Chapter 91

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The game Franklin orchestrated this time had three major flaws.

These were flaws from my perspective, and a third party might see fewer or more of them.

Let me list them in order.

The first, as he himself said during the broadcast, was the sequential execution of Plan A and Plan B.

One might think that this is fine since the purpose is to break the spirit by implementing more ruthless plans with each resistance. However, from the perspective of the forces being deployed, it makes no difference from a gradual deployment.

If you have forces you intend to use, you should use them to their maximum potential from the start.

Seize the barrier early, cause a PK incident, and release the monsters in the city. Then, if a fifty-thousand-monster invasion is carried out amidst the chaos, there is almost no way to defend against it.

The princess would be kidnapped, and Gideon would suffer a severe blow.

By toying with them, they ended up being defeated one by one, leading to the current situation.

What? "If the fifty-thousand-monster invasion had decided the outcome, the result would have been the same"?

Ah, yes. "If it had decided the outcome," the result would have been the same.

I'm saying this with full understanding.

The second, mixing revenge against him into the plan.

What was the flaw in this?

By mixing it into the plan and involving that 【RSK】 monster, the release time was extended, right?

Ah, no, that's not it.

It's not that taking revenge on him was a mistake.

However, by mixing the plan with the revenge, he created something to "stake" in his battle, which was the mistake.

You don't understand, do you?

That 【RSK】 monster could have defeated him under normal circumstances.

But the condition that he would lose something if he lost boosted his power beyond his actual strength. That was the mistake.

Even the air bomb he used was possible because the city was filled with resentment, which served as the source of MP.

Probably, if he had just gone on a killing spree, the revenge would have been completed easily.

In fact, the 【Super-Class Killer】 had already defeated him once that way.

In cases like this, he is... strong. 【RSK】 lost to him.

Well, it's not as if there were many cases in his world where people's lives were at stake like this.

The third... ah, I'll stop this.

I'm getting embarrassed saying it.

No, I do have a sense of shame.

"Someone with a sense of shame wouldn't dress like that," you say?

Shut up. The reason I ended up dressing like this all the time was because of you in the making...

"Say the third one, anything"...

Fine, I'll say it.

The third, the biggest mistake he made was...

◆◆◆

＜Jando Grassland＞

In ＜Infinite Dendrogram＞, units such as sub-dragon class and pure-dragon class are often used to represent combat power.

A sub-dragon class is equivalent to the combat power of a party of six lower-level combatants or one higher-level combatant.

A pure-dragon class is equivalent to the combat power of a party of six higher-level combatants.

In short, a pure-dragon class has more than six times the combat power of a sub-dragon class.

However, the combat power of higher-level combatants varies greatly depending on the level of the six lower-level and two higher-level combatants.

A higher-level ＜Master＞, such as a ＜Master＞, can take on a pure-dragon class alone due to the ＜Embryo＞'s bonuses and unique abilities.

However, in terms of estimated combat power, it is still around that level.

The five thousand "Suicide" series monsters that Franklin deployed as the vanguard were all sub-dragon class.

In other words, they had the combat power of five thousand higher-level combatants.

In contrast, the defending ＜Masters＞ were a mix of higher and lower-level combatants, totaling twenty-one.

There was one super-class combatant, but even with that, it was only twenty-two in total.

Even if we add the ＜Embryo＞'s abilities roughly and estimate the combat power of each person as high as a pure-dragon class, the combat power comparison is still five thousand to one hundred and thirty-two.

The difference in combat power is so great that it's ridiculous to compare them.

Even so, three minutes after the battle began... not a single ＜Master＞ had fallen.

『...You're holding up well, aren't you?』

Franklin muttered in amazement.

Even Franklin, who had unleashed five thousand monsters, did not expect that these twenty-two would hold out this long.

This result is due to the abilities of the ＜Embryos＞ gathered here.

Twenty-two people. Even excluding those known to Franklin, about twenty ＜Masters＞ are... ＜Embryos＞.

Among them are those who greatly enhance their allies, those who act as walls, and those who can hold back large armies.

The variety and diversity of abilities of the ＜Embryos＞.

By each using their own powers, they have managed to keep the five thousand monsters at bay and prevent them from entering the city.

『...』

Diversity. Of course, the monsters Franklin created also possess it.

