Chapter 42 The Last Survivor
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
At the time when Tsuchimiya and her friends left the girls’ dormitory, an emergency meeting was being held in the Student Council Executive Committee building.
The Student Council building, located next to the martial arts hall, is a grand structure with three floors above ground and one below.
Seated around a small table in the corner of a conference room as spacious as a classroom on the second floor are seven members of the executive committee: President Amahara Karen, Vice President Sogahara Takashi, two secretaries, two treasurers, and one auditor.
”This is the special edition that the newspaper club issued just now.”
The school’s treasurer, Inami Rihito, handed out an extra edition to the executives at the table. It had a headline that read, “Kamen Papillon, Demiurge’s Hideout Under Attack!?” Accompanied by a realistic illustration, it depicted Kamen Papillon escaping from an exploding boys’ dormitory window.
”Is this… true?”
Sogahara Takashi, the vice president who definitely didn’t look Japanese, widened his blue eyes and looked interestedly at the article.
”There was definitely an explosion incident at Boys’ Dormitory Building B. I heard stories about seeing Kamen Papillon escaping from the broken window, but there are also stories about seeing her entering the building. So, it’s unclear if she was involved in the explosion or not.”
”Kamen Papillon claims to be a modified human created by Demiurge… I don’t really get it; it’s kind of strange…”
”I think that’s a bit much, but it’s true that she showed up at the Demiurge hideout accident site at just the right time. Among the students, there’s speculation that she might be an assassin sent by the Student Council.”
Amahara Karen, the Student Council president, finished reading the article and furrowed her brows as she spoke.
”The situation isn’t clear yet, but if we start suspecting them, things might escalate beyond just minor clashes.”
Her words hung heavily in the air. If a full-on conflict erupted between the Student Council and Demiurge, the Student Council’s analysis suggested that Demiurge had the upper hand in terms of strength. Amahara also noticed the tension her words created.
”Don’t be too discouraged. Right now, the analysis suggests that Demiurge has a slightly stronger strength, but the difference is small. However, as time passes, that difference tends to widen. That’s why we should have taken action at an earlier stage. Today, there were many requests for support from the Student Council as more classrooms are resisting Demiurge. Considering the potential volunteer army, I believe we have the advantage. Above all, they may obey Kibakura Reiji’s orders without question, but their organizational cooperation is weak. There are plenty of opportunities to exploit their weaknesses.”
Amahara’s words lightened the mood a bit, and in response, the secretary, Tsukuba Kiyoto, spoke up.
”I have some information to share. The recent rebellion started in Class 2D today, and it seems that Doi from the 3rd year is gearing up for retaliation. There is a sign that they might attack the classroom early next week. If that classroom is thoroughly attacked, it could dampen the resistance mood we have worked so hard to build.”
”When it comes to that, my team will support with all our might. If we can defeat Demiurge here, there should be a great advantage.”
The person who said this was Auditor Togamine Hatsune.
Togamine, who reported on the investigation of the 2nd Year Class D incident, had been hiding something.
The fact was that the student who had become the center of resistance against Demiurge was Tsuchimiya Takeru.
(Totally, it’s fine if Doi crushes Tsuchimiya, but if by any chance he is defeated instead, that man’s existence might reach Amahara-senpai’s ears. Before that happens, I’ll make sure to crush Doi. Besides, this is a perfect opportunity.)
”Okay. I’ll leave that matter to Hatsune. We don’t know how the situation will change rapidly from now on. Everyone, make sure to prepare well for the start of the week.”
”””Yes”””
When Amahara announced the disbandment, everyone except Amahara and Sogahara quickly got up from their seats and left the room.
Besides the demanding tasks of the Student Council, they also had to focus on leveling up in the dungeon, making their days very busy.
Togamine, heading from the Student Council building to the teleportation facility, was no exception.
”Hatsune, how was the meeting?”
Shimura Hidemi, who had been waiting on a bench in the courtyard in front of the dedicated building, hurried over to Togamine.
”We’re going to attack Demiurge’s stronghold first thing Monday morning. It’s finally happening.”
”Wow, you’re finally doing it! Exciting~♪”
Hidemi grinned, her long wavy hair swaying.
