Weird yellow-green light filled the sky. Bluish black tiles laid on the ground. Fang like projections decorated buildings, and a dense fog flowed between them.
“...The «Demonic City» stage huh. Well, it could be said to match today’s objective.”
After the Black King, Black Lotus murmured that, her sharp tipped foot made a loud stomping sound on the tile below.
After looking at the loved and respected legion master’s flowing and ferocious shape for a while, Haruyuki stared at the sky colored avatar tucked away beside her.
This one was an entirely graceful standing shape. On the back of the delicate female type body, somewhat blue thick hair flowed down like wings. The two hands and two legs with smooth lines were not equipped with anything weapon-like.
However, Haruyuki knew. Right now, firmly stepping on the ground, the two slender legs that allowed the avatar to stand up, was her, Sky Raker’s proof of the miracle caused by her.
If Black Lotus was Haruyuki’s «Parent» and «Sword Master», then Raker was someone that he should call «Master». For a long time, she retired from front line of accelerated duels and lived a secluded life on top of the old Tokyo Tower that was forgotten by most people.
The reason was that about two and half years ago, her two legs were cut off at the knees by her own will, and over half of her battle ability was lost. However, having a similar kind of power, «Flight Ability», which he temporary lost, Haruyuki met her, and through her initiating him in the «Incarnate System», she slowly recovered her passion for duels and then in the previous week’s «Hermes Code Traverse Race», she overcame the wound of her heart that chained her, and recovered her legs.
Haruyuki had thoroughly understood how incredibly hard it was to escape from under the influence of negative imagination after being controlled by Chrome Disaster once.
Probably, if at that time Chiyuri, Lime Bell, had not used her «Rewind the target avatar’s time backwards» kind of transcendental power special ability to help him, then Haruyuki would probably be swallowed by the armor and hatred for himself and would have indiscriminately attacked the few hundred people of the gallery.
With just a few minutes of sinking into negative mind power, it was at a point that he could no longer return. And yet, Sky Raker cut apart the chains of fear and despair that continued to bound her for two and a half real time years. If this was not called a miracle, what else could it be called?
While being hit with deep emotion, he stared deeply at Raker’s two legs, then ——.
“Why, Karasu-san, do you like my beautiful legs that much?”
After being called out with that laughter filled sound, Haruyuki hurriedly shook his head and both hands.
“Th, that’s not it, no, of course it’s very beautiful, but it’s not that...”
“Hoo, you have a leg fetish huh. Sorry about that, I don’t have any calves or ankles.”
This time Kuroyukihime said with lights of daggers in her violet blue eyes. Haruyuki changed his face’s direction, and again pleaded.
“No, no way, I love senpai’s legs also... ah, it’s not like I have a fetish or anything like that...!”
Realizing that anymore he said will bog him down, he pointed to the southeast direction and shouted.
“In, instead of that, look, the guide cursor is pointing, in that direction! Let’s go, let’s hurry and go.”
Like Haruyuki said, in the center of his view were two grey triangles quietly pointing in the same direction. Over there should be the two aides of the Blue legion that was acting as host for today’s conference. Furthermore, above the cursors were two HP gauges lined up, with a countdown in the center. It should have started at 1800 seconds, and that was already decreased to 1750.
“Nn, I think it was strictly said to gather within 100 seconds. No choice, let’s run.”
The three people nodded to each other, then all started to dash southwards in the Demonic City streets.
In he normal duel gallery, in exchange losing rights to destroy the terrain, they are given the maximum movement and jump power. Haruyuki’s group sprinted up the wall of the building blocking them and this time moved forward in a direct line from rooftop to rooftop.
After running for about 20 seconds, they cut through the deep fog that was in front of them all the way.
The scenery that appeared before his eyes, made Haruyuki involuntarily call out.
“Uwaa..., Hu, huge...”
It was the «Castle».
A bit southeast of the position where the cursor pointed, stood a way to huge building that seemed to connect to the sky. The castle made up of steel towers shining blue light, and strange sculptures, released a stronger presence than anything else in the Demonic City stage, and could even be called something divine. It was surrounded by high castle walls and wide waterways, where an entrance like object was nowhere to be found.
During the numerous duels that he had in Suginami and Shinjuku, he had caught glimpses of the castle’s shape standing far in the eastern sky, but it was the first time that he had seen it at this close distance. As Haruyuki looked dazedly at the huge castle’s majesty, Kuroyukihime that was right beside him whispered.
“That, is the «Imperial Palace» in the real world. Even in the accelerated world, it’s the only place that you cannot enter no matter what method you use.”
“Fl... flying is no good either?”
The one who answered his question, was Fuuko who ran at his left side.
“Yea. Above and below the castle walls, are set with invisible walls. That’s why, flying or going under ground is no good. At the beginning, a lot of methods were tried though...”
“Aa. Something like inside were hidden super incredible enhanced armaments, there were various rumors. However, still there was not a single person that manage to invade it. —— In the normal duel field, that is.”
Feeling something from the way that Kuroyukihime said it, Haruyuki asked in return.
“Wha... that, what does it mean?”
However, before the answer returned, Fuuko sharply whispered.
“Saw it... above that hill!”
He looked towards where the finger pointed. Then he could see it, above a small hill where they were heading towards, were two small humanoid shadows... no, he could see three of them. In the real world, that place was probably where the imperial palace «East Gardens» was located. Different than the main palace, it was open to the public, and Haruyuki had also been there during a social studies field trip while he was in elementary school.
They slowed down slightly, and approached with caution. Even though he was attending at a no possibility of being attacked gallery, thinking about soon meeting the «Pure Color Kings» that controlled the accelerated world directly, his body could not help but shake.
They crossed the bridge over a wide waterway, went through a magnificent gate, then started to climb up the stairs set on the side of the hill. The absolutely uninvadable «Demonic City» stood just to the right side, but Haruyuki did not turn his sight that way, and just continued to stare at the top of the hill.
The steps eventually ended, and a wide stone paved space opened up in front of his eyes.
In the real world, it was the place where a wide patch of grass marked the Edo castle site. However there was not any kind of plant here, and in exchange, steel cylinders stood there, forming a large ring.
However, somehow, just one cylinder was a bit short, with about 50 cm in height.
Over there, a duel avatar was sitting.
Blue. Like it could suck you in, a transparent feeling of a deep blue color. Not the color of the sky or the sea, it was hard to compare with anything real- that was the pure blue that covered his whole body.
The armor type was fully a knight type. However without any of «Disaster Armor»’s sense of scourge, it was the elegant shape of a legendary hero. On both sides of the visor helmet extended dragon like horns and a large and long two handed sword was worn on the left waist.
With left leg resting on right knee, the blue avatar's arms were crossed in a relaxed posture. His stature was not all that big. Standing up, he would be about Takumu, Cyan Pile’s, height. However, from that whole body exuded an overwhelming pressure like a meteor coming from outer space which made Haruyuki come to a stop more than 20 meters in front of him.
“...Th, that is...”
After he whispered that in a raspy sound, Raker next to him nodded slightly.
“Yea. That is, controlling Shinjuku area and Bunkyo area, legion «Leonids» leader... with «Vanquish», «Legend Slayer», and many other nicknames, the lever 9-er Blue King, that is «Blue Knight».”
“Blue... Knight...”
In other games, it was an ultra simple name that could be given to small fry monsters, but when heard in the accelerated world, it gave the opposite of absolute one and only feel to it.
While the bottomless intimidation made his back shook, Haruyuki finally remembered. That knight, was not Haruyuki’s dueler. As for stance, they were both just gallery. If even though he was just an onlooker with no attack power or HP gauge, he felt that much pressure already, then if it was a one on one duel, he would be afraid of just thinking about it.
Then, at that moment. A small ‘Kin’ sound echoing released Haruyuki from his paralysis.
That was the sound of a footstep from Kuroyukihime who took taking a step forward. The Black King, Black Lotus walked forward a few steps while making the Blue King’s fierce aura seem like a breeze, then waved her right sword hand lightly.
“Since today you are the boss, I will say a greeting before you get mad. Still the same stifling look huh, Knight?”
To Kuroyukihime’s words, Haruyuki screamed in his head, ‘Wh why are you trying to provoke him!’. On top of that, beside him Raker laughed, so he almost back-dashed to flee, but fortunately, before that happened, the blue knight avatar said in a cool and clear young man’s voice.
“...You know, that can’t be called a greeting, Lotus. You still seem to be the same bad tempered person, even after two and a half years.”
With a ‘Clash’ armor sound, he shrugged. At the same time, the blood lust that was being released dispersed as if it was just a lie.
Somehow the Blue King, from his speech pattern, was a more informal person than he thought. Since the blue legion attacked the black legion area without pause every week, he thought the King himself was burning with desire to enforce Kuroyukihime, but somehow, it did not seem to be the case...
At the moment Haruyuki relaxed his shoulders, from both sides of the Blue King, from inside the wisps of dense fog, two humanoid shadows with very similar forms slid out without a sound.
—— Samurai!
He thought of that instantly. The slender and long armor, was a Japanese style armor made from overlapping horizontally long metal pieces. As for color, the left avatar was a deep ultramarine blue. And the right one somewhat bright bluish green. On the head, instead of a kabuto[1], was a tied hachigane[2], with bundled long hair trailing down. Based on the body figures, both were female.
The two female samurai, after moving forward with a few mysterious sliding steps, placed their hand on the handle of the katana on their left waist, and released a low sound.
“Saying rude words to our Vanquish, we won’t forgive even a King!”
“Traitor, be thankful that you are even allowed to be here!”
And then again, killing instinct that shook the air with a crackle blew by, making Haruyuki shake with a ‘Hiiiii ——’, a soundless scream.
Being one of Black King’s followers, he should spit out similar cool words here as a retort, but he felt that if he said anything, his head would be blown away, so could not even open his mouth. Since, without a doubt those samurai were the two Blue King’s aides that created this field, and that meant as «Dueler»s, they have the right to remove disruptive people from the gallery when they both agree.
—— However, at the next moment.
“Why, after not seeing you for a while, you two seem to have became quite bossy mouthed, Ojou[3]-chans.”
The sound that was released with laugher, was from Sky Raker. With ‘Clop clop’ sound of high heels, she walked to stand beside Kuroyukihime, then extended her right palm towards the samurai, as she wiggled her finger.
“Can I hang both of you from the roof of the Tokyo government office building again, just like the old times?”
“Hi, Hiiiii ——”. Haruyuki again screamed soundlessly. ‘You really did that?!’, he shouted inside his chest, then accepted the fact that it would not be strange for her to do just that after all.
The two armored samurai, with burning anger appearing on their long eye lenses, gripped their katana handle at the same time.
““You bitch...””
The beautifully matched shout that came from different mouths, was covered by the Blue King’s wry smile mixed voice from behind.
“Leave it at that, Cobal, Maaga.”
““...Yes.””
With a quick nod, both stepped back at the same time.
After Haruyuki blew out a breath of relief, he belatedly looked at the two HP gauges in the top of his view.
