But in the End

Ultimate Goal

"I hereby convene the Detective Agency General Meeting." The President stated, everyone sitting down at the conference table, knowing it was time to get serious. "First, we'll review our current situation. Ranpo"

"Our enemies' detailed plan is now entering its final phase." Ranpo replied, throwing his arms behind his head, leaning back in his chair. "They've spread the vampire contagion throughout the world. Sixteen national militaries have already fallen. The armies, having become vampires, are eerily silent... for now at least."

Jun'ichirō's eyes widened slightly. "What's this vampire contagion you're talking about?"

"The result of the immortal Count Bram special ability. He turns those he bites into vampires, over whom he has control. Those who are bitten, can then spread the contagion to others. In other words-"

"The enemy grows exponentially throughout the world's population." Atsushi finished, realizing what that meant for us.

I let out a sigh, shrugging a hand up. "Sounds like a freaking movie to me. I mean vampires? It's hard to believe they exist because of someone's ability." I voiced out. I never doubt Ranpo's intel but it is still hard to wrap my head around. Who knew an ability like that could exist.

"Bram Stoker is a mainstay of the ten tragedies that once destroyed humanity. He was defeated by Ōchi Fukuchi and imprisoned with a holy sword. But that too must've been a mere step in his overall plan." The President spoke up, shedding more light on this guy.

I glanced back down to the report in front of me as Ranpo began speaking again. "The vampires have no trouble sneaking into organizations. The armies can't tell who's a vampire, and who isn't. This leads to distrust which then leads them to turn on each other."

I let out a hum, processing what he said. "Take out militaries and organizations from the inside without having to lift a finger... Hate to admit, but that's a clever strategy. Creating distrust and paranoia within each rank."

I heard Junichiro let out a hum. "So... is that the enemy's ultimate goal? To cause chaos around the world?"

"I think the enemy knows that that won't work out. The master of gifted warfare, the one known as the Tyrant of Europe, is still patiently waiting. If they were to fight, based on sheer numbers, peace would be restored in six months or so." Ranpo revealed.

"Then, what is the enemy's objective?" Atsushi posed the question on everyone's mind.

"The enemy's true goal is..." I noticed Ranpo's eyes open slightly as he glared down to the table. "The One Order. One of the three calamities sealed away. A wretched special ability weapon of mind control, a creation of the war."

I let out a heavy sigh, leaning back in my seat at the mention. "The ten calamities, huh..." I trailed off, remembering news of it when the war happened years ago. With Ango's line of work, I've heard about the calamities and the results of the war but didn't understand what it all meant at the time at my young age nor did I bother trying to understand since it took place in Europe. Wish I paid more attention now...

"What is the One Order?" Ranpo spoke up once more, gaining my attention. "How many bullets on average do you think it takes for a soldier to kill an enemy on the battlefield?"

I crossed my arms, seeing where he was going with this, frowning slightly as Atsushi spoke up. "I would guess anywhere between five to ten bullets..."

"Including cover fire and suppressive fire, maybe a whole magazine or more." Kunikida added, closing his eyes in thought. "I guess it takes between thirty to sixty bullets."

"No way." Yosano stated. "It has to be much more than that."

I let out a hum, tilting my head back slightly. "I'd say it'd be in the hundreds or even thousands... supposing the enemy knows how to evade said gunfire or has an ability to give them the upper hand. Most don't count their ammo and fire blindly." Then again...

"Fifty thousand." Hearing Ranpo's response, shocked several around the table, earning gasps of surprise. "Believe it or not, most soldiers don't even fire in the enemies direction. They aim elsewhere, only pretending to fight. Even in combat, people can't tolerate the thought of shooting someone dead with a gun. That is the way of a soldier. That is the war zone." There was a heavy silence that hung in the air of the conference room, everyone taking in the situation we find ourselves in. "That's the reason why the One Order was first developed."

"Thank you, Ranpo, I'll take it from here." The President spoke up, causing all of us to turn to his direction. "The One Order is a weapon with an ability similar to mine." Well damn... didn't see that one coming. "It affects its subordinates- it is a transmitter. A transmitter that ensures its subordinates follows all orders given to them. This transmitter was developed by a gifted engineer and when a commander uses it, a subordinate moves as though they are a part of the commander's body, carrying out orders autonomously. They do not question and they do not feel guilt. The weapon frees a soldier from the shackles of crime... a merciful weapon."

"Meaning, so long as the person isn't conscious of the crime, they have no trouble executing it and won't hesitate for a second." I summed up, glancing at the table before me.

"That's what it was supposed to be." The President stated, catching us all by confusion.

"I'm sure you can all see where this is going." Ranpo added. "This transmitter was so dangerous that it was designated for confinement. Do any of you realize why?"

"A rebellion." I stated as the idea struck me.

Ranpo nodded. "A military coup. If the supreme commander one day decided to use the One Order, they could take control of an entire military and overthrow the government. Having realized that possibility, the government sealed it away."

"Sealed it away- Are you telling us that thing was never destroyed?!" Junicihrio asked in bewilderment.

"It certainly ought to have been." Was Ranpo's reply. "They had to have considered the possibility of a global crisis. That alone would've been good foresight. But- what do you think will happen if Fukuchi uses the One Order?"

"I see..." Kunikida replied, shooting out of his seat. "This is a disaster!"

"Fukuchi's men will place all the world's forces under his command. The army of mankind- if Fukuchi uses the One Order, humanity will become a single entity with a capacity to fight against the vampires, all according to his script. In other words... the Decay of Angels goal is as cliche and stale as it gets... World domination."

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Published: 10/12/2024