"The zombies will reach Tokyo within three days. Order the Astra Militarum to divide their forces into five divisions, each consisting of one hundred thousand soldiers. One hundred thousand will secure the airport—the key point and the city's final stronghold. No one is allowed to slip through.
The rest will spread across all sectors of the city. Build a perimeter. Establish fortifications. Treat this place as an uncharted alien world. This is merely a biological infection—a test for the Astra Militarum rookies. Consider them xeno enemies. They're weak, mindless, relying only on numbers. Crush them with tactics, fire, and faith."
Kenthelion's orders rang through the room—firm and cold, like newly forged steel.
Once he finished, Yuriko Takagi stepped forward, her eyes filled with deep concern.
"Lord Kenthelion… I must return. My daughter is still there… I have to warn them, so they know a horde of zombies is heading for Tokyo. I promise I'll come back once it's done," she said, her voice slightly trembling but resolute.
Kenthelion merely gave a slow nod, not even turning to face her.
"Yes."
Yuriko froze for a moment, stunned by how easily he agreed. She had expected him to demand something in return. She had even steeled herself to pay any price—her pride, her dignity… for the sake of her daughter, Takagi Saya.
"Thank you…" she murmured, barely audible, before turning away.
She returned to the Takagi estate, carrying a message of warning and a faint glimmer of hope. In her mind, there was only one face—her daughter's. She didn't know if she truly wanted to return after this. But after just two short days with Kenthelion and his formidable forces… something inside her had shifted.
She felt happy.
Too happy for it to be mere coincidence.
After Yuriko Takagi left, Kenthelion started speaking to Rika Minami.
"Rika, I'm entrusting Saeko Busujima, Shizuka Marikawa, and little Alice to you. You know Shizuka's kind of a silly, clueless girl, so I'm leaving her in your care."
"All right, I'll take good care of them," Rika replied.
"By the way, I'll find a sword for Saeko in the future. And I heard from Shizuka that you're skilled with a sniper rifle, Rika. So I'm letting you have a sniper that suits you."
"Thanks a lot, Sir Kenthelion," they both said in unison.
Kenthelion then smiled mischievously and whispered a few words to both of them. Saeko and Rika blushed and nodded in agreement.
--------
"WHUUMM—WHUUMM—WHUUMM—WHUUMM…"
The deafening hum of engines tore through the sky as the Valkyrie Sky Talon transport aircraft loomed overhead like an omen of war. Its arrival—a rare, alien presence even in a time of chaos—cast a heavy tension over the Takagi estate. Those who remembered the last time it landed knew what it meant: reinforcements had arrived.
All eyes turned skyward as Yuriko Takagi stepped down from the aircraft ramp, flanked by two colossal figures clad in ceramite power armor—Space Marines, each nearly three meters tall. Surrounding them were squads of soldiers in olive-green fatigues, their formation tight, professional. The entire compound froze in silent awe.
"Where is Takagi Saya?" Yuriko's voice cut through the tension, sharp and urgent.
A servant, startled but quick to respond, bowed slightly as he approached.
"M-Master Soichiro Takagi and Miss Saya are inside, ma'am," he stammered, nervously glancing at the towering giants behind her.
Without wasting another second, Yuriko marched toward the estate. The Space Marines and guards followed, their heavy, metallic footsteps resonating through the marble floors like war drums echoing through a fortress.
In the main hall, Saya Takagi and Takashi Komuro looked up at the sudden intrusion. But Yuriko didn't spare the others a glance—her eyes were only for her daughter.
Saya lay reclined on a polished wooden table, catching her breath after what had clearly been an exhausting ordeal. Her eyes fluttered open at the familiar voice.
"Saya..." Yuriko whispered, warmth and relief trembling in her voice.
"Mom?! You're back!" Saya cried, springing to her feet and running into her mother's embrace. She held on tightly, as if terrified the moment might fade like a dream upon waking.
Takashi Komuro and the others were overjoyed to see Yuriko Takagi return safely—but their joy quickly faded as they noticed something odd. The soldiers behind her weren't just an escort; they were clearly guarding her, standing like living shields with rigid, disciplined posture.
The atmosphere grew tense. Silent.
"Alright, Takagi Saya… Mother's back," Yuriko said softly, her voice calm but carrying a weight of unspoken urgency.
Before she could say more, Saya Takagi stepped forward.
"You're going to leave again, aren't you?" she said quickly. "Then I'll come with you! I'll talk to Mr. Kenthelion and convince him to let you stay!" Her voice trembled slightly, but her eyes were filled with resolve. Her gaze flicked to the soldiers behind Yuriko—just their presence hinted that this reunion might be brief.
Then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall.
Soichiro Takagi entered from his study, drawn by the news of Yuriko's arrival. With a serious expression, he walked straight to his wife and daughter.
"Yuriko. You're back?" he asked, his deep voice heavy with emotion, though he tried to keep his composure.
Yuriko nodded slowly. "Yes… but this time, I've returned with urgent news."
She didn't call him my husband. Strangely, even she wasn't sure why.
"What kind of news?" Soichiro asked, his brows furrowed.
Yuriko took a steady breath. Then she said it.
"In the next three days… nearly ten million zombies—maybe more—will converge on Tokyo. They're coming from surrounding cities, chasing survivors who are fleeing toward the capital."
"W-What?" Komuro stuttered.
"Ten million?!" Rei's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Aunt Yuriko… you're joking, right?" Hirano laughed nervously, but the sound fell flat.
Yuriko's expression didn't change. Calm. Firm.
"It's true. Their path is headed straight toward us."
"Even though Kenthelion has deployed forces at key strategic points around Tokyo… some will break through. They've been split into five divisions—each one with a hundred thousand soldiers."
"One division is stationed at the airport. The other four are protecting different sectors of Tokyo. You all need to be prepared. With only four hundred thousand troops in place… some of the horde will definitely get through."
"Then… what are we supposed to do?!" Takashi Komuro shouted, fear creeping into his voice.
Tokyo was already swarming with the undead, but until now they'd been scattered. The most they'd ever encountered were a few thousand at a time. No one dared enter the city center—everyone knew millions of zombies were already there.
But now… ten million more were coming?
"How the hell are we supposed to kill that many?!"
Yuriko Takagi turned to her daughter. "Saya, come with me. Kenthelion's stronghold is far safer than here."
"Why, Mom?! Why do you have to leave again? Is Kenthelion forcing you?!" Saya cried out, her voice cracking with emotion.
"No," Yuriko answered calmly but firmly. "I made him a promise. I told you before, and I told the rest of the Takagi family—this is something I must do. I'll return, but I have to keep my word."
Saya bit her lip, trembling, unsure what to say.
Then Soichiro Takagi stepped forward, his voice low but steady.
"Saya… go with your mother."
"But what about you, Dad?"
"I still have responsibilities here. There are people who need me—people I have to protect. I can't leave."
He looked down for a moment, then added,
"And besides… I've gone too far with Kenthelion. But even so, he still sent us food supplies… and the warning about the incoming horde. Once this is over… I'll go to him myself and apologize."
He placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
"If you want to come back one day, you can. But right now, you need to go."
Saya hesitated, then slowly nodded, tears filling her eyes.
But as she turned to look at her friends, her heart sank.
What about them? Kenthelion probably wouldn't agree to take them.
And she couldn't bear the thought of leaving them behind.
"Saya! I'm coming with you!"
Hirano Kohta ran up beside her without hesitation.
Yuriko stepped forward, addressing Saya's friends directly with a solemn expression.
"I'm sorry… Kenthelion only agreed to take Saya. That was the condition."
"It's okay, Saya."
Miyamoto Rei grabbed Saya's hand, squeezing it gently.
"We'll be fine here. Just go."
"I'm sorry…" Saya whispered through her tears.
Without another word, she turned and walked toward the exit, sobbing.
Yuriko gave a single nod to the soldiers. The squad formed up around them in silent formation, and they departed without looking back.
Takashi Komuro didn't know what to do now. He wanted to leave this place immediately, but going alone meant certain death—ten million zombies out there. Just thinking about it made his heart pound with fear, leaving him paralyzed and uncertain.
The small, stout man, Hirano Kohta, felt completely drained. His beloved Dewi was going with her mother to Kenthelion's place, but he wasn't allowed to go with them. His motivation to protect Dewi as a loyal knight had vanished the moment she left, and with it, his spirit collapsed.
Meanwhile, Miyamoto Rei desperately wanted to find her father, but she had no idea where he was or if he was even still at the police station. She was equally worried about her mother, Kiriko Miyamoto,