Under the left gauge was, «Cobalt Blade». And under the right gauge, «Manganese Blade» kind of avatar name shone. With name and looks matched to this degree, those two people must be very similar characters in the real world as well.
For example, if they were twin sisters, then the Blue King that had them as closest aides, must be an incredible person in all kind of meanings... As he had that and other strange things in his imagination, Kuroyukihime shook her shoulders slightly then again spoke.
“Setting that aside, Knight. Don’t just sit there by yourself. Shouldn't you prepare a seat for me too?”
“Oops, excuse me.”
The Blue King waved his hand to signal the two armored samurai.
Then the samurai lowered their waist, and once again place their hand on the handle of their katana. Without giving the chance for Haruyuki to cower in shock ——.
With high clear metallic sounds, two lines of bluish white flashes expanded in the stage.
With wide eyes, Haruyuki watched as the two people’s right hands moved like a fog, the katana brightly flashing momentarily, and again returned to their sheath. He could only capture the scene in those three frames of static pictures.
Right after, the white flowing dense fog was finely cut, and as if to chase after that, the huge cylinders to the samurai’s left and right side fell soundlessly, two at a time for three times. Next the total of six cylinders, crushed to the ground with loud echoes, then broke and blew apart as numerous bluish black metallic pieces. Afterwards, all that was left were mirror like cut surfaces remaining as «stumps».
“...No... no way...”
Haruyuki could only mutter while dumbfounded.
This normal duel field’s attribute was without a doubt, «Demonic City». The first special feature was that the terrain objects were unusually hard. When Haruyuki was training for the Incarnate System, to be able to pierce the same Demonic City stage tower walls a few cm actually required one week of fierce training.
And yet, Cobalt Blade and Manganese Blade were able to cut down three cylinders with a flash of their katana. If it was Haruyuki instead of cylinders that stood there, then without doubt his head and body would have had a tearful goodbye from one hit.
‘—— That, was Lenoids’ most elite linker’s ability. And then the «King»’s power should be further beyond that.’
‘—— I, we, were going to fight those people...’
Again deep fear grasped his avatar’s whole body, then suddenly his back was hit.
It was Sky Raker. The glamorous avatar without a single weapon, whispered to Haruyuki with her mouth close to his ear.
“Cutting down immobile cylinders, is just a show, Karasu-san. If you are that scared, then later I will have to punish you ♡.”
Surprised.
Leaving the standing straight Haruyuki behind, the Black King and her sworn friend casually started to walk, where Kuroyukihime sat on the closet stump to the right, and Raker stood behind her. Even more afraid of his teacher Raker’s punishment than the samurai avatar’s katana, Haruyuki hurriedly chased after, and could only stand beside Raker with arms crossed and chest high.
The samurai again returned behind their master and the momentarily silent stage was broken by Kuroyukihime’s annoyed sound.
“...Well then, since the greetings to the host is finished, isn’t it about time you guys showed yourselves? 100 seconds have passed long ago.”
Actually, the time count had already about to cut below 1600. However, what did she mean by ‘show yourself’? This place only has, six people from Blue and Black legions...
Haruyuki thought that, and was about look around, but before that ——.
“Say what, I was trying to be polite and you had to say it like that, Lotus.”
A sound filled with childish innocence and immobile strength echoed from somewhere, then a ‘click’ kind of soft footstep followed it.
When he turned that way while startled, he saw that on top of the stump three meters to the right near them, appeared a silhouette.
A standing carnivore, that was the impression of the form for the dark red avatar. Without seeing the triangle sharp ears and long tail, he knew that was the «Bloody Kitty» nicknamed Red legion «Prominence» executive, «Blood Leopard».
And then on her left arm, was the owner of the previous voice, where a small built crimson avatar sat.
Two antenna extended in a twintail shape. Round and cute eye lens. Smooth and round armored limbs. The tiny size and shape made this girl seem as cute as a ruby, but she was the leader of Prominence that control Nerima and Nakano areas and was also the Red King, «Scarlet Rain».
The origin of her nickname «Immobile Fortress»'s huge firepower containers had not been equipped. As he looked at the lovely face profile, Haruyuki was going to greet the girls as Rain and Pard-san, and got ready to open his mouth.
However, right after.
From the two red type avatars, an aura that was not any less than the Blue King’s was released, sealing Haruyuki’s mouth.
Different from mind power’s «Over Ray». This was invisible, pure fighting spirit.
In the accelerated world where everything was recorded in digital code, this «Feeling of Aura» kind of phenomena was not necessary hallucination. Logically, it was said in an occult way that it might be «The weight of battle information contained in the duel avatar was felt as pressure for others», but actually, just the existence of the truly strong person overwhelm the underdogs. Like right now, the two red people making Haruyuki cower.
The Red King, real name Kouduki Yuniko that is Niko, and also Blood Leopard that is Pard-san, those two were Haruyuki’s friends that had shown each other their real self. And then Prominence and Nega Nebulas, also due to past joint battle, had signed an indefinite ceasefire agreement.
However, even with that said, they could not have close friendly relations everywhere, which those two’s strict face profiles told him. While feeling a slight loneliness, Haruyuki also felt that that was the correct thing. Since, after all, Brain Burst exists for the people who own it to fight each other and become strong.
No ——.
There was one more reason, that made it hard for Haruyuki to face Niko.
The Chrome Disaster that was currently on Silver Crow was supposed to have been erased when Niko, as the legion master, used «Judgement» on the previous owner who was her «Parent». That meant in another sense, Niko had way stronger motivation than any other King here to insist on Haruyuki’s execution...
After forcibly stopping himself from thinking ahead, Haruyuki returned his face to the front. At the same time, Blood Leopard’s voice lowly echoed.
“Just the King and me from «Promi». Greeting completed.”
Niko jumped off the arm and sat on the round chair, then Leopard stood behind her, with her hands on her waist.
With this, three out of seven Kings have gathered. Of the seven cut pillars that drew a half circle, the Blue King sat on the center one. Towards the right end was the Black King. To the right side was the Red King.
Where will be next, as Haruyuki tried to change his posture ——.
What came echoing from far in the fog, was not a footstep, but a high pitched laughter from deep in the throat.
“Kuu, KuuKuuKu...”
The laughter that was clearly filled with ridicule and contempt seemed to be familiar. However he could not tell which direction it was coming from. He looked around, but soon the source went around behind him.
“Kuku..., «King» huh? If I remember right, 'King' seems to refer to the «Seven King of Pure Color». But, the little kid that is sitting there... Isn’t that color a bit too cheap to be called red...?”
The words that were thrown out from somewhere, was clearly an insult to the Red King, Scarlet Rain.
Niko, was the only «Second Generation» of the Kings that ruled seven large legions. The first generation Red King, Red Rider was gone. Two and half years ago, the Black King’s one hit made him lose his head, and, in the accelerated world where level 9 duelers have a sudden death rule, he was forever retired. Rebuilding the once collapsed «Prominence», and becoming the second generation master was Niko. To be sure, the avatar color was not pure red, but a somewhat brighter scarlet, which absolutely in no way made her a fake king. Since ——
“C, color makes no difference! Rain’s true power allowed her to reach level 9, and there is no other condition for a King!”
—— that is the reason.
Right then, Haruyuki finally realized that he had shouted with his mouth what he was thinking of in his head. Raker beside him snickered, and he felt that Niko sitting a bit away also let out a wry smile.
“...Since what I wanted to say was said by that Karasu, let me add just one more thing. —— As for cheapness, that’s a good comparison to your banana color I think. There is no time, come out already.”
After saying that, the Red King snapped her right hand fingers loudly, then pointed towards the center of three pillars on the other side.
Haruyuki hurriedly gazed that way, and on top of the short pillar that was empty till now, he seemed to notice that there was a small paper doll like thing standing there. After his head was tilted about 5 cm, he finally realized it.
That, was the same thing as what Kuroyukihime had used while hiding from assassins from the Kings, and still wanted to obtain information from the Accelerated World, the «Spectator Use Dummy Avatar». The voice’s owner took advantage of the fact that he connected to this field as a gallery, and changed his avatar to something that was very hard to notice.
Right after Haruyuki realized that, a puff of white smoke went up from the center of the paper doll.
After that was blown away by the stage’s breeze, what was standing on top of the pillar, was a fresh —— or poisonous yellow equipment, and slender clown type duel avatar.
A hat with largely curved horns on either side. A face mask with eyes and mouth in a thin smile. From round swelling shoulders and waist, were stringy long limbs.
Brushing his jaw with his needle thin right hand finger, the clown casually leaked out a chuckle.
“KuuKuu, banana color is a bit nasty. For me, I like to be compared to Uranium, you know? But well, there’s no choice. Since this is time it is determined by the monkey and child’s love of banana, Kukuku...”
This clown who continued laughing while swaying his head, was the person who set a trap for both Kuroyukihime and Niko, the «Yellow King», controlling three areas of Taito, Arakawa, and Adachi, including Akihabara, the legion «Crypt Cosmic Circus»’s leader —— «Yellow Radio».
His gesture and glibness, did not show the heavy pressure from the other Kings.
However, he was someone who could not be underestimated, something which Haruyuki understood very well after seeing him and Kuroyukihime’s close combat at a distance. Radio is pure yellow, that is, a pure «Indirect Attack Type» and he fought evenly in close combat with Black Lotus.
Somehow the Yellow King seemed to appear without bringing any companion. After stilling his laughter, he put his right hand to his chest, and bowed in courtesy. Then he slid down to sit on the pillar.
—— With this, four people.
“...And then, who’s not here are, let’s see...”
In Haruyuki’s ear as he was muttering, this time imposing footsteps reached him.
‘Crunch, Crunch’, kind of hard and heavy vibration shook the stage. It was coming from behind to the right. As he turned that way, it was the same time that a large avatar appeared from the broken fog.
It was large, but could not said to be huge. If it was just size, of course it could not compare to the fully armored Niko, and probably not even be able to compare to Blue Legion’s medium size member «Frost Horn».
However for Haruyuki, he had not met any other avatar that gave him this much feel of absolute weight.
The mask, shoulders, and the lower half were all covered with armor that felt like thick plates. However the waist was finely tied together, so that it did not give a ponderous impression. The right hand was empty, but the left hand held a surprisingly large shield.
And then, the color that dyed all the armor was, a deeper and fresher green than emerald.
“...Green King...”
Haruyuki lightly said the name of this avatar, that he only saw for a few seconds in a video replay in the past. Raker beside him nodded, and added in a whisper.
“Yea. That, controlling the huge area from Shibuya to Ota, the legion «Great Wall»’s leader, «Green Grande». Nicknamed «Invulnerable».”
“For sure, his HP gauge never went to yellow once, right...”
When dueling same level people, even if won, Haruyuki’s gauge was usually red, and it made him whisper involuntary with a sight. Hearing that, Kuroyukihime who was sitting right in front, gave a small snort.
