Chapter 147
Seeing Merry act toward Balmung as though they were longtime partners, the group got a sense of his personality. Yuki, too, behaved as if at home, saying, “Hey, Captain, can I have this?” as Yuki picked up the junk scattered around the tent and tried to take it along.
“That’s quite a crowd you’ve got here. The most who’ve ever appeared at once throughout history was four, and here you are with seven. From the looks of you... you all seem pretty capable, though.”
“I haven’t heard yet why you came to Earth, but apparently you all knew that disappointing Hero.”
“The disappointing Hero... Oh, that guy. I see—you came here chasing that Villager.”
After hearing Merry’s account, Balmung murmured, “Hmm,” and rested a hand against his mouth, his expression tinged with sadness as he considered what to do. A few seconds later, he suddenly clenched his fist and bopped Merry on the head with a crisp thump.
“Ow! What the hell was that for, you stupid old man?! That hurt!”
“I told you ages ago to stop calling him the disappointing Hero, didn’t I? That’s no way to speak of a warrior who fought to reclaim Earth... Show him some respect, even if he failed to accomplish anything.”
“...Ugh. You just up and hit me like you suddenly remembered! Oww...”
As Merry teared up and held her head, Balmung laughed heartily. “Well, I was surprised to hear you knew that Villager.” He said it as if bluntly admitting his own slow-wittedness.
“So... Kagami-san really is dead?”
“From the way you’re acting, you already know what happened... But we don’t know whether Kagami is dead or not. We never actually saw the body. Still, it’s been more than half a year since we last saw Kagami... I can’t imagine Kagami is still alive. I’m sorry to have to tell you that.”
Balmung lowered his head apologetically, as if he truly meant it. After a while, as though he’d just remembered, he asked Alice, who had voiced her concern for Kagami’s safety, her name. The others then introduced themselves in turn.
“A Martial Artist... a Mage... a Sage... a Hero... and a Priest? What an impressive bunch! So, um... did you all come to Earth just to look for that Villager, Kagami?”
“Reuniting with Kagami-chan was certainly one of our goals... but we have another one, too. We have to save this world, no matter what.”
Perhaps Takako’s words were unexpected; Merry, Yuki, and Balmung exchanged glances.
“...You seem pretty surprised. Weren’t you hoping we’d work with the Resistance?”
“No... we were, but it’s rare for someone to tell us from the start that they’ll fight for us. Either way, people from Earthclear have no choice but to help the Resistance. Still, why is that? It saves us the trouble, of course.”
“There are all sorts of reasons. Earthclear has its own circumstances.”
When Takako said that and looked around at the others, they all nodded, their eyes filled with resolve.
“By the way, what do you mean, we have no choice but to join the Resistance?”
“It’s simple. Joining the Resistance is a condition for people from Earthclear to live at this facility on Earth. It’s almost impossible to survive outside it... That’s also why we say Villager Kagami is dead just because Kagami hasn’t come back in six months, even though we haven’t found the body.”
At those words, everyone’s expressions tensed. The monsters said to be rampant on Earth also roamed outside in Earthclear, where they were considered dangerous. But they couldn’t imagine that their presence left no way to survive except by living inside this facility on Earth.
However, with Yuki, who was from Earthclear, among the Resistance, it was hard to believe the group didn’t know that. Seeing Balmung look at them with complete seriousness, Takako felt a cold sweat bead on her brow.
“It’s not just monsters out there, is it? Or is there something far stronger and more terrifying than the monsters we’re imagining... Am I right?”
Balmung and Merry answered her question with silent nods.
“What... is out there? What has this world under its control? What must we do... to save it?”
Even Yuki, who was from Earthclear, looked unsettled at the thought of the world outside. Menou cautiously asked Balmung about it. Then—
“Uncle! A group of Beastfangs in the old Chiyoda Ward, north of here, has started moving in force toward the old Shibuya Ward! We just got word that they’d been hiding out for a long time, but the Cannibals attacked them and now they’re fleeing! They’d be a pain if they were still hidden... but if they’re moving in the open, they’re not much of a threat! ...Now’s our chance to strike!”
Just as Balmung opened his mouth to explain, a Resistance member rushed into the tent, panting as they delivered the urgent report.
At once, Balmung, Merry, and Yuki’s eyes sharpened. They suddenly dashed out of the tent, each shouting, “Move out! Everyone, get ready right now! We’re heading to the old Shibuya Ward in three minutes... Hurry!” and rallying everyone for battle.
Left behind, Takako and the others couldn’t keep up with the sudden turn of events. They stepped out of the tent, looking dumbfounded as the Resistance members hurriedly ran about, making preparations.
“Beastfangs? Cannibals? What does that mean?”
Completely at a loss, Alice tilted her head and repeated the mysterious terms the Resistance member had reported.
“Hey! You lot, get ready too! There’s an armory over there. Grab equipment you’re used to using, then meet back here!”
As they stood watching the Resistance members bustle about with their preparations, Merry passed by, spoke to them, and pointed toward one of the tents.
“Wait! At least explain what’s going on! What are you planning to do? Tell us that much, at least!”
“...I’ll explain on the way! For now, just get ready! We don’t get chances like this very often.”
After saying that, Merry hurried off again before they could ask anything else. They watched her go, then, still confused, decided to follow her instructions and headed for the tent they assumed was the armory.