Episode 239: The Swinging Scale

"Those who don't enjoy themselves..."

"Are not to be fed, that's right."

"What exactly would I be made to do?"

"I don't know for sure—something like filming movies? Singing, dancing, trying out different things. I'm not really familiar with young people's pastimes, so I can't say for certain."

"Young people's pastimes," huh... You're plenty young yourself, you know.

Of course, I don't say it out loud. A maid must be discreet.

"But nowadays, being able to afford such carefree indulgences..."

"Yeah. Apparently, Shizukawa Reika uses her ability to 'revive the dead' to gather ample supplies from within the city. That's how such a hedonistic 'kingdom' came to be."

"Kingdom..."

"Ah, by the way, Reika is a 'miracle worker.' Unlike the 'king' in Akihabara, the 'kingdom' is purely self-proclaimed. Naturally, the Central Office doesn't recognize her nation at all, nor do they plan to in the future."

Zonri furrowed her brows sharply, making a grimace.

If the revival of Kaminokō Yuki were to become real... what then?

Even if Rika is a villain, I must find a way to win her over—no matter what it takes.

Even if I have to sacrifice something.

—Really? Is that truly the case?

Just how far am I willing to go to make that sacrifice?

For instance… would I really wish to bring Youki back to life by causing pain to the “her” right beside me now?

I don’t know.

She’s a good person. A good person should never suffer.

Surely, Yuki must be thinking the same thing.

Because she was someone noble, unlike me...

...That's my flaw. I always dwell on things I can't change.

Yet even so, Tsumuri can't help but wonder.

When faced with the choice between a loved one and a companion, which would I pick?

In stories, it seems like one usually chooses the "beloved." As if that's what makes us human.

But for now, Tenmi Tsuzuri was thinking this.

Even if she were to awaken in this world, wouldn't she only bring suffering to her in the end?

"…………………That one…"

"?"

"Sorry. I'm not feeling well… I'm heading back to the bus first."

"Oh, that's fine."

Tsuzuri stood up to leave the "Guardian" base.

Her companions, left behind, were intensely curious about the information beyond the "Portal to the Otherworld."

But to Tsuzuri, none of that mattered at all.

Compared to the serious problem she was currently facing.

"Hmm. So it's not really all that different from our world, huh?"

"Yes... The biggest difference is that there isn't a single survivor left."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Of course, we didn't conduct a thorough, perfect search, but after Tooru flew around for a few days riding atop 'Tenba,' we didn't spot anything resembling a human figure."

"Hmm... I see..."

Having heard that, Tsumuri quietly left the cafeteria.

She walked casually through the underground facility that had once been Tsukishima Station, subtly using her as she went.

Even a normal person would immediately notice someone who has been "militarized" or "enslaved."

In the end, it became clear that the group calling itself the "National Guard Corps" is essentially made up of ordinary people.

The younger sister accidentally let slip the information: "There are many players in Kanto."

This would mean that there aren't an extreme number of "players" based in Kansai, wouldn't it?

That means... yeah, this organization might not be all that reliable after all.

Of course, that doesn't mean I have no reason to repay kindness.

Human relationships are like investments—there's no telling what might come in handy later.

Sensing the sharp glances of the muscular men passing by, Tenmi Tsumuri climbed the stairs,

"Ah, sorry. Should I head back to the bus—?"

She called out to the man standing rigidly at the gate.

He kindly responded, opening the steel shutter for her.

Due to whatever effect of the "surge suppression," there were no "zombies" in sight along the street.

Walking down the peaceful road, she headed toward the armored bus parked carefully by the roadside.

"…………………hmm"

Then she noticed something off.

"Kaa———"

A single crow had perched atop the bus.

It seemed that——a scheduled message had arrived from Hojōji Saeko.

Pulling a small tube tied to the foot of a crow, a beast tamer's creature, she read its contents aloud.

This was meant to share information with the advance unit that had already arrived in Reika's "kingdom."

Thanks to Koushiki Ryōhei's quick thinking, this information was now exclusively held by Tenkyō Tsumuri.

The friend probably suspects it too, at least on some level.

Perhaps what I do—just for "her," for Yuki Kamisono—might amount to rebellion against her.

The content is a hurried scribble, uncharacteristic of her.

Urgent contact.

The matter of resurrecting the dead.

The timing is so perfect it's almost startling.

Check the achievement reward item called "Soul Replicator."

It contains the names of all humans aged twenty or younger currently residing in Japan, and using it allows the resurrection of the dead with no drawbacks and no limit on the number of people who can be revived.

"Huh...?"

Suzuri's eyes widened in shock.

No (・) Demo (・) No (・) Fun (・)?

No way. You're kidding.

Could such a convenient story... really be true...?

As if to caution the rising excitement within him, the next passage read:

Conditions for using the Soul Replicator.

Become a member of the kingdom ruled by Shizukawa Reika.

Serve the kingdom as a loyal member.

Within the kingdom she governs—the realm of the unreal...