“That guy’s «Duel» absolute values are small. The points needed to reach level 9, seemed to be mostly gained by solo hunting Enemy. Doing that alone could be said to be a great feat, though...”
“Hahaa...”
Haruyuki again leaked out a long sigh. For the variants of «Enemy» stalking the Unlimited Neutral Field, even the small fry class hold outrageous combat power and when they are felled with difficulty, not many points are earned. For Haruyuki who love «Earning humble experience points» in normal RPGs, he felt that he would avoid Enemy hunting as long as he was not in negative from normal duels.
Without even realizing that he was respectfully looked at from afar as a «Level Up Craftsman», the Green King approached the pillar between the Blue King and Niko with steady steps, then sat down there heavily. Same as the Yellow King, he participated without any companion.
He became silent without saying anything, but no one seemed to think that it was unnatural. Somehow he seem to be established as a very non-talkative character.
Returning his face forward, Haruyuki took a deep breath.
For the strongest «Kings» entry scenes, after continuing till now, he finally got used to the pressures. Actually, his slightly shaking both knees had some time ago steadied, and the cold paralysis had disappeared from his hands.
‘—— That’s right, there is no need to be scared of anything. I am also, the Black King, Black Lotus’ underling... no, «Child». I just need to be casual like Raker-san.’
Hearing what he said to himself inside, he puffed up his chest —— or was going to, since at that moment,
“...e...!?”
Attacked by the feeling of a cold hand grasping his heart, Haruyuki had his highest ranking cringing with fear yet.
‘—— What is... this.’
‘—— Killing instinct...? No, not something like that. Much more assertive... the intent of elimination. Going to execute me, exile me out of accelerated world kind of... silent announcement...’
Crunch. Crunch.
From somewhere, high pitched footstep echos came.
Even while paralyzed, he desperately listened. North. The shape that walked towards the front of the half circle where Kings sat, approached with footsteps. With his tense head screeching, he looked that way.
Beyond the thick fog, was one silhouette.
From seeing just the shadow, he was positive that it was a female avatar. Since the long hair parts and the skirt type armor were swaying. The waist was an impossibly slim hourglass, and both legs were also like needles.
Crunch, crunch, crunch. The sharp footstep like swords stabbing into the ground, was probably caused by spike heels that were double of Sky Raker’s in height.
At the moment when that foot stepped into the range of the standing pillars, the thick fog seemed to be unable to withstand the killing instinct and was hugely blown apart.
When the shape of that avatar finally showed itself, to describe it in one word —— instead of «King», it could only be called «Queen».
What looked like hair, was a veil type armor that extended from the crown on the head downwards. The facemask was beautiful and sharp, and the shoulder and chest parts, even though feminine, were intimidating. From high on the waist, a long skirt type split armor extended downwards, and in the gap between them, the slender long legs were fully exposed almost to the joint part.
Without a doubt, compared to what Haruyuki had seen up till now, that should be the most «bewitching» duel avatar. However, that beauty was not the type that you would want to touch. Including the tiara on top of the head, everywhere on the body, were sparkling thorn like sharp decorations.
The right hand held a about one meter and half long Bishop’s staff. That tip also conspicuously shone with a long needle rose vine. The color of all the armor was a mysterious type that swayed in illusions as light hit it.
“She came...”
While glaring at the queen avatar that approached with ‘crunch crunch’ sounds with her narrowed eye lens, Sky Raker whispered in a barely noticeable sound.
“That, in all the Kings gather here today, is probably the most hostile opponent to us. Controlling the area from Ginza to the bay coast, the legion «Auroral Oval»’s leader, nicknamed «Empress Voltage», the Purple King, «Purple Thorn». And then the Bishop’s staff that she is holding in her right hand, is one of the «Seven Arcs», «The Tempest».”
“A... Arc?”
After Haruyuki repeated the unfamiliar word, Raker quickly added in explanation.
“In the accelerated world, it was speculated to have a total of seven strongest class enhanced armament. Currently known ones are, including that staff, Blue King’s great sword «The Impulse», Green King’s great shield «The Strife», and one more...”
There, Haruyuki wanted to ask why Raker stopped, but he did not get the chance.
The Purple King that was slowly approaching the center of the pillars, stopped at the place closest to the seven cut pillars, the rightmost one where Kuroyukihime sat, and stabbed the ground loudly with her Bishop’s staff.
With thin veils swaying, the mask turned slightly towards Kuroyukihime. The sharp shape eye lens, contained an amethyst color cold light.
When the pressure that the queen type avatar was sending out in all directions till now, was concentrated and focused on the three from Nega Nebulas only, Haruyuki almost fainted for real when he felt that.
If this was clear anger or hatred, then it could still be handled. For Haruyuki, in the 8 months that he had become a Burst Linker, he had experienced many fights with different kind of anger.
However, what the Purple King released, was not simple emotion. Making you feel that there was no room for negotiation, the meaning of absolute denial. For this opponent, no matter how the situation change from now on, Haruyuki had a hunch that they will forever continue to feud with each other. Until the end of the accelerated world.
After the Purple King, Purple Thorn looked down at Black Lotus for about two seconds, she released calm words.
“It’s been a long time, Lotus. I did not expect that the day to speak to you again like this would come.”
There was no sharpness in the speech, because it slid like ice. If it was once broken, it was without doubt that many sharp edges will be created, and that tension made Haruyuki even more speechless.
Although majestic, the somehow female sweetness mixed Purple King’s voice, he thought he heard it somewhere before. After a bit of thinking, he soon remembered it. Haruyuki was sure he heard her voice once before. Of course, it was not directly. It was in a scene that he saw as it was replayed in the unlimited field, where the Purple King’s voice was recorded. From the bottom of his memory, that voice was refreshed.
—— Rider, I can’t just ignore what I heard!
—— Wait, wait!
Although indignant, the still sweet little girl shouting sound.
In the video at that moment, the first generation Red King, Red Rider’s neck was wrapped around by the Black King, Black Lotus’ two arms. That was why, the Purple King, who was intimate with the Red King, raised her voice suited to her angry expression.
However, right after that ——.
Black Lotus’ two sword arms closed like a giant scissor, and cut Red Rider’s head apart from his body.
Level 9 Burst Linkers are chained by a Sudden Death rule where those who lost to same level 9 opponent, will lose all their Burst Points at that moment. That meant at that moment, the Red King was forever exiled from the accelerated world.
What the video replay recorded as the last scene was Purple Thorn’s silk tearing like scream.
From what Haruyuki heard, after that scene, was that Kuroyukihime became the opponent of the remaining all five people, and continued a death match. However without felling anyone but without falling, the 30 minute duel time ended. After that, Kuroyukihime cut herself from the global net for two years, and continued to hide in Umesato middle school’s local net. During last year’s autumn, Cyan Pile’s attack and the chance for Silver Crow’s birth visited him.
Just like that, the two Kings that shoulder the remaining weight of the past, fought with stare and aura for a few more seconds. In his heart, Haruyuki could not help but fear that Black Lotus might be lowering her head. Since Kuroyukihime was still regretting the sneak attack on Red Rider deep in the bottom of her heart even though the Red King no longer remembers that he was a Burst Linker.
—— However.
The black crystal avatar, without moving her sharp face mask a little, continued to meet the thorny queen’s stare.
Eventually, Kuroyukihime’s low slippery sound, flowed into the thick fog covered field.
“For me also. Thorn. The next time we meet, I am sure that one of our heads will fall.”
The words that were dropped without any color of upset, made the Purple King blink slightly. The next sound that she released, might be just him imagining that it was somewhat colder.
“...It might become like that, right? For example, if everyone gathered here agree on a mode change from «Normal Duel» to «Battle Royale»... then the possibility exists.”
After taking a big gulp, Haruyuki desperately resisted shouting ‘No way don’t joke like that I will absolutely not agree!’.
However Kuroyukihime leaked out a short ‘Fu’ laugh and calmly replied.
“If that is the case, then it will make it easy. If today, becomes the day that the Brain Burst game itself is cleared, then we will no longer need this troublesome conference.”
At that moment, Haruyuki again froze up with a snap. If those words, were heard as ‘Right now, right here I will hunt four more Kings’ kind of announcement... but there could not be anything else. He could not belief that Sky Raker beside him was brave enough to stand casually.
The Purple King tilted her head slightly at the Black King’s cutting retort.
Suddenly, the staff on her right hand lightly thrusted onto the stone pavement.
With a sharp ‘Clink’ sound echo, another situation appeared that made Haruyuki’s heart became colder. Somehow, from the direction that the Purple King came from, many heavy footsteps were beautifully synchronized, then 8 Burst Linker shapes appeared.
There were different colors and armor shapes. However, he could see with one look that they were all veterans. Probably, the Purple legion’s highest combat powers were gathered to dive together.
Purple Thorn smiled the first time till now, and said.
“You will regret thinking that I was joking. Of course, I am fully prepared. In case the time to fight you comes, this time I made sure that you cannot escape.”
It was not a demonstration. She was serious. Inside this person was sealed a strong emotion that he could not hope to understand.
Feeling pressure that stopped his breath, Haruyuki moved his right foot back slightly.
However Kuroyukihime’s expression did not seem to break down any. Somehow, in this situation she showed a ‘Fu, fu, fu...’ laughter and said.
“Fufu..., I see, I have overlooked this. However Thorn, if you really want to go after my head, with that number, shouldn’t you hide them just within the area’s edge? Try to learn from Radio over there.”
‘What?’, and Haruyuki looked at Yellow Radio sitting opposite of them. The yellow color clown lightly shrug his shoulders and said nothing, but thinking about it, even if there was 0.001% chance that the conference could become a battle, the Yellow King would not come alone.
The person that responded to what Kuroyukihime pointed out, was not the Purple King, but a female type avatar that stepped out from her 8 followers.
The armor color, was a deep reddish purple that reminded him of wine. The large flange hat and wide thigh spread made it seem like army uniform. However instead of a gun on the waist, it was equipped with a whip wrapped around it.
The female officer type avatar, stopped one step behind the Purple King, and released the coldest sound.
“Having so much false bravado is comical, King of the cave. You jumped around here and there after crawling out of the ground, but your tiny territory would be squeezed and broken apart if the six Kings were serious. It would be troublesome if you forgot that.”
It was the most insulting speech, but Haruyuki could do nothing other than ground his teeth.
Unfortunately, he could not help but realize what the officer avatar said was the truth. Right now, Nega Nebulas controlled all of Suginami ward, but 70% of of the weekend territory battle challenges came from middle to small legion, and from the six large legion, the east neighbor «Leonids» usually one or two teams, and the south «Great Wall» challenging once in awhile. Furthermore, challengers average levels could be said to be around 4 to 5, with level 7 and above high rankers not appearing even once.
Even so, with Nega Nebulas having only 5 members, it was not an easy job maintaining their territory. If the six large legion ever hit them with their combined force for a concentrated attack in one battle round, the huge number of defenses will make over half average wins not possible to obtain, then the black flag would disappear from the accelerated world map.
