Chương 134: Chapter 26:”Diesnatura Blockade Alert”

We run from the prison to the ground. We can't stop our feet. We can't let Lilna catch up. I can't waste even a single second of the time David bet his life to create. My tears had already stopped. Wiping my eyes with my sleeve, while paying attention to the signs behind, I face forward firmly and proceed. On the way, we joined William and the others. They had cleared away the pursuers properly and secured an escape route. Recognizing our figures, William slightly relaxed his face.

"King. Are you safe?"

"Yeah. Somehow." Theo, carried on Lasla's back, answers with a sorrowful face. He probably can't be unconditionally happy that someone was sacrificed for him.

"Alright. Withdraw immediately." When Nelson called out to everyone, Lorenz, who immediately noticed that one important person was missing, said.

"Wait. Where is David? What happened to him!?"

"He is..." Lasla turns her face away painfully. Instead, when I tried to answer, Theo looked into his eyes and answered clearly before that.

"David remained to fight Lilna. To let us escape." Lorenz wasn't someone who didn't understand the meaning of those words. The light disappears from his eyes.

"Hey... you're kidding, right...?"

"Sorry. I couldn't do anything." With a painful expression, but answering dignifiedly to the end, Theo. There, the magnanimity as a King accepting all responsibility was felt. Lorenz distorted his face in frustration. However, he didn't stop his feet, nor did he blame anyone. He must have been prepared for someone to die long ago. Surely knowing that it couldn't be helped, he says nothing. But, I think it's precisely because he understands that he can't help feeling unbearable. I said to such Lorenz.

With as much heart as possible.

"David is amazing. If he hadn't stopped Lilna, everyone would have been beaten long ago. He is our lifesaver—to everyone. Especially to you, he said'Give my regards.'""Haha... Is that so. That guy was properly useful, huh." I, Lasla, and Theo nodded firmly. Lorenz relaxed his expression just a little.

"Heh. Just like him. Acting cool at the tasty part until the end..." He returned to a painful look immediately. And swung his fist down with full of helplessness.

"If I, the Lucky Boy, were right next to him... Maybe I could have saved him from dying... Alone, rushing ahead. Seriously, a bottomless idiot...!" He mutters like a monologue, not to anyone.

"Hey. If you are gone... Who should I talk about silly erotic things with from now on. Who should make retorts to me... Who should I talk about dreams with..."

"Lorenz..." His sadness pierces my heart painfully. He, who is always a frivolous person, was depressed enough to show no trace of it only now.

"What is 'give my regards'. To be entrusted with the aftermath by you... I'm not that mature of a human! Dying on your own, I'll never forgive you for the rest of my life...! Come back. Come back! Damn it...!" Lorenz re-held the Slais and advanced ahead of anyone else. Without looking back at all, he pushes forward with all his might. Everyone understood, and dared not say anything. He didn't want to show his miserable crying face to anyone.

"I was beaten." Lilna, left alone, muttered potsuri with a regretful face. Even if she chases hurriedly from now, she won't make it in time anymore. David had run out of strength with a satisfied face. In a state of firmly locking Lilna with his arms. Betting on his pride, he really didn't let go of Lilna even if he died. When Lilna, who frowned, finally shook off the arms of the silent David with brute force. Losing support, he sank into the sea of blood pool as it was.

She, whose whole body was stained with his blood, voices a question while looking down at the corpse.

"Why couldn't I repel him before being touched?" Usually, the impregnable barrier 《Deatress》 should repel approaching targets automatically. However, only this time, she was grappled firmly. Once that happens, the barrier can no longer be used for defense. Even if used, he would also enter the inside of the barrier, so it's meaningless. Wrapping up only the opponent in close contact together. Being unusable when grappled is a defect that cannot be overlooked as a combat function.

Despite this, why is it such a specification? Lilna herself was also questionable. Although she herself has considerable strength, the hysterical strength David demonstrated was tremendous. While he was alive, she could never shake him off. Since there was no choice, she shot 《Frazor》 again, but... No matter how full of holes his whole body became, he never let go of his hands. To the excessive tenacity, she, who admits herself as tenacious, was inwardly amazed.

"I see. This man was already almost dead. Did 《Deatress》 not activate because the Life Reaction was too faint? This function is not omnipotent either." Eventually, she concluded so. Even if it repels automatically no matter what, repelling everything approaching even in daily life is a big problem. Also, it is a bit of an oversight that the barrier is released in non-combat mode. She must be able to protect herself from unexpected attacks anytime.

Therefore, 《Deatress》 was specified to automatically repel only objects that can be regarded as attacks. That is, repel only objects with life energy or momentum above a certain level. Didn't David's grapple, who was already dying, slip through the hole of that specification? She thought so. Well fine, she nods. If she is careful from now on, there is no problem. She stares at David's corpse again. Even seeing him already dead, strangely, the usual hatred did not well up.

