American Embassy in Japan.
The dark-skinned, thick-lipped mixed-race ambassador, Iman, sat frowning at the news playing on his tablet.
[We interrupt with breaking news about the snow disaster.]
[At approximately 11 pm, Taito Ward experienced sudden extreme weather conditions, with the entire district enveloped in ice and snow. Temperatures in some areas plummeted to -21°C.]
[Official statistics indicate no casualties thus far. However, Taito Ward's power grid has suffered large-scale failures, heating systems cannot cover affected residents, and massive civilian evacuations are causing severe congestion...]
Iman swiped forward impatiently, skipping to the end:
[Detailed causes of extreme weather conditions are under investigation by the Ministry of Land...]
After watching this news broadcast, Iman turned to face the blond military attaché from the consulate standing before him in uniform and asked:
"Has the Japanese government provided any detailed intelligence about Taito Ward?"
Hearing this, the attaché Peter immediately replied:
"According to feedback from Japan and intelligence gathered through special means, the disturbance in Taito Ward appears to be the result of a clash between two sorcerers. Moreover, the battle seems to still be ongoing."
Upon hearing this, Ambassador Iman frowned and said gravely:
"A fight between two sorcerers caused severe snowstorms across an entire Tokyo ward spanning over ten square kilometres?"
"Mr Peter, can you confirm this isn't some kind of joke?"
Peter spread his hands helplessly:
"Sir, I wish I could say this was an April Fool's prank, but regrettably, this is reality."
"As you can see, this scale of disaster was indeed caused by two sorcerers."
Iman's expression grew solemn:
"Are sorcerers rated as Hero Rank truly capable of this?"
After a moment's thought, Peter responded:
"According to intelligence from America, some Hero Rank sorcerers can indeed achieve such feats."
"So it's possible..." Iman rubbed his temples with a visible headache before sighing: "Very well. It seems conventional weaponry can no longer restrain these rogue elements. Perhaps I should consider supporting domestic super-technology R&D?"
Shaking his head, Iman shelved the thought and asked Peter:
"So from current observations, we have two Hero Rank sorcerers battling in Taito Ward, correct?"
Peter hesitated before replying:
"Sir, the situation may be worse."
"While Hero Rank sorcerers can create natural disasters spanning over ten square kilometres, Mr Charlie - who's in charge of consulate security - said the energy radiating from those two combatants exceeds anything he's sensed from any sorcerer before."
"So what you're saying..." Iman's already dark face seemed to darken further upon hearing this: "Two Demigod-level sorcerers are causing trouble in Taito Ward?"
"It's only been a few days! The chaos in Akihabara hasn't even been properly resolved, and now we have Demigods making trouble..."
Iman felt his liver ache with frustration at the news. Couldn't these thugs wait until after next year's election to start their nonsense?
Why did it have to happen during his term?
With a grim expression, Iman glared at Peter:
"Mr Peter, can the consulate's forces defend against those two troublemakers?"
Hearing this, Peter said tactfully, "The helicopter to Okinawa Base has already been prepared for you."
Iman was speechless: "So against Demigods, even I, the ambassador of the American Union, have to flee like a coward with no balls?"
Peter replied very seriously: "Precisely because you're the ambassador that you get to flee."
"Ordinary people don't even get that opportunity."
"After all, we're responsible for Tokyo's airspace. Only we have the privilege of escaping by air."
Iman asked blankly: "What about on the ground?"
Peter spoke of the cold reality with a warm smile:
"Whether it's highways or the Shinkansen, everything's congested right now. I don't think you'd want to sit in those metal cans waiting for death on the roads."
Iman spread his hands and sighed:
"Alright, so our current forces truly can't stop those troublemakers from running amok?"
Peter's eyes shifted slightly before maintaining his smile:
"Indeed, the consulate's strength is insufficient for that task. Perhaps the Akihabara district could, but the Akihabara Grand Barrier has been damaged recently, and its current effectiveness is uncertain."
Hearing this, Iman suddenly grasped Peter's implication:
"What about the SDS then?"
"Those brave and free idealists basking in Miss Clyne's radiance should be taking action, no?"
"Don't they have several powerful and valiant Demigod warriors?"
"What about their justice and righteousness?"
"No, no, no." Peter shook his head repeatedly before spreading his hands: "Mr Charlie already contacted the Director of the Hidden Management Department earlier, but the Director seems to be busy saving a subordinate and can't spare the time."
Iman immediately sensed something amiss but couldn't quite place it, pressing further:
"What about the other Demigods? Doesn't the SDS have several Demigods?"
Peter's expression turned subtle as he explained:
"According to the Hidden Management Department's secretary-general, after the Akihabara incident, the urgently summoned Demigods have returned to their respective jurisdictions. Gathering them again would require time."
Iman finally understood the source of his unease - the SDS, usually at the frontline, was selfishly refusing to contribute:
"Oh my god!! Are they betraying their own ideals?"
Peter said tactfully: "I believe the accurate phrasing would be they've recognised the gap between ideals and reality?"
Hearing this, Iman glared at him before hurriedly standing up to gather his belongings. If even the SDS wasn't acting, Iman instantly grasped the severity - unlike those idiot local politicians, he knew how to prioritise!
"Go inform Mr Charlie to prepare the helicopter for the Okinawa base. Oh, and tell the clerks behind to remember to take all the confidential documents from the embassy!"
Seeing this, Peter quickly stopped the ambassador, urgently saying:
"Sir, I think we should trust the Japanese authorities. They'll protect their own country."
The intercepted Iman glared at Peter, pried his hand off, and said through gritted teeth:
"It's precisely because I trust them too much that I know I must leave!!"
"If our country ranks in the bottom ten for emergency response, then this one is dead last."
"Peter, remember this - never trust any nation's capabilities when disaster strikes."
With that, Iman patted Peter's shoulder and said:
"Where's the helicopter? I think it's time we left."
"On the open ground outside the main gate."
...
Ministry of Land, Japan.
Dishevelled as if he'd just rolled out of bed, a balding middle-aged man in a suit and black-framed glasses - Minister of Land Ishii Kazuo - drowsily surveyed the assembled officials who'd just arrived, asking slowly:
"What's the current situation?"
"All Bujin-shū squads have been mobilised. The Ministry of Environment Countermeasures Office has sent reinforcements."
"The Cabinet Direct Unit has deployed forces. The Imperial Guard successfully evacuated His Majesty and the royal family."
"The Onmyou Agency has dispatched Elite Ranks."
"The Nura Clan's yokai factions are actively assisting relief efforts."
As these reports came in, Ishii's dissatisfaction grew:
"I didn't ask about that. I want to know - when will the SDS's Demigods arrive?"
Silence filled the room.
Finally, a young official whispered:
"We've already contacted the SDS's Hidden Management Department headquarters."
Ishii sighed in relief, asking curiously:
"Oh? How many Demigods are they sending?"
"They replied with one line, reportedly the Director's exact words."
"Hmm? What did he say?" Ishii asked.
The officials lowered their heads as someone murmured:
"He said: 'Too busy to deal with it. Piss off. Die wherever you like.'"
Deathly silence conquered the conference hall.