282 殺意の方向
アキラがシェリルの拠点に移ってから1週間が過ぎた。アキラの周囲の状況は何も変わっていない。襲撃は受けておらず、坂下重工から装備も届いていない。装備の性能を確かめる的が無くなったぐらいだった。
しかしアキラにはどうしようもないところで事態は進んでいた。それをアキラはキャンピングカーの中でシロウから聞いていた。
「それでな、アキラ。俺が調べた限りだと、そろそろ次の襲撃があっても不思議は無いと思う。しかも次は前より大規模だ」
クロエがそろそろ防壁の外に追い出されようとしている。話はその一見アキラにとって好都合な内容から始まった。
クロエは形式上、クガマヤマ都市に軟禁されている状態だった。しかしそれはイナベの尽力により解除された。表向きの理由はリオンズテイル社の創業者一族をこれ以上軟禁するのは
だった。軟禁を解かれたことで、クロエは都市側の都合で防壁内にいる立場ではなくなった。そこでイナベはクロエに護衛代を請求したのだ。
クロエが500億オーラムの賞金首に狙われていること。更にその者はいずれ坂下重工から最前線向けの装備を手に入れる予定であること。加えて、現在リオンズテイル東部三区支店と四区支店は抗争状態であり、クロエを防壁内に
初日、一日1億オーラムだった護衛代は、度重なる交渉により既に10億オーラムまで引き上げられている。イナベはクロエが防壁内から出ていくまで、100億でも1000億でも、護衛代をどこまでも引き上げるつもりだった。
クガマヤマ都市としては護衛代が高額になるほど利益が上がる。またクロエを防壁の外に追い出せば、クロエを狙うアキラに最前線向けの装備で防壁を強行突破しようと襲撃されることも無くなる。都市の中立派閥、
「そういう情報って、どうやって手に入れてるんだ?」
「まあ、いろいろやってな。詳細は企業機密だ」
シロウも自身の技術に自負を持っている。だがその技術に対し今までアキラから大して反応を得られていないことに少し不満を覚えていた。そのアキラから称賛を受けたシロウは、ここぞとばかりに強く出ていた。
「俺が言うのも何だが、情報は、世界を制するんだ。情報戦に勝つ
めるように話を流すことにした。
「分かってるって。借りたよ。それで、向こうが動くのはいつ頃になりそうなんだ? そろそろって言ってもいろいろあるだろう。具体的にどれぐらいなんだ? 数日後か? 明日か? 1時間後なんて言うなよ?」
アキラが軽い冗談を言うようにそう尋ねた時、シロウが急に表情を真面目なものに変えた。
「......今だ」
「は?」
「今、動いた。ヒガラカの施設から部隊が出発した。大型の武装車両が20......、いや、30......、いや、もっとか?」
「武装車両って、戦車か?」
「どっちかといえば自走多連装ロケット砲だな。ミサイルポッドを山ほど積んでる」
「どっちにしても、都市の近くで使う武装じゃないだろう」
「そんなの俺が知るか。その手の武装を満載した部隊がヒガラカの施設を出てクガマヤマ都市に向かってる。大型の輸送車両や人型兵器も混じってる。それだけだ」
リオンズテイル社は大企業だ。クガマヤマ都市程度の相手にどこまで気を使うかは分からない。実際にハンター達は都市と交渉中の自分を攻撃した。それは自分がリオンズテイル社ほどの大企業から賞金を懸けられているからだと考えれば納得も出来る。それならば、都市の
