Chapter 65
The Oddball Clan's Oddball Party
We made it in time... That's a good thing, right?
I see Rosso-san, covered in blood, and the middle-aged woman she is shielding in front of the shelter with its barrier deployed.
The woman who appears to be her mother has only minor injuries, but Rosso-san is seriously wounded. More than anything, her mana seems to have dropped considerably... I think.
I said “together” only a moment ago, but should I handle this situation myself?
The gunfire resumes. The vehicle burning behind us begins to shake, making a cacophonous metallic noise.
At the same time, I sense mana approaching. I slide the lower part of the staff's tip, load a scroll, grip that section with my right hand, and press the protrusion in with a click.
'Scroll: Magic Expansion'
'Scroll: Telekinesis'
Five magic circles unfold at the tip of my staff, and semi-transparent arms extend from them. They seize the vehicle and lift it up.
The instant it rises only a few centimeters, I 'bend' all the arms.
The next moment, I launch the vehicle forward with all my strength like a spring-loaded projectile.
Bullets pierce the bouncing vehicle as it advances. While listening to their impacts, I move the lever with my left hand and load the next scroll.
Monsters can pass through anything that is not infused with mana. Therefore, friendly fire from firearms and defense with a lump of iron are both meaningless.
But even they are not omnipotent.
'GAAAAAAAAA!'
“Quiet.”
I fire 'Wind Bullet' straight into the face of the close-combat Zmeu that passes through the burning, bouncing vehicle.
Its scales burst apart, and it throws back its upper body. Without pause, I cock and fire again at the two on either side.
Monsters that can pass through things are not necessarily capable of seeing through them. Red flowers bloom from the bodies of the monsters charging straight at me.
Immediately after firing one shot into each of them, I draw my sword with my right hand while spin-cocking the staff with my left.
'GO... OOOOO!'
Even after taking a direct hit, they do not stop.
The close-combat types endure the hammer of wind with their formidable toughness and advance farther. The lead one draws back its right arm.
At the same time, I rush forward. I slip beneath the claws thrust toward my face and swing my sword at the Zmeu's left shin with all my momentum.
With a hard metallic sound, the blade cuts through the scales and reaches the bone. But it stops.
Then I simply need to accelerate again.
The instant the blade stops, I have already pressed the staff against its spine. I fire. Pushed onward by the wind, the blade forcibly advances and smashes through the bone.
'GAAAAAA!?'
I kill my momentum with a sideways spin as we pass each other. The now one-legged creature falls behind me, but the one on the right immediately swings its claws down at me.
I lightly jump over them, then kick off its elbow and leap again. Crushing the scales on its upper arm underfoot, I drive my sword into its eyeball.
I feel the blade gouge all the way into its brain with a wet crunch. After twisting the blade around, I release the hilt and leap away.
Bullets pass through the spot where I had been standing. Of the two mage-type Zmeu, one is firing wildly with a rifle. The other has lost its gun and is chanting. Perhaps it could not evade the vehicle and struck it with the barrel.
I hide behind another vehicle parked near the shelter, cock the staff, then immediately remove my jinbaori and throw it toward the front of the car.
The enemy's muzzle follows it almost comically. While it is distracted, I kick off the roof of the car and leap. I use the head of the close-combat type that apparently chased after me as a foothold and jump again, aiming my staff at the two mage-types from the air.
The Zmeu's reactions are slightly delayed. After shooting the gun-wielder through the head, I land while stomping on the other one, which was trying to evade while chanting.
'GOA!?'
As the Zmeu is forced onto its back, I immediately draw a dagger with my right hand and plunge it through its neck. Then I throw my body to the side.
Just as my demon eye foretold, the claws of the unharmed close-combat type swing down and finish off the mage-type in my place.
Carried by the momentum of my leap, I cartwheel and run up a nearby streetlight. At the same time, I swap magazines as if flicking one into place and move the lever.
While upside down in midair, I meet the gaze of the creature extending its arm toward me once again.
Then I drive magic into its right eye.
'GYAAAA!?'
I land on the monster's left shoulder as it throws itself backward in agony. Gripping its horn, I drive the staff into its left eye this time.
Before the hand of the Zmeu clutching its right eye can turn toward me, I move the lever and fire. The wind magic blows its brains away.
I jump down from the collapsing monster and land on the ground. Supporting the lower part of the staff's tip with my right hand, I cock it and fire magic into the wide-open mouth of the one-legged Zmeu leaping at me from the left. The magic crushes its brain through its oral cavity.
I move the lever and eject the empty scroll case. A metallic chime, like the sound of an empty cartridge hitting the ground, rings out—but before it can bounce and make the sound again, it dissolves into particles of mana.
I stay alert and confirm that all five Zmeu have turned into black mist. While reconstructing my weapons and jinbaori with mana, I jog toward Rosso-san.
“Can you stand, Rosso-san? And... um, Rosso-san's mother?”
I offer my support as the two of them rise, each lending the other a shoulder.
When I support Rosso-san from the opposite side, her eyes turn toward me.
“Why... are you here...?”
“I couldn't just leave you behind, could I? Riko-senpai and Takanashi-san will be here soon too.”
