A sudden rustling broke the silence of Tokyo, like a final struggle before deathly stillness. The faces of the people near the city government building changed abruptly, and fear surged through them like a tide.
"Monsters... the monsters are back!" A shrill, terrified cry shattered the quiet night, stretching the citizens' already taut nerves even tighter. Panic seized them, as though they could see death's scythe swinging in the darkness. They swarmed toward the city government building, hoping to find a little shelter within that symbol of supreme authority.
"Lady Seitenshi, save us! Please, hurry and save us!" The citizens' pleas rose one after another, their eyes filled with despair and terror. Deep inside the meeting room, Seitenshi stood pale-faced, her hands clenched tightly. The helplessness in her heart nearly robbed her of breath.
"Rentaro, why haven't Captain Aiki and the others arrived yet? If they can save Tokyo, I'll agree to anything!" Her voice trembled with unprecedented desperation.
At that moment, Rentaro could only answer with silence, his eyes full of helplessness and pain.
"Lady Seitenshi, please stay calm. I'll fight for you until the very end." Rentaro's words carried unwavering resolve, and his expression softened.
"Rentaro!" Seitenshi suddenly gave a bitter smile, all trace of her former fragility vanishing from her expression. "Yes! Fight until the very end. If everyone in Tokyo had your resolve, perhaps things would never have come to this!" Gazing around the empty meeting room, she sank weakly into the seat that had once been hers.
"Thank you, Rentaro, for staying with me even at this final moment!"
"Lady Seitenshi!" Rentaro stepped forward. Looking at the helpless girl's back as she sat in her chair, he wanted to offer a few words of comfort, only to find that he had no idea what to