MTLNOVEL Chapter 85: Chapter 085 - Elite Japanese
At the Takagi Residence
That morning, the grounds of the Takagi residence were already buzzing with activity. Young and old alike—without exception—were undergoing rigorous training. Soichiro Takagi's previous command rang clear in their minds: "If you don't train, you'll die the moment you face a zombie."
"WHUUMM—WHUUMM—WHUUMM—WHUUMM..."
The deep hum of massive engines echoed through the sky. Twenty Valkyrie Sky Talon transport helicopters flew overhead in an almost perfect formation. With the pinpoint accuracy of the Imperium's war machines, they dropped twenty-one massive cargo containers into the courtyard—one after another, landing like steel pillars from the heavens.
Shortly after, three Valkyries landed at the edge of the field. Cadia Shock Troopers disembarked in unison—their movements coordinated, disciplined. Without wasting a second, they began opening the containers one by one.
From behind reinforced metal doors, men and women in formal attire began to emerge. Their faces showed confusion, fear, and anger. But none dared resist. The rows of fully armed soldiers served as a living warning: this was not the place to scream about privilege.
From the upper balcony, Soichiro Takagi observed, calm but alert. He recognized the faces: members of parliament, cabinet ministers, governors, corporate CEOs, property tycoons—the core of Japan's elite. One of the containers was even marked with a special label: "Emergency Supplies." Whether it was a final act of mercy or Reuel's cold pragmatism, he understood that sending these people without food would only create uncontrollable chaos.
A female officer from the Cadia forces, bearing the rank of colonel, stepped forward. Her uniform was immaculate, her face as hard as granite. She introduced herself briefly and handed over a sealed letter.
To Mr. Soichiro Takagi,
I am Reuel.
Since you are known as someone unwilling to accept outsiders like me—a man from the Middle East—I've decided to send you the elite members of your own nation. Not because they are a burden, but because I am under no obligation to care for them any longer.
I trust you are honorable enough to handle your own domestic affairs, especially when they concern the blood and soil you so revere.
And if you find this offensive... consider it a test of your pride—one that's always been louder in voice than in results.
—Reuel
Takagi read the letter with an expression that was difficult to read. Afterward, the colonel saluted and returned to her troops. Without delay, the Cadia Shock Troopers reboarded their helicopters. Dust and leaves swirled in the air as the Valkyries roared to life and lifted off—leaving over 3,000 individuals behind at the Takagi residence.
One of Takagi's trusted aides approached and whispered,
"Boss... these people won't be easy to manage."
"I know," Soichiro replied coldly. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the still-confused, frightened crowd. His jaw tightened. If they refused to submit... then he would make them submit.
He stepped down and stood tall before them.
"I am Soichiro Takagi. Where did you all come from?"
An elderly man in an expensive suit bowed nervously.
"I... I'm Senator Hiroshi Kawamura. We came from Haneda Airport, Tokyo. There... an unknown military group wiped out a massive swarm of zombies. Then they forced us into containers... with no explanation, no protection... and just shipped us here without warning..."
His voice faltered. Whatever pride he once had as a senator had been shattered, swallowed by a world that no longer had room for mercy.
Takagi narrowed his eyes.
"Haneda Airport? That means a major force is stationed there."
"Their numbers are estimated at... between 400,000 to half a million. And still growing. They brought military gear we've never even seen before. Armored vehicles, tanks, fighter jets... they even built a massive wall around the entire airport."
Soichiro fell silent. His eyes reddened—not from fear, but from awe.
"That many... a force the size of a full Army Group..."
He had never expected Reuel to deploy such overwhelming strength on Japanese soil.
He turned to his aide and said coldly:
"Sort them. The young and healthy go into the guard rotation. Anyone who refuses... kick them out."
Then he walked away without looking back.
To Soichiro Takagi, the future of Japan would not be determined by titles, positions, or legacy—
But by who chose to endure...
And who chose to surrender.
---
Haneda Airport, Tokyo
After dinner, Shizuka Marikawa cheerfully invited Alice to play in the corner of the room, leaving Saeko Busujima, Rika Minami, Yuriko Takagi, and Reuel sitting at the dining table, which was now quiet and almost empty.
