My youth story cannot be a knight war

33. Post-War Affairs (5K)

[The huge pillar of fire that shot up into the sky infected the surrounding air and turned it into a heat wave that spread in all directions. The golden flames cast a layer of gorgeous golden reflection on Kousaka Kyousuke's armor, making it look like a suit of armor made of gold.]

[Zaimokuza, with flames all over his body, landed steadily on the ground. The elemental awakening form also dissipated at this moment, and he returned to his original almighty form. ]

【“…”】

[He raised his head, and his red compound eyes reflected the tragic scene in front of him.]

[In the pillar of fire, there was a similarly huge creature twisting its body madly, and its indescribably shrill roar echoed throughout the entire road. The despair and pain in the sound were like a devil calling for help from people on the edge of the abyss.]

[But in the end, its body was burned by the golden flames and gradually turned into ashes from the end of its tentacles, and the poisonous gas leaking from its body could not escape this equal destruction, and all traces of its existence were wiped out from the world in the most tragic way.]

[It can be vaguely seen that on top of the huge figure there is another tiny figure struggling in the flames. It seems to have seen the timber base that has fallen at its feet, and it is trying to stretch out its hands towards him as if asking for help.]

[But in the end, the hand it stretched out was also twisted in the flames, and then turned into ashes and dissipated, and Zaimokuza just looked up at this scene silently, without making a sound or stretching out his hand, like a mourner in silence.]

[After an unknown amount of time, the pillar of fire gradually dissipated, leaving only a few stubbornly burning flower seedlings on the charred, red ground.]

[The area originally occupied by Ginoga's huge reinforced shell now has no trace of its existence, not even a small piece of plant roots are left. The only thing left is a huge anti-hole "dug" in the middle of the road. The red concrete at the bottom of the hole seems to prove how high the temperature of the flames that swept through here before was. ]

[The strongest Gurongi ever to appear, the unconfirmed life form No. 25, Me-Ginoga-De, died at the hands of Zaimokuza Yoshiki.]

【“It’s finally over. Well done.”】

【Zaimokuza turned his head back at the sound coming from behind, and saw Kousaka Kyousuke limping towards him with a big sword, and he came to stand beside him.】

["Mr. Kosaka..."]

[“To be honest, you did a better job this time than I thought, Zaimokuza.”]

[Looking at the red and cracked road surface at the bottom of the pothole, Kousaka Kyosuke let out a light breath, his eyes full of amazement.]

[Originally, he had considered whether he should dissuade Zaimokuza from finding a way to move No. 25 to another area before expelling him, in order to prevent the poison gas stored inside the huge plant from leaking out when the enemy died, causing a large-scale poison gas diffusion incident.]

[But he finally decisively suppressed this idea. Kousaka Kyosuke knew very well that reality was never just talk. It was impossible to guarantee that a monster like this could be repelled every time, and there was no guarantee that there would be other situations that would be worse than the current one.]

[Rather than continuing to spend a lot of effort to formulate a plan that I don't know if it will succeed, it is better to simply prepare for a certain price and eliminate this monster that poses a great threat to the entire Tokyo. ]

[Kousaka Kyosuke had already delayed enough time before this, which was enough for the police to fully evacuate the residents in the area near this road. Even if a small number of people did not leave in time, there was nothing they could do.]

[In a situation where there is no way back, as a ruthless person who can put his own life on the line without hesitation, Kousaka Kyosuke has the determination and courage to decide whether to sacrifice a small number of people to save the majority.]

[He had originally prepared himself to be sent to a military court for trial after doing good things, but Zaimokuza's performance this time really shocked Kousaka Kyousuke.]

[In this attack that gathered all of Zaimokuza's strength, let alone causing greater damage, the poisonous gas stored in the plants was burned up by the flames containing endless high temperatures before it could even leak out. Nothing could escape the coverage of the flame pillar.]

[Although this main road has been completely destroyed by Zaimokuza's attack and its traffic capacity has been reduced, the Metropolitan Police Department will inevitably have to spend a huge amount of money to repair it, but compared to the worst outcome that was originally expected to result in countless casualties, the current situation is already good enough to make the Director of Warning, who is already hospitalized for high blood pressure, wake up with a smile in his dream.]

【This time, Zaimokuza did not respond to Kousaka Kyousuke's praise. 】

【Om—】

[The red spirit stone flickered slightly, and the silver belt and the reinforced muscles covering the whole body disappeared in the twisting, and the tall figure turned back into the white-haired young man that Kousaka Kyousuke was familiar with.]

[“Hey! Zaimokuza!?”]

[However, when Zaimokuza returned to his original form, Kousaka Kyousuke's eyelids jumped, and he asked with a frown. 】

[Because at this moment, Zaimokuza was not wearing his usual windbreaker, but a blue and white hospital gown, with a pair of slippers on his feet, and even a needle for infusion stuck on the back of his left hand. It was obvious that he had just run out of the hospital. ]

[But what worries Kousaka Kyosuke is not these, but his extremely pale face at the moment. Sweat is flowing down from his forehead along the curve of his face like a floodgate, gathering at his chin and dripping onto the ground at his feet. The ground where the sweat is dripping is emitting curls of white smoke due to the high temperature left by the burning.]

[He originally thought that Zaimokuza's ability to display this level of combat power meant that his injuries had completely healed, but judging from his current appearance, this was not the case.]

[“Hey… Mr. Kosaka, are you okay?”]

[Zaimokuza, whose face was as pale as a dead person, turned to look at the astonished Kousaka Kyousuke and said with a forced smile.]

[“That’s what I want to say! Even your eyes are starting to blur, are you okay!?”]

[Kousaka Kyosuke quickly reached out a hand to support the shaky Zaimokuza, and said worriedly as he looked at him.]

[“Um? Don’t worry, I…”]

[Just when Zaimokuza was about to smile and say that he was fine, his pupils suddenly dilated and he lost consciousness. His body, which was supported by Kousaka Kyousuke, fell forward weakly.]

[“Hey! Zaimokuza, you——Ugh!”]

[Kousaka Kyousuke threw away the Demon Slayer that he was leaning on with his other hand, and just as he was about to check on Zaimokuza with both hands, he suddenly groaned.]

[“Damn it…”]

[The scene before him began to spin, and Kousaka Kyosuke realized that he had also reached his limit without realizing it, and whispered unwillingly.]

[The reason why he didn't trigger the body's protective mechanism and fall into a coma before was because the rapid secretion of adrenaline during the battle kept his body in an extreme state, so Kousaka Kyousuke could ignore the severity of his injuries and continue fighting. But now that the battle is over, his body and mind, which have exited the wartime state, have caused all the suppressed injuries to burst out at once.]

[“Puff!”]

[Kousaka Kyosuke supported the unconscious Zaimokuza and half-knelt on the ground. He lay on Zaimokuza's back and spit out a mouthful of blood. His expression instantly became weak.]

[No, the temperature here is too high. We must move the wood base first...]

[He bit his tongue hard, and after using the pain to suppress the urge to fall asleep, he supported Zaimokuza's body and walked back the way he came.]

[Kousaka Kyousuke staggered and supported Zaimokuza as he walked a considerable distance along the smoke-filled road. When his remaining consciousness confirmed through smell and touch that he was far away from the smoke-filled and high-temperature environment, he fell to the ground helplessly with the scene in front of him completely blurred.]

[Patter. 】

[After Kousaka Kyosuke helped Zaimokuza lie on the ground, he could no longer hold on and fell forward, causing his armor to make a dull sound.]

[The two of them fell together on a road about 100 meters away from the battlefield, and fell into a coma.]

【“…”】

[The golden eyes reflected the two people who had lost consciousness, and the sight was especially focused on Kousaka Kyosuke's resolute face, which did not relax even after he fell unconscious. His eyelids drooped to cover up the emotions in his eyes.]

[The long eyelashes blinked, and then the figures of Zaimokuza Yoshiki and Kousaka Kyosuke and the amber-like gold disappeared without a trace when he opened his eyes the next time, and the eyeballs returned to their original black irises.]

[Baruba, dressed in red, turned her gaze back to the window, reached out and picked up the coffee on the table in front of her expressionlessly, but did not stop drinking.]

[“Sure enough, the previous sensation was not an illusion.”]

[Looking at her cool and beautiful face swaying on the coffee mist, Baruba's thoughtful voice echoed in the beautifully decorated and luxurious classical style room. ]

[“KUUGA… He has awakened.”]

[“This is what you want to see, right?”]

[She raised her head, looked at the chandelier above her head and whispered to herself.]

[This scene is very strange. Obviously, there is no one in the room except her, but Baruba's natural expression and movements are like she is talking to a person standing in front of her. There is no sense of acting at all.]

【“～”】

[A light laugh like an illusion sounded in his ears. Baruba looked down at the coffee cup in his hand. What he saw from the black reflective surface was not his own face, but another pair of clear black eyes.]

[This scene was filled with indescribable weirdness and horror, a scene that only appears in horror movies, but Baruba did not show any surprise on his face, he just quietly looked at the pair of black eyes that were the same color as his own.]

[“Now, we can start.”]

[The eyes reflected in the coffee narrowed, filled with joy and happiness, like a child who got his favorite toy. Even the voice in her ear was innocent.]

[“Let’s start the ‘Dark Game’. We will soon be able to meet old friends on the battlefield.”]

[“I’m looking forward to the day when he or another winner comes before me and brings about the ‘ultimate darkness’.”]

["KUUGA～"]

[After those innocent words fell, those eyes disappeared in the rising coffee mist.]

[Baruba listened to every word the voice said silently. After the eyes disappeared, she picked up the hot coffee and drank it all in one gulp.]

【“…Dorudo.”】

[A pale figure walked out of the darkness of the room. The man, with only his eyes exposed, held a black stone abacus in his hands, waiting for Baruba, who had his back to him, to give him instructions.]

[“Call Gooma back. I have something for him to do… Also, notify ‘Nu’ to get ready.”]

[Even though they were of the same level, Ra-Dorudo-Gu acted like a subordinate in front of Baruba. He nodded slightly and then stepped back, disappearing into the shadows away from the exit of the room.]

【“Finally, it’s about to begin.”】

【Looking at the coffee cup with not a single drop of coffee left in his hand, Baruba muttered to himself in a trance. 】

【This time, no one responded to her. 】

……

【Tokyo, Kanto Medical University Hospital, intensive care unit on the third floor. 】

【12:25 AM】

[Outside the ICU, a small, slightly yellowed piece of paper was added to the doorplate.]

[The upper part is Kousaka Kyosuke, the lower part is Zaimokuza Yoshiteru. 】

[“Haha~ Finally done.”]

[With a pair of dark circles under her eye bags, Makishima Saori looked at the two people wrapped in bandages and falling asleep on the two beds in front of her, and spoke weakly. ]

[Especially Zaimokuza, who was glared at fiercely by her with eyes full of resentment.]

[“Really? I’ve never seen such an outrageous person before. He just woke up and transformed in the operating room and removed the exhaust fan to get out? Fortunately, everyone in the operating room signed a confidentiality agreement, otherwise the whole of Tokyo would know tomorrow that the true identity of No. 4 is actually a human named Zaimokuza Yoshiki.”]

[“Um, Ms. Makishima…”]

[Standing not far away, Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui remained silent as they watched Makishima Saori busy healing and bandaging the two people. Only after the process was over did Yuigahama finally unable to hold back her expression of worry and talk to her.]

[“Ah~ Since you are all friends of Zaimokuza, there is no need to be so distant. You can just call me Saori.”]

[Makishima Saori looked at Yuigahama's somewhat unfamiliar expression and waved her hand carelessly.]

[“So, Sa… Saori, Zaimokuza… and Officer Kousaka, how are they doing now?”]

[Yuigahama, who had slept for less than two hours that day, also had obvious dark circles under her eyes, but she still forced herself to ask.]

[“That’s terrible.”]

[As a result, Makishima Saori's first words made her face pale and she covered her mouth in panic. ]

[“But don’t worry too much! This level of injury is common for the two of them. I would find it strange if they were not seriously injured every time they were hospitalized.”]

[“Yes, is that so?”]

[This statement surprised Yuigahama greatly. Although she felt that it was unreliable, her inner anxiety was calmed down by the other party's assurance.]

[“Put it down. Although the injuries on Kousaka-kun and Zaimokuza-kun look scary, such as multiple fractures, muscle strains, ruptured internal organs, high fever, cracked ribs, large-area burns on the body surface, severe concussion, etc.... they are indeed scary.”]

[Makishima Saori used her slender white fingers to count the injuries the two had suffered this time one by one. Every time she counted, Yukinoshita Yukino's eyebrows twitched, and Yuigahama Yui covered her mouth in horror.]

[“But, it’s okay!”]

[After finishing her summary, the female doctor showed a fearless smile, generously patted her full chest with her hands, and shook her chest with a wave that no one at the scene could ever reach in their lifetime, and then said.]

[“This level of injury is just a piece of cake for them. The serious injuries that would kill an ordinary person would at most cause these two monsters with extraordinary physical fitness to be hospitalized for a few days. After a few days, they will be full of energy again to find those unconfirmed life forms to fight to their heart’s content.”]

[“The worst that can happen is that they will have some sequelae similar to hemiplegia in their old age. It’s okay!”]

【Yuigahama Yui: “…”】

[Yukishita Yukino: "..."]

[They suddenly realized that this doctor did seem a little unreliable, and wondered if they needed to raise some pension for the two people she mentioned in their old age.]

【"correct!"】

[Makishima Saori suddenly remembered something. She looked around at Yuigahama who was laughing awkwardly and Yukinoshita who was holding her forehead. She found that someone was missing and asked in a strange way.]

[“Where is Hime-chan? Wasn’t she here just now? How come she disappeared in the blink of an eye?”]

[“As for Ebina-san, I remember she just said she was going to the storage room.”]

……

[“This is really… more damaged than I expected.”]

[Looking at the GO armor on the table, which was taken off from Kousaka Kyousuke and whose parts were in tatters, Ebina covered his face with a look of frustration. ]

[She felt so heartbroken that she couldn't speak, and was filled with resentment towards the dead body of Kousaka Kyosuke lying upstairs.]

[All this is money! It costs money to build it, and even more money to repair it. All of this is just pure money! Even if you have money, you can't squander it like this! ]

[“When you men shoot, have you ever thought that every bullet you shoot is the money saved by us logistical researchers…”]

[Ebina muttered to himself, picked up a piece of armor fragment that had fallen off, and frowned at the damage on it.]