Chapter 432: The Devil's Deal

Outside the emergency room at the hospital.
“What the hell happened?! An assassination attempt?! What a joke!”
A group of high-ranking members of the Liberal Democratic Party rushed into the hospital like their pants were on fire, their faces deathly pale, as if they had seen a ghost.
Even the current Prime Minister, Yoshida, canceled all his schedules and was on his way.
“It’s…it’s said that some madman, because of a personal grudge, attacked…”
“I’ve already heard that bullshit on the news! I’m asking, wasn’t the scene surrounded by layers upon layers of security personnel?
They’re supposedly the elite of the elite! And they couldn’t even stop a civilian? Who the hell would believe that?!”
“It happened so suddenly, and…it’s said that none of them expected that someone would actually dare to do it in broad daylight…”
What kind of ridiculous excuse is that! Who are they?
They are the top security detail responsible for protecting the country’s former leader!
And yet, an ordinary person assassinated him so easily?
This is an absolute joke!
"And I heard that the killer's first shot missed?!"
That's right, the killer's first bullet missed. It took several seconds for him to adjust his posture, re-aim, and fire a second shot.
Those few seconds were enough for top security personnel, whose duty was to protect their superiors at the cost of their lives, to do a hundred things!
However, those at the scene seemed collectively frozen in place, not a single person reacting effectively.
"They...they explained afterward that they initially thought someone was setting off firecrackers, so they didn't react excessively immediately..."
When Prime Minister Yoshida arrived, this was the absurd explanation he heard, and the suspicion in his eyes was almost tangible.
Bullshit!
The top security elites in Japan were deployed to protect a dignitary, and...this is their level of competence?
They made such a ridiculously basic mistake?
"So, how is the former Prime Minister now?" he asked in a deep voice.
“The hospital said… they are doing everything they can to save him. But, they told us… to prepare ourselves.”
“…”
Yoshida closed his eyes in anguish.
This is a national disgrace! A complete tragedy!
The former prime minister was assassinated in the street!
This is utterly shameful, a disgrace to the entire world!
“But, Your Excellency the Prime Minister…” A trusted aide leaned closer, his voice low, but his eyes gleaming with a strange light,
“I know it’s inappropriate to say this now… but, perhaps… this is our opportunity!”
“What did you say?” Yoshida’s eyes snapped open.
“Immediately! We declare a state of emergency in the name of the nation!
If… he unfortunately passes away, immediately hold a state funeral of the highest honors, and let the eyes of the world be focused on him!
Then, we will issue a statement strongly condemning this act of violence, and will subtly… point the finger at…”
“You mean… point the finger at the opposition party?” Yoshida’s pupils constricted sharply.
"That's right! Just say the opposition was afraid of former Prime Minister AB's enormous influence, so they plotted this conspiracy!
Anyway, the election is only a few days away. All we need to do is slow down the investigation and spread conspiracy theories to completely ruin the opposition's image!"
"By then, public opinion will be boiling, and our Liberal Democratic Party might just be able to turn the tide!"
In the emergency room, his life hanging in the balance, these cabinet members had already used him as a political bargaining chip for a comeback, their eyes gleaming with the green light of hungry wolves.
How cold-blooded, how cruel.
However, Yoshida, listening to these words, also possessed the cold blood of a politician.
"I thought the Liberal Democratic Party was doomed to lose..." he muttered to himself.
Could this be... a way out?
"That's it!" A resolute glint flashed in Yoshida's eyes.
"Immediately declare a state of emergency! I'll personally prepare the speech!"
"Yes! Our party will also mobilize immediately and make all necessary preparations!"
No one cared about AB's life or death anymore.
Deep down, they even secretly hoped he would take his last breath.
Because his death would be the only cure for the Democratic Liberal Party.
“Wait.” Yoshida suddenly remembered something and called out to the group who were about to leave.
“What was the motive for this assassination attempt? Has it been found out?”
“Still under investigation. It's said to be related to some religious organization, but the specifics are unclear.”
“You guys think…”
A thought instantly flashed through Yoshida's mind, and his voice began to tremble slightly.
“Could this… be related to Fang Huan's investment?”
“!?!”
The group, who were about to act, froze in place as if struck by lightning!
"Fanghuan Investment just agreed to our 'request.'
And then this happened!
The 'miracle' we thought was absolutely impossible—the one that could reverse the Liberal Democratic Party's approval ratings…
It just… happened!"
"Prime Minister…you mean…Fanghuan Investment…against former Prime Minister Abe…!"
"A group of top security elites, hailed as the strongest bodyguards in Japan, couldn't even defend against a civilian with a homemade, broken gun?
An ordinary person, someone you have absolutely no connection with, suddenly appeared out of nowhere and carried out a targeted assassination?
Do you really think all of this is just a fucking coincidence?!"
Yoshida's words were like a bucket of ice water poured over everyone's heads.
This seemingly unbelievable event, with a probability infinitesimally close to zero, actually happened right after they contacted Fanghuan Investment!
No one present was a fool.
No one believed that such a "coincidental" miracle could exist in this world!
"Then...what should we do now..."
"What should we do? What else can we do!" Yoshida's eyes became incredibly complicated.
"Whether we like it or not, whether we want it or not, our last chance to turn things around is right in front of us!
Seize it first, win the election!
What happens after that...we'll think about it after we win!"
The group exchanged glances, and finally nodded heavily.
Although they never dreamed that the way to turn things around would be so bloody and cruel!
It sent a chill down their spines, but right now, preserving the Liberal Democratic Party was the most important thing above all else!
"..."
Watching the crowd hastily depart, Prime Minister Yoshida stood alone, his hands and feet icy cold, trembling uncontrollably.
In his mind, AB's image, his smile and voice, were rapidly fading, turning black and white.
Whose fault should this be?
Should it be on Fang Huan Investment, who used ruthless and unscrupulous methods to launch a thunderous attack?
Or…should it be on the Democratic Liberal Party members themselves, who willingly made a deal with the devil, selling their souls?
The devil had fulfilled his promise according to the contract.
Now, it was the other party's turn to offer their sacrifice.
But what if they couldn't produce the agreed-upon sacrifice?
What would the consequences be?
“…”
Yoshida swallowed hard, his throat dry and painful.
He knew better than anyone that there was never an option to “renege” on a contract with the devil!
Every word in the contract was steeped in an inescapable curse!
Even if the final sacrifice is the future of this nation!
It will turn this nation into a complete plaything in the hands of evil!