That 241: Avienia and Grandelienia

The time was just after one o'clock in the afternoon.

"Looks like we took a little detour, huh? Slight change of plans?"

"Well, at least we managed to replenish our magic. And we got plenty of food too."

Rinon pats the stack of cardboard boxes she received from the "Guardians."

Inside are ready-to-eat meals and cup noodles sent from the "Central Office."

"Look. Check this out. It's a new cup noodle, sort of. In Kansai, the supply chain's still working properly, huh?"

"…The lack of extra decoration doesn't exactly spark much appetite."

The cup noodle container has no ingredient labels at all—just simple, hastily scribbled designs with a marker, like 'miso' or 'soy sauce.'

If this had been sold before the 'End,' it might've actually been a novelty and sold well.

"With this much, even if our stay in this so-called 'Unreal Kingdom' gets prolonged, we should be able to hold on for a while."

The bus was already connected via radio with the advance team—Konosuke Hibiya, Norio-san, Asuka Kino, and Sanae Hōjōji—and had picked up several new pieces of information.

The 'Unreal Kingdom' we're currently approaching appears to have two types of entrances... or rather, two distinct areas.

One is the 'Gran Delinia.'

"Gran Delinia" was once the "Sea" area, and apparently, it's home to men of all ages and women aged twenty and above.

The other is "Avienia."

That one is the "Land" side area.

Apparently, only females under twenty are permitted to enter Avienia.

"A country inhabited solely by young girls...?"

Am I the only one picking up on a dark, lustful undertone from the men here?

"Though, according to Asuka, who entered before us, it seems there's absolutely no sexual abuse of that kind there."

Then that's good.

Incidentally, Renkai Hibiki is located in the "Avienia" region.

"Only certain people are allowed to enter 'Avienia'—"

I, Okita Rinne, Kuno Asuka, Aozuki Migan, and...,

"Terumi Amamiya, is that right?"

"Yeah."

Rinne nods, looking unusually serious.

Actually, I agree too. I'd like to have Tsumuri accompany us, just in case.

"Huh... wait, what?"

Suddenly, Sotatsu let out an utterly bizarre cry.

"Me... am I going too?"

"Yeah, I suppose. It's reassuring that way."

"Uhh..."

For some reason, she didn't seem to have considered that possibility even in the slightest.

"But, I—"

"True, it does go against the rules. But the idea of letting everything unfold exactly as that woman, Reika, intends—it just feels wrong somehow."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. After all, that's what a 'player' would do. You never know what they're thinking....What do you think, 'Haku'? You'll agree with me, right?"

I nodded without giving it much thought.

"That's right. It's reassuring having Zuri here with us."

By the way, what exactly is the "rule violation" here?

Could it be that she's actually... over twenty years old or something?

Wow. I thought she was around the same age or even younger. That's surprising.

Suzuri seemed to hesitate for a while, then said,

"Maybe this is just another... 'survival flag,' after all."

"Yeah, it really is a flag. A flag."

My words seemed to finally make up her mind.

"I understand. If you put it that way..."

"Try not to get weirded out, now."

"I swear by the gods, let us cast aside any impure thoughts."

And so, she ultimately agreed to accompany us.

Incidentally, I later found out secretly that this was Rinne's own preventive measure.

It was clear that Sōri was interested in "reviving the dead."

So she wanted to keep us within sight before she could develop any strange ideas.

"By the way, what do you plan to do after the warrior regains their memories?"

…………。

After regaining your memory, you mean.

Honestly, I'm not quite sure about that right now.

It was because the "me" who had just received the baton of memory had no idea what I would do next.

I can at least do some reasoning.

I'm probably...

If.

If I had the confidence to forcefully overcome every obstacle blocking my path right now.

I'd like to meet that woman, Reisen, for now.

"Rika and?"

"Yes. If she hesitates to use her power of 'Resurrection of the Dead,' I'll persuade her."

"Persuade..."

"Yes. If she can bring the dead back to life, hoarding that power might ultimately prove harmful to Lady Reisen as well."

Moreover, if I can work with her, it would also mean freedom from the fear of death for me and my companions.

In the future, they should be able to keep up their activities, even if it means pushing themselves a bit harder.

There's no choice but to deal with this.

Then Sozuri-san, with a faint, wistful smile on her face,

Understood.

And mutters to herself.

Then, I shall accompany you to hell.