Kenthelion watched Komuro walk away with a gloomy expression, but he didn't care anymore. To Kenthelion, Komuro was nothing more than a clown — a pathetic virgin loser.
> I used to think that comic protagonists were inherently good people — just a little naive and self-righteous. But now I wonder… Is it because I've started enjoying myself in this universe instead of conquering it like I usually do?
Did my direct interference steal the spotlight from Takashi Komuro, warping his heart and fate?
I've conquered countless universes, but this time… I just wanted to have a bit of fun. But is the world's will stronger than I thought? Will it always try to force fate to happen — no matter what? Maybe I'll challenge that will myself.
The other survivors stared curiously at Kenthelion and his group, whispering among themselves, but Kenthelion paid them no mind. Neither did the others. They walked forward with quiet confidence, ignoring the stares.
"Teacher Shizuka! Senpai Saeko Busujima! You're here too!" a cheerful voice called out — it was Saya Takagi. She quickly glanced at Kenthelion with subtle curiosity, almost wary.
"Yes, we are," Shizuka Marikawa responded warmly, while Saeko nodded and introduced the little girl in her arms.
"This is Alice."
"Come on, I'll take you all to my home!" Saya offered excitedly, guiding the four of them through the estate. The Takagi residence resembled a small fortress — a private castle in these chaotic times.
As they walked, little Alice looked up at Kenthelion, her innocent eyes filled with worry.
"Big brother, are you sick or something?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine," Kenthelion replied, forcing a gentle smile. "Just thinking about something."
In truth, Kenthelion was pondering how to kidnap and subdue Yuriko Takagi — Saya's mother. It would be a waste if a beauty like her died in this place.
"Are you really okay, Kenthelion?" Saeko Busujima asked, concern in her voice.
"There are some things on my mind, but they won't affect us," he said calmly — though he chuckled inwardly.
> If I told her I was planning to kidnap Yuriko Takagi, she'd probably beat me to death…
He picked up little Alice and held her close with one arm, while taking Saeko's and Shizuka's hands with the other, walking behind Saya as she led them.
Along the way, they passed more survivors — including Miyamoto Rei and the chubby gun otaku, Hirano Kohta.
When Kenthelion entered the Takagi residence with his group, a few people began greeting Shizuka Marikawa and Saeko Busujima. But as soon as their eyes landed on Kenthelion, the atmosphere turned tense. The expressions of the survivors changed—no longer friendly, but wary and uneasy.
Kenthelion narrowed his eyes. He sensed this silence wasn't just surprise or admiration. It was something deeper.
"Why?" he asked calmly, his voice cutting through the quiet as he stepped forward toward Komuro. "Aren't you going to welcome me?"
Komuro stared at him sharply, then said in a hoarse voice, "People from the Middle East… aren't welcome here."
The words stunned several nearby.
Kenthelion stopped in his tracks. There was still a faint smile on his face, but his eyes sharpened. He understood the implication. His face—resembling a younger version of the Emperor of Mankind—bore the traits of ancient Anatolia, the region now known as modern-day Turkey. A blend of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian features. Yet Komuro had chosen to attack him based on that.
"I expected you to say something more intelligent," Kenthelion said calmly.
"I don't need anyone else to tell me what to say!" Komuro snapped, suddenly turning and shouting at Kenthelion, his eyes burning with anger.
Kenthelion stared at him for a moment before shaking his head slightly. "Kid… I hold no grudge against you. Is this because I struck your teacher once? Or because I happen to look like I'm from the Middle East?"
Komuro clenched his fists tightly.
"You hit our teacher! You disrespected everything we stood for! And now you show up here like you're some kind of righteous savior?!"
Kenthelion didn't respond immediately. The courtyard grew even more tense. Saeko and Shizuka remained silent, their eyes scanning the people nearby who were gripping their weapons a little tighter. Little Alice clung nervously to Kenthelion's coat, her small fingers trembling.
"Say whatever you want," Kenthelion said with a mocking, sarcastic tone.
"But what about your dear teacher? Your beloved classmates?"
He smirked, eyes narrowing.
"Heroes? Is that what you call yourself now?"
He glanced around, noting the absence of the school bus. Either it had been lost, or something had happened to it—an accident, maybe. Regardless, it seemed they had been separated.
Komuro's face turned pale at Kenthelion's words. He remembered the early chaos. When the outbreak began, he stood like a hero, bravely fighting off the zombies and buying time. Then the military and police arrived—saving him.
But when he saw those same soldiers overwhelmed and falling one by one under the tide of the undead, panic consumed him.
He couldn't protect anyone.
He fled with Miyamoto Rei and a few others—leaving without a word, abandoning those still inside the school bus.
"They're out there. That's our business, not yours," Komuro snapped, his voice laced with defensiveness and guilt. "Who do you think you are, asking me about them?"
He glared at Kenthelion, his anger overflowing.
"I know you're powerful, but this is the Takagi family's estate. It's not a place where you can just do whatever you please!"
His raised voice caught the attention of everyone nearby. Survivors turned to look. Even some of the girls glanced over, tension thickening in the air.
Kenthelion stared at Komuro like he was insane. To him, their past conflict had been nothing—a mere flicker in the storm of the multiverse. But to Komuro… it clearly hadn't been forgotten.
Is this the will of the world? Kenthelion thought.
Has my interference twisted the narrative so badly that the protagonist sees me as the villain? Is that why his anger burns so deeply now?
"A lot of people are watching us right now…" Miyamoto Rei said softly, glancing around at the crowd staring at them.
Komuro, noticing Rei calling him, realized they had become the center of attention. He immediately sat down, glaring at Kenthelion and speaking with cold hostility:
"I suggest you be careful. People here don't welcome Middle Easterners full of terrorism. Especially people like you."
Komuro spoke harshly and with satisfaction, clearly proud of humiliating Kenthelion in front of everyone.
"Are you provoking me, kid?" Kenthelion replied coldly, his eyes narrowed. Behind him, little Alice clung tightly to the hem of his coat, hiding while holding her tiny dog, staring at Komuro in fear.
Meanwhile, high above in orbit aboard the Gloriana, the Inquisitors, Adepta Sororitas, and Space Marines were growing restless. Some were already suggesting the planet be obliterated by a Star Killer, or outright Exterminatus for daring to insult the Holy Emperor. A few Inquisitors and Space Marines boarded Thunderhawk transports, descending into Earth's atmosphere at full speed, ready to punish the insolent fools below.
"So? Do you dare? Are we—" Komuro didn't even get to finish his sentence before Kenthelion grabbed him by the neck with one hand and lifted him off the ground. Komuro's body dangled as he choked, struggling helplessly.
"You think I wouldn't dare?" Kenthelion said slowly, looking directly into Komuro's panicked eyes.
"What are you doing?! Let Komuro go!" Miyamoto Rei shouted and raised her hand to strike Kenthelion, but the moment she saw him draw a pistol and point it above her head, she froze in place and fell silent.
A chubby man nearby tried to aim his homemade nail gun at Kenthelion, but Kenthelion instantly turned his pistol toward him.
"Little fat man, if you move again, I'll kill you right here and now."
Terrified, the man immediately dropped his weapon.
Takagi Saya tried to intervene, but was stopped by Saeko Busujima—
"What's going on here?" a stern voice called from behind.
Kenthelion turned and saw a group of Japanese Guntai soldiers approaching in formation. Leading them was a middle-aged man with sharp eyes that burned with the spirit of a samurai. He wore a military uniform and held a katana in one hand, radiating an impressive aura.
Kenthelion immediately recognized him—it was the leader of this place, Takagi Saya's father. But Kenthelion didn't care. In his eyes, the man was still just an ordinary person.
With a cold expression, Kenthelion released Takashi Komuro, dropping him like trash after having held him by the neck with one hand.
Komuro collapsed to the ground, coughing violently, while Miyamoto Rei rushed to his side and began to comfort him.
Souichiro Takagi (高城 壮一郎) stepped forward. He glanced briefly at his daughter, Takagi Saya, without saying a word, then swept his gaze around the crowd. Those nearby immediately lowered their heads under the weight of his stare. Finally, his eyes locked onto Kenthelion.
"My name is Souichiro Takagi (高城 壮一郎). I am a loyal citizen of Japan, devoted to Emperor Akihito, and I support Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. Who are you? State your name and your purpose."
"Ahem, he's from the Middle East," Komuro said between coughs. "Cough… He's been oppressing us Japanese…"
"People from the Middle East are not welcome here," Souichiro Takagi declared sharply, no longer looking at Kenthelion. He gave an order, and the soldiers beside him prepared to detain the stranger.
"Father, he saved me—more than once!" Takagi Saya shouted, running up to her father and clinging to his arm.
Souichiro Takagi looked down at his daughter.
"You can stay here for one night. But you must leave tomorrow."
Then, turning his gaze back to the others, he asked in a commanding voice:
"Now, what exactly were you all doing? Can someone explain it to me?"