Chapter 32

1.

“There are ghosts roaming around in Gehenna.”

At some point, a strange rumor started to circulate in Gehenna.

Or rather, those in the know would understand. They knew when and because of what entity this rumor began to spread.

The content of the rumor was as follows:

As evening falls, those who commit evil deeds will be punished.

The ghosts visit those who disturb the nights of Gehenna and ensure they can never cause trouble again.

No matter where in Gehenna, there is no place to hide from her watchful eye.

This was almost like an urban legend, a folktale told to scare children. Yet most students in Gehenna felt genuine fear when hearing this rumor.

Because it wasn’t just some rumor.

It was a declaration made by an actual existing entity, a true story.

[“The nights in Gehenna are when everyone sleeps.”]

[“Especially you villains.”]

A certain hero’s declaration spread throughout all of Gehenna, and even all of Kiburatos, promising that no one would commit evil deeds late in the evening anymore.

This message, captured by a delinquent student before encountering the “ghost of Gehenna,” became the rumor and played a significant role in spreading the fear.

The hero’s chilling words didn’t just unsettle those in Gehenna but also sent shivers down the spines of all villains in Kiburatos.

Of course, the citizen reactions were mixed.

Many citizens experienced a gap between the kind neighbor they were used to seeing and the unyieldingly harsh and violent figure she became against villains.

Many, who already supported Silk, were once again cheered when they realized how dramatically the crime rate in Gehenna had dropped.

No one had expected the lawless Gehenna Autonomous District to be tamed.

Yet now its nights were no longer a gathering ground for delinquents but had become a true time of rest for all.

Evil is punished, and good is rewarded.

Somewhere along the line, this principle had universalized in Kiburatos.

All because of one individual.

2.

The “Ghost of Gehenna.”

Thanks to this rumor, ordinary citizens in Gehenna began experiencing peace and understanding what it’s like to sleep comfortably in the evening.

Though citizens were the primary beneficiaries of this rumor, others benefited as well.

The Guidance Department, effectively Gehenna’s decency committee, was one such group.

Despite Ako’s complaints as senior administrator, the members of the Guidance Department welcomed Silk’s presence with standing ovations, as it greatly benefited their operations.

For nearly a month, anarchy had reigned in Gehenna, which was a much more severe situation when compared to other academies. The Guidance Department had struggled tirelessly to maintain order.

However, after a month of such efforts, the Guidance Department had grown exhausted. After the activation of Sentum Tower, they lacked the energy to fully restore Gehenna.

This was one reason Gehenna couldn’t shake off the effects of the anarchy. Thus, everyone in the Guidance Department welcomed Silk, who offered them the gift of rest and sleep.

Moreover, as the head of the Guidance Department, whose rest was almost nonexistent, was now able to hear the suggestion, “It’s time for you to take a little rest,” thanks to Silk.

As a result:

“The supervisor’s complexion has improved!”

“Her dark circles are much less pronounced. She must have rested!”

“With the Guidance Department getting some rest, there’s no stopping us.”

“Aah. My stamina gauge is back to all-perfect.”

The Guidance Department found some breathing room.

The tiger that devoured Gehenna’s evil was taking a rest, finally regaining its strength.

Everyone in the Guidance Department was moved.

They could finally get some sleep and handle their work in a more leisurely, comfortable environment.

The nights created by Silk in Gehenna were interpreted, not just by villains and citizens, but by the Guidance Department as well, as “sleeping time,” having a great impact.

This newfound breathing room was enough to significantly boost the activity of the Guidance Department.

“Kyaaa! Why is Sorasaki Hina here?”

“Let’s wrap this up quickly.”

“Yes, Supervisor!”

The Guidance Department supervisor, Sorasaki Hina, who was previously buried under paperwork and various tasks, was now given the leisure to dedicate herself to the restoration of Gehenna.

This was nothing short of a catastrophe for the villains of Gehenna.

An unstoppable superhuman was truly a catastrophe, beyond their capacity to fight against.

Yet this calamity came both day and night.

During the day, it was Supervisor Hina, and at night, it was Silk.

Under the constant watch of these two figures, resembling the sun and the moon, crime in Gehenna slowly quieted down.

