Dragon Raja 3; Chapter 453: The Sword of Damocles (13)

Dragon Raja 3

“Back then, when you wanted a tattoo, I chose ‘The Atrocities of All Realms’ for you because I saw you as a bastard. But we’re fighting dragons, and it takes a bastard like you to battle those tyrant-like creatures. None of us have mercy, because anyone merciful gets killed. You and the Dragon Clan are perfectly matched adversaries. But I’m not like that. I’m a foolish Frenchman. When I was young, I dreamed of living like a playboy, rolling around in the beds of beautiful women. Now I just want a peaceful life and a little bit of warmth before I die.” Koeru hunched over, his head low and his hands on his forehead, resembling a defeated office worker scolded by his boss, nagged by his wife, with no control over his children who were bullied at school or daughters hanging out with delinquents.

“We’re friends, but we’re not on the same path. That’s why, when we were young, I was more handsome than you. Now, you’re still so dashing, while I’ve become a mediocre ramen chef. The only time girls throw me a flirtatious glance is when they’re hoping for a discount… I…” Koeru rambled on.

“Enough! I don’t have time for your nonsense!” Anjou snapped.

Koeru weakly raised his head, unsure if he should grab his suitcase and leave.

“I don’t have a plane ticket either,” Anjou said coldly. “Right now, every flight is packed. If you want to get on a plane, you’d have to push someone off, and no one has the right to do that. If I did that, I’d be a bastard.”

“But I have a plane. A Gulfstream, waiting at Narita Airport!” Anjou grabbed his old friend’s shoulders and lifted him up. “Come with me! I’ll have a helicopter take you to the airport!”

“Is that your private plane… but what about you? What will you do?” Koeru was stunned. He had rambled on because he had kept these words bottled up for so long. He hadn’t really expected to persuade Anjou, knowing that a coward like him would never earn his respect. He had already resigned himself to disappointment.

“I’m a man who lives only for revenge, so if I die, it’s no big deal. In a way, your life, with your love for women and those small comforts, is more interesting than mine. Leave the dying to the madmen—death is the fitting end for us.” Anjou helped him walk through the hallway, his face expressionless. Caesar and Chu Zihang, both now in their combat gear, followed closely behind.

On the rooftop, six helicopters were parked side by side. Half of the helicopters available in the city had been concentrated on the rooftop of the meteorological building—it was the command hub and needed the best transportation.

Anjou pushed Koeru onto the first helicopter, tossing his suitcase in after him. “You’ll reach Narita in ten minutes. The pilot will start the plane and wait for you. If we meet again, I have things to discuss with you. But for now, run for your life! Go, go, go!”

He didn’t wait for any farewells from Koeru, just waved for the helicopter to take off, then turned to Caesar and Chu Zihang. “We’re taking the sixth helicopter,” he ordered. The sixth one was a heavy helicopter that had brought the governor to the meteorological building, now their most powerful transport.

As Anjou turned around, he noticed that the senior members of the Gear Department had all come to the rooftop, lined up to shake his hand in farewell. Even those with active tasks, like Vice Minister Carl and Researcher Matul, were part of the lineup. Although as the Principal, Anjou usually received some respect, this time, the Gear Department showed an unprecedented level of admiration for a hero.

“Principal, are you planning to intercept the shisa tide at the artificial island of Sea Firefly?” Vice Minister Carl asked solemnly. “I’ve looked at the map. The tide has to pass Sea Firefly Island to reach Tokyo. It’s the last line of defense.”

“Only three of us, I don’t know if we can hold the line. It would be better if we had three aircraft carrier battle groups,” Anjou replied, shaking hands with the Gear Department’s tech geniuses one by one.

“We’ll be waiting for your triumphant return!” Researcher Matul, suddenly serious, saluted with a flair of Indian nobility.

After shaking hands with the last researcher, Anjou boarded the sixth helicopter. Caesar and Chu Zihang were already sorting out their firearms. The Gear Department staff saluted Anjou’s helicopter with various military gestures, turning the scene into something resembling a ceremonial military inspection. Only the Vice-Principal seemed uninterested, lounging off to the side.

“Let me see that machine gun,” Anjou said to Caesar, extending his hand. Though puzzled, Caesar handed over the high-speed machine gun.