『アルファ。どうする? 俺がスラム街にいても攻撃されるのなら、こっちから荒野に打って出た方が良いか?』
『いいえ。スラム街の中で迎え撃ちましょう。相手が砲撃を控える可能性はあるのだし、実際に大規模な攻撃を行って都市に被害が出れば都市の防衛隊を巻き込めるわ。拠点の外には出ておいて。バイクを使いたいからね』
『分かった。準備しよう』
準備と言っても、武装はバイクも含めていつでも使えるように準備を済ませている。よってアキラが今からすることは、これから襲撃されるので備えないといけないことを他の者に伝えるだけだ。
しかしその情報を正確に伝えられるのは、既にシロウの存在を知っているキャロルだけだ。他の者に教えることは出来ない。どうしようかと思いながら取り
「分かったわ。みんなには私からそれとなく伝えておくわね」
「え、それで大丈夫なのか?」
「いや、外には俺一人で行く。キャロルは拠点に残っていてくれ」
そう言われたキャロルが急に少し不機嫌になる。
「置いてく気? 今更手助けなんて要らないとは言わせないわよ?」
「言わない。キャロルはキャンピングカーとシロウの方を頼む。最悪、また荒野に逃げ出す羽目になるかもしれないんだ。悪いけど、拠点を守りながらそっちの方も何とかしてくれ」
「......頼りにしてないって訳じゃないのよね?」
「頼りにしてるよ。そうじゃなきゃ弾薬を積み込んだキャンピングカーを任せたりしない。また荒野に出たらそれが生命線なんだぞ? 荒野を空の銃で野宿なんて御免だ」
そして軽くアキラを見詰めた。
「アキラ」
「当たり前だ。そっちもな」
アキラとキャロルは軽い冗談のように、だが本心でそう答えて笑い合った。
その後、キャロルはシェリル達、レイナ達、シカラベ達に状況を伝えに行った。アキラは駐車場に戻るとバイクに
代わり映えのしない荒野の光景は、今はまだ静寂を保っている。しかしヒガラカの施設から部隊が出発したことを知っているアキラには、嵐の前の静けさに思えた。
そこでアルファが得意げに笑う。
『大丈夫よ。私がついているのだから安心しなさい』
頼りにしてるから、今回も頼む』
『任せなさい』
アルファはいつものように満足げに笑っていた。アキラも釣られていつものように笑う。そしていつものように、今までのように、当たり前のように勝つ
しそうにラティスに笑い掛けている。
「ラティス。いよいよよ。一緒に頑張りましょうねー」
死人は返事を返さない。それでもパメラは上機嫌だった。
そのパメラ達を、リオンズテイル東部三区支店に所属しているトトラというメイドが、少し気味が悪そうな表情で見ていた。
「......ねえベッグ。あれ、大丈夫なの?」
トトラの同僚であるベッグという執事が表情を変えずに小声で答える。
「そうなんだけど、第9格納庫を開けての部隊行動で、指揮者があれなのはどうなのよ......」
「不満があるなら支店長に申し出ろ。俺に愚痴を
『どうした? 問題発生か?』
『問題と言いますか、部隊の指揮者であるパメラの精神状態に少々不安が......』
トトラは音を外に出さない内部通信でベラトラムに状況を伝えた。加えて可能であればパメラから指揮を引き継ぎたいとも申し出た。
ベラトラムは表情を変えずにそれを聞き終えると、軽く告げる。
『君も勉強になっただろう。だからこそ社への忠義が重要なのだ。社への忠義が己の絶対の支えであれば、友人を失ったぐらいで揺らぐこともない』
