by Kasugamaru
39 Monologue
The air is thick with the heavy scents of clove and orange, accented by light cinnamon. It penetrates through my nose and into my brain as I take a tiny sip from the paper cup. I let the liquid spread evenly on my tongue, then swallow. Its sweetness is permeating.
Suddenly, I’m looking at trees. Perhaps my eyes are seeking the color green. I’m exhausted.
It seems exceedingly fitting that the discussion of a mission that could affect the very fate of the world would be held in such a meeting room. It’s so quiet you could hear a speck of dust drop, and there are computers all around.
Dragon Demon RPG, huh?
That’s the name of a video game released into beta by an unknown developer. Their plan seemed to be to release it in early access in order to build funds before launching a large-scale marketing campaign. Despite the bullish sales method, the game became quite popular in Japan.
The world has never seen a bigger computer virus.
It started by gaining control of customers’ consoles and computers and using their collective processing power to completely take over the biggest cryptocurrency network with extreme speed and sophistication. It was most likely the work of an A.I. designed to attack such systems. This gave it control over the world’s mining machines, increasing its processing power until it eventually had multiple super A.I. under its influence. And what did it do with the greatest amount of processing power in history, you ask?
It made this. The fantasy world displayed on the tablet screen; this map of a continent. At first glance, it seems like an in-game map, but it is completely different. This is reality, not fiction. It is the scene of the crime, as well as a battlefield. A world existing in a different space from ours. In other words, a parallel world. To meddle in such an absurd phenomenon and attempt to gain demonic powers... Only a criminal so heinous that even God Himself doesn’t scare them would think of such a thing.
Perhaps I should call it a grand scheme to fool even God.
Whoever they are, they call themself Demon God. They created the vampires, a monstrous alien species, and set about the barbaric task of exterminating the native species. It is difficult to describe just how truly evil this is. Their ultimate goal is to threaten the world order... Something our country cannot allow.
I see blue. From the courtyard of the U.S. Department of Defense I look up at the sky, cut into a blue pentagon. I see white clouds, too. Blue and white. Beautiful. The same as the elves’ national colors.
The elves. They are a native species, and intervene in this crisis with the full might of their republic. Not to mention their fair skin. Truly, they are the righteous dealers of justice. Guns and magic are different, of course, but their focus on long-range battles makes things quite convenient. They are a beautiful people too.
Uniting and educating them will give me my best chance of succeeding at my mission. With the Earth’s network infected, anything else would be only temporary. It’s too late to hope for any results from spreading around the “deluxe version,” which is bundled with the anti-virus.
I suspect the Demon God is lurking somewhere in Eastern Europe. This is information I got by analyzing their signal-noise patterns—talk about hard-earned. The ex-communist bloc... Depending on how things go, there’s the very real risk of a certain button being pushed, but for now, the situation is tolerable. By imitating the Demon God’s strategies, I’ve pushed the elves and vampires into a struggle for supremacy. This mission has been years in the making, but my efforts are finally being rewarded. My connection instability has been getting better recently, as well. Then again, considering I’ve only been able to intervene once every decade or so of their time, it’s quite astounding how easy things have been. I’d love to shower the IT department in champagne for it.
Wait, aren’t they out at Ground Zero Cafe? I’ll just raise my paper cup to them in respect. Heh. It’s already lunch, huh? Let’s use the peace and quiet to focus on the item of concern below me.
Just as we’d stabilized our connection, frequent “interference clouds” started cropping up. I should probably assume that the Demon God has gained the ability to smoothly intervene and create interference again. The proof is in how they’ve taken control of small groups of soldiers to cause havoc on the front lines. Vampires aren’t capable of military tactics requiring such fine decision-making and direction. I managed to delay things by placing unique units in each area... I never in my wildest dreams imagined that would lead to the destruction of the vampires’ strongest unit.
