The pawns aren't coming back. That's five.

　The woman muttered to herself in the old castle that had been abandoned. A man sitting on a torn sofa sniffed.

You can replenish your pawn as much as you want. You still have some balls left, right?
'Opening the gate is not a free for all. Besides, it's a different matter that concerns me more.

　This ancient castle is one of the places we have secured as a base for raids on human forces. The sphere of human activity in this world is not that large. At least in the continent where they are now, it is.
　In the past, they have been attacked by various foreign enemies and have been forced to shrink down to a smaller size. In the process, many countries must have been abandoned by other countries, and many of them must have been destroyed. This castle they call their home base also belongs to a country that was destroyed more than two hundred years ago.

　The man looked up at the ceiling in boredom and said.

'The queen. I wonder why there's no response.
"It's hard to imagine her, after so much obedience to the king, turning her back.
I've got a lot of guys who would make an asset.

　The woman put her hand to her chin and paced the hall in contemplation.

''Look, Suou. We have only two knights and bishops each, and we've gone to the trouble of keeping one knight and one bishop in this castle. You know what the king's intentions are.
"Oh, yeah, yeah. You're a creepy guy. I know. I can't wait to meet the queen.

　The man flaps his hand at the woman who says what she has to say. The woman wrinkles her brow.

'Why is a man like you a Knight...'
Forget about that, Akeno. Where is he?　A high elf picked up from the catacombs.
I'm making progress through Phase 2. Her combat skills are excellent, but she needs to be educated on the consciousness aspect.
You're a little rusty, aren't you? Let's take it easy. You know that story about the North Wind and the Sun?
Andersen.
It's Aesop. You're pretty stupid.

　The woman who was struck lightly fired a black energy body, and the man, lying on the sofa, flicked it with one hand. The energy body that was torn off drilled a large hole in the ceiling and disappeared into the dark cloudy sky. The man looked at the dust falling down and muttered, 'Oh no!

'Well, more leaking parts.'
You know whose fault it is...
'It's the insufferable Bishop's fault. Akeno.

　The man gets up from the couch and stretches out wide.

'Oh, I need to play a game.... Hey, Akeno, next time you invite a pawn, let's have him bring a TV and a PlayStation.
There's no power.
It's so harsh. I don't want to live in another world.

　From the dark clouds in the sky, it looked like it would soon be raining.




　The third Otherworldly Class Meeting was held in a rented room in the Royal Palace, with all thirty-seven members of the second year and four classes present except for Koganei, Goubayashi, and Kaoruko. Compared to the first round, held in the wilderness, and the second round, held in the labyrinth's cafeteria, the desks and chairs are much better now. However, there are quite a few students who can't sit in those chairs.

　The chairperson of the committee, Mr. Ryuzaki, was on the podium. Ryuzaki, the chairperson of the committee, and Sakuma, the secretary of the class, are on the podium.
　The secretary of this class was originally Gowabayashi. Since he was gone and Ryuzaki became the chairman of the class again, Sakuma was often in his place.
　Sakuma, who was originally reclusive, had grown up to be a tough guy after a few incidents, and was now taking more and more leadership positions in battle. Considering her high level of outspokenness, the implications of her being in the same position as Ryuzaki are very significant.

　She is also a valuable person who can give an opinion to Benii Asuka, who is playing with her nails in the corner of the class.

''Well, that's all I've heard from Her Majesty the Queen of this country.

　At the podium, Ryuzaki looks at the materials and says

'We, as a class, need to re-decide on our future plans. I want to hear everyone's opinion.''

　A buzz surges through the class.

　The story itself is a very simple one. You can either ask Master Majina to return to your world, or you can stay here forever.

'I thought you were in favor of leaving the country, Himemizu.
Yeah. Sure. What about you, Utsurogi-kun?
'Well, I guess I am too.... How about Ei?
I don't mind living in this country for a while, though. It's just that it's not nice to be unsure of something you don't understand.

　Just as Kyousuke and the others are doing, his classmates are exchanging words with their close friends. It wouldn't be a decision he could make on his own. Among them, Kenzaki (Dullahan), Gokugawara (Goblin), Okumura (Orc) and others, who must have been unwavering in their resolve from the start, are not even slightly moved.
　Inugami was lying prostrate at his desk, and Benii was brushing his nails, looking bored. However, next to both sides of Benii, his cronies Harui (Harpy) and Snakezuka (Lamia) were talking to each other with serious faces. Speaking of sleeping, so does Harao (Pharaoh). He hasn't come out of the coffin at all.

'I'll go ahead and tell you. I'm going to be actively working to find a way to get back to the world I came from.
Sir, you know, can't we just wait for the war to end?

　The one who raised his hand and asked at Ryuzaki's words was Gillman's Uozumi Salmonichiro.

''Yeah. I think that's the safest way to do it too, but when I contacted the Ministry of Magic, I found out that it's linked to the time we were sent over here, and that the space-time boundary plane?　I hear that's what's making it so unstable.
What's that?
I think you're talking about that wall that separates the world from the world.

　Ket-Sea's Nekomiya Miya, who has recently become quite friendly with the fish dweller (and occasionally gives her prey a look), strokes her proud beard.

'What was stable for nearly two decades now has become unstable and prone to shifting between worlds. That's why they say the sooner you decide to go home, the better.
'You mean when you linger, that's what makes you stable again?'
Well, yeah.

　Ryuzaki shrugged.

　The Red Winged Demons, or rather, the Red Moon Blood Tribe (Red Moon), clearly knew something about Kyousuke and the others' trips to the other world, and were probably involved in some way or another.
　We don't know if that space-time boundary plane is unstable due to the effects of their activities, or conversely, if they started their activities at a time when the space-time boundary plane became unstable, but if we wait for the battle with them to end leisurely, there is a good chance that the boundary will stabilize and make it difficult to travel between worlds There is.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when you're in a position to do something. But I want to do it on my own. I'm not going to force you all to do it, though.

　The buzz in the class grows louder.

　The two choices that Ryuzaki talks about gradually take on this kind of meaning.
　We can either jump into the dangerous world to ensure that we return to the world we came from, or we can accept the possibility of not being able to return and stay in this world safely.
　This is an important decision that could have a major impact on the future of our lives.

By the way, how many of your students have the answer at this point in their lives?

　In response to that question, Rin was the first to raise her hand. Then Kyosuke raised his hand, and Ei followed suit.
　In the other seats are Kenzaki and then Sakuma, who is sitting in the secretary's seat. Snakezuka and Harui also raised their hands. All of these students would be students who were in favor of heading down to Master Majina. A little later, Gokubugawara and Okumura also raise their hands.

"Come to think of it, I'm going to have to take care of those goblins for a while as a heavy duty officer.
"I have to keep up with Zeku, too, Debbie.

　Is it correct to say that their opinion is a reluctant sympathy for Ryuzaki's policy?
　However, the other students seem to be a bit more reluctant to throw up their hands.

'Well, I'm not asking you to make a decision right away. I'm going to have another meeting later. However, you only have a week to give me to give you all the time you need. It's selfish of me, but if it takes any longer, I'd rather have you live in this country.

　Ryuzaki's words were unusually harsh. But that's to be expected. You'll never be able to leave this country for any length of time if you linger on without setting a deadline. There is no way to return to the world you came from.

'Hey, hey, Utsurogi-kun,'

　Rin pecked at Kyousuke's intestines.

Utsurogi-kun, it's okay to leave, right?
Yeah. Didn't you just raise your hand?
Is this because I said I'd be home?
What?

　I wasn't expecting that question at all, so I couldn't help but ask it back.

''Because the last class meeting we had...''
"Himemizu.

　It was Ei who interrupted Rin's words. Rin jumped involuntarily at the sound of his voice, which was unusually devoid of emotion at any time.

''Hee-hah!　Excuse me, Mr. Righteous Wife!　The triangle corner is getting the better of me!
'No, I'm not particularly mad at you, but...'

　While Ei muttered a little confusedly, Rin became like sticky thinly stretched bread dough.

　How was it during the previous class meeting, too? Kyousuke nodded his head.
　Well, I'm going home for now. I have no objection to that policy. It's true that there will be dangers involved, but even so, Kyousuke thinks that it's not something that can't be broken if you join forces with Rin, Ei, Ryuzaki and others. Of course, the more students that follow you, the better.

''Mm........''
What's up?　The "Princess Water
'No, hmmm......... It's nothing....

　Rin's voice is both sultry and troubled.
　We've only known each other for a short time, but when he says, 'It's nothing,' he doesn't speak up in pursuit. I'm beginning to understand the extent of that. So, Kyousuke didn't particularly question him, but returned his gaze to the front.

''If you're hungry, do you want to go to the popular diner (bistro) later?''
'What?　Are you sure?　Oh, well, it's not quite the same thing, but I'm about to run low on spending money...
'Princess water buys too many cool rocks.
Because it was so cool, I just couldn't...

　As it turned out, the third otherworldly class meeting lasted for a while after that, but ended up leaving most of their classmates scratching their heads. As it was, Ei watched closely for a while as Rin, who had been offered to buy a meal at the public cafeteria as it was, left the meeting room with Kyousuke in an exuberant mood.




''Utsurogi!''

　As Rin and Kyousuke are walking down the corridor of the royal palace, Ryuzaki calls out to them from behind.

　It's the third day of the second year and fourth classmates' visit to the royal capital. We are allowed to sleep in the royal palace, but the nobles who come and go are still watching us with black and white eyes. It seems that there is quite a bit of opposition to keeping the monsters in the royal palace while the area around the empire is gradually becoming kinaesthetic.
　Nevertheless, Ryuzaki negotiated with Her Majesty and managed to get a promise to stay here for a week.

''Oh, yay. Ryuuzaki-kun!
Are you with Rin? Are you going to dinner now?
'Yes!　We're going to the diner, just the two of us!
Well we need to be there a little later to avoid sabotage?

　There are several popular eateries in the royal capital, but the number of stores that accept monster students is limited. The one that Kyousuke and the others are heading to is one of them, but of course there will be a lot of ordinary citizens entering, so they were told to head there at the very last minute of business hours as much as possible so as not to scare them needlessly.

Well, good. Utsurogi, and also Rin, listen to me. I have one favor to ask.
A favor. What is it?

　Ryuzaki has the heavy responsibility of being the chairman of the committee, but lately he's been relying on Kyousuke for something. I don't think I'm taking the place of that Gauvayashi, but it feels pretty good for Kyousuke.

'Actually, it's about the class meeting in a week.
Yeah, the fourth one. That's what you call it. How many people do you think will come with me?
From what I've seen, there'll be close to 30 people following us.

　Ryuzaki said simply. Rin bounced her body in surprise.

''So much!　That much gathering!
Everyone pretty much wants to go home. It's a toss-up between safety and balance. But probably not many students would choose the option of 'maybe I'll spend the rest of my life here' when they have the hope of 'maybe I'll go home.'

　Ryuzaki doesn't fall behind others when it comes to observing his classmates. His words are persuasive.

So what is it that you ask of me, Ryuzaki?
'Yeah, that's the thing, though...'

　Ryuzaki looked around and told Kyousuke softly to listen in. Rin also stretched her body to listen.

''I want to take all 37 of them,''

　At this, even Kyousuke, as expected of him, couldn't roll his eyes--- but he was at least as surprised as that level of surprise.

''Are you serious?''
'I said that in that class meeting because of my position, but I don't think the class should be taking discrete decisions here,'

　One or the other, Ryuzaki says, everyone should come to a united conclusion. Here, there is no advantage in respecting each person's opinion and having the class split up.
　If you are separated from some of your classmates, this will result in the unconsciousness that you may disagree with other classmates one day. A small disagreement or disagreement within a class. In that case, there is no telling who will try to leave the class again, and when.

　Goubayashi has already left the class now. There was a good chance that the atmosphere would turn out that way.

I've found out now that Goubayashi is gone, but it's quite unbearable to say goodbye to a close classmate. How about Utsurogi?
No, I know...

　He remembered the boy's face, which wasn't already friendly, but Kyousuke nodded.

''For example, Sugiura and Hanazono. Those two get along pretty well, don't they?
'Uh, yeah. Yeah. It was good to begin with, but I think it's gotten even better since I've been here.

　Rin agreed with Ryuzaki's words.
　They were Sugiura (Scylla), the cook, and Hanazono (Alraune), who grew food in her vegetable garden. Due to their roles at the base, they have many opportunities to exchange words, and they sat next to each other at the class meeting just now.

'But maybe Sugiura is trying to follow us, and Hanazono is trying to stay. If we part ways here, it could be the goodbye of a lifetime. A week is indeed too short a time to prepare for that.
If we're going to stay, we should all stay, and if we're going to go, we should all go, is that what you're saying?
Yeah. And this is selfish of me, but I don't want to relax in this country.

　I guess it's Goubayashi, Kyousuke thinks. Kyousuke and the others have been brought word that Goubayashi Genshu of Ouga, a close friend of Ryuzaki's, has headed south a while ago. Naturally, they must have a desire to go and pick him up.
　Roughly, I understood what Ryuzaki wanted to say.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
　I will manage to convince the students who want to stay in this country within a week.
　He wasn't confident if it was just Kyousuke, who was a low communicator, but with Rin, it might be possible.

　Ryuzaki smiled a little self-deprecatingly.

'You're a selfish chairman, aren't you?'
No, it's a little self-indulgent. It's human.
'I doubt it. What about that kind of urogyny?
What?

　When asked, Kyousuke couldn't help but look up.

''Don't even Utsurogi have their own selfishness and selfishness that they want to follow through on?''

　You are told, and you ponder. Is it selfishness or selfishness that you want to carry out, even to the point of twisting the will of others? If you ask me, I can't think of anything that comes to mind. I have the desire to save Koganei as soon as possible, so if I had to say something, that would be it.
　However, I don't think of twisting other people's consciousness for that purpose.

''Well... not really.
Yeah. That's weird. Utsurogi is...
I don't think it's as bad as Ryuzaki's, though.
Well, I think I'm a bit different from Utsurogi-kun...

　Rin said in the same somewhat sultry tone as before. Kyousuke scratched his head.

I'm not so sure.
I don't know, Utsurogi, but...
Hmm?
Hi. Hi. Hey, it's nothing.

　In the end, Rin stagnated as it was and fell silent.

''For now, Ryuzaki, I know what you're asking. Okay?　The "Princess Water
I understand what you say. I understand what Ryuzaki-kun says, and if it's possible, I'd like to leave with you all.
Yeah, thanks. I'm sorry to keep you here.

　Ryuzaki laughed at that and handed me a sheet of paper. From the looks of it, it's probably a list of the 'students who are thinking of staying behind' that Ryuzaki thinks there should be about seven or eight of them, but what's written on it is only half of them. The other half would be that Ryuzaki would be rooting for them.
　After giving a brief explanation, Ryuzaki says goodbye to Kyousuke and the others and leaves the hallway.
　Kyousuke and Rin also waved them off, and then decided to go straight out into the courtyard of the royal palace.

　The two of them were happily chatting about the meal they were about to eat, while Ryuzaki was watching them anxiously from a little distance.




　The sun had already set by the time Kyousuke and Rin returned to the palace.

　The food in the popular cafeteria looked delicious. Apparently it's true that there are many earthlings in this country, and there were a few dishes from Kyousuke's world, but the best dish was a chicken paste that looked like pate. Since Rin asked for so much, Kyousuke's pocket money has been completely reduced.
　Incidentally, when eating out, Kyousuke and Rin came up with a way to eat while merging together. It's not a bad idea, but it's not a bad idea. In this way, they can both eat well for one person. It's on the level of why we didn't do that in the first place, though.

''Well, Utsurogi-kun. Good night.
Yeah, good night.

　Kyousuke waved Rin back to the boys' common room. He had to walk a bit.
　Tomorrow, he and Rin would have to scramble to root around. After struggling a lot with where to keep the paper, he decided to wrap it up into a tube and shove it into his eye socket. Normally, the skull is a pretty good place to store the brain.

"Utsurugi,

　Suddenly, Kyousuke turned around when he was stopped. Today is the day he is often called by name.
　However, the person standing there was an unexpected person.

''Benii........''

　Asuka Benii Asuka was standing there, bathed in the soft moonlight that was shining through the window pane. Her twin eyes, which always looked bored, were blotting out a different color. She wasn't even playing with her nails. Her model-like height was still the same, and the way she leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms as if she were holding herself up was like a painting.

'Unusual. What do you want from me?
It's not really a problem, but...

　Benii released her body from the wall, untied her crossed arms and walked towards Kyousuke.

'In case you were wondering, I thought I'd tell you about my blood.
Oh, oh. Oh, that. You've helped me a lot. Thanks.

　The blood of the vampire, Benii, revived Kyousuke's body that had been trampled to pieces.
　Since then, the skeleton body that Kyousuke Soraki possessed was much more robust than before. The bones were still easy to dislodge, but the bones themselves had become extremely hard. It could be said to be considerable because it could withstand Rin in a compressed state, which was thought to be on par with deep sea pressure.

''Yeah. Well, that's just a rudimentary effect.

　Benii lightly dug her fingers into the crevice of Kyousuke's ribs and turned them in a circular motion as she did so.
　Benii's blood, which had seeped throughout Kyousuke's bones, gathered at her fingertips, forming a single shape.

''.........!''

　The blood gathered in one place between his ribs beats like a heart and then begins to circulate more of Beni's blood throughout Kyousuke's body.

'Maybe, Utsurogi. From now on, you will always be a step faster and stronger than your other classmates.
How can you say that?

　When Benii pulled his fingers out of Kyousuke's ribs, his heart burst out at once and the blood seeped through his body again. Apparently, it was no longer possible to pull out the blood as it was.

''Because it's my blood that's needed to move from Phase 2 to Phase 3.