Aftermath of the Shelter Operation

One million five hundred thousand.

Higashino Makoto stood on the observation deck on the Seventh Floor of Novas Etilius, looking down at the land shrouded in magical light.

Numbers swirled in his mind.

Ten days, 1.5 million.

The world's top-down momentum is greater than he anticipated.

Or rather, the adults in this world are more eager than he anticipated to get rid of those children.

"Grown ups."

Shinano stood behind him, her nine fox tails swaying gently in the still air, her long silver-white hair falling from her shoulders, the pale cherry blossom tips of her tails gleaming softly in the artificial sunlight, and she held a thick folder in her hands.

"This is a report just sent by Miss Rem. Cursed Children, the first batch."

Higashino Makoto took the folder and opened it.

The handwriting was neat and dense, and each page was marked with the date, location, number of people, age distribution, and health status.

Rem is always meticulous in her work and never overlooks any detail.

"Those under seven years old account for 40%, those between seven and nine years old account for 50%, and those over ten years old account for 10%. More than 90% are malnourished, more than 60% have external injuries, and more than 30% have old, unhealed wounds."

He closed the folder, his golden eyes gazing at the distant floating island.

"I regulated their genes through the 'Tree of Life,' how is it going?"

"Thanks to you, the Gastrea activity of all the Cursed Children has been suppressed to below forty percent and will not increase further. They will no longer become Gastrea."

What about education?

"Ms. Akeno is in charge of the main part. She has drawn on some of the monsters automatically generated by the Great Archives. Starting with the most basic literacy, after a period of time, students will be divided into classes based on their interests and talents. Magic, martial arts, science, art, management, everything is included."

What about the medical aspect?

"Miss Ayami is in charge. She has deployed a group of healing monsters specifically to care for seriously ill children."

Higashino Makoto nodded.

This is the benefit of magic, or rather, power.

What ordinary humans cannot solve is no problem for him at all.

He returned the folder to Shinano, turned around, and walked down from the observation deck.

"Sir, where are you going?"

Go see those children.

He stepped into the portal, his figure disappearing into a pale golden light.

Novas Etier, First Tier, Platinum Triumph.

This is the outer reception area of Novas Etier, and also one of the defense lines originally designed by Higashino Makoto.

Above the sea of clouds, a vast white stone plaza stands, with anti-air magic crossbows neatly arranged on both sides, and the Gate of Scales standing silently in the center of the plaza.

But now, this area, originally used for military defense, has been temporarily converted into a settlement for the Cursed Children.

The square was filled with tents, white, gray, and light blue, densely packed together, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The children moved among the tents, some running, some jumping, some squatting on the ground drawing, and some hugging the teddy bears they received from the distribution station, sitting quietly in a corner lost in thought.

Their eyes were all red, and after the Gastrea Wars, these two features became the mark of the "Cursed Children," and also the reason for their being hated, abandoned, and abused.

But here, no one looks at them with strange eyes.

Because here, they are not outsiders.

Higashino Makoto walked between the tents, his long, silvery-white hair swaying gently in the breeze.

The children played to their hearts' content, ate to their hearts' content, daydreamed intently, and focused intently on adapting to this new, fearless world.

However, this is only temporary.

The portion of land he seized from the Overlord World could serve as their home.

When they grow up a bit, we can arrange for them to live in other worlds.

Whether it's the Demon Slayer world or the Re: Zero world, it's fine.

While he was lost in thought, a voice came from beside his feet.

"Big brother."

Higashino Makoto lowered his head.

A little girl stood in front of him, about five or six years old, with short silver-white hair, red eyes, and wearing a light blue dress.

That was Novas Etier's standard attire, made with the magic "Low-Tier Item Creation." Aside from its toughness, its only function was to automatically adjust its size according to the wearer's body shape.

"Um."

Are you the older brother?

"What big brother?"

"It's... that big brother, the big brother who saved us."

Higashino Makoto crouched down to be at her eye level.

"Who told you that I saved you?"

"That's what Rem said. She said a big brother named Higashino Makoto brought us here. She also said that he has silver-white hair and golden eyes, and is very handsome."

Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.

"... That Rem guy."

So, are you the older brother?

"Yes."

The girl's lips curled up slightly.

She reached into her pocket, took out a piece of candy, and handed it to him.

"Here you go, this is from Rem, it's delicious. She said that when you receive a gift, you should give a return gift. You saved us, this is a return gift."

Higashino Makoto looked at the candy; the wrapper was pink and had a rabbit printed on it.

He took the candy, unwrapped it, and put it in his mouth.

The sweetness melts on the tongue, carrying a subtle strawberry aroma.

"Tasty."

The girl smiled.

That smile was innocent and radiant, and her red eyes sparkled with joy.

"Um... big brother, can I hug you?"

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

"Why?"

"Because I wanted a hug. My sister said that when you thank someone, you should give them a hug."

Higashino Makoto remained silent.

He crouched down, then reached out and gently hugged her.

The girl's arms encircled his neck, her small body pressed against his chest, warm, soft, and carrying a faint milky scent.

"Thank you, big brother."

She let go of his hand, took a step back, and looked up at him.

Big brother, will you stay here forever?

"Won't."

Where will you go?

"Go somewhere else. Maybe you can save some people, just like you did."

The girl tilted her head.

"Won't that make you very tired, big brother?"

"Good."

"If you're tired, come back. I'll give you candy."

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

"Good."

The girl smiled brightly.

She turned around and ran into the tent, her short, silvery-white hair gleaming golden in the sunlight, her pale blue skirt swaying gently in the breeze.