Chapter 75

【Holy Knight】 Ray Stirling

"First, we need to break through the first barrier."

"It seems so."

The escape from the Central Arena and the battle with the PKs waiting in the square.

Thanks to the tactics Luke proposed in advance, we were able to defeat the opponents, who were stronger in total, with minimal casualties.

When using 《Hell Miasma》, I was worried about whether there were any civilians around the square.

However, since there was a 《Master》 with a radar-like 《Embryo》 among the higher-ups in the arena, we could confirm safety before launching the attack.

After that, we were able to maintain the upper hand in the battle thanks to the enemy magic cancellation by the 《Valtbuer》 gloves Luke had obtained and the same 《Charm》 tactic used in the battle with the goblin group.

At one point, I thought I would die from a surprise attack, but thanks to the 《Substitute Dragon Scale》 my brother handed me before leaving the arena, I survived.

I might have been able to defend with 《Counter Absorption》, but I have little stock left. I haven't recovered from the 《Goo's Maze》 battle yesterday, so it's better to conserve it.

However... as I realized from the battle just now and the encounter with Hayauma before the 《Super-Class Clash》 began, it's not an invincible skill. If I don't notice the opponent's attack or if the activation is too late, there's nothing I can do.

I need to think about the weaknesses of my skills for the battles to come.

However, despite such issues, we were able to eliminate the PKs in the square in front of the arena.

Mostly as Luke had planned.

...Even now, looking back, Luke is amazing. He's really unconventional.

"From my perspective, Ray is also quite unconventional?"

"Please don't respond to my inner thoughts so naturally."

"Ah, sorry. But Ray's thoughts are easy to understand."

Is that so!?

"It's because it shows on your face. I think I can understand to some extent even without the default telepathy."

So, is it that obvious...?

If so, I should hide my expressions with a costume... No, that's a bit much.

"Ray would look good in a dog costume."

"How about a hamster? Totoko?"

"Let's skip the rodent types. Wolves are better."

"No, how about a panda with Kumani?..."

"Please stop!"

Let's get back to the topic.

We are now heading towards the west gate of Gideon.

After the battle in the central square, our group that escaped from the arena split in four directions.

I chose the west, and a few people, including Luke, are accompanying me.

I am currently leading the way on Silver.

Incidentally, during the battle, it was a melee, so I wasn't on Silver. If I had been, Silver might have melted from the attack magic.

Getting back to the topic, behind me on Silver are Luke and Babi, riding Marilyn.

Additionally, three female 《Masters》 are following behind Luke.

They probably came this way because of the super handsome Luke.

It's understandable. I can relate.

"So, Ray. I'm a bit late in asking, but why are we heading west?"

"......"

Yes, as Luke said, I have a certain idea in mind.

More accurately, I have a certain word that's been nagging at me.

—The main target is in the west.

It's a word I heard from Hugo at our parting.

Hugo, the 《Master》 of the Dryf Empire.

Hugo, who is a member of the clan 《Triangle of Wisdom》.

Hugo said that 《Triangle of Wisdom》 is the largest clan in Dryf.

That means it's the clan led by Franklin, who is at the top of Dryf's clan rankings.

At that time, he added words to cover up, but the true meaning is probably...

"There's something in the west."

If Hugo didn't lie to prevent me from thinking this... there is something.

And I don't think Hugo is the type to lie like that.

That's why I'm heading west.

Luke nodded, seemingly convinced, and ran alongside me.

And so, we headed straight for the west gate.

However, if Hugo's words are correct and there is indeed something at the west gate...

At that time, he himself will probably stand in our way.

◆◆◆

■100 meters above the Duel City【Night Lounge】 upper part

The stealth flying monster 【Night Lounge】 flew westward, blending into the night sky.

Franklin, sitting on its back, was operating a terminal—something similar to the tablet devices popular in the 2010s.

"The turncoats in the central square have been wiped out. The result is within the expected range, but it's much earlier than expected."

"What are you looking at?"

"Here, take a look."

Franklin took out a terminal from the item box, the same one he was using, and handed it to Elizaveta.

When Elizaveta looked at the terminal, a map of Gideon was displayed, along with over a thousand light points.

However, about 80% of them were inside the central arena.

"These lights... are 《Masters》?"

The number of light points is large, but it's too few to represent the total number of people in Gideon.

So, Elizaveta thought it must be a filtered list of 《Masters》 in Gideon.

"You're correct. You're not stupid. I like talking to people who aren't stupid because it's quick."

"Even if you say you like it, it's troublesome."

Elizaveta's response made Franklin laugh loudly, "Of course! It's only natural!"

His reaction was unpleasant to Elizaveta, but she was more puzzled by why he reacted that way.

"He hasn't even realized that yet. Well, it's natural for someone who killed all the older royal family members to seize the throne."

"The way you connect your words is confusing."

"That's because there's a difference in the information we have. Getting back to the topic, as you might have guessed, this is a map showing the current locations of 《Masters》 in Gideon. In real-time."

On the terminal, over a thousand light points were moving.

This map was created by the receiving terminal of Franklin's clan 《Triangle of Wisdom》, which received information from a surveillance network set up by stealth monitoring monsters created by Franklin.

Franklin had been gradually spreading these monsters throughout the city a few days before the plan was executed.