"Wanna play some cards, just the four of us?" Reuel asked, glancing at each of them, clearly noticing the boredom on their faces.
"Aren't you busy?" Saeko asked, eyeing him with curiosity.
Reuel shrugged casually. "Not really."
Rika narrowed her eyes. "Your soldiers? You don't care about them?"
"Each unit has its own commander. They know what to do. I don't need to micromanage every second."
Yuriko Takagi raised an eyebrow, her voice tinged with half-surprise, half-admiration. "And you're not worried about mutiny or disorder?"
Reuel leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Relax. They're absolutely loyal. Even if I told them to stand still in the middle of a bullet storm, they'd do it without hesitation. These aren't your average soldiers."
Yuriko let out a slow breath. It was hard to picture—a man commanding what must be hundreds of thousands of troops, sitting here casually, about to play cards, while the world slowly crumbled around them. Was he really human... or some kind of god of war on vacation?
"So? How about a few rounds? It's been ages since I held a poker deck," Reuel said, pulling a set of cards from the small pouch he always carried. "This world... feels like a vacation spot."
No interstellar war councils. No construction of some grand imperial palace. No endless bickering between Akashi and the Tech-Priests of the Mechanicus. No more headaches from the Sister of Battle, or the countless absurd demands from other institutions of the Imperium of Man.
Here, Reuel didn't have to think about how to manage an intergalactic empire. No towering stacks of bureaucracy waiting for his signature. No civilization-altering decisions resting on his shoulders.
For the first time in a very long while, he could actually enjoy peace.
At least, before returning to Terra Aeterna—a world filled with shipgirls and the ever-noisy Universal Bulins.
Saeko, Rika, and Yuriko exchanged glances, then sighed and rolled their eyes. In the kind of silence only women shared, they silently agreed to let him enjoy his moment of calm. At least for tonight.
But the calm shattered when a Cadian Shock Trooper knocked on the door and entered, face tight with anger and frustration.
Reuel turned and raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"Your Majesty, we've detected a primitive watercraft approaching Haneda Airport. Most likely from a local faction," the soldier reported, barely containing his annoyance.
"Primitive watercraft?" Reuel repeated, narrowing his eyes. "Alright. Let's head to the command center."
Without further delay, he stood up and strode out of the room, followed closely by Saeko and Yuriko, who had both changed into more practical everyday clothes.
Their footsteps echoed through the corridor. In that silence, Yuriko, who had seemed uneasy for a while, finally spoke.
"Hey, Reuel... ever since I got here, you've been saying weird terms. And everyone keeps calling you 'Your Majesty, Emperor.' So... who exactly are you?"
Reuel glanced sideways at her and grinned mischievously. "Hmm... if you become my woman, I'll tell you everything. So forget about Soichiro Takagi."
"You... you shameless bastard! I'm not talking to you anymore!" Yuriko snapped, face turning red as she looked away.
Beside them, Saeko Busujima rolled her eyes and glared at Reuel irritably.
"This bastard... he's already with me, and he's still flirting with other women. And it's my friend's mom, no less. Fucking perv," she thought, arms crossed, pouting.
Even so, deep down, Saeko was just as curious as Yuriko.
Who exactly was this man?
She was simply waiting for Reuel to open up—
Not because he was forced to,
But because he chose to.
---
Temporary Command Center – Tokyo Neutral Zone
Upon arrival at the command center, the Imperial Guard soldiers immediately stood at attention, offering a formal salute with the twin-headed eagle—the symbol of the Imperium of Man's authority. Their footsteps echoed in unison, as if the entire place was alive, breathing as part of a colossal war machine greater than the world itself.
Saeko Busujima and Yuriko Takagi paused at the doorway, eyes wide, stunned by the sight before them.
Cutting-edge military equipment filled the room—holographic panels, orbital control systems, brutalist-designed servers typical of Imperium technology. It all felt too advanced, too foreign... like a misplaced fragment of the future embedded in the present era. Though this installation was only temporary, the aura it radiated was overwhelming—intimidating and absolute.
The technology resembled modern military hardware... but only on the surface. Beneath the design, they could sense—it was far beyond anything their world could offer.
After seeing all of this with their own eyes, they wouldn't be surprised if Reuel suddenly claimed to have an entire fleet of warships orbiting Earth.
