After breakfast.
In front of a huge map, Akuto, his companions, and the members of his personal guard gathered together.
"Next, we need to integrate all the forces in Chuangzhu City."
"Of these, Takagi-san's household will be the hardest nut to crack."
"What do you think, Takagi-san?" Akuto turned toward Saya.
Being treated so seriously by him, Saya puffed out her chest proudly, shooting a smug glance at Princess Kaguya across the table.
Hmph! See that? The one Akuto-kun relies on the most is still me!
Ever since Kaguya had arrived, Saya had felt a sense of crisis. The princess wasn't weaker than her, and in the hearts of the shelter's people, her status was no less.
Now, at last, Saya had a chance to prove her worth.
A princess? Royal blood means nothing. When it comes to ruling Chuangzhu City, the Takagi family still holds sway!
...
Facing Saya's provocation, Kaguya only smiled softly, gazing at her in silence.
Under that serene look, Saya began to speak:
"As I reported yesterday to Akuto-kun, we've already established contact with the Takagi estate's shelter."
"This morning, before breakfast, I sent a message at Akuto-kun's direction requesting a meeting."
"They replied. The Takagi patriarch, Takagi Souichirou, says he's willing to meet us and discuss who will lead the city's relief efforts."
When working, Saya was all business.
Though Souichirou was her father, she addressed him by name to make clear her separation from the Takagi household.
Privately, yes, Souichirou and Yuriko were her parents.
But business was business.
On the public stage, they were leaders of an independent faction yet to be brought under Akuto's control.
"Good. Then it's decided."
"Once we've settled affairs here, we'll depart for the Takagi estate at eleven sharp."
Thus, the journey to the Takagi estate was set.
The attendants included:
Akuto, Saeko, Rei, Shizuka, Saya, Maresato Alice, Komuro Aoi.
Kaguya, Kiriko, Nakaoka Asami... and more.
Yes — Nakaoka Asami, the righteous policewoman from the original story.
In recent days, as Akuto's shelter expanded and absorbed survivors, Asami had joined as well.
However, it wasn't Akuto who insisted she be brought along — it was Kaguya.
Asami now served as one of Kaguya's escorts.
...
After Akuto's group departed, only Yukinoshita's lady and the guard remained to oversee the shelter.
In addition, several survivors had awakened extraordinary powers. These new "Awakened" had been tasked with defending the base.
From atop the armored vehicle, Akuto waved back to Yukinoshita's lady, then turned his eyes forward.
[The emergence of Awakened among the survivors proves this apocalypse is diverging greatly from the one I remember.]
[So far, only low-class devil-level zombies have appeared. But will there one day be mid-class... even high-class devils among them?]
Akuto wasn't overly concerned about zombie evolution.
In a world like Resident Evil, how far could zombies really evolve?
As long as they didn't reach Demon King level, he was confident he could crush them.
And even if they did... well, he still had one use of the Tyrant Dragon in reserve.
...
(ps: Nah, there won't be zombies that strong. High-class devil-level is already the ceiling.)
...
Guided by the map, the armored vehicle plowed steadily ahead, Akuto blasting apart zombies along the way.
Not because he was bloodthirsty — but because it was efficient. He was simply clearing system tasks on the side.
Yesterday's kills of the advanced zombies had each been worth around five hundred points, rapidly speeding him toward his goal.
Before reaching the Takagi estate, Akuto's kill count finally hit ten thousand.
[Ding!~]
[Congratulations, Host, for completing Main Quest 2: Kill as many zombies as possible within three months.]
[Completion Stage: Phase Three (10,000 zombies killed).]
[Reward unlocked: Immortality (Blue).]
[Immortality (Blue): Equivalent to the undying resilience of old-world vampires. Physical damage heals rapidly. Even if the head or heart are destroyed, you will revive — slowly. However, recovery speed is limited, and power greatly reduced during regeneration.]
...
In the distance, a reception party came into view.
Armed guards stood in two neat rows, flanking the path.
A red carpet stretched out between them, ending at a burly middle-aged man and a voluptuous woman.
They were Takagi Souichirou and Takagi Yuriko — Saya's parents.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!~"
A barrage of ceremonial fireworks exploded, marking Souichirou's "respectful" welcome for Akuto's party.
Hearing the bursts, Akuto frowned, though he said nothing and followed the plan, stepping down from the vehicle.
Souichirou strode forward quickly.
"Welcome, Princess Kaguya! And welcome as well, Princess Kaguya's consort, Akuto-sama... to our humble estate!"
From the very first greeting, Souichirou delivered his blow.
By putting Kaguya's name before Akuto's, he showed whose authority he truly acknowledged.
Of course — to him, Akuto had always been just a junior. Even after witnessing his strength, Souichirou refused to fully recognize him.
Akuto himself showed no reaction.
But Kaguya's smile stiffened. In her heart, she nearly resolved to cut Souichirou down where he stood.
Where had this traitorous cur come from, daring to challenge her consort the moment they met?!
(End of Chapter)
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