Episode 144: A Distorted Kingdom

The corridor was cluttered with all sorts of things.

The various equipment brought in from Akihabara had created a world so incomprehensible that even Kurokawa Sasae struggled to make sense of it.

While hopping through the equipment and cables along the way, they came upon a door left wide open. Inside the room marked with a sign reading "Security Office," bright light from glowing monitors spilled out.

On the monitors, the figures of eight "players" trapped in "Master Dungeon" were each displayed.

In the center of the monitor sat a heavily built man, weighing at least 120 kilograms.

A man with dark eyes, just like his father.

——“Dungeon Master.”

——“Son of the King.”

——Nakamichi En.

"Good morning."

"A-ah, a-ah, a-ah... uhh... good morning..."

Sasae sometimes wonders.

Even though this man is several times my size... why does he look so small, so hunched over?

"Good morning... it's already midnight, you know."

Ah, y-yeah, that's right. Sorry, sorry. I just woke up a moment ago...

The edge repeatedly wiped away the sweat pouring out.

Ah, right, right. Tea.... Want a drink?

No. Rather,...

Sasae gently leaned her face toward the edge,

Could we be under surveillance?

Just that was enough to turn the edge of his face a deep red.

"I-I'm fine! Don't be that stupid!"

"If that's the case, then it's fine."

Sasae sighed softly,

"About that matter—how far have we gotten?"

"To be honest,"

the man smiled broadly,

"it's going better than expected... Just watch."

His thick finger pointed to—earlier, Haruna had reported on, the duo of the "Warrior" and the "Gambler."

"They just cleared the third basement level—on their first try."

"By 'third basement level'... you mean the Ryuga of the 'Assassin,' right?"

"Hmph. That was quite the spectacle. After taking Ryuga's attack, both of them came out unscathed, as if nothing happened."

"…He didn't hold back because his opponent was a girl."

"Surprisingly, it was the 'Warrior' who insisted otherwise. He said, 'If we make things too easy now, we'll only cause ourselves trouble later.'"

"…That's… quite something."

The "player" called Ryuga is a somewhat eccentric, muscular fellow.

His challenge is simple: "Survive three minutes of direct attacks from your opponent—survive, and you win."

"Those two, I don't know where they learned it, but they're using a technique that transforms magical energy into offensive and defensive power. If that's the case, clearing the second and first underground floors should be a breeze."

"If that's the case, then... the real issue is what happens after we surface, doesn't it?"

"Yeah. But of course..."

"Once we decide to act, we can manipulate things however we want."

"The problem is timing. We have to wait for the right moment—when the 'King' shows a weakness."

"Are they aware of our situation?"

"Not sure. But Haruna said she's fine. She mentioned she'll explain the details when the time comes."

"...I wish we had solid proof, though."

"There's nothing we can do but trust Haruna."

"Then it's barely a hair's breadth apart..."

The existence of a "Gambler" is irregular, to say the least, let alone a "Warrior."

Their relationship is precarious—on the verge of collapsing at any moment.

"Yes... but if we're to break the 'Absolute Monarchy,' it's definitely these two."

"What about that 'Thief' and 'Fighter' duo?"

Just as Sasae-san predicted, it snapped on the ground floor. Right now, I'm guarding Dad... ah, I mean, the King.

Yeah...

The "king" whose plans have gone awry must be terribly disappointed.

After a moment of silence, Sasae then

"...Yuzu-san. May I ask you something?"

And muttered in a faint voice.

W-what's this sudden formality all about?

Yūki-san, you're not pushing yourself too hard, are you?

"Of course," the "King" is wrong... we must do something about it."

Is that really true?

In truth, Sasabune believes the biggest obstacle is this man.

Anyone can speak ill of their parents with words alone.

But can they actually take a life with their own hands? That's a different matter entirely.

Sasabune desperately wanted proof—so, quietly, he reached out with his left hand toward the edge.

The man's face turned bright red, like a child's. It was obvious how sweat was seeping into his left hand with incredible speed.

This person really is... impossible to believe he's past forty, so innocent.

"Uwah... ah, ah, ah, um... I..."

"Let's do our best, shall we?"

"Y-yes, I understand...!"

Ashamed of himself for having to do something so childish, Sasabune focused with all his might.

(I will surely turn this distorted "kingdom" into a true paradise)

Not just for myself, or for the people who live here.

For the peace of mind of that kind-hearted childhood friend—Sutano Kouon.

▼

Centered around abandoned buildings near Akihabara Station, spanning several kilometers.

Here, a certain man has created a "kingdom."

Its population is roughly a few hundred people.

This was the domain ruled by Nagare Chūdō—now simply known as the "King."

Of course, it wasn't officially recognized. It was merely because Chūdō Nagare claimed it as such that it "was" that way.

Yet even so—there was no doubt that this place was Chūdō Nagare's "nation."

After all, that man had been granted the qualifications to be a "King."

("King"...)

As far as Sasaeda knew, this was the strongest and worst job imaginable.

What made this job particularly dangerous was its ability to break a person's mind, not their body.

In a sense, it could be considered an evolved form of the "Slave Tamer" job, capable of forcing people to obey. But what truly made the "King" dangerous was the ability to freely establish rules within the range of their power.

If the "King" decrees, "Fish shall fly through the sky, and birds shall swim in the sea," then so it shall be—(whether or not it's actually achievable).

That is the "King's" skill, "Absolute Monarchy."

Originally, this ability was meant to be used for expelling "hostile life forms" invading the territory or suppressing crimes committed by refugees.

But just as a sharp knife can become a weapon, — Chūdō Ginga never used his ability for such purposes.

Now.

In Chūdō Ginga's territory, no one among the people living there is free from the "King."

They may appear to live and survive, yet their hearts remain under the King's dominion.

A nation where living mannequins calmly serve their master.

That was precisely the utopia Chūdō Ginga had created.

Amidst all this,

Kurakami Sasae continued waiting, ever patient, for the "player" who held the power to overthrow the "King."

And now, a hope as delicate as spider's silk was beginning to weave itself right before her eyes.

(Please... don't lose)

With a heart full of prayer, Sasae gazed at the two figures within the monitor.

"They should reach the 'Surface Level' by this week. There, they'll catch a glimpse of a fragment created by the 'King'... I wonder what they'll think when they see it..."

Chūdō En also wore a serious expression.

Will their blades ultimately reach the 'King's' heart?

(But what if even that fails...?)

Sasae desperately pushed away the despair that threatened to fill her heart at any moment if she let her guard down.