Chapter 194: |
Dungeon Stampede 2.0 Self-Defense
From earlier on, helicopters of the Self-Defense Force have been flying over the sky, which has been tilting towards the sun. They fly so persistently back and forth that it almost brings to mind a haiku-like ‘Helicopters fluttering incessantly in the sky.'
They seem lower than usual. Yet not low enough for rescue operations… maintaining a moderate altitude, going back and forth. It appears they are carefully investigating the situation in Tokyo where the Dungeon Stampede occurred.
"Other than helicopters, you hardly see any Self-Defense Force around, huh…"
"Yeah, but I think they're packed into the parade dungeon. That place was like a goblin nest of a dungeon."
Serai-san, who approached me as I looked up at the sky, exchanged words with me. She sounded so lethargic, as if tired.
"We don't see any police officers either…"
"Yeah… Maybe the organization is mobilizing its forces to deal with the situation. I think they'll be at the police station, but I bet there's a lot of confusion among the people seeking help…"
"I want to just push those people aside, even if it means taking a detour…"
Yes, concerns were trailing us, the so-called evacuees. Of course, I couldn't blame them entirely. I understood their desire was simply to return safely home.
However, by ignoring the basic societal rule of ‘not causing trouble for others,' they made things difficult for us. Even though we were in a similar situation, we were just ordinary citizens. Their presence prevented us from acting covertly, attracting more monsters. It was quite a burden to have to deal with them while trying to progress.
Moreover, due to my personal taste, I wore a combat suit that gave off a heroic vibe. Did those people see it and think, ‘Oh, they look like they'll protect us!'? It's understandable if they did, considering I was dressed like this and defeated monsters left and right.
But if I could say just one thing, I'd like to have enough time to explain, ‘I dress like this out of personal preference. I'm just an ordinary person who can fight somewhat skillfully against monsters!'"
"Ruu-chan, calm down."
"Ah, sorry, Nina-san. Thank you…"
Nina-san, who had come to calm Ruu, returned and gave a report.
That disrespectful man who shoved Ruu. My harsh attitude towards him had shocked Ruu.
Ruu was raised by very serious parents, like a sheltered daughter. She was raised in an environment so strict that there wasn't even a TV at home.
Therefore, her values and ethics were quite out of touch with the world.
On the one hand, she had values like ‘having a harem of lovers is okay as long as it's with friends', but on the other hand, she felt a terrible aversion towards my actions just now, like ‘punishing someone without a trial!'
Well, that was my fault. Sorry, Ruu.
But because of that person, who dared to expose us to danger amidst the evacuees, Ruu could have ended up dead. If such a person were to mingle among the evacuees who were already causing trouble, it would only cause more chaos. They would be like a bug in a lion's den.
Well, admittedly, I'm also a bug, but at least I'm a beneficial one to some extent because I'm protecting people. If I had no qualms, I could just dash off and leave the evacuees behind.
[Gyuragyuragyuragyu… Batamu!]
"Oh, sorry for the wait, bro."
And there, a group of heavy machinery returned, making noise.
"Well, we're all fueled up! We even got some extra oil!"
Due to the considerable oil consumption in the previous battle, the heavy machinery fighters had gone for refueling. And the old men, who had realized in the previous battle that ‘it's dangerous without infantry support even with heavy machinery', decided to accompany us all the way to Shark's high school.
The reason being, if they were accused of causing havoc with heavy machinery, claiming that it was to protect women and children would garner public support, they reasoned.
Although they started rampaging with the heavy machinery they could operate themselves out of fear and the desire to survive, they seemed to have become scared of being held accountable for it afterward. Hence, they stuck together with their work colleagues for now, claiming it was to protect each other.
Well, in a way, it was their journey of atonement.
And once we confirmed Shark's safety, we would have to move again. If they could protect the high school girls, we could leave the place with peace of mind.
"Well then, shall we depart?"
The reliable Self-Defense Forces had yet to appear.
They were probably still dealing with abandoned vehicles, causing delays in their progress. I thought, ‘Just crush those things!' but it seemed that national organizations couldn't just destroy citizens' property as they pleased. I think this is the time for martial law, for emergency measures.
And that man, he still lay motionless on the asphalt.
But there was no need to go and check if he was alive or dead. So his condition was listed as unknown. Because of his stupidity, many evacuees were injured or killed. So, that's the situation.
Above us, the noisy helicopters of the Self-Defense Forces passed by again.
…..
[Gyuragyuragyuragyu…!!]
[Zururururururururur…!!]
[Buooooon!… Von…!]
5 p.m. We headed towards the high school with the heavy machinery in the lead. We were accompanied by evacuees, making it a huge procession like a feudal lord's parade.
As we approached the residential area, residents peeked out from their homes, hoping, ‘The Self-Defense Forces have finally come!' only to be disappointed and dejected to see just a group of construction vehicles.
Despite seeing such scenes, we finally arrived at Shark's school.
"Phew, we finally made it. Ugh, what's that!?"
What caught our eyes as we approached the school gate on a shovel truck was a towering pile of desks in front of the main gate. Around the school, chairs were hung on the iron fence in a way that made it difficult to climb over.
"Wow, this is like a classroom collapse…"
Hmm, as Nina-san said. Shark's girls' high school was turning into a university where security protests were happening.
But upon closer inspection, we could see faces peeking from beyond the main gate, and female students lined up by the school windows, looking over with expressions like, ‘What's going on?',
"Well, the school is safe at least. Alright, Serai-san!"
"Okay! Let's go then."
It would be unnecessary to worry about being attacked if we just parked in front of the main gate on a shovel truck. So I asked Serai-san, who was very sociable, to talk to the school staff. I would be her escort. First, we got off the shovel truck and headed towards the main gate.
"Excuse me! Can you please call Toga Ruri from 1-E? Oh, and I'd like to talk to someone from the school!"
In response, there was a stir of activity within earshot of Serai-san's voice. After a while, a female student appeared on top of the desk mountain.
"… Toshirou-san is currently guarding the back gate, so she can't leave. If you want to see Toshirou-san, please go around to the back gate."
Yes, the girl with the bob cut looked down at us and answered.
She seemed very serious and had a strict demeanor. Although her language was very polite, she seemed somewhat inflexible in her manner of speaking.
Hmm, I hadn't seen her face before. But I somehow had a vague idea about her because Shark had been complaining about her Aikido classmate.
"Could it be that you're from the Aikido class?"
"Uh, do you know me? Oh, Toshirou-san must have mentioned me."
As the teachers came over, wondering what was going on, I explained the situation briefly.
"We're here to help! (Glitter!)"
Serai-san flashed a smile and a thumbs-up. Because that was Sera-san's doing, not mine.
