"Nero, the Tyrant of Rome… I didn't expect her to appear in my dream this time. But… why?"
Even after waking up, Inaba Tsukiyo couldn't understand her relationship with Nero, why the other party seemed so… so concerned about her.
Inaba Tsukiyo clearly recognized this feeling; she had experienced it before, and even after all this time, Inaba Tsukiyo couldn't forget it.
But… why would she be connected to me? Even if Nero became a Servant, when did I ever come into contact with a Servant? And… "I didn't expect the legendary Tyrant of Rome to be such a cute girl. Those rebellious guys, they couldn't possibly be a bunch of unwanted bachelors, could they?"
Otherwise, with such a cute girl as emperor, it should be a happy thing, so why cause so much trouble?
Although she didn't understand why the tyrant was a girl, she believed she would find out these answers later.
Stretching widely, Inaba Tsukiyo got out of bed, having enjoyed a rare good night's sleep.
Was it because she met Nero? She, who would normally wake up at the slightest movement, had slept so soundly last night.
[Boom!]
Suddenly, a huge thunderclap sounded from outside. Inaba Tsukiyo thought of something terrifying and immediately opened the room window, looking outside the school.
The sky was pitch black, with no sign of daylight. Dark clouds continuously gathered, appearing from all directions, piling up and pressing down towards the school's location.
Besides the dark clouds, a large amount of rain poured down from the sky. The ground quickly became wet, also drenching Inaba Tsukiyo's face.
However, Inaba Tsukiyo didn't notice her drenched body, because due to the heavy rain, Inaba Tsukiyo could feel the situation outside more clearly.
The cars blocking the school gate as roadblocks had long been pushed in by a large number of zombies. Many zombies staggered in from outside.
These guys, following their habits from when they were alive, came to the school to shelter from the rain. Some zombies had already entered the school through the First floor windows, and even the iron gate had many zombies pulling at it, clearly trying to break the rolling shutter.
In short, the once-safe school was almost overrun by zombies. There were already over a hundred zombies moving on the playground alone, not to mention the constant stream of zombies entering through the school gate.
"I didn't expect… they actually broke through the defenses, but there's still some time. At least there are still more than ten minutes of preparation time."
The upstairs was no longer safe, at least after these zombies entered the teaching building, the classrooms on the third floor were no longer safe.
Inaba Tsukiyo anxiously changed her clothes and came to where everyone was gathered. Although some people were still sleeping, Inaba Tsukiyo woke them all up.
This heavy rain would definitely cause them to lose many things, but they had to minimize the losses, and at least protect everyone.
"Listen up, everyone. We have no time to waste. Turn off the power generator on the Rooftop as quickly as possible to prevent it from being damaged by the heavy rain. Sister Megumi and Kurumi, prepare some food. We're going to the second basement floor for shelter later."
"Kurumi… Where's Kurumi?"
Suddenly, Inaba Tsukiyo noticed that Kurumi wasn't there. Not only was Kurumi missing, but Tendo Ri-se wasn't there either.
Seeing this, Inaba Tsukiyo's unease grew. This was not a good sign.
"Tsukiyo-chan, they went to the playground to exercise earlier. But they haven't come back yet."
Sakura Megumi said. Not returning from the playground at this time was not good news. Everyone present clearly understood what this meant.
Everyone present's gaze focused on Inaba Tsukiyo. They had already sensed the seriousness of the situation. A large number of zombies were continuously gathering towards the teaching building. This place could no longer be considered safe.
"…Ten minutes. Sister Megumi, Miki, you two go prepare food and turn off the generator respectively, then go to the basement for shelter. You must prioritize your own lives. It's okay if you can't complete the mission, but you must come back alive."
Saying this, Inaba Tsukiyo picked up mikazuki munechika. After making sure everyone was assigned a task, Inaba Tsukiyo prepared to go look for Kurumi and Tendo Ri-se.
"I will bring Kurumi and them back, but before that, be careful."
"Wait, Tsukiyo-chan."
Sakura Megumi stopped Inaba Tsukiyo, who was about to leave, and hugged Inaba Tsukiyo's petite body tightly, patting her back.
"You absolutely... absolutely must come back alive, okay? We're waiting for you to bring Kurumi and the others back."
The others each hugged Inaba Tsukiyo. Feeling everyone's concern, Inaba Tsukiyo nodded, then turned and left the School Life Club.
The moment the door closed, Inaba Tsukiyo entered her combat state, quickly reaching the First floor lobby using Shukuchi.
The glass door outside the teaching building had already been destroyed, leaving only the iron gate inside still functioning as a barrier. However, it was clear that this wouldn't stop the zombies for long.
Several screws had already begun to loosen, and at this rate, it was only a matter of time before the iron gate was completely opened.
"Kurumi... Kurumi... where are they, exactly?"
Her usually sharp senses were somewhat dulled in this world due to the heavy rain below, which affected Inaba Tsukiyo's perception.
Even if she wanted to find Inaba Tsukiyo's location by scent, the stench of decay from the zombies at the school gate completely overwhelmed Kurumi's scent.
"I have to hurry, there's only ten minutes. Or even less..."
She had to find Kurumi and Tendo Ri-se as quickly as possible. If they weren't inside the teaching building, then they might be outside.
After searching all the rooms on the First floor, Inaba Tsukiyo found no trace of Kurumi, nor did she find Kurumi on the second floor.
This meant that Kurumi was active outside? But... was there anywhere outside the school where they could hide from the zombies?
Inaba Tsukiyo's small head pondered. According to the school map she had studied before, there should only be the restrooms near the gymnasium and the room for storing sports equipment.
However... if they left the teaching building, it meant encountering a large number of zombies outside.
"Hmph... So what? Honestly, I already told her not to go outside, but she ran out with others. I'll have to give her a good lecture later."
Earlier, when she was about to close the iron gate on the First floor, Inaba Tsukiyo had run out alone to buy Kurumi time.
If she could do it then, Inaba Tsukiyo could do it now too.
Thinking this, Inaba Tsukiyo, with her eyes fully open, leaped out of a window on the second-floor corridor, jumping outside.
Landing amidst the zombies, mikazuki munechika swung fiercely, and a violent storm swept away the surrounding zombies, creating a small safe zone.
Following the direction of the gymnasium from memory, Inaba Tsukiyo continued to advance. With every step, every swing of her blade, a large number of zombies fell to the ground.
No zombie could stop Inaba Tsukiyo's advance; any zombie blocking Inaba Tsukiyo's path would fall.
Inaba Tsukiyo's speed grew faster and faster. She abandoned her most proficient Iaijutsu and used the sword techniques of another style of Pill Self-Manifestation Style to deal with the obstructing zombies.
The heavy rain drenched Inaba Tsukiyo's body. Although her body grew heavier, Inaba Tsukiyo's movements did not stop. She held her breath, forcing herself into a state of utmost concentration.
Soon, Inaba Tsukiyo arrived in front of the gymnasium. At this point, many zombies were outside, pounding on the door, trying to push it open.
The door was not locked. A large number of zombies were pushing against it from outside; it seemed the people inside hadn't had time to lock it before the zombies rushed over.
"Kurumi!!! Ri-se!!!"
Inaba Tsukiyo swore this was a sound she had never made before. Inaba Tsukiyo felt her ears ache from the shock, and her throat was hoarse.
After Inaba Tsukiyo, who had come outside, dealt with all the zombies outside, she was pulled inside by Kurumi and Tendo Ri-se.
Kurumi and Ri-se, who were already prepared, quickly pulled obstacles to block the door, preventing zombies from entering.
Inaba Tsukiyo panted continuously. Her exhaustion this time was immense; even the previous time hadn't been this draining.
Her use of Magic Power Release had been a bit excessive, leaving Inaba Tsukiyo's internal magic power somewhat depleted.
Later, she still needed to bring Kurumi and Tendo Ri-se to the basement with everyone for shelter. There would definitely be another fierce battle, so she had to recover her stamina and magic power.
However, before that, Inaba Tsukiyo looked angrily at Kurumi and Tendo Ri-se.
"Why... wasn't it already stipulated that you couldn't leave the teaching building casually? Why did you still leave?! Didn't you see the zombies coming in?"
Inaba Tsukiyo pushed Kurumi and Tendo Ri-se against the wall. This was their rule, so why did they violate it?
Kurumi and Tendo Ri-se, with similar faces, exchanged glances and then lowered their heads in guilt. They knew they had truly made a mistake this time.
If they hadn't left the teaching building, they would probably have already gone to the basement with the others for shelter.
To save them, Inaba Tsukiyo had rushed into the zombie horde alone, coming here to find them.
Thinking of this, their strong eyes couldn't help but become moist.
"We're sorry... we're sorry, Tsukiyo-chan. We know we were wrong, please forgive us."
"Hmph! Forgive you? How could it be that simple to let you off? However, now is not the time for lecturing. We'll lecture you after we're safe. For now, we need to go back and find everyone."
The number of zombies outside the door was increasing. It wouldn't be long before the door was destroyed, and then it would become even harder for them to leave.
They had to leave before those guys broke through the door. But... her magic power hadn't fully recovered yet, and Inaba Tsukiyo wasn't sure she could use Magic Power Release with one hand later.
'It seems I can only use this method.'
Although it wasn't intentional, there wasn't much time left; she had to act fast.
"Listen, Kurumi. We have to get out before those guys come in. Before that, I need your help. If possible, Ri-se, you should help me too."
"Eh? Help? What kind of help? If I can, I'll do my best."
Even though she didn't know what Inaba Tsukiyo was referring to, the situation was critical, and there wasn't much time to think about other things.
Tendo Ri-se also nodded. Every minute they delayed here would make the situation more dangerous. Even if it was something risky, she was willing to try.
"Is that so? Then I'm sorry."
Nodding, Inaba Tsukiyo suddenly grabbed Kurumi's hand and, with a pull, drew her closer.
Kurumi, completely unprepared, was pulled over by Inaba Tsukiyo. Inaba Tsukiyo, without any hesitation, leaned her lips towards her.
"Wuwu!!!"