His hearing registered some kind of buzzing noise. Those noises were actually people's voices, yet none of what they said sounded intelligible to him.0

Shimizu Makoto sneakily turned his head to scan his surroundings. Perhaps unsurprisingly, others filling up this chamber were all making a similar sort of expression.0

It was one of sheer stupefaction, tinged with hints of terror!0

Thanks to his surroundings, however, Shimizu Makoto didn’t have to wonder about what kind of face he must be making in this situation. Because, it should be the same as everyone else’s!0

He shifted his gaze back, this time to the front of the chamber—at Akinori, currently sitting on the seat of the honor. A dignified aura he had never emitted until now could be felt from his upright figure clad in a traditional robe.0

‘Is he even the same Akinori?’0

Shimizu Makoto had met Akinori several times before in the past. Even back then, the latter imparted a solid impression of a well-trained warrior, a man who perfectly suited his role as Shinichi-kai’s Commissioner.0

However, Akinori back then didn’t display this level of authoritative, dignified aura.0

Was this the case of “the position maketh the man”? Or did Akinori experience a growth while fighting in the last war?0

‘Or maybe…’0

Neither could be the right answer.0

Shimizu Makoto’s gaze shifted once more, this time to a spot behind Akinori. He could see an old man sitting casually on a...0