Kasumigaseki.
The building housing Central Block 5.
Boom! Boom!!
Pillars of fire composed of magma erupted from the ground, staining the sky beneath the dark clouds crimson. The scattered flames even ignited the nearby Hibiya Park.
Whether it was buildings or forests, even the fountains were engulfed in raging flames.
And at the very centre of these great fires.
Giada stood amidst several pillars of fire, her gaze skipping over the ignited dignitaries to focus on the location of Building 5's annexe.
On the rather modest ten-plus storey building, a pale green fluorescent barrier had formed, blocking the heat from magma and toxic sulphur fumes at a tilt.
"It seems the telltale clue has been revealed, hasn't it?"
Giada chuckled, her expression full of amusement.
The place where she stood was the shared headquarters building of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, located between the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, to the right of Kasumigaseki.
There was still some distance to both houses of Japan's Diet and the true core - the Prime Minister's official residence.
But distance meant little to Giada.
When launching her attack, she had dispatched six familiars, operating in both overt and covert formations, assaulting Nagatacho and Kasumigaseki from three different directions.
Just as now, at the Prime Minister's official residence, the thunderous Amashutorī was providing special attention.
And currently, the spectacle of the Prime Minister's residence being struck by lightning has attracted the attention of numerous onlookers.
But for Giada, attacking the Prime Minister's residence wasn't important - what mattered was something else entirely.
"It seems you've discovered the secret prison within the Ministry of Environment..."
Beside Giada, from among the roadside flowerbeds yet untouched by flames, a wild chrysanthemum slowly bloomed, emitting Shizuka Hio's cool voice.
Giada showed no surprise at Shizuka Hio's appearance, instead replying with a cheerful smile:
"If that Asakura's memories are correct, due to the previous ice disaster's impact, the numerous secret prisons controlled by Japanese authorities suffered severe damage. Currently, they've only urgently repaired underground special prisons in a few locations, used to detain those secretly contained anomalous creatures..."
At this point, Giada narrowed her eyes, her tone carrying some amusement as she said:
"Conservatively estimated, these prisons should contain over 80 different species of creatures..."
Hearing this, Shizuka Hio fell silent for a moment before speaking:
"Only one-third remaining to complete the Class requirements for True Dragon Sorcerer?"
"I'm somewhat curious, how did they manage this?"
"Don't underestimate a nation's collection."
Giada placed one hand on her hip, watching the fleeing civil servants and the few sorcerers resisting the fire pillars, observing their moth-like rush into flames with an amused expression:
"Some things that nations don't do, doesn't mean they can't do them."
"Although in the mystic side, individual violence can indeed reach extreme levels of power, in the reality side, the comprehensive nature of collectives is not something to be underestimated."
"And sometimes, having the capability to complete Class requirements and lacking a Class don't necessarily conflict."
Shizuka Hio said coolly: "I see, no wonder the Director is implementing Class information control..."
For a nation, meeting some Class requirements isn't particularly difficult for them - what's difficult is merely knowing that these things can fulfil Class requirements.
That is the current situation in Japan.
Without even knowing that the True Dragon Sorcerer requires blood sacrifices from over a hundred different races, they have already, for various reasons, collected and completed nearly two-thirds of the collection of anomalous races.
And once they realise the Class requirements of the True Dragon Sorcerer, it is entirely possible for the Japanese authorities to produce a Class holder in a short period of time.
It was precisely because Luo Shu understood this that he immediately began utilising internal channels to monitor both the upper and lower echelons of Japan.
However, because the Japanese authorities have not yet met the conditions and crossed the warning line, Luo Shu has temporarily refrained from taking action.
For Giada, who has a Primogenitor Empire behind her, the materials Japan collected are rather inconsequential; what she needs is the Class information Japan obtained.
For Giada, although she could indeed obtain the Class from Luo Shu, things taken from others are never as satisfying as those seized by force...
Moreover, as the emperor of the Chaos Zone, she is not without the means to fulfil the conditions of the True Dragon Sorcerer...
Therefore, whether out of retaliation for the attack or the need to obtain the Class, Giada would come to Kasumigaseki.
After all, the Japanese authorities are much easier to bully than the Hidden Management Department.
Realising Giada's needs, Shizuka Hio asked calmly:
"You do not intend to accept the Hidden Management Department's invitation? Giada Kukulcan."
"How could that be?"
Hearing Shizuka Hio mention Luo Shu's invitation, Giada, beside her, immediately joked:
"You must know that the news of you and me attacking Kasumigaseki together has certainly already reached Luo Shu, right?"
"In such a situation, it is obviously impossible for me to escape with the Class."
"Moreover, I am well aware of the consequences of attacking a Japanese government institution under the identity of an American Apostle."
"So, I have definitely thought carefully about an escape route; it just depends on whether your Director dares to accept it."
Hearing Giada say this, Shizuka Hio immediately understood this woman's thoughts.
Attack the Japanese authorities, seize the Class, and then seek the protection of the Hidden Management Department?
Perhaps there is also a need to bargain with Luo Shu after obtaining the Class to strive for greater autonomy?
Shizuka Hio had to admit that, without understanding the Familia, Giada Kukulcan, this Primogenitor, was indeed considering how to maximise her own interests.
But the premise of everything is that Giada doesn't understand the Familia's situation.
Once she knows, she will realise how trivial such scheming is within the Familia.
Shizuka Hio had no intention of explaining the situation to Giada; moreover, explaining the Familia's circumstances to non-members is something only Luo Shu can do.
Thus, in response to Giada's probing, Shizuka Hio merely said indifferently:
"For the Director, Japan's opinion is not important."
Hearing this, a cruel yet radiant smile appeared on Giada's face:
"In that case, I won't hold back!!"