314 Bomb Deployment

"Where did I leave off? Hmm..."

The Vampire Child placed a finger against her chin and immediately fell into thought.

Unh.

This one wasn't listening at all to what was said earlier!

It must have passed through her ears like a stream of air—right in, right out—just as if she were tuning out the headmaster's long-winded speech.

"Ah, well."

Not great.

"Current world conditions—we'll skip ahead. Frankly, hearing that the world's on the verge of collapse would only be a burden. What could we possibly do even if we knew? Nothing at all. No point in listening. If you want details, come ask individually later."

Way too blunt, dude.

Well, I guess it's true, but still.

Most reincarnated individuals are ordinary people without combat capability.

Telling such commoners to stop the world's collapse is pointless. They can't do anything anyway.

It is not possible, like in some film, for ordinary people to launch into space to drill holes in a falling giant meteorite.

“Regardless, this planet will not collapse during your lifetimes. Worrying about it is pointless. You should be concerned with what comes immediately after, not with events after death.”

The Vampire Child scans the reincarnated individuals.

No one responds to the Vampire Child’s words, as they had just mercilessly subdued Yamada-kun and Oshima-kun.

Yet several reincarnated individuals affirm the Vampire Child’s statement through expression and posture alone.

Nodding. Staring intently at the Vampire Child.

"As I said before, this elven village was taken by our hands. So consider your treatment akin to captives. However, you are not enemy soldiers, so we won’t treat you roughly. Provided you cooperate, of course."

A few of the reincarnated individuals swallowed hard. It wasn’t imagined.

Yeah, well?

They said they wouldn’t be rough—yet just moments ago, Yamada-kun and Oshima-kun had been knocked down.

Saying such things before the words even dried on the tongue—no trust to be had.

It’s understandable if they interpret disobedience as a guarantee of being struck down without question.

Or perhaps that’s the point.

Hmm.

Whether the Vampire Child is truly contemplating this deeply is unclear.

Seems more like they’re speaking whatever comes to mind, without thought.

After all, it’s the Vampire Child.

"As for your future, I intend to proceed according to your wishes. If you seek protection, I will look after you. If you wish to leave, you may do so. Remaining here is acceptable too. That said, the elves have been eradicated, and there is no barrier. Staying here is not advised."

Yes, bomb inserted—!

The air shudders.

Had the Vampire Child not warned them in advance, shouts would have erupted.

Indeed, the Vampire Child’s restraint is quite effective.

The reincarnated ones reacted uniformly to the news of the elves’ complete annihilation—confusion.

Of course. If people who were alive and present just yesterday are suddenly told they’re all dead, confusion is inevitable.

They should have understood from our earlier tone that the elves had lost the battle against us.

Yet total annihilation was beyond imagination.

Most reincarnates had no experience with war or combat. Their lives had been an extension of peaceful existence in Japan.

The shock was therefore greater.

Reincarnates reacted in various ways—some turned pale, others attempted to sneer through their noses and failed.

"Wait."

Oni-kun tugged at the Vampire Child's arm, unable to bear the scene.

"What?"

"Not the time for this."

"When else? Hiding it won't change the fact we'll learn eventually. Better to know sooner."

The Vampire Child tore their arm free.

Oni-kun could not argue further. He let his arm be pulled back.

Hmm.

Indeed, the confusion among the reincarnated is considerable—but there will come a time when it must be said.

Though the revelation may shock the reincarnated, delaying it out of consideration for their reaction is not beneficial either.

As the Vampire Child said, now may be the best time to speak.

"Truth, isn't it..."

From the exchange between the Vampire Child and Oni-kun, Yamada-kun seemed to understand that the Vampire Child’s earlier words were neither falsehood nor idle speculation.

Yamada-kun murmured faintly, voice cracked.

"Indeed. Ah, don’t speak another word. I have no intention of hearing your claims. Even if you wish to tell me something, I will not listen. If you insist on speaking, prove your worth—silence me with force. You won’t manage that, of course."

Harsh.

Cruel.

That is cruel.

Yamada-kun, clenching your teeth like you're about to cry!

You could at least soften the blow a little.

"Complaining endlessly about something already finished. How utterly cowardly. If you have grievances, just stop. Don’t act so high and mighty—don’t blame your own failure on others."

Harsh—

Cruel—

That’s cruel.

Not just blunt—adding salt to the wound.

Yamada-kun’s fists are clenched. Shaking.

Poor thing.

"For now, regardless of process, the elves have been eradicated. That’s all you need to know. What matters to you is your own life from here on. What happened here, responsibility, justice—none of that concerns us. Sort it out among yourselves."

Syrilis turned his gaze away from Yamada-kun with a sharp cut.

As if to say there was no longer any value in looking.

There are no more people here. And with the barrier that once protected the village gone, monsters enter freely. Even in a place so devoid of value, there are those who remain out of attachment. If such a peculiar person wishes to stay, their intent will be respected. Do you wish to stay?

Several reincarnated individuals shook their heads violently in response to the Vampire Child’s words.

Well, that’s to be expected.

If you don’t wish to stay, I’ll take you out—outside the village, outside this forest. After that, as I said before, I’ll ask about your individual wishes. I’ll do my best to fulfill them. That said, within the limits of what we’re capable of.

Hmm.

I suppose I can manage at least the bare minimum of sustaining life.

I want to spend my days playing in a mansion!

I would strike them down if they said such a thing.

As long as they don’t throw impossible demands at me, I intend to fulfill my wish.

With the power of the Divine Word Church, that wouldn’t be difficult.

“Ah, right. If you want to go back, why not just return to Earth?”

Huh?

What?

“You can go back!?”

Kudo, who had just restrained himself from speaking aloud, suddenly stood up, his voice rising in shock.

“You can, right?”

The Vampire Child turned to look back at me, confirming.

Huh?

No.

Impossible, but—

I wanted to say it, but the expectant gazes of the reborn ones pierced me full force.

Vampire Child—

Don’t drop that unnecessary bomb!