Bio Defense ~A City Built in a World That Has Ended~

Chapter 4-6

Subaru carefully drives the car back to the designated location and stops. As the man said, there’s a sign for a hot spring. However, as an old road, this path is also quite narrow.

Still, Subaru’s handling of the steering wheel has become noticeably better as he gets more accustomed to it.

“That was quite a surprise. I can’t imagine how cold my blood would have been if I had seen that many of them gathered together.”

Matsushiba says, turning around. It’s not possible for her to see from her position, but she can’t help but look. It’s no wonder, given the sheer number of them. In fact, Kanata and Daigo had also turned around multiple times. It was a moment that evoked a primal fear.

The relatively new tunnel area seems to have been constructed later, as the road width is also a standard width. It’s about 6 meters wide. That’s where the infected were packed together. It’s hard to even think about how deep it goes.

In comparison, there’s no one in sight on the road they’re currently driving on. The old road seems to go around the mountain where the tunnel passes, and they passed through a small settlement along the way. There were no signs of survivors or infected there either. It might be necessary to investigate what this difference is.

There’s still so much about the infected that they don’t understand.

Subaru’s car continues to make steady progress along the old road, and eventually, a new road comes into view.

“This should be the road that joins the tunnel,”

Matsushiba says, offering guidance. There doesn’t seem to be anything abnormal within the visible range, so they must have somehow blocked it closer to the tunnel. They stop at a slightly wider area, open the window, and look around, but they can’t see anyone, and they can’t hear the unique, growling voices either.

“I can’t believe they can stay calm with those things so close…”

Subaru mumbles, leaning on the steering wheel.

“They’re probably not calm… I’m sure.”

Matsushiba answers, sounding a bit troubled.

“That’s why they went to check it out. Thanks to them, we were saved. They’re probably not calm, but they don’t have the option to leave the village. It’s a common occurrence, especially among the elderly.”

“And what is it that you’re most concerned about?”

Kanata asks, not quite understanding why it’s so common or what Matsushiba’s concerns are.

“When you live in such a remote place, you must think it’s inconvenient, right? The young ones think so and leave to find jobs and such. The ones left behind are mostly the elderly. Even if they try to invite their parents, who were left behind, to their own homes, they don’t give a positive response. There are plenty of old geezers and grannies who argue with their children when they’re told to go to an elderly care facility.”

“You shouldn’t throw them away,”

Daigo says seriously, and Matsushiba smiles with narrowed eyes.

“I’m one of those who left this place, thinking I couldn’t end up like this. I don’t really know the truth. There’s also a sense of love for one’s hometown, and there’s also anxiety about unfamiliar lands. There might also be a sense of obligation to protect the place where one’s ancestors have lived for generations. There might also be those who are stubborn, having been called a “dying town” by the outside world… Strangely, those who live in isolated lands tend to be reluctant to leave.”

“Hmm…”

It’s like they understand, but they don’t. In the end, why is it like that?

“It seems like you’re having a boring conversation. We’re just living as we are.”

“Ugh!”

Kanata is startled, almost jumping out of his seat, as someone suddenly speaks to him from behind.

How did they get there? They’re standing right next to the car on the driver’s side. Even though everyone was talking while looking at the tunnel on the other side, they didn’t notice them approaching…

“Hey, Seihei. You’re here. You were always so hard to tell if you were there or not, but you’ve gotten even better at it.”

“If you’re noticed by these kids or those who left, you’ll be mocked by the beasts.”

“So… how was it?”

“Everyone is gathered at the community center. You guys were lucky to notice. This place has been pretty rowdy lately, and there have been a few groups who’ve come with knives and such, saying they need food. They’ve set up a watchtower at the path of the guardian deity, and there are people with guns standing guard. Well, if Kira shows up, they probably won’t shoot, but… they’re on edge.”

From Seihei’s tone, it seems like they’re not exactly welcome. And it seems like even in this remote mountain area, there are looters. Kanata was thinking that it’s as far as this place… when he notices that Seihei is looking at them.

“You might think this is such a remote place, but this is the time for it. Sure, it might be inconvenient for those in town, but what’s the town like now? Without electricity, it might be more inconvenient over there, and there’s hardly any food, right? Here, we have an abundance of water, and we can grow enough rice and vegetables to be self-sufficient. As for electricity, it often stops with just a little rain or wind, so we don’t really need it. It’s because we’ve been neglecting nature all along…”

“I get it, I get it. Don’t give us a lecture here.”

Matsushiba abruptly cuts off Seihei’s long-winded speech.

“If we can talk, let’s go to the settlement first. Will you ride with us, Seihei?”

“No, I’m going to check the traps.”

As Matsushiba calls out to him, Seihei enters the bushes and disappears. Kanata and the others can’t see it, but there must be a path there.