That meant, in a certain sense, six —— no, other than the ceasefire Niko, the rest of the five people are «Checking out the situation», and that was what made it possible for Haruyuki’s group to continue protecting their home area of Suginami.
Instead of giving a retort to the female officer avatar, he could not even make an argument in his chest, so Haruyuki started lowering his helmet head.
However right before his view reached his foot, the elegant sound that echoed from right next to him, made Haruyuki jerk his head up.
“For something that you could not do, I am surprised you can say it so proudly, «Aster Vine».”
It was Sky Raker. As Kuroyukihime’s lieutenant, she held her chest high and stood firmly without backing of a step from the officer avatar’s threat.
The whip user called Aster Vine, narrowed her eyes under the flange, and responded with even lower temperature sound.
“Could not do... you said? While you were running and hiding, did your head rust so much that you cannot even rate strength?”
“You also, did your eyes fog up so much after we haven’t met for a while that you cannot see reality?”
In the exchange that crackle the atmosphere with electricity, Haruyuki could only continue to stand still and listen.
What did Sky Raker mean by «Reality», he could not understand no matter how much he thought about it. Nega Nebulas and the five legion except Red, their numbers and total levels comparison was way too far apart. What did Raker want to say...?
The answer to that question, after a slight pause, was introduced by Raker’s own words.
“—— If you think that Nega Nebulas’ territory continue to exist due to the Kings’ kindness, then either you are stupid or was not trusted with it. Something that can be destroyed should already have been destroyed. If that was not the case... then those who call themselves «King», would show that their control is not absolute.”
“...Say what?”
Compared to Aster Vine who grounded out that sound, the Purple King maintained an unnatural silence. The light that appeared on her eyes, was not an emotion that could be read. In the frozen Demonic City stage, Raker’s calm sounds continued to echo.
“Listening? The six large legion's total members are just about over 600. On the other hand, Burst Linkers living in the capital of Tokyo is over 1000 right now. In the territory map, including this Chiyoda area, close to 40% are in grey neutral condition.”
“...So what. Other than the pure color six legion, the rest are all bubble groups that can be blown apart. Including your tiny home.”
“That’s right, all those legion are made up of small numbers. ...But, including Burst Linkers with no legion, there is one common point with that 400 people. That is, «They did not join the six large legions».”
The words were momentarily cut, then Sky Raker, releasing pressure as if she was a level 9 herself, continued to speak.
“Listening? Most of those people are choosing to be small by themselves in order to revolt against the Kings that froze the accelerated world with their «Non-aggression pact». Right now, they are paying attention to the direction of the revived Black Lotus, and the Black legion. In order to determine if that «Intent for Rebellion» is real or fake. At this time, what do you think would happen if the six Kings’ legion combine to destroy us? To be sure, our flag will momentarily disappear from the territory map. But, the Black King herself would not have disappeared from the accelerated world, and the legion itself remains. And then the small legion’s direction, might move a step forward from «Observation». If they were joined into a single flow, would you still insult them as bubbles...?”
Around here, Haruyuki felt that he dimly understood what Raker wanted to say.
The previous week’s «Hermes Code Traverse Race». The over 500 people gathered above that orbit as gallery, even when the exiled traitor Black King appeared, did not shower her with jeers. Instead of that, didn’t they sent loud cheers? There, without a doubt was expectation for the Black King to become «The person who break apart the frozen condition».
If that energy was gathered in one power group, that, would be something even the six Kings would not be able to ignore... no, would that not be something that could be acknowledged as a threat?
Towards the silent Aster Vine, Sky Raker opened her right hand slightly and showed it.
“Do you understand now? That the current accelerated world, is in a far more tense situation than you think it is. That under the surface stagnation, there are many large currents starting to flow.”
In the ultra silent field, the remains of the clear sound spread everywhere, and disappeared.
What broke the silence, was the ‘Crunch’ sound of Purple King’s high heel as she took a step.
She turned her face back forward, and as if she did not even notice what Raker pointed out, she walked silently away in front of Haruyuki's group’s eyes.
Aster Vine also, after leaving a fierce glare behind, followed after her. A little apart, the remaining seven followers also chased after those two.
The Purple King, from the half circle of pillars, claimed the empty seat between the Blue King and the Yellow King. Behind her, the eight Burst Linkers lined up in a V shape. The weight of imposing appearance created was clearly larger than any other legion gathered here.
‘—— «Auroral Oval»’s territory being far away from Suginami in Ginza and Ariake, I am glad for that.’ As Haruyuki earnestly felt that, he hurriedly straighten his back. If that cowardice was noticed by the two people right near him, then he would not know what kind of punishment will befall on him. As a deception, he quietly whispered.
“With this... Six people right. One more person, let’s see.”
Currently gathered were Black, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, and Purple factions. That meant, the remaining one was ——.
However, before Haruyuki voiced the continuation of his thought, Kuroyukihime lowly whispered.
“No, that person will not come.”
“What...?”
“The remaining person, will not appear in this place. Without a doubt that person will send a representative.”
‘Why do you know that?’ was what Haruyuki wanted to ask.
Right before that, an unnatural look appeared in part of his view. He closed his mouth, and looked around.
However nothing seem to have changed. The Demonic City’s East Garden castle keep ruins, were quiet with the usual white fog. The group of round pillars, about half that was seven of them were cut apart, and on those seats were sat seven representatives of accelerated world’s large legion ——
“What.”
At the moment when he noticed that, Haruyuki upper body shook with a jerk.
There were seven chairs made. Currently appeared Kings were six. Then there should be one empty chair. However, right now all the chairs in Haruyuki’s view were filled. Did he miss an appearance? No, it’s not possible. For the always tense Haruyuki maybe, but he did not think that even Raker and Kuroyukihime would also not notice.
Since, the chair that should be empty, was right in front of the three people from Black legion. If it was right to the side then maybe, but if someone approached the front pillar and sat down, then that movement should have been seen. However the reality was, on top of the less than 10 meter apart chair, somehow existed a Burst Linker.
It was willowy slender. Harmonically simple design armor covered the body, with no sign of weapon. The only thing distinctive was, the slender and long sharp head. The front was only engraved with curved parting lines, with no sign of eye or mouth. On top of the pillar, it sat straight with hands and legs together, as if it was a decorative object instead of a duel avatar. The whole body’s color made you think of porcelain, a glossy pale ivory color.
It was an extremely inconspicuous avatar. The thick pressure released by the other Kings for just been here, there was not a single fragment of it from him. No, isn’t that an actual decoration? No way, did he miss a statue that was there at the beginning...?
While Haruyuki was getting trapped in that mystery, at that moment.
The ivory color avatar, with both hands left on knees, bent his waist for a bow. At the same time as the upper body straighten, a sound that was nothing special other than being male flowed.
“I am «Ivory Tower» belonging to legion «Oscillatory Universe». I am joining this conference with the White King’s full authority as the representative. Yoroshiku.”
As if, this place was not accelerated world’s duel field, it was changed to a company’s conference room kind of extreme business like greeting.
After hearing that, the other Kings and their followers leaked out controlled but clear unpleasant feeling. Probably, they also did not notice Ivory Tower’s appearance. Especially the Yellow King that sat right next to him, was poking the floor with a pointed toe to show irritation.
However, the atmosphere worsen for only a few seconds.
The Blue King, Blue Knight that sat on the center chair stood up with his armor ringing, and spoke with strongly echoing sound.
“Alright, with this everyone is gathered. First, I would like to say thanks for all seven legion attending without anyone missing. Good job.”
“Compare to the conference two and half years ago, two people’s faces are different though.”
That extra interruption was of course from Yellow Radio. The Red King being second generation, and the White King sending a representative was probably sarcasm, but no one responded. The Blue King only showed a slight wry smile as he continued with the proceedings.
“Since time is short, we will move onto the main topic. —— Everyone should know already, but to make a long story short, right in the middle of previous week’s «Hermes Code Traverse Race», and right in front of a few hundred gallery’s eyes, the incident where the «Incarnate System» was used happened. Today’s first agenda, is how we are going to deal with this situation. Even saying so, I think it could only be one of two ways. Make every effort to keep the System secret as it had been, or give that up and present it to all the Burst Linkers, one of the two.”
“There is no way we can present it, isn’t that right?”
‘Idiotic’, the person who wanted to say that and raised his voice was again Yellow Radio. He raised both slender arms wide, and shook his shoulders with exaggerated movements.
“The Incarnate System, could be called something like nuclear energy right? If it was not strictly controlled, then disasters like the accelerated world being destroyed could happen, didn’t we all share common understanding on that?”
As the clown’s pointed hat tilted, the Purple King seated to his left instantly argued.
“We are talking since that control was broken right, Radio. If it is compared to nuclear, then nuclear material is scattered around the world kind of situation. How do you recover from that at this point?”
“Just because of that, are we going to kindly send out the manual for making missiles too? Most of the Burst Linkers, should still not know what Incarnate System is right? Couldn’t we just blame it on trouble with the event stage?”
Right before the Purple King was again going to argue the Yellow King’s speech, a sound interrupted.
“Ah, may I speak?”
The polite hand raise, was from the ivory color avatar sitting at the left edge of the half circle, the White King’s representative, Ivory Tower. When all the eyes were gathered on him, he lowered his left arm and said.
“Before we discuss how to deal with it, shouldn’t we find out why that happened? Released during the event, the mind power «Space Erosion» that involved galleries, who was that Burst Linker, and what was his goal?”
Silence again took over the conference.
The Burst Linker in question’s name and organization. That, Haruyuki already knew.
However, there was a huge hesitation in opening his mouth at this location. Since, to speak about that mysterious organization, they must touch on the Burst Linker who was the «Vice President» of that group, however the color that crowned that person, was the same as his most respected sword master’s —— «Pure Black». If they knew that, then the other Kings would absolutely suspect their connection...
“«Rust Jigsaw» belonging to the «Acceleration Research Society» kind of organization. That, is the name of the Burst Linker that used mind power attack during the event.”
“W...!?”
During the flow of the bright sound, Haruyuki held his breath.
It was Kuroyukihime. The Black King, Black Lotus, with no sign of fear for suspect towards her, continued with smooth words.
“The whole of the organization is unknown, but they call themself a «Circle» instead of legion. The other known members are, «Dusk Taker» who already retired from the accelerated world, and one more person...”
“Wait a minute, Lotus.”
Right before that name was said, a sound sharply interrupted.
It was the Red King, Scarlet Rain that took the seat to the right of Haruyuki’s group. With both arms crossed, the smallest build body in this place released an unbalanced amount of pressure sense.
‘Are you going to help us, Niko?’, and Haruyuki relaxed his shoulders thinking that. However.
The round eye lens that glanced their way, blew flaming aura his way, and Haruyuki stopped breathing.
“...Before that, if we don’t clear up another agenda, then I cannot stand to be here any longer. An unfit guy who spread the threat of mind power, slipped in here. The «Power of Curse» that was supposed to be totally destroyed, and the ultimate mind power’s dark side avatar, the guy that is sheltering it.”