“...Sorry.”
“It's a cliché, but I think another line would be more appropriate at a time like this.”
“...Th... thank you.”
Rosso-san's face is pale, but she shyly looks away.
The woman who appears to be her mother looks back and forth between Rosso-san and me in astonishment.
“Um. Nice to meet you. I'm—”
“Hey!”
Just as I am about to introduce myself, I hear Riko-senpai's voice.
With the sound of a motor turning, 'Kenning' comes running toward us. She waves energetically from atop its right palm.
“Otaku-kun! Rosson! I'm so glad you're safe!”
“Yes. I'm glad you both seem to be safe as well.”
“Huh... a robot? Why is there a robot...?”
Rosso-san stares blankly up at Kenning as it runs toward us.
I probably should explain everything, but that can wait for now.
“Um, you're Rosso-san's mother, right?”
“Y-yes, I am... But who are you?”
“Yep! We're Rosson's friends, ma'am!”
From atop Kenning's palm, Riko-senpai flashes a peace sign. Her cheek is slightly smudged with soot, and her 'Demon Armor' is frayed in several places. They must have fought their way here as well.
Perhaps following Riko-senpai's example, Kenning also flashes a peace sign. In that case, I decide to do the same on impulse. It's a little embarrassing, so my fingers end up slightly bent.
I look away from her mother, who is frozen in place, too shocked to speak, and turn toward Rosso-san.
“Let me say this again. Rosso-san, would you fight alongside us? Honestly, things are pretty tough with just the two of us.”
Especially when it comes to scroll consumption. I threw away a magazine with one shot left in it earlier, but even if I recovered it, I would not have much leeway.
I had brought more than usual for Kenning's test run, but I still had not anticipated a spiritual disaster on this scale. Then again, I don't think I could fit any more beneath my 'Demon Armor' in the first place.
“But I am already out of mana...”
“This may be rude to ask, but wouldn't drinking my blood restore you?”
At my question, Rosso-san's eyes widen, and then—
She gives a small nod.
Just as I thought. Normally, 'Rejuvenating Blood' cannot be converted directly into mana. But vampires are a different story.
“Then drink mine.”
“...Is that all right?”
“It's an emergency. I know you don't want to, but please bear with it.”
“No... well... then, I'll take you up on that.”
Now that she has agreed, I return the staff in my left hand to its holster.
“For now, the 'Demon Armor' on your arm—”
“Sorry.”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, Rosso-san's arm wraps around my neck.
She takes a posture like she is embracing me from the front. Along with the smells of iron and soot, I think I catch a floral scent from her golden hair.
My demon eye shows me a future in which Rosso-san bites my neck. I instinctively try to stop her, but her tongue touches my neck, and my outstretched hand freezes halfway.
“Ah...”
A thin voice escapes my throat. Her slender fingers shift the turtleneck shirt beneath my chest armor, while her tongue moves along after them.
I cannot push her away, but even when I try to stop her with my voice, all that comes out is meaningless breath.
My face feels burning hot with embarrassment. How many years has it been since embarrassment made me feel like crying?
“St-stop...”
My words finally come out at almost the exact moment her fangs pierce my skin. At the sensation of flesh being parted, the mouth that had finally begun to move falls silent.
I grit my lips against the pain and endure it, letting my gaze wander. Perhaps because my blood is being drained, my head feels hazy.
Even so, my face remains hot. My vision blurs with tears. I start to feel like a child crying over an injection, which only makes me even more embarrassed.
It probably lasted about ten seconds in real time. But to me, it felt several times longer.
At last, Rosso-san's mouth pulls away from my neck. A thin bridge of saliva hangs between us, faintly tinged red.
Only moments ago, she could not even stand on her own. Now she stands firmly on both feet, covering her mouth with one hand like a refined lady after a meal.
I cannot help thinking that she is licking up the strand of saliva that broke when we moved a step apart.
“...Thank you. My mana has almost completely recovered.”
“I-I'm glad to hear it...”
“And it was incredibly delicious.”
“I'm... flattered...?”
...Wait, isn't this something I shouldn't be happy about?
As I avoid looking at Rosso-san's face out of embarrassment, my eyes meet Riko-senpai's.
“...You're a pervert...”
“Shut up.”
Don't just stand there in shock—stop her halfway, you fake gyaru. This isn't a damn peep show.
And you too, Takanashi-san. Maybe you're staying silent so Rosso-san's mother won't hear your voice, but then don't stick your arm out of the cockpit just to write 'Please take a picture later' in a sketchbook and show it to me.
Pull it back. Along with that thought.
“Iwako.”
“M-Mom...”
See? They're having their serious mother-daughter moment over there. Read the room.
And forget what you just saw. Please.
“You are a precious child to that man and me. You're not a monster. You're human.”
“Mom...!”
Her mother grips Rosso-san's shoulders firmly with both hands.
Mother and daughter stare straight at each other.
“So... turn yourself in, okay?”
“What?”
Hey, something's started.
“That girl looks mature, but she's in her teens, right? She could even be high-school age...?”
