When I returned from exploring the dungeon to save the world, I found out that my lover had been stolen, and I was blamed for the failed expedition. Enraged, I quit Japan's strongest party—only for them to self-destruct on their own. - Chapter 43

Seriously, what did I do to deserve this?

I had gathered a team of highly skilled explorers, ready to make a grand conquest of the Tokyo Dungeon, proving Japan’s strength to the world—to D7—but that bastard Okita ruined everything.

What was that nonsense about protecting his comrades and ensuring their safe return?

What was that talk about the failure of the expedition being the fault of the Japan Dungeon Association’s selection of members?

And how dare he claim I tried to pin the responsibility for the failure on him?

It was all his laziness.

Didn’t he showcase overwhelming power at the end, easily defeating that dragon?

If he had such strength, then he should have conquered the dungeon without concern for the sacrifices of a few explorers!

No one ordered him to protect the women he brought along.

He should have used them as stepping stones—no, even if the entire team was wiped out, if he could reach the goal alone, he should have done so.

Because of his negligence, my son was branded a failure, and two of the women died.

If they were going to die anyway, they should have done so in the previous expedition.

If Okita had just ignored those useless fools and pushed forward, I might have at least given him some credit. And I—I—would still be president of the Japan Dungeon Association, ensuring Japan’s dominance within D7.

And I wouldn’t have had to deal with Kamiyama meddling just because he’s a government advisor.

And now they’re removing me from my position?

On top of that, they have the audacity to arrest me for embezzlement and corruption? Outrageous!

I dedicated myself to Japan’s prosperity.

I was the one who established a system for the Japan Dungeon Association to properly manage explorers and distribute the resources acquired.

And to make that a reality, money was necessary—to silence those who sought to stake their claims.

Just watch.

If they’re going to cut me loose, I’ll take them down with me.

“You have a visitor. Get up.”

“Tch…”

Finally. Took them long enough.

“Apologies for the delay. It took a little time to get everything in order.”

“Hmph, I was tired of waiting. So? When am I getting out?”

“…Excuse me?”

The man who arrived was a scrawny middle-aged lawyer.

He didn’t look reliable at all, standing there with his idiotic expression.

“‘Excuse me?’ I said get me out of this place immediately!”

“Oh no, no, no, no, Mr. Kazuno. That’s impossible. Do you even realize the extent of what you’ve done? Corruption, bribery, coercing explorers into entering the Tokyo Dungeon under false pretenses… and the list of additional charges is so extensive that even a month after your arrest, the investigation is still ongoing. It was incredibly difficult just to secure this meeting.”

“Shut up! Just talk to the ministers, the politicians, the higher-ups in the police department who were involved, and have them shut down the investigation. Are you completely useless?”

Why was he coming at this head-on?

There are plenty of people in positions of power who can’t afford to have me convicted.

He should be using that leverage to put an end to this whole thing.

“That’s impossible.”

“What?”

His response was curt.

“What do you mean, ‘impossible’?!”

“Just what it sounds like.”

“What about Minister Gonda from the Ministry of Economy and Industry?! I gave him millions! If I expose that, he’s finished! Use that leverage—”

“Minister Gonda has already fallen. In fact, your ties to him have been completely exposed, and he’s being torn apart in the media.”

“What?!”

It’s already been revealed?

Then what about Commissioner Satomi?

“The police, politicians, lawyers, corporate executives—they’re all finished.”

“What?!”

This can’t be happening…

Then what about me?

“Oh, and I should mention—I’ve been sent here on behalf of your wife.”

“…My wife? Kiyomi? What did she say?”

“She wants a divorce.”

“Tch…!”

That woman didn’t hesitate to throw me away.

“Well, it’s only natural, isn’t it? She still has her future ahead of her. If she stayed married to you, who knows what would happen to her? Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Wait! If you leave, who’s going to defend me?! Wait!”

I shouted at the lawyer as he turned to leave.

Damn him—this has to be a joke!

“I don’t know. But given the circumstances, you’re definitely going to lose. At this point, it’s just about cleaning up the mess.”

“You bastard—!!”

“Well then, take care.”

“Damn it all—!!”

That useless fool mocked me, and now I have no one left.

I had nothing to lose now.

So, I decided to spill everything during my next interrogation.

There were definitely still people who hadn’t been exposed yet.

I’d drag every last one of them down with me.

“That’s all, then. We’ll see you in court.”

But the investigator barely reacted.

He simply processed my statements, as if he had already expected it.

Would I even get released?

…Wait.

Where is my son, Hideaki?

He was supposed to have been released a little earlier than me.

He should at least come to pick me up.

In fact, he should be here.

Just as I was about to arrange for him to visit, I was given an answer—

**”Your son… was in a car accident. His vehicle went off a bridge and sank into the ocean.

…Unfortunately, he did not survive.”**

And so, Kazuno (Father) was sentenced to life in prison at the very least.

Given the sheer number of additional charges, the death penalty was also a possibility.

His trial and investigation would drag on for years to come.