Weird yellow-green light filled the sky. Bluish black tiles laid on the ground. Fang like projections decorated buildings, and a dense fog flowed between them.
“...The «Demonic City» stage huh. Well, it could be said to match today’s objective.”
After the Black King, Black Lotus murmured that, her sharp tipped foot made a loud stomping sound on the tile below.
After looking at the loved and respected legion master’s flowing and ferocious shape for a while, Haruyuki stared at the sky colored avatar tucked away beside her.
This one was an entirely graceful standing shape. On the back of the delicate female type body, somewhat blue thick hair flowed down like wings. The two hands and two legs with smooth lines were not equipped with anything weapon-like.
However, Haruyuki knew. Right now, firmly stepping on the ground, the two slender legs that allowed the avatar to stand up, was her, Sky Raker’s proof of the miracle caused by her.
If Black Lotus was Haruyuki’s «Parent» and «Sword Master», then Raker was someone that he should call «Master». For a long time, she retired from front line of accelerated duels and lived a secluded life on top of the old Tokyo Tower that was forgotten by most people.
The reason was that about two and half years ago, her two legs were cut off at the knees by her own will, and over half of her battle ability was lost. However, having a similar kind of power, «Flight Ability», which he temporary lost, Haruyuki met her, and through her initiating him in the «Incarnate System», she slowly recovered her passion for duels and then in the previous week’s «Hermes Code Traverse Race», she overcame the wound of her heart that chained her, and recovered her legs.
Haruyuki had thoroughly understood how incredibly hard it was to escape from under the influence of negative imagination after being controlled by Chrome Disaster once.
Probably, if at that time Chiyuri, Lime Bell, had not used her «Rewind the target avatar’s time backwards» kind of transcendental power special ability to help him, then Haruyuki would probably be swallowed by the armor and hatred for himself and would have indiscriminately attacked the few hundred people of the gallery.
With just a few minutes of sinking into negative mind power, it was at a point that he could no longer return. And yet, Sky Raker cut apart the chains of fear and despair that continued to bound her for two and a half real time years. If this was not called a miracle, what else could it be called?
While being hit with deep emotion, he stared deeply at Raker’s two legs, then ——.
“Why, Karasu-san, do you like my beautiful legs that much?”
After being called out with that laughter filled sound, Haruyuki hurriedly shook his head and both hands.
“Th, that’s not it, no, of course it’s very beautiful, but it’s not that...”
“Hoo, you have a leg fetish huh. Sorry about that, I don’t have any calves or ankles.”
This time Kuroyukihime said with lights of daggers in her violet blue eyes. Haruyuki changed his face’s direction, and again pleaded.
“No, no way, I love senpai’s legs also... ah, it’s not like I have a fetish or anything like that...!”
Realizing that anymore he said will bog him down, he pointed to the southeast direction and shouted.
“In, instead of that, look, the guide cursor is pointing, in that direction! Let’s go, let’s hurry and go.”
Like Haruyuki said, in the center of his view were two grey triangles quietly pointing in the same direction. Over there should be the two aides of the Blue legion that was acting as host for today’s conference. Furthermore, above the cursors were two HP gauges lined up, with a countdown in the center. It should have started at 1800 seconds, and that was already decreased to 1750.
“Nn, I think it was strictly said to gather within 100 seconds. No choice, let’s run.”
The three people nodded to each other, then all started to dash southwards in the Demonic City streets.
In he normal duel gallery, in exchange losing rights to destroy the terrain, they are given the maximum movement and jump power. Haruyuki’s group sprinted up the wall of the building blocking them and this time moved forward in a direct line from rooftop to rooftop.
After running for about 20 seconds, they cut through the deep fog that was in front of them all the way.
The scenery that appeared before his eyes, made Haruyuki involuntarily call out.
“Uwaa..., Hu, huge...”
It was the «Castle».
A bit southeast of the position where the cursor pointed, stood a way to huge building that seemed to connect to the sky. The castle made up of steel towers shining blue light, and strange sculptures, released a stronger presence than anything else in the Demonic City stage, and could even be called something divine. It was surrounded by high castle walls and wide waterways, where an entrance like object was nowhere to be found.
During the numerous duels that he had in Suginami and Shinjuku, he had caught glimpses of the castle’s shape standing far in the eastern sky, but it was the first time that he had seen it at this close distance. As Haruyuki looked dazedly at the huge castle’s majesty, Kuroyukihime that was right beside him whispered.
“That, is the «Imperial Palace» in the real world. Even in the accelerated world, it’s the only place that you cannot enter no matter what method you use.”
“Fl... flying is no good either?”
The one who answered his question, was Fuuko who ran at his left side.
“Yea. Above and below the castle walls, are set with invisible walls. That’s why, flying or going under ground is no good. At the beginning, a lot of methods were tried though...”
“Aa. Something like inside were hidden super incredible enhanced armaments, there were various rumors. However, still there was not a single person that manage to invade it. —— In the normal duel field, that is.”
Feeling something from the way that Kuroyukihime said it, Haruyuki asked in return.
“Wha... that, what does it mean?”
However, before the answer returned, Fuuko sharply whispered.
“Saw it... above that hill!”
He looked towards where the finger pointed. Then he could see it, above a small hill where they were heading towards, were two small humanoid shadows... no, he could see three of them. In the real world, that place was probably where the imperial palace «East Gardens» was located. Different than the main palace, it was open to the public, and Haruyuki had also been there during a social studies field trip while he was in elementary school.
They slowed down slightly, and approached with caution. Even though he was attending at a no possibility of being attacked gallery, thinking about soon meeting the «Pure Color Kings» that controlled the accelerated world directly, his body could not help but shake.
They crossed the bridge over a wide waterway, went through a magnificent gate, then started to climb up the stairs set on the side of the hill. The absolutely uninvadable «Demonic City» stood just to the right side, but Haruyuki did not turn his sight that way, and just continued to stare at the top of the hill.
The steps eventually ended, and a wide stone paved space opened up in front of his eyes.
In the real world, it was the place where a wide patch of grass marked the Edo castle site. However there was not any kind of plant here, and in exchange, steel cylinders stood there, forming a large ring.
However, somehow, just one cylinder was a bit short, with about 50 cm in height.
Over there, a duel avatar was sitting.
Blue. Like it could suck you in, a transparent feeling of a deep blue color. Not the color of the sky or the sea, it was hard to compare with anything real- that was the pure blue that covered his whole body.
The armor type was fully a knight type. However without any of «Disaster Armor»’s sense of scourge, it was the elegant shape of a legendary hero. On both sides of the visor helmet extended dragon like horns and a large and long two handed sword was worn on the left waist.
With left leg resting on right knee, the blue avatar's arms were crossed in a relaxed posture. His stature was not all that big. Standing up, he would be about Takumu, Cyan Pile’s, height. However, from that whole body exuded an overwhelming pressure like a meteor coming from outer space which made Haruyuki come to a stop more than 20 meters in front of him.
“...Th, that is...”
After he whispered that in a raspy sound, Raker next to him nodded slightly.
“Yea. That is, controlling Shinjuku area and Bunkyo area, legion «Leonids» leader... with «Vanquish», «Legend Slayer», and many other nicknames, the lever 9-er Blue King, that is «Blue Knight».”
“Blue... Knight...”
In other games, it was an ultra simple name that could be given to small fry monsters, but when heard in the accelerated world, it gave the opposite of absolute one and only feel to it.
While the bottomless intimidation made his back shook, Haruyuki finally remembered. That knight, was not Haruyuki’s dueler. As for stance, they were both just gallery. If even though he was just an onlooker with no attack power or HP gauge, he felt that much pressure already, then if it was a one on one duel, he would be afraid of just thinking about it.
Then, at that moment. A small ‘Kin’ sound echoing released Haruyuki from his paralysis.
That was the sound of a footstep from Kuroyukihime who took taking a step forward. The Black King, Black Lotus walked forward a few steps while making the Blue King’s fierce aura seem like a breeze, then waved her right sword hand lightly.
“Since today you are the boss, I will say a greeting before you get mad. Still the same stifling look huh, Knight?”
To Kuroyukihime’s words, Haruyuki screamed in his head, ‘Wh why are you trying to provoke him!’. On top of that, beside him Raker laughed, so he almost back-dashed to flee, but fortunately, before that happened, the blue knight avatar said in a cool and clear young man’s voice.
“...You know, that can’t be called a greeting, Lotus. You still seem to be the same bad tempered person, even after two and a half years.”
With a ‘Clash’ armor sound, he shrugged. At the same time, the blood lust that was being released dispersed as if it was just a lie.
Somehow the Blue King, from his speech pattern, was a more informal person than he thought. Since the blue legion attacked the black legion area without pause every week, he thought the King himself was burning with desire to enforce Kuroyukihime, but somehow, it did not seem to be the case...
At the moment Haruyuki relaxed his shoulders, from both sides of the Blue King, from inside the wisps of dense fog, two humanoid shadows with very similar forms slid out without a sound.
—— Samurai!
He thought of that instantly. The slender and long armor, was a Japanese style armor made from overlapping horizontally long metal pieces. As for color, the left avatar was a deep ultramarine blue. And the right one somewhat bright bluish green. On the head, instead of a kabuto[1], was a tied hachigane[2], with bundled long hair trailing down. Based on the body figures, both were female.
The two female samurai, after moving forward with a few mysterious sliding steps, placed their hand on the handle of the katana on their left waist, and released a low sound.
“Saying rude words to our Vanquish, we won’t forgive even a King!”
“Traitor, be thankful that you are even allowed to be here!”
And then again, killing instinct that shook the air with a crackle blew by, making Haruyuki shake with a ‘Hiiiii ——’, a soundless scream.
Being one of Black King’s followers, he should spit out similar cool words here as a retort, but he felt that if he said anything, his head would be blown away, so could not even open his mouth. Since, without a doubt those samurai were the two Blue King’s aides that created this field, and that meant as «Dueler»s, they have the right to remove disruptive people from the gallery when they both agree.
—— However, at the next moment.
“Why, after not seeing you for a while, you two seem to have became quite bossy mouthed, Ojou[3]-chans.”
The sound that was released with laugher, was from Sky Raker. With ‘Clop clop’ sound of high heels, she walked to stand beside Kuroyukihime, then extended her right palm towards the samurai, as she wiggled her finger.
“Can I hang both of you from the roof of the Tokyo government office building again, just like the old times?”
“Hi, Hiiiii ——”. Haruyuki again screamed soundlessly. ‘You really did that?!’, he shouted inside his chest, then accepted the fact that it would not be strange for her to do just that after all.
The two armored samurai, with burning anger appearing on their long eye lenses, gripped their katana handle at the same time.
““You bitch...””
The beautifully matched shout that came from different mouths, was covered by the Blue King’s wry smile mixed voice from behind.
“Leave it at that, Cobal, Maaga.”
““...Yes.””
With a quick nod, both stepped back at the same time.
After Haruyuki blew out a breath of relief, he belatedly looked at the two HP gauges in the top of his view.
