Chương 134: Chapter 127: The Demands from the Freezing City

The heavy, reinforced doors of General James Ironwood's office hissed shut, sealing out the pristine, bureaucratic silence of the Academy hallways. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with a volatile, geopolitical tension that was rapidly spinning out of control. General Ironwood sat rigidly behind his massive steel desk, his broad shoulders tense as he stared down at the glowing holographic projection hovering over his console.

Specialist Winter Schnee stood at attention beside him, her pale blue eyes tracking the complex, rotating schematics. Standing in a tense semicircle around the desk were Team RWBY, Team JNPR, Oscar Pine, and Maria Calavera. In the center of the room, parked precisely in front of the desk, was Pietro Polendina.

"As you requested, General." Pietro began, his usually jovial voice carrying a deep, clinical seriousness. He tapped a few commands into the keypad on the armrest of his mobility chair, expanding the holographic projection.

"I have successfully engineered a localized temporal stabilizer for Mantle's compromised heating grid. My technicians are finalizing the manufacturing process, and the units are ready to be deployed."

"Excellent work, Pietro," Ironwood breathed, a flicker of genuine relief crossing his exhausted features.

"However," Pietro cautioned, raising a finger, "I must stress that this is strictly a stopgap measure. A temporary fix. It will force the grid to bypass the corrupted nodes and restore a significant amount of heat to the slums, but it won't hold forever against the hacker's relentless incursions. They will eventually adapt to the new firewalls." Ironwood let out a heavy sigh, aggressively rubbing his temples.

"I understand. A temporary fix is better than nothing while the culprit remains at large. At the very least, it will buy us time and keep the citizens from freezing." The young Huntsmen and Huntresses exchanged hopeful glances.

"That's great news," Ruby Rose smiled, her silver eyes brightening.

"The people down there have been suffering so much. If we can just get them warm, maybe the riots will finally start to calm down."

"Indeed," Lie Ren agreed quietly.

"Stabilizing the temperature should also lower the overall negativity, which will ease the pressure on the perimeter guards by deterring further Grimm breaches."

"Okay. So, what's the hold-up?" Yang Xiao Long asked, crossing her arms.

"And what does this have to do with the 'Savior of Mantle'? With...

'Darwin'?" The hopeful atmosphere instantly fractured. Pietro and Maria exchanged a long, heavy look. Maria simply shook her head, adjusting her cybernetic goggles as she leaned heavily on her cane, while Pietro's demeanor entirely faded into a deep, sorrowful sigh.

"That... is the crux of the issue," Pietro explained gently, looking down at his lap.

"The citizens of Mantle... they do not seem to care that the Atlesian military is trying to fix the grid. Despite our best efforts, while the tech units are actively preparing to install the stabilizers, the citizens are rejecting Atlas's help."

"Rejecting it?" Weiss Schnee gasped, her brow furrowing in sheer disbelief.

"But they are freezing! Why would they refuse aid?"

"Because their trust is completely shattered," Maria rasped, her voice cutting through the political confusion.

"Between the embargo, the military presence, and the stolen election... they view the military as an occupying force, not as saviors." Oscar took a hesitant step forward, his hazel eyes filled with profound concern.

"Then what do they actually want? If they won't accept the stabilizers, how can we help them?" Maria looked at the young boy, offering a grim, cynical smirk.

"They don't want the military's help, kid. Mantle wants the 'Savior' himself." Team RWBY, Team JNPR, Oscar, and Winter completely froze.

"What?" Jaune Arc choked out, his eyes widening.

"The people of Mantle are currently demanding that 'Darwin' be deployed to the lower city," Pietro elaborated, his voice heavy with the absurdity of the situation.

"To them, the military failed to catch the killer for weeks, and the election was brutally stolen from their champion. Meanwhile, a single, humble 'civilian Huntsman' in a bowler hat stepped out of the shadows, ripped the serial killer to pieces with his bare hands, and restored order effortlessly."

"They believe he is a man of the people," Winter deduced grimly, her posture stiffening as she grasped the political nightmare.

"Someone who operates outside the corrupt system. They demand that Darwin hunt down the hacker."

"It goes deeper than just the citizens," Maria added, pointing her cane toward the General.

"Even Robyn Hill agreed to the demands. She didn't get a chance to thank the 'Savior' after the victory party incident. She feels robbed." Hearing the name "Robyn Hill", the tension in the room skyrocketed. Winter, Oscar, and the students exchanged panicked, horrified glances. Ironwood let out a frustrated, echoing groan, burying his face in his hands.