However, the "Suicide" series, which are programmed to advance, kill, and die, are biological weapons.

While they are diverse in species, they lack the ability to coordinate and utilize their diversity according to the situation.

Therefore, despite the overwhelming difference in combat power, they have not been able to overwhelm them.

『...Well then』

In fact, even if the monsters are held back here, it doesn't really matter to Franklin.

He is still in the process of spewing out more monsters from Pandemonium.

According to Franklin's calculations, even if they buy a little more time and the ＜Masters＞ trapped in the central arena gather, they can still cause damage to the city.

Holding back five thousand monsters with twenty-two people is a desperate time-buying effort.

The number of monsters has hardly decreased, and the ＜Masters＞ are almost certain to be crushed soon.

Behind them, ten times as many monsters are waiting, and there are several monsters with combat power equivalent to super-class combatants, like the 【DGF】 and 【KOS】 serving by Franklin's side.

Franklin remembers that there were about a thousand ＜Masters＞ in the central arena.

With the combat power Franklin has prepared, Gideon can be annihilated.

Franklin is not one of the ＜Super-Class＞ who excels in "combat."

If the battle starts with "Ready, go," he might be defeated by a lower-level combatant.

However, he excels in "strategy."

After half a year in ＜Infinite Dendrogram＞ since the war with the kingdom, Franklin has accumulated combat power through time and funds.

In the current situation, he can slaughter a thousand ＜Masters＞ alone.

『...Well, well, well, well』

This is a situation where Franklin will win no matter what, and he can continue to win without doing anything.

『I'm still angry, so should I just kill them?』

That's why... Franklin moved.

『【DGF】, would you mind crushing those annoying people for me?』

Franklin, at the foot of Pandemonium, commanded the dinosaur that had literally kicked the royal guard to pieces — the 【DGF】.

When Ray went to stop the "Suicide" series, Franklin had forbidden any interference, but now he gave the opposite command.

『VAAALUGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!』

The 【DGF】 roared, shaking the heavens and earth, and advanced with a vibration that shook the ground.

Its target was the front line of the battle between the five thousand monsters and the twenty-two people.

From the foot of Pandemonium to that location, the 【DGF】 closed the distance in an instant.

— First, it became twenty.

Two higher-level front-line combatants, who were serving as the vanguard, were crushed into dust by the 【DGF】's red aura.

At the same time, an ＜Embryo＞ that had taken the damage on its shoulder reached its limit and shattered.

— Next, it became nineteen.

A higher-level magic user who cast an attack spell had their magic nullified by the red aura.

Then, their upper and lower body were severed and turned to dust by a tail swipe.

— And then, it became sixteen.

Three ＜Masters＞ simultaneously launched their ultimate skill attacks.

However, before they could even activate, the 【DGF】 moved at a speed that left afterimages and bit down on all three.

In an instant, six of the twenty-two who had not fallen until then were gone.

“Tch!”

Marie, the only super-class combatant present, moved and fired a piercing bullet at the 【DGF】's head.

However, the bullet lost speed and power upon touching the red aura and was deflected by the 【DGF】's carapace.

“Defensive and offensive red aura, 《Dragon King Aura》! So, it's made from the material of some 《Dragon King》...!”

Marie's guess was correct.

In ＜UBM＞, there exist beings called 《Dragon Kings》.

They are the kings of a certain species of pure dragons and are recognized as UBM due to their unique and powerful existence.

Franklin has defeated 《Dragon Kings》 several times, and one of the MVP bonuses he obtained was used as material to create the 【DGF】.

Therefore, its power easily surpasses the pure-dragon class and has combat power comparable to the original ＜UBM＞.

『VAIGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!』

“G...!”

Even for a super-class combatant like Marie, the odds of winning against the 【DGF】 in a fair fight are fifty-fifty.

Moreover, she is currently exhausted from the battle with Beldorber and cannot use the explosive and homing bullets due to the backlash from her ultimate skill.

（The only option might be to shoot the “Piercing Ulvetia” from a blind spot where the aura is thin. Even then, it's a bit risky.）

Marie estimated that even using her second ultimate skill of the day, combining 《Green Piercing》 and 《Silver Flash》, the probability of defeating it was low.

Monsters above the pure-dragon class have enormous HP, and even a super-class combatant cannot defeat them in one hit.

However, a prolonged battle is not possible.

