Act 2 Vol. 2 Ch. 2 Ep. 4: Gehenna United

Reclaim all supplies that were being wasted under the paltry excuse of "freedom."

From here on, all resources will exist solely for Gehenna's crusade.

Shut down all commercial districts in Gehenna and focus all food and ammunition into military supply depots.

Since we currently lack sufficient storage, we will order the Hot Springs Department to construct eight new warehouses.

The student park located east of the academy should suffice. Since I originally built the park, I also deem the facility unnecessary for our war efforts.

And until we publicly declare war, restrict access to all academies. Deploy Faraday shields over any outward-reaching signals, effective immediately.

Understood!

Waging a war against all of Kivotos is no easy task.

However, it is also not impossible.

Hina, how are the preparations coming?

Operational plans to strike each academy's command centers are complete. A successful blitzkrieg should result in total annihilation within 30 minutes.

Ammunition consumption simulations suggest that current stockpiles should fuel a 48-hour total assault targeted at each academy's center.

If needed, we can prolong the battles via ammunition requisitions from across the entire district, but I do not anticipate that being necessary.

Leave the "elites" alone for now. Once they've been weakened by the barrage, I can step in and finish them off myself.

In any case, if the war itself is quickly resolved, then individual resistance will be meaningless.

Kihehe. Well done, Sorasaki Hina. You normally make everything into a hassle, yet you've become ruthlessly competent when it comes to war.

I at last have a proper sense of purpose.

All that matters to me is claiming our living space. Soon, all of Kivotos will wave Gehenna's flag.

Kihe. Excellent.

Excuse me, but may I contribute a few words?

Igarashi Shouko, our operations officer. You may speak freely.

With Gehenna's current forces, I believe that we could find it difficult to manage all of Kivotos after our conquest.

It may be effective to invest in...a powerful strategic weapon, one capable of shattering our enemy's will with a single strike.

Ah, I was already considering that.

The Tyrant Emperor was a genius engineer and inventor. We will advance her war machine research and immediately begin manufacturing.

Is that possible? I seem to remember that it was none other than us who purged the Emperor's legacy.

Kihe... Sorasaki Hina, who do you take me for?

I know the Tyrant Emperor better than anyone else in Gehenna. I have analyzed her work down to the last detail.

And now the very efforts made to defeat the Tyrant Emperor have become our strength. How ironic. Kihehe.

...That's a relief.

You've thought of everything, Chairman Makoto. I suppose this means the Tyrant Emperor's storm will rage once more.

Kihe, I am merely being resourceful.

Speaking of resources, where's the rest of the Pandemonium Society? The Prefect Team and the Heritage League are working this hard for Gehenna, and I can't find my own council?

I suppose they're fulfilling their duties.

Ah... Truthfully, there has recently been some pushback from my underclassmen.

...Mine have also voiced grievances. Our opinions failed to align.

Tsk. I don't understand why they fail to see the bigger picture.

All they do is whine about "morality" and "diplomacy." Kids these days...

The circumstances have changed, and so should their positions. It's all been quite frustrating.

Those who have yet to be enlightened cannot see the greater, more glorious picture. So naturally, they are confused.

...It may be worth considering an internal audit before we begin the war.

Kihehe. Excellent idea. Only by uniting as one can we become truly strong.

...And so, ALL AMMUNITION will be requisitioned to Military Supply Depot 1, effective immediately. IMMEDIATELY!

Come on, I just bought this yesterday! I still have the receipt!

I don't care when you bought it, little sister. Do you not understand how critical the situation is?

Wh-What? "Critical" about what? Why are you stealing my ammo?

This is wartime! Gehenna will soon enter an all-out conquest!

And I already told you, what's that got to do with me?

That's enough. Any further resistance is verboten and will be considered a violation of wartime emergency regulations.

Huh? Hey, is that the Prefect Team? Perfect! Look, they're trying to take my ammo! Do something!

Gehenna Wartime Emergency Martial Law Act, Article 8, "During times of crusade, all available ammunition belongs to the Gehenna Logistics High Command." No exceptions.

...What? Wait, what does that even mean...? That wasn't a thing before!

Don't compare the disorder of the past with the alignment of the present. Gehenna's current objective is an all-out war against Kivotos. Naturally, that takes precedence over private ownership.

Did you hear that? It's what the Head Prefect and our chairman aligned on. Contribute your supplies.

Or would you prefer to be branded as a traitor and be thrown into the Prefect Team's prison?

"T-Traitor"...? It's just my ammo...

Students who voluntarily contribute their ammunition will be awarded with "Wartime Contribution Mileage." You're familiar with the mileage system, aren't you?

But if you refuse... We could punish you right here and now for the concealment of strategic resources.

...F-Fine. Just take it.

Seriously, you've all lost your minds...

Contribution submission complete. Now, next. Remain in an orderly line.

...

...Did you see that? The Prefect Team and Pandemonium Society upperclassmen looked SO serious.

They probably would've shot us if we uttered one more peep while they were emptying our ammo pouches.

Honestly... I know it's scary, but isn't it also kind of amazing?

Hm? What do you mean?

The Pandemonium Society and Prefect Team working together. I never thought I'd see it.

Right. It's probably the first time in the history of Gehenna. Even those two managed to work it out.

Ah, by the way. I've been thinking...maybe conquering Kivotos isn't so far-fetched.

If those two clubs could manage to work together...

Yeah... And did you see all those tanks lined up around the training grounds? Did we always have so many?

I just don't get it. Why do we have to suddenly go to war? I was having a good time doing my own thing...

I thought that too, at first. But maybe war's not as bad as everyone says.

Isn't it just shooting and blowing stuff up, but at a different academy?

I guess. It feels like we're on the verge of something big.

A-And playing along is better than being branded a traitor.

...Probably. I mean, who knows what will happen if I speak up? Everyone's preparing so eagerly and going on about "glory"...

Besides, I've always wanted to shoot a mortar at a Trinity building. They got those FANCY windows...

Ah. Yeah, that'd be pretty sick.

And remember the Tree of Deities from our Hyakkiyako trip? Wouldn't it be so cool to see it all flamey?

You know what? Maybe war...isn't such a bad idea.

We'll be fine as long as we keep our heads down and do what we're told.

Yeah. I'm sure our upperclassmen have a plan. We're just not smart enough to get it.

...

...

You know, President.

Mm?

We...wanted to make a united Gehenna.

One where the Pandemonium Society and the Prefect Team didn't fight. One where the students marched together for the academy.

...Yeah, we sure did.

A great school...where even the slackers and troublemakers could proudly unite under the Gehennan flag.

...Is this...the glorious Gehenna we dreamed of?

I...

I don't know...

...

So let's find out.