Golden. She was a master of lightning and earth magic; a fearsome combat resource. I couldn’t believe my own eyes when she repelled Dragon all on her own. After that I gave up on trying to micromanage our resistance, instead focusing on controlling many things at a macro level in order to suppress her attacks. That was just how much of a threat she was.
But who could have envisioned that Shield would kill Golden? Shield—Sakiel, a master of wind magic; a unique unit only useful for defense. She was so imperfect that I couldn’t help but yell at her to get it together, although perhaps that was a blessing in disguise.
I sigh and take a sip of hot cider. Was it a bad move on their part, or a smart move on mine? I can’t tell. And speaking of confusing... the humans. No, let’s call them subhumans. They’re natives that live on the southern tip of the continent, barely squeaking by. I was sure it was only a matter of time before they were wiped out.
So why did they start amassing forces in the north of their territory?
It would be understandable if they were gathering at the fort to the south—one could explain it as them fearing the aftermath of war—but they are doing completely the opposite. Their army is moving all the way to the northern fort, to the Frontier. Even if they end up standing there doing nothing, it could still stoke the territorial dispute. Could this have been triggered by our war with the vampires? Is this pitiful gathering of soldiers an attempt at brandishing their own strength?
No... it can’t be. These subhumans are only good for watching us battle while they try to not die in the process. If anything, I should be focusing on this “treasure of our species” that the elven elder has identified. The subhumans must have some sort of ancestral tie like the elven Spirit Tree—something that can create events that would be called “miracles” even in a world full of magic.
Miracles...
It’s only a miracle because it’ll never happen. If it does, it becomes merely a phenomenon. Even this Parallel World War that we find ourselves in and the loss of the vampires’ strongest unit were all born from accumulated phenomena. Nothing more. We must analyze, strategize, and take the best measures possible.
This feeling of hesitation doesn’t come from nowhere, though. I hate to admit it, but I am forced to. It’s fear. I’m afraid of going on the offensive. I’m practically shivering with fright. No matter how many strategy meetings we hold, in the end, there must be a hero who actually moves to action. The isolation of a meeting room is far too cold of an environment to reflect the horrors of this Parallel World War. Recovering from even the slightest of our mistakes takes a hundred years in their time. Now that the vampires have lost the greatest of their three unique units, the elves should go on a full-on offensive campaign... and yet...!
I swallow the last drops of my hot cider. Crushing the paper cup, I toss it at the trash can. Urgh, it’s going to miss... wait, the wind’s correcting its trajectory... Yes! Score! The IT department cheers, and I wave at them.
Now, to head towards my lonely workplace. It’s time to end this Parallel World War. Everything is for the sake of world order. For the sake of our country, above all. For the sake of good people all over the world.
I spin the han
drims of my wheelchair in a gallant and cheerful manner. It doesn’t matter if I’m only pretending, the wheelchair lift’s right over there, after all.
40 About Repentance, Announcements, Elements, and Familiars in DDR
People are weak, but humans are strong.
That is why we challenge this world.
-DDR Stream/VOD Part 1-
I’m not going to drink again until I win. Also, I’ll be playing the repentance mini-game ten thousand times! Click, click.
Hey, all! PotatoStarch here. Like I said before, I’ve switched to video recordings. Man, I miss the days when people would comment “PotatoMasochist” and “Like, literally potato starch?” to which I’d respond: “Hell yes!” Ah, the banter. Without the live aspect of streaming, I’m just another no-name on the Internet.
Of course, you may be thinking, “Just livestream then, if you’re going to complain.” I’d love to, but unfortunately I can’t. Claiming “personal reasons” is too cryptic, so I’ll just be honest: if I weren’t bound to secrecy, I’d be rushing to the police or the hospital.
Someone picked a fight with me.
