The Promised Neverland

Hatsune Miku's POV

"Princess, we have a problem. A Campione has been born, and he is currently in Japan—specifically, Tokyo." Amakasu Touma reported this with a grim expression, his tone edged with urgency.

The man before me bore a distinctively traditional Japanese face, with sleek glasses perched on his nose and dressed impeccably in a gray suit that exuded professionalism and a façade of sophistication.

But beneath that calm, courteous exterior lurked a shrewd and cunning mind. Do not be misled by his friendly appearance; he was, in reality, a master of deception, a ninja trained in the arts of subterfuge and assassination under the direct authority of the Japanese government.

Amakasu was responsible for maintaining a vast network of intelligence, reporting directly to officials who preferred to remain in the shadows.

If they needed someone to vanish quietly or a delicate piece of information delivered, it was this unassuming man in glasses they commissioned.

Now, his duties extended beyond the government's grasp; he served as a senior member of the History Compilation Committee.

This clandestine organization was committed to controlling all supernatural phenomena within Japan and ensuring these events remained hidden from ordinary society.

Through manipulation of media, hypnosis, and sometimes murder, they maintained a delicate balance in a world that remained unaware. His skills, honed as a ninja, fit seamlessly into the Committee's covert operations, and his ruthless efficiency had secured his place within this hidden society.

That's why, the moment a new Campione emerged on Japanese soil, he reported it with nearly breakneck speed—this was his role, after all. It was precisely why we had recruited him into this esteemed association.

I frowned thoughtfully, letting the weight of the information settle over me.

"What is the origin of this new King?" I asked, tension thick in my voice.

"Unsurprisingly," he replied, "he hails from the Grace Field House—a child who managed to escape the clutches of demons, one of the orphans who survived against all odds."

Grace Field House…

How could he have come from there?

Everyone in the room instantly grasped the implication.

We were all acutely aware of what that orphanage represented, and because of that, we could not ignore the unease rippling through us.

The Grace Field House wasn't merely a nightmare for those unfortunate children—it was a place steeped in damnation itself.

The truth was dark and unforgiving.

Those children were not adopted out of kindness or charity; instead, they were sacrificed to the demons as part of vile agreements made by various representatives within Japan.

The unwanted, abandoned children, those deemed "inconvenient" by society, were shipped to the Grace Field House, their lives offered up in twisted deals with supernatural forces. It was a calculated cruelty, a moral compromise that our government was all too willing to make. This same government, after all, had historically placed the age of sexual consent at 13, only raising it to 16 under pressure from the international community.

This was the true depth of their depravity—a society willing to sell its own for profit, an institution that had even constructed the infamous "White Room," where orphaned children were "adopted" only to be subjected to inhumane experiments.

No, it wasn't technically "legal"—but everyone knew it was still approved and sanctioned, hidden away from the public eye.

The existence of a Campione who had escaped such a fate?

It was a dark omen for us all, a reminder of the twisted foundation upon which we built our so-called society.

This is not even the full extent of the Japanese government's wicked deeds. They have also established a second, more sinister experiment, hidden in plain sight under the guise of a prestigious high-pressure school that promises a glamorous 100% graduation guarantee.

The true nature of this "experiment" was kept hidden from parents, who were only told that the school was free of charge.

They boasted that lodging, food, and even pocket money would be provided by the government. However, they conveniently omitted any mention of the psychological toll and the brutal conditions their children would face in such an environment.

It's a textbook case of deceit, akin to a shameless scammer or snake-oil salesman peddling a fraudulent dream.

This second experiment is known as the Advanced Nurturing High School, a place swarming with surveillance, where the promise of guaranteed graduation comes shackled with the illusion of a 100% employment rate.

This is a blatant demonstration of how Japan is willing to conduct social experiments on its own high school students right out in the open.

Yet, they obscure the truth with vague statements, only informing the students and their families that "all graduates are guaranteed a job."