で御座います。ですので、そのような人物が指揮者である現状を問題視しております。第9格納庫、都市侵攻用の装備を用いるほどの作戦の指揮を、そのような人物に任せるのはどうかと』
『......その辺りは君の忠義と能力を
通信を切ったトトラが言質は取ったとほくそ笑む。そして後はどうやってパメラを排除しようかと思案を進めていき、やはり精神の衰弱などの理由で強引にでも隔離してしまえば良いと思い、僅かに動いた。
次の瞬間、トトラは背後の壁に頭部を激しく
そして迷彩機能が解除されメイド服の女性の姿が現れる。それはパメラの部下で、アキラとの戦闘で死亡した者であり、今は各種処置が施されてラティスと同じ遠隔操作端末と化していた。
ベッグが突然の事態に驚き、視線をトトラの方に思わず向けてしまう。そして近くの気配に気付いた時、既にパメラがベッグの目の前、息が届く距離まで来ていた。顔から表情を消して、深く
余計なことはせずに無難に仕事を終えよう。ベッグは自身にそう言い聞かせた。
自分よりもパメラが生き残った方がクロエの役に立つ。そのラティスの判断は、ラティスの死亡後にパメラの精神が変質しなかったのであれば、正しかった。
情報収集機器を使用してそれらを拡大表示したアキラがその顔を険しくする。
『来たか......。それにしても、ここであんなものを使えば都市の防衛隊を本当に敵に回すぞ? 本気なのか?』
アルファが余裕を感じさせる態度で
『それならこっちとしても助かるんだけどな』
この場ではクロエを見逃し、坂下重工から最前線向けの装備が届くのを待って、アルファの依頼を済ませてから、改めて殺しにいく。最近の出来事もあって、その程度の判断が出来るぐらいにはアキラも冷静さを取り戻していた。
しかしその判断は無駄となる。車両のミサイルポッドが動き出し、都市の上空に向けてミサイルを撃ち出したのだ。
アキラは空高く登っていくミサイルを思わず目で追って顔を上げた。
スラム街と都市の下位区画の境界に配置されているグートル達の人型兵器部隊も、発射されたミサイルを確認していた。
「上がそう決めたんだ。我々にはどうしようも無い。気に入らんがな」
都市内であっても所詮は下位区画、防壁の外だ。多少の被害は許容できるのだろうと、グートルは不機嫌そうに顔を
グートル達の部隊は次々に発射されるミサイルを見ても、そのまま現状維持を続けた。
クガマヤマ都市に向けて撃ち出されたミサイル群の第一陣は、スラム街の近くまで到達すると弾道を真下に変更した。そのまま荒野とスラム街の境目を目指して落下する。更に弾頭を開いて内部から大量の小型ミサイルを吐き出し一帯に
荒野側の景色が急速にぼやけ始めていた。スラム街の建物も荒野近くの物は視認が難しくなっていた。
アルファがその原因に気付く。
が散布されているわ。高濃度の色無しの霧が発生しているのと同じ状態になっているのよ。恐らく拡張粒子気体による高速フィルター効果も付加されているわ』
『普通の量ならね。でもあれだけ大量に散布し続ければ長時間一定の効果は
その時、アルファが表情を急に真面目なものに変えた。
『アキラ! 落ち着いて急いで近くの建物の中に入って!』
既にバイクは走り出していた。アキラも指示通りに屋上から移動しようとする。僅かに遅れて、アキラの視界からアルファの姿が消えた。アルファとの接続が切れたのだ。
『アルファ!?』
(......気休めだろうけど、これでどうだ?)
