The power to destroy Gastrea… how enviable it was.
The government had been quick to identify Zeroy and confirm her identity. So, a small drone flew before her, interrupting her thoughts.
"Great hero, thank you for purging the Gastrea threat for humanity. Your feats are epic, worthy of being etched into human history forever."
The drone projected a video feed. On screen was a man in a tailored suit, his tie gleaming under the lights.
His smile was greasy and forced, with the false warmth of a diplomat. His English was perfect, but tinged with barely hidden arrogance.
Zeroy arched a brow, her tone flat. "No need for thanks. Vermin living was a mistake in itself."
"Oh, haha, your frankness is admirable."
The man forced a laugh, his smile never reaching his eyes.
He adjusted his tie, masking a flicker of nerves. Then his tone dropped, probing.
"However... we noticed that during your sweeps, some diplomatic teams—including ours—sent to contact you seem to have... met unfortunate ends?"
He paused, lips curling into a sly smile. "Of course, we believe it must be a misunderstanding. Surely, a savior like you wouldn't deliberately do something so... unseemly?"
"?"
Confusion glinted in Zeroy's eyes.
She understood what he was trying, yet couldn't comprehend why. Why did they dare speak so arrogantly? Did they have no fear of power or the unknown?
Oblivious, the man pressed on, voice dripping with feigned regret.
"You saved the world. You should be humanity's hero. However, if these minor blemishes were magnified... if some accused you of massacres, even of threatening humanity's safety..."
He spread his hands in mock helplessness. "That would be tragic, wouldn't it? None of us wants that. So we sincerely hope you'll cooperate in an investigation, to clarify the truth—lest your shining deeds be stained by rumor."
"I understand, you may feel slighted. After all you've done, some repay you with baseless slander. It seems ungrateful... but you must understand, law is the cornerstone of human society. No one is above it."
He dared speak this way because it was a united stance among nations.
Wherever Zeroy went, she would encounter the same.
Were they foolish? No.
Though humanity had dwindled to 750 million, it was still a large number. Talented elites were countless.
They were simply too greedy.
Despite Zeroy's refusal of contact, nations had profiled her based on who she killed and spared. The conclusion: she cared about humanity and was Neutral Good. She slew the wicked, but spared the innocent.
Clearly, she was a classic hero. And heroes were the easiest to manipulate.
"Pfft..."
Looking at the posturing politician, Zeroy couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?"
The man frowned, uneasy.
"Me?—"
Scarlet armor wrapped around Zeroy, Striker Unit in hand. She spread a vial of Super Varanium Enchanting Liquid across her blade.
"I laugh because your sun has set."
She had already asked Patchouli about enchanting with Super Varanium. The answer: yes, and it was simple.
Patchouli had brewed three bottles for her on the spot.
"Now—"
Zeroy's voice boomed with the resonance of mana and amplifiers, law incarnate, like a divine oracle over the city.
Each syllable pierced ears, slipped through walls and windows, echoing in every street.
Gentle and clear, yet unchallengeable.
"The final reckoning has come."
She hovered aloft, flames roaring from her armor, golden hair whipped in the storm.
"The righteous need not fear. The innocent need not tremble. Pure of heart—you will witness and inherit a new world without stain."
Then her tone plunged, a winter chill.
"Anhyhow, the maggots hiding among the crowd—"
"All who bear malice, all who harm others… you will pay with your heads! In sacrifice to the civilization you defiled!"
Dozens of flaming swords materialized, forming a circle of divine judgment around the city.
The slaughter began.
Scarlet fire swept crowded streets. Heads flew.
Flames cauterized wounds instantly. There was no blood—only headless corpses collapsing.
Hiding indoors was useless. When she passed, fire surged through windows and doors, reducing vermin to ash, leaving only charred skulls.
Her judgment was not only for those who persecuted Cursed Children.
The Cursed Children were innocent, human. Others, too, were human and innocent until proven guilty.
Those who persecuted the children were vermin. But so were those who harmed anyone.
Hurting the children was a crime—but hurting others was not?
From now on, all would face Zeroy's judgment.
Pass, and live.
Fail, and die.
The city rang with terrified screams.
However, it was fine. Fear was the best restraint. Normally, Zeroy might have chosen gentler means to avoid terrifying the masses; that said, in chaos, heavy law was needed.
Time was short. The mission was urgent.
She would be as careful as she could—even so, when she couldn't, she would not waver.
Nothing was perfect from the start. If fear of flaws stopped action, nothing would ever change.
And Zeroy was no perfectionist.
...
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