As a result, the daytimes in Gehenna became, as Silk said, nearly as peaceful as the “original,” while the evenings saw even further reductions in crime, nearing the level of other academies.

“Nightmare. It’s a nightmare…!”

“This isn’t a nightmare—it’s two monsters!!”

This was a blow against the devils of Gehenna and an unescapable nightmare.

Freedom without limits disappeared, replaced by a regulated peace.

“This…this isn’t Gehenna!”

Facing the establishment of order, many devils screamed in despair.

Indeed, this was a situation uncharacteristic of Gehenna.

3.

“Ako, is the interrogation finished?”

“Yes, Supervisor. Everyone gave the same answers.”

With Ako’s reply, Hina nodded. Hina, having completed her inspection and cleanup of Gehenna, calmly reacted as if she had anticipated the results of the interrogations that Ako had been handling previously.

Others among Hina’s subordinates also showed similar reactions, since they already knew that most of the detained students were tied to the work of a single entity.

“So, it’s been the 6th day of this. Public opinion unchanged?”

“Yes. Citizens support Silk’s activities, but clubs like Many Devils Association have strongly criticized Silk’s vigilante activities and sent complaints to the Guidance Department. How arrogant.”

“Shouldn’t they be appreciative that we’ve captured them instead? No official orders have been issued yet, right?”

“Maybe it’s just a matter of time. I hear Many Devils Association’s chairman isn’t pleased with Silk.”

“Ah, that’s likely.”

Silk’s actions publicly violate the autonomous laws of the district to such an extent that they almost defy the law.

This would be true for most districts in Kiburatos, and thus Valkyrie from D.U officially condemned Silk’s activities.

If the groups responsible for maintaining the district’s order and security accept Silk’s activities as normal, then the district’s law and order would collapse into mere scraps of paper.

Thus, most academy-based police organizations publicly criticize Silk, even if her actions are helpful, to prevent the emergence of other Silk-like figures, which would not be a good thing.

“What was Maki’s exact reaction?”

“Hmm… he said he didn’t like his authority being diminished by Silk’s appearance.”

“…Authority, you say?”

At what Ako said, not just Hina, but everyone passing through the Guidance Department building stopped and frowned.

“What? What’s this about authority?!”

“He’s making an interesting point, isn’t he?”

“…Still, he is the chairman of Many Devils Association. Both of you, maintain proper etiquette.”

While Hina took note of the caustic comments from Iori and Chinatsu, as well as the expressions of the surrounding Guidance Department students, most people there understood. Even Supervisor Hina did not deny the evaluation.

Hina sighed, massaging her temples at Ako’s recounting of Maki’s reaction.

“Ah, I have a feeling some annoying business is about to happen.”

“It’s that chairman for you.”

Hina’s sigh lengthened as she remembered Maki, the infamous chairman of Many Devils Association.

She then muttered, almost to herself:

“…At times like these, I can’t help but be amazed by Silk.”

“Amazed by Silk? What aspect?”

“The fact that she’s loved by all.”

Silk is the most famous and the most beloved figure in Kiburatos.

To such an extent, there’s almost no one in Kiburatos who doesn’t know her.

Because of this, Silk uniquely occupies a politically special position in Kiburatos.

Silk’s actions are always followed by justice. She constantly upholds and maintains order, and aids those who wish to maintain order. Many have benefited from Silk’s efforts during the time of anarchy. Thus, many organizations support Silk.

This is precisely why Silk occupies a unique position in Kiburatos.

It’s also one of the reasons why many academies haven’t been able to “rein in” Silk.

“—And that goes for us too.”

And the Guidance Department of Gehenna was no different. Even during this time or when Sentum Tower failed, Silk contributed a lot.

Therefore:

“Keep ignoring. When a direct order comes, we’ll just pretend to follow it.”

“Got it, Supervisor.”

“Let’s move on to the next schedule.”

“Yes. The next schedule is…”

Hina crossed the Guidance Department building while being briefed on the next schedule.

All the while contemplating Silk in her mind.

…

…

…

Then that night…

Hina realized her concerns were unwarranted.

“Hello, Supervisor.”

“…Silk?”

Because Silk had come to see her.

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