"I knew this would happen eventually. Ever since he casually ripped that monster apart in front of a thousand people." The General lowered his hands, fixing the Vanguard with a severe, terrified stare.

"I have already received a direct, heavily encrypted message from Robyn Hill. She is officially requesting a meeting with 'Darwin'."

"General!" Winter gasped, stepping forward defensively.

"Of course, I rejected it immediately," Ironwood stated firmly, raising a hand to quell the panic.

"I will not let it happen. Saitama cannot leave Atlas under any circumstances. It is far too risky. If he interacts with a highly perceptive politician, his true identity, his complete lack of tactical knowledge, and our entire cover story could be compromised to the public... and to Salem's forces."

"That's the thing, General," Pietro shifted uncomfortably in his mobility chair.

"Robyn is still heavily stung by her unjust defeat. She is highly suspicious of your secrets. Because you immediately rejected her request, Robyn and the Happy Huntresses now firmly believe that Atlas is 'monopolizing' Darwin. It has only caused her suspicions to grow." Pietro looked at the terrified students, his voice dropping to a sympathetic whisper.

"Robyn desperately wants to meet him. She wants to officially interview 'Darwin'. And Maria has heard through the underground channels that she intends to broadcast the interview across the local network... to give her freezing, politically disenfranchised people a symbol of hope."

"Broadcast an interview?!" Nora squeaked, her hands flying to her head.

"With Saitama?!" Blake breathed, her feline ears pinning flat against her skull in pure horror. The entire room descended into absolute, suffocating panic.

"Masking Saitama's face in front of a news camera is one thing," Pyrrha said frantically, her emerald eyes wide.

"But this is Robyn Hill! She is a master at reading people!"

"Not to mention her Semblance!" Ren added, his usually calm demeanor entirely shattered.

"If she shakes his hand and asks him a direct question about his background, her Lie Detection will activate! She will instantly know 'Darwin' is a complete fabrication!" Ironwood paced furiously behind his desk, his cybernetic leg clanking heavily against the floorboards. The political checkmate was absolutely overwhelming. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

"Pietro," Ironwood demanded, his voice tight.

"How is she planning to force my hand?" Pietro adjusted his glasses, looking at the General with deep regret.

"Robyn anticipated your rejection. Knowing my allegiance lies with Mantle, but that I am a vital bridge to your military, she asked me to 'make a deal' with you on her behalf." Pietro took a slow breath.

"Robyn is utilizing civil disobedience. She told me that if she doesn't get this interview to boost Mantle's morale... the Happy Huntresses and the citizens will actively protest, form barricades, and physically block your tech units from installing the heating stabilizers." Maria sighed, shaking her head as she watched Pietro bear the heavy burden of the message.

"She isn't doing it out of malice, James," Pietro pleaded softly.

"She is doing it out of a desperate need to force you to share your 'resources' with the lower city. And the people of Mantle already agree with her move."

"This is madness!" Winter argued, her fists clenching.

"They are going to freeze to death out of pure spite!" Ironwood stopped pacing. He stared out the panoramic window at the bruised, stormy sky. Despite the terrible risk of protests and the suffering of the citizens, his paranoia regarding Salem's threat won out. Ironwood, Ozpin, and the Vanguard had agreed to hide the existence of Salem, and the true whereabouts of the "Hero of Vale", at absolutely any cost.

"What should we do, General?" Winter asked quietly.

"We hold the line," Ironwood stated, his voice devoid of any compromise.

"I am officially rejecting the deal. Tell the tech units to proceed with the installation of the stabilizers. If the people of Mantle wish to antagonize our good will, the tech units must simply work around them." Ironwood turned his fierce, commanding gaze toward the students.

"Oscar. Team RWBY. Team JNPR," Ironwood ordered.

"You are to return to the penthouse immediately. Tell Saitama what has occurred. Explicitly, aggressively warn him to be incredibly careful. If any strangers approach him demanding anything regarding 'Darwin's' background, he must ignore them completely."

"Understood," Ruby nodded, her silver eyes filled with terrified resolve as the rest of the teenagers echoed her agreement.

By the time the heavy, reinforced doors of the Schnee-sponsored luxury penthouse came into view, it was already evening. Oscar, Team RWBY and Team JNPR walked briskly down the plush, carpeted hallway of the upper residential tier.

