by Kasugamaru
73 The Parallel World of DDR and the Holy War Record
When I close my eyes and fall into darkness, I can sense the truth—our prayers and wishes become mana that travels to God.
-Devil God PotatoStarch II-
Dragon Demon RPG is an extremely difficult game only for masochists. In its world, hard work is not rewarded. Your destiny is decided from the moment you’re born, and no amount of clever machinations will change your strength or affluence. In the end, the world is fated for destruction. This is true not just for humans, but elves and vampires as well. They’re all but parts in the grand scheme of things. No one can take the lead role; fighting over it is pathetic, since this world’s residents are no more than common weeds comparatively.
The game’s reality was so similar to my own life that I became addicted to it. I poured hours and hours into it... and considered it a win if I managed to spend time playing without being annoyed. I enjoyed the fortunes and misfortunes. It was all just a game, after all. Pure fantasy, to be played with like a toy.
(I see. So that’s your speciale, huh?)
Light yellow text illuminates the corner of my darkened VR monitor.
Speciale? Like, specialty? Who cares, my body’s so heavy and tired; I can’t move. I claw my way across my desk, searching for my keyboard. Oh, found it. Now, where are the J and F keys... There we go.
Summon Legion.
(I see. “I am legion, for we are many.” Yes, I see.)
In a time of dire need, I somehow managed to complete my summoning magic.
(What the hell do you ‘see’?) I type back.
Step one was the lesser summon magic, Accept Blade. Step two was the summon magic Call Einherjar. Step three was the greater summoning magic, Summon Legion. There were a lot of extreme power spikes in the Devil God’s growth instead of a nice curve, I have to admit.
(Stop screwing around.)
But of course I could summon them. How could I fail?
(Do you think this is a game?)
If real lives are on the line, then I have to be serious. I have to try my hardest. I have to succeed at everything. Otherwise... there’s no hope.
(Explain yourself. What the hell is this?) I demand.
(To me, this is revolyutsiya via invasion and exploitation of the parallel world.)
(I don’t understand. What are you talking about?)
(I don’t care what it means to you.)
I’m gonna throw up. Most of what this person’s writing is nonsensical, but the words “parallel world” really stick out to me. Within me, something rises up.
(Did you do something funny to that VR set you sent me?)
(As soon as you connect with it, you’ll be linked with my communication circuit.)
(That’s not what I mean. Did you put some weird tech in it, like electric drugs that can make you hallucinate?)
(“If what you see is unreal, then are you not what is unreal?” Are you stupid?)
Again with the difficult quotes. But damn, it kinda makes sense. I can still feel the weight of the swords in my hands, and smell the stench of the battlefield. I can’t place exactly where I felt it, but I can recall the sensation of fire magic. And, most of all, the final warmth of a woman who was like a mother to me... remains in my heart. The wish she entrusted to me... her prayer... it’s been engraved on my soul.
(You’re the Demon God, aren’t you?)
(Yes. And you are the Devil God.)
Unavoidably, I throw up—quite a lot. All I can do is not to hit my PC and stuff. Instead, it goes all over my legs, chair, and floor.
I’m crying. It hurts. I knew it subconsciously, but the second they put it into words... my stomach flipped.
(I’m glad. I may have lost today, but I learned a lot.)
(What’s there to be glad about when you killed so many people?)
(Many things please me.) Damn you... Damn you! (For example, the “fire” I require has been prepared.)
Fire. The flame that is the source of Kuroi’s power. I’m not talking about superfluous data like faith levels or magic points, either; this is the real thing. Right now, it’s burning in my belly... The wills of those fighting to survive, and those who continue to fight even in death, have gathered here... A collection of souls—the flame of humanity.
(Do you even realize that this is all real?) I ask furiously.
It’s precious. It’s not something anyone should be messing with for fun. Claims of ‘sincerity’ or ‘faithfulness’ only belittle it. That’s not right... PotatoStarch livestreams? Why, I...
(Another is that you have come to understand what is happening in the parallel world.)
(So you knew, but you summoned that demon anyway?)
The parallel world—the place where Kuroi and the others live. It’s not a video game; they can’t save or reload. There are no retries in the real world. A parallel world where humans, elves, and vampires all exist...
(The true battle has finally begun. It will be the final one. Massive gains will be had.)
(You’re crazy. I don’t understand.)
I want to spit out the sourness in my mouth, but I can’t, so I let it flow out along with my saliva. What a terrible smell... but it helps me stay focused, so I inhale.
(No, you are the one that is difficult to understand. It is quite likely you are an idiot.) What is with this person, this... Romanian? Are they trying to bait me? (Your PC is garbage; a low-spec, mass-produced piece of junk.)
Hmph! That doesn’t faze me. I’m already pissed, you see. ...But I’m also scared. It’s like a giant hole’s opened up beneath me. If he knows my PC’s specs, then some kind of illegal entry must have happened. He’s spied on my videos and discovered my address, too.
(Also, Dragon Demon RPG is just a game. However, it does contain a virus,) they add. A virus? Oh, so it was in the game, not the VR set... Wait, what? (I created this game based on the parallel world.)
This Romanian created DDR? So I’m talking to a member of the dev team right now? They certainly have a similar lack of humanity, but... Oh! I think there was something in the chat log...
This! (But the one you have is different. Mode DX. I did not create that.)
DX—the strange version of DDR whose contents were different from the deluxe version’s.
(It is probably a special type of magic. Either that, or a miracle,) they type. I don’t know much about miracles, but I can understand magic. It doesn’t exist in our world, but over there it does; I’ve experienced it. (You thought it was a game, didn’t you? But in the parallel world, you are a god. I imagine the local humans sought you out.)
Humans. The people living in that land are... so tragic. The elves look down upon them like livestock, and even use them to feed their familiars. The vampires see them as food as well, and eat any humans they can get their hands on. Oppressed and tyrannized, they’re a hopelessly sad and wretched species.
...All because they didn’t have a Guardian God. Without the blessing of one, they’re weak compared to the elves and vampires, so they sought a god... and that’s how this happened? Through the magical DDR DX, they took some random streamer named PotatoStarch and turned him into the Devil God? Ugh... I’m not gonna barf. Like hell I’m gonna barf! Just once is enough for something so pathetic.
(I had been carrying out an improper proxy war in this parallel world,) they declare. War. This isn’t a game—it’s real war. (Then you showed up and turned it into a proper war.)
I can’t run away. I mustn’t run away. I can’t just pretend I didn’t see all this; I can’t let it slide. I have to fight.
(It is very fortunate. Our war allows me to fight the parallel world,) they continue.
Well, I’ll do it. I’ve been trying for so long to finish the human salvation route—in other words, an end where Kuroi and all the rest can be happy. The Dragon God aside, the Demon God’s attack is an unchangeable condition.
Summon Legion is my trump card, and the key to activating it...
is a VR connection. However, it’s not something I can use flippantly. After trying it once, I now know full well that it’s not normal. It’s not some special perk or bonus, but more like adrenaline in a desperate situation, or a limiter removal. It’s powerful, but the backlash is equally strong. Kuroi’s currently passed out, too.
But, even so...
(It is possible for us to “have a fair fight,”) they dare me.
I’m going to defeat this crazy Romanian. Through the game’s strategy... as the God of war... I’ll fight alongside Kuroi and the others!
(...so get better. I’ll send you more high-quality food.)
Ugh, that steak was his doing, too? Way too much of my personal information has been leaked.
(Thank you for the concern, but please butt out.)
(You’re welcome. Still, you are unequipped to survive despite me providing you with a nourishment stipend.)
Wait... A stipend? It can’t be.
(What do you mean, a stipend?)
(You should have received the proper amount in Japanese yen.)
(You’re wrong, that was from my company.)
(You are affiliated with a public company, and I control the major cryptocurrencies. It was an easy acquisition.)
(You’re lying.)
(It’s the truth. I also control the world wide web.)
(You’re lying!)
(It’s the truth. I am also automatically deleting all information about you. This is to prevent any interference from third parties. After seeing your stream, I have to wonder, are you stupid?) Everything’s cold. I feel dizzy. I’m gonna hurl again. (I have eliminated all potential interference in our war and protected your playing environment.)
This person’s a freak, a monster if I’ve ever seen one. They’re as fearsome in this world as they are in the parallel one, which is saying something considering they’re the Demon God there.
“Ugh... Nngh! Hhrrgh!”
I grit my teeth. Moans escape, but the contents of my stomach don’t. I will not barf! I’m the Devil God! I’m PotatoStarch, but I’m also the God of war. Kuroi and the rest of humanity believe in me... I will not be defeated by this enemy!
(Now, KartofStarch, “let us have a fair battle.”)
With shaking fingers, I press the keys. I send a sentence in reply:
(I’ll defeat you.)
That’s good enough. I need to sleep for a bit, but I’ll get up soon. And then, I’ll win.
I will win!
74 The Knight Views and Reconfirms the Reality of a Final Battle
I may be blown away by lightning; I may be dragged to the bottom of the sea.
But I’ll keep getting back up. Again and again, for as long as God’s flames reside within me.
-Knight Agias IV-
It’s raining. It’s biting and cold, perhaps because the rain was brought on a northern wind. The thundering of droplets on my cloak is terribly similar to a cavalry march. One could even say we are besieged by this sudden rain. It turns the scene of rubble around us grey and transforms the dust of battle into mud, but it doesn’t erase the smells of blood, death, and ash.
Footsteps. Someone’s ascending the stone stairs. A prayer is scrawled across their hat, which guards them from the rain.
“There you are, Lord Willow.”
“Father.”
It’s Father Felipo. He’s soaked.
“Ho-hoh! The eastern gate is still in good condition, I see. No wonder the elf sympathizers made it their base.”
“Mm... There are more weapons here compared to other places. The captain must have done some good work here.”
“Splendid. And yet, it’s ironic that an encampment set up for a civil war would prove useful to us.”
Next to the gate wall, underneath the soggy mats, are reserves of spears. Up until yesterday, they were pointed at the city; that was how bad it had gotten here.
“Ironic... yes.”
“This battle was filled with irony. Most of the pro-vampire nobles’ territory is to the west. In other words, they were the first to be destroyed during the vampire invasion. Although, perhaps that was their hope all along.”
He smirks, but there’s a pain in his words. The rain manages to hide any sounds of grinding teeth. Is he thinking of all the nobles he once knew that were here? Or is he considering the many, many commoners he didn’t? He could even be thinking of his family, who are still missing. People cannot exist all alone in this world, after all.
“The Starlight Band, orchestrators of this invasion, were destroyed by the very demon they revered... The king’s sister, too, was crushed by its feet.”
His tone is filled with bitterness. According to Jashan son Peine, the leader of the Starlight Band was a colleague of theirs from seminary. How did a great student with such a passion for ideals turn out that way? The king’s sister, Inkja, wasn’t born an evil sow either. This world is just too cold and wretched for anyone to live on the complete straight and narrow path, in my opinion.
“I sense evil... don’t you?” I hear the damp yet hard sound of a fist tightening. “That battle was a bloodbath for the invaders. The vampires and even their Apostle, Crumbling Mountain, were turned to ash in order to summon the demons... which also disappeared into smoke, not even leaving bones behind.” His voice is shaking with rage and fear as he speaks. “Is there no salvation at all? It’s as if they were abandoned and made into sacrifices.”
His words cut deep. These must be the true feelings of Felipo Valkie Millennium, the man who was born a royal but became a priest.
“It makes you wonder what the purpose of this battle was,” he wonders in lamentation.
“Yes, truly. The vampires’ purpose... their goal once the battle was finished, I cannot see. I do not doubt they wish to wipe us out, and yet...”
“Maybe they wish for mutual destruction.” I hear him swallow. So he didn’t think of that, huh? Then again, he isn’t a military man. “In our many battles, I have sensed that this may not simply be settled when the vampires have dominion over the continent. We may have underestimated the words ‘final battle.’”
The vampires are crazed beasts who seek only war. Despite this, our past clashes were highly calculated, as evidenced by their cycling between offense and defense, which means we shared the instinct all living creatures have of self-preservation.
Nevertheless, after the battle at the fort, that instinct has disappeared. All they do is attack with abandon. That must be why General Bandkan chose the impossible strategy he did.
“The vampires are dead, hollow soldiers now. One could even call this mass suicide,” he adds.
The rain continues to pour, chilling the air. Is this causing any problems for the citizens we sent to the fort? Are the ones who chose to stay here getting enough warmth? Are our soldiers’ hands still limber enough to grip their swords? Pelted and drowned by rain, our fighting spirit’s fire is...
“You have to be kidding.” Heat. His voice is filled with it, and it warms my cheeks. “That’s ridiculous... Mutual destruction? That’s the source of their crazed attacks? Yes, it makes sense. Yes, I won’t deny that we may have underestimated them. But if this is true, then... Then... How disgusting! Ah, is there no salvation?!” He’s practically breathing fire now; his voice thunders into the ashen sky. “Each and every one of our lives is precious! As equally precious as the earth and sky! The histories that precede our births, the seeds of culture that appear in our lives, are all miracles! If they weren’t, then how do you explain the divine blessings?”
Plural, eh? Don’t think I missed that bit of theology.
“Our revolution is not about destroying the other species!” he continues. “What we seek is a world where humanity can be proud of itself, and respected by the other species! That is, a path to mutual respect!”
Revolution. We stood up because we sought a world where humans could live proudly. We understood that our wish would require fighting, and so we gained the power to fight toe-to-toe wi
th the other species. An uprising from adversity; a denial of tyranny. It is not vengeance we seek, but to display our firm will.
“Our war must be a proud one! Thieves, barbarians, and fools who enjoy destruction are who we should be fighting! If not... If not... Why? Why must we suffer equally?”
The wind is howling. The insides of my cloak and hat are soaked beyond repair, so I leave them on and close my eyes. Meanwhile, the priest continues to cry out furiously:
“How are we to accept the deaths of our people?!”
Everyone is dying: the king, the prince, the archbishop, my father, my brother, my old friends at House Willow, General Bandkan, the soldiers of the fort, the men who rode alongside me into battle, my brethren who fought under the same banner... and Ange, who shared our will. Countless have been injured. Suffering has spread thickly throughout the land. Our morale is flagging; our hearts are numb, and our bodies heavy... It’s cold. Everything is unclear. Unavoidably, my eyes seek her.
Lady Kuroi, please open your eyes.
She shows no signs of injury, but she’s been in a deep, deep sleep... for three days.
“Even so, our only choice is to fight,” I assert.
We cannot delay any further; we must return the army to the fort. A renewed, united front with the elves is the minimum requirement if we are to form a new plan of attack. That’s why...
“No matter our enemy, we will fight them waving our banners with pride.”
The human nation is destroyed. Our main territory, as well as the western front, are ravaged, and with the Sacred Shield Mountains destroyed, we have no defense against the vampires’ invasion. The influx of stench is sure to summon even more monsters. But regardless...
“We will win. Our wills united and unflagging, we shall emerge from this final battle victorious. No matter how many sacrifices must be made, we cannot back down. For we...”