Nearby Kabane swarmed toward Mumei and the others, drawn by the gunfire, leaving the rear of the Koutetsujo largely cleared for a moment.
Tap, tap, tap...
Crisp footsteps echoed on the platform alongside the tracks. Misono Mika walked a short distance before coming to a halt. She looked up, gazing at Kenbane Station as it was gradually swallowed by rising flames.
It took less than a single night for a massive Station to fall. How many people had died in this upheaval? How many had lost their closest kin?
Yet, this was the main theme of this world. For the ordinary people living here, simply staying alive required every ounce of their strength.
While Mika wouldn't spiral into self-deprecation over the misfortunes of others, witnessing so many bloody and cruel scenes in such a short time still placed a degree of psychological pressure on her. Furthermore, she had personally killed so many 'humans'.
In the past, Mika had rarely even killed a chicken. She was able to dispatch Kabane one after another without changing her expression thanks to this body's powerful regulatory systems and her own high level of adaptability. Whenever a bloody sight caused physical or mental discomfort, it was alleviated in a mere instant.
'After all, I am a "human," not a "god" who stands above all things. No matter how powerful my adaptability is, I still need a little time to relax my tensed nerves. Besides, I haven't rested all night.'
Mika glanced at the sky, which was beginning to brighten slightly. The exhaustion radiating from her body was a reminder that it was time for a proper rest.
Kacha, kacha—
The sound of meshing gears suddenly erupted from behind. Accompanied by the hissing of the steam power units, the heavy drawbridge slowly lowered. Mika could faintly hear the cheers erupting from the people inside the Koutetsujo.
In front of her, countless Kabane lunged out from various corners. The dense red dots converged like ants from all directions, forming a dark-red dragon that sprinted madly along the path.
As a massive fortress built to construct 'Hayajiro' for other Stations, Kenbane Station housed a vast population. Looking at this seemingly endless army of Kabane, one could roughly estimate just how many lives had been lost here.
"Life truly is fragile. People die due to misfortune, yet their remains must continue to be desecrated by a virus. What a tragedy."
Mika sighed with melancholy, and the irritation she felt from her rest being disturbed dissipated. Come to think of it, she was someone who had died once herself, only she had been luckier than most.
Watching the dense swarm of Kabane drawing closer, Mika gently raised her right hand and spoke softly: "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. Let the wicked fall to hell and the righteous ascend to heaven. May all your souls find their resting place. This is the only thing I can do for you."
Suddenly, the sky ignited. Pink meteors streaked through the darkness, trailing brilliant plumes of flame like blooming flowers. They descended at an incredible speed, appearing like messengers from the heavens carrying mysterious and formidable power.
The meteors tore through the sky in an instant, crashing into the middle of the Kabane swarm on the ground.
Rumble—!
Accompanied by a deafening roar, the light of explosions soared into the sky, instantly dispelling the surrounding darkness. Within the firelight, the Kabane swarm was torn apart by the massive impact, reduced to black fragments that scattered in all directions.
The destructive power was staggering; the entire ground trembled. Surrounding buildings swayed under the shockwaves; some collapsed directly, turning into ruins. Flames and smoke intertwined to form a sea of fire, swallowing the Kabane whole.
Those Kabane not directly hit appeared even more hideous under the glow of the fires. They let out shrill screeches, but before this overwhelming destructive force, they appeared tiny and helpless.
"Are these... the meteors Lady Mika mentioned? They're truly beautiful..."
Mumei's eyes widened. She watched the arcs of the meteors leave brilliant trails of light in the sky, becoming immersed in this unprecedented spectacle.
"..."
Kurusu Konochi was trembling all over. He stared in terror at Kenbane Station being ravaged by the meteors; from this moment on, he would never dare harbor even a shred of disrespect toward Misono Mika.
Ikoma, Ayame Yomogawa, and the others who had returned to the carriage stood frozen in place. They pressed against the windows, their eyes tightly following the sliding trajectories of the meteors, their faces filled with disbelief. It was as if they were captivated by the beauty and mystery, forgetting the danger and chaos surrounding them.
Strangely, the falling meteors left no debris. After striking the ground, they actually transformed into clusters of pink motes of light. These motes danced and flickered on the ground like spirits, emitting a soft and warm glow. They gradually spread out, appearing like a sea of pink flowers blooming in the dark—ethereal and mysterious.
As the motes vanished, the surrounding air seemed to grow fresher, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility. The meteors were gone; all that remained were the marks of destruction and the shock left in people's hearts.
Regardless of how the people on the Koutetsujo reacted, this moment would become a memory they would never forget.
As the dust settled, a sliver of dawn began to appear on the horizon. By the time Misono Mika returned to the Koutetsujo looking exhausted, the crowd finally snapped out of their shock.
"Mumei, Ikoma, and you two—I'm going to rest. Unless it's something major, don't let anyone disturb me."
"Understood. Please rest well; we've got things handled here," Mumei agreed softly.
Ikoma stood guard at the door leading to the other carriages, clutching his Piercing Gun. Meanwhile, the 'kneeling duo' looked as if they had hit the jackpot; they stood excitedly with their backs ramrod straight and their noses in the air, guarding both sides of the aisle.
To them, Mika's command wasn't a chore, but a grand favor. As long as Mika was willing to use them, their implicit status was already higher than most people on the train. Because they represented Misono Mika!
After the meteor strike, who would dare disrespect her now?
Mika sat on the prepared bedding, leaning against the wall. She closed her eyes slightly and fell asleep just like that. As she drifted off, the halo above her head faded and vanished.
Inside the carriage, Mumei and the others even made sure their breathing was careful, fearing they might wake her. Ayame didn't rush to leave; instead, she sat on the opposite bedding, admiring Mika's tranquil sleeping face.
Outside, the Koutetsujo's whistle roared. The train accelerated steadily on the tracks, racing toward the rising sun.
★ ★ ★