That 406, the sound of knocking

In a stuffy, clammy room that couldn't be called comfortable even by a stretch.

I pass the thirty minutes until Shinson-san's revival without a care, flinching at the creaks and groans of the aging building all around me.

"Seems like it's taking quite a while, huh..."

"Yep. Even if we work nonstop and efficiently, the daily limit for revival is about forty people, I'd say."

Forty people.

Compared to the number of young people being killed by zombies every day, this number is clearly insufficient...

"What if we at least increased the number of so-called top 'players'? Wouldn't that make mass production of the 'Soul Restoration Machine' possible?"

"You idiot. Do you think I haven't tried that already? Think about why there's only one of these here."

Yeah, that's right.

I leaned over the pot, checking how the liquid inside was behaving.

Something vaguely humanoid seems to be visible at the bottom, but I can't make out what shape it actually takes.

I wonder what would happen if I stuck my hand in like this.

I let my imagination run a little, tinged with fear.

"But Reisen, you haven't shared the conditions for the 'achievement' with anyone yet, have you? That's right, isn't it?"

"Well, yeah, I guess. I needed to manage the 'Kingdom,' after all....And then there's..."

Rika-san, this time with a relaxed "Nikkori",

Maybe you're thinking you should do the same right now?

...

I remain silent, arms crossed.

Maybe she's right, after all.

Continue growing this organization, this "Kingdom of the Unreal," and obtain the next stage, the "Soul Restoration Machine."

Perhaps that way, resurrecting the dead could be done more efficiently.

No, or perhaps.

The genuine "Soul Restoration Machine" might not even have an age limit... under twenty, that is.

"Uuuu... what should I do about this...?"

He glances at the clock. Just a little more time until the scheduled moment.

It's moments like these that really make time crawl.

Or should I have prioritized contacting everyone else first?

...No, that would mean leaving the revived Kaminokōji-san in Reika's hands.

She still has this somewhat suspicious air about her, and I can't trust her.

Perhaps she sensed my thoughts.

Without waiting for a response, she began speaking on her own.

"I'm not interested in games or complicated tactics, so I'll just get straight to the point."

From now on, "Nameless-chan" will remain my "Queen" and become the guardian of this "kingdom."

Once "Nameless-chan" takes on that role, she'll convince all the "Princesses" and unify the nation. Maybe we could even host a get-together or two.

That way, we'll truly become real friends.

Only then will we be on equal footing with the Central Office in terms of strength.

Only then will we be able to negotiate shoulder to shoulder with those people.

"But even so, if they keep stalling—well then. We might as well team up with the 'players' scattered around Tokyo and take on the 'Central Office' and the 'Demon King' head-on."

Saying this with a flat tone, Reika sips her cold tea.

I look down at my hands, completely numb,

"…Actually, if it's not too much trouble, could you bring the 'Gambler' and Tamachan here instead?"

"Hmm?"

"If I need my arms, then being unable to use both hands would be a problem—literally."

"No way, I don't wanna go. You go, 'Nameless' girl."

"I'm not moving from here."

"I'm staying right here too. You know that, right? I trust you, 'Nameless' girl, but I don't know the others. I don't want to be suspiciously treated or end up in trouble on the way here."

"Hmm..."

I don’t think everyone would go so far as to act so impulsively… but then again, trying to convince her of that would be pointless.

There’s no helping it.

First, I’ll revive Yuki, confirm without a doubt that this is the “Soul Restoration Device,” and then descend that long staircase once more.

Afterward, I’ll meet up with everyone and discuss our next steps.

That’s when it finally clicked in my mind.

A sudden, strange sound echoed—thud, thud, thud.

The sound came from outside the door.

It seemed deliberately made.

"...A knocking sound?"

"Looks like it."

I briefly lock eyes with Shizukawa Reika.

She shakes her head slightly.

"Anyone who knows this place?"

"Probably the 'Immortal Corps' or the 'Hungerfolk'."

"So maybe one of them?"

"Huh? But why would they?"

Well...

"Stealing the 'Soul Restoration Machine,' maybe?"

Back when we knew nothing, that was also one of our options.

So we're moving on right away since the bomb's been removed?

Yes

Hmm, I wonder. If you're going to make a move, shouldn't you be a bit more careful about timing?

"What do you mean by that?"

When I'm taking a bath, or using the toilet—certainly not at a time when I'd be likely to run into that monster-like 'nameless one' now.

...

I had a feeling there was something about her that I couldn't fully trust.

But there's no lie in those words, somehow.

When the doorknob turns, the door slowly begins to open.

"Wait, what? Sorry. I... forgot to lock the door."

"Huh?"

There's nothing we can do about it. I was nervous too, you know.

No, no, it's not nervousness...

Staring in astonishment at what lies beyond the slowly opening door.

It came out of nowhere.

Opposite to where we were on guard—there was a massive hole in the ceiling, and a giant silhouette plunged in.