Anjou casually opened the safety, cocked the weapon, and fired a sweeping burst at the second, third, fourth, and fifth helicopters. The precious aircrafts were riddled with sparks as the rotor blades collapsed, and the fuselage became a hive of bullet holes. Anjou had avoided the fuel tanks, so they didn’t explode, but they were now useless wrecks.

Everyone in the Gear Department, including Vice Minister Carl, was stunned.

After emptying the magazine, Anjou nonchalantly tossed the empty gun back to Caesar and patted Carl’s shoulder. “I believe people are especially brave when they have no way out. Gentlemen, I look forward to seeing you fight with your backs to the wall.”

The sixth helicopter lifted off, heading quickly towards Tokyo Bay. The Gear Department could only stare at their mad Principal in a daze. The Vice-Principal shrugged and said, “You’re all still too green compared to the Principal. Did you really think you could fool him with such a small trick?”

Of course, the tech geniuses of the Gear Department hadn’t gathered just to see Anjou off. Their real goal had been to seize helicopters two through five. Even without the keys, their technical expertise would have allowed them to take control of the aircraft within minutes. They had felt a bit guilty lying to Anjou, but that guilt was fleeting.

They were human elites—why should they risk their lives for Tokyo? Their mission was to venture into the stars, to survive the apocalypse, and ensure the continuation of humanity. They’d take on the roles of the new Adam and Eve with the last remaining beautiful women. That was why they had to escape!

Anjou had answered their plans with a machine-gun burst.

“What are you waiting for? Move! Take down that bastard!” Vice Minister Carl growled as he slowly turned his head, his gaze cold.

“Are you talking about the Principal? I’ll see if I can get my hands on some anti-air missiles,” someone replied.

“Damn it! The Principal may be a bastard, but if we kill him now, we won’t be able to escape either! I’m talking about that goddamn god!” Vice Minister Carl shouted in frustration.

As the tech geniuses rushed down the stairs like a swarm of bees, the Vice Principal, with complete nonchalance, set up a chair on the rooftop and lazily called over a confused Miyamoto Zawa. “If it’s convenient, could you grab me two beers? The Principal took my tequila, and see if you can find something to block the rain while you’re at it.”

The Vice Principal sat on the rooftop, watching the rain fall, while Miyamoto Zawa managed to find a large umbrella to shield him from the downpour. No one understood what was so interesting about the scene—eventually, even the lightning and thunder faded, leaving only the sound of the relentless rain.

“Attention, citizens, attention. The tsunami has paused, but heavy rainfall continues, and the eastern part of the city remains flooded. Please evacuate to the western district by any suitable means. Injured citizens should seek help at nearby shelters. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has declared a state of emergency due to this natural disaster. All ports are closed, and airports are overcrowded. Please do not head to the airports. Traffic is heavily congested, and driving is not recommended. Only disaster relief and police vehicles are in operation. Government offices and businesses will remain closed until further notice. Thank you for your cooperation. This is Tokyo Governor Koyanagi Heiji, alongside the heads of other agencies.”

The announcement echoed from a public service truck driving through an empty street, its red and blue lights flashing in the darkness. Though the area was elevated, the truck soon stalled. The driver and the announcer hopped out to try to push the vehicle, but they couldn’t stay on their feet in the rushing water. They abandoned the truck and hurried into a nearby building. A few minutes later, nearly two-meter-high waves swept down the street, lifting the vehicle like a paper boat, carrying it about a hundred meters before it crashed into an old wooden utility pole.

If the city were a person, it had already lost the ability to heal itself, now struggling to breathe.

“I still want a beer.” The Vice Principal shook his empty can.

“We’re completely out. All the stores are closed, and the vending machines have been emptied,” Miyamoto Zawa said quietly. “Those who’ve given up on escaping are just drinking and waiting for the end.”

“Well then, find me a pretty girl to chat with. It’d be a shame to face the end of the world without some company.”

Miyamoto Zawa stayed silent. Such a ridiculous request was beyond response—there had to be limits, even for a beast.

“The pretty girl is ready and will be projected now,” a researcher’s voice came through the headset.

Suddenly, blue light shimmered before the Vice Principal, and a holographic image began to take shape. The 3D projection equipment had been moved from the conference room to the rooftop. As the focus adjusted, a girl in a dark green school uniform became clearer. She sat on the other side of the table, watching the rain, her long hair swaying in the wind. The only difference from a real person was the light strip extending from her back to the projector. The heavy rain caused light to scatter, and she was surrounded by a translucent aura. Every raindrop seemed to contain a reflection of her image.