"This is getting so frustratingly absurd," Yang groaned, running a hand through her blonde hair.

"We're literally holding the fate of the world together with duct tape and a bowler hat."

"I am genuinely wondering how long this 'securing the Relics' mission is going to take," Weiss sighed exhaustedly.

"I honestly just feel bad for the real Darwin," Jaune winced, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I just want to bring Saitama back to Vale so he can return to being our Beacon's beloved janitor again." The teenagers arrived at the heavy mahogany doors of the luxury penthouse. Before Ruby could even reach out to knock, a sudden, furious, highly comical scream echoed from inside the living room.

"NO WAY! THAT WAS A CHEAP SHOT! MY CONTROLLER IS LAGGING!" The students instantly froze.

"What's happening in there?!" Blake asked, her body tensed. Their hands shot to their weapons, fearing a sudden ambush by any Salem's agents. They braced themselves, adrenaline flooding their veins. The mahogany door suddenly swung open. Standing in the entryway, perfectly relaxed and entirely unbothered, was Neopolitan. She was casually pulling a sleek, high-tech Vacuan VR headset off her head. She looked at the terrified, battle-ready Huntsmen, her heterochromic eyes sparkling with a deeply amused, smug smirk.

She stepped aside, gesturing gracefully for them to enter.

"Huh???" Baffled, the teenagers rushed into the living room, only to freeze in sheer bewilderment. The opulent living room had been transformed into a digital battlefield. Saitama and Neon Katt were sitting cross-legged on the heated hardwood floor, just inches away from the massive flat-screen television. Both of them were wearing the brand-new, unreleased Vacuan VR goggles. They were aggressively leaning side-to-side, mashing their wireless controllers with furious intensity.

Flynt Coal leaned casually against the plush velvet sofa, a cool, highly amused laugh escaping his lips as he watched the television screen, which displayed a frantic, high-speed futuristic racing game. Sitting neatly on the sofa next to Flynt, observing the digital carnage, were Penny Polendina and Ciel Soleil.

"Salutations, friends!" Penny beamed excitedly, waving to the stunned vanguard. Ruby blinked, the tension vanished.

"Oh, Penny... everyone..." Team RWBY, Team JNPR, and Oscar let out a massive, collective sigh of absolute relief. They slumped their shoulders, realizing their friends were simply playing a video game. Their relief quickly morphed into sheer bafflement as they watched Saitama's comical rage. Saitama was visibly sweating. A massive, throbbing blue vein pulsed on his shiny bald head beneath the straps of the VR headset.

"Stop bumping my kart! I'm trying to drift!" Saitama shrieked indignantly, his thumbs moving in a desperate blur. On the massive television screen, Saitama's digital avatar was currently careening wildly into a pixelated wall, while Neon's brightly colored kart zoomed flawlessly past him, easily taking first place against the integrated bots.

"Can't catch me, cue-ball!" Neon cackled manically, completely in her element as she flawlessly drifted around a tight corner.

"You're too slow!"

"I AM NOT SLOW! I AM THE FASTEST THING ALIVE! THE STEERING WHEEL IS BROKEN!" Saitama roared. Eventually, the digital checkered flag waved. Neon Katt had secured an incredibly easy, dominating victory. Flynt threw his head back, laughing smoothly at the result.

"Fascinating," Ciel commented, her beret slightly askew as she rapidly typed notes onto her data-pad.

"The anomaly is physically undefeated in the real world, capable of shattering mountains and defying all known laws of kinetic physics. Yet, in a simulated digital environment, his hand-eye coordination and strategic processing are significantly below average. He can be defeated with alarming ease."

"NOOOOO!!!" Saitama shrieked, his gamer pride entirely, catastrophically shattered. He collapsed backward onto the hardwood floor, groaning in profound, existential defeat. Neon simply pointed at him, laughing maniacally.

"HAHAHA! You truly are a pro, Saitama! A pro in losing!" Neopolitan stood near the doorway, covering her mouth as she laughed in absolute, silent hysterics at his humiliation. Oscar, Ren, Jaune, Pyrrha, and Team RWBY stared at the fallen hero in total, agonizing awkwardness. Nora, however, couldn't hold it in.

"This is absolutely hilarious!" Nora burst into a loud, snorting laugh, entirely delighted by the fact that the strongest man in the universe sucked at video games. After a few minutes of calming down from his humiliating virtual defeat, Saitama let out a heavy, defeated sigh. He and Neon removed their headsets. Saitama sat up, finally noticing the heavily armed teenagers standing in his living room. His face immediately returned to its standard, comical flat oval.