による強烈な通信障害でアルファとの接続状態が著しく悪化したのであれば、ドアを閉めて室内を密封すれば煙幕の侵入も防げて、通信状態も多少は回復するかもしれない。そう考えての行動だった。
『アルファ......?』
く待つ。するとアキラの視界に再びアルファの姿が映し出された。
『アキラ。大丈夫? ちゃんと落ち着いている?』
の影響範囲から出た方が良いな』
アキラが言われた通りに上を見る。本来ならば室内の天井が見えるだけだが、拡張表示により透過されてスラム街の空が見えた。その空は赤く表示されていた。
『えっ? あの赤って、俺が入っちゃいけない場所の表示だよな? スラム街の上って、都市の下位区画の扱いなのか?』
高速フィルター効果の範囲外である空中を移動するアキラを砲撃すると流れ弾が都市に当たる。アキラがそれを利用して相手に撃たせない
『本当に面倒だな。それなら荒野まで出るしかないか?』
『それも止めておきましょう。こちらが荒野に出た時点で、相手も都市への被害を完全に気にせずに存分に戦えるようになる訳だから、総合的には状況が悪化するわ』
『やっぱりあれか? これはシズカさんの店で買った装備が一つも無い所為か?』
担ぎには、やっぱりそれなりに効果があったのかもしれない。アキラは半分本気でそう思っていた。
『そうね。次にシズカの店に行った時に、お
「......よし! 行くか!」
そのままバイクを勢い良く走らせて、アルファとの接続がいつ切れても不思議の無い危険地帯へ、覚悟を決めて再び飛び出した。
スラム街は静けさを取り戻していた。既にミサイルの発射は止まっている。だがそれが理由ではない。一帯が
『アルファ。敵は?』
『私の索敵範囲内にはいないわ。でも安心しないで。
『アルファ......。前......』
アキラの前方から何かが近付いてくる。更に近付いてきて、情報収集機器で人型の何かだと判別できる距離になる。それはそのまま歩く速度で近付いてくる。動きに戦意を見せず普通に歩いてくる様子にアキラは警戒を維持したが、相手が余りに普通に近付いてくるので攻撃までには至らなかった。
それでも敵は敵だとアキラが銃を向けようとする。パメラもアキラに合わせるように前方へ一気に駆けようとする。
だが次の瞬間、突如出現した刃がパメラの首を斬り落とした。頭部が地面に転がり、首無しの体が崩れ落ちる。
生首から漏れ出した殺意が周囲に広がっていく中、驚くアキラとは対照的に、シオリは全く驚いていなかった。
頭部の無い体が俊敏な動きで起き上がり、そのままシオリへ襲いかかる。だがその体は胴体に見えない一撃を
シオリが再び襲ってきた首無しの体を十字に斬り裂き、カナエが生首を踏み潰す。肉片と機械部品が周囲に転がり飛び散った。
事態から少々取り残されていたアキラが軽く困惑しながらシオリ達に尋ねる。
「今のはパメラが操作している遠隔操作端末です。見ての通り頭を切り離しても動きますが、操作の難易度が上がりますので頭部への攻撃は意味があります」
「あと、さっきのは多分索敵兼宣戦布告っすよ。暗殺じゃ満足できないから
「そ、そうか......。えっと、レイナ達も近くにいるのか?」
「お嬢様達には拠点に残って頂いております」
バイクがパメラの操作する遠隔操作端末達を乗せてスラム街を突き進んでいた。目標はシオリ達だ。その人型端末は全てパメラの顔をしており同じ表情をしていた。シオリ達への濃密な憎悪とシオリ達を殺せる歓喜の両方を顔にありありと出して笑っていた。
そしてアキラ達に全方位から襲い掛かる。人型端末達が
Ch 282
It had been a week since Akria started living in Sheryl's base. Even so, there were no huge changes to his surroundings. There were no attacks and his new equipment from Sakashita Heavy Industry also had not arrived yet. The only unfortunate change was that he no longer could find any targets to practice on, to test his new equipment.
It was not like Akira could do anything about the situation as well. As the situation continued, one day, he heard something from Shirou from inside the camping vehicle.
"Akira, as far as I have investigated, it won't be strange for the next attack to come anytime soon. It'll be even bigger than before."
Their conversation started with good news for Akira. After all, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before Chloe got kicked out of the inner wall.
On paper, Chloe was officially put under house arrest inside Kugamayama city. However, Inabe somehow managed to lift the house arrest. Inabe gave the reason for it being a bad idea to place someone from the Lion Steel Founder Family under house arrest for so long.
However, it went as Inabe had planned. The reason why Inabe was acting as if he was about to remove Akira's monster designation was simply to shift Udajima's focus to that matter. Now that Chloe was no longer under house arrest, the city had no reason to shelter her. Thus, Inabe could demand protection money from Chloe.