“I’m sorry, the old folks tend to talk too much. I have to be careful too.”

Matsushiba says, and then points to the road that extends in the opposite direction of the tunnel.

“If you follow this road, you’ll reach the settlement. There’s supposed to be a fortress, as Seihei said, so take it slow.”

Subaru nods and slowly starts the car.

After driving for a while, they reach a point where the road continues straight ahead and there’s a slight incline to the left. Matsushiba tells Subaru to turn left. The road was already not very wide, but it becomes even narrower after the turn.

It’s now barely wider than the car, and just as Subaru is about to give up, they see it.

There’s a square on the left side of the road, and a few light trucks are parked there. It seems to get even narrower from there, and the car can’t go any further. Ahead, a wooden fence-like structure blocks the way, and a few people are standing there, looking at them.

“You can park the car in that square. From here, we’ll have to walk. It’s quite a distance?”

As Matsushiba says this with a slight smile, they stop the car and pick up their bags, which contain their belongings. They had been told to prepare for a stay of 2-3 days, so they had made simple preparations.

“Make sure you’re armed.”

Everyone stops moving at Matsushiba’s words, their eyes asking if it’s not safe.

“Just in case. I mean, it’s not against the people in the settlement? It’s against them.”

Everyone can tell from Matsushiba’s words that they’re relieved. They had imagined being captured by hardliners in the settlement who rejected outsiders…

Kanata and the others prepare the things they brought with them, with a wry smile. Their “armament” isn’t anything special. Subaru puts on a thick jacket and takes out a crowbar, Daigo brings out a camping axe, and then they hesitate in front of the large bag that remains.

This isn’t unique to NO.4, but when forming a city and enclosing it with a temporary fence, there’s a process of expelling or eliminating the infected and non-cooperators who are inside the enclosure, and then creating a safe zone and recovering supplies. Kanata and the others have participated in this before, but the expelling and eliminating is done by the city defense team, while the recovery of supplies is done by volunteer citizens.

It’s not a completely safe task, as there may be infected that they haven’t found, or others who are hiding, but due to a shortage of manpower and the need to provide work for citizens, it’s done in this way, and participants are given ration cards.

During this process, they recover anything that can be used, and occasionally, they find real weapons. Daigo’s shield is probably from the riot police, and there are reports of guns being armed by looters outside the city, with police, self-defense forces, and stationed troops being equipped with them, or being stored in places that have fallen, and then taken out.

The weapons and ammunition that are discovered and recovered are managed by the defense team for the sake of security in the city. In this case, although it’s for Matsushiba’s private use, Tachibana has run around using her full authority to bring out several weapons, and they’re in that bag.

“Here, what’s the matter? Go ahead and use it too. We have various plans, but the most important thing is that nothing happens to you. I’ll tell the settlement about it, so please take care of yourselves.”

Matsushiba urges them, and Kanata gently opens the bag, looking at the others, and takes out the contents. Kanata takes out a short sword, Subaru takes a rifle, and Daigo takes the shield that was placed at the bottom of the bag.

The sword that Kanata holds is from the Board of Education’s collection, and although it has no inscription, it’s in good condition, without any rust, and is probably usable. The rifle that Subaru holds is the M4 assault rifle, the standard equipment of the stationed troops. There’s also an extra magazine. The shield that Daigo holds is a large, transparent one made of polycarbonate, which is used by the riot police, and it’s large enough to cover Daigo’s head and knees.

“You know, I keep saying this, but weapons can be either a tool or a weapon, depending on the user’s mindset. You guys don’t seem worried, but just be careful about that. Are you okay with handling them?”

Matsushiba says, looking particularly at Subaru for confirmation.

“Yeah, I learned how to use them properly. I’m not used to it, though…”

There are a fair number of people in the defense team who have experience with firearms. They had undergone training and a few practice shoots before their departure.

“I think Kanata-kun is used to it,”

Matsushiba says.

“No, I’m not used to using a real sword.”

Kanata thinks that Haruka or Hinata would be much more reliable with these weapons, but he can’t say that out loud. He’s determined to do it himself.

“Daigo-kun looks good with it. Please protect everyone with it.”

Daigo nods seriously at Matsushiba, who looks at him with the same expression as someone who has bought a new outfit for their grandchild.

“Well, we’re not going to storm in or anything! Don’t get too worked up! Let’s go, those old geezers are getting antsy.”

Matsushiba says, and then turns to the people who have been watching them and starts walking. Kanata and the others follow, walking behind her.

Kanata and the others are officially accompanying Matsushiba as her guards. Even if it’s just a formality to create a record, it’s important that nothing happens to Matsushiba, who is the representative of NO.4, a non-city. The three of them secretly give each other high-fives, pumping themselves up.