On the contrary, she felt somewhat Respect for the tenacity to protect his comrades risking his life. The figure of inhumane "Humite" burned into her brain. Having collided with actions far from such inhumanity, she quietly acknowledged him.

"This man, although an enemy, had a splendid end. Shall I at least give him a burial later?" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Leaving that for when things settle down. For the time being, let's collect Tranity and Zeed. Lilna walked up to Tranity who was lying in the back, picked her up, and called out to her.

"Tranity. Are you okay?"

"Ugh... Lilnacchi..." Relieved that she regained consciousness. Apparently, what Yu said about not killing her was true. A truly naive guy, she thinks.

"I let my guard down. Seems I was beaten without noticing. I'm sorry."

"Fine. Glad you're safe."

"Did you defeat everyone?"

"They escaped." To Lilna shaking her head with a bitter face, Tranity showed a wicked smile nitari.

"Oh rare. Even Lilnacchi lets them escape, huh. It's the second time, you know?"

"Hmph. I'm not perfect either. Just in case, I have made a move." Hearing that, Tranity floats an even more wicked smile.

"Ah, that? I don't want to do it much because it causes trouble for residents, though."

"Can't be helped. It's an emergency. By the way, does Trive seem usable?"

"Umm—No good. It's completely broken." Lilna dropped her shoulders saying "good grief." It was troublesome in various ways if transfer is impossible for a while.

"I'll take you to the factory immediately. Hold on tight." Lilna picked up Tranity lightly.

"Yay. Lilnacchi's Princess Carry." To Tranity frolicking kyakkya pretending to be a child on purpose, Lilna sighed grandly in amazement.

"Guy with no tension. Shall I leave you as it is?"

"Ehh. Spare me that please. I can't move. Hey help me. Lilnacchi who is actually kind♪""Alright. Let's assume you died here."

"Wait! Wait please, I got carried away!"

"Sigh. Let's go quickly. Zeed is waiting too."

"Roger."

"And, before that. Combat Mode Release." Carrying Tranity, Lilna ran through the prison at a tremendous speed while using 《Passtrive》 occasionally. If not for David's stalling, Yu and the others would have been caught up immediately. While running, she thinks. Yu. The man who defeated Tranity and Zeed and escaped from me twice. No, a woman? —Doesn't matter which. In Lilna's mind, "He" the man who tried to admonish her with silly advice and confronted her recklessly. And "She" the woman who talked to her intimately.

They emerged at the same time. I see. Understanding it, she could easily agree that the two are the same person. Atmosphere and words and deeds are exactly alike. She doesn't know why he can change his appearance, but it is a fact that she has been deceived well until now. Was looked down upon, she curses inwardly.

"I have never felt such humiliation. Don't think you can escape next time. I'll definitely kill you." Why does she feel killing intent so much? Why didn't she feel like saying anything about the circumstances when asked by him? Actually, she didn't know well herself. Just, it was certain that when she tried to say somehow, she changed her mind. 『Even though we might actually become friends, isn't the guy who doesn't even try to change the current situation the idiot!? 』 Become friends, he says.

Such a thing is impossible. Even though he is a Humite. Don't say things convenient for yourself only when your position is weak. Spoiled brat. She never forgets. The memory of the evil Humite carved into herself. A memory enough to become a trauma. Almost everyone in Diesnatura holds similar abominable feelings towards them, although not as much as herself. Humites must also hate Natura. It is absolutely impossible for both parties to understand each other.

Then I, turning my whole body into a weapon, only protect Natura from the terrible demonic hands of Humites. That is my mission. She solidified her determination again.

"Even if you escaped this place. You cannot escape from this ground. I'll chase down every single one—and dispose of you." We (I transformed into a woman to avoid tracking), who managed to escape from the prison, joined Asty and Ryuto, who were completely exhausted, on the way back. The other Ausser-Chilions had all been killed by sniping.

"I see. Even Mina..." William, who heard the report from Asty who escaped with her life, drops his shoulders regretfully. I also felt my heart sinking more and more. Can I never see that kind Mina again...? It was then. As if to say there is no time to immerse in sentiment, an audio broadcast is played throughout the city. It was a terrifying content that drives us into a predicament again. 『 Emergency Security System Activated. All Trives and communication routes with Geesnatura will be temporarily unavailable.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Repeating. Emergency Security System Activated—』"" What!?"" Everyone was astonished at once. Almost simultaneously, communication comes from the radio. 『It's me. Kudin. First, thank you for taking the King out of the prison safely. I offer my sincere condolences to those who were sacrificed. I am truly sorry for my lack of power. 』 Pausing for a beat, a tense voice continues.

