"Sensei, I can tell you're probably feeling confused right now, so let's end today's 'date' here," Rei Ao said, recognizing that he couldn't win Shizuka Hiratsuka over in one go. For now, he had planted enough seeds, giving her something to think about. He was confident that he'd succeed eventually.
"Okay." Shizuka gazed at the familiar yet unfamiliar Rei Ao for a moment, unable to reconcile the difference between his current gentle demeanor and the cold, intimidating version of him from earlier. It was hard for her to grasp who the "real" Rei Ao washer former student or this new version of him.
However, one thing was undeniable: she found his earlier demeanor to be incredibly attractive. Despite the chill in his tone, which even made her feel cold, she understood it was all because of her.
Still feeling dazed, she returned home, her mind replaying his words: 'Even trash dares to touch someone I care about?' Her heart began to racethis was a completely new feeling for her. But when she remembered the age gap between them, Shizuka's face turned beet red. "What am I even thinking?!" she muttered to herself, laughing at the absurdity of her own thoughts. "I can't be that desperate, right?"
As she reached for the door, she realized her right hand still tingled from where Rei Ao had held it.
"Ugh, well, it's my own hand... nothing wrong with using it a little, right?" she murmured to herself, a flush creeping over her face as she hurriedly entered her home.
Elsewhere, in the world of 'Kabaneri':
"Argh!" A green-haired boy named Ikoma suddenly collapsed inside a train car.
"Are you alright, Ikoma?" his friend Takumi asked in concern, seeing his friend in visible pain.
Hearing the commotion, another friend, Kajika, came over to check. "What's happening with Ikoma?"
"I" Ikoma's voice was low and strained.
"Is it hunger?" Kajika assumed, offering some food. But just as she approached, a hand grabbed her shoulder, pulling her back.
It was Mumei, who stepped between them. "I sense the presence of a 'Kabane'."
"A 'Kabane'?!" Both Takumi and Kajika stared at Ikoma in shock.
Takumi nervously reached out to touch his friend's shoulder. "Ikoma, you're scaring me, man!"
"Run!!!" Ikoma's bloodshot eyes flared, and beneath his torn shirt, his glowing golden heart was revealed.
"There's a 'Kabane'!" someone screamed, and panic spread through the train car as people backed away in fear.
Mumei sighed, shaking her head. She had suspected that Ikoma might be a 'Kabaneri'someone who retained their human consciousness even after being infected by the 'Kabane' virus, like herself. But it seemed that Ikoma was losing control, with the virus invading his brain.
"He's turning into a full 'Kabane'" Mumei lamented.
Takumi collapsed to the ground in despair, and Kajika's face was etched with sorrow.
"Ugh!" Ikoma was on the verge of fully transforming.
Mumei, resigned to what had to be done, pulled out her gun. "It's unfortunate you couldn't become a 'Kabaneri'."
Seeing this, Kajikadesperate to save her friendinitiated a trade request.
[Ding! Kajika has initiated a trade request!]
[Trade Objective]: Save Ikoma from becoming a full 'Kabane'!
[Ding! Please confirm trade terms!]
On his way home, Rei Ao received a notification from the chat group.
"Ikoma becoming a 'Kabane'?" He was puzzled, as he remembered Ikoma eventually becoming a 'Kabaneri'. The last time he visited 'Kabaneri', he had been busy leveling up and hadn't paid much attention to the protagonist. Kajika's request seemed intriguing.
"She knows she only has her 'body' to trade, yet she still made the request for a friend?" Rei Ao mused, skeptical about Kajika's true motives. "Let's see what she's really thinking."
[Ding! Your trade request has been accepted!]
[Trade Terms]: 'Body usage, one time'
Kajika's face turned red as she saw the trade confirmation, but for the sake of her friend and her desire to become someone as capable as Mumei, she accepted it.
[Ding! Trade Initiated!]
When Mumei noticed Kajika's reaction, she paused and released the trigger. In that moment, Rei Ao appeared behind Kajika.
"Rei Ao... sama," Mumei greeted awkwardly, unsure of the proper title. Though still adjusting to the etiquette of the 'Kabaneri' world, she understood that Rei Ao was a figure of great power.
"God is here!" the surrounding passengers exclaimed in astonishment, dropping to their knees in reverence.
Even Takumi joined them, now ignoring Ikoma's predicament in favor of worshiping Rei Ao.
Rei Ao, however, was still focused on Ikoma. "So, the virus is invading his brain?"