I’m an expert at ignoring things, but even my blood is a little boiled by this. I can’t tell you the details, but I’m seriously pissed at this mysterious bastard. Just you watch... I’ll get the DDR happy end! And once I do, I’ll make you regret crossing my path five thousand trillion times over, Romanian! All I have to do is what I’ve been doing all this time; I just have to focus on staying sober. I’ll enjoy DDR to my heart’s content. There. I’ll play my heart out. There. This is the best. I’m a total grown-up, by the way.
Besides, even if this isn’t live, it’s still streaming. Once I decide to post the video, it’s considered streaming. Oh, I thought of a title for this video. I’m sure you’re all like, “At this point?” but with determination, I have an announcement to make... Drumroll, please...
This is a documentary! A documentary of the path to human victory and glory in DDR! What do you think of that? This strange feeling of pride is amazing. Just watch, I’ll make good on my word!
Okay, that’s enough hot-bloodedness for now. Time to dive in.
The situation on the Frontier is as you can see. Ten thousand soldiers are all in perfect sync thanks to Kuroi’s flawless training exercises. What is this, the opening ceremony for the Olympics? Especially you, hot knight guy. I’m getting a major deja vu from your moves. Such a sharp and exciting aura... Upside, inside out, he’s livin’ la vida loca. He’s freaking Ricky Martin. And his two strong subordinates are like backup dancers. This is just a concert, man.
Things are going in a good direction, at least. Kuroi’s only capable of patrols and training, but none of that government stuff. I mean, look at her stats. She’s your stereotypical meathead. In any case, we’ve got to enrich the country and strengthen the army. The political part I’ll leave to the NPCs.
Aaand that should do it. Good work, everyone. Kuroi’s running so coolly to the next training area. Past the pastures, take a peek into the barn, through the residential area, and into the administrative district. Man, things have gotten so lively. The monster attacks are like a phantom of the past. People and products are flooding in; buildings and businesses are cropping up everywhere. No wonder the garrison is dancing salsa. Whoops, my brain’s still in music mode.
Look, that billboard’s for the adventurer’s guild. They sure set up that outpost quickly. And right next to it is the sorcerer’s guild outpost, perfectly positioned. Very convenient. Lots of other places are still under construction; this place is quickly becoming the Frontier Capital.
Everyone on the street has such good manners, they all greet Kuroi. Most nod, but some even get on their knees and start praying. Just walk past them regally, total Apostle move.
The Devil God’s power is rising nicely, too. The bonus effects are starting to stack up. It’s really exciting. At a base level, the humans have gotten more resistant to disease. They have a bonus to biological resistances. I’d assume their lifespan has extended as well. They also received a bonus to maximum stamina. Horses are now considered familiars, too. Nice.
Kuroi’s summon magic, the most important thing combat-wise, is still far away, though.
I can at least add another servant. I’m currently searching for one, but it’s not a huge priority. I was sure if it came down to it we could just create more Apostles... but that’s not looking possible.
Perhaps the key to Apostles for each race is their elements. I’d never considered this before, but if it’s true then a lot of things would make more sense. Well, it just confirms that humans get the short end of the stick, as usual.
The elven elements are wind and water. They get two. Sakiel, the Ten Thousand Bells, is a wind mage. The slender Deep Sea is, of course, a water mage. And the lead Apostle, Absolute, is a terrifying master of both elements. That old man scares me.
The vampire elements are lightning and earth. They get two as well. The sexy Thunderstorm is a lightning mage, the stony-faced Crumbling Mountain is an earth mage, and the Apostle Golden was a master of both.
It’s sort of like blood types, you know? There’s A type, B type, and AB type. When you think of it that way, the fact that humans only get the one element of fire... C’mon, development team...
But there’s no point in begging for things that don’t exist. We just have to win with what we’ve got. What we lack, we’ll make up for in creativity, dedication, passion, time, and hard work... No big deal, right?
Which is why I’m at the fire bomb station—hey, sorcerer, why are you running away? Not on my watch! See? Gotcha. Okay, Sira, tie this guy up. Fire mages, gather ’round! Ready your oil jars.