『However, unfortunately, there is no time to mourn the death of comrades, nor time to talk slowly— It's been a long time. My friend. 』 Theo takes Lasla's radio and answers immediately. 『Thank you for the rescue. My friend. Apparently, the situation does not allow optimism yet. 』 『Yeah. A serious problem has occurred. As per the broadcast content. A strict alert posture has been laid throughout Diesnatura. To think such a thing is possible—! 』 Audio switches to Remi.

『Currently, all Trives, including ours, are unavailable. Neither stairs nor elevators leading underground function at all. It is a state where the ground and underground are completely separated. 』 Obvious agitation is visible in her tone. 『Such a thing...! I don't know what to do either. Anyway, please run desperately until countermeasures are ready! 』 For the time being, we fled into the building where we were at the beginning of the trip, and decided to discuss there.

"Damn. Seriously Trive isn't moving. What's going on!"

"To think there is such a thorough defense mechanism. It's unexpected after all..." Lorenz kicks the Trive Gate irritatedly, and Nelson was holding his head.

"At this rate, it's a crushing operation. It's only a matter of time before we are found! Even though David risked his life to let us escape!"

"But, what should we do..." Lasla grinds her teeth frustratingly, and Asty is twisting her neck saying "Uuun". While everyone was racking their brains, I had an idea. But it was a plan that should be called reckless, which normally cannot be called an idea. Still thinking desperately, judging that this is the only way after all, I asked everyone.

"Where is the Emergency Security System operating?"

"I don't know the details. But if there is, most likely—" Ryuto pointed to"That Building" visible well even from here. That place after all—. Pointing to that building, I told everyone in a clear voice." I will go directly into that place now. I'll disable the security system." As expected, voices of commotion rose all at once.

"What are you saying!? Stop it, Yu-chan! You'll die!"

"It's reckless! Too much!"

"Hey! Are you planning to die too!?" Starting with Asty, Lasla, and Lorenz, everyone stopped me desperately. I was happy that they worried about me that much even though not much time has passed since we met. While thanking them in my heart, I didn't intend to bend my thought. Even if we sit back and watch like this, probably no effective solution will come out. Because the other side manages the system. At this rate, everyone will be found and killed soon. But, I cannot allow such a worst-case scenario.

Among everyone, only I have a life that does not die in the true sense. If I can protect everyone by betting that. It is never regrettable. And if it's the same life, I want to bet on attacking rather than just watching and being cornered. I want to bet on the side with even a little possibility. I think so.

"Even if reckless, I have to go. Unless we disable the security, nothing can be done. Right?"

"But..." Everyone fell silent with difficult faces. Eventually, Theo asks me with a dignified expression.

"Why. To us who are almost strangers, why so far..."

"Who knows. I wonder why." I don't know myself. Maybe I'm just an idiot.

"But, when I saw the current situation of this world. This is wrong. I thought I have to do something." Confirming the certain feeling inside me, I put it into words.

"Theo. Can you change this world for the better even a little? Do you wish to make it a world kind to both Humites and Natura?" When I investigated the person named Theo, I became interested in the ideology he advocates. A world where Humites and Natura can live equally. Is that a word from the heart? I wanted to judge it directly once. Theo must have sensed that he was being tested. Thinking firmly, as if choosing words one by one, he answered sincerely.

"I don't know if I can do it. But, I seriously hope for the day when Humites and Natura join hands to come. Yu. Just like you." It was a straight, crystal clear eye. He laughs slightly, self-mockingly.

"Maybe I'm an idiot too. If I can return to Luonhumite safely, I swear to do my best for that." His serious feelings reached my heart directly. 【God Vessel】 receives people's feelings. Somehow, I can judge the authenticity of the heart. It seems he is not lying completely. I'm a little relieved. If he has a strong heart that can still think of Natura after being hurt this much. Surely he can change the world even a little. I thought so.

"Understood. For now, that determination is enough. Then, I will respond to it. I will do my best to let you escape. The sacrifices of Mina and Ausser-Chilions, and David's dying wish— I won't let them go to waste." Solidifying my determination once again, I announced the operation content.

"I will infiltrate that building from now on. The objective is the discovery of the Security System Management Department and the cancellation of the system." Security will probably be more than the prison, so a frontal attack is definitely impossible. Stating that fact, I talk about my own resolution.

"So to avoid fighting as much as possible, I intend to go alone as 'I' who will not be caught by the sensing system." Commotion rises from everyone again. While observing each person's reaction firmly, I continued.

"Everyone, protect Theo firmly while escaping well. I count on you." Finishing saying what I wanted to convey generally. I looked up at the skyscraper soaring in the distance—the Central Control Tower. The Silver Tower slowly stripping off its silhouette with the sunrise. It was eerily majestic, maintaining silence while noisy alarms never stopped ringing.