87 Chapter 87: Escape (2/2)

”Thanks for the hard work. You've really helped me out a lot.”

Lilith reached out and patted my head, in an almost big sisterly fashion.

”You're the one who did most of the hard work. Go get some rest now.”

”I can't. I need to guide my zombie dragon.”

”…that's true.”

With that, we disappeared into the night sky.

Back in the rooftop of Cross Castle, Takeda watched as we vanished into the horizon, and then shook his head.

Standing up, he studied the intercontinental ballistic missile launcher.

”…even if Tanaka-kun didn't destroy it, this thing's useless if he refuses to summon a nuke. And Nagano-san is still unable to build a nuclear device…she doesn't have the knowledge to put together one. Not yet, anyway…”

He glanced up toward the heavens.

”But the way Tanaka-kun was fighting so desperately…even to the extent where he would resist all nine of us…are the residents of Havia City really worth protecting that much?”

Meanwhile, six of the Eight Guardians had recovered their consciousness and were sitting up glumly as they faced each other.

Yonebashi Kyoko, Hoshizaki Kozue, Domon Daisuke, Nagano Nanaka, Shidou Makoto and Sanada Hiroyuki sat in a square that was missing one side, their heads lowered as they contemplated the aftermath.

”Everyone's still alive,” Yonebashi remarked cheerfully. Beside her, Hoshizaki clutched her hands tightly.

”Yes, we lost.”

Sanada's voice was cold and filled with disappointment. Next to him, Makoto was slumped down, glaring bitterly at his lap as he struggled to come to terms with the defeat.

Domon didn't look surprised at all, while Nagano calmly sipped a cup of simmering hot tea. She then looked up with a bright smile.

”Guess we were underestimating Tanaka-kun too much.”

Domon leaned back and glanced at the ceiling, a smile creeping into his expression.

”Or perhaps he is much stronger than we can imagine…this is Tanaka-kun we're talking about, after all. I always thought he was an amazing guy.”

Makoto rolled his eyes. ”Because he helped you out against Kobayashi in the past and took the fall for you?”

”Admittedly, someone with the guts to stand up to Kobayashi has to be amazing…in a way,” Sanada pointed out.

”Maybe Tanaka-kun can really do it and protect Restia,” Hoshizaki spoke up, squeezing her hands tightly.

”Even so…until I can understand what he is…I can't trust him,” Makoto replied.

”That's true,” Yonebashi admitted. ”Didn't Kobayashi murder Tanaka-kun by throwing him off the summoning spell? How did he survive that? And Tanaka-kun himself said he only arrived in Restia six months after we did. What's up with that? Is this the Tanaka-kun we know? Furthermore, what's with those crazy special abilities?”

”It's almost like…he's not human,” Sanada muttered thoughtfully.

”Apparently, when Aoyama-kun's curse struck him, it identified him as an undead…a vampire. Did he get revived as an undead or something?”

”Who knows?”

”But his personality is still the same.” Domon frowned as he considered. Yonebashi chuckled and shook her head.

”Especially those stupid puns of his.”

”Just what on earth is he?” Makoto murmured. ”Is he human or not? Is he the same Tanaka from our world?”

”I have a feeling that he's still the same Tanaka-kun from our world. But even so, he has undergone quite a few changes. There is still something different about him.” Hoshizaki leaned back. ”But how did he survive?”

”Looks like he's a complete mystery.” Nagano smiled.

”Even Sakaguchi and Asakura weren't able to find any other information on him when they investigated the mercenary's guild,” Makoto pointed out. ”How did he survive? And how did he get transformed into an undead?”

”No one knows for sure…but there is one thing for certain…”

Domon grinned.

”Tanaka-kun is still Tanaka-kun. I think we can believe in him.”

”…perhaps so.”

Takeda approached them.

”Leader…”

Everyone stood up to greet him. At the back, Gendou Issei stirred back to consciousness, holding his head as he rose shakily to his feet.

”Gah…”

”Are you all right, Gendou-kun?” Sanada asked.

”…yeah.” Gendou blinked. ”It's over? Tanaka-kun has escaped?”

”That's right.”

”Where do you think he's headed?” Yonebashi asked as she glanced into the distance. ”Where else does he have to go?”

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”The Demonic Alliance,” Nagano replied. ”He was working for them before we met up.”

”The Demonic Alliance, huh…” Yonebashi shook her head. ”But seven of the strongest demonic domains refuse to be part of the alliance, and Kobayashi-kun is bringing the full might of the human kingdoms to invade Morten. Is it really wise of Tanaka-kun to throw his lot in with them? He might get annihilated along with them.”

”I don't think so.”

Hoshizaki reached out for a can of drink, flipped the tab open, and then gulped down a slosh of soda.

”I would actually be more worried about Kobayashi-kun and his group if I were them. Weren't we all just defeated by Tanaka-kun?”

”As shameful as it is to admit, you're right.”

Gendou grimaced as his shoulders slumped down.

”It was our total defeat.”

”Even so, Tanaka-kun can't defeat Kobayashi by himself.”

Takeda stood over his eight guardians.

”He'll need our help eventually.”

”So…what do you plan to do, leader?” Nagano asked cheerfully. Takeda responded with a smile of his own.

”Since Tanaka-kun has won this round, we'll give him the benefit of the doubt…and go along with what he wants for now.”