Chapter 111

1.

Immediately after escaping the ruins, I was carried on Teacher’s back, with the twin sisters from the Game Development Department whining in the background, and we headed straight to the infirmary inside the Millennium Campus.

The doctor on duty in the infirmary seemed surprised at first by the sudden arrival of Teacher and the group carrying me, completely covered in bl**d, but he quickly regained his composure and proceeded with the examination.

“What is it? This shouldn’t be possible…”

“Is there any problem?”

“No… The problem is that you’re too perfectly fine.”

“Excuse me?”

The result was, as expected, that there was no significant issue.

It was an unbelievable result.

Of course, considering the situation, it was a natural reaction. I had lost so much bl**d, and the shockwave from the ruins had been so powerful that it reached even the outskirts of Millennium.

How could I have withstood a direct hit from that and come out unscathed?

After completing all sorts of tests and receiving certification, neither the doctor who prescribed me the treatment, the group that brought me, nor the acquaintances who rushed to hear the news could believe it. Thus, it was ultimately decided that I would be forcibly detained in the infirmary under the pretext of observing my condition.

I found the decision perplexing, but at the same time, it made sense. Even I wouldn’t believe someone could withstand a missile and come out unscathed. It was another moment when I truly grasped how much my regenerative abilities had been enhanced.

A day after being confined in the infirmary, unable to continue my usual evening activities, I spent a leisurely morning when a visitor came to see me.

“So, what exactly happened?”

It was Teacher. They had come to hear the full account of the incident from me.

Although the Game Development Department had led the expedition into the ruins, as an adult, Teacher ultimately bore the responsibility and had been running around trying to settle this disturbance. Visiting me now was part of that duty.

With a bitter smile, I gave a rough explanation of the situation.

“To put it simply…”

There was nothing particular to hide, except for matters related to the priest Nanashi. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Teacher, but rather that I wanted to mull over the implications of what they had said.

Moreover, though this was the infirmary, I couldn’t be sure that President Rio’s gaze didn’t extend even to here.

“A missile suddenly came flying towards us.”

“M, missile?!”

“Fortunately, I managed to block it in time with a shield, but soon after, countless Automata swarmed in as if they had been waiting…”

Ultimately, the most critical part was that.

The missile. And the seemingly endless army of Automata.

Unbelievable as it may sound, when considering the impact I felt yesterday, everyone would likely just nod and say, “Is that so?”

Teacher reacted similarly, initially looking bewildered, then gradually becoming stern, their expression morphing into one of ‘responsibility.’

I had offered to take on the role of bait, but drawing enemy forces and taking a direct hit from a missile are entirely different matters. To Teacher, as both an adult and an educator, it was indeed a shocking story. After all, it was as if a student nearly died because of them. Though, of course, I am no ordinary student.

“Why didn’t I leave you on the ground earlier…”

There, see? Even now, they are filled with a mix of guilt and responsibility, blaming themselves.

I chuckled dryly and tapped Teacher’s shoulder.

“It was my decision. And… You know, I’m strong. A missile isn’t something that would have me teetering between life and d*ath, so you don’t have to feel so guilty.”

“That’s one thing, but it’s another. I’m your teacher, so it’s my responsibility to guide you properly and protect you.”

“Doesn’t the responsibility of a teacher also include trusting and giving students the freedom to make their choices?”

“But this is unacceptable! Even if you heal quickly, that doesn’t mean the pain disappears!”

“…”

True, it wasn’t an incorrect statement.

In fact, right after the missile struck, the shock caused one of my arms to stop moving.

It did regenerate after a few minutes, but at the time, I did think I might d*e.

As long as I’m not wearing an Iron Man suit, when exposed to modern weaponry, enduring pain is inevitable.

And furthermore…

‘I realized something after being hit by the missile.’

The potential missile attack during the Eden Armistice.

If it could be prevented, I wanted to do everything possible to stop it.

There might not be casualties, but after experiencing the pain yesterday, I understood it wasn’t something an average student could shake off easily.

“Thank you for worrying about me. Haha.”

“Hmm… So is that everything that happened yesterday?”

“Yes. I’d like to give you a detailed account of how I fought as well, but I don’t have much time.”

“Tell me later. I’ll be busy today.”

“Ah, I should be the one helping you.”

“It’s fine. Hiiro, you should rest. You’ve already worked hard enough yesterday.”

Teacher gave a hearty laugh and shook their head in response to my words. Hmm. Was it that much?

