Chapter 341: People Who Aren't Honest

When we arrived at the mall rooftop, it seemed everyone present—starting with Dog Bite-kun—had gathered together.

Still, a few faces were missing.

Before I could ask, Nanami answered for me.

"Sorry. Ran didn't make it."

"Ran-chan?"

"Yeah. Suddenly, those 'zombies' started running out of nowhere..."

"I see."

"Even so, the revival of participants has already been entrusted to the 'kingdom' allies. They might already be revived by now."

"Then, Ran-san has gone back ahead of us. Let's shift our focus accordingly."

Nanami smiled weakly in response.

"If it comes to this, I'm determined to bring the camera back and turn a profit."

I took one more glance down from the rooftop.

Looking closely, it appeared that the group gymnastics performed earlier in the open space were now being replicated here as well.

The dead, piled up like mountains, reached out their hands toward us.

"Uwaa... This is kind of urgent. We should probably hurry."

"We'll handle the low-level enemies. You, 'Nameless,' focus on the transport."

And, Dog Bite-kun.

"Food has already been transported to the rooftop in advance. Please replenish as needed."

That settles the concern about mana, then.

We've got plenty of emergency chocolate bars stocked up as well.

"Actually, there's one thing that's been bothering me."

"Huh?"

"The guy we first saw, completely naked—where is he now?"

Dog Bite-kun slowly shook his head with a sad expression,

"He's dead."

"Wait... when?"

"Just a moment ago. He jumped to his death. He was always exceptionally sensitive, that guy."

"Is that... so..."

He wasn't exactly a pleasant person in my eyes, but still... to die like that...

"Maybe I hit him too hard..."

"No, that has nothing to do with it. 'Nameless' is blameless. The guy was just a real jerk."

"Huh... huh... really?"

Is Dog Bite-kun being a bit harsh here or what?

"...Well, alright. Getting everyone to safety is the priority."

The building I had my eyes on was a seven-story structure across the wide road from Big Mall.

Though relatively short compared to the surrounding high-rises, it was still the most suitable choice for moving all the evacuees—since the aerial mobility granted by the Demonization ability doesn't allow for infinite maneuvering.

To minimize magical energy expenditure as much as possible while transporting everyone safely, this building proved to be the most practical option.

"First, Nanami-san. Mayu-san, treat the injured. Carry the healthy ones first, starting from those in good condition. Lord, take the dog-bitten one, Mayu-san."

When I give the signal, Nanami effortlessly climbs onto my back.

Here I go, Yoshi!

"Like, I mean..."

"Haha, hehe. 'Anonymous' is kind of fun sometimes, isn't it?"

Without responding, activating the "Demonization" causes murmurs of "Oh!" to rise among the refugees.

"Amazing, so cool!"

With Hideo-kun's rare comment echoing behind me, I pushed off from the rooftop.

▼

The building we'd chosen as a relay point turned out to be even more convenient than expected.

The office below was sealed off by three layers of sturdy iron doors, meaning we hardly had to worry about "zombies" breaking in.

"Just making sure—we'll add some extra barricades."

And Nanami, unusually proactive on her own.

Perhaps the death of Ran-chan lit a fire under her, too.

"Be careful of the 'Undead Mage'."

"I know. But from what I've heard, that 'Hero' seems to have already vanished from this world."

"Yes."

Apparently, the 'Undead Mage' has almost no personal combat ability whatsoever.

So it's likely they've already left this 'Mirror Country' for good.

"Trying your best and then just running off alone—no, that doesn't sit well with me. Hey, 'Nameless.' Just wait, you'll definitely avenge Ran someday."

"Of course."

"Then, the next special will be 'Searching for the Undead Mage.'"

"That's right."

I gave a wry smile,

"Still, you should make up with Mayoi-san as soon as possible."

"Huh?"

Nanami tilted her eyebrows in confusion.

"Why would you say something like that..."

"Isn't this whole project just something you came up with to make up with Mayoi-san in the first place?"

"Ah... So even 'Anonymous' noticed that?"

Just as I thought.

"Well, it's not that simple, you know."

"Then just go ahead and bow your head and say, 'I admit I'm stubborn—sorry!'"

"Idiot. That's impossible. Absolutely impossible for life."

Such an unyielding person... this one.

Can't two cute girls just keep living together happily forever, like in a lighthearted, soft-hearted club anime?

"But—according to Ran, there seems to be a simple way to reconcile."

"How do you do it?"

"Ah. You'll have to ask me before I'm dead."

That's not fair.

Then... well, this is a bit of a problem.

I have a promise with Mayoi-san, after all.

I vaguely thought that as I leapt from the building, as if intending suicide.

There were still over thirty refugees.

I had to finish the task before their throats were seized by the "zombies."