Under the left gauge was, «Cobalt Blade». And under the right gauge, «Manganese Blade» kind of avatar name shone. With name and looks matched to this degree, those two people must be very similar characters in the real world as well.
For example, if they were twin sisters, then the Blue King that had them as closest aides, must be an incredible person in all kind of meanings... As he had that and other strange things in his imagination, Kuroyukihime shook her shoulders slightly then again spoke.
“Setting that aside, Knight. Don’t just sit there by yourself. Shouldn't you prepare a seat for me too?”
“Oops, excuse me.”
The Blue King waved his hand to signal the two armored samurai.
Then the samurai lowered their waist, and once again place their hand on the handle of their katana. Without giving the chance for Haruyuki to cower in shock ——.
With high clear metallic sounds, two lines of bluish white flashes expanded in the stage.
With wide eyes, Haruyuki watched as the two people’s right hands moved like a fog, the katana brightly flashing momentarily, and again returned to their sheath. He could only capture the scene in those three frames of static pictures.
Right after, the white flowing dense fog was finely cut, and as if to chase after that, the huge cylinders to the samurai’s left and right side fell soundlessly, two at a time for three times. Next the total of six cylinders, crushed to the ground with loud echoes, then broke and blew apart as numerous bluish black metallic pieces. Afterwards, all that was left were mirror like cut surfaces remaining as «stumps».
“...No... no way...”
Haruyuki could only mutter while dumbfounded.
This normal duel field’s attribute was without a doubt, «Demonic City». The first special feature was that the terrain objects were unusually hard. When Haruyuki was training for the Incarnate System, to be able to pierce the same Demonic City stage tower walls a few cm actually required one week of fierce training.
And yet, Cobalt Blade and Manganese Blade were able to cut down three cylinders with a flash of their katana. If it was Haruyuki instead of cylinders that stood there, then without doubt his head and body would have had a tearful goodbye from one hit.
‘—— That, was Lenoids’ most elite linker’s ability. And then the «King»’s power should be further beyond that.’
‘—— I, we, were going to fight those people...’
Again deep fear grasped his avatar’s whole body, then suddenly his back was hit.
It was Sky Raker. The glamorous avatar without a single weapon, whispered to Haruyuki with her mouth close to his ear.
“Cutting down immobile cylinders, is just a show, Karasu-san. If you are that scared, then later I will have to punish you ♡.”
Surprised.
Leaving the standing straight Haruyuki behind, the Black King and her sworn friend casually started to walk, where Kuroyukihime sat on the closet stump to the right, and Raker stood behind her. Even more afraid of his teacher Raker’s punishment than the samurai avatar’s katana, Haruyuki hurriedly chased after, and could only stand beside Raker with arms crossed and chest high.
The samurai again returned behind their master and the momentarily silent stage was broken by Kuroyukihime’s annoyed sound.
“...Well then, since the greetings to the host is finished, isn’t it about time you guys showed yourselves? 100 seconds have passed long ago.”
Actually, the time count had already about to cut below 1600. However, what did she mean by ‘show yourself’? This place only has, six people from Blue and Black legions...
Haruyuki thought that, and was about look around, but before that ——.
“Say what, I was trying to be polite and you had to say it like that, Lotus.”
A sound filled with childish innocence and immobile strength echoed from somewhere, then a ‘click’ kind of soft footstep followed it.
When he turned that way while startled, he saw that on top of the stump three meters to the right near them, appeared a silhouette.
A standing carnivore, that was the impression of the form for the dark red avatar. Without seeing the triangle sharp ears and long tail, he knew that was the «Bloody Kitty» nicknamed Red legion «Prominence» executive, «Blood Leopard».
And then on her left arm, was the owner of the previous voice, where a small built crimson avatar sat.
Two antenna extended in a twintail shape. Round and cute eye lens. Smooth and round armored limbs. The tiny size and shape made this girl seem as cute as a ruby, but she was the leader of Prominence that control Nerima and Nakano areas and was also the Red King, «Scarlet Rain».
The origin of her nickname «Immobile Fortress»'s huge firepower containers had not been equipped. As he looked at the lovely face profile, Haruyuki was going to greet the girls as Rain and Pard-san, and got ready to open his mouth.
However, right after.
From the two red type avatars, an aura that was not any less than the Blue King’s was released, sealing Haruyuki’s mouth.
Different from mind power’s «Over Ray». This was invisible, pure fighting spirit.
In the accelerated world where everything was recorded in digital code, this «Feeling of Aura» kind of phenomena was not necessary hallucination. Logically, it was said in an occult way that it might be «The weight of battle information contained in the duel avatar was felt as pressure for others», but actually, just the existence of the truly strong person overwhelm the underdogs. Like right now, the two red people making Haruyuki cower.
The Red King, real name Kouduki Yuniko that is Niko, and also Blood Leopard that is Pard-san, those two were Haruyuki’s friends that had shown each other their real self. And then Prominence and Nega Nebulas, also due to past joint battle, had signed an indefinite ceasefire agreement.
However, even with that said, they could not have close friendly relations everywhere, which those two’s strict face profiles told him. While feeling a slight loneliness, Haruyuki also felt that that was the correct thing. Since, after all, Brain Burst exists for the people who own it to fight each other and become strong.
No ——.
There was one more reason, that made it hard for Haruyuki to face Niko.
The Chrome Disaster that was currently on Silver Crow was supposed to have been erased when Niko, as the legion master, used «Judgement» on the previous owner who was her «Parent». That meant in another sense, Niko had way stronger motivation than any other King here to insist on Haruyuki’s execution...
After forcibly stopping himself from thinking ahead, Haruyuki returned his face to the front. At the same time, Blood Leopard’s voice lowly echoed.
“Just the King and me from «Promi». Greeting completed.”
Niko jumped off the arm and sat on the round chair, then Leopard stood behind her, with her hands on her waist.
With this, three out of seven Kings have gathered. Of the seven cut pillars that drew a half circle, the Blue King sat on the center one. Towards the right end was the Black King. To the right side was the Red King.
Where will be next, as Haruyuki tried to change his posture ——.
What came echoing from far in the fog, was not a footstep, but a high pitched laughter from deep in the throat.
“Kuu, KuuKuuKu...”
The laughter that was clearly filled with ridicule and contempt seemed to be familiar. However he could not tell which direction it was coming from. He looked around, but soon the source went around behind him.
“Kuku..., «King» huh? If I remember right, 'King' seems to refer to the «Seven King of Pure Color». But, the little kid that is sitting there... Isn’t that color a bit too cheap to be called red...?”
The words that were thrown out from somewhere, was clearly an insult to the Red King, Scarlet Rain.
Niko, was the only «Second Generation» of the Kings that ruled seven large legions. The first generation Red King, Red Rider was gone. Two and half years ago, the Black King’s one hit made him lose his head, and, in the accelerated world where level 9 duelers have a sudden death rule, he was forever retired. Rebuilding the once collapsed «Prominence», and becoming the second generation master was Niko. To be sure, the avatar color was not pure red, but a somewhat brighter scarlet, which absolutely in no way made her a fake king. Since ——
“C, color makes no difference! Rain’s true power allowed her to reach level 9, and there is no other condition for a King!”
—— that is the reason.
Right then, Haruyuki finally realized that he had shouted with his mouth what he was thinking of in his head. Raker beside him snickered, and he felt that Niko sitting a bit away also let out a wry smile.
“...Since what I wanted to say was said by that Karasu, let me add just one more thing. —— As for cheapness, that’s a good comparison to your banana color I think. There is no time, come out already.”
After saying that, the Red King snapped her right hand fingers loudly, then pointed towards the center of three pillars on the other side.
Haruyuki hurriedly gazed that way, and on top of the short pillar that was empty till now, he seemed to notice that there was a small paper doll like thing standing there. After his head was tilted about 5 cm, he finally realized it.
That, was the same thing as what Kuroyukihime had used while hiding from assassins from the Kings, and still wanted to obtain information from the Accelerated World, the «Spectator Use Dummy Avatar». The voice’s owner took advantage of the fact that he connected to this field as a gallery, and changed his avatar to something that was very hard to notice.
Right after Haruyuki realized that, a puff of white smoke went up from the center of the paper doll.
After that was blown away by the stage’s breeze, what was standing on top of the pillar, was a fresh —— or poisonous yellow equipment, and slender clown type duel avatar.
A hat with largely curved horns on either side. A face mask with eyes and mouth in a thin smile. From round swelling shoulders and waist, were stringy long limbs.
Brushing his jaw with his needle thin right hand finger, the clown casually leaked out a chuckle.
“KuuKuu, banana color is a bit nasty. For me, I like to be compared to Uranium, you know? But well, there’s no choice. Since this is time it is determined by the monkey and child’s love of banana, Kukuku...”
This clown who continued laughing while swaying his head, was the person who set a trap for both Kuroyukihime and Niko, the «Yellow King», controlling three areas of Taito, Arakawa, and Adachi, including Akihabara, the legion «Crypt Cosmic Circus»’s leader —— «Yellow Radio».
His gesture and glibness, did not show the heavy pressure from the other Kings.
However, he was someone who could not be underestimated, something which Haruyuki understood very well after seeing him and Kuroyukihime’s close combat at a distance. Radio is pure yellow, that is, a pure «Indirect Attack Type» and he fought evenly in close combat with Black Lotus.
Somehow the Yellow King seemed to appear without bringing any companion. After stilling his laughter, he put his right hand to his chest, and bowed in courtesy. Then he slid down to sit on the pillar.
—— With this, four people.
“...And then, who’s not here are, let’s see...”
In Haruyuki’s ear as he was muttering, this time imposing footsteps reached him.
‘Crunch, Crunch’, kind of hard and heavy vibration shook the stage. It was coming from behind to the right. As he turned that way, it was the same time that a large avatar appeared from the broken fog.
It was large, but could not said to be huge. If it was just size, of course it could not compare to the fully armored Niko, and probably not even be able to compare to Blue Legion’s medium size member «Frost Horn».
However for Haruyuki, he had not met any other avatar that gave him this much feel of absolute weight.
The mask, shoulders, and the lower half were all covered with armor that felt like thick plates. However the waist was finely tied together, so that it did not give a ponderous impression. The right hand was empty, but the left hand held a surprisingly large shield.
And then, the color that dyed all the armor was, a deeper and fresher green than emerald.
“...Green King...”
Haruyuki lightly said the name of this avatar, that he only saw for a few seconds in a video replay in the past. Raker beside him nodded, and added in a whisper.
“Yea. That, controlling the huge area from Shibuya to Ota, the legion «Great Wall»’s leader, «Green Grande». Nicknamed «Invulnerable».”
“For sure, his HP gauge never went to yellow once, right...”
When dueling same level people, even if won, Haruyuki’s gauge was usually red, and it made him whisper involuntary with a sight. Hearing that, Kuroyukihime who was sitting right in front, gave a small snort.