He hadn't tried curing someone fully infected with the 'Kabane' virus before, but he was eager to experiment. Ikoma lunged at Rei Ao, his body half-transformed, teeth bared. However, Rei Ao slowed time, freezing Ikoma's movements. He reached out, placing his finger on Ikoma's forehead.
"Freeze."
Using his freezing ability, Rei Ao targeted the 'Kabane' virus inside Ikoma. His freezing power wasn't just about controlling ice; at higher levels, it allowed him to freeze concepts like time, space, and even memories.
Under Rei Ao's control, the 'Kabane' virus in Ikoma's body was completely halted, and Ikoma's human features began to returnthe golden glow of his heart faded, and his once discolored skin became normal again.
Ikoma collapsed.
"Is he dead?" Takumi asked, fearing the worst.
"No," Rei Ao replied. "He's human again. The virus has been neutralizedhe's just unconscious now."
"He turned back from a 'Kabane' to a human?!" Everyone in the train car was left speechless, staring at Rei Ao with awe. The passengers, including Mumei, were overwhelmed with reverence.
For Mumei, the sight of Ikoma being saved left her astonished. Even she, as a 'Kabaneri', hadn't thought this was possible.
~~~
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Chapter 73: Esdeath's... Feelings?
"Rei Ao-sama!" Ayame exclaimed, rushing into Rei Ao's arms, a fragrant breeze trailing behind her.
Everyone nearby couldn't help but be enviousnot of Rei Ao, but of Ayame. After all, getting close to the one who was revered as a god, who had protected the Iron Fortress, blessed Ayame with strength, and could even turn 'Kabane' back into humans, was a rare opportunity. Some men even wished they could be like Ayame, thinking that if they were beautiful enough, maybe Rei Ao-sama would favor them too.
Rei Ao, unaware of their thoughts, was nonetheless uncomfortable with the intensity of their gazes. "Prepare two clean train carriages for me," he instructed Ayame.
"Everything is ready, Rei Ao-sama," she replied with a smile. She had made sure to reserve a few cars specifically for his needs, hoping to provide him the comfort he deserved.
As Ayame led the way, Rei Ao glanced at the young girl at his side. "So, what do you say, my dear Kajika?"
Blushing, Kajika could only nod shyly, unable to meet his gaze. But before she could react further, Rei Ao swept her into his arms, causing her to gasp in surprise.
"Ayame, lead the way," Rei Ao commanded.
"Yes, my lord!" she responded eagerly.
As they left, the remaining passengers began to gossip in awe. "Wow, Kajika caught the god's attention. How lucky!"
"It's no surprise. She's kind and beautifulit's only natural she would be chosen by the god."
"I only wish my daughter could be as fortunate. She's still young, but one day"
"How old is she?"
"Six."
"What?"
Meanwhile, Kajika, now inside the train car that had been meticulously prepared for Rei Ao, felt nervous. She wasn't sure what to expect.
As Ayame busied herself with preparations, Rei Ao gently placed the girl on his lap, studying her face.
He decided to speak directly. "You risked yourself for that boy, Ikoma, because you like him, right?"
"W-what?! No!" The girl quickly shook her head, denying the claim. "Ikoma is just a friend. I don't have any romantic feelings for him. Please believe me, my lord!"
Rei Ao chuckled, unfazed. "I believe you." He wasn't concerned about proving her feelings, knowing soon enough, she would belong to him. His hand gently stroked her cheek, causing the girl to stiffen. She was so close to him now that her heart raced uncontrollably.
"But you didn't do all of that just for a friend, did you? What is it that you truly desire?" Rei Ao's voice was soft yet firm, as though he already knew the answer.
Her body trembling, she finally gathered her courage and looked up into Rei Ao's eyes. "I want to be like Ayame-samato serve you, my lord, and gain the power to protect others. I don't want to be a burden anymore!"
She had watched Ayame, and the others possessed incredible strength while she could do nothing. She felt useless. Now, she wanted to change that.
A notification appeared in the chat group:
[Ding! Kajika has issued a trade request!]
[Trade Objective]: To gain strength.
"You want to serve me?" Rei Ao pulled his hand away, leaving her momentarily confused and disappointed, thinking she had failed. Had she been rejected?
But then Rei Ao spoke again. "Very well, I'll give you a chance," he said, gesturing toward her.
Her heart raced. She had been given an opportunity.
[Ding! Your trade request has been accepted!]
[Trade Terms]: Unlimited use of her body.
"!!!"
Startled for a moment, she hesitated briefly before accepting the trade without a second thought.
[Ding! Trade initiated!]
With her body trembling slightly, Kajika knelt before Rei Ao, her hands softly releasing her tied hair. Her gaze flickered with hesitation, but she forced herself to move forward, knowing the decision was already made.
