Part 63: Savior

-- Proceed northward toward the "Sōwaka Aviation Memorial Park."

-- There is an "evil slave master" nearby.

-- Either kill him or subjugate him.

"Arrived, huh?"

"Made it."

After stopping at Sōwaka Station for supplies, we picked up some convenient snacks and drinking water, then began walking along Sōwaka Prope Street.

Since it was originally a busy area, there were no shortage of "zombies."

Still, even those crowds of "zombies" weren't much of a threat

"Hit hard! —《Explosion: Hundred Split Fist》!"

in front of Ayame-chan's《Ultimate Move III》.

It was a simple task—burning the severed zombie corpses one by one in order.

On the way, I pick up a surprisingly cute keychain from a game center and replenish my underwear supply at a clothing store, then head toward Toshima Aviation Memorial Park.

"……hm."

"Huh?"

What impressed us was the intricate network of barricades, layered one upon another.

Abandoned trucks, or nonsense like that strange, useless junk.

These elements are tightly woven together to form a single wall.

'Ohhh... o, o, o,...'

A few "zombies" could be seen struggling as part of the barricade.

It seemed they'd gotten caught in some debris and were now immobilized.

They almost appeared as if the barricade itself was devouring even the zombies, growing stronger with each addition.

"Kinda gives off an 'evil lair' vibe, don't you think?"

Saya-chan sums up my lengthy expression in just four words.

"Indeed."

Replying, we began climbing over the barricade with ease.

Beyond the wall was another wall.

You can feel their determination not to let a single "zombie" into their territory, no matter what.

Once we've crossed them all, a lush green park unfolds before us.

As we continued forward through what had likely been bustling with joggers on weekends, we came upon a clearly man-made section.

Within a fenced-off area surrounded by chain-link fencing, several dozen camping cars were parked in neat rows.

Without hesitation, we simply walked right in.

There, we spotted two women in their early twenties stationed as sentries. They each held bows and arrows, typical of those used in archery.

"Oh? What's wrong?"

One of the two women calls out to us.

Perhaps she thought we were a lost child. Her tone carries no edge.

"I heard there's someone here... um, with strange powers."

"Oh? Come to see the 'Messiah'?"

"The Messiah," huh.

"The Messiah should be in prayer right now, though."

Prayer, huh.

"Um... sorry, but could you tell me about the 'Messiah's' powers?"

The two of them chuckled softly.

"Surprised? The 'Messiah' is a real mage. Are you hurt?"

"No, not particularly."

"Too bad... Well, that's a strange thing to say. His magic can heal any injury."

Ah. So, a healer. That's what it sounds like.

I should probably keep a "Silence Spell" ready in the back of my mind—something to consider.

That's convenient. Let's keep drawing out information like this.

"He can bring water from nowhere, you know."

"And he can produce fire too."

"Only around him, he can make electricity work."

"It's like a miracle."

"Yes."

Unknowingly revealing too much, the two keep enthusiastically sharing more about their "Messiah."

"Also... and um. Right?"

"Hey, Saena. That's..."

It's fine, just a little. Just idle gossip, that's all.

But surely, the two of them will become part of this place too.

Two women are whispering quietly to each other.

What is it?

When she tilted her head, the woman named Saena whispered softly.

This is actually a secret, you know.

Go ahead, go ahead

In fact, we'd appreciate it if you'd speak up actively.

He's said to be really good at it.

"What do you mean by 'good at it'?"

"You know what I mean. Sex. Sex."

▼

Having obtained the necessary information—and a bit of unnecessary detail—we easily entered the grounds supposedly managed by this so-called "Messiah."

They probably think of us as new companions.

Curious glances flicker around us from all directions.

"Big sis... did you notice?"

Saya shot me a sharp look.

"Yeah."

I nod.

This place...

Only young women are here.

A space filled entirely with women.

My own kingdom.

Adored as a "savior."