“That guy’s «Duel» absolute values are small. The points needed to reach level 9, seemed to be mostly gained by solo hunting Enemy. Doing that alone could be said to be a great feat, though...”
“Hahaa...”
Haruyuki again leaked out a long sigh. For the variants of «Enemy» stalking the Unlimited Neutral Field, even the small fry class hold outrageous combat power and when they are felled with difficulty, not many points are earned. For Haruyuki who love «Earning humble experience points» in normal RPGs, he felt that he would avoid Enemy hunting as long as he was not in negative from normal duels.
Without even realizing that he was respectfully looked at from afar as a «Level Up Craftsman», the Green King approached the pillar between the Blue King and Niko with steady steps, then sat down there heavily. Same as the Yellow King, he participated without any companion.
He became silent without saying anything, but no one seemed to think that it was unnatural. Somehow he seem to be established as a very non-talkative character.
Returning his face forward, Haruyuki took a deep breath.
For the strongest «Kings» entry scenes, after continuing till now, he finally got used to the pressures. Actually, his slightly shaking both knees had some time ago steadied, and the cold paralysis had disappeared from his hands.
‘—— That’s right, there is no need to be scared of anything. I am also, the Black King, Black Lotus’ underling... no, «Child». I just need to be casual like Raker-san.’
Hearing what he said to himself inside, he puffed up his chest —— or was going to, since at that moment,
“...e...!?”
Attacked by the feeling of a cold hand grasping his heart, Haruyuki had his highest ranking cringing with fear yet.
‘—— What is... this.’
‘—— Killing instinct...? No, not something like that. Much more assertive... the intent of elimination. Going to execute me, exile me out of accelerated world kind of... silent announcement...’
Crunch. Crunch.
From somewhere, high pitched footstep echos came.
Even while paralyzed, he desperately listened. North. The shape that walked towards the front of the half circle where Kings sat, approached with footsteps. With his tense head screeching, he looked that way.
Beyond the thick fog, was one silhouette.
From seeing just the shadow, he was positive that it was a female avatar. Since the long hair parts and the skirt type armor were swaying. The waist was an impossibly slim hourglass, and both legs were also like needles.
Crunch, crunch, crunch. The sharp footstep like swords stabbing into the ground, was probably caused by spike heels that were double of Sky Raker’s in height.
At the moment when that foot stepped into the range of the standing pillars, the thick fog seemed to be unable to withstand the killing instinct and was hugely blown apart.
When the shape of that avatar finally showed itself, to describe it in one word —— instead of «King», it could only be called «Queen».
What looked like hair, was a veil type armor that extended from the crown on the head downwards. The facemask was beautiful and sharp, and the shoulder and chest parts, even though feminine, were intimidating. From high on the waist, a long skirt type split armor extended downwards, and in the gap between them, the slender long legs were fully exposed almost to the joint part.
Without a doubt, compared to what Haruyuki had seen up till now, that should be the most «bewitching» duel avatar. However, that beauty was not the type that you would want to touch. Including the tiara on top of the head, everywhere on the body, were sparkling thorn like sharp decorations.
The right hand held a about one meter and half long Bishop’s staff. That tip also conspicuously shone with a long needle rose vine. The color of all the armor was a mysterious type that swayed in illusions as light hit it.
“She came...”
While glaring at the queen avatar that approached with ‘crunch crunch’ sounds with her narrowed eye lens, Sky Raker whispered in a barely noticeable sound.
“That, in all the Kings gather here today, is probably the most hostile opponent to us. Controlling the area from Ginza to the bay coast, the legion «Auroral Oval»’s leader, nicknamed «Empress Voltage», the Purple King, «Purple Thorn». And then the Bishop’s staff that she is holding in her right hand, is one of the «Seven Arcs», «The Tempest».”
“A... Arc?”
After Haruyuki repeated the unfamiliar word, Raker quickly added in explanation.
“In the accelerated world, it was speculated to have a total of seven strongest class enhanced armament. Currently known ones are, including that staff, Blue King’s great sword «The Impulse», Green King’s great shield «The Strife», and one more...”
There, Haruyuki wanted to ask why Raker stopped, but he did not get the chance.
The Purple King that was slowly approaching the center of the pillars, stopped at the place closest to the seven cut pillars, the rightmost one where Kuroyukihime sat, and stabbed the ground loudly with her Bishop’s staff.
With thin veils swaying, the mask turned slightly towards Kuroyukihime. The sharp shape eye lens, contained an amethyst color cold light.
When the pressure that the queen type avatar was sending out in all directions till now, was concentrated and focused on the three from Nega Nebulas only, Haruyuki almost fainted for real when he felt that.
If this was clear anger or hatred, then it could still be handled. For Haruyuki, in the 8 months that he had become a Burst Linker, he had experienced many fights with different kind of anger.
However, what the Purple King released, was not simple emotion. Making you feel that there was no room for negotiation, the meaning of absolute denial. For this opponent, no matter how the situation change from now on, Haruyuki had a hunch that they will forever continue to feud with each other. Until the end of the accelerated world.
After the Purple King, Purple Thorn looked down at Black Lotus for about two seconds, she released calm words.
“It’s been a long time, Lotus. I did not expect that the day to speak to you again like this would come.”
There was no sharpness in the speech, because it slid like ice. If it was once broken, it was without doubt that many sharp edges will be created, and that tension made Haruyuki even more speechless.
Although majestic, the somehow female sweetness mixed Purple King’s voice, he thought he heard it somewhere before. After a bit of thinking, he soon remembered it. Haruyuki was sure he heard her voice once before. Of course, it was not directly. It was in a scene that he saw as it was replayed in the unlimited field, where the Purple King’s voice was recorded. From the bottom of his memory, that voice was refreshed.
—— Rider, I can’t just ignore what I heard!
—— Wait, wait!
Although indignant, the still sweet little girl shouting sound.
In the video at that moment, the first generation Red King, Red Rider’s neck was wrapped around by the Black King, Black Lotus’ two arms. That was why, the Purple King, who was intimate with the Red King, raised her voice suited to her angry expression.
However, right after that ——.
Black Lotus’ two sword arms closed like a giant scissor, and cut Red Rider’s head apart from his body.
Level 9 Burst Linkers are chained by a Sudden Death rule where those who lost to same level 9 opponent, will lose all their Burst Points at that moment. That meant at that moment, the Red King was forever exiled from the accelerated world.
What the video replay recorded as the last scene was Purple Thorn’s silk tearing like scream.
From what Haruyuki heard, after that scene, was that Kuroyukihime became the opponent of the remaining all five people, and continued a death match. However without felling anyone but without falling, the 30 minute duel time ended. After that, Kuroyukihime cut herself from the global net for two years, and continued to hide in Umesato middle school’s local net. During last year’s autumn, Cyan Pile’s attack and the chance for Silver Crow’s birth visited him.
Just like that, the two Kings that shoulder the remaining weight of the past, fought with stare and aura for a few more seconds. In his heart, Haruyuki could not help but fear that Black Lotus might be lowering her head. Since Kuroyukihime was still regretting the sneak attack on Red Rider deep in the bottom of her heart even though the Red King no longer remembers that he was a Burst Linker.
—— However.
The black crystal avatar, without moving her sharp face mask a little, continued to meet the thorny queen’s stare.
Eventually, Kuroyukihime’s low slippery sound, flowed into the thick fog covered field.
“For me also. Thorn. The next time we meet, I am sure that one of our heads will fall.”
The words that were dropped without any color of upset, made the Purple King blink slightly. The next sound that she released, might be just him imagining that it was somewhat colder.
“...It might become like that, right? For example, if everyone gathered here agree on a mode change from «Normal Duel» to «Battle Royale»... then the possibility exists.”
After taking a big gulp, Haruyuki desperately resisted shouting ‘No way don’t joke like that I will absolutely not agree!’.
However Kuroyukihime leaked out a short ‘Fu’ laugh and calmly replied.
“If that is the case, then it will make it easy. If today, becomes the day that the Brain Burst game itself is cleared, then we will no longer need this troublesome conference.”
At that moment, Haruyuki again froze up with a snap. If those words, were heard as ‘Right now, right here I will hunt four more Kings’ kind of announcement... but there could not be anything else. He could not belief that Sky Raker beside him was brave enough to stand casually.
The Purple King tilted her head slightly at the Black King’s cutting retort.
Suddenly, the staff on her right hand lightly thrusted onto the stone pavement.
With a sharp ‘Clink’ sound echo, another situation appeared that made Haruyuki’s heart became colder. Somehow, from the direction that the Purple King came from, many heavy footsteps were beautifully synchronized, then 8 Burst Linker shapes appeared.
There were different colors and armor shapes. However, he could see with one look that they were all veterans. Probably, the Purple legion’s highest combat powers were gathered to dive together.
Purple Thorn smiled the first time till now, and said.
“You will regret thinking that I was joking. Of course, I am fully prepared. In case the time to fight you comes, this time I made sure that you cannot escape.”
It was not a demonstration. She was serious. Inside this person was sealed a strong emotion that he could not hope to understand.
Feeling pressure that stopped his breath, Haruyuki moved his right foot back slightly.
However Kuroyukihime’s expression did not seem to break down any. Somehow, in this situation she showed a ‘Fu, fu, fu...’ laughter and said.
“Fufu..., I see, I have overlooked this. However Thorn, if you really want to go after my head, with that number, shouldn’t you hide them just within the area’s edge? Try to learn from Radio over there.”
‘What?’, and Haruyuki looked at Yellow Radio sitting opposite of them. The yellow color clown lightly shrug his shoulders and said nothing, but thinking about it, even if there was 0.001% chance that the conference could become a battle, the Yellow King would not come alone.
The person that responded to what Kuroyukihime pointed out, was not the Purple King, but a female type avatar that stepped out from her 8 followers.
The armor color, was a deep reddish purple that reminded him of wine. The large flange hat and wide thigh spread made it seem like army uniform. However instead of a gun on the waist, it was equipped with a whip wrapped around it.
The female officer type avatar, stopped one step behind the Purple King, and released the coldest sound.
“Having so much false bravado is comical, King of the cave. You jumped around here and there after crawling out of the ground, but your tiny territory would be squeezed and broken apart if the six Kings were serious. It would be troublesome if you forgot that.”
It was the most insulting speech, but Haruyuki could do nothing other than ground his teeth.
Unfortunately, he could not help but realize what the officer avatar said was the truth. Right now, Nega Nebulas controlled all of Suginami ward, but 70% of of the weekend territory battle challenges came from middle to small legion, and from the six large legion, the east neighbor «Leonids» usually one or two teams, and the south «Great Wall» challenging once in awhile. Furthermore, challengers average levels could be said to be around 4 to 5, with level 7 and above high rankers not appearing even once.
Even so, with Nega Nebulas having only 5 members, it was not an easy job maintaining their territory. If the six large legion ever hit them with their combined force for a concentrated attack in one battle round, the huge number of defenses will make over half average wins not possible to obtain, then the black flag would disappear from the accelerated world map.