This, however, is a grotesque lie.

In reality, only those who graduate from Class A receive any preferential treatment. The rest are discarded—cast aside without a word about their fate, as if they were mere experiments gone wrong, left to fend for themselves with nothing but shattered dreams.

This entire situation illustrates the true depths of the Japanese government's depravity, masked behind a facade of false generosity.

Their bottom line is shockingly low, as they exploit and manipulate the youth without a shred of remorse.

Anyone who dares to believe otherwise is simply another tool for their schemes, taken advantage of until there's nothing left.

This is why I loathed them. I had no desire to play their games and preferred to be idol.

Despite the demands and the low pay expected of idols, at least the fans genuinely loved me. I didn't need the money anyway; being an idol was just a hobby for me, a way to pass the time in a world that had long since lost its appeal.

"Do you think he knows the truth? The truth that it was our government that secretly sent him and his sister to that cursed orphanage?" I asked, my voice trembling with a hint of fear.

We understood all too well what would happen if the king were ever to discover the reality—that we had condemned them to be nothing more than fresh, tender meat for the demons.

Grace Field House is no ordinary orphanage. It's a place that cultivates and nurtures high-quality human livestock, raising children to be nothing more than fresh meat for the demons' insatiable hunger, sold at exorbitant prices in a black market.

The caretakers deceive the innocent children, filling their heads with sweet lies of adoption into loving families in the outside world.

But the grim truth is far darker—every child that leaves the orphanage is not going to a new home but is shipped directly to the grotesque jaws of a demon, damned for eternity with no hope of salvation.

Why are these children considered high-quality meat, you might wonder?

We are not entirely sure how the minds of these demonic creatures work, but based on the intelligence we've gathered, they seem to have a preference.

Demons are fond of intelligent children, the beautiful ones, the ones whose purity and brilliance shine the brightest. It is said that the flesh of a smart, beautiful child tastes far better, more exquisite, more tender.

Thus, they prefer human children—especially those with a sharp mind and an angelic face. It is sickening, but this is the grim reality of what has been happening, all because of the greed and corruption of those who hold power in this wretched government.

Knowing this, knowing the suffering inflicted on countless innocent children by a government that should protect them, I felt a surge of anger rise within me.

My fists clenched involuntarily, my nails digging into my palms.

I am a princess, yes, but what does that title truly mean? I hold no real power; the imperial authority is a mere façade, a symbol wielded by those who manipulate us as their puppets.

No matter how much darkness I witness, I am helpless, unable to change anything.

My only solace is the hope that if I practice my witchcraft diligently, I might one day become powerful enough to shatter this entire corrupt system and bring about true justice.

"I fear he already knows the truth," Amakasu Touma sighed, his expression dark and burdened. "He is no ordinary man—he's astoundingly intelligent, cunning beyond belief. A genius, even. The fact that he managed to slay and deceive Lucifer Morningstar himself into granting him power speaks volumes about his resourcefulness."

"If he were clueless, how else could he have possibly escaped from that horrifying orphanage when he was still powerless, when he had nothing? And not only that—he managed to escape with his sister in tow. His competence, his abilities, they are beyond our comprehension. I'm afraid we may have gravely underestimated him."

"There's more," he continued, his face turning somber as he lowered his voice. "This isn't the only disturbing tale I've heard about him, Princess. He even managed to sway a rogue exorcist, Freed Sellzen—a man notorious for his lawlessness, a wild dog who listens to no one. Yet, this boy convinced him to teach him. His extensive training and knowledge of the supernatural? It largely comes from this very stray exorcist, who was excommunicated by the Church itself."

"So, how do you think we should approach the King, Touma? What's your suggestion for making him less hostile toward us?" I asked, my voice edged with both curiosity and urgency.

I was determined to find a solution, demanding an answer on how to make this King—who had been so grievously wronged by the Japanese Government—consider forgiving us, to reduce his hostility so that we wouldn't spiral into an inevitable conflict that could affect society at large. The stakes were high, and I needed a plan.

