Accompanied By A Red Thunder
"It's a lie... right? How can Kouki... lose?"
"N-No way..."
"N-No... w-why..."
Coming out from the hidden room, Kouki's comrades were bewildered in seeing him being hung, and they uttered incoherent words. Even Shizuku, Kaori, and Suzu were speechless. Towards the classmates who had lost their fighting spirit, the Demon Race woman spoke with a cold attitude.
"Hmm, it looks like I'll be able to catch you guys easily. I... have underestimated you brats, but it looks like it'll work out just fine."
With a pale expression, Shizuku asked the Demon Race woman with courageous tone.
"... What did you do?"
"Nn? It's this, you know this."
After replying to the question, the Demon Race woman turned her gaze towards Commander Meld who was gripped by a Brutal-look-alike even now. Following her gaze, Shizuku came to understand the moment she saw the dying Commander Meld. Commander Meld was used to divert Kouki's attention. If his acquaintance was caught and was dying, Kouki would surely react to it. Furthermore, he would've considerably lost his composure.
The Demon Race woman had most likely to understood Kouki's straight forward character from their previous fight. Thus, using Chimera's peculiar ability, she hid a strong demonic beast who aimed at the moment Kouki jumped in anger.
"... So? What do you want from us? You must want something since you're purposely letting us live and started to converse with us, right?"
"Ah, as expected, you're the one who can understand situation the best. What, it's not such a special conversation. When I saw you guys earlier, I thought to once again invite you guys. Look, before, it was this Hero-kun who selfishly decided everything, right? And, there are also excellent people among you, so I want ask you again. So? What do you think?"
Some people reacted to the Demon Race woman's words. Because of that, Shizuku narrowed her eyes and questioned the woman again.
"... What about Kouki?"
"Fufu, what a fast learner... Sorry, but I can't let Hero-kun alive. He didn't want to come to our side, so it's impossible to persuade him, right? After all, he is the self-contained type. That's why I don't have any reason to keep such a dangerous creature alive."
"... Isn't that the same with us?"
"Of course; why did you think I let you live even though I know it'll only make me anxious of my back?"
"Haven't you thought that we might joined now and betray you later?"
"Naturally, I have thought that. That's why I'll make you wear collars. Ah, there's no need to worry, it's only make you unable to rebel against us. No one will be deprived of their freedoms."
"That's just like slaves with high degree of freedom. What you mean is we will keep our free will, but we won't be able to harm you."
"That's right. It helps me that you're quick to understand. Also, it's good that this conversation is going somewhere until the one with Hero-kun."
Although the classmates were silently listening to the conversation between Shizuku and the Demon Race, they were also looking at each other with fear-stricken eyes and full of worries. If they did not accept the invitation from Demon Race, then nine out of ten they would be killed by the demonic beasts that were even difficult for Kouki to defeat, but they would not be able to fight against Demon Race again if they sided with Demon Race and wore the collar.
In other words, they would no longer be "God's Apostles." If it turned to that, would Church of the Saints whom they had been summoned to protect became useless... and, would it be possible for them to return to their original world...
No matter what option they chose, they could not see a bright future. However...
"I-I think we should accept that person's invitation!"
Among the silent crowd, Eri unexpectedly desperately spoke while trembling. Thus, the classmates opened their eyes wide in surprise, and carefully paid attention to her. To such an Eri, Ryuutarou shouted back with face red in anger.
"Eri, you! So, you are going to abandon Kouki!"
"Hih!?"
"Ryuutarou, please calm down! Eri, why do you think so?"
Ryuutarou's attitude made Eri frightened, and she stepped back as a result. However, Shizuku admonished Ryuutarou and was somehow able to stop him. Thus, Eri took a deep breath and spoke her mind with tightly clenched fists.
"I-I just... don't want everyone to die... Even I don't know... what to do with Kouki-kun... ugh, gulp..."
Eri spun her words with all of her might with tearing streaming down her eyes. Seeing her, the other party members' hearts were shaken. Thus, one person who agreed with Eri appeared.
"I also agree with Nakamura. Our lost has already been decided; between annihilation and survival, there's no need to hesitate, right?"
"Hiyama... you mean, you don't care what happen to Kouki, huh? Huh?"
"Then, Sakagami, are you trying to do double suicide with Kouki who could not fight anymore? And with all of us involved?"
"That's not it! As if I'd do that!"
"Then please shut your mouth if you don't have any alternative. Right now, it should take precedence on how to survive by ourselves."
With Hiyama's remark, the atmosphere turned into one where it looked like it was necessary for them to accept the invitation. And just like what Hiyama said, they only had one choice if they wanted to survive.
However, they could not just choose that since they felt guilty, thinking, 'Is it really okay for us to survive while Kouki gets killed? It was as though they were boldly sacrificing Kouki for their survival.
To their dilemma, the Demon Race woman made another proposal with such perfect timing.
"Hmmm, if you guys are that worried about Hero-kun... shall I keep him alive? Naturally, a collar with stronger effect than yours will be put on him. But, I want all of you to side with Demon Race first."
Shizuku secretly clicked her tongue when she heard the proposal. It was because she had guessed since the beginning that the Demon Race woman would propose it. It was strange for Kouki to be kept alive if she had already decided to kill him. The woman only had to kill him if there was no need for discussion after all.
That's why by not killing him and keeping him alive were all for this moment. The Demon Race woman had likely acknowledged that Kouki and the others were useful after the last fight. However, she was convinced she could not make Kouki waver even through talking. But the others didn't know of that. So, she planned to draw in the others aside from Kouki.
First, she did not kill Kouki to not raise the animosity of the others. Second, she told them to make a choice while she cornered them between choice of death or survival. Third, she guided them to think "if we do that," and she chose that time to erase the problem from their thought.
Actually, by making the best use of Kouki, the atmosphere changed to one where they thought it'd be okay to side with Demon Race if they survive. Though in reality, they didn't have any guarantee Kouki would be kept alive. Even if they regretted if he was killed after this, they could no longer act against the Demon Race.
Shizuku noticed that, but she kept silent as she told herself they currently could do nothing but to side with Demon Race if they want to survive. There should be a way to save Kouki as long as they were alive.