter, the suitcase was found opened.
Inside, there was no dangerous radiation, no priceless artifact.
Inside, there was only an old three-wheeled toy wagon.
Even now, Rentaro was still utterly confused and questioning life. At the same time, a feeling of powerless dejection welled up within him.
His colleagues had died, Enju and he himself had nearly lost their lives, countless people had fallen... all for the sake of fighting over a toy?
This frustration lasted until today, prompting Rentaro to feel the need to question Seitenshi.
"Was that truly the Seven Stars Legacy? The object to summon a Rank Five Gastrea? Don't joke with me, we risked our lives for that thing!"
"Seitenshi, please answer me!"
Rentaro was practically shouting, but Seitenshi's gaze remained indifferent as before.
"The Seven Stars Legacy was sealed in a secret area. But a terrorist group led by Minister Kutsuwada found and stole it. However, on their escape route, his men were attacked and turned into that spider-type Gastrea."
"No, that's not what I wanted to know!?"
"That is all you are permitted to know, Satomi."
Crack!
Rentaro gritted his teeth, his hands clenched so tightly his knuckles were white. He knew he couldn't get anything more out of Seitenshi, and he resolutely turned and walked straight toward the door.
But as he reached the exit, her voice reappeared from behind.
"Become stronger."
"Only then can you find the truth."
Rentaro's body paused slightly but he did not turn back.
After the door closed, Seitenshi let out a sigh. Although this might cause a potential person like Rentaro to completely shift allegiance toward the Silver King, Seitenshi could not tell him the truth.
Because of her relationship with Tendou Kikunojou, Seitenshi understood Rentaro very well. She knew he was not a subordinate of the Silver King.
"In that case, could you tell me?"
Unbeknownst to her, a second voice had appeared in the room.
The Silver King.
He stood only a few meters away from Seitenshi. Had he not spoken, Seitenshi would not have even known she had been approached so closely.
If this were a political assassination, she would have certainly died.
Thinking of this, Seitenshi felt she had nothing to fear; if the Silver King had wanted to kill her, he would have done so long ago. Instead, she curtsied very politely.
"My honor, Your Excellency Silver King."
This situation truly felt like the guest's voice overshadowing the host's, but neither of them paid it any mind.
The Silver King was indeed qualified to know; if he wasn't, no one was.
"Please follow me."
"Very well."
Asahi nodded, allowing Seitenshi to lead him deeper into the Sacred Abode.
This area had no guards and no servants; only Seitenshi herself knew about it and could access it. This was because it stored numerous earth-shattering secrets. Randomly releasing just one of them would be enough to cause widespread public outcry. Thus, this place was always the top secret of top secrets.
But now, it was being opened to an outsider.
Seitenshi didn't want this, but the man's presence was too overwhelming. Forget her, all the major surface powers in Tokyo would have to comply and surrender such information when faced with this situation.
"What would you like to know?"
"The origin of the Gastrea, and the Seven Stars Legacy."
Seitenshi nodded, activating a projection screen.
"The Ardi File."