Amakasu Touma looked at me, hesitation flickering across his face as though he were unsure whether to speak or hold back the truth.

"Are you certain about this, Princess?" His voice held a warning note, almost as if he were trying to dissuade me from proceeding.

"I am," I replied firmly.

"Besides, it's partly our fault he became what he is now. We have a responsibility to fix this, don't we?" I nodded with conviction, completely unaware of the details Touma was deliberately hiding—the truth about the Campione's nature.

He wasn't just a victim of circumstance; he was wicked, unapologetically manipulative, and infamously lustful.

Yet Touma chose not to tell me about his personality at large, instead feeding me only selective bits of information designed to evoke my sympathy.

"Very well then, Princess," Touma finally agreed, a confident smile creeping onto his lips. "I have a plan that not only stands a chance of reducing his hostility but might also help you gain considerable leverage at a minimal cost."

"Oh? What do you propose?" I leaned in, genuinely intrigued.

"How about this—you enroll at Suuchin Academy, where he currently resides? Befriend him, or better yet, get close to his sister. Our intelligence indicates that his sister is someone who is admiring you, even idolize. Use that connection to your advantage. But heed my advice, Princess—do not conceal your intentions or your true identity. The King despises deception above all else. He will see through any facade you attempt, and if you lie, it will only breed hatred instead of favor. Be honest with him; tell him your genuine desire for reconciliation. That is your best chance."

"Is it really that simple?" I asked, still perplexed by the simplicity of the plan.

Touma smirked, his confidence almost palpable. "Believe in your own charm, Princess. Your sincerity and appeal are your greatest weapons in this matter. You'll need them."

"Alright then, thank you, Touma," I replied, a grin spreading across my face. "Please cancel all my current engagements for the idol tour. Let's proceed with enrolling at Suuchin Academy. It's time I meet the King."

Touma bowed humbly, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips as he stepped back. "As you command, Princess. I'll take care of everything."

He left the room, ready to execute my orders without delay.

I sank back into my chair, humming to myself with a newfound sense of satisfaction. It seemed as if the issue would resolve itself as long as I met with the King personally.

After all, what could possibly go wrong?

I was confident in my charm and believed that the King would be less hostile as long as we could establish some form of friendship or mutual understanding.

And as I sat there, blissfully unaware of what awaited me, I couldn't help but feel that the problem was already as good as solved.

What could possibly go wrong?

.

.

.

Summary of the Chapter 2:

Hatsune Miku, a princess and idol with a disdain for Japan's corrupt government, learns from Amakasu Touma—a skilled and cunning operative of the History Compilation Committee—that a new Campione has emerged in Tokyo. This individual is revealed to be a former orphan from the horrific Grace Field House, a place infamous for raising children as livestock for demons.

The orphan not only escaped with his sister but also managed to gain immense power by slaying Lucifer Morningstar, proving his resourcefulness and intellect.

Amakasu further reveals the Campione's dark backstory, including his training under Freed Sellzen, a rogue exorcist, and the cruelty he suffered under a government willing to exploit children through horrific experiments and institutions like the Advanced Nurturing High School. The Campione's hatred for the government stems from the revelation that they were responsible for sending him and his sister to the cursed orphanage.

Miku, feeling partly responsible for the Campione's plight, is determined to reduce his hostility toward Japan. Amakasu suggests she enroll at Suuchin Academy, where the Campione resides, and leverage the admiration his sister has for Miku. He warns her to be genuine, as the Campione despises deceit and would see through any falsehoods.

Confident in her charm and sincerity, Miku agrees to the plan, canceling her idol engagements to meet the Campione in person, unaware of the true nature of his personality—wicked, cunning, and unapologetically hedonistic. Believing the issue to be easily resolved through friendship, Miku sets out on a journey that will likely test her ideals and resolve.