-1289- Not even qualified
Within the Rebellion, there is a very rigorous structure.
Due to Rebellion's central ideology of having Blazers rule over ordinary humans, people often mistake it for an organization composed mostly, or even entirely, of Blazers.
However, in reality, the majority of the members within this organization are not Blazers.
It is important to understand that Blazers are rare individuals, occurring only once in a thousand people.
As one of the three major forces ruling the world, the Rebellion has a vast number of members, making it impossible for all of them to be Blazers.
Thus, within the Rebellion, Blazers are actually in the minority, while ordinary humans make up the majority.
Some of these ordinary humans join because they agree with the Rebellion's vision of a new world and worship Blazers as if they were gods.
Others are dangerous individuals causing chaos worldwide who were ultimately absorbed by the Rebellion.
Being the largest criminal organization in the world and the ruler of the underworld, the Rebellion often becomes the last refuge for those rejected by society, making them part of the Rebellion.
These individuals who worship the Blazers within the organization or are otherwise desperate are referred to as "Believers."
These gun-wielding terrorists are all Believers within the Rebellion.
As for the Blazers who join the Rebellion, they are called "Apostles."
Bishou, for instance, is an Apostle within the Rebellion.
The Rebellion operates with a structure where the scarce Apostles command the ordinary Believers.
When Bishou mentioned "Honorary Citizens," he was naturally referring to the Believers within the Rebellion. In the new world envisioned by the Rebellion, these Believers could become Honorary Citizens of higher status than ordinary humans, replacing the Apostles in ruling over the general populace.
In truth, these are just ordinary humans who are slightly more esteemed than the lowly humans whom the Rebellion despises. They are tools, to put it bluntly.
Therefore, as an Apostle in the Rebellion, Bishou never cared about the lives of his subordinates. His notoriety in the Rebellion is due to this attitude, prompting curiosity among the Believers about who this significant figure Bishou fears might be.
Perhaps sensing his subordinates' thoughts, Bishou maintained his smile but spoke sternly.
"You'd better not do anything foolish. If you provoke that person, not even I or our esteemed leader will help you. Instead, to appease that person's anger, our leader would gladly hand you over. That person is someone whom our great leader respects deeply. If you are not afraid of death, then go ahead and act recklessly."
Bishou's words caused the Believers to gasp in shock.
There was no helping it.
The "Leader" mentioned by Bishou is the Rebellion's head, the overlord of the underworld, a figure who has reigned over the darkness since before World War II, and one of the three strongest Blazers in the world — the "Tyrant."
Even within the Union and the League, there is only one Blazer in each faction who can rival this underworld overlord.
And above them, there is only one individual in the entire world who can be definitively said to be stronger than the Tyrant — the mysterious and strongest Blazer in the world, who appeared ten years ago — "Tenkai."
Before Tenkai's appearance, this underworld overlord had never lost a fight or faced someone who dared to claim they were stronger. Only two or three people in the world could rival him.
Even such a person has to show respect to someone?
Isn't that a big deal?
The Believers swallowed hard.
Seeing this, Bishou smirked ominously.
"Since that person is nearby, I, Bishou, must show respect as well. I can't act under their watchful eyes and risk offending them. I'm sure the higher-ups will agree with my decision."
Hence, Bishou decisively abandoned the current operation.
However, returning empty-handed would damage Bishou's reputation.
Therefore, Bishou chose to rob this shopping center in the dead of night when it wouldn't draw too much attention.
As for taking hostages and demanding ransom, that was out of the question.
After all, that person dislikes such actions, so it was best not to do it.
Of course...
"Killing a few security guards isn't enough to anger that person."
Bishou thought this way.
"Understood? Now, you all get to work and gather all the valuables. If not, I'll start my own shooting game."
Bishou's warning spurred everyone into action, hastily preparing to do as told.
At that moment...
"Bang ————!"
With an explosive sound, the glass ceiling of the shopping center shattered, raining down countless shards.
"Whoa...!?"
"Who...!?"
"What happened...!?"
The terrorists were all startled by the sudden loud noise, followed by a barrage of glass shards, causing many to scream in pain.
The falling glass shards cut through skin and even split open foreheads, leaving many Believers bleeding profusely.
Bishou was equally shocked but quickly grabbed a nearby subordinate, using them as a shield against the raining glass, resulting in the subordinate's agonized screams.
It wasn't until all the glass shards had fallen that the chaos subsided.
"Ouch...!"
"Damn it...!"
"What happened...!?"
The thugs clutched their bloody wounds, screaming in pain and anger.
Bishou, in particular, pushed away the subordinate who was pierced by the glass and howling in pain, his expression extremely grim.
Because Bishou understood.
"An enemy?"
Bishou was certain of this with a grim face.
But...
"Enemy?"
A voice came from above, drawing closer.
"No, you're not even qualified to be called enemies."
With this declaration, the perpetrator of the shattered glass ceiling appeared.
"Whoosh — Whoosh —"
The sound of flapping wings accompanied the voice.
A halo resembling the sun descended from the sky, scattering fiery sparks as it appeared.
The halo's true form was a crow.
A crow with golden eyes formed by three tomoe, radiating sunlight and staring coldly below.
The three-legged crow's form shifted.
Then, a figure replaced it, appearing before everyone.