"Oh. Hey kids," Saitama greeted lazily, tossing his controller onto the coffee table.

"Why didn't you guys invite us?!" Nora groaned in dramatic annoyance, dropping her heavy weapon to the floor.

"I love racing games!"

"We tried to call you, but you guys seemed really busy!" Neon grinned, tossing her headset to Yang.

"We figured we'd get a head start!"

A few moments later... The living room had reorganized into a tense, highly classified briefing. Saitama sat cross-legged on the floor, facing Oscar, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Jaune, Pyrrha, and Ren. The other side of the living room was currently occupied by Yang, Nora, and Neon, who were screaming loudly as they engaged in a chaotic, three-player VR race. Flynt, Neo, Penny, and Ciel remained gathered around the television, watching the digital mayhem.

"Saitama, you have to listen to us. This is incredibly serious," Ruby began, her silver eyes filled with frantic urgency.

"Your actions as 'Darwin' last night completely spiraled out of control," Jaune explained rapidly, gesturing wildly with his hands.

"The people of Mantle absolutely adore you now! You're a celebrity!"

"Because you caught the killer, Robyn Hill is actively demanding an official, broadcasted interview with you!" Weiss added, her aristocratic composure entirely frayed.

"She is using her supporters to barricade the military from fixing the heating grid until she gets to speak with 'Darwin'!" Saitama scratched his cheek with his pinky finger, entirely zoning out during the complex political explanation regarding Mantle's grid, SDC embargoes, and Robyn's leverage.

"Robin who?" Saitama asked blankly.

"She is a very perceptive politician!" Pyrrha stressed, leaning forward.

"If you talk to her, she will absolutely realize your identity is fake!"

"If she realizes that, General Ironwood's cover story collapses, and the public will find out you are here," Ren summarized grimly. Saitama blinked his dotted eyes a few times, digesting the frantic, panicked warnings of the seven teenagers.

"Ah," Saitama muttered, nodding slowly. He effortlessly simplified their complex, geopolitical terror into absolute, basic terms.

"So... just don't talk to strangers. Got it." Oscar, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Jaune, Pyrrha, and Ren let out a massive, collective sigh of pure, unadulterated relief. Their shoulders slumped. While they were utterly baffled by his simplistic deduction, at least he understood the fundamental instruction. Or so they thought. Saitama sat quietly for a second. Then, he tapped his chin, a faint, deeply mundane memory surfacing in his mind.

"Wait..." Saitama mumbled, his flat expression shifting into mild confusion.

"By strangers... do you mean people who send you messages on this Scroll thing?" The teenagers froze.

"What?" Blake asked, her amber eyes narrowing in confusion. Saitama reached into his pocket. He pulled out the sleek, newly issued Atlesian Scroll that Winter had provided him for emergencies.

"Yeah, my 'Scroll phone' kept buzzing earlier while I was playing the game," Saitama explained lazily, tapping the screen.

"I got a message from someone. They asked to meet 'Darwin' at the Atlas Academy courtyard tomorrow. They said they wanted to express their thanks and give me a gift." Saitama shrugged, looking completely unbothered.

"Since I didn't want to be rude, and they offered free stuff, I just typed 'I accept the gift' and hit reply." The ambient temperature in the living room dropped to absolute, terrifying zero. The color entirely drained from the faces of the seven Huntsmen.

"Saitama..." Ruby whispered, her voice trembling with sheer, blood-curdling horror.

"W-Who... who was the sender?" Saitama squinted at the glowing screen, shrugging his shoulders with absolute, mundane apathy.

"I don't know," Saitama answered flatly.

"It said... Some kind of 'Happy Hunting' or something." Oscar, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Jaune, Pyrrha, and Ren's eyes expanded to the absolute limits of human physiology. For a single, agonizing moment, the living room was completely, entirely silent, save for the digital sounds of the racing game. And then...

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" The seven teenagers erupted into a synchronized, deafening, apocalyptic scream of pure, unadulterated panic that rattled the crystal chandelier. The sheer, terrifying volume of their shriek shocked the other teenagers so badly that Neon, Yang, and Nora, completely blinded by their VR headsets, yelped in surprise and tumbled backward, crashing heavily onto the floor in a tangled, chaotic heap of limbs and wires.