Midnight Prince: Empire of Sin

[LAPPD Headquarter]

[The Target has left the perimeter. Currently following the designed road and has successfully returned to her territory]

[The surveillance target did not deviate from the set trajectory]

[All humans have been kept at bay in the periphery of the target's range]

[Seals have been successfully placed around the car to avoid the leak of her aura]

[Preparation for an official explanation about the change in traffic is complete]

[All the Higher-ups are still being protected]

[All the protectors of the Higher-ups are still under strict observation]

[Preparation to put those who approached the target in Quarantine is near completion]

Sitting inside her office, in the underground headquarters of LAPPD, Theresa listened as an onslaught of messages continued to pour in from different sources, all giving her information about the current situation pertaining to a certain foxy woman.

In this world, all Zodiacs were designated as special targets and their movements were extremely restricted by the country and region as a whole. They were akin to nuclear weapons after all.

But this designation and restriction were not just due to their strength and capabilities.

Not all Zodiacs were necessarily the strongest out there. But they all had one specialty, one characteristic or skill that could completely destroy a country if they so wished.

Be it the Ophiuchus Zodiac and her alchemy skills that could collapse any market, Virgo with her power to manipulate everything in the world through her power as a seer or in this case— Gemini.

Unlike many of the other Zodiacs, who were at least appreciated for their special skills and unique strength, Gemini was a special zodiac that only evoked fear and trepidation in people's minds; and that too for good measure.

She housed the nine-tailed fox— an entity reputed to have created chaos, death, and confusion wherever they traversed.

While it might seem overboard, Gemini was basically banned from traveling in many countries or even in different states in America as well. Even when she was allowed to actually move, she had many restrictions placed on her at every single moment— such as having to follow a predetermined route to avoid ensnaring the civilians with her charm.

All people considered to have a certain power of decisions in the vicinity would be immediately isolated and even those who guarded them would be observed at all times.

In the end… during all of her travels, Inari would be observed by a select few Gold rank hunters and even Executioners who were tasked to keep her in sight and seal her surroundings. Even the director, who was in charge of that particular area, would be mobilized and ordered to prepare to strike at any given moment.

If other zodiacs were seen as Nuclear Weapons, Inari was more seen as a ticking time bomb of the highest order. In fact, there were even measures in place to eliminate her should it be judged that her inner self was completely devoured by the Fox within her.

'How cowardly…'

Theresa did not like those measures that were put on the fox woman. She understood and accepted the logic behind them and even recognized the necessity of preparing measures for the eventual fall of Inari. After all, in the history of the Hanekawa family, there was never someone who managed to keep the nine-tailed fox for as long as Inari had. It was possible that she would fall at any given moment and they needed to be there to put her to rest.

Even so…

"It's simply distasteful."

She spoke quietly but for all the supernaturals hunters in her office, she might have just screamed those words out.

Even so, no one frowned nor showed negative feelings about her words.

It was indeed distasteful. The way they had to tail and constraint someone who sacrificed herself for the security of the world to keep a calamity class entity like the nine-tailed fox trapped inside her body.

Someone who should have been acclaimed as a hero was treated as if she was nothing but a criminal. It was an utterly inhumane and severely disheartening thought.

"Director… Is being a high-ranked Hunter really worth it, all things considered?"

Theresa gave a look at the one who had just spoken. It was a young man— a new recruit. She had seen his results already and while he was far from being a super genius, he was still pretty talented and should be able to reach the gold rank in a decade or so.

There were many things Theresa could say to him. Or she could even ignore him maybe even be sarcastic and tell him either way he would never reach the power level necessary to receive such a check from the state.

But she was not one to be cruel or lash out. And definitely not at someone who had asked a valid question…

"We are the guardians of humanity but we are also mercenaries fighting for our own gain. This is a world purely based on the concept of give and take."

Her words were rational enough but she knew that they were plausible or even ethical…

"In the end, changes can only happen from the interior. To change our way is an arduous task and only you guys from the new generations can try to change the old rotten ways that we unfortunately leave for you to handle."

She smiled when she saw the young man and a few other young recruits clench their fists with determined gleams in their eyes.

'How youthful.'

They were naive and ignorant of reality in general. Most likely, in a few years' time, the light of justice in their eyes will fade like many before them.

Even so… Was it not the right of youths to be filled with dreams and hope for a better future?  Why focus on realistic expectations at such a time?

The world was changed by dreamers. Not by those who let the fetters of reality stop them from advancing.

"Well… Let's start the final checks and this will be all for the night."

Theresa dismissed everyone and focused on the destination that had been the goal of Inari tonight.

"The Wild Hunt, huh."

Theresa mused quietly. The Organization under the woman called Feng Huang Yui was quite the mysterious one, so to speak. A solid and cohesive group formed more of elites filled with talents than anything else.

The latest talent they recruited in particular was quite concerning with this prodigal nephew of hers. This might prove to be quite the for her. Though she had a good idea about his true identity.

"Should I pay a visit to my nephew?"

She never really had the occasion to have a one-on-one discussion with this prodigal nephew of hers. This might prove to be quite the educating night if she had to be honest.

"Makoto. Are you sure you want to follow him on that mission?"

"Yes."

"Even though he seems to be quite dangerous?"

"He will not hurt me."

"Oh?"

Though Makoto's voice was as monotone as always. There was a certain firmness to her words that was hard to witness…

"I see. Very well then, I guess this will also be good for your growth as well."

She laughed. The night was still young and she still had a job to do.