”We’re diving with the whole team in 30 minutes. It’s zombie hunting. I want everyone in the main party to level five by the start of next week at least. We’ll be diving multiple times over the weekend.”
”Got it. I’ll talk to the sub-members.”
Hidemi said, then headed towards the club building.
”Demiurge… truly a symbol of masculinity. It would be troublesome if they got any bigger, but they’ll serve as our stepping stone.”
Togamine muttered, sporting a confident smile.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the same time──
At the end of the path leading into the forest from the loading gate on the south side of the schoolyard, the command center of the School Management Committee was located.
A sturdy building with fortress-like features and surrounding facilities housed nearly a thousand people.
In the conference room, after concluding negotiations with the representative of the Fórgedína Empire in the neutral zone, Commander-in-Chief Celestia led a discussion with several prominent figures around the table.
”Lugia, the Facility Manager, has arrived!”
Lugia, who was urgently summoned, entered through the door.
”Welcome, Squadron Leader Lugia. Take a seat first. Everyone else, please leave.”
Celestia urged as everyone rose from their seats.
Nervously, Lugia took her place as prompted.
”Lugia, I think it’s important we share information with you as well. As you may have already heard, the Empire is sticking to a ‘don’t know, don’t care’ stance regarding the invaders.”
It was a discussion about an incident where players from the Empire attacked their players. Hearing this, Lugia felt relieved.
”So, we’re maintaining the status quo… is that correct?”
”That’s right. It shows they’re not complete fools.”
If the Empire were to acknowledge involvement, it could escalate into a war. While the Empire might be more powerful in terms of national strength, there were many countries distrustful of them. The situation was a powder keg, with the potential to erupt into a full-scale war involving many nations.
”Well, we were the ones who saw the fool. No matter how many dungeons are connected, there’s no way players from the Empire would come all the way here alone. Someone must have leaked the log of the teleportation Magic Circle.”
”That’s…”
”It’s not your fault. We thought carefully about selecting people for the teleportation facilities that have a lot of contact with players, but there are still limits. We knew that when Kondou Isaki died.”
”Commander-in-Chief, do you believes Isaki was assassinated?”
”There’s no other way to think about it. A person who received such great gifts wouldn’t die on the first floor. The intruders said they would be ‘killed by Zeus.’ Zeus should be the name of the clan that produced the only Awakener.”
”! So then…”
”It seems like their school has collapsed, and Zeus’ whereabouts are still unknown to the Empire, but it seems like they have been transferred to a new school. It’s surprising to hear their names here. They might have been the ones who killed Kondou Isaki. Maybe we should have protected that boy, even if it went against regulations.”
”The only Awakener…”
Lugia swallowed hard.
”Kondou Isaki might have been a candidate to become the second Awakener. No, I saw it with my own eyes, he might already have been on the verge of awakening.”
”No way…! It’s impossible for a non-Evold to awaken, right?”
”Why do you think that way? The Empire has never really released any information about the awakened ones, and the current player regulations are based on the Empire’s information. This incident made it clear. The Empire does not want awakened ones to come from outside their own country. In other words, the current regulations based on the Empire’s information cannot be trusted at all.”
”W-well, we have already signed the player regulations approval in the international agreement, so there’s not much we can do now…”
”Those Empire guys are actually the ones leading the way in ignoring those regulations. It’s really ridiculous and unbearable. By the way, I wanted to see the original conversation record to know more about Asagiri Himeno, who defeated the intruder.”
Celestia picked up a stack of documents she had and showed it to them.
”What!? I-is that the original conversation record!?”
”‘Oh~, I, I don’t really like that person~’… That’s an interesting statement. I wonder who he is talking about?”
”Oh, um, well…! What should I say…”
Lugia’s face turned pale as she started sweating nervously.
Watching her reaction with a cold gaze, Celestia smirked slightly.
”Anyway, is Asagiri Himeno connected to that last survivor? It seems quite intriguing. You seem to be quite close to each other.”
”N-no, it’s not like that! I just got some cup noodles and snacks, that’s all!”
”I’ll give you some classified documents to look over. Then, when the time is right, pass on the information to them.”
