Chapter 1 - Sky
Walk/Disa.s.sociation Method
3 steps left
——No consciousness, no memories, not even the five senses.
Not even thinking about the whereabouts of the place, or the ident.i.ty of the
person.
In the absence ofsenses, even one’s own definitions would be ambiguous,
what more is there to ask?
It can’t speak, it can’t question, it doesn’t even know what it should ask.
The sliver of consciousness was as good as nothing, but even so, it weakly
proclaimed that [This was alright].
What was keeping the consciousness alive was the agonising wait for victory.
——Victory? What victory?
————It doesn’t know, it doesn’t know ......anything.
Part 2
"....How’s the situation?"
In front of the King’s bedroom, Steph inquired Jibril.
However, Jibrilshook her head and sighed.
"——I didn’t go in, Master refuses to let me in and completely ignored me."
"Is she still calling for this person named [Sora]?"
"Yeah.....What about your side?"
"I asked everyone in the city, but everyone held the same answer——"
"They didn’t know who Sora was, and Master is the only King to Elchea——
right?"
"Yeah.....What exactly is happening?"
"I want to know too." Jibrilsighed again.
"A reasonable explanation would be the fact that Master’s memory has been
tampered with."
"Doesn’t that mean——"
"Yes, this means that Master————lost."
——this was very odd.
All of a sudden, s.h.i.+ro became adrift and kept calling out this unknown figure
named [Sora].
The situation presented was perplexing in a way that it overrode the presently
confusing position Elchea was facing right now.
——it appears that their conversation was overheard.
As they saw a thin board slid out of the crack underneath the door.
"....? This is that.....?"
"Master’s tablet."
Picking up the tablet from the ground, Jibril and Steph looked at the screen.
"....Guu, what is written on it?"
"This is the language from the world Master was previously in——[Question]
is written on it."
Hearing a sound, a new message appeared.
"I see, so you are trying to start a conversation with a [Secret language]
right?"
The abundance of knowledge that her master brought to this world.
Even though Jibril has yet to fully grasp hold of it, she understood s.h.i.+ro’s
intentions.
"What is written this time?"
Glancing down, Steph still couldn’t understand the words so she had to ask.
"It says—— [1: What is the name of the person that did battle with Jibril?]"
"Isn’t it....s.h.i.+ro?"
"Yes, erm...How do you reply with this——"
Jibril didn’t know how to use the tablet, but then another sound came.
"I see, answering verbally should be okay——[2: The name of the person
Steph was to fall in love in was?]"
"It, it should be s.h.i.+ro right!"
Quickly, another message came.
"Written on it is....[3: An 11-year-old girl of the same gender asks you to fall
in love with her?]"
"Gu,gu~.......So, so didn’t I keep scolding you a pervert and a demon...."
Steph responded while twitching. Nevertheless, another message came again.
"——[Describe your loss in full detail.]"
Taking into account on s.h.i.+ro’s condition, Steph couldn’t reply sloppily.
Probably thinking that it would stimulate her memory, Steph pressed her
fingers on her forehead and desperately recalled.
"Guu~ It was rock-paper-scissors, you used psychological warfare to aim for
a tie by shocking me with your words. But more importantly was the
[Required content], I was asked to not promise any specific requests if it
ended up with a tie, but as soon as you scammed me, you told me to [Fall in
love with you]."
After Steph’s narration was over, a new message immediately surfaced.
"——[5: Why not claimed to be their own slave, but 『Fall in love with
me』?]"
"To, to let me pay tribute, but after s.h.i.+ro discovered the mistake s.h.i.+ro was
pretty disappointed too."
The messages were sent this time, albeit slower than before.
"——[6: Who was the one who debunked the Eastern Union’s game?]"
But for this question, both Steph and Jibril had the same insights and gave out
their answers.
"It was s.h.i.+ro and my grandfather’s item."
"That is currently consistent with my memories."
.....The next message was not sent after awhile.
