#797 The True Conclusion

It is I, Shinbishanme, a true journalist and a warrior for the news, standing up to great evils.

Yes! I’ve done it!

I’ve got a massive scoop!

The identity of the mysterious masked wrestler, Miss Bean Crush, is none other than Princess Letasreit!

A survivor of the former royalty who once reigned over the Human Kingdom, oppressing their subjects!

Excuse me?! The royals think they’re above the common folk, so they deserve to be politically purged!

It was announced that the demon race executed Letasreit, and yet!

Who would’ve thought she was still alive?!

Spreading false information like that is a clear violation of the rules!

Those in power always hide the truth from us journalists! How dare they deceive us! They should be upfront and tell us the truth!!!

...Anyway.

This is a bigger scoop than I imagined!

All thanks to my sharp probing as a journalist, focusing on the masked wrestler’s true identity!!!

We wouldn't be in this situation if it weren’t for my question during the press conference!

I am a journalist of truth, after all!

My knack for sniffing out a scoop is second to none!

No crooked figure in power can escape my relentless pursuit of the truth!

This is already a massive story; if I put this on the front page, our paper will sell like hotcakes!

But settling for just that would be low of me!

A top-tier journalist like me always aims higher!

What do I mean by “higher,” you ask?

Controlling the masses through reporting. That’s the fundamental role of the media!

Especially now when I have the perfect opportunity to manipulate the gullible public!

Any journalist who doesn’t capitalize on this doesn’t deserve the title!

Listen.

Royalty is symbolic and can serve as an ideal tool to rally the people.

Knowing that a former royal family member is alive could become a rallying cry for those still harboring resentment against the invaders, the demons.

This is the signal to rise against the demon race!!!

Not to mention, Letasreit is proving her might in the matches today.

She defeated both Demon Queen Astres and the Mermaid Kingdom’s Princess Platy.

That’s proof that humans are stronger than both demons and mermaids!

Obviously, humans are the superior race and should rule the world. Many will be riled up and rush headlong into war again!

The age of wars fueled by reporting is coming back!

Yahoo!

Who needs boring peace anyway!

Letasreit might be talking about some pathetic coexistence with demons, but who cares about her opinion!

It’s a journalist’s job to control the masses’ views!

With sensationalized headlines like “Letasreit calls for an uprising,” “The people demand it,” and “Demons must die!”, soon, these will be taken as the truth, and war will be inevitable!

That’s the power of a journalist!

I’ll shape the world as I see fit!

That’s what journalism is for!

Now, I need to rally the journalist association to release synchronized reports urging an anti-demon stance and a call to arms!

There’s strength in numbers!

So, off I went to the journalist association meeting...

***

“Shinbishanme, your press credentials are revoked.”

“Huh?”

This came straight from the chairman of the journalist association.

Why?!

There’s no one more righteous and exemplary as a journalist than me!

This is unjust! A conspiracy!

I’ll expose all of you with my articles!

“Your actions are unacceptable. At the rate you’re going, trust in journalism will decline, and our work will be ignored. We need to expel you from the press association for the sake of its reputation.”

I don’t get it!

I’ve always been fair, unbiased, and based my reports on facts!

If someone like me doesn’t deserve to be a journalist, then is there even such a thing as a proper journalist in this world?!

“You’re still brimming with confidence despite the situation you’re in? Alright then, come on in, witness.”

“Yes, sir...”

Isn’t that my colleague?!

The younger colleague I’ve been mentoring at the newspaper company we both work at!

You’re repaying my kindness with betrayal?!

“What favor are you talking about? I don’t remember ever being indebted to you. Instead, you’ve snatched scoops right from under me, resulting in sources resenting me, refusing interviews...”

What?!

I don’t...recall any of that!

“I’ve held a grudge for quite some time now, but this is the last straw. Instigating a war through Lady Letasreit? No journalist should ever do that. I value journalistic integrity, and I’m calling you out on it.”

Huh?! What the hell are you blabbering about?!

If you genuinely uphold journalistic values, you should support me even more!

I am justice! I am truth!

That’s what makes me a righteous journalist!

“I’ve provided evidence to the association showing that you’ve recklessly published baseless falsehoods and twisted the words of those you’ve interviewed. Don’t think you can just talk your way out of this.”

Dumbass!

Why are you exposing that?!

Don’t you understand there are things better left unsaid in this world?!

“You get the gist. From now on, the association won’t let you call yourself a journalist. The media organization you were part of will disband, too.”

“I will lose my job, too, but I’ll accept it willingly. I share the blame for not stopping your reckless actions while we worked on the same project. As a consequence, I’ll start my job hunt from scratch at another company.”

You think I care if you quit journalism?!

What about me?!

It’s a global loss if I, the embodiment of righteousness, truth, justice, reality, and accuracy, quit journalismmmmmmmmmm!!!

How can that be alloweeeeeeeed!!!

I know! I’ll continue being a journalist no matter what you say!

If you don’t accept that, it’s just your biased opinion!

If I write and sell articles on my own, you guys have no right to stop me!

You can just watch as my articles potentially start wars!

I’ll show you what true journalism is!

“...If you insist on pursuing reporting on your own, we don’t have the authority to stop you. Do as you wish.”

Hah, just as I thought!

Choke on your own powerlessness!

“As for other matters... there’s someone who wants to meet you. You should speak with them before leaving.”

Huh? Who?

Some sponsor touched by my articles, wanting to cooperate?

“It’s the S-class adventurer, Pink Tonton.”

“Gyah!”

The door opens to reveal a robust woman – or is it a man?!

An intimidating therianthropic adventurer – why is she here?

“She has got something to address directly with you. Your unnecessary questioning led to Lady Letasreit’s Mask Stripping Deathmatch held the other day. That’s her wrestling organization she founded.”

So what?!

She should be thanking me for hyping up her event!

“Though it ended peacefully, it was a precarious situation where one wrong step could've led to war. From Lady Pink Tonton’s perspective, she almost lost her star wrestler. She probably has some things to say.”

Hold on!

I’m just seeking the truth... Do you think it’s okay to obstruct that?

“Seeking truth is commendable. But if your truth brings harm to others, you must be prepared for their resentment. Whether that anger is justified or not.”

Pink Tonton’s massive hand grabs and lifts my head effortlessly!

What insane strength! This is why I despise filthy therianthropes!

“Hmhmhm... You’ve been quite helpful with your statements, you know? I almost lost my top earner because of you...!”

Ugh…! That smile! It terrifies me!

“Besides that, you’ve written about me since my mercenary days, making things up... Your false articles once had me suspected of colluding with the Demon King’s Army. I almost got executed, you know?”

“That guy’s a real bigot. He’s particularly harsh on articles about therianthrope achievers.”

Colleagueeeee?!

Stop spilling the beans! Don’t you know when to shut up?!

“I’ve always wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done. You just lost your job, didn’t you? How about I introduce you to a new one? It’s called adventuring. It’s a sincere offer, so don’t feel pressured...”

No! Let me go! 

I’m a journalist destined to rule the world! I have no interest in becoming a gritty adventurer! Let me goooooo!

“Well then, shall we delve into a dungeon straight away? Don’t worry. If you’re unlucky, you’ll just die inside and won’t be able to return. Let’s go~”