”What!? I-I can’t accept classified documents! Passing confidential information to players… isn’t that against the rules!?” Lugia exclaimed.
”Rules? If you stick to them, all we can do is watch as our players get killed like Kondou Isaki. It’s only in this situation that I realize the rules are made to favor the Empire. Report everything about them to me. Got it?”
”Ugh, my stomach hurts…”
”If you get caught, you’ll face an international court or a military trial. Don’t forget, you might have traitors among your subordinates. Be careful not to attract attention.”
”Ugh… I want to go home…”
* * *
”Manager! I’m back!”
”Oh, welcome back!.”
Gil-san responded to Himeno’s voice.
Gil-san had set up a folding chair outside and was sunbathing while reading manga, waiting for us.
’That person is dangerous! Scary!’
”Eek!?”
Njorn saw Gil-san and immediately slipped into the sleeve of Kanon’s uniform and hid inside her clothes. Kanon looked surprised and held her big chest. Where did that snake sneak in?
”Gahahaha! You did quite a flashy job! The Beldritz guy was furious! Hilarious!”
Gil-san stood up with a pleased smile.
”Thanks to you, the mission was a success. Thank you, Gil-san.”
”No problem, I’ve been bored lately. Fun events are always welcome.”
This guy definitely doesn’t seem serious about working.
”Hey, is that little one the spoils of war? It’s a spirit I’ve never seen before.”
”Eek!”
Kanon paled as she looked up at Gil-san, who seemed about 190 centimeters tall. Njorn, who had been poking its head out from the gap in her buttons, also retreated back in.
”T-Thank you, Manager.”
Kanon nervously bowed to Gil-san.
”Hahaha, don’t worry! If you’re from Asagiri, you’re also an important player to me!”
I couldn’t help but feel like this “important player of mine” was treated better than my dorm mates. Please focus on your work properly.
Come to think of it, I haven’t properly told Kanon yet.
”I want to invite you again. Kanon, would you like to join our party?”
When I told her, Kanon turned to me and straightened up.
”Yes! I’m Watarase Kanon, and I gladly accept! Take care of me, everyone!”
”Yeah, welcome!”
”Nice to meet you, Watarase-san!”
”Nice to meet you, Kanon-chan!”
Himeno happily hugged Kanon.
”Hehe…”
Kanon blushed shyly and smiled.
With this, the party is finally all together. Maybe this weekend we should go to the dungeon to warm up. I also want to go to the recovery spring to replenish water. The demand is unexpectedly high and it’s a bit unsettling that there’s not much left.
I feel like I recover a lot if I drink this after s*x. It’s become essential for me now.
”Now we finally have our party formed! Shouldn’t we decide on a party name?”
Higurashi suggests with a lively voice.
”A party name, huh… how about ‘Higurashi Exploration Team’?”
”Water Mars Special! Just so you know, Tsuchimiya-senpai is the leader.”
”Is it okay for me to be the leader? Aren’t you more suited to be the leader?”
”There’s no one more suitable than Tsuchimiya-senpai. What do you think we are? I’m more of a strategist type.”
”Gladiator Assault Squad… no, maybe simply Blast Sound Cavalry, Ruthless…”.
Let’s ignore Gil-san mumbling to himself.
”For future reference, I’d like it if it’s clear that Tsuchimiya-senpai is the center of the party. How about ‘The Last Survivor’?”
The Last Survivor, huh? Higurashi’s also included in there, subtly. It’s better than having my name directly mentioned. Sounds kinda cool, too.
”Tsuchimiya-senpai’s party…I think it’s great!”
”Yeah! It feels like becoming part of Tsuchimiya-senpai’s crew, which is cool!”
Himeno and Kanon seem to like the idea too.
”Alright, let’s go with that then.”
”Agreed. So, let’s have a welcome party for Watarase-san and Njorn, and the inauguration of ‘The Last Survivor’ at the special zone!”
”Agreed! I’ll treat you all today!”
”That sounds great!”
Everyone seems happy to become my friends. It makes me happy too.
”Thank you, everyone. Let’s continue to work together. So, shall we head to the special zone right away?”
”Yes!”
On this day, our party “The Last Survivors” was formed.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.