Part 217: In the Underground Shelter

Afterward, Asada and Miharu were led to separate rooms for thorough physical examinations.

Unlike you guys, regular people are much more likely to get bitten...

As if making an excuse, the piercing sister.

Are we even okay? Bringing weapons along like this?

"Yeah... You're different from ordinary people, so even if we check, we can't figure it out. Plus, there's a rumor that 'players' can't contract zombie disease."

"Wait, seriously? Is that true?"

"It's just a rumor, though. Think about it—how often do you hear reports of 'players' turning into zombies?"

"That might just be... simple..."

"Yeah. It's because you're strong, that's all. Probably."

"Hmm..."

We won't get infected... Is a story like that really possible?

Well, at least I don't feel like trying.

Leave Blue Moon-chan to me. The seniors will head to the "King" first.

It turned out that only I and Rinne were allowed to enter the shelter.

When I opened the lid, which had a triple-layered structure hidden behind the counter, the scent of civilization wafted out.

A crisp, cool scent emanating from the air conditioning—distinctive and unmistakable.

Hm! This is quite something...

"Amazing!"

Even the wildcat spirit within me stirs awake.

After the restrained cooling inside the bus, this chill is astonishing.

I dashed in ahead of everyone.

And suddenly, I feel the same joy I felt that day—escaping the harsh summer sun by fleeing into a convenience store.

"Refreshing!"

"People always gather here, huh."

"I'm moving in here!"

"…Well, a lot of people seem to dislike that there's no sunlight down here."

The interior of the shelter was far more impressive than I'd imagined.

Facing a hallway of endless white walls, just like something out of a manga practice book,

"It's like being inside a spaceship!"

In reality, the place is designed around the sci-fi world view that the "King" particularly loves.

As you walk down the hallway, popcorn dispensers and water coolers are installed at various spots, giving the impression that basic living needs are well taken care of.

Occasionally, you'll see standing signs that appear to have been made by the shelter's internal community, with movie schedules posted for films being screened underground.

"Huh...? It's kind of late to watch the 'K-On!' movie... Oh, wait—I actually love the 'LEGO Movie.'"

"We don't have much time for sightseeing. I need to talk to Nakamichi En."

"Oh, yes."

Following Rinne, I walk down a hallway perfect for practicing perspective drawing.

The underground shelter was incredibly spacious, clearly designed to accommodate as many people as possible.

As I walk down the corridor, munching on free popcorn I picked up along the way, I come upon what looks like a large auditorium.

Peeking inside, I see an enormous number of people gathered there.

Including those standing, there are probably twice as many people as gathered during the night-kyu incident.

The auditorium had a layout similar to the House of Representatives' main chamber, with a single "king" sitting alone in the center, surrounded on three sides by seats arranged in a semicircle.

The "king" was a middle-aged man drenched in sweat—so much that it was almost pitiful to watch—seated on an expensive leather chair, looking extremely uncomfortable and out of place.

He kept his thin lips moving as if kissing the microphone, bobbing up and down.

"I-I-I didn't mean to just use the power given to me however I wanted... but with the current rationing plan, there's no way around people still getting hungry... The little ones, uh, I mean the orphaned children, they're always making a fuss about it... Well then, popcorn is the most filling, so... I figured it was for the best..."

The auditorium buzzes with lively chatter.

They were words condemning the "King" for making a judgment based on selfish prejudice and being entirely, utterly wrong.

——Some refugees don't like popcorn.

——It mostly gets stuck in your teeth and isn't enjoyable.

——Why not choose potato chips instead?

——How does the "King" plan to take responsibility for this incident?

"I-I mean, that's why I have to keep bringing in more and more allies, and do my best to level up as the 'King'... that's the plan!"

Once again, the clamor returned.

——Now is the time to start restricting meals, even if only slightly, in preparation for a prolonged conflict.

——And unlimited popcorn? That's clearly an idea that favors those who don't want to work.

——In other words, is the 'King' planning to embrace mob rule?

—If things continue like this, our nation might end up being taken over by the "Central Office."

—Exactly, exactly. First of all, we must establish a relationship with the "Central Office" that is on equal footing...

"Wait, wait, wait—just a moment! I-I-I didn't mean to suggest I wanted to create my own country... The 'King' thing—it's just a role assigned to me, a temporary arrangement, really..."

That rebuttal alone sparked the most massive debate among the people of Akiba.

A rough-looking man shouted, "How can you do anything with such a weak stance!" and lunged toward the "King."

The "King," supposed to be an overwhelming force, recoiled in fear, clutching their head and whimpering, "Hiiii!"

"What is this..."

As for me, I couldn't help but wonder if this was just some strange, unsettling dream I might have during an illness.

"The old man being abused over there... is he the 'King'?"

"That's right."

"Wow."

The meeting descended into chaos, and it seemed unlikely that any more meaningful input would come forth.

It looks like many of these refugees around here are quick to argue.

Still, it's understandable that everyone feels distrust toward the 'Central Office,' which hasn't shown up to rescue anyone, no matter how long they wait.

Still, if this line of thinking continues, we'll really be going back to the Warring States era.

And if that happens, we're probably the ones who'll end up being forced into battle.

That's going a bit too far.

"The meeting's over, then... I'm going to step out for a moment."

Ah.

Rinne's got that look on her face—like she's about to give a lecture to the class bully.

"Then I'll go too."

I don't want to be left alone, so I'll tag along with her.

I had expected to be the center of everyone's attention. But when we actually entered the auditorium, hardly anyone noticed us.

Everyone was completely absorbed in discussions about the new nation centered around the new possibility of the "King."

We approached the "King"—Chūdō En, as if stealing him away.

"Hey, En-san."

『—Huh? Ahh』

En-san, frantically turning off the microphone,

"Whoa, you're back! Long time no see, 'Warrior'!"

His face lit up like someone who'd stumbled upon an oasis in the desert.

Before I could figure out how to respond, Rinne spoke for me.

"Good to see you. I came by on a little errand."

"Seriously? You're a welcome sight! I've kept your room just like it was back then..."

"Yeah, we can deal with that later. But first, can we talk somewhere quiet?"

"Talk?...I'd love to, but—"

glancing briefly at the people arguing,

"These guys won't mind. Come on."

Not long after, the greasy man was led out of the auditorium by the two women.

Yanagisan seemed to have been worrying about how the meeting turned out for a while...

Later, I heard that the discussion continued well into the night, even though the "King" was absent.