Suddenly, another notification appeared.
[Ding! Would you like to start a live broadcast?]
Her eyes widened as she processed the option. After a brief internal struggle, she chose: Start the broadcast.
As the live stream began, Rei Ao's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
Stella: "Can 'Kabane' really be cured?"
Megumi Kato: "Aren't 'Kabane' like zombies, basically dead bodies? Does healing them mean reviving corpses?"
Shizu: "Based on what everyone has described, 'Kabane' do seem like dead bodies. Even if you eliminate the virus, they shouldn't be able to come back to life."
Shizu: "Unless there's some kind of resurrection power involved."
Saeko Busujima: "At the very least, I don't think healing a dead body is possible."
Frieren: "Simple wounds can be healed with magic, but the 'Kabane' virus... that's something we would need to experiment with to understand."
Mai Sakurajima: "Speculating doesn't help. Someone on-site should just explain the situation."
Ayame: "Rei Ao-sama has already cured the person who was about to become a 'Kabane'."
Frieren: "Ah, so they hadn't fully turned into a 'Kabane' yet. In that case, there would still be a chance to reverse it."
Stella: "So the trade is complete, and Rei Ao"
Stella suddenly had a bad feeling.
[Ding! Kajika has started a live stream!]
Stella: "I knew it!!!"
Entering the stream, she immediately saw Rei Ao.
Stella: "@Rei Ao, you're at it again!"
Rei Ao: "What does this have to do with me? Kajika started the live stream, didn't she? (laughs)"
Stella: "You"
Stella was frustrated but couldn't argue.
Frieren: "It's always like this. Why do you insist on doing this in such a roundabout way? Isn't there a simpler way?"
Frieren was curious. In her mind, it should be more straightforward, and she couldn't grasp why this method was being used.
Megumi Kato: "..."
Sui: "..."
Everyone, except for Frieren, remained silent. Strangely enough, after witnessing it once, twice, or even three times, they found themselves becoming accustomed to it. However, engaging in a discussion about it? No, they'd rather just watch quietly. After all it was quite entertaining?
Yet there were always people like Frieren who remained unaffected by the topic.
Akame: "It must be exhausting."
Frieren: "It looks that way."
Saeko Busujima: "I think it's fine. It's not that big of a problem."
Saeko Busujima: "Though Rei Ao often makes me think of a sewing machine."
Akame: "What's a sewing machine?"
Frieren: "I'd like to know too."
Saeko Busujima: "It's"
The three continued chatting, occasionally commenting on Rei Ao's "technique."
"Geez how is it always like this" Sui whispered to herself in the inn, curling up in Rei Ao's jacket, half wanting to watch and half too embarrassed to look. Her eyes, glancing at Rei Ao's rhythmic movements, couldn't help but recall what Saeko had said about a sewing machine.
She could never unsee it again.
In the end, Sui buried her face in the jacket, her mouth slightly agape, seemingly trying to learn something from this strange scene.
"Saya, did you see it?" Rei Miyamoto suddenly asked.
"S-see what?"
Saya Takagi replied, her eyes shifting evasively.
"I'm not watching 'that' kind of stuff. It's dirty!"
She would never admit that she was, in fact, watching.
Rei smirked. "I'm talking about how trading can make you stronger. Don't you want to be as skilled as Saeko?"
"..."
Saya and Shizuka Marikawa fell into deep thought.
Saeko had already gone out hunting zombies, while they could only stay inside the safe house, waiting. The feeling of being powerless was frustrating. Deep inside, a seed of desire was planted in their hearts.
In the Imperial Capital.
The city was bustling with activity.
There was barely any time to mourn the death of General Budo and the thousands of soldiers. The big news? Esdeath had returned!
"General Esdeath has come back!!!"
Her return ignited excitement among the officials and nobles. With such a strong force back in the city, they felt protected again. No one was more thrilled than the corrupt minister. He immediately had the young emperor summon Esdeath.
However
"General Esdeath said she wants to rest and won't be able to come right now."
The soldier delivering the message stammered.
"What???"
The minister's eyes widened in disbelief. She refused an imperial summons?
Fear and anxiety rippled through him. This wasn't good at all. A powerful general who had earned such immense merit suddenly disobeying orders It unsettled him.
As for Esdeath herself, she couldn't care less what the minister thought. Even though he had given her the Teigu, she knew it was all just a mutual exploitation. She lived by the law of survival of the fittest. Now that she had lost to Rei Ao and submitted to him, she no longer cared about the Empire's approval.