But Reuel revealed nothing. He simply stood calmly at the center of the room, surrounded by monitors and officers awaiting his command.
All they could do was wait—for the moment he decided to lift the veil on who he really was.
"Activate orbital surveillance," Reuel ordered. "Show me sky footage—I want to know who's on those ships."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Moments later, the main screen lit up. The orbital feed came into focus—sharp, clear, and horrifying.
A fleet of sixty to eighty conventional warships was approaching Tokyo's shoreline. Though large and modern-looking, the Imperial Guard referred to them as "primitive watercraft." But what shocked them most were the figures onboard: dozens of women in miserable condition. Barely clothed, bound, caged like animals.
They were captives.
Victims of the chaos. Most likely taken by remnants of the Japanese military—men who had lost every shred of humanity, using these women for one vile purpose: breeding and sexual exploitation.
"...Filth…" Saeko whispered, her voice trembling with rage.
"Bastards…" Rika Minami growled, her jaw clenched.
"Kill them." Yuriko's voice was flat—but ice-cold. There was no emotion, only a command.
Reuel nodded slowly. Now he understood why the Cadian Shock Troopers had looked so shaken when they first reported it.
He glanced toward Saeko and Yuriko, locking eyes.
If not for their fateful encounter, those women—and maybe their daughters—could've ended up just like the victims on that screen.
Without a flicker of hesitation, Reuel touched the command panel and activated the Imperium's most feared covert network:
Officio Assassinorum.
This legendary assassination order existed outside the regular military structure—moved by the will of the Emperor, operating in darkness, executing the enemies of the Imperium with surgical precision. Led by the Grand Master of Assassins, each member had been trained since childhood to be a perfect killing instrument.
The four main temples were immediately deployed:
Callidus Prime, the master of infiltration and disguise, able to mimic anyone—even xenos species.
Vindicare Prime, the greatest sniper in the galaxy: one bullet, one death.
Eversor Prime, a savage murder machine unleashed only when total slaughter was required.
Culexus Prime, an anti-psyker hunter—so terrifying, even witches feared to look upon him.
Each Prime received the same order from Reuel: eliminate them all. No mercy.
On the main screen, the ships continued to move. The criminals onboard were unaware that death had already been set in motion—cold, silent, invisible, but inevitable.
Reuel glanced at Yuriko with a faint, mocking smile.
"Those are soldiers from your country. Try not to be too disappointed."
Yuriko clenched her fists. Her eyes remained on the screen as a soft, trembling voice escaped her lips.
"It's not just disappointment… I'm disgusted. I never imagined they could sink this low."
Reuel's expression shifted. His smile vanished, replaced by sharp seriousness.
"Then let me ask—have you ever thought about what would've happened to you, your daughter, and her friends… if I hadn't come? If I hadn't brought troops and secured this zone?"
Silence.
The question echoed across the room, heavy as a hammer.
Saeko, Yuriko, and Rika lowered their heads. None of them spoke. They knew the answer.
On the screen, those ships served as a brutal reminder of what could have been. If not fortunate enough to be killed early, they would've been raped, enslaved, broken until their spirits died. In a world like this, death could sometimes be the final mercy.
Then, Saeko spoke. Her voice was soft—but carried strength.
"Thank you… Reuel."
Reuel looked at her, and within those simple words, he felt something deep.
In the original world of Highschool of the Dead, the story was never finished. The author passed away, and his assistant refused to continue the series—out of respect. But some fans believed another reason lurked beneath: the story had no true ending… because the characters never actually faced the world with real power. The protagonist, Takashi Komuro, was too hesitant, too neutral, too... "saintly virgin," as some frustrated Reddit users called him.
Maybe… because they never met someone like the Japanese soldiers on that screen.
"You don't need to thank me," Reuel replied with a faint smile. "Because now, you're my wife."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Saeko's eyes widened, a red flush spreading across her cheeks. Her lips parted slightly, as if to speak… but no words came out.
Yuriko Takagi and Rika Minami exchanged glances, then looked over at Reuel. Their expressions were conflicted—shocked, impressed, and maybe… a little jealous.
No Japanese man would ever say something like that—so bold, so direct, so unafraid.