Jibril and Steph could only wait in silence, helpless in front of the king’s
bedroom.
After a few minutes, it wasn’t a question, but an affirmation that came.
No, it was more like a [Plea], a seemingly unconfident answer.
"Everyone’s memory was wiped out."
Seeing that sort of message, Jibrilsaid out:
"...Master, with all due respect, the memory is owned by many, and if this
[Sora] really did conduct a game, it can only wipe one’s memory. It is
impossible to erase everyone else’s memory."
However, the refuting message came almost immediately.
It wrote :[A bet that gained everyone’s approval]
"——then, the question now is how come Master was the only one who
didn’t lose any memory."
....The message abruptly stopped.
On the other side of the door was s.h.i.+ro, head buried in her lap while holding
her phone, unable to answer that question.
——she knew this question would come.
How could her brother hold the game without her at all?
——and was it possible for a game to lead to such a serious situation. Even
so, by losing the game——
"Ahh, hmm, yes, you’ve worked hard....no, it’s nothing."
Steph’s barely audible voice could be heard outside the door.
".....s.h.i.+ro, although this is tough, but the informants have already come back.
Due to the fact that [s.h.i.+ro bet on the human piece without any prior warning],
the ma.s.s demonstrations are continuing. However, among all the complaints
that came from the citizens——none of them shouted out the name of
[Sora]."
Hearing such reports, s.h.i.+ro’s eyes gradually turned into darkness again.
She bit her lips and started thinking, barely keeping conscious.
There should be.
There must be some contradictions between everyone’s memories, because
——
——if this wasn’t the case, that meant that her own memories were fake.
(.....Impossible.....This can’t be.....)
s.h.i.+ro kept trying to convince herself by desperately shaking her head.
Compared to losing a game, getting implanted with false memories——this
a.s.sumption, this a.s.sumption wasn’t good.
Could her memories from this world and her previous world be fake?
This should be impossible, this couldn’t be done.
Despite her attempts to use such reasoning to convince herself, s.h.i.+ro was
very clear——this could be overruled.
This world had both [Magic] and the [Oaths], so there was the possibility that
the memory was not specifically altered. For example [Split the memory into
two], such things were possible.
——No, strictly speaking, there was no evidence that this brother of hers
existed at all——
There was no one who could prove that s.h.i.+ro was [Currently sane].
[Sora]’s existence to her was very convenient, there was such a plausiblity
—— but this was something s.h.i.+ro can’t possibly accept. Then, her strong
reasoning started to appear.
This possibility was.
Sora was a fictional existence that s.h.i.+ro created to cater to herself.
(——I....I....I refuse....I refuse to accept this!)
Ifshe accepted that, then right from the start——
The tablet didn’t respond anymore.
Steph and Jibril looked at each other, completely feeling s.h.i.+ro’s depressed
mood.
"Wh, what is going on? What should we dooooo!"
"....We should clear our minds a bit and try thinking about it."
Jibrilsaid while making a cool expression.
"The game that involves the bet against the Eastern Union with the human
piece——the entirety of human rights——is happening soon, and at this point
of time where Master is incapacitated, who would gain the maximum benefit
out of it?"
"Even I know this sort of thing——the culprit must be the Eastern Union
right!?"
——Indeed, the Eastern Union whose game was exposed, challenged s.h.i.+ro
to a private match to eliminate her memory so she would be depressed——
logically speaking, this would be the most natural way of approach for them.
However, Jibril looked at the message on the tablet.
——[6: Who was the one who debunked the Eastern Union’s game?]
"...If the culprit was the Eastern Union, what they would want to eliminate
should be the contents of the game right."
The Eastern Union had successfully concealed the contents of their game by
simply requiring the elimination of the memory pertaining to the game.
But because the secret is revealed, the Eastern Union had to take a gamble,
also——
"Master had no reason to accept this request either."
[Ten Oaths]—— the challenged party has the right to decide the contents of
the game.
This of course included the right to [reject the game].
