"Silence!"
Zeroy suddenly swung her blade. A crimson arc sliced past the crowd's heads, cleaving a corner off an empty house behind them.
The crash of falling rubble, paired with her voice, silenced them instantly.
"Leave, or die. You have no other choice."
She offered no explanation—no saying she wasn't their babysitter, that she wouldn't protect them forever, that in seven days she would be gone, that only by growing stronger themselves could they survive, or that leaving was the better option because staying meant dying with the base.
She had no obligation to explain. And explanations wouldn't change anything.
The truth was, no matter her reasons, once she left, these people would face the apocalypse alone. So even if only out of fear of death, they would wish her to stay, and resent her for leaving.
When survival was at stake, reason rarely prevailed—especially over life-and-death stakes.
She truly was a Sky Striker Ace who fought for humanity's justice and survival. She knew humanity had many good qualities. But she never held lofty expectations for human morality.
Simply put, while she upheld her mission to protect humanity, she still viewed them with objectivity—without idealizing or deifying the species.
Of course, she didn't degrade them either.
Right then, she ordered those who had shouted the most extreme words to be dragged out and executed.
Negative emotions were normal. Although when they grew too extreme, they became dangerous.
If they dared challenge her now, what might they do to other survivors?
They were troublemakers. Better to remove them than risk them harming the rest. She had no intention of gambling on their conscience.
Mercy to such people was cruelty to the innocent.
...
"I didn't expect you to make such a decision," Saya said, watching Zeroy eat wordlessly, her expression complicated.
"But if you're leaving, this really is the best course. You've killed so many zombies that even if people leave the base, they can still survive."
She supported Zeroy's choice. So did the others at the table.
Even so, they also knew this meant losing her protection. They would have to struggle to survive on their own.
Just the thought filled them with fear, a mix of dread and reluctant acceptance.
Still, they didn't blame Zeroy.
They knew she had no choice. Dissolving the base was the only option.
Seven days weren't enough to find a qualified successor, much less one with loyal aides capable of managing the base. It was impossible.
Plus, Zeroy was too singular. Without her, no one could fill her place.
And her help had always been an act of kindness, not obligation.
If she chose not to continue, it was painful… but no one had the right to condemn her.
Arguments like "I'm weak, you're strong, so why don't you protect me?" or "With great power comes great responsibility, so you should protect us all"—these had been heard in the base.
Regardless, they carried no weight. Saya and the others only scoffed at them. Not even worth refuting.
So they never asked Zeroy why she would leave in seven days.
She owed them nothing. Why shouldn't she go? She had already done more than enough.
"...Mm."
Zeroy's eating paused briefly, then she gave a nod, saying nothing more.
Dinner passed in heavy silence.
Zeroy was never talkative, and she still maintained the aura of a ruler.
The others were weighed down by the looming reality—life without Zeroy's protection. None had the mood for chatter.
"I'm done. Thank you for the meal."
Zeroy finished quickly and returned to her room.
Normally, she would rest a bit before heading out to cut zombies all night.
But not tonight.
She chose to rest. Too many decapitations had begun to leave their mark… Her mind wavered, her palms sometimes recalling phantom sensations of beheading.
She was a weapon of war, yes, but after cutting down a full million, even she risked breaking if she continued endlessly.
And she remembered something from the original story that she needed to address tonight.
When human society collapsed, some leaders of the world lost their minds and pulled a desperate stunt.
Clutching thoughts like "If I can't live, no one will" and "Let nuclear fire cleanse this hopeless world," they launched nuclear warheads into the sky, triggering global EMP blasts.
The anime had only shown nukes exploding at high altitude. Albeit Zeroy doubted such lunatics would show restraint. Surely some had targeted the ground as well.
She could not allow that.
Opening a laptop, she began to work.
Though she lacked electronic warfare gear and hacking skills herself, it didn't matter—the Striker Unit System could handle it.
As a product of future super-technology, even without specialized equipment, it could dominate today's networks with ease.
Suddenly, just as she began, there was a knock at her door.
She paused her infiltration of global military systems.
Opening the door, she found Saeko standing outside.
"Good. You haven't gone out yet."
Relief was plain on Saeko's face at seeing her.
She had followed Zeroy almost immediately after she returned to her room, afraid that if she waited, Zeroy would already be gone again, cutting down zombies.
"?"
Zeroy didn't understand her words, but decided she would ask later.
"Come in."
"Forgive my intrusion."
Saeko gave a polite bow before entering.
She brought tea utensils, arranging them with elegance. The sound of hot water pouring into the pot was sharp in the still room.
"This doesn't look like a small matter?" Zeroy said, watching her movements.
Since she was preparing tea, it was clearly no short discussion.
"For the base, perhaps not," Saeko said, kneeling gracefully on the cushion. Her violet hair swayed with the motion.
She looked at Zeroy, lips pressing together before she spoke, "I only thought... perhaps you should rest."
"I know you are not ordinary, but these seven days you've fought day and night through the hordes, and managed the base as well. Even you..."
She paused.
"...must be exhausted, no?"
...
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