Part 208: The Place to Head Toward

Afterward, Asada-san continued to provide us with various pieces of information.

Since we heard about the senior losing their memory, we've been gathering information on our own. This morning, we received a call from Hōjō-ji Temple. Apparently, someone saw Hana-hana heading toward Chiba.

"Chiba?"

"From what we've heard... she might have gone to Chiba looking for a 'player' capable of reviving the dead."

"Reviving the dead?"

It's hard to believe at first, but if healing magic like Hoimi exists, then a Zaoal isn't out of the question.

"Probably she's regretting having accidentally killed Ayame. That's why she's trying to take responsibility."

"Ayame?"

Time for an explanation and clarification here.

I was once with a girl named Ayame Kogane, around middle school age, it seems.

She ultimately died after being caught in an attack by someone named Koihara Hibiki.

"But still, Chiba is a big place—where exactly…?"

"That's the thing... Most of the evacuees from Chiba have gathered at a certain large theme park. The 'player' who performs 'resurrection of the dead' is said to be there."

"Wait a second. That theme park... could it be...?"

"Yes. The one we're talking about. The Land of Dreams."

I have a bad feeling about this.

Strange how simply uttering that name makes it seem like my adventure is about to end right away.

"Then, let's suppose the name of that amusement park is 'Chiba Destiny Island'."

"……? Do we really need to make it a temporary name? You know it already, right? Everyone loves Disney!"

"Stop. Absolutely not."

Amano gave a slightly puzzled expression at first, but eventually nodded in agreement.

"To sum it up, here's the situation:

1. The ability to restore your senior's memories is a 'Spatial-Temporal Magic'."

2. The person who can use "Spatial-Temporal Magic" is Renkō Hanaoka.

3. It seems Miss Hanaoka is here in Chiba, seeking the power of "reviving the dead."

4. Therefore, senior, you'll need to head to a theme park in Chiba.

Is that clear so far?"

"Huh..."

You don't have to say it like you're scolding a child.

"Four people—Yasuhiko Kohei, Norio, Asuka Kunino, and Saena Hōjōji—have already departed as an advance team toward Dream Land. If they can find Hakuba-san, that will be sufficient..."

"Still, it would be better if we also moved soon,"

"Yeah. It's possible four of us might not be enough to move Hana-chan....Frankly, it's already strange that Hana-chan hasn't contacted us in such a long time, especially since she feels responsible about Ayano-chan. Maybe something's happened to her."

"Ah, I see."

I get the general idea.

While people cheerfully eat and drink, I quietly reaffirm my resolve to embark on this adventure.

Then, I suppose I'd like some companions on this journey...

"Rinon-san"

"Hmm?"

"Yakku-san"

"Ah."

"Tsumuri-san"

"Yes?"

"Can I count on all three of you?"

The three of them nodded almost instantly.

The one who looked the most surprised was Rinon.

"Oh? Are you really okay with this, Tsumuri? What about your duty at the Air Park?"

"I need to think about this... Since we can't be sure when the Ichihon Gei group might betray us, we'll have to change how we've been defending ourselves up until now."

"…If it seems too difficult, we can always stop. If we're heading toward Katsushika, we'll pass through Akihabara anyway. We could recruit allies there."

"No. This time, protecting the 'Warrior' takes priority. After all, the current 'Warrior' hasn't even seen a 'Zombie,' has he?"

I showed up briefly on the first day, though—just my upper body, nothing below the neck.

"Then, that's fine. Actually, what about the guild folks? Didn't we hear a little while ago that players were going to be assigned to each community?"

They disappeared without us noticing.

It seemed those words were quite unexpected, causing Rinne to go wide-eyed,

"……Huh? Seriously?"

"Yes. One day, out of nowhere. The Nerima community, the Ibun Gei community—same goes for them. But this matter should've already been reported to higher-ups."

"Report didn't get through. …Damn it. Ever since those odd high-ups started showing up at school, stuff like this keeps happening."

Rinon puffed out her cheeks.

"But why? They were the ones who said they liked our territory, weren't they?"

"Details are unclear. Perhaps it has something to do with 'Phase 3'... the 'Quest'."

"So the Quest was given, and they just wandered off on their own, huh?"

"Most likely. Still, it's odd that not even a single note was left behind."

"Ugh. Such careless troublemakers!"

"Perhaps they were given a troublesome 'quest' just like 'Warrior'-san, so we can't simply call it 'reckless'."

...At the moment the two fell silent, I speak up, playing the role of leader.

"Then everyone, let's rest well tonight, and set off tomorrow morning at six. Our destination: Chiba Destiny Island....Is that alright?"

The two nod reluctantly.

"Yukihisa-san?"

As for him, who had been silent during the conversation, he was handed a cup of Xiangxue wine by a passing, energetic person. "Huh... man, this is amazing... feels like I'm about to cry... ah, um... yeah?"

"Tomorrow morning at six. Got it?"

The three of them responded with vague, ambiguous "uh-huh"s.

That's when I realized something again.

I'm just not cut out for being the leader, am I.

I wonder if this is really okay. Me, being the center of everyone like this.

Let me make this clear—my principles haven't changed much at all.

If you leave someone alone, they could die as easily as an infant?

I really hope you all understand that clearly. Please, truly.