Leo Akaba walked into the Security Bureau headquarters with a group of nobles.
And there, he saw the greatest enemy of the nobility in this dimension.
Director of the Security Bureau: Godwin.
His expression was mild, his face composed and gentle, almost humble and scholarly.
No trace of threat could be read from his demeanor.
But the nobles knew better.
This peaceful exterior was nothing but the man's daily disguise.
In truth, his nature was ruthless, cold, merciless.
During the Friendship Cup between the S-Dimension and F-Dimension, he had taken advantage of the weakened defenses to assassinate the aristocratic elders in the Council, robbing the nobles of their leadership in one stroke.
Although the nobles still controlled most of the world's industries, agriculture, and resources…the military, by now, was already more than half in Godwin's hands.
If not for the hidden power of the nobility, and their proven capability to drag their enemies down with them, Godwin would likely have purged them long ago.
Still, the Security Bureau wasn't entirely without noble-aligned officers.
One of them was the Deputy Director, Jean-Michel Roget, the second-highest official in the Bureau.
Roget lacked Godwin's prestige, but he had his own loyal subordinates.
To the nobles, Godwin was the greatest barrier preventing them from taking back control.
As long as Godwin was removed, they could seize the entire world's lifeline once again.
However;
That was before Leo learned of the truth of the One God and the related events of this dimension.
Compared to those chosen for the war of the "One God," compared to nobles secretly aware of the divine struggle, Godwin, a mere scheming mortal who clawed his way to the top of the Security Bureau, was hardly worthy of consideration.
"Godwin, you are no longer allowed to delay! Recently, more and more of the lower-city trash have resisted our police forces. Only two days ago they even stormed our prison and released countless criminals!"
"We can't let this continue!"
"Yes! We must strike hard!"
Godwin stood with his hands behind his back, voice calm:
"Everyone, I understand your concerns. But the people of the lower city are simply expressing their grievances. I believe we can—"
"Enough nonsense!" Roget suddenly cut him off.
"Director Godwin, at this point, we must draw a clear line between us and these creatures! For the sake of our citizens..."
He didn't finish.
A massive explosion echoed from outside.
The corners of Roget's mouth twitched upward in satisfaction.
He had already reviewed all the City's surveillance feeds. He understood exactly how today would unfold.
He knew, without question, another uprising would occur right at this moment.
A perfect opportunity.
Just as he anticipated, a security officer rushed in, turned on the monitors, and displayed feeds from all over the City.
Across the entire lower district, unrest had erupted.
Lines of glowing Earthbound markings illuminated the streets.The people of the undercity were sincerely willing to risk their lives to resist.
Godwin stared coldly at the displays, his face unreadable.
Seeing Godwin unmoved, several nobles scoffed.
"Godwin, regardless of your reluctance, the lower-district savages are destroying the city. For the sake of protecting the city, protecting the citizens, protecting our own interests, we must deploy the police."
"Deputy Director Roget, the order is yours."
Roget nodded vigorously and laughed.
"Then let our police, together with our allies, begin this glorious game."
As he spoke, several "police officers" who looked completely different from the normal Security force put on their Duel Disks and smirked as they marched out.
"Wh-wh-who are these people? I've never seen them!"
Godwin's aide, Yeger, shouted in panic.
"Hahaha, these are security officers specially modified by our allies… our brand-new police force."
Roget boasted proudly.
Godwin didn't react, not to stop them, not to comment.He simply watched them leave, as calmly as if he were watching a group of… dead men walking.
At the same time,
After Leo and the nobles exited the Bureau, a soldier hurried over with an email device.
In the message was surveillance footage, Serena sneaking into the base…Serena rescuing Ruri… and the two girls, by a twist of accident, being sucked into the only active dimensional gate and transported to the S-Dimension.
Leo's eyes narrowed.
"Capture them."
Then he turned toward the Security officers and ordered:
"Let them assist as well. Have them join Rin."
"Yes, sir!!"
Leo Akaba didn't know how Serena had infiltrated the Fusion Army's main base, nor how she managed to extract Ruri right under Yuri's watch.
But now that both girls had arrived in this dimension;
This was the perfect opportunity.
Just yesterday, he had been lamenting the absence of his "daughters."
And today?
Two of them had come straight to him.
Perhaps… this is what people call "family bonds."
His soldiers relayed the information quickly, and the Security force soon received additional orders:
Capture several identical girls, they look alike except for different outfits and hairstyles.
Hard to distinguish, but very easy to target.
10:00 A.M. — Security Outpost, Satellite
Inside a police rest room in the lower city, a bunch of officers were drinking water and milling around.
"Crazy day… Yesterday they fined our salaries, I thought we were done for. And now they suddenly give us new cards."
A regular officer scratched his head as he examined the new Duel Monster card in his hand.
"But… why Fusion monsters…?"
They couldn't quite understand what was happening.
"Now they want us to catch little girls… tch… this job gets filthier every day."
Another officer sighed after checking the mission briefing.
"Catch little girls? What the hell do those freaks want?"Yusei's rival, Tetsu, had been dozing on a hammock with a newspaper over his face.
Hearing the conversation, he perked up, reached out, and grabbed the tablet.
He scanned the images:
Girls with different hairstyles and outfits, but the exact same face.
Definitely disguises.
Some kind of transformation trick.
He was about to shrug it off, But then he noticed something odd.
One of the girls' hairstyles and clothes, looked exactly like the girl from the Friendship Cup.
The one often seen hanging around with Yusei.
Wasn't she also friends with Amagi Hikaru?
He hesitated.
Stared at the screen for a long moment.
Then suddenly got up and pushed his D-Wheel outside.
"Eh? Boss, you're heading out this early? Starting work already?"
"No. I'm just doing a lap. You all can clock in later."
"YESSS!!"
The whole squad cheered like children.
Meanwhile, Tetsu mounted his D-Wheel, synced the systems, and pulled up the ID of the patrol car that had messaged him earlier.
He didn't know why he was doing this. But these last few days had changed something in him.
He had seen things, in the nobles, in the city, and in Hikaru's duels.
Things that made him question why he became a cop in the first place.
To protect people? Or to be someone's obedient dog?
"Tch. They claim the Satellite is full of criminals, yet here I am acting as an informant thief. Great."
10:10 A.M. - Hikaru's Workshop
After finishing an all-night overhaul of the Grimoire, Hikaru suddenly received a new message.
He opened it.
Three photos appeared, three girls who looked identical at first glance, but he knew each one was a different person.
His breath caught.
"Serena?"
Even Tierra beside him gasped.
"Looks like you've been far too gentle with her. Next time, you'd better be stricter."