Reflecting on it, it seems they were indeed justified.

“Alright, I’ll leave then. Take good care of yourself.”

After finishing asking everything they wanted, Teacher got up and said they would go settle the remaining issues. It looks like there were still some aftermath matters to deal with.

Though I’d like to help, if I step outside now, Himari-senpai would likely get extremely angry, wouldn’t she?

“Ugh. That’s a bit hard to handle.”

Himari-senpai is oddly maternal.

It’s exhausting to listen to her scolding, but it’s impossible to ignore her. In many ways, she’s very considerate, which makes me feel that way even more.

Well, that’s a separate matter.

“Teacher.”

“Hmm?”

“Could I borrow your ear for a moment?”

There was something I needed to say to the teacher.

I gestured them to lean closer with my hand.

I have a suggestion for you. I will visit you secretly soon.”

“…Alright, I understand.”

“And… Be careful of ‘Shiranui Kaya.'”

“E, eh?”

After saying that, I stepped back from the teacher.

Perhaps it seemed random to them, and Teacher looked confused, but given their quick wit, they likely wouldn’t bring it up verbally.

With a faint smile, I said,

“Well, I’ll see you again later, Teacher.”

“…Alright. See you again, Hiiro.”

Thus, the visit from Teacher was concluded.

2.

Through this expedition to the ruins, I had various reflections.

The limits of my own power, the persistent enemies scattered throughout the realms of Kiburatos, the direction in which I should proceed, and most crucially, the necessity of the group I had only theorized about so far.

The Defenders. Initially, the name was chosen on a whim, but now, I felt the need to formalize and activate the group’s activities.

Lately, unknown foes have been emerging in various places, and I now believe it’s necessary to establish a proper force to prepare for their attacks.

And simultaneously…

“I’ve been too passive in my involvement.”

All my thoughts regarding the main storyline have been resolved.

There’s no longer any need for me to hesitate.

In light of that, I intend to actively intervene in the main storyline from now on and change its course.

Main storyline? Nah.

From now on, I’ll stand in the heavens.

Heheh. I will alter fate with my own hands. I am the destroyer of destiny.

“So, what’s the plan moving forward?”

“W, well…”

In this context, when the twin sisters from the Game Development Department came to visit, I asked about the future plans.

However, for some reason, the twins hesitated strangely, glancing at me cautiously and hesitating to speak.

What is it, why are you acting like this?

As I tilted my head in confusion, Momo suddenly shouted with her eyes tightly shut.

“I’m sorry! Hiiro…”

“Eh?”

“I’m sorry for getting you hurt even though you helped us, waaaah…”

“Eh? What, why are you crying?”

“You must have been in a lot of pain, Mi… Aah… If only I hadn’t suggested going to the ruins… hic…”

Apparently, they had been worried about the injuries I sustained in the ruins. It seems both twins felt the same way, as they started crying at the same time and hugged me.

“I’m fine, honestly…”

“Don’t lie! Hic… We heard from Teacher! That you got hurt but healed quickly… hic…”

“Right! Uu… If only we hadn’t been so demanding…”

“Stop saying that nonsense—Ah. Sorry.”

“Whaaaaaaa….!”

“Whuuuuuuuuuuu….!!”

For heaven’s sake, please stop crying.

In the end, I had no choice but to spend a few minutes calming the twins down. After calming down a bit, Momo drank water in large gulps and then made a shocking declaration.

“We don’t need G.Bible anymore…! We’ll never go to the ruins again…!”

“Huh? Then, what about the game?”

“We’ll create games among ourselves, sorry…”

“That’s right!! Cheating shortcuts were wrong! Our game needs to be meaningful, created with our own strength!!!”

“…”

“We’ll create the best game with our own hands!!!!”

Though Momo suddenly seemed to awaken and made some cool-sounding statements, I couldn’t help but think otherwise inside.

f*ck. sh*t. This is really bad.

Not finding the G.Bible?

No!!!!! It can’t happen!!! G.Bible is extremely important!!!

While the Game Development Department might only see it as an artifact with instructions for creating the best game, I have knowledge of the original story and know the true nature of G.Bible.

It’s a “key” closely related to Tendo Aris, the girl we retrieved from the ruins this time, and it plays a significant role even in the final chapter.

‘d*mn it. Will this affect the final chapter?’

After declaring that I would change fate with my own hands just a few minutes ago, I immediately encountered a major obstacle.

‘How do I resolve this?’

I broke out in a cold sweat internally.

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