It was already known that someone with a 50 billion Aurum bounty was aiming for her life. Furthermore, Akira was scheduled to get front-line equipment from Sakashita Heavy Industry. With the ongoing battle between Lion Steel's Third and Fourth ward, there was a good chance that the city would be engulfed in it if Chloe stayed in the city. Thus, for all these reasons, Inabe was charging as much as possible for Chloe's protection fees.
On the first day, it was only 100 million Aurum. Soon, after multiple negotiations, it was jacked up to 1 billion Aurum per day. He planned on increasing it until he could push Chloe out of the city. It might even reach trillions of Aurum a day.
As for Kugamayama city, the higher the protection fee, the better it was for them. Once Chloe decided to leave the city, there was no need for Akira to try to force his way into it with his front-line weapon anymore. Those who wanted the city to stay neutral and those who preferred to stay out of the fight, supported Inabe's idea because of this reason.
"By the way, how did you get all this information?"
"Well, through a lot of means. The details are confidential."
Shirou had pride in his own skill. However, the fact that Akira was not amazed by it up until now was a thorn that continued to bother him. Now that Akira complimented him, Shirou replied back with bolstered smugness.
"Though it might be weird for me to say this myself, information is the key to ruling the world. I was specially trained in the Sakashita facilities to be victorious in any information warfare. I was even receiving special treatment. I'm just that great, you know? That information that I told you just now was something that no normal person could get a hold of. Just to remind you, you owe me one for this."
Akira questioned if he had somehow provoked Shirou in a strange way. He decided to simply continue the conversation in a more soothing manner.
"I know, I know. I owe you one for that. So, when will they make their move? I bet something will happen soon. To be exact, just how soon would that be? A few days? Tomorrow? An hour from now?"
Akira lightly joked as he asked, but Shirou unexpectedly replied with a serious expression.
"...Exactly this instant."
"Hah?"
"They just made their move. They just dispatched a squad from their facility in Higaraka. It's about 20 large-sized armed vehicles... No, thirty... Wait, there's more?"
"Armed vehicles? Like tanks?"
"Hmmm, they look more like mobile missile pods. Ooh, they're stuffed full with missile launchers."
"Either way, it's not something that would be normally used near a city."
"I don't care about such flimsy rules. The only thing that I care about is the fact that they are bringing out all these weapons from Higaraka to Kugamayama city. This includes powered suits and APCs. So far, that's all I know."
Lion Steel was a huge company. There was no telling how far it was willing to go against Kugamayama city. The Hunters did try to attack Akira when he was in the midst of negotiations with City Management. However, it was still understandable considering that he had a huge bounty set by Lion Steel. Additionally, although it was located right next to the city, the slums were treated as a part of the wasteland. Thus, there was no reason for them to hesitate in blowing up the whole place if it meant taking him down. Akira's thoughts narrowed down to - 'they will definitely attack'. He started to ponder over methods to deal with the upcoming large assault.
"Alpha, what do you think? If they attack the slums, it might be better for me to go out and face them out in the wasteland instead, no?"
"No. Let's prepare to face them in the slums. They might hesitate if we're in the slums. After all, their attacks might damage the city. City Management would have to send out the city defence squad as well. So, it would be better if you can stay within the slum on your bike but not be in this base."
"Alright, let's get ready then."
Although he said that, Akira had already prepared his bike to be refitted with weapons. In other words, he was already fully prepared. The only thing he had to do was warn the others about the upcoming assault.
However, the only one that he could inform was Carol. After all, no one else knew about Shirou's existence. He could not afford to tell the others. As he was pondering over a way to inform the others, Carol casually came up with a solution.
"Alright. I will slowly let the other people know."
"Eh? Would that be alright?"
"No, I'm heading out alone. Carol, you stay in the base."
Carol immediately pouted.
"You're leaving me behind? Are you saying you don't need my help anymore?"
