Descending the alternating stairs of the headquarters, we made our way to the building’s main entrance.
The Matoki squad numbered fifteen. Most of them were focused on finding the new water elixir. If that was the case, now was our best chance to escape.
“…Well, I’m sure they’re well aware of that too,” I muttered.
Before we could finish descending the stairs, we came to an abrupt stop. Standing in front of us were ten Mazoku—demonic beings.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
The special task force of the Demonic Metropolis Police, commonly known as the Matoki, stood before us. Leading them was their captain, Deus, a self-operating automaton. His imposing, steel body loomed on the landing, planted like a tree with roots dug deep into the ground.
“Whether you’re heading out for a stroll or fleeing, first, you’ll need to explain this.”
In Deus’s hand was a transparent vial containing a blue liquid—the new water elixir itself.
“You found it rather quickly, didn’t you? Almost as if you already knew where it was hidden,” I remarked.
“Did you think we came here unprepared?”
Deus gestured behind him with his thumb.
There stood a canine member of the Matoki squad.
Ah, I see. They must have had their members memorize the scent of the elixir beforehand and dispatched them for the search.
“Now then, Masked Ones… You three are the ‘Triumvirate of Demons,’ the leaders of this organization, correct? Where are the others?”
“In answer to your first question: ‘No.’ To the second: ‘Who knows?'”
“It seems you don’t understand the situation…”
Deus’s glass eyes glowed red with a mechanical hum, as if attempting to detect any lies.
“Don’t spout nonsense at this stage! We’ve already confirmed that this building is thoroughly corrupt! And that you’re part of it!”
“Now, I wonder which of us truly fails to grasp the situation,” I retorted.
Out of habit, I started to spread my arms wide to emphasize my point but stopped myself.
Ah, right. I couldn’t risk exposing the white coat beneath my robe. Stifling the urge, I cleared my throat.
“We three are complete outsiders to this organization. Today is our first visit, in fact.”
“Don’t lie! Then why are you here? If you’re not involved, what’s the reason!?”
“Our purpose here? It was to destroy this criminal organization. And that mission is already accomplished.”
“…What? What did you say!?”
“Is it hard to comprehend? In short… Matoki officers, before you could even act, this criminal organization has already been annihilated. By us.”
I paused briefly, coughing again. My muffled voice, distorted by the mask, grated on my throat, but I bore it. Remaining anonymous was paramount.
“As for the whereabouts of the organization’s leaders, I said ‘Who knows?’ because there’s no other answer to give. They’re no longer here.”
“…Did you kill them!?”
“Interpret it as you wish. What I can say for certain is that the new water elixir will never again circulate in this demonic metropolis.”
Everything I said was true, albeit with some omissions and twists.
By taking over the organization, I’d effectively erased its existence. I had no intention of producing or distributing the elixir anymore.
As for the leaders, it was true they weren’t here. They were slipping out through secret escape routes to a safe house while the Matoki were focused on us.
“So, your job here is done. The new water elixir has been seized. Congratulations, peace is restored to the metropolis. Now, if you’ll excuse us—”
“Don’t mock me!”
With a roar, Deus stomped forward, cracking the stone floor beneath him.
“Do you truly think we’d trust your words and let you escape!?”
“But you lack any evidence to prove we’re guilty, do you?”
“No, everyone present here today is guilty. That’s how we operate.”
Deus reached for the hilt of the massive sword on his back. With a mechanical clatter, its sheath disassembled like a puzzle, revealing the dull silver blade within. Pointing it at me, he declared:
“Masked one, state your name.”
“My name…?”
Of course, I couldn’t give my real name.
Being called “Masked Guy” would’ve sufficed, but…
“…Master, what shall we do?”
Shes whispered hesitantly.
If I stayed nameless, communication with Shes might become problematic. “Masked Guy” didn’t exactly roll off the tongue.
In that case, a quick alias would suffice.
“My name is… uh, Mask… Mask…”
“Mask?”
“Mask… Mask—Melon!”
“Mask Melon…?”
I clapped my hands together.
“Yes, that’s it. My name is Mask the Melon. Consider me a physician here to purge the ailments plaguing this metropolis.”
“Mask the Melon, huh? What a grandiose name.”
Deus sneered before continuing:
“Mask the Melon, your name will be recorded in the annals of the Demonic Metropolis Police as a filthy criminal. And soon, it will fade into obscurity, buried under layers of dust.”
With a metallic clink, Deus gripped his sword in both hands.
Shes stepped forward protectively.
It seemed there would be no avoiding a fight.
“Mask Queen, remember not to kill them.”
“Understood.”
Shes nodded firmly.
The real concern was the Zombie Thief.
“Mask Thief, render them unconscious without killing anyone, understood?”
“…”
Naturally, the Zombie Thief didn’t respond.
I could only trust him.
If a fatal blow landed, I’d use a secret word-based spell to heal them immediately. Of course, this applied to any Matoki member who fell victim to the Zombie Thief as well.
