Chapter 156

Seniors to the Rescue

Wondering if she heard wrong, Rokuko looked at Core 666 . It felt like she just said for them to duel .

“E-excuse me, sorry . What was that?”

“695 . I request to have a duel with you . ”

It looked as though she really didn’t mishear her .

“A duel…? Umm, is that different from a Dungeon Battle?”

“Right now, right here, we cross blades . That’s all . ”

“That’s all, you say…”

“My, is that sword at your waist simply for decoration?”

Rokuko was pressured by the girl who looked fire up, as though she wouldn’t be made light of .

She pointed to the sword visible at Rokuko’s waist . It really was a decoration . She’d forgotten about it up till now, only remembering now that she was reminded it was there .

“… Now, will you draw your sword?”

“No, it really is a decoration though . ”

“You wish to go against me bare handed? Right… you really are looking down on me . Shall we move somewhere else?”

Core 666’s magic sword appeared again and she ignited it in flames as she took her stance . Meanwhile, Rokuko just wanted to know what was going on .

She looked around her for help . Her eyes met with Core 629’s . He looked away . Worthless orange rabbit… well, it was doubtful whether he could have even helped .

“Kukuku, serves you right 695 . Now hurry up and kill her!”

“Oh, 650 . Would you like to join as well?”

“I-I’ll pass! I wouldn’t do something so savage . ”

“… Huh? Dueling is savage?”

In the next moment, Core 666, who was definitely right in front of Rokuko, was suddenly thrusting her sword at Core 650 again .

“Hii!? I said stop it!”

This time, Core 650 (the snake) retreated to Core 652 (the slug) .

“Hmph . Well, my sword is too good to be used on the likes of you… Now then, 695, shall we start?”

Seeing Core 666’s smile, Rokuko thought about what she could do . Her choices were:

1 . Accept the duel .

2 . Run .

3 . Eat Melon Bread rather than duel .

… She wanted to choose number 3 and escape from reality, but that probably wouldn’t only served as provocation . On the other hand, if she chose number 2 her back would be cut through and number 1 was absolutely impossible .

—Dangit, I should have at least had Kehma make this sword and these clothes into a golem!

It was a bit too late for her to think about that, though .

“Oh my, it looks like you’re doing something interesting, 666?”

Just then, her savior appeared .

It was Haku, wearing a white dress and smiling .

“… No . 89-sama . Yes, I was thinking about deepening my friendship with 695 . ”

“Mmm… however, isn’t dueling somewhat dangerous for that?”

“Did No . 89-sama not also deepen her friendship by doing something similar with No . 8 Jiji-sama? Going with that, could 695 and I not imitate that?”

“Fufufu, impudent . Are you not going to discipline her? 6 . ”

“Kukuku, what, 89? Isn’t it 695 that should be disciplined?”

Someone else joined in . The [Great Demon King] that wore black armor, Core 6 .

Sparks flew in the air between Haku and Core 6 .

“Is that so? Recently, your child has been buzzing around my things . I wonder if it’s too difficult for you to hold the reins on them more securely . ”

“Hoh, I don’t know what you’re talking about . If I ever find out, I’ll be sure to say something . ”

“Fufufu…”

“Kukuku…”

Core 6 drew his black blade .

Haku brandished her white spear in response .

It should’ve been a duel between Rokuko and Core 666, but it somehow turned into a duel between Haku and Core 6 by the time anyone realized what was going on . The mood in the air felt stifling .

“Heeeeey! You guys! Let me join in toooo!”

Core 5, the [Dragon King], flew through the air towards them with his huge black dragon body .

Kabang! The air shook when he landed, roaring on impact .

Rokuko, who received the roar from up close, felt her legs give out from under her and she fell to the ground . She wasn’t confident in herself, but she managed to not let any out .

… Meanwhile, Core 666 was standing calmly, while the trivial trio fainted .

“I’ll crush 89! 6, let’s do it!”

“Do you intend to order me? I would kill you first . ”

“Haaah!? You want to settle it before the [Betrayer]!?”

“I am fine taking you both on if you wish . ”

“Leave me out of it . ”

Waving her spear, Haku provoked the two while warming up .

… The surrounding cores all began running away so that they wouldn’t get rolled up in the chaos . Rokuko wanted to run, too . However, she was part of the reason this was happening . It was already doubtful whether or not she was related to it though . Rather, she could run away either way; her legs wouldn’t move .

[Okay~, you three, stop it there . ]

Suddenly, [Father]’s words stopped the three .

[Getting a bit rowdy isn’t bad, but going this far’s no good, alright?]

“Oh my, my apologies, Otou-sama . I might have gotten a little excited there . ”

“Gununu… but I finally had a chance to…”

“It was my error, father . ”

Core 6 said a bit much as the other two put away their weapons .

The area calmed down quickly . That was only on the surface though, of course .

[However, 6, 89, 5 . I would like it if you three could deepen your friendship peacefully . All three of you are taking care of young ones, so your juniors are looking towards you, who are their seniors, for guidance… So, shake hands . ]

Urged on by [Father], Haku and the Great Demon King shook hands while forcing themselves to smile . The Dragon King also put one of his claws out .

It really was a scene that would cause one’s back to freeze up .

However, looking through the monitor, [Father] found it satisfactory .

[But well, it might be a good thing to decide victory and defeat once and for all . With something other than DP Rankings, that is . ]

“… Saying that, do you have an idea, Otou-sama?”

[That’s a good guess, 89 . You’re correct!]

[Father] spoke with a smile .

[Let’s have a Dungeon Battle between your juniors . To be exact, between the 600 Series juniors… Aah, since only 650 doesn’t have a master, he’ll be together with 651 and 652 as a handicap . ]

“… Eh?”

“Hmph, there won’t be a duel, but this might be good . ”

“… Huh?” “Mu—?” “Hoeh~”

The trivial trio appeared to have woken up .

… I don’t know how, but it somehow got decided that I’d be in a Dungeon Battle… I want to talk to Kehma .

Rokuko pressed against her temples .