That meant, in a certain sense, six —— no, other than the ceasefire Niko, the rest of the five people are «Checking out the situation», and that was what made it possible for Haruyuki’s group to continue protecting their home area of Suginami.
Instead of giving a retort to the female officer avatar, he could not even make an argument in his chest, so Haruyuki started lowering his helmet head.
However right before his view reached his foot, the elegant sound that echoed from right next to him, made Haruyuki jerk his head up.
“For something that you could not do, I am surprised you can say it so proudly, «Aster Vine».”
It was Sky Raker. As Kuroyukihime’s lieutenant, she held her chest high and stood firmly without backing of a step from the officer avatar’s threat.
The whip user called Aster Vine, narrowed her eyes under the flange, and responded with even lower temperature sound.
“Could not do... you said? While you were running and hiding, did your head rust so much that you cannot even rate strength?”
“You also, did your eyes fog up so much after we haven’t met for a while that you cannot see reality?”
In the exchange that crackle the atmosphere with electricity, Haruyuki could only continue to stand still and listen.
What did Sky Raker mean by «Reality», he could not understand no matter how much he thought about it. Nega Nebulas and the five legion except Red, their numbers and total levels comparison was way too far apart. What did Raker want to say...?
The answer to that question, after a slight pause, was introduced by Raker’s own words.
“—— If you think that Nega Nebulas’ territory continue to exist due to the Kings’ kindness, then either you are stupid or was not trusted with it. Something that can be destroyed should already have been destroyed. If that was not the case... then those who call themselves «King», would show that their control is not absolute.”
“...Say what?”
Compared to Aster Vine who grounded out that sound, the Purple King maintained an unnatural silence. The light that appeared on her eyes, was not an emotion that could be read. In the frozen Demonic City stage, Raker’s calm sounds continued to echo.
“Listening? The six large legion's total members are just about over 600. On the other hand, Burst Linkers living in the capital of Tokyo is over 1000 right now. In the territory map, including this Chiyoda area, close to 40% are in grey neutral condition.”
“...So what. Other than the pure color six legion, the rest are all bubble groups that can be blown apart. Including your tiny home.”
“That’s right, all those legion are made up of small numbers. ...But, including Burst Linkers with no legion, there is one common point with that 400 people. That is, «They did not join the six large legions».”
The words were momentarily cut, then Sky Raker, releasing pressure as if she was a level 9 herself, continued to speak.
“Listening? Most of those people are choosing to be small by themselves in order to revolt against the Kings that froze the accelerated world with their «Non-aggression pact». Right now, they are paying attention to the direction of the revived Black Lotus, and the Black legion. In order to determine if that «Intent for Rebellion» is real or fake. At this time, what do you think would happen if the six Kings’ legion combine to destroy us? To be sure, our flag will momentarily disappear from the territory map. But, the Black King herself would not have disappeared from the accelerated world, and the legion itself remains. And then the small legion’s direction, might move a step forward from «Observation». If they were joined into a single flow, would you still insult them as bubbles...?”
Around here, Haruyuki felt that he dimly understood what Raker wanted to say.
The previous week’s «Hermes Code Traverse Race». The over 500 people gathered above that orbit as gallery, even when the exiled traitor Black King appeared, did not shower her with jeers. Instead of that, didn’t they sent loud cheers? There, without a doubt was expectation for the Black King to become «The person who break apart the frozen condition».
If that energy was gathered in one power group, that, would be something even the six Kings would not be able to ignore... no, would that not be something that could be acknowledged as a threat?
Towards the silent Aster Vine, Sky Raker opened her right hand slightly and showed it.
“Do you understand now? That the current accelerated world, is in a far more tense situation than you think it is. That under the surface stagnation, there are many large currents starting to flow.”
In the ultra silent field, the remains of the clear sound spread everywhere, and disappeared.
What broke the silence, was the ‘Crunch’ sound of Purple King’s high heel as she took a step.
She turned her face back forward, and as if she did not even notice what Raker pointed out, she walked silently away in front of Haruyuki's group’s eyes.
Aster Vine also, after leaving a fierce glare behind, followed after her. A little apart, the remaining seven followers also chased after those two.
The Purple King, from the half circle of pillars, claimed the empty seat between the Blue King and the Yellow King. Behind her, the eight Burst Linkers lined up in a V shape. The weight of imposing appearance created was clearly larger than any other legion gathered here.
‘—— «Auroral Oval»’s territory being far away from Suginami in Ginza and Ariake, I am glad for that.’ As Haruyuki earnestly felt that, he hurriedly straighten his back. If that cowardice was noticed by the two people right near him, then he would not know what kind of punishment will befall on him. As a deception, he quietly whispered.
“With this... Six people right. One more person, let’s see.”
Currently gathered were Black, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, and Purple factions. That meant, the remaining one was ——.
However, before Haruyuki voiced the continuation of his thought, Kuroyukihime lowly whispered.
“No, that person will not come.”
“What...?”
“The remaining person, will not appear in this place. Without a doubt that person will send a representative.”
‘Why do you know that?’ was what Haruyuki wanted to ask.
Right before that, an unnatural look appeared in part of his view. He closed his mouth, and looked around.
However nothing seem to have changed. The Demonic City’s East Garden castle keep ruins, were quiet with the usual white fog. The group of round pillars, about half that was seven of them were cut apart, and on those seats were sat seven representatives of accelerated world’s large legion ——
“What.”
At the moment when he noticed that, Haruyuki upper body shook with a jerk.
There were seven chairs made. Currently appeared Kings were six. Then there should be one empty chair. However, right now all the chairs in Haruyuki’s view were filled. Did he miss an appearance? No, it’s not possible. For the always tense Haruyuki maybe, but he did not think that even Raker and Kuroyukihime would also not notice.
Since, the chair that should be empty, was right in front of the three people from Black legion. If it was right to the side then maybe, but if someone approached the front pillar and sat down, then that movement should have been seen. However the reality was, on top of the less than 10 meter apart chair, somehow existed a Burst Linker.
It was willowy slender. Harmonically simple design armor covered the body, with no sign of weapon. The only thing distinctive was, the slender and long sharp head. The front was only engraved with curved parting lines, with no sign of eye or mouth. On top of the pillar, it sat straight with hands and legs together, as if it was a decorative object instead of a duel avatar. The whole body’s color made you think of porcelain, a glossy pale ivory color.
It was an extremely inconspicuous avatar. The thick pressure released by the other Kings for just been here, there was not a single fragment of it from him. No, isn’t that an actual decoration? No way, did he miss a statue that was there at the beginning...?
While Haruyuki was getting trapped in that mystery, at that moment.
The ivory color avatar, with both hands left on knees, bent his waist for a bow. At the same time as the upper body straighten, a sound that was nothing special other than being male flowed.
“I am «Ivory Tower» belonging to legion «Oscillatory Universe». I am joining this conference with the White King’s full authority as the representative. Yoroshiku.”
As if, this place was not accelerated world’s duel field, it was changed to a company’s conference room kind of extreme business like greeting.
After hearing that, the other Kings and their followers leaked out controlled but clear unpleasant feeling. Probably, they also did not notice Ivory Tower’s appearance. Especially the Yellow King that sat right next to him, was poking the floor with a pointed toe to show irritation.
However, the atmosphere worsen for only a few seconds.
The Blue King, Blue Knight that sat on the center chair stood up with his armor ringing, and spoke with strongly echoing sound.
“Alright, with this everyone is gathered. First, I would like to say thanks for all seven legion attending without anyone missing. Good job.”
“Compare to the conference two and half years ago, two people’s faces are different though.”
That extra interruption was of course from Yellow Radio. The Red King being second generation, and the White King sending a representative was probably sarcasm, but no one responded. The Blue King only showed a slight wry smile as he continued with the proceedings.
“Since time is short, we will move onto the main topic. —— Everyone should know already, but to make a long story short, right in the middle of previous week’s «Hermes Code Traverse Race», and right in front of a few hundred gallery’s eyes, the incident where the «Incarnate System» was used happened. Today’s first agenda, is how we are going to deal with this situation. Even saying so, I think it could only be one of two ways. Make every effort to keep the System secret as it had been, or give that up and present it to all the Burst Linkers, one of the two.”
“There is no way we can present it, isn’t that right?”
‘Idiotic’, the person who wanted to say that and raised his voice was again Yellow Radio. He raised both slender arms wide, and shook his shoulders with exaggerated movements.
“The Incarnate System, could be called something like nuclear energy right? If it was not strictly controlled, then disasters like the accelerated world being destroyed could happen, didn’t we all share common understanding on that?”
As the clown’s pointed hat tilted, the Purple King seated to his left instantly argued.
“We are talking since that control was broken right, Radio. If it is compared to nuclear, then nuclear material is scattered around the world kind of situation. How do you recover from that at this point?”
“Just because of that, are we going to kindly send out the manual for making missiles too? Most of the Burst Linkers, should still not know what Incarnate System is right? Couldn’t we just blame it on trouble with the event stage?”
Right before the Purple King was again going to argue the Yellow King’s speech, a sound interrupted.
“Ah, may I speak?”
The polite hand raise, was from the ivory color avatar sitting at the left edge of the half circle, the White King’s representative, Ivory Tower. When all the eyes were gathered on him, he lowered his left arm and said.
“Before we discuss how to deal with it, shouldn’t we find out why that happened? Released during the event, the mind power «Space Erosion» that involved galleries, who was that Burst Linker, and what was his goal?”
Silence again took over the conference.
The Burst Linker in question’s name and organization. That, Haruyuki already knew.
However, there was a huge hesitation in opening his mouth at this location. Since, to speak about that mysterious organization, they must touch on the Burst Linker who was the «Vice President» of that group, however the color that crowned that person, was the same as his most respected sword master’s —— «Pure Black». If they knew that, then the other Kings would absolutely suspect their connection...
“«Rust Jigsaw» belonging to the «Acceleration Research Society» kind of organization. That, is the name of the Burst Linker that used mind power attack during the event.”
“W...!?”
During the flow of the bright sound, Haruyuki held his breath.
It was Kuroyukihime. The Black King, Black Lotus, with no sign of fear for suspect towards her, continued with smooth words.
“The whole of the organization is unknown, but they call themself a «Circle» instead of legion. The other known members are, «Dusk Taker» who already retired from the accelerated world, and one more person...”
“Wait a minute, Lotus.”
Right before that name was said, a sound sharply interrupted.
It was the Red King, Scarlet Rain that took the seat to the right of Haruyuki’s group. With both arms crossed, the smallest build body in this place released an unbalanced amount of pressure sense.
‘Are you going to help us, Niko?’, and Haruyuki relaxed his shoulders thinking that. However.
The round eye lens that glanced their way, blew flaming aura his way, and Haruyuki stopped breathing.
“...Before that, if we don’t clear up another agenda, then I cannot stand to be here any longer. An unfit guy who spread the threat of mind power, slipped in here. The «Power of Curse» that was supposed to be totally destroyed, and the ultimate mind power’s dark side avatar, the guy that is sheltering it.”