However, due to their advanced stealth capabilities and the ability to identify 《Masters》, the information they could send was limited to location data, and it was impossible to know who was there.

But that was fine for Franklin.

This map was only meant to show the locations of 《Masters》 and to distinguish between allies and enemies.

"Can you tell me something?"

"What is it?"

"These lights are divided into red and blue. What does that mean?"

"Yes. Red represents our people. Blue represents the kingdom's side. Oh, red might seem like the enemy, but I like red."

The circular light points on the map were divided into red and blue. The pre-registered 《Masters》 on Franklin's side were displayed as red light points.

In terms of total numbers, red was much fewer than blue.

However, since most of the blue points were concentrated in the central arena, in the city, the difference between red and blue was almost negligible.

Furthermore, to add more information,

"The blue points in the city, most of them are not capable of withstanding a battle. Most are non-combat roles with no interest in duels, or third-rate people who couldn't get tickets to tonight's main event."

Therefore, the blue points were disappearing one after another, starting from the ones closest to the red points.

Franklin's forces, except for the turncoats in the central square, had been given the terminals in Franklin's and Elizaveta's hands.

Thus, they could search for and defeat the blue points—kingdom 《Masters》—in sequence.

The only exception was when a blue point suddenly flew out of the arena and quickly eliminated the red points in the central square.

This was natural, as the turncoats in the central square were among the weaker in terms of combat power.

In contrast, the turncoats patrolling the city were stronger and didn't fall behind when facing non-combat roles and third-rate people.

However,

"But there are some. People who are not weak but didn't go to the main event tonight."

On the terminal, several red points disappeared.

Looking at it, there were blue points where the red points had disappeared.

"This map is designed to make it easier to find such 'exceptions.'"

As Franklin said this, the terminal vibrated.

When he operated it, a voice came from it.

"Help me, Franklin! The duel ranking sixth place 'Masked Cavalier'...!?"

"《Lizeraaaaa Kick》!!"

Immediately after the voice, an explosion was heard, and the communication was cut off, leaving only noise.

Franklin pressed a button on the terminal to end the call.

"Sixth place, huh. This means there are probably a few more scattered around. It's good that he and that girl have work to do."

Franklin smiled and said,

"Club, C3."

Elizaveta didn't understand the meaning of these words.

But a little later, a strong impact sound echoed from somewhere in Gideon.

Looking at the map, the blue point that seemed to have defeated Franklin's forces had disappeared.

In the place where the blue point had been, there was a red "Club" mark.

"Club?"

It's one of the suits in a deck of cards.

In this 《Infinite Dendrogram》, cards exist, and poker and blackjack are enjoyed in casinos.

Therefore, Elizaveta understood that it was the club suit of cards (though she wondered why it wasn't black).

"Yes, this mark is special. The other red points are the people we hired this time, but the marked points are the forces we prepared ourselves."

"......"

Looking at the terminal, there were three points marked.

The first was the Club. It was moving around, eliminating blue points wherever it went. These were blue points with the combat power to eliminate red points, "exceptions."

The second was the Heart. It was stationary near the west gate of Gideon. However, blue points approaching the west were being eliminated without exception.

The third was the Diamond. It was slowly moving west, which, when compared to the map and surroundings, was Franklin himself.

Elizaveta realized that three terrifying beings were lurking in the night of Gideon.

But at the same time, she thought,

(Club, Heart, Diamond... hmm)

It was a natural question.

(Spade... where is it?)

The most ominous suit, representing 'sword' or 'death,' was not on the map.

"Are you wondering about Spade?"

As if reading Elizaveta's mind, Franklin spoke.

"It doesn't appear on this map. Besides, it's for Plan D, so it won't be used."

"Plan D?"

"Yes, if this is Plan A. Of course, I don't intend to fail."

Franklin said this and slightly changed the course of the 【Night Lounge】.

Elizaveta looked at the terminal and saw two blue points on the path of the Diamond.

The course was now slightly altered to avoid the points.

"Is this map also to avoid contact with 《Masters》?"

"Yes. I'm weak, so I don't want to engage in combat myself."

Franklin believed that it would be rare for anyone to see through the lower stealth capabilities of the 【Night Lounge】.

"Of course, if it comes to a fight, the only ones who can defeat me through the monster barrier... are probably the other 《Super-Class》 members."

Franklin chuckled and looked back at the map.

The city of Gideon was still in chaos, and the Diamond representing Franklin was moving through the empty fields like a leisurely stroll.

There was no problem.

Until two seconds later, when a blue point appeared directly behind the Diamond representing himself.

"?"

Surprised by the display, Franklin turned to look behind him and had his carotid artery slit.

Next, strange monsters like bullets pierced his body and exploded.

The damage was not limited to Franklin; the back of the 【Night Lounge】 was also hit by numerous explosions, causing it to lose altitude and crash.

Franklin witnessed in his chaotic vision:

A figure shrouded in black mist, carrying the unconscious Elizaveta, jumped down from the explosion.

(......Ah)

Franklin recognized the figure shrouded in mist.

(I remember. There was someone who defeated a 《Super-Class》 member even though they weren't 《Super-Class》 themselves.)

The 《Super-Class Killer》.

Remembering the existence of this PK while on the brink of death, the 【Night Lounge】 carrying the dying Franklin crashed into the alley of Gideon.

To be