The two returned to the abandoned warehouse. Zeroy checked on the children.
Seeing they were still sleeping soundly, she then spoke with Patchouli outside about the mission.
[Goal 1: Save the Cursed Children]
[Goal 3: Collect Zodiac Samples]
[Goal 4: Hunt Gastrea]
"My idea is, we pretend to form a party for Goals 1, 3, and 4. We'll compete fairly, each earning as many Points as we can without interfering with each other."
Since the mission didn't allow actual parties, they could only pretend. But the difference wasn't big—points from these objectives went to whoever accomplished them. Teammates only got twenty percent as shared points.
"I have no objections," Patchouli said calmly.
Zeroy's proposal was more considerate than she had expected. Though it had only been a spar, and though she had conceded, the winner was still Zeroy. If it had truly been a fight to the death, Patchouli doubted she would win.
Zeroy's techniques were few, but her destructive, unbalanced approach was enough to overwhelm spells with sheer force… like a Demon King.
No tricks, just raw strength and an iron body.
Her own stamina was poor, so even without being hit, she could have been worn down.
In the first place, she hadn't expected such a powerhouse in the Main God Space. All her previous encounters had been with weaklings, nothing like this girl.
[Goal 2: Ensure humanity's survival]
[Goal 5: Conquer at least one key character]
"As for Goal 2 and Goal 5… I don't plan to pursue Goal 5 right now. But I do know who the 'important characters' likely are. If you want to do it, I can sell you the intel."
"Conquer… what does that mean here? Defeat them?"
"Emmm... that's possible?"
Patchouli's words suddenly made Zeroy realize.
Right… who said conquer had to mean a romance conquest like in a galgame? Couldn't it just mean conquering a boss or stage, like in a regular game?
If anything, the latter seemed more likely.
Seriously, the Main God wouldn't waste time sending them on dating missions—who would believe that?
Still, the key characters were definitely Rentarō Satomi, Enju Aihara, and Kisara Tendō.
But if they were treated as bosses to defeat, it would be too easy. Such rich rewards didn't make sense. Unless the main cast had been altered to be overwhelmingly powerful, making the rewards reasonable.
Zeroy shared her thought with Patchouli.
"Their strength doesn't warrant such rewards. So I think it really is about romance or affection."
"?" Patchouli frowned. "...Are you serious?"
Zeroy spread her hands helplessly. "Why would the Main God issue such a mission? I've never heard of this before."
Patchouli couldn't understand. "Forget it. Let's check their strength later. If they're weak, we'll skip it."
She had even less interest than Zeroy in "conquering" anyone.
"Yeah, that's how I see it too."
"Then Goal 2… ensuring humanity's survival. Whether there's a reward or not, I intend to do it."
"I also hope to have your help. If I receive the final Points reward, I'll give you the share that belongs to you based on your contribution."
"And if you're the one awarded, I won't even ask for mine."
The final 5000 Points would go to whoever the Main God judged as contributing more. If that was Patchouli, Zeroy didn't mind letting her have it all.
"I see. So you're lawful good?" Patchouli studied her thoughtfully.
"Lawful is debatable. Good… I think I'm pretty good." After a pause, Zeroy added, "Yes, I think I'm good."
"You seem familiar with this world, while I know nothing of it. So for Goal 2, I'll have to think it over."
"In that case, let me share my intel. Free of charge, as a sign of good faith."
Zeroy explained the situation of humanity in this world.
"So basically, eliminating the Gastrea—or the Gastrea Virus—would suffice?"
"I'm afraid not. Too many ambitious schemers. Without the Gastrea Virus threat, they'd almost certainly plunge the world into war. Humanity could perish in that war."
"Then eliminate the schemers too, and support one ruler into power?"
"Normally, yes. But I have another idea."
Zeroy raised a finger and smiled.
"I plan to cut off 95 to 99 percent of the world's heads."
"...?"
Patchouli rubbed her temples, turning back to the girl's sunny, youthful smile.
"Sorry, I must have misheard. Repeat that?"
"I plan to cut off 95 to 99 percent of the world's heads."
"Whose heads?"
"People's."
"..."
Patchouli was speechless.
She didn't panic—she just looked steadily into the girl's eyes and asked calmly, "...Why?"
They had only just met, but she already understood Zeroy somewhat. She was simple, still inexperienced.
She didn't seem like someone who could commit such an act… unless Patchouli had misjudged.
Of course, there were reincarnators who would. Kill nearly all humans, preserve only a seed of the race, then manage it more easily to fulfill Goal 2.
They abandoned all humanity for their own gain.
Albeit that didn't fit this girl. Unless Patchouli was wrong about her.
"This has to do with the children..."
Taking a soft breath, Zeroy told Patchouli about the Cursed Children.
"Do you think those bastards are human? I don't. Only the kind children, and the few who don't persecute them, count as human."
"The rest are garbage—monsters harming humanity, no different from Gastrea. No—worse than Gastrea."
"Gastrea attack humans by nature. They're mindless enemies. But these scum?"
"Despicable, vile, revolting. Living under the children's protection without gratitude, even persecuting them. Hating the Gastrea but too cowardly to face them, so they take it out on children who can't fight back."
"They aren't human. They don't deserve to be called human."
"I will never acknowledge such things as being of the same species as me."
...
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