"That's not it. I want you to stay in the camping vehicle together with Shirou. If things go wrong, I will have to return back to living in the wasteland. Sorry, but I'll leave the camping vehicle and safety of the base to you."
"...So, it's not like you don't want to rely on me anymore, right?"
"I'm relying on you. Otherwise, I won't be leaving the camping vehicle, filled with ammunition to you, right? That is my lifeline in the case I have to live out in the wasteland again, you know? I have no plans to spend the night out in the wasteland with an empty rifle."
She then stared at Akira.
"Akira."
"Of course! You too."
Akira and Carol said in a joking manner, but it was all their honest feelings.
Afterwards, Carol went to let Sheryl's group, Reina's group, as well as Shikarabe's group know. As for Akira, he returned to the garage and hopped on his bike, and left the base. Once he was distant enough from the base, so that it would not get involved, Akira picked one of the nearby buildings. He went to the rooftop and gazed toward the open wasteland.
The wasteland still looked the same as usual. It was as decrepit and lonely as ever. However, for Akira who knew about the force that was dispatched from the Higaraka ruin, it felt like the silence before the storm.
That was when suddenly Alpha confidently smiled and assured him.
"Don't worry. I'm right here with you. I'll be alright."
"You're right. I'll be counting on you this time as well."
"Just leave it to me."
Alpha was smiling as confidently as usual. Akira was affected by her and smiled back. Just like always. Just like what he did every time. It was as if this was an essential ritual to achieve victory. Once again, he renewed his resolve.
Among the forces dispatched, Pamela too was present. She looked happily at Latis as she declared.
"Latis, it's finally time. Let's do our best together."
As expected, a dead man could not respond. Even so, Pamela was ecstatic.
A maid who was also from the Lion Steel Eastern District Third Ward Branch, Totra, saw Pamela and frowned with a rather ominous expression.
"...Say, Begg, is it really okay to leave her like this?"
Begg was a butler who was working together with Totra, he whispered back without any change in his expression.
"That might be true. They were even willing to open the Rank 9 warehouse. But... it doesn't feel right to have her as the commander, you know..."
"If you have any complaints, go and tell the branch manager. Don't go venting it out on me."
"What is it? Are there any problems?"
"Well, what can I say... I am actually worried about the psychological state of Pamela as the leader of the whole force..."
Totra was using a communication device that would prevent her voice from leaking out while she was speaking with Beltram. Moreover, she also mentioned that if it was possible, she wanted to take over the leadership position in place of Pamela.
Beltram simply listened to her without any change in his expression. Once Totra was done, he then casually said.
"I'm sure you already know by now. This is exactly why your loyalty toward the company is a very important aspect. If you make it the basis of your existence, you would be able to stay calm even after the one closest to you is killed."
"Of course. But, if I may, I don't think it is wise to leave the command of this force to her. We are well armed with weapons from the Rank 9 warehouse. Weapons capable of assaulting a city. I don't believe it is a good idea to leave the command to her."
"...If it's about that, use your skills and loyalty to deal with it. Your duty is to support her. It includes taking command in the case she is deemed no longer able to fulfill her duty as a leader. It is best for you to find a way to improve the situation as much as possible. That also includes making the decision you are proposing."
After she closed the call, Totra smiled. She now had Beltram's word that she could take command when she deemed there was no other choice. Thus, her mind shifted toward what to do in order to remove Pamela. After coming up with a few ideas, she believed that she should just isolate Pamela using her weakened psychological state as an excuse. Thus, she immediately started to make her move.
But right at the next moment, Totra's head got suddenly smashed into the wall behind her. Although she was immediately knocked unconscious, she did not fall from the wall. After all, her head was still held up by an invisible hand.
When the person holding back Totra's head removed their camouflage. A maid appeared out of nowhere. It was the maid who was working under Pamela. She got killed back during the fight against Akira. Currently, she was being controlled remotely by Pamela, just like Latis.
Begg was shaken up by what just happened. He inadvertently looked toward Totra. The moment Begg noticed that there was someone else nearby, he already found Pamela right next to him. She was close enough for Begg to feel her breath. She peered expressionlessly at him, as if looking deep inside his soul.
Begg then reminded himself: Put aside everything and just focus on the duty.
Latis sacrificed himself since he thought that leaving Pamela alive would be more beneficial to Chloe. Excluding her psychological state, Latis' decision was definitely correct.
Akira directed his information-gathering device to scan that direction and frowned.
"So, they're finally here, huh... That aside, if they seriously use those things here, the city will definitely not let it slide? Are they really going to go through with this?"
Alpha smiled, it made her look relaxed even in this situation.
"If that's really the case, I would be thankful though."
With everything that happened recently, Akira had calmed down considerably. Enough for him to consider going after Chloe only after receiving his new front-line equipment from Sakashita and completing Alpha's request.
However, that plan quickly got abandoned. The missile launchers inclined up and released their payload into the sky, above Kugamayama city.
Akira inadvertently gazed up, following the trajectories of the missiles.
Goutol's team was assigned to watch the border between the slums and the lower district. They were able to clearly see the missiles as well.
"Those in the upper echelons have made the decision. It's not like I can do anything about it, so just stop worrying and do as we are told."
Although it might hit the city, it would still be outside the inner wall. Thus, it was still tolerable, or so Goutol believed as he knitted his eyebrows.
Even after seeing more missiles fill the sky, Goutol's team still only stood guard, not doing anything.
The missiles that were shot up above the city's sky reached the sky directly above the slums. They suddenly changed direction and dove straight down. The initial missiles then exploded, releasing multiple smaller missiles which scattered all over. They covered the whole area from the wasteland to the slums.
The view of the wasteland suddenly blurred to the point where it was difficult to see its buildings from where Akira stood.
Alpha immediately noticed the reason for it.
"Those missiles are discharging jamming smoke. The jamming causes the same effect as thick colourless mist. There's a good chance they also have speed filter effect as well."
"If you're using the usual amount, then yes. But with the amount they're using, the effect would retain for a while. Well, it's not like they need it to be thick enough to stop bullets like back in the inter-city transport mission. I bet they're only using enough to ensure no stray bullets would reach the lower district."
At that moment, Alpha's expression suddenly turned solemn.
"Akira! Keep calm and quickly go to the next building!"
The bike was already racing. Akira headed to the rooftop so that he could jump to the next building just like what Alpha had advised. However, a moment later, Alpha suddenly vanished. Akira's connection with Alpha got cut off.
"Alpha!?"
[...this is only a temporary solution, what next?]
If the jamming smoke hindered Akira's connection to Alpha, then he should be able to regain connection by preventing the smoke from surrounding him. Thus, he thought that closing the door in an enclosed room should at least allow him to reconnect.
"Alpha...?"
Akira anxiously called for Alpha. After a short pause, Alpha reappeared in his vision.
"Akira, are you okay? Keep calm, alright?"
"What a pain. In that case, wouldn't it be better if I go above the effective range of the jamming smoke?"
Akira looked up just like he was told to. Normally, he would not be able to see anything except for the ceiling he was facing. However, his augmented vision allowed him to see past the ceiling and right to the sky above the slums. For some reason, that sky was dyed red.
"Hm? That red colour. It's an area that I'm not allowed to enter, right? I didn't know they consider the sky above the slums as a part of the lower district."
If Akira went high enough outside the effect of the jamming smoke and the speed filter, there was a good chance that the bombardment would reach the lower district. Thus, Alpha explained if he used that to his advantage, he would basically be using the city as his shield. City Management would definitely see that as a hostile act toward the city.
"Argh! What a pain! Then, I have no other choice but to meet them in the wasteland, right?"
"I don't recommend you do that. If you head out, they will have no need to worry about the risk of damaging the city anymore. Overall, it will only worsen your situation."
"Or is it that? Are we in this situation because I did not buy equipment from Shizuka-san's shop this time?"
Akira was partially serious. After all, the things he bought from Shizuka had always proven to be useful to him during all the incidents he had gone through.
"You might be right. Maybe we should buy a good luck charm the next time we visit her shop."
"...Alright!! Let's go then!"
Akira then accelerated his bike away and resolved himself to jump into the battlefield. He was headed towards a place where he might lose his connection to Alpha at any point in time.
The slums regained its silence, it seemed like the missiles stopped. However, that was not the reason why it was silent. It was simply because the jamming smoke had dulled sound propagation, a mimicked effect from the thick colourless mist.
"Alpha, any enemy?"
"I detect nothing within my scanning range. But don't drop your guard. The jamming smoke might be preventing me from detecting enemies. After all, it also reduces the support that I can give you. If you feel something is up, trust your intuition."
"Alpha... There's something ahead..."
After noticing someone ahead, Akira carefully moved forward. Based on his scanner, it seemed to be of a humanoid shape. The signal seemed to be approaching him at normal walking speed. However, judging from how it was moving, it did not seem like it was an enemy. Akira was watching carefully as it was approaching him. Since it did not show any sign of hostility, he did not attack.
Either way, it did not change the fact that it was an enemy. As Akira quickly aimed his rifle at Pamela, she reacted accordingly by quickly closing in on him.
Suddenly, a blade appeared and hewed down on Pamela's neck, cleanly cutting it off from her body. As the head rolled on the ground, the headless body fell limply to embrace the earth.
The mood tensed up. It was a suffocating level of killing intent. However, in contrast to the surprised Akira, Shiori was completely calm.
The headless body quickly returned back on its feet and went straight for Shiori. However, before it could reach Shiori, it was suddenly sent flying. It got struck by something invisible on its abdomen.
Shiori sliced the headless body into 4 pieces while Kanae crushed the head under her feet. A gory mix of flesh, blood, and machinery got scattered all over the place.
Akira, who was still a bit confused at what just happened, asked Shiori and Kanae.
"That was a remote-controlled automaton controlled by Pamela. As you can see, it can still move even after severing its head. Though it will make it more difficult to control the body, so cutting off its head is not pointless."
"Also, that must be a declaration of war. I bet she won't feel satisfied with assassinating us. That's why she went out of her way to make a declaration of war. So, her goal isn't merely our death. She wants to kill us with her own hands. That must be the main reason why she didn't use explosive missiles. After this, I'm sure that she will send in swarms of remote automata to kill us."
"O-okay... Uhhh, is Reina and the others somewhere nearby as well?"
"Milady is staying back in the base."
From the wasteland, they could see dozens of remote automata on air bikes storming the slums. Their goal was to get Shiori and Kanae. All these automata had Pamela's face on them. They also wore the same expression, a grim smile which showed their anticipation, delight, and excitement for the opportunity to kill Kanae and Shiori.
A moment later, Akira and the others were attacked from all directions. Some of the automata jumped off the air bikes and assaulted Akira's group with their rifles. Those who stayed on their air bikes used machine guns installed on the bikes to do the same. They quickly went to their respective positions and worked together like a well-oiled team.
Rebuild World (WN)
リビルドワールド
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rebuild-world/
Action Adventure Drama Harem Mecha Mystery Sci-fi Seinen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alternate World Anti-social Protagonist Apocalypse Artificial Intelligence Beautiful Female Lead Cautious Protagonist Child Protagonist Dense Protagonist Determined Protagonist Distrustful Protagonist Futuristic Setting Gangs Gunfighters Harsh Training Lack of Common Sense Male Protagonist Manipulative Characters Monsters Near-Death Experience Older Love Interests Poor Protagonist Poor to Rich Ruthless Protagonist Shota Sudden Strength Gain Survival Twisted Personality Unlucky Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9736dt/
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