Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 261 : The Investigation

Tokyo, Japan. December 26, 1897.

The morning after the attack, the Imperial Palace was under tight lockdown. Soldiers patrolled the gates, their hands gripping the hilts of their katanas and the stocks of their rifles, their gazes sharp and wary. Smoke from torches curled into the cold air, adding to the somber weight that hung over the city.

Inside the palace walls, tension simmered. What was meant to be a historic celebration had been marred by violence, and now, Japan stood at a precarious crossroads.

Matthew Hesh stood in the grand hall where the banquet had taken place, the remnants of shattered glass and overturned tables still visible. His security detail remained close, their eyes scanning every movement, every shadow.

All foreign dignitaries, including the Emperor of China, the King of Korea, and the British Prime Minister, had immediately retreated to their respective embassies under heavy guard. The attack had shaken the entire diplomatic corps. Everyone was on edge.

"Whoever orchestrated this knew exactly what they were doing," Collins muttered, standing beside Matthew. He flipped through a small notebook where he had scrawled hasty notes from the previous night. "They struck when everyone was gathered in one place. If they had succeeded, we could've been looking at the assassination of multiple world leaders in one night."

Matthew nodded, his jaw tightening. "And yet they failed. Which means we still have time to figure out who's behind this before they try again."

Across the hall, Japanese officials were conducting their own investigation. Palace guards interrogated the remaining staff, cross-checking every movement, every potential security breach. The Shinsengumi, Japan's elite counter-insurgency force, had been deployed to hunt down any accomplices the assassin might have had.

Matthew turned to one of his agents. "Where's Whitaker?"

"Downstairs, sir," the agent replied. "He's going through the assassin's belongings with the Japanese investigators."

Matthew exchanged a look with Collins. "Let's go."

The basement of the Imperial Palace had been turned into a makeshift investigative headquarters. Japanese and Amerathian officials worked side by side, piecing together whatever clues they could find.

Attorney General Whitaker stood near a wooden table, examining the assassin's rifle. It was an older model, not standard Japanese military issue, and worn from heavy use. A small, crumpled letter lay beside it, along with a bundle of personal belongings.

Matthew approached. "What do we have?"

Whitaker glanced up, rubbing his temple. "Not much, but enough to make things interesting." He gestured toward the rifle. "It's a European-made firearm, most likely smuggled into Japan. The markings indicate it came from the Russian Empire."

Matthew frowned. "Russia?"

"Possibly," Whitaker replied. "We need to confirm, but if this weapon was supplied by a foreign power, it complicates things."

Collins exhaled sharply. "The last thing we need is an international crisis."

One of the Japanese investigators, a stern-looking man named Commander Takeda, stepped forward. "We found this among his belongings." He handed Matthew a small piece of parchment.

Matthew unfolded it, his eyes scanning the text.

The old ways must be restored. The weak cannot lead. The rightful rulers must rise again.

There was no signature, no emblem. Just a vague declaration of intent.

Matthew passed the paper to Collins. "Sounds like a nationalist faction."

Takeda nodded. "That is our current belief. There are radical groups in Japan who oppose modernization. They see Emperor Yoshihito as a symbol of weakness, too influenced by the West. They want to return Japan to its feudal past."

Matthew crossed his arms. "Would they be bold enough to attack their own emperor?"

Takeda hesitated. "Some might, but something doesn't add up. If this was purely a nationalist attack, why target the foreign dignitaries as well? There were plenty of opportunities to strike Yoshihito directly before now."

Matthew considered that. "Then maybe someone else used the nationalists as cover."

Whitaker set down the rifle. "And if this gun did come from Russia, we might be looking at more than just a local uprising."

The foreign embassies were in a state of panic.

By noon, official statements had been issued from every major power present at the ceremony. The Chinese Emperor had called for a full-scale investigation and declared that any attempt on his life would be met with swift and severe retaliation. The British government condemned the attack, promising to heighten security across all diplomatic engagements in Asia. The Russian delegation, however, remained oddly silent.

The Amerathian embassy had been reinforced with additional security, with orders that no one left or entered without direct authorization. The attack had put every nation's representatives on high alert.

That afternoon, Matthew was summoned to a private meeting with Emperor Yoshihito.

The young emperor had taken control of the situation remarkably well, but there was a fire in his eyes that betrayed his anger.

"You must understand," Yoshihito said, his voice calm but firm. "This attack was not just against me. It was an attack on Japan's future."

Matthew nodded. "I understand, Your Majesty. Which is why we need to get to the bottom of this quickly. If there's a foreign hand in this, we need to find it before things escalate."

Yoshihito studied him. "And if it is a foreign power?"

Matthew exhaled. "Then we deal with it together."

A silence settled between them. Yoshihito nodded. "Japan appreciates Amerathia's support."

Matthew leaned forward. "If I may be frank, Your Majesty—who do you suspect?"

The emperor's expression darkened. "There are whispers. Some say rogue elements within the military aristocracy may be involved. Others believe radical nationalists acted alone. But the idea of foreign influence is troubling."

Matthew nodded. "We'll work together to get answers."

Collins' Discovery

Later that evening, as Matthew was reviewing reports in his temporary residence, Collins entered the room, looking grim.

"We may have something," Collins said, placing a telegram on the table.

Matthew picked it up and read the message.

Unknown ships spotted near Kyushu coast. Possible foreign operatives attempting to flee. Request immediate response.

Matthew's gaze snapped to Collins. "If they're running, they were involved."

Collins nodded. "The Japanese navy is already mobilizing, but I suggest we send a detachment from the Pacific Fleet to assist. If these are our guys, we can't let them slip away."

Matthew didn't hesitate. "Tell Admiral Parker to prepare a pursuit team. We set sail immediately."

The attack had failed, but the consequences were just beginning.

Someone had tried to use Japan's transition of power to ignite chaos. Someone had armed radicals with foreign weapons. Someone was still out there, trying to cover their tracks.

And Matthew Hesh wasn't going to let them get away with it.

As he prepared to leave for the chase, he knew one thing for certain:

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This wasn't just an assassination attempt.

It was the beginning of something far bigger.