Today’s training course is, once again, “Love Dance.” One of the devs must really be into dancing. Just upload videos of yourself already.
Feeling the rhythm I click-click, click-click. More Indian-like! Don’t forget to wink! Phew, perfect... I’ll be back in the evening.
Oh? You want to come with me, Sira? Okay, we can patrol together. Let’s head to the north gate. Gotta make sure the elves are behaving themselves. They are still our enemies, after all. We’re only allies for a short while.
Wow, this place has certainly gotten wild. This isn’t just a bit of gardening; they’ve made a lake. Moreover, everything that could possibly be considered a roof is being treated like their living room. And yet something’s off. A strange vibe is going around. It’s like everyone’s nervous. There are hardly any elves or silver leopards, and the skyhawks are circling the sky to the north. Wait, are they preparing for war? Huh, seems like that’s it. They have elves flying out on scouting missions. There’s still plenty of daylight, so there shouldn’t be any threat of a vampire attack... Hm? Are those monsters? They’re shuffling... no, hopping out of a corner of the forest. Rabbits. Dark, monstrous rabbits with horns like blades.
Militant rabbits. And in the thousands.
Could this be...?
Kuroi, use Call on your war horse. Sira should be able to ride with you. Okay, now hurry. If we can make contact before the elves, we should be able to find out for sure!
Ah, I knew it. They’re not attacking at all. In fact, they’re raising their heads, laying their swordhorns on the ground... they’re paying respect to us. Humbly, they intend to serve us.
It’s a request to become familiars. They want to serve the Devil God. This is just like with the horses. The situation’s a little too desperate to consider not taking them. There, the mark of a familiar has been placed under their stats. That means the Devil God’s blessing is upon them. With it, these militant rabbits are pretty strong. Their strength stat is low, but their speed and skill stats are nice. They could make for a different type of front line unit, distinct from the silver leopards and black wolves.
I need a volunteer. You there, the panda-patterned one. I’m going to give you a very special duty. Click. There. You are now officially Sira’s personal familiar. You need a name. Hmm.
.. Considering your coloring and role, let’s go with Shirokuro. That’s black and white in Japanese. You’ll be Sira’s helper. Yeah, good. I like it. This is another result of the massive rise in Devil God faith levels.
So, uhm... You can stop being on-guard now. Hello, elves? Well, it’s the correct decision. Our new familiars are very dangerous to elves. They’re faster than black wolves and most definitely your worst nightmares.
Still, the unease and nervousness they’re emitting is so real it’s making my heart race. DDR’s A.I. is seriously next-level. It’d be a pro in chess.
Okay, make way already. We’re taking these rabbits to the farms. You already have your silver leopards, skyhawks, lizards, and frogs. If you have power, you should consider it only natural that your opponent might also have the same power. That’s called equality. Otherwise, you’re just looking down on us. What, you think you’re the only special ones? That’s not the case, at least try to remember this. Not that there’s any point in talking to an A.I.
41 The Captain Joins His Friend’s Feast / Ten Thousand Bells Performs Her Best
We are not alone.
We have comrades at our sides and at our backs. Together, we look forward.
-Captain Zakkow I-
I’ll make my living as a warmonger. That’s what I decided on my fifteenth winter, and for nearly forty years I’ve lived steadfastly and unemotionally. I don’t have a family; I don’t want one. The urge dried up after seeing so many friends die on the battlefield. It’s been a long time since my brow last furrowed. I was sure it had frozen in place.
“C-Captain! Captain Zakkow! Look! It’s so fluffy!”
“They’re actually pretty light when you hold them. But their hind legs are so thick!”
“Those long ears and twitching noses... they’re so cute! Look, Captain!”
What a bother. How am I supposed to react at times like this? These men, who not too long ago were in a frenzy for vengeance, are now playing with rabbits like school children. I don’t even know if I should be happy or scold them.