Soul Devourer Chapter 6 Episode 3 — Meeting Russia’s〘Regalia〙
The location shifted to Russia’s Hunter Guild headquarters.
Walking down the corridors of the grand and vast structure, the Guildmaster stopped in front of a certain room. My currently active【Vital Sense】reacted… eight presences.
The Guildmaster placed a hand on the doorknob and quietly turned it. The heavy door opened with a creak, and with a gesture, he prompted me inside.
The instant I stepped in, all eyes turned toward me.
Inside the room stood a line of men and women dressed in matching military-style uniforms.
White fabric adorned with gold detailing. Perfectly composed postures. And every single one of them carried an aura as sharp as a blade.
All of them had【Subterfuge】maxed out.
Whether I liked it or not, I understood exactly why the people gathered here had been assembled.
But…
Among them, there was one existence whose “rank” clearly stood apart.
Long hair of a pale golden blonde, almost white. Well-shaped brows, clear blue eyes. A high nose bridge, glossy pink lips.
She gave off the impression of a cool, untouchable beauty perched atop a distant peak. Yet even through the military uniform, her feminine figure was unmistakable.
Judging by appearance alone, any man with enough nerve would want to strike up a conversation.
But… no one actually would.
The moment one was caught in her icy gaze, survival instincts would begin screaming warnings.
As if getting closer meant having a blade pressed to one’s throat. The dense killing intent swallowed thought itself, bleaching the mind white.
...So she’s Russia’s〘Regalia〙.
As my gaze was unconsciously drawn to her, I heard the sound of a chair being pulled out beside me. The Guildmaster sat down and looked toward me.
“Hunter Matsubara, please have a seat.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
I sat as prompted. Once the Guildmaster took his own seat, she, Russia’s〘Regalia〙, opened her mouth while staring directly at me.
“Nice to meet you, Hunter Matsubara. I am Ekaterina, Russia’s〘Regalia〙.”
That single sentence alone tightened the atmosphere in the room.
“And standing on either side are… our nation’s foremost military strength, the〈Semi-Tsars〉.”
In response to the introduction, all seven gave slight bows in unison.
“Thank you for the introduction. I am Yuito Matsubara, Japan’s〘Regalia〙. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I bowed in the same manner.
“We are grateful that you accepted this proposal. Though it took the form of an exchange for dungeon conquest rights... it was a decision our nation absolutely needed to make.”
“I heard the aim was to keep America in check.”
“Yes. Until now, the world had existed in a balance maintained by three nations: China, Russia, and America.”
“That matches my understanding as well.”
“However, when you became the fourth〘Regalia〙, that balance collapsed.”
There was weight in her matter-of-fact words.
“Would Japan become the fourth major power? Or would one of the existing three bring Hunter Matsubara into their fold and aim for hegemony? I imagine every nation’s analysis was roughly the same.”
“...I see.”
“But then, right at that time, America produced a second〘Regalia〙.”
The tension in the room tightened even further.
“As a result, the current global situation is… effectively America standing alone at the top.”
“...”
“Which is why our nation needed deterrence before America began making moves. That is why we chose an alliance with Japan.”
At that point, a question surfaced in my mind.
“...Why Japan? If you allied with China, wouldn’t your combined military power and total forces surpass America?”
“A fair question.”
Ekaterina answered immediately.
“The reason is simple… we just don’t get along.”
...Which means that ruined city was...
(E/N: In case y'all don't remember, he's referring to the apocalyptic cityscape where he fought Kowloon and Haoran.)
“We have had major clashes many times in the past. Even if we proposed an alliance, that country would inevitably try to establish a superior-subordinate relationship. Knowing that, they were never even an option.”
“...I see.”
I was curious about China and Russia’s battle history, but digging deeper would be dangerous.
“By the way, Hunter Matsubara. You visited China recently, didn’t you? Social media was quite lively with talk of you causing a rather flashy scene in the city.”
“...”
“Did China impose any sanctions?”
In reality,〈Kowloon〉and their〘Regalia〙did take actions.
But if I brought that up here, it would hand Russia an opening to exploit China.
Jin had only just become chairman of the Hunter Guild, and management was finally becoming healthier. I didn’t want unnecessary interference.
Other than Jin, there were no surviving witnesses. If I took the truth to the grave, that would settle it.
“I resolved it peacefully by paying part of the dungeon rewards and some compensation.”
“I see...”
Ekaterina gave a small nod.
“One final question. After becoming a〘Regalia〙, did America or China attempt to recruit you?”
“Not particularly.”
“Is that so? Then it seems our nation acted first.”
She concluded that point, then declared without softening her expression:
“Then that concludes today’s discussion. Thank you for your time. Please, enjoy our nation’s dungeons to your heart’s content.”
“Yes. Thank you very much.”
And so, the meeting between the〘Regalia〙of Japan and Russia concluded without issue.
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E/N:
Maybe Ekaterina's Unique Skill is intimidation-type mental interference or something?
Anyway, she's… quite straightforward, no BS. Or maybe Hunters just don't BS around?
Also, it may come off as a rant, and disclaimer, this is a fiction, but… America is still a stubborn child, huh? How does Second come after Fourth? Nobody even knows if Haoran is dead 😂 Probably, there an ora*ge man sitting at the top echelon of America's Hunter Guild.
Ffs, apologies if I offended any of y'all. It's just been difficult because of current world situation. 😅
Stay tuned!
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