Episode 187: To Tokyo
“Chief of Staff?”
As Yuma released his hand, Kawahara immediately straightened up and saluted hastily. He seemed to be someone important.
“I am Mikoshiba, the Joint Chief of Staff of the Ground Self-Defense Force. I was the one who instructed for you to be brought here.”
“You were…”
“Are you intending to go to battle?”
Faced with Mikoshiba’s resolute demeanor, Yuma also tried to straighten his back.
“…There are people I want to protect.”
Mikoshiba simply replied, “I see,” and fell silent. After contemplating for a while, he issued some instructions to the subordinate behind him.
Looking at Yuma again, Mikoshiba sighed.
“If you are determined to go, we have no right to stop you.”
Surprised by those words, Kawahara tried to interject, “B-But,” but Mikoshiba silenced him with a sharp glare.
Kawahara became speechless and stood upright with a tense expression.
“Mitaka-san. The Kanto region is currently under Dragon Assault, but it’s not just many Dragons rampaging. Among the horde, there is also a terrifying Monster called the 【Red King】.”
“Red… King?”
He had never heard of such a Monster, but it was probably as strong as the Deca Slime, the 【Black King】. Even so—
“I’m going! All the more reason for me to go.”
Sensing Yuma’s determination, Mikoshiba nodded and closed his mouth, saying, “Understood.”
Would he really let him go? As Yuma worried, one of the Self-Defense Force officers rushed to Mikoshiba and handed him something.
It was a small navy blue case.
Mikoshiba walked over to Yuma and opened the case. Inside were several blue Magic Gems.
“These are Blue Magic Gems, ‘Blue Diamonds’ and ‘Sapphires.’ We’ve gathered everything the Self-Defense Forces had in storage.”
“Why would you…?”
As Yuma asked curiously, Mikoshiba sighed softly.
“In truth, we had hoped you would fight for us in times of emergency. We are an organization responsible for national defense, after all. However, in your current state, we cannot allow you to fight. We were planning to evacuate you with these Magic Gems, in order to counter Monsters in the future.”
“But, if you do that, Japan will…”
“Yes, Japan will likely perish as things stand. Even so, we cannot force you to do the impossible. You are Japan’s… no, humanity’s last hope.”
Mikoshiba recalled his conversation with Honda and smiled faintly.
“But, if you say you’re going, we cannot stop you. If it will be of any help, take these Magic Gems with you.”
Yuma hesitated for a moment at the offered Gems.
But, seeing Mikoshiba nod, he said, “Thank you!” and accepted the case with both hands.
“You need a considerable amount of Mana to absorb them into your body… are you sure you’ll be alright?”
To Mikoshiba’s worried question, Yuma replied with a wry smile.
“I’ll be fine. I have quite a bit of Mana.”
◇◇◇
Yuma had arrived in front of a hangar at the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Soumagahara Garrison.
There, a large transport helicopter, a “CH-47 Chinook,” was waiting with its hatch open.
Yuma exclaimed, “Wow~,” at the sight of the large helicopter with two rotor blades in the front and back.
“Am I going on this?”
“Yes, you are. Mitaka-san, please put this on.”
Yuma put on the jacket handed to him by Kawahara and donned the Helmet.
Several Self-Defense Force officers boarded the helicopter, followed by Yuma and Kawahara. Self-Defense Force officers were already seated in the cockpit, and other officers were sitting on facing seats.
Yuma was also urged by Kawahara to take a seat.
“Even though it’s the Ground Self-Defense Force, you have helicopters.”
“Yes, the Ground Self-Defense Force also has air power. The 12th Brigade’s helicopter squadron is stationed at this Soumagahara Garrison. By the way, I belong to that squadron.”
“I see…”
As Kawahara fastened the belt securing Yuma’s body, the sound of the rotors turning could be heard. It seemed they would be departing soon.
After Yuma decided to go to Tokyo, Mikoshiba had ordered Kawahara to safely deliver Yuma.
That meant approaching the Dragon horde from the sky.
Kawahara had complied with the order without any complaints, but Yuma was worried.
“Kawahara-san, I’m sorry. I’m dragging you into danger because of my selfishness.”
It was one thing to go by himself, but he felt bad about having someone transport him.
That’s what Yuma thought, but—
“What are you saying! I’m honored. I’ve heard about you from the Chief of Staff, Mitaka-san. That you’re the only one who might be able to defeat the Monsters rampaging in the world. If that’s true, it means there’s a chance of winning this desperate battle, right?”
Kawahara looked at Yuma with a radiant face.
“I will definitely deliver Mitaka-san to Tokyo, so please trust us Self-Defense Force personnel and this—”
Kawahara banged on the side of the transport plane.
“Aircraft, the CH-47 Chinook!” Kawahara smiled confidently, and the other Self-Defense Force officers grinned as well.
The transport plane’s hatch and door were closed, and the aircraft gradually lifted off the ground.
Yuma looked out of the small round window and saw many Self-Defense Force officers in front of the hangar, including Mikoshiba.
He realized once again that he might have died if it weren’t for him. The transport plane took off, and the aircraft shook.
Yuma thanked Mikoshiba and turned his thoughts to Tokyo, where he was headed.
◇◇◇
On the rooftops of skyscrapers in Tokyo’s Chiyoda, Minato, and Shinjuku wards, Seekers were present. Fighting Monsters flying in the sky was extremely difficult, so they had taken positions at high altitudes, waiting for the enemy.
Soon, the northeastern sky began to turn red.
“They’re coming.”
Taizen glared at the sky. Waiting on the rooftop of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was the Elceed Corporation’s Seeker Clan, 【Roar of the Raijuu】.
Tennoji, still with bandages on his arm, Rui, Taizen, and Ishikawa, who had evacuated from Ibaraki, had also joined them.
“Tennoji, is your arm alright?”
Ishikawa asked, and Tennoji gave a wry smile.
“The pain hasn’t subsided yet, but we can’t afford to say things like that.”
“I see.”
Ishikawa didn’t say anything more. What was about to begin was a battle of life and death. Whether or not someone was injured was a trivial matter.
Taizen faced the sky, holding the “Electromagnetic Throw Gauntlet” equipped on his right hand.
“My Magic Enchanted Armament, which can attack from long range, should work on Dragons too. I’ll blow them all away!”
Tennoji calmly admonished Taizen, who was breathing heavily.
“Dragon scales are said to be as hard as steel. It will be difficult to defeat them with just the ‘Railgun.’ Use the bombardment to lure the Dragons, and we’ll deliver the finishing blow.”
As Tennoji turned his gaze, Rui nodded.
“Tch! Understood.”
Taizen reluctantly agreed while grumbling, and looked up at the sky with Tennoji and the others.
Far in the distance. There was an exceptionally large Dragon leading a ferocious horde.