Hated as a "wicked slave master."

"Hmm. If this is how I expected it to go, it's kind of a nasty turn of events."

"Really? I thought it smelled pretty delicious—like stew, actually."

I nearly stumbled.

"Oh. So that's what it is?"

"Huh? Is there anything else?"

"No, nothing at all."

Stay as pure-hearted as you are.

When I arrive in front of an exceptionally luxurious camping van, said to be the residence of the "Messiah," I am stopped by a woman in a maid uniform.

"Hello. — Madam, the 'Wandering Warrior.' The 'Messiah' is waiting for you."

The woman had dyed her hair a rather skillfully applied shade of purple. In this real world, a woman with purple hair would stand out as utterly unnatural, but in her case, it somehow seemed to suit her.

As I obediently followed behind the maid, Saya suddenly shouted out.

"Aaah!"

"What's wrong?"

"This woman—she's the one who lied to Aashi! The one Nee-chan said was a bad person! I didn't notice right away because her hair color's different now!"

As I stared ahead with a slightly awkward expression,

"...So you caught me. I did try to disguise myself back then, but I suppose it wasn't very effective."

"I know! Ugh! You liar!"

"I sincerely apologize for my earlier deception."

The maid admits it without the slightest trace of shame.

"Was it because 'Messiah' ordered it?"

"No. Regarding this matter, I acted on my own initiative."

"...What do you mean?"

"I was informed that danger was approaching your master. I wanted to get ahead of the situation and keep track of the 'Wandering Warrior's' movements."

"And? After 'keeping track,' what did you conclude?"

"In that matter, I'd prefer you hear directly from your master."

Hmm.

Well, that makes sense, I suppose.

What we were led to was a mountain made of rubble.

On top of that mountain sat a chair that looked quite comfortable to sit in.

Probably.

It might even be intended as a throne.

Sitting on the throne was a man wearing an elegant mantle and holding a staff made of oak.

When he noticed us, he quickly stood up.

Then, with slow, deliberate steps, he descended the mountain of rubble.

The boy looked about my age, or perhaps a little younger. His face was pale, giving an overall impression of poor health, though he seemed to naturally have that complexion.

He wasn’t particularly handsome, nor did he give off any vulgar impression.

Rather, he just felt... like an ordinary person.

Now then.

How should we begin this side’s first words?

① "Hello there! How are you doing? Want to be friends? Otherwise, I'll kill you."

② "Explain why I shouldn't kill you right now. Immediately."

③ "What a lovely outfit you're wearing! Let me dye that dress a brilliant red for you [Attack]."

Hmph.

A tough choice, but...

I'll go with #2. You can't afford to let this kind of thing slide.

"You... me..."

すると間髪容れず、“メシア”が飛び上がりました。

すわ先制攻撃かと思って身構えると、ものすごい勢いで地に額を擦りつけながら、その少年は、どこか怒鳴りつけるような口調で叫びます。

「ほんっとぉおおおおおおおおおおおおおに、すいませんでしたぁあああああああああああ！」

「……は？」

Please, please! Don't kill me! I'll do anything! I'll do anything, please, please, please!

Wow.

A grown man bowing in submission.

Um...

"Hirani! Hirani!"

Um...

I didn't mean to do it! I didn't mean to do it at all!

After giving Sae-chan, whose face seemed to read "disgusted," a slight nod, I let out... an impossibly deep sigh.

"For now, please explain the situation."

"Hic... uuu... hic..."

"Acting this dramatic only makes it seem even more suspicious."

After giving that advice, "Messiah" (smirking) wiped his crumpled face with his cloak and managed a reply.

"Hey. Got it. I'll answer anything....But"

Then the "Messiah" pretended to sniff, going "biiiiiiim,"

I think hearing the circumstances will surely involve the two of you.

For a fleeting moment, a sharp, alert gaze flashed in the young man's eyes.

"If you're okay with that..."