The more the 【DGF】 rampages, the more Marie is delayed in dealing with it, the more the front line collapses, and the more monsters flood into Gideon.

Marie made up her mind and loaded a special bullet for her ultimate skill.

“《Rainbow Illusion...!?”

However, the 【DGF】 moved before she could.

At the same speed that left afterimages, it moved...

— Toward “Ray,” who was a little further away.

“Ray!?”

“Mr. Ray!”

While Marie and Luke were calling out, the 【DGF】 was already moving at an incredible speed toward Ray.

Thinking about it, it made sense.

Among those present, who did Franklin want to crush the most?

It was entirely possible that his subordinate, the 【DGF】, would act according to his wishes.

“Wait, ugh!”

Marie, who tried to chase after the 【DGF】, was blocked by an AGI-specialized "Suicide" that targeted her.

“...”

As the 【DGF】 approached with its red aura-tailed tail, Ray had no words.

Was it because he was still dragging a faint consciousness, or because he had already made a decision?

“...Huff”

『Ray...?』

Ray readied his black greatsword, Nemesis.

Ray realized he couldn't run.

He wasn't riding Silver, and even if he did, he couldn't escape.

Ray realized he was about to meet his second death in ＜Infinite Dendrogram＞.

But there was something he could do before that.

"Counter the attack the moment it hits."

Even if the damage killed him, he could return it doubled, even if only for one hit.

This might help turn the tide of the situation.

Ray thought so.

『...Leave it to me』

Nemesis also understood Ray's resolve.

Therefore, it decided to activate the skill it could, to do what it could.

And just a few meters in front of the two, who had made up their minds, the 【DGF】 arrived.

It opened its massive jaws to eliminate its creator's great enemy.

Everyone saw that moment.

Marie saw it.

Luke saw it.

Kasumi, Io, and Fujinon saw it.

The ten surviving ＜Masters＞ saw it.

Liliana saw it.

Lord Lindos saw it.

The royal guard saw it.

The residents of Gideon saw it.

The residents of the capital saw it.

Figaro and Hayate, who had been freed from the barrier, saw it.

Franklin saw it.

— And, “no one saw it.”

“Such a decisive counter should be done in a more dramatic scene, you know.”

No one saw the moment “that man” stood in front of Ray.

“Huh?”

It was a mutter from Ray, and at the same time, a mutter from many who saw it.

It was as if a frame had been dropped, and “that man” was standing there as if it was natural.

He had a strange appearance.

To put it simply, he was a “fur man.”

He wore a bear's head skin covering the upper half of his head, with the fur flowing like a cloak from the head.

He was tall, with his upper body bare but covered in muscles like steel.

He wore black pants similar to a hakama, made of the same fur as the one on his head.

And his right leg was kicked up straight to the sky.

Despite this posture, his body did not waver at all, as if he was well-trained.

“Such things are done when you win the bet and survive while defeating the opponent. Winning or losing and dying, with the opponent only getting a minor injury, is a bit weak... and, this tone of voice isn't needed now.”

The suddenly appearing fur man said this while keeping his right leg raised high.

His appearance and words were clearly strange, but people noticed something even stranger.

The dinosaur was gone.

The 【DGF】, which had been about to attack Ray just a few seconds ago, was nowhere to be seen.

It had disappeared the moment the fur man appeared.

“...No way.”

However, a few ＜Masters＞, including Marie, saw something.

They all looked up at the sky.

In front of their eyes... the 【DGF】 was floating hundreds of meters above.

Those with good eyesight could observe that its head was shattered beyond recognition and was already turning into a cloud of light.

From the state of the 【DGF】 and the posture of the man with the raised leg, there were two possible conclusions.

This man had kicked the monster, which weighed several tons, into the sky.

This man had destroyed the large monster with a single kick, which had both offensive and defensive 《Dragon King Aura》 and a vast amount of HP.

“...Ah.”

Seeing the fur man lower his right leg smoothly and seeing the uncovered lower half of his face, Ray realized.

It was “a person he knew well.”

“Seems like you pushed yourself, but it's good that you didn't die and waited.”

The fur man said this and placed his palm on Ray's head.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“...You came.”

“Didn't I say I would definitely come?”

The fur man lowered his palm from Ray's head and took something out of the bag hanging from his waist — an item box.

It was