“No. I mean, you're right, but that's not what this is, Mother.”
I am starting to get tired of this nonsense, so I retrieve the magazine I threw away and put away the scroll inside it.
I am tired from the journey here as well. I take out the water bottle I had been drinking from and replenish my fluids with a single sip.
“We're human. That's why we have to follow the rules of human society.”
“It's a misunderstanding, Mother! No, that's true but not like that! Besides, this isn't the time to be saying things like that!”
That is true. It really is. Rosso-san's mother seems to be in a strange mood because she was in mortal danger. In a word, she is delirious.
We've had a chance to rest, so it's about time we moved on.
The fact that Rosso-san's mother was alone in front of the shelter, along with what 'Rosso Vendetta' did in Takanashi-san's parallel world, gives me a fairly good idea of what happened here.
It seems impossible to take refuge in this shelter.
“Sorry to interrupt your family time.”
“Young oni, tell her too!”
“Right. We'll consult a lawyer about that later.”
“You're suing after all!?”
“Not you.”
“That's right... As her mother, I have to take responsibility...”
“No.”
Please stop with the jokes. This area is still extremely dangerous.
It was while we were having that idiotic exchange that—
────GGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAA!!
A roar tears through the night sky.
The windows of the houses rattle violently. Rosso-san's mother crouches down, covering her ears, and Rosso-san steps in front of her protectively.
“That voice...”
“Looks like we moved too conspicuously.”
As I answer Rosso-san, cold sweat runs down my cheek.
Perhaps affected by our mana, the 'Boss' seems to have started moving. And it is coming straight toward us.
“...Riko-senpai. Please look after Rosso-san's mother.”
“Gotcha! I'll guard her perfectly! Wait, what about you, Otaku-kun?”
“If things continue like this, a 'Boss Monster' will come to the shelter. The barrier here won't be able to withstand it.”
It might hold against attacks from a few Zmeu, but if the Agency for Supernatural Affairs' data is accurate, it cannot endure the boss's attacks.
The barrier will be destroyed, and everyone inside will be wiped out.
“We can't make this place the battlefield. I'll go out to meet it. If you have the leeway, deal with anything that gets past me.”
“Ugh... I kinda figured out what happened here from the situation, so my motivation's seriously tanked... I mean, I don't want to leave them to die, but...”
“I understand how you feel. But we're human. Rosso-san, her mother, and the people in that shelter are all human.”
Above all, I cannot believe that everyone inside is a bad person. The circumstances are far too unusual to call bystanders equally culpable.
“It looks like this city invests heavily in disaster preparedness. If so—”
“There might even be security cameras in the shelter in anticipation of trouble? All right, I'm motivated now. And later, let's contact that lawyer I know!”
“Yes.”
The cameras probably do not show the outside, but there might be something useful in the footage from inside.
When I look toward Kenning, I see her giving me a thumbs-up where Rosso-san's mother cannot see it. She seems to accept the idea as well.
Finally, I ask one of the two people here with the greatest right to be angry.
“Rosso-san, are you all right with that?”
“...Honestly, I still haven't sorted out my feelings. To tell the truth, I feel more like smashing that shelter's barrier to pieces. But...”
She stands beside me, holding her great scythe.
“If it is a friend's advice, I shall follow it. Let that be my 'revenge.'”
“...Yes. I'll help as much as I can.”
I smile at her, then notice that I have no face guard.
Wondering when it broke, I reconstruct it.
And yet, to think I would end up defending a shelter again... I was the one who suggested it, but right now I feel like running away.
Even so, the will to fight wells up inside me for one reason: my friend's honor is at stake.
What should appear in tomorrow's extra edition is not some article about a vampire involved in terrorism, full of distortions and misunderstandings.
It should be something like, 'The Pathetic Chuunibyou Beauty Devotes Herself to Defending a Shelter.'
I will not let the world call her a 'monster.' And I refuse to be the one to deliver her deathblow in the future, with these very hands.
“Also, I have a request.”
I extend my right hand toward Rosso-san.
“I can use 'Levitation,' but I can't fly. So...”
“Very well.”
With a fearless smile, she takes my hand in her left.
“Shall I escort you, mad-mo-ah-zel?”
“Wow, that pronunciation is awful... It's so tragic I can't even focus on what you said.”
“You don't have to rip it apart that badly!”
“I mean, pronunciation aside, shouldn't it at least be 'monsieur'...?”
“Enough! And you clearly cared about the content!”
We grip each other's hands firmly. Even through my gauntlet and her glove, I can feel her warmth.
...Rosso-san really isn't a monster.
She's a kind, beautiful woman who has taken her chuunibyou too far—a truly pathetic person.
“Hey, are you listening, young oni? I do understand it intellectually, you know...”
“Iwako.”
“Not Iwako! 'Rosso Vendetta'!”
At her mother's words, Rosso-san turns around.
I turn only my head toward them as well, and her mother smiles at her daughter.
“...You'd better come back, you hear?”
“...Of course. You wait for me too.”
After she says that—
“────Let's go.”
“Yes. I'll leave the escorting to you, Your Ladyship.”
We take flight into the night sky.