Since it was obviously the Eastern Union’s initiative to challenge, there was
really no reason to accept....
"——Arghhh...The information we have isn’t adequate enough to explain this
situation."
Jibrilsighed and shook her head, having a look of deep distress.
From the room came the sound of choking voice, as if vomiting.
For Master to keep calling her brother——the man called Sora, Jibril was
forced to take action.
——Suspecting her master was disrespectful and disgraceful.
If her master said that crows were white, then dyeing the three thousand
crows in this world white was her duty.
Therefore, if her master said that the person called [Sora] exists, then he
really must.
Then another sound came from the other side of the door——
"....s.h.i.+ro can’t sustain herself if this continues!!"
This was enough to force Steph to shout impatiently while slamming the door.
——As The Flügelfrom the sixth place of the [Sixteen races], possessing
huge Elemental Gallery——a magic combatant race.
Because they themselves were G.o.d’s [Completed magic], they couldn’t use
complex magic at all.
Not to mention that she has yet to completely grasp the psychological
changes in the human species.
"....Looks like this is the only way."
——even without the use of magic, it was clear that her master was on the
brink of a spiritual collapse.
It was a crime to even suspect her master, but——
"——Master, let us play a game."
".....Eh?"
Hearing Jibril’s words, Steph——together with s.h.i.+ro who was beyond the
door had a reaction.
"[Acciente] and conduct a game with me——although this is extremely rude,
but could you lose to me?"
——the sobbing did not stop.
But feeling that her intentions have gotten through——Jibrilreplied:
"——I would request for a [Seal on the memories about Sora]."
Steph widened her eyes in amazement after hearing the proclamation from
Jibril.
Jibril understood the meaning behind her eyes.
Jibril and Steph could both understand, the sense of violation behind that bet.
That feeling told her to not abandon s.h.i.+ro, but——
"At this rate, Master would——get broken."
Even ifshe were to die, she wouldn’t ignore this dilemma.
Originally she should try and identify the contents of the Oath, and find a way
to counteract it.
But that was too time consuming, and s.h.i.+ro might collapse before that was
completed.
For the time being, it was necessary to seal the memory to calm her master
down, before finding the culprit and——
(Be sure to decapitate and turn him into sauce.)
With a gentle smile that was nostalgic, Jibril let out [Killing intent]. This sent
chills down Steph’s spines as she stood petrified, but nevertheless she tried to
appease the uneasy Jibril.
"Ji, Jibril. Ca, calm down——"
However, the atmosphere that Jibril was exuding out didn’t allow her to
continue speaking.
——forbid the usage of force in the [Ten Oaths]....so what?
As long as the culprit was found and she wins the game, she would personally
kill the person after getting the [Approval].
After that, she would be willing to accept any form of punishment from her
master for suspecting that Sora didn’t exist.
*Ping*, an application started up in the tablet on Jibril’s hand.
The application that opened was———chess.
To s.h.i.+ro, this was a game that she would never lose, it was entirely
information-based zero-sum game of limited decisions.
Thus——as long as she wanted to lose, she could do it.
A timid and small voice that had sobs in between, came out of the door.
".....[Acci.......en.....te]."
Bowing deeply, Jibrilreplied:
"Thank you, Master....[Acciente].
4 steps left
[Left with——4 steps]
——No memories, even she herself didn’t know who she was.
Her hands were numbed, she had no idea who was the one speaking.
Who she was, why she was here, why was she playing a game.
Everything was ambiguous; however, even so....
She won’t lose even ifshe forgot about everything else, for this was the only
way to push herself.
She used her mouth in replacement of her numbing hands.
She used her tongue to write down the move, before selecting her piece.
She won’t think, she didn’t need to think, because there was no such thing as
defeat.
Yes——....Losing was not an option.
——Who won’t lose?
.....No, don’t think, that sort of thing is not important!
Not knowing whose hand touched her shoulder——it was the warmth of a
small hand.
This was all the answers she held, to never doubt this slight residualfeeling.
In the process of becoming insane, she shook frantically to rid away her
insanity, before placing the chess piece in her mouth on the board.
Part 3
——This was a game of chess with absolutely normalrules.
If it was s.h.i.+ro, winning was easy....Similarly, losing was also easy for her.
Indeed, she would lose as long as the king gets beaten.
Just by doing that, everything would be sealed.
The time and memories spent together with her brother——would disappear.
The first time she met him, she actually felt alive as a person.
When she wore a uniform, she was praised as "cute".
After returning from school with the intention of never going back , she
hugged herself and cried; unable to do anything on her own, she gently
dragged herself down.
Her brother......Her brother that was more important than anyone else, the
time spent with him——
After this step——everything would fall into nothingness.
(——....!)
Although those memories of her brother may be fake, everything he had said
to her flashed past s.h.i.+ro’s mind.
At the same time, s.h.i.+ro moved——after some considerations.
Jibril closed her eyes, and quietly mumbled:
"...Master, why do you....Want to win?"
Yes—— it was laughable, a move in chess to reverse one’s position from
losing to wining.
Jibril questioned her mentality, and the response was an extremely weak
voice.
However, the voice had courage, enough to force Jibril and Steph to take a
step back.
".....Because....[ ].....Does....NOT ACCEPT DEFEAT!"
In the dimly-lit room, the sound was accompanied with a choking noise.
Pulling back the blanket, s.h.i.+ro with tears flowing down her cheeks started to
think about her brother.
Remembering about that day, after she came home crying after the first day of
school, the words that her brother said.
——s.h.i.+ro, is it real ifsomeone says that changing is possible?
If you strongly hope to fly, would you be able to grow wings? I don’t think so.
What you change isn’t yourself, you just have to find the means to fly isn’t it?
The only way is to create, formulate ideas to soar into the sky.
You might want to say, why am I babbling about things even though I can’t fly
——
But we should take this slowly, and think of a way to allow s.h.i.+ro to soar with
wings....
Although I’m a useless brother, I will think with you.
——How could she live on ifshe forgot about those words?
The memories about her brother was her [Reason for existence], what could
she do ifshe sealed her memories about her brother?
If these were really implanted memories, then she must have really lost a
brutal game.
Because such a thing——
Such a thing——was too cruel!
".....Nii.....No.......To forget about my brother——I’d be better off dead!!"
Shouting out with her hoa.r.s.e voice, Jibril and Steph took a deep breath.
....This was a proposalfrom Jibril to prevent her from collapsing.
With this rejection, Jibril was stunned speechless.
Jibrilsilently lowered her head, while Steph who was trembling opened her
mouth.
"Th, that....Although I’m not so sure..."
Steph’s words were simply incomprehensible.
She just wanted to comfort s.h.i.+ro——and blurted out her idea.
"To s.h.i.+ro, Sora exists right? Then, if the fact that s.h.i.+ro turned like this since
he isn’t here, doesn’t that mean that——he indeed exists."
——and her sentence.....
"Then there must be a reason for him to create such a situation right?"
——brought a ray of hope to their predicament.
Only Steph was unaware of this.
Jibril and s.h.i.+ro widened their eyes and stopped moving, as if time stopped.
"Fo, for example, if the situation couldn’t be explained and it was the Oaths
that wiped out everyone’s memories——"
"Ah, no, its not like that——what I mean is~"
Hearing Steph’s words, both of them gasped.
"——what if the game is still ongoing?"
Jibrilstared forward with her gla.s.s-like eyes.
Perhaps she didn’t understand the meaning behind s.h.i.+ro’s stare, Steph
continued stammeringly:
"So, soooo——the possibility of the memories being tampered with were not
caused by the [Oaths], but the influence of the game? Just like what s.h.i.+ro
said, if only our memories were tampered with, then......The person called
Sora got all of our consent and started the game, and the game......hasn’t
ended yet....this...."
With her confidence wavering, Steph continued quietly, but s.h.i.+ro lifted her
face after hearing her speculations.
"——do, do you have any evidence....to prove that...."
After listening to the hypothesis that she overlooked, Jibril barely squeezed
out those words.
"Evi, evidence...bu, but——I just feel that something is [odd]."
Yes, without any basis——that was it.
Steph was the type of person to say something without any prior thoughts.
"That person to [lose]—— is definitely weird."
Regarding that person——it was not specified whether it was s.h.i.+ro or Sora,
which turned Jibrilspeechless.
——Steph’s speculation was filled with loopholes.
No matter if the [Oaths] could actually cause such a ma.s.sive change to
happen.....
Or eliminate everything related to a person, except the representative——
s.h.i.+ro could’ve refused the game. This was all incomprehensible.
But if Steph’s hypothesis is correct, then a more worrisome question would
surface, an indisputable fact.
That——Elchea’s king, Imanity’s king, her own master who defeated G.o.d,
subjugated The Flügel, and will even partake in the upcoming annexation of
the Eastern Union...lost? To have this sort of thinking was something unheard
of from her.
If Steph’s hypothesis was true, then this incomprehensible situation wasn’t
caused by the enemy.
It was a situation caused to ensure victory——?
"In that case——there is a way to confirm it."
After shaking her head, Jibril continued:
"Indeed, the [Oaths] can’t entirely eliminate the memories pertaining to the
existence of a specific object or person. However, what if——"
——this was something that could only be accomplished with the harshest
conditions.
"Supposedly this Sora is master’s brother, then if he used the status of
[Imanity’s representative] to accept the bet, it is possible to cause everyone’s
memories to [Disappear], including everything related to him."
Listening to Jibril’s proclamation, Steph suddenly understood and said:
"So, he can’t disappear from another representative’s memories——and as
long as we ask someone else from another race!"
"Yes, I’ll immediately use s.p.a.ce s.h.i.+ft into the Eastern Union emba.s.sy to
confirm——and also...."
Kneeling in front of the door, she bowed.
"....For me to have such thoughts of winning against Master, is an act that is
simply unforgivable. I’m willing to accept any punishment, however——I
require some time first."
Concluding her sentence, Jibrilsuddenly disappeared.....
The air filled the s.p.a.ce caused by ma.s.s transfer, leaving only a breeze.
Steph who was left alone didn’t know how to react, but she stillfaced the
door and said:
"Ah, guu.....s.h.i.+ro, s.h.i.+ro.....Are you okay?"
....However, at this time, s.h.i.+ro’s heart had completely tuned out everything
else.
——the possibility of her brother’s existence.
With that possibility present, her formerly frozen thoughts re-activated to start
the rapid processing.
Sora——her brother’s existence, in order to turn that into definitive proof,
she has to dig through its [Roots] first.
Erecting her heavy body on the bed, she staggered to the center of the room.
Her moist ruby eyes were usually in a half-open state.
However, this time they were wide open, surveying the entire room.
While rapidly processing her thoughts, she glanced around the room, not
letting even a speck of dust go unnoticed.
(......If Nii...really exists, then why...create this situation...)
If the hypothesis was true, then this situation was what her brother had
plotted.
The reason for his actions——it was possible ifshe could read her brother’s
thoughts, but....
——her brother’s thinking process, has a style that couldn’t be read; easily
smiling while inciting a war.
s.h.i.+ro felt that she could never reach that kind of level, yet she has to interpret
his thoughts——?
......Impossible, s.h.i.+ro knew she couldn’t do it.
However, it was obvious what her brother was doing, as he clearly left a trail.
"....Nii....Can’t——lose..."
——Indeed, [ ] will never lose.
Then——she accepted this situation, her brother believed in her, she believed
in her brother, accepting this maddening situation that he had created.
Why——for her to not have noticed it, s.h.i.+ro couldn’t help but pull her hair.
(——I’m so....stupid! How could I be so stupid!)
Panicking so easily, how could she live up to the expectation as her [Brother’s
proud sister].
——Only a fragment ofsome memories disappeared.
"....How could I...suspect Nii!"
But she repressed her emotions, as this wasn’t the time to blame herself.
Her brother believed and entrusted this [situation] to her——she must finish
the job.
——it was fine even if her brain burnt out———receiving the action to go all
out, s.h.i.+ro’s mind responded.
Her head gave a command to take in more oxygen while s.h.i.+ro’s small heart
responded quickly to the rapid intake.
s.h.i.+ro began to review all the memories she had while feeling the rapid rise in
body temperature.
Filtering everything related to Sora by turning his words, actions and gestures
into a movie.
Because since this situation [Now] was planned by her brother, trails would
definitely be present.
In the last memories a.s.sociated with her brother, he said something she didn’t
understand.
——s.h.i.+ro, we are indispensable.
"....Indispensable, no.....Nii won’t.....Leave s.h.i.+ro alone...."
Why did she wake up in the room that was supposedly Steph’s?
Why didn’t she suspect? Why didn’t she notice!
s.h.i.+ro bit her lip, this was probably the reason why she couldn’t compare with
her brother.
Such a simple answer——which means Sora, her brother——
(....Started from——right here!)
With her sharp eyes staring at the bedroom, s.h.i.+ro’s eyes didn’t have any
tears.
5 steps left
...I am .....Sora, for my age......I forgot.
My proud little sister is s.h.i.+ro, 11 years old. A little beauty with beautiful white
hair and ruby-red eyes.
No problem, I’llstillremember.
"s.h.i.+ro, are you there?"
I felt someone nodding. Although my mind, body and memory were in
disrepair, I can stillrecognize, though barely, that the nod came from s.h.i.+ro.
"s.h.i.+ro, are you still there?"
Once again I felt that nod. This became my pillar ofsupport.
Even when I lost a large part of my memories, I still understood something.
It also far exceeded my expectations.
My vision robbed away, my hands and feet numbed.
I could hear a countless number of voices——but whose voice did all these
belong to? Where am I? These were things I couldn’t remember anymore.
I couldn’t fathom how losing everything could be this horrible.
"s.h.i.+ro.....I would probably soon.....That way——"
I felt three nods this time, however, it was tolerant this time.
Then the whisper came——"I know......"
Hearing that sentence, Sora smiled bitterly, before pleading to her.
"Could you do me a favor? My hand.....Has no feeling already....Haha."
I continued with my laughter that was filled with strong self-esteem.
"Anywhere is fine, but could you hold me——or else I might go crazy."
My shoulders were firmly held, making me feel a.s.sured as I take a breath.
Then——using the p.a.w.n in his mouth, he placed it on the board.
Part 4
s.h.i.+ro stared at the void, her heartbeat constantly rising.
——Organize all the information.
Her brother said——[We are indispensable].
Then he himself partook in that game——no, since the game has yet to end,
he is still partic.i.p.ating.
Her brother said——[We always win before the game starts].
This suggested that this situation caused was intentional.
Her brother said——[We are not the main characters like in a Shounen
Manga].
If this situation was in a Shounen manga, then the flag for s.h.i.+ro’s growth was
raised. Bullseye.
She will become independent without Sora——but her brother clearly
[forbade] that kind of development.
Her brother said——[We are bound together by a promise].
It meant that....Two people are counted as one, and they were the finished
product.
(.....Finished product——growth isn’t necessary!)
s.h.i.+ro ignored the pain that her head was issuing and continued to order it.
Think! Think harder——!
The need to come up with this situation.
Her brother said——[We’ll go and get the last required piece of the puzzle].
Her brother promised everyone that he would obtain the necessary puzzle
piece needed to make the Eastern Union game more interesting——
(....Then——who is....The enemy?)
Before she had the last memory with her brother, he said some enigmatic
words.
That time, the person her brother was conversing with was——who? No
matter how much she re-examined, the person was——[Invisible]. Why was
it invisible? Why did she eliminate her presence to everyone aside from her
brother——in that case Jibrilshould——have——something——in——her
memory——so——
(...Think.....Think, think!!)
s.h.i.+ro’s pulse and thoughts were constantly accelerating——so fast that the
clock on the wallseemed to have stopped.
——yet she still couldn’t track her brother, even to this extent.
Her brother’s actions always contained two to three——sometimes even ten
to twenty layers of meaning.
He would use unorthodox methods, deceiving tactics that were unrivaled.
Tracing that kind of creativity, subversive thought process and the constant
cutting of corners was impossible.
(Then....s.h.i.+ro can only....use s.h.i.+ro’s method.....to do it!)
Sweating profusely, her temperature continued to rise while her head felt as if
it was gripped.
——This wasn’t inefficient, but more of a violent action.
She was using residual memories, clues and alternatives to determine the
answer.
Adding them up resulted in thousands and thousands of possibilities, and
simulating those kind of possibilities would result in millions and millions of
situations.
——to screen all the situations one by one, was arguably similar to a
computer.
Forcing all these on a small head such as s.h.i.+ro’s resulted in a pain so intense
that sweat started oozing out.
Then——when the second tick from the second-hand clock resounded.
Feeling as if hours had past, a person appeared in her head——the answer
emerged.
Because the memory about that person was too vague, s.h.i.+ro couldn’t
remember the person, whether the looks, figure or voice.
"...In the battle of the King selection.....The person fought....."
For humanity——used by Elven Gard.....
That person, what would he or she do ifshe knew that her brother had betted
the human piece?
——Eastern union, the winning puzzle piece, getting a.s.sistance from the Elves
——the watcher.
"...Kura.....Mi....!"
Blurting out the name that fought with her brother, and feeling that all the clues
were slowly being linked one by one.
Her mind overexerted——s.h.i.+ro lost consciousness.
8 steps left
Let’s confirm this...I’m Sora.
s.h.i.+ro’s brother, aged 18, virgin, a NEET.
I came from a different world——————wait...
After winning the game against G.o.d and coming here with my sister....What
happened next?
——I see, it looks like the memories after coming into this world has already
been [Taken away].
However, the next question——what is the purpose of this game.
If that memory is [Taken away]——then everything is over.
.....——
——No problem, I remember...[It still belongs to me].
It seems really important, as I expected.
"....What do you mean?"
It was a girl’s voice, who asked me.
I’ve already lost my vision, so I can’t see her, but——I heard her voice.
Her name seems to be.....Kurami Zierh.
She was the Elven country’s——Elven Gard’s puppet, and also the opponent
behind this game.
"Un, what?"
Okay, it appears that I can still make sound.
"Stop pretending, are you——deliberately losing?"
In the state of being blind, I can still use my voice to move the piece.
At least there isn’t any mistake.....everything is going smoothly.
"No? At this rate, I’m gonna win."
....That’s about right.
There was too little evidence for that confident answer. Even I myself don’t
have any basis for it.
"——I see, so your motive is to make me take away more of your memories,
eh."
Indeed——this was that kind of game.
What you lose would be transferred to the opponent.
Since I don’t have any memory after coming to this world, Kurami probably
has it.
".....You [are not a spy from any country]——yes, I understand that."
Although I didn’t know what was happening, it appears that she understood.
Then the girl continued:
"——you’ll lose at this rate, your existence taken away, even the fact that you
existed would disappear too oh. Sooo, what plans do you have before that
happens?"
....That is something I can’t tell you.
Because that is the real purpose of this game.
"Why ask? Isn’t it fine if you just take the answers from my memories?"
Yes——because this is that kind of game.
"....Very well, then I’ll do as you wish and take away your everything."
Hearing a cough, Kurami made a move on the gameboard.
From that sound, and picturing the move that his opponent made——Sora
quietly smiled.
"——wh...What is this?"
Kuramishouted, no, screamed out, her whole body froze.
——At the same time, something disappeared from my heart.
The one who screamed out——who was it?
——Okay, let me reconfirm.
I’m......Sora, s.h.i.+ro’s brother, then.......then what?
"————!?"
An indescribable cold struck me, the feeling as if my whole body was
cracking open.
Who am I?
Where am I? Where did I come from? Where is my body?
Slowly becoming someone I’m not——this feeling was akin to [Horror].
The unbearable horror caused my teeth to chatter uncontrollably, as my
senses are slowly being eroded one by one.
I could hear my brain shouting:
[This was as expected, this is going according to plan.]
——this horror of gradually disappearing is going according to plan?
Are you kidding? If this horror is supposedly a plan, then isn’t this arrogance!
In this horror, is it even possible for my spirit to remain unbroken——
"....Nii...."
But this icy, absolute zero breeze——
"...s.h.i.+ro is here....."
Easily melted, just because of these words.
"——Yes....Indeed."
I am....Sora, proud of my sister——s.h.i.+ro’s brother.
Right now——yes, I’m losing in a game, but this is for the sake for victory.
That’s all, there won’t be any problems as long as I remember this.
I grit my teeth while steeling my heart, stopping the chattering.
In order to place the next piece——my mouth slowly opened.
Part 4
——....
"Master!?"
"s.h.i.+ro!! Are you alright!?"
Hearing Steph and Jibril’s worried cries, s.h.i.+ro’s consciousness resurfaced.
——looks like she fainted and was now in Steph’s arms. Wanting to confirm
the situation——
"....!"
When she didn’t see her brother, s.h.i.+ro almost shoved Steph away, but she
managed to control herself——
——Her brother was in this room.
In that case——there was nothing to fear.
"....I.....am fine....."
s.h.i.+ro held her pained head and tried to sit up, but Steph stopped her.
"How are you fine! You suddenly fell without saying anything——you know
how worried I was!!"
Steph shouted out.
".....Sorry..."
Realizing that Steph’s eyes were red, s.h.i.+ro apologized softly.
On the other hand, Jibril, who was unnaturally keeping a distance away from
s.h.i.+ro, had a somewhat nervous tone.
"Master, I’ve something to report, regarding Sora——Master’s results...."
Jibril was able to report her findings at the Eastern Union Emba.s.sy——
".....No need....."
s.h.i.+ro’s words cut her off.
"....Nii...exists...."
"——yes, just as you said. I’m willing to accept any punishment——"
At the Eastern Union Emba.s.sy——she inquired to Hatsuse Ino and
confirmed [Sora]’s existence.
She suspected her master, thinking that she had lost——
"...Then....I command you."
"Yes, as you command."
Ifshe was ordered to die, Jibril would unhesitatingly do it.
However, s.h.i.+ro responded with a moderate yet urgent voice.
"...Help me....Find Nii..."
Jibril clasped her hands together, as if being gracious of s.h.i.+ro.
Finally, to confirm that she was fine, s.h.i.+ro gently separated from Steph and
stood up.
Although her pacing was unstable, s.h.i.+ro’s eyes returned to normal and asked
the both of them:
"——[Yesterday]....What were....you two doing?"
She knew the answer, so this was more of a confirmation rather than a
question.
Jibril and Steph gazed at each other before replying:
"Yesterday——I was suppressing the ma.s.ses, then watched as s.h.i.+ro played
games at the throne."
"Yes, I was there too."
——However, hearing their answers, s.h.i.+ro knew it was [Incorrect].
"...That was.....[The day before yesterday].....19th...."
Once again they both looked at each other, but s.h.i.+ro followed up:
".....Changing the question....Yesterday night....Where....Were you?"
Listening to her, Steph and Jibrilsearched their memories, but....
"——————........"
They couldn’t recall. Seeing the natