The reincarnated Oga joins and the Hydra in the canyon are fought off. The situation did not look good.
　Knight Suou sat down on the couch, scratching his head crudely. Since Akeno has been like that for a long time now, he's been imitating Blaine or something, but there's a limit to how much he can pretend to be a chief strategist. I am, after all, a Yankee with little deviation.
　However, that's no reason to not do your best. Until the king gives us notice, we must do what we can do ourselves as much as possible.

　The two year four land-based warships are heading straight through the canyon to the site of this kingdom. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before they arrived.

　Currently, all Suou and Akeno had to do was pass through the Transference Denaturation Gate and miss the students who had turned into monsters.
　Originally, the Queen was supposed to unite the class at the promised graveyard (catacombs) and join up with our side, but her betrayal has become almost a definite matter. Although the high elf Yoshiki Koganei has already been brought into the fold, the rest is a complete unknown quantity.
　The biggest obstacle to the nepotism is the fact that Akeno has killed the griffon. He hadn't even told Koganei about this yet.

''Suou-sama, I have captured the hydra in the ravine as I told you,''

　One of the pawns comes to report as such.

'Yeah, good job,'

　As long as it can't fulfill its role as a guard dog, there is no reason to let that hydra go unchecked any longer. Sooner or later, we'll have to abandon this old castle as well. In that case, I'll just grab it quickly and let the guy from Akeno play with it. Now that we don't have the reincarnated monsters to cover our strength, we have no choice but to supplement it with others. Fortunately, we didn't have to put so much effort into capturing Hydra, which was hurt until its neck was reduced to one.
　Suo noticed the pawn's gaze there, not backing down, but staying in place.
　He looked at Suou with a smirk and a disgusting smile.

''.......What?''

　This pawn is a newcomer. However, I've already joined them a month and a half ago.

''No, Akai-sama has betrayed you after all...''

　The pawn's gesture of stroking his chin, which remains flaccid, is not very comfortable to watch.
　The pawn's common equipment, the black armor (promotional armor), is respectfully made by Akeno. It compensates for their fragile defenses, allows them to handle the Black Red Qi, and gives them a high degree of physical ability. It is tailor-made to fit each individual pawn's physique, so it is a perfect fit for every pawn.
　This middle-aged pawn must have lived a very inadequate life in his former world, and the size of his black armor is also quite awkward.

''Dude, did you know that?　You were talking about the Queen's school trip. Didn't we talk about it?
No, you didn't. I have only been faithful as a pawn, fulfilling the mission you asked of me. It would be very, very hard for me to exchange words with you, Akai-sama...

　Then it's good," Suou said, lying on the sofa and looking up at the ceiling.

"That queen who was so loyal to the king betrayed us...
'I wonder if he was truly faithful. Some things may be rebellious in your heart, but they may be irresistible to the power of the king.
Well, yeah.

　Even Suou is not truly fascinated by the king. But for the family, the king's power is absolute. It's the only way to get the best out of the game.
　That's why I'm here. But there are other reasons as well.

'Well, how is Akeno doing?'
He's finished with the Chimera and is currently tinkering with his own head.
''Ah......... It was getting a lot clunkier........

　If things were going to get this bad, I should have let it happen a little earlier. I don't want to let them do too much of the brain-nervous system re-engineering, because every time I repeat it, some part of it will unravel. Still, if I had done it once, at least I wouldn't have killed the gryphon.

'Well, fine. Back off.
Ha!

　The middle-aged pawn bowed in a condescending manner and left the hall. Koganei came in to replace him. Koganei bows lightly the moment he passes the pawn, then stops and watches his back for a moment.

"Yo, Koganei. What's up?
No, that guy looks a bit like the driver from the school trip...
It's in your head. You have a good memory.

　Suou starts doing sit-ups and other exercises on the couch.

'Because he laughs like a toad.... I was talking to Utsurogi and the others about how he's like a vicious aristocrat in an erotic manga. The kind of guy who buys elves and stuff and makes them his slaves.
'You read that stuff? You're a freak.

　He spoke lightly, but Koganei didn't seem particularly offended and scratched his head, 'No.'

''Hey, when are you going to meet everyone in class?''

　At Koganei's words, Suou stopped his abdominal exercises.

''Well wait a bit longer. Now is not the right time.''
Yeah. Okay.

　Koganei nodded without a doubt. Yes, now is not a good time. But it would be sooner for this one and that one to come into contact with each other than for the timing to get better.
　It shouldn't be more than a few days before the land battleships reach the site of this kingdom.

''Koganei, what would you do if everyone in your class said they wouldn't be on our side?''
Yeah, that's the problem...

　Koganei frowned blatantly and scratched his head.

'Akeno-san and others are scary, but Suou is a good guy. But Utsurogi and the others are good guys too........ We won't know until the time is right.

　That good guy might not be a good guy the next time I see him, though.
　Suou swallowed the words that came to his mouth. In the process of fulfilling his mission as a member of the family, he is constantly going against Koganei's will. It's disgusting, even though it was my decision from the beginning.

　Don't you know if it doesn't happen then? That's for sure.

　Suo resumed his abdominal exercises in a state of mindlessness.




''Now, I'm going to tell you about why we all looked like that.

　Standing in front of the entire class, but being careful never to turn her back on Washio's Buddhist altar, Benii Asuka spoke up as she did so. A murmur spread among the students gathered on the deck. Even Ryuzaki and Goubayashi's eyes widened in surprise.
　With Washio's funeral over and an air of tranquility flowing through the class, there was some hesitation in saying this.

　But it was also true that the timing couldn't be drawn out any longer.

　Inugami seemed to have already noticed it, but there was always a hint of pawns around this heavy duty branch school, who seemed to be in charge of monitoring the situation. Renchu's relay base is probably close by. They've probably sensed Beni's betrayal as well. Before that, I have to tell everyone.
　Beni huffed and took a breath. He could see Sakuma sitting in his seat and clenching his fists as if to say 'good luck'.

''First of all, this otherworldly transition and transformation into a monster isn't accidental. It's a set-up.

　While the buzz in the class doesn't stop, Beni continues.

'Secondly, I'm sure some of you have already realized that the people who set it up are the Red Moon Bloodline (Red Moon) or something like that.

　Ryuzaki crossed his arms and found himself nodding. Other than that, some of the students acted as if they had expected those words.
　There was no sign of Kyousuke Soraki at this funeral. He would have begun to sense it too. But now is not the time to worry about it.

"The bloodline was originally a vampire in our world. And...

　I'll take a beat here.
　I've been trying to keep my distance from the guys in my class. I've tried to keep my emotions as far away from them as possible.
　Still, it took some geometric courage to say the decisive word.

"I'm one of those vampires.

　For a moment, the class fell silent. An icy gaze was directed at Benii's body.

　Beni continues in a nonchalant manner. The vampires who were forced to leave their homes in the original world had formulated a plan to move to another world. In the process, a project was set up to turn humans into monsters as a way to replenish their war potential. After a number of test cases, Benii's classmates, the "Queen", were chosen for the first group transfer.
　The plan itself had been set up three years ago. The Blood Clan sent some of their members to the staff of the high school where Benii was to go to school, and the students who were relatively easy to get a "bite" were placed in the same class as her.

　In the rocky area of the wilderness, the students are relocated to a dungeon called the "Promised Cemetery (Catacombs)". The purpose of this was to drive the class into a crisis situation, cracking the unity of the class, which Benii herself would then bring back together, bringing her classmates into the bloodline as a whole.
　In anticipation of this kind of survival, cooking utensils and household goods that were the bare minimum for life were prepared in the upper levels of the dungeon, and golems with magic furnaces and materials that could be converted into various other things were placed in the lower levels.

　However, as you can see from what I've said up to this point, Beni is currently continuing to defy the will of his blood family.
　It's probably only a matter of time before this will be conveyed to the king as a clear "betrayal".

''What, I was right!

　It was Ryuzaki who said that in the silent class.
　He crossed his arms and nodded yes, and Benii couldn't help but ask him back.

What...?
'I knew it, Asuka, I knew it. You told me well.

　Lies. Beni knew intuitively. He could see it in the attitude of Goubayashi behind him.
　I'm sure that Ryuzaki also had some idea of what was going on. But there is no such thing as 'knowing', as expected. Quickly, he said in his usual cold manner, ''What are you saying?'' Benii kept his mouth shut, almost returning it to him.
　This was Ryuzaki's own consideration.

　No matter how much Benii intends to go against the will of her blood family, it is an undeniable fact that the class has been placed in this situation because of her. And so it resulted in the killing of Washio. The anger is undoubtedly directed at Benii herself.

　In the midst of all that, by saying 'I knew it all', Ryuzaki is implying that he will forgive her.
　This guy is an idiot, Benii thought. This guy's an idiot, Goubayashi's face said.

　But

Hey, wait a minute. I'm not buying it, all right?

　A thorny voice comes from the students. It's a white horse.

'Then what is it? Washio's death is Benii's fault?　If Beni had said something sooner, does that mean Washio wouldn't have died?
''Wait, Hakuba, even Asuka didn't expect it to come out there...''
'Shut up, Ryuzaki!

　Hakuba blackmails and turns his gaze to Benii.

''I wouldn't want to say this at a funeral either!　But I don't think you're going to like it.　Hey Benii, don't you have anything to say to me!
.........

　Beni closed his eyes. He had a hunch that he would be told, and he had a feeling that he would be told.
　I can make as many excuses as I want. I don't expect you to understand. If they don't forgive me, that's fine.

　That is a deception. If you care about this class, you should ask for their forgiveness, even if it means giving up your pride as a queen.

''I'm.......sorry.''

　Beni bowed her head politely. Velvet's hair swayed as if a curtain had been let down.

　The class fell silent once again.

''You know what, Asuka?''

　A girl's voice rises in the seat. It's Harpy's Harui, one of her cronies.

I just want to ask you one question, is there a way for us to return to human form, from Asuka's point of view?
I'm just saying that I don't know what I'm going to say.

　Beni looks up.

''Akeno, with whom Utsurogi and Washio had contact, is the developer of the Transition Degeneration Gate. It depends on whether or not we can get a clue about it. Also, it depends on how well the sage guy can understand it.
Hmm. You have a clue. Okay.

　Harui nodded as if he was somewhat convinced.
　With the clues to the homecoming becoming more solid, the air was being created that it was time to put a stop to it for now. However, Hakuba was the only one who seemed unconvinced and was staring at Benii intently.
　No, Hakuba was not the only one. Some of the students must have noticed the underlying problem hidden in what Benii had told them.

''I'm sure you all have something to say to Asuka.

　Ryuuzaki clapped his hands with a clap of his hands and said, ''I'm sure you're hungry by now.

'I'm probably hungry by now, so let's have a meal for now. I know that Asuka isn't our enemy, and in any case, this transfer to another world was happening. I want to think in the direction of making use of the information obtained from Asuka for good from now on.

　A relieved mood flowed through the class. I guess everyone didn't want things to get any more tense.
　They wavered between resenting Benii and feeling that they didn't want an awkward atmosphere, and were unsure which way to steer the ship. With the exception of a few students, most of their classmates left their seats as Ryuzaki urged them to leave.

Asuka, let's have a class meeting to talk about it.

　As they begin to move to the cafeteria, Ryuzaki softly gives Benii an earful.

"Asuka told me the 'clues to return to the original world'. And "the identity of the enemy." That's all I need to know for now.
Oh, um...
Some things are on my mind right now. Like this whole thing with Utsurugi.

　Benii made a grim face when Soraki Kyousuke's name was mentioned.
　Should he talk about Phase 2 and Phase 3, or should he talk to Ryuzaki? No, this would also have to be told to the entire class in the near future.
　Ryuzaki, Goubayashi and the others would be able to reach Phase 3 as soon as they gave blood now. But Beni also has no intention of giving any more blood to his classmates to separate them. Reaching Phase 3 would mean forcing them to become household members, which is too risky.

　As long as Beni sticks to this policy, the only person in the class who can awaken to Phase 3 is Kyousuke Soraki.
　He really needs to be able to get back on his feet.




　It's been a few days since Washio's funeral. The class is beginning to regain some peace. A Buddhist altar from the funeral has been set up in the cafeteria, and many of their classmates worship at it every day. Not a few of the students were distrustful of Benii, but some of them were more or less willing to forgive her when they saw her bowing to the altar every morning without fail. However, the gulf between Washio and Hakuba, who was close to her, still seemed to be deep.
　Over the past few days, Benii had been consulting with Ryuzaki and Sakuma on various matters, looking over the notes Serena had made for him. What Phase 2 abilities could each student potentially awaken to, and how many of them had already awakened, in Benai's eyes. That's what we're discussing in regards to that area.

　So.

Hime Water, come and get it.

　Beni comes under Rin, who was waiting in the cafeteria.

'No, I'm not waiting for you! I just came Toko.
It's not a date...

　Beni still looks bored, as if he's heard a boring joke, and sits down to face Rin. Well, I actually gave her a boring joke.
　Rin stares intently at Benii's face.

''.......What?''
'No, I didn't expect to get that kind of comment back from Benii-san...'
Can I start talking to you because I'm dull?
Oh, yes.

　Rin stretches her back (no) with a pinch as Benii says while sorting through the papers with a thump.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

''That, Benii-san...''
Myopia. Bad?
'You're a vampire.... And a native one.
I can see everything in the dark. I read in the middle of the night with no lights on.

　In fact, I think you've made your eyes worse for doing that.

　Well, good. Today, Himemizu Rin had received a call from Benii Asuka. In fact, Ei Hino Ei was supposed to be here as well, but he refused to participate. When asked if it was something to do with Kyousuke Soraki, Ei said, 'Even more so, it's better if it's just Himemizu and not me.
　Rin is entrusted by Ei with Kyousuke's affairs. He said, 'It's the water that fills the vessel. I'm glad that he trusts me, but it's oddly unsettling to not have Ei around for some reason.

'Anyway, let's start with Phase 2. Princess Water is already in, right?''
Oh, yeah. I knew it.
'Phase 2 of the slime, hypothetically, I'm pretty sure there were five or six of them, but maybe this is what Princess Water's was.

　The document that Benai presented to me is clearly written in Japanese as "Liquid Manipulation". Just like that.
　Other than that, there was "Magic Awakening" and "Biopower". If it's a bit unusual, it's 《Humanization》. I have a feeling that this one was better. It's also possible to run by yourself.

''The monsters that change their appearance with the Transition Denaturation Gate reflect the mental image of the adaptor, though.
Hmmm. We all knew this was coming, didn't we?

　In other words, it's a projection of what the mind is. It's not impossible that there are some students who don't understand or can't agree with some of them, but even Rin doesn't have a complete grasp of what's going on in the minds of all her classmates. There must be some reason for this.
　Rin, who had a fuzzy personality, became a slime, and Ei, who was fierce, became a wisp. Goubayashi, who was too conscious of the demon in his heart, became an owl. Hakuba, who is bizarrely obsessed with female virginity, is a unicorn.

'Speaking of which, where's Sacchan?'
Sachi?　Do you want me to say it?
I'm sorry.

　I knew it, Rin thinks to herself. It's awkward.

''The power after Phase 2 depends on how neatly you are able to face such a figure, and whether you can use it or not. ........Ah, thank you.

　A somewhat late breakfast is brought under Beni. Sugiura, who brought the food, said, ''Take your time,'' and returned to the kitchen with a wave of his hand.
　Although Benii is a vampire, the food he eats is surprisingly normal. I wonder if it's okay not to suck human blood or something.

'Himemizu is probably able to face it properly. And also Ryuzaki and Goubayashi. So I can use my power to the fullest.
Ah, so the reason Utsurogi-kun can't merge with me is because he can't trust himself like that anymore?
Yes.

　Beni nodded and picked up a long, thin piece of bread from his plate.

'There's a section of Utsurugi that's been distracting you from your own problems. And now that he's realized it, he's rejecting it. Of course, it's probably a mental shock, but that's why he merged with Himemizu...

　Beni was about to say, "I'm sorry," and then he kept his mouth shut. The slender bread that I grabbed up was undercooked, or perhaps it was undercooked, and broke into a squishy shape.

"........am I talking weird right now?
No, I didn't. So, all I have to do now is help Utsurogi get his confidence back and get him back on his feet, right?
Himemizu has noticed, right?

　It's important to solve the problems of the mind, Beni said. But as a basic premise to begin with, Kyousuke has rejected his own problems. He has rejected a part of his own humanity. It was quite a tricky problem to solve.
　Kyousuke did not attend Washio's funeral. It was because he had become defensive against his own heart. The fact that they couldn't combine at the most important time seems to have been quite bearable.

''Solving the problem and being able to fully draw on the power is the prelude to Phase 3.

　Beni said, not daring to touch the squishy bread.

''So, by giving them the blood of the blood family, they will awaken to Phase 3...''
'Oh, I see. Well, then, Utsurogi, you'll get more power when you solve the problem.
Just in case.

　Beni's words have a strange connotation to them. It's probably the 'good side effects' and 'bad side effects' that he was talking about before. The fact that Beni is reluctant to give up her blood, and the fact that Beni herself is committing a treacherous act against her own blood family, means that the "downside" of that "downside" can be inferred to some extent. I have no intention of letting her tell me that.
　It is a fact that thanks to Benii's blood, Kyousuke was saved.

'And what about Himemizu? Do you think you can do something about Utsurogi?''
Hmm. I don't know. I'll take a ride with Hino-kun and Goubayashi-kun. I'll take a hint.

　Stretching out her entire body with a sticky note, Rin replies.

'Can Benii-san give me any more hints?'
I don't want to put my heart into it. I'm a friend of Sachi's.
Oh, yeah......... I see.........
But I think it's the right thing for Himemizu to do with what he's trying to do.

　Beni said and leaned back in his chair. He sipped on the herbal tea in the teacup.

　The moment he dipped it in, the heavy duty branch school came to a sudden stop. The herbal tea that was about to splash out of the cup as hard as it could, Benii pushed back the herbal tea with her black energy body. In contrast to Rin, who was thrown out of her chair, she doesn't move slightly, as if detached from space.
　This is the power of the Queen. She said she would try to avoid participating in the battle as much as possible so that the king wouldn't detect her position, but it seems it's good to use this much power.

''Ah, it's Five-minute riverbank!

　Rin and Benii looked up at the ceiling as the ship's broadcast sounded.

''I'm sorry. Any combatants who can move, come out. There's another Hydra!　Five regenerating heads are sitting in the path of the branch school, and I want to fight them off!'

　In this mountainous area, there are only a limited number of path directions that can be taken. Now that it is difficult to go head-to-head with the Red Moon Blood Tribe, securing our path is a top priority. If they are not careful, they may be attacked by pawns and knights again.
　With a grim face, Beni put down her cup of herbal tea. Indeed, if she joined in, it would be a quick kata.

''What are you going to do now, Himemizu?''
I'm gonna go talk to Mr. Utsurogi.

　As Rin crawled to leave the diner, Beni smiled slightly as she tried to leave the diner.

'Good luck,'
Yeah, thanks!




　When he visited Kyousuke's room, he was just about to open the door and come out.
　Kyousuke huffed and turned his gaze towards Rin. Averting his gaze slightly, Kyousuke returned his gaze to Rin again.

''Himemizu........''
Hey, moron!

　Rin greets him, stretching her body with a twitch.

'Are you going on deck?'
Oh..... I don't think I could sit still, so...

　Kyousuke's voice has no supremacy. It's unreliable, as if it would collapse if he were to poke it.
　After all, Rin, who has been with him for less than two months at most, has no idea what Kyousuke is thinking. Even more so because the skeleton has no expression on his face. It would have been easier to understand if he was in shock and completely shutting himself in his shell and rejecting others, but right now he doesn't look like that either.
　Kyousuke took two or three steps down the corridor and then stopped again.

'Do you still want to go?'

　Rin makes an effort to make a cheerful voice and asks

'It's cold outside, you know. That's probably a good thing too.''
.........

　Kyousuke stops and is unable to move as if he were in a golden bind.

　I don't think I can do anything to stay still. But I don't know what I could do if I went. That's about it.
　Kyousuke, who is trying to distract himself from his inner self, is trying to at least make up for his feelings by acting for the sake of others. But Kyousuke can't admit that acting for others is ultimately driven by his own ego. That's why he can't move.

''Hey, Utsurogi-kun, let's merge with me.

　Rin says, looking at Kyousuke's back. Through his ribs, I can see the view on the other side through his ribs.

''Well you couldn't do it, the other day.''
Well, last time. Why not? I said I want to do it, so why don't we join forces?

　In the end, no matter how depressed Kyousuke was, he couldn't turn down someone else's request. It was both his beauty and his flaw. It was his pillar of support, and it was also the empty part of him. Even if he hates himself for "pretending to act for others," he is unable to reject others.
　The current Rin is trying to force his attitude against such naivety.
　A little bit, I feel bad, but I have no choice but to do it.

''.........''

　Kyousuke gave a silent affirmation. Rin crawled to her feet and touched its bones.
　There was no sensation of a surge of strength or a direct transmission of Kyousuke's mind. It's a tasteless feeling, as if he's touching a piece of stone stick. As I thought, Kyousuke's Phase 2 ability is completely dead.

''Yo........''

　Nevertheless, Rin still clung to Kyousuke's body, making up his body. With Kyousuke's skeleton at the center, she formed a human shape. During that time, Kyousuke didn't move even a twitch.

''Yo........alright, perfect.........!
Himesui....
"Utsurogi-kun...!　We did it, we merged...!

　It's merely Kyousuke's body as a prop, and Rin is forcibly imitating human form all by herself. Now that he can't receive the benefit of the Phase 2 ability "Characteristic Amplification", Rin can't fix his body as Kyousuke's "body". The posture is unfamiliar, and the body is heavy. You'll be able to find a lot of people who have been in a position to do this. The liquid that fell to the floor kept coming back to Rin's body, repeating a weak triggering motion.
　It's clumsy and awkward, and on top of that, it's a painful stance. This is not a "cross combination" (named Ei) that can only be done because of Kyousuke's body, but a figure of a skeleton body with slime on it at random. Even so, Rin told him clearly, 'I've merged.

' "Eeehee........ Hey, we've merged, but what do we do now?
.........

　Kyousuke was silent and looked at his right arm. It opened and closed. It was an act he often did when they merged, to see how well their bodies were adjusting to each other. Rin's body, which was stuck in Kyousuke's palm, faltered as she moved, opening and closing in time with her movements.

''Himemizu........''
"For now, Utsurogi-kun, let's see. Let's go on deck!

　I'm sure they already know how strong we are. Even Kyousuke is not that insensitive.
　But even if he had realized it, we couldn't let him talk about it. Rin forces the fact that 'I was able to merge' to Kyousuke. If she pushes harder, he can't refuse.

''........I understand.''

　Kyousuke nodded and started walking slowly down the hallway. His entire body was still dripping a gelatinous liquid, and his gait was slow. It was more like a zombie than a skeleton.

　Even though they were snuggled up so snugly together, Kyousuke's heart didn't resonate.
　In truth, though, I wanted to say something more dexterous to him. It was the only thing he could do now.

　Goubayashi said that the problem couldn't be solved, it had to be faced.
　Ei said that the only thing that could fill the empty vessel was water.

　I don't know how Kyousuke feels about it. But this is the only thing we can do now.
　I will never let go of this body until I fill the empty vessel. Rin had made up her mind.