(新手......! 子供......!? どうなってやがる!)
タクトが反射的に敵の射線から逃れようとしながら反撃を試みる。それに対し、トガミはレイナの盾となるように被弾覚悟で距離を詰め、レイナはトガミを
単純な実力差であれば2対1でもタクトがレイナ達を十分に上回っていた。しかし状況がその差を覆す。
アキラとの戦闘を戦車での砲撃や人型兵器を用いての交戦で済ませる予定だったこともあり、タクトは十分な対人装備を身に着けていなかった。リオンズテイル社から借りた簡易移動拠点のような車両内にいたことも、車外に出る時のような装備は今は不要だと思わせてしまっていた。
その不十分な装備しか身に着けていなかったタクトとは異なり、レイナ達はリオンズテイル社の強力な武装で身を固めていた。しかもそれは使用時に地区支店長の許可が必要なほど高性能な物だった。
その結果、タクトは被弾し動きを乱した。強化服による防御のおかげで致命傷には程遠い。だがその動きの乱れが勝敗にとって致命的であることを即座に理解できるほどには、タクトは実力者だった。
を取る邪魔をした者達を、せめて道連れにする。そう考えたタクトは意識から完全に生還を捨てて、被弾しながらも銃口をレイナ達に向けようとした。だが悔恨に余計な思考を割いてしまったタクトには、その時間は既に残っていなかった。
カナエに蹴り飛ばされたパメラはその直後に入ってきたレイナ達を見て、シオリとカナエの目的が自分達とタクトの分断だったことに気付いた。だが既に手遅れであり、そのままタクトを殺される。
この時点で指揮系統が崩壊したハンター達は、アキラの追撃を組織立って行うことが不可能になった。特に行動指針の決定権を持つ者を失ったことが大きかった。
まる理由も無くなったことを意味していた。長年の付き合いで目も合わせずに撤退の意志を共有する。だがシオリ達の猛攻の所為で離脱は難しい状況だ。
加えて、パメラは別の部屋に置いてきたメイド型の遠隔操作端末を先程から呼び寄せようとしていたのだが、それも阻止され続けている。端末から送られてくる映像には、その機体を襲う者達の姿、メイド服と執事服を着た部隊の姿が映っていた。それでパメラは車両を襲撃した者達の正体を理解した。
ラティスもレイナとトガミの格好から襲撃者達の正体に気付いた。思わず顔を険しくすると、交戦中のシオリへ侮蔑に近い視線を向ける。
「お前達、四区に
車両を襲撃したのはリオンズテイル東部四区支店の部隊だった。そしてその部隊が三区支店管理の車両に侵入できたのは、シオリが三区の機密であるそのコードを流したからだった。
「はい。気付くのが少々遅いのでは?」
ラティスにとってそれは、幾ら何でもそこまでするかという倫理に欠けた行為だった。湧き上がった怒りに呼応して自然に視線も厳しくなる。
「貴様、社への忠誠はどうした! 所詮は4等級の出来損ないか?」
「東部三区支店はお嬢様を害しようとしたクロエ様への全面的な支援を決めました。であれば、私達にはこれ以上三区に義理立てする理由は御座いません」
交戦しながら怒鳴り、答える。その間に無数の斬撃が飛び交い周囲を刻んでいく。
「貴様は主への忠義を理由に主を裏切り者にした! 主従共々裏切り者の末路を迎えるが良い!」
ラティスはシオリの忠義と忠誠の強さに、それらを向ける方向が自分とは異なっていようと敬意を持っていた。それを自身で汚したシオリへ、抱いていた敬意の分だけ強く侮蔑の意を向け、声を荒らげていた。
だがシオリはそれを聞いても平然としていた。
「御心配無く。三区支店に背を向けたのは事実ですが、社を裏切ってはおりません」
「何だと?」
「四区支店が私達に手を貸しているのがその証拠。他支店とはいえ、社の裏切り者に手を貸すなどありえません。四区支店の支店長であるフリップ様も、私達の行動がアリス代表の御意向に反していないと納得しておられます」
ラティスが驚いて思わず距離を取る。戦闘中であることに変わりは無いが、斬り合いを止めて相手の
「......どこまで気付いている?」
シオリも合わせて相手の
その返事はラティスにとって暗に全部気付いていると言っているのと同じだった。それによりラティスがシオリに向ける視線から侮蔑が消えたが、その分だけ顔を険しくした。
シオリと互角に渡り合っているラティスとは異なり、パメラはカナエに完全に押されていた。勝機は無く、あと1分死なずに保てば大成果と呼べるほどに状況が悪い。そしてパメラが死ねば2対1となり、ラティスの勝機も消える。シオリもそれを分かっているので勝負を急いでおらず、無駄口にも付き合っていた。
その状況で、ラティスが決断する。レイナ達が東部四区支店の支援を得たこと。恐らくアリスの意向にも気付いていること。それらをクロエに伝えなければならないが、現状で勝ち目は無く、このままではパメラも自分も殺される。それならばと、自身の生存を切り捨てた。
そして自身の体に仕込んでいた戦闘薬を全て使用した。致死量を超える投薬が10秒後の確実な死と引き替えにラティスの戦闘能力を向上させる。
相手の気配の変化からそれに気付いたシオリが軽く下がって防御態勢を取る。更にカナエもパメラをラティスの方へ蹴飛ばすと、シオリの横に飛んで援護に回った。
の顔をラティスに向ける。そしてラティスはパメラの無事を祈るように僅かに笑顔を返すと、頭部を背後からシオリに刺された。頭蓋骨を貫通した刃から漏れだすエネルギーで脳を内部から焼き切られ、治療を不可能にさせられて絶命した。
刃を引いたシオリが警戒を緩めずに距離を取る。相手を縦に両断する余裕は無く、大胆に
しかしラティスの体はそのまま体勢を崩して荒野に落ちていった。
それを見てシオリが
にどちらかを逃がすのであれば、私ならラティスを生還させるのだけど、彼の判断は違ったようね」
「あー、そうすると、パメラをあっちへ蹴飛ばしたのは失敗だったすね。ごめんなさいっす」
カナエは彼女にしては珍しく真面目に悔やんだ様子を見せていた。それを見てシオリが軽く首を横に振る。
「気にしないで。その辺は結果論よ。片方は殺せたのだし、良しとしましょう」
そこにレイナがトガミと一緒に戻ってくる。タクトを殺した後はシオリ達の邪魔にならないように部屋の外まで離れていたのだ。
「大丈夫です。問題御座いません。お気遣いありがとう御座います」
安心して笑うレイナの横で、トガミは
レイナはトガミのその軽い返事を聞いて少し難しい顔を浮かべた。
「誘った私が言うのも何だけど、そんな理由で引き受けて良かったの? 最低でもリオンズテイル社の支店間抗争だし、最悪の場合、リオンズテイル社を敵に回すかもしれないのよ?」
自身の身を案じての言葉を、トガミが軽く笑って流す。
「良いじゃねえか。最近付き合い悪かったんだし、付き合わせろよ」
「何言ってんだ。ハンター稼業は初めから命賭けだろ? 大して違いはねえよ。それに......」
「それに?」
「嫌だとか、迷惑だとか思ってるのなら、ちゃんと断ってる。その辺全部覚悟の上で受けたんだ。何度も聞き返すな」
トガミは笑いながら、それでもレイナの目をしっかり見てそう答えた。
その二人の雰囲気に口を挟むべきかどうか、かなり本気で迷っているシオリの横で、カナエがニヤニヤと笑う。
「お嬢。この状況でイチャつくとは余裕っすね。トガミ少年も、仕事中っすよ?」
「イ、イチャついてなんかいないわ!」
「すみません。仕事に戻ります」
否定と肯定の返事が場の空気を緩ませる中、シオリがレイナ達に改めて状況の説明をしていると、東部四区支店の部隊から車両の制圧を済ませたという連絡が入った。更に四区の支店長であるフリップからレイナへ連絡が入る。
「私だ。そちらの状況は?」
「そうか。クロエ嬢の側近の二人がいるのであれば本人もいると思ったのだが、予想が外れたな。すると、ヒガラカの施設か、まだ防壁内にいるかのどちらかになるか。君はどう考える?」
「分からないわ。でも、防壁内なら、私達にクロエを殺すのは無理よ」
「その場合は、アキラ君に頑張ってもらうとしよう」
それを聞いて、レイナが軽く息を吐く。
「アキラのことだから死んではいないと思うけど、本気で都市を襲うつもりなのかしらね」
「私の勘では、本気だな。それまで彼が生きているかどうかは別だがね。まあ、君達は臨機応変に動いてくれ。そしてアリス代表の御意向に沿うように、一緒に頑張ろうじゃないか」
「ええ。そうしましょう」
名実共にシオリ達の主として、レイナはフリップと話をしていた。その姿にシオリはどこか感慨深い様子を見せており、カナエはいつものように笑っており、トガミは住む世界の違う者の雰囲気を感じ取って複雑な思いを抱いていた。
しながら自分で操作しているラティスを抱き締める。そして塗るタイプの回復薬をラティスの傷口に塗った。高性能な回復薬が外傷を消していく。だがそれだけだ。見掛けだけであり、死は覆らない。
その後パメラは荒れ狂う感情を押し付けるように
「殺してやる......」
それはパメラの中でシオリ達への憎悪が、クロエへの、リオンズテイル社への忠義を上回った証拠だった。
「グートルだ。お前達をスラム街まで送りに来た。そのまま後に付いてきてくれ」
「どうなんだろうな。まあ、俺は上からの指示に従うだけだ。また襲撃されたら対処はこっちに任せてくれ。......お前、ハンター達に都市との交渉中に襲われたんだろう? そこまで都市を
「......改めて注意しておくが、お前のモンスター認定は解除されていない。スラム街に入った後はその辺りに気を付けて行動してくれ。マップを送る」
アキラが情報端末に送られてきた都市の下位区画のマップを見る。
「その赤い部分は厳密に都市内だ。お前がそこに侵入すると、こちらも排除に動かざるを得ない。だから絶対に入るな。オレンジの部分に入ったら、威嚇射撃ぐらいはする。間違って中に入ってしまったら、すぐに外に出てくれ」
「分かった。気を付ける」
「本当に頼むぞ? これは例外的な対処なんだ。普通は都市に近付いただけで即交戦なんだからな」
「そうなのか。イナベの権限でも無理か?」
「無理だな。こんな例外処置をしたら防壁内の者達から苦情も出るだろうに、都市の上層部がなぜこんな指示を出したのか不思議なぐらいだ」
ヤナギサワとの遭遇は非常に危険だったが、その価値はあったのかもしれない。アキラは何となくそう思った。
そのまま都市を目指していたアキラが、ふと思ってシロウに声を掛ける。
「そういえば、シロウはこのまま一緒に都市に戻って良いのか?」
「......良いか悪いかって話なら悪いんだが、今更降りられねえよ」
アキラ達のキャンピングカーは500億オーラムの賞金首が乗っていることもあって厳重に監視されている。グートル達からは当然として、遠方からもしっかりと見張られている。ここで無理に降りようとするとバレる恐れが高い。ネットを介した監視なら何とかするが、直接見られると
「当面のことはスラム街に入って監視の目が車両からアキラ個人に移ってから考えるよ。そのままスラム街に潜伏するか、抜け出して隠れ家に移動するかは状況次第だな」
その後、アキラ達が一度横転した車内の片付けを続けていると、グートルから連絡が入る。
「見送りはここまでだ。俺達はこのまま配置に付く。お前が都市へ侵入しないようにな。念を押すが、赤い部分には絶対入るな。分かったな?」
「......クロエが都市の外にいれば、俺もそんな
アルファはいつものように笑って返した。
クガマヤマ都市のスラム街に入ったところで、アキラ達は一度キャンピングカーを
「お帰りなさい。待っていました」
人の気配が全くしないスラム街の中を、アキラがシェリルと並んで歩いていく。シェリルの護衛をしていたエリオ達は、キャンピングカーと一緒に二人の後ろをゆっくりと進んでいた。
喧噪
の欠けたスラム街の様子に、アキラが軽い驚きを見せている。
「アキラが戻ってくるって聞いて、みんな逃げましたからね。残ってるのは私達ぐらいです」
その情報を流したのはシェリルだ。それにより徒党の拠点の周辺はシェリル達を除けば無人となっていた。アキラが出没する恐れのある場所に近い範囲、つまり500億オーラムの賞金首の討伐戦に巻き込まれる恐れのある場所から皆逃げ出したのだ。
「はい。と言っても1割ほどですけど。予想外に残って驚いてます」
残ったのは他に行く場所が無い者や、自力での独立は無理な者、他の徒党に移るのは嫌な者、そして今更路地裏暮らしには耐えられない者などだ。シェリルの徒党はそれだけ大きく裕福な組織になっていた。
また徒党の幹部など、徒党の結成当初から所属していた古参達は比較的残っていた。それはアキラがまだそこらのハンターでしかなかった頃から、シジマの拠点にそこの構成員の死体を持って乗り込んだり、エゾントファミリーの拠点に一人で乗り込んだりと、
アキラが後ろのエリオ達をチラッと見てから視線をシェリルに戻す。
「イナベから話は通ってるって聞いたけど、どこまで聞いたんだ?」
「リオンズテイル社と
「それだけ分かってれば十分だ。言っておくけど、今回はシェリル達の面倒を見る余裕は無いぞ? 逃げた方が良いんじゃないか? 俺はとっくに逃げて無人になってるだろうシェリルの拠点を借りるぐらいのつもりだったんだけど」
「大丈夫です。自分達のことは自分達で何とかします。出来なかったらその時はその時です」
勝手に押し掛けて事態に巻き込んでいるのは自分の方だと理解している分だけ、アキラは難色を示していた。イナベから話が通っていたとしても、嫌がっているようなら適当な廃ビルを占拠でもしようと思っていたぐらいだった。
だがシェリルは笑ってアキラを受け入れる。
理由は何であれ、シェリル達は覚悟を決めて残っている。それならばこれ以上は余計なお世話だと、アキラは軽く笑って忠告を止めた。
これが最後であっても悔いの無いように、シェリルは元気な笑顔をアキラに向けた。沈む夕日を浴びながらのその笑顔は、美しく輝いていた。
シェリルの拠点に着いたアキラ達はキャンピングカーをビル内の駐車場に
アキラは新装備が届くまでここに籠城する予定であり、キャロルもそれに付き合うことになっている。問題はシロウだ。
「それで、シロウはどうするんだ? シェリル達に見付かるのも多分
「分かった。シェリルに頼んでおく。じゃあ、俺は上に行ってるから、何かあったら呼んでくれ」
「シェリル。早速で悪いんだけど......」
「お風呂ならいつでも大丈夫です。入りますか?」
キャンピングカーにも風呂は付いていたが、狭かった。
「はい。では、行きましょう。こっちです」
自分も一緒に入るなど、いちいち口に出さずにシェリルがアキラを案内する。それにキャロルも続いた。
「......ん? 待て、キャロルも入る気か?」
まあ良いかと、軽い考えのアキラ。その様子を見て得意げに笑うキャロル。そしてその二人を見て少し驚いているシェリルの三人は、そのまま一緒に拠点の風呂に入ってゆっくりと疲れを取ることになった。
[More enemies...! And they're only children...!? What's going on!?]
Takt quickly jumped away to evade the bullets by pure reflex. He tried to shoot back. However, Togame quickly closed the distance between them, as if acting as Reina's shield. While Togami was acting as the decoy, Reina jumped to the side and fired at Takt.
Even when it was two against one, skill-wise, Takt had the upper hand. However, the situation that they were in closed their gap in skill.
Since they had prepared tanks, powered suits and large weapons to hunt Akira down, Takt was not that well equipped for a man-to-man fight. Moreover, he was safely staying inside the mobile HQ borrowed from Lion Steel. Thus, was currently not well equipped to fight outside the vehicle.
In contrast to Takt, Reina and Togami were fully equipped with Lion Steel equipment, specialized for man-to-man fights. Furthermore, they were using equipment that was normally not allowed, unless approved by a branch head.
This difference allowed the bullets to hit Takt, stopping him in his tracks. Although it was still far from being lethal, Takt was skilled enough to understand that a temporary pause could be the deciding factor between the loser and the victor.
As his mind had abandoned the thought of survival, he changed his goal to take down the attackers together with him, Takt immediately aimed his rifle back at Reina and Togami. However, due to his regret taking over his train of thoughts, he completely missed his opportunity.
Kanae sent Pamela flying with a kick. Pamela glanced at Reina and Togami and quickly understood their goal. It was to separate Takt from Pamela and Latis. However, it was already too late for her to change anything. Takt was already dead.
Without the head to lead the hunting team, they would not be able to restart their assault on Akira. Especially when no one else had the authority to lead the hunting team.
This meant that there was no longer any reason for Latis and Pamela to stay there. Without even needing to communicate, they both knew it was time to leave. But since their hands were tied with Shiori and Kanae, they were unable to immediately leave this place.
Pamela had been trying to call the maid-type automaton from the other room. However, the automaton was still nowhere to be seen. When she tried to peek through their visual sharing, she could see a group of maids and butlers attacking the automaton unit. She immediately understood who was behind this attack.
Latis also quickly noticed the presence of Togami and Reina. He immediately frowned and sent a glare of reproach toward Shiori.
"You! You changed sides to the fourth ward, huh!? You even leaked the security code of the third ward to them!"
The attackers were from the Lion Steel Company Eastern District Fourth Ward branch. The reason why they were able to slip into the vehicles under the third branch, was because Shiori leaked the security code to them.
"Yeah. That took you some time to notice."
For Latis, it was unethical no matter what the reason was. With rage welling up inside him, his gaze naturally turned solemn.
"Where has your loyalty toward the company run off to!? In the end, this is what a faulty fourth-rank maid does, huh!?"
"The third branch has decided to give its utmost support to Chloe-sama, who is trying to hurt Reina-sama. As such, this doesn't count as a betrayal toward the third branch!"
Even in the middle of their conversation, they had exchanged countless shots, which left their marks on their surroundings.
"You're only using your loyalty as a reason to justify your betrayal! Both you and your master should just die as traitors!"
Latis had always admired Shiori's loyalty. Even if their loyalties were directed at different people. That act sullied that admiration he had and enraged him.
However, Shiori stayed calm even in the face of his threats.
"Don't worry. Though it is true that I have betrayed the third branch, I still have not betrayed the company."
"What do you mean?"
"The fact that the fourth branch is helping us is the proof. Although they are from a different branch, there is no way they would help me if I betrayed the company. Flip-sama, the head of the fourth branch, also agreed that this is not against the will of representative Alice-sama."
Latis was too surprised for words. He inadvertently jumped back to open up space between them. Although they were still in the midst of battle, his attention was no longer there. He immediately decided to put the fight on-halt. Nonetheless, he was still probing for an opening to strike at any time.
"...Just how far have you noticed?"
Shiori also did the same. She was also carefully looking for an opening to strike.
She basically hinted to Latis that she already knew about everything. Because of that, the rage that was bottled up, immediately simmered down. It was gone from his gaze, which was not filled with anxiety.
Unlike Latis, who was fighting evenly against Shiori. Pamela was completely overwhelmed by Kanae. There was no chance for Pamela to win. As a matter of fact, Pamela would do really well if she could survive for another minute. Once Pamela got killed, it would be two against one. In that scenario, Latis would not have any chance of surviving. Knowing how things would play out, Shiori was not in a rush to fight. She was even willing to calmly chat with Latis.
Aware of the dire situation that he was in, Latis made his decision. Reina and Togami were receiving support from the fourth branch. There was a good chance that they had noticed representative Alice's true will. He had to let Chloe know about it. However, in this situation with no chance of winning, it was only a matter of time before both he and Pamela got killed. Therefore, he had only one choice. It required him to throw his life away.
He injected his body with all the battle stimulants he had. Although he would be dead in 10 seconds, it allowed him to temporarily attain superhuman strength.
Shiori noticed the slight change in her opponent. She took a step back and made a defensive stance. Kanae also did not miss this change. She quickly kicked Pamela in Latis' direction and jumped back to Shiori to provide support.
As he was standing on the death door, Latis' perception of time slowed down. He saw Pamela's look at him with eyes full of disbelief. Latis gave her a soft smile, wishing for her safety. In the next moment, Shiori's blade sliced off his head. The energy blade scorched his brain, killing him instantly with no hope of recovery.
After she swung her blade, Shiori jumped back without lowering her guard. She did not vertically split Latis in two since she had a close call before due to trying to do something unnecessary. Thus, Latis was completely unharmed except for his head. There was still some lingering fear that he might still manage to attack them even in that state.
Latis' body simply fell limp and rolled into the wasteland.
Seeing that, Shiori was a bit confused, Kanae also did not expect that.
"Maybe. Though, if I was given the choice to save someone in that situation, I would have picked Latis. But it seems like he didn't share that sentiment."
"Ahh, I see. In that case, it was a mistake. Kicking Pamela back to him. Sorry about that."
It was unlike Kanae to honestly apologize like this. Nonetheless, Shiori simply lightly shook her head and told her.
"It's fine. No one saw that coming. We were still able to kill one of them. The result is decent."
Reina and Togami moved to group up with Shiori and Kanae. After killing Takt, they left the room so as not to get in the way of their fight.
"I am alright. No problems. Thank you for your concern, Milady."
Reina smiled in relief, beside her, Togami sighed in relief. Shiori then slightly bowed to him.
Hearing his reply, Reina made a rather troubled expression.
"It might be weird to hear this from me since I'm the one who invited you. But, are you really fine taking this job? You must fight against a Lion Steel branch. In the worst-case scenario, you might have to fight against the whole Lion Steel company, you know?"
Toward those words which showed worry toward his well-being, Togami just lightly chuckled and reassured.
"It's fine. We don't really get to work together that much lately. So, at least let me do this much."
"What are you even talking about? Isn't that what it means to be a Hunter? There's not that much of a difference. Moreover..."
"Moreover?"
"If I don't want to do it or if I think it wasn't worth the trouble, I would have refused right from the start. I accepted this job knowing fully well what I'm getting myself into. It would be great if you can stop asking me that question."
Togami smiled and spoke while looking straight at Reina.
Shiori was seriously contemplating whether it was a good idea to disturb the mood between them. Kanae, who was standing beside her, was grinning as she casually teased.
"Milady, it seems like you even have the leeway to flirt in this situation, huh? Togami-boy too, we're in the middle of a mission, you know?"
"W-we're not flirting!"
"Sorry! I'll get back to my task."
One replied with a rebuttal while the other did not deny it. Either way, since they had already calmed down, Shiori explained the situation to Reina and Togami. A moment later, a report reached Shiori. It stated the fourth branch had successfully taken control of the vehicle.
"It's me. How is the situation over there?"
"I see. Considering that those two were here, I was certain that Chloe-sama would also be here. But it seems like that is not the case. This means she must be either in the Higaraka facility or still inside the city. What do you think?
"I don't have any good guesses. If she's still inside the city, we won't be able to kill her just yet."
"In that case, let's pin our hopes on Akira-kun."
Reina lightly sighed.
"It is him after all. I don't think he's dead yet, but I wonder if he's really going to attack Kugamayama city."
"It is just my guess, but I think he's serious about attacking the city. Well, you can do anything as you see fit. Let's work hard to answer representative Alice's will."
"Yeah, let's just do that."
Reina was talking with Flip, acting as a proper master for Shiori and Kanae. Watching her, Shiori got deeply moved. Meanwhile, Kanae was smiling like usual. Togami, on the other hand, felt conflicted. He felt like Reina was living in a completely different world from him.
But after she saw him up close, she knew that Latis was already dead. Pamela sobbed as she hugged his corpse. She then put medicinal balm on his outer wound. The expensive medicine quickly closed the wounds, but that was all. It could not bring back the dead.
Afterwards, Pamela kept hugging Latis for some time. It was as if she was trying to suppress the anger welling up inside her. Once she recovered some of her composure, all her rage was concentrated on a single goal.
"I'll definitely kill you..."
Those words were proof that Pamela's hatred toward Shiori had exceeded her loyalty toward Chloe and the Lion Steel company.
"It's Guutol. We're here to escort you to the slums. Follow us."
"Well, I wonder about that. Either way, I'm just following what my boss told me. If someone tries to attack you, just leave it to us... By the way, there were Hunters who attacked you when you were in the middle of negotiations with City Management, right? As a part of City Management, that really hurt our pride, you know? So, I'll make sure to show them if they try to do that again."
"...Let me warn you again, your monster designation is still active. So, watch yourself. Be careful once you enter the slums. I'll also send you a map."
Akira looked at the map of Kugamayama city's lower district that was sent to his information terminal.
"The locations coloured in red are treated as part of the city. So, if you enter those locations, we will have no other choice but to remove you. Make sure not to go there. As for the orange areas, you'll at least get a warning shot if you enter those areas. If you enter those areas by mistake, make sure to get out as soon as possible."
"Alright, I'll be careful."
"I'm really counting on you, alright? We are giving you special treatment already. Normally, we would attack you the moment you approach the city."
"Is that so? Even Inabe can't change that?"
"Impossible. Making this much of an exception already caused some dissent from inside the inner wall. I really have no idea why the guys at the top are allowing you to get so close to the city."
Akira thought back on his encounter with Yanagisawa. It was a dangerous encounter, but it was not a fruitless one.
While they were heading to the city, Akira thought of something and contacted Shirou through telepathy.
"By the way, Shirou, are you sure you want to come with us to Kugamayama city?"
"...If you ask me personally, it would be a straight no. But it's not like I can just leave right now."
With a 50 billion Aurum bounty target in the camping vehicle, it would be placed under close watch. Not only from Guutol's squad, but also from others, using long-range surveillance devices. There was a good chance that he would be discovered if he tried to leave. He might be able to elude those who were watching him from the network, but that was a herculean task to do when there were people directly watching him. Although his camouflage coat was excellent, there was no guarantee that he would not be discovered.
"Though I'm sure I don't even have to tell you this, but once you enter the slums, I'm sure watchful eyes would shift from the vehicle to you alone. At that point, I can slip into the slums. Depending on the situation, I might choose to return to my hideout."
Since it was now safe, they took the opportunity to tidy up the place. After Hammerz placed the vehicle on its side, almost everything inside got displaced. It was a mess. While they were cleaning, Guutol suddenly contacted Akira.
"This is as far as we will escort you. We will be standing guard here to make sure that you don't try to enter the city. Just to remind you, make sure to never enter the red areas, understand?"
"...If Chloe gets out of the city, I won't do something like that."
Alpha smiled like usual at Akira.
After they entered the slums of Kugamayama city, they once stopped the vehicle. As Akira stepped out, someone came to welcome him.
"Welcome back, I've been waiting for you."
In a part of the slums that seemed to be devoid of people, Akira strolled with Sheryl next to him. Behind them were Erio and the other children, who came as Sheryl's bodyguards. Further back was the camping vehicle.
"It's so quiet here. It's the first time I see the slums this quiet."
Akira was a bit surprised at how silent the slums were. Especially when he compared it to how rowdy it used to be.
"When they heard that you're coming back, everyone left. The only ones remaining are us."
Sheryl was the one who disseminated this piece of information. Thanks to that, except for those living close to Sheryl's HQ, everyone evacuated the area. Any area with Akira inside was considered to be dangerous. After all, they might get involved in a battle between a 50 billion Aurum bounty target and the Hunters after him.
"Of course. Though, to be more precise, not everyone left. But only about 10 per cent remained. I didn't expect there to be this many willing to stay behind."
The ones who stayed were those who did not have anywhere else to go. After all, most could not survive alone in the slums without a gang. They also did not want to transfer to another gang. Ultimately, those that remained had enough of living under the shadows. Fearful for their lives all the time. For such sentiments to sprout, it showed just how healthy and prosperous Sheryl's gang had become.
Moreover, many of those that remained were veteran members. Most were those who were already in the gang right from the start and had become officers. They saw Akira survive time and time again. Despite acting recklessly and doing so many absurd stunts. He survived after going to Shijima's gang, dragging a member's corpse with him. He survived after he raided the Ezont family's HQ. Even now, he was still alive.
Akira glanced at Erio and the other children behind him before turning his gaze back to Sheryl.
"I heard that Inabe has contacted you beforehand. Just how much has Inabe told you?"
"We heard that you've picked a fight with the Lion Steel company. You got a 50 billion Aurum bounty on you. Furthermore, you got designation as a monster. You've also just got attacked by a large group of Hunters and there's a good chance that this won't be the last time."
"Well, I think that is good enough. Just to let you know, I don't have the leeway to help your gang right now. Wouldn't it be better if you also leave the area? I was planning to borrow your HQ, believing everyone would have left by now. I was expecting it to be completely empty, you know?"
"It's alright. We will watch over ourselves. If we can't, then it just means our time has come."
Akira understood that he was basically causing them trouble. That this was all due to his own selfishness. As such, he could not help but make a troubled expression. As a matter of fact, if Sheryl had refused after Inabe contacted her, he was planning on staying in a random abandoned building.
However, Sheryl simply smiled and accepted Akira back into the base.
Whatever their reason was, they had made their resolve and stayed behind. Akira thought that it would be rude if he kept asking them to leave. Thus, he gave a gentle smile and said.
Sheryl presented him with her best smile. It was a smile, worthy enough to leave her with no regret, even if it was her last smile. As the shroud of twilight slowly crept in, her smile was shining beautifully under the dusk.
When they arrived at Sheryl's HQ, they parked the camping vehicle inside the garage. They then closed the shutter, which was as robust as a portable wall. It was installed to protect the relics gathered from the area managed by Tsubaki. Thus, they could even withstand tank shells.
Akira was planning to stay here until his new equipment arrived. Carol was planning to stay with him. The only issue was Shirou.
"Shirou, what will you do? It would be terrible if someone from Sheryl's gang found you, right? That means you could either continue to hide inside the camping vehicle in secret or sneak out..."
"Alright. I will ask Sheryl for access. Well then, I'll be going upstairs. Just call me if you need anything."
"Sheryl, I'm sorry to ask you this right away, but..."
"If it's about a bath, you can go in anytime. You want to go in now?"
Although the camping vehicle was also equipped with a bath, it was a relatively small one. When Akira heard her offer his desire simply burst out. He had been living out in the wasteland for a few days. Though he could bathe, it was greatly limited in size. He could not fully relax and stretch out all his limbs. The desire to do so had piled up and it finally erupted. Thus, there was no stopping him any longer. Even Shirou's request had taken a back seat as something that was to be dealt with later.
"Okay, let's go then. This way."
Without even stating that she would go in as well, Sheryl led Akira to the bath, as if it was the natural thing to do. Strangely enough, Carol was silently following behind them.
"...Hm? Wait. Carol, are you going in as well?"
Akira nonchalantly approved her suggestion. This made Carol smile rather smugly. But in contrast to her, Sheryl, who was witnessing their exchange, was utterly stupefied. In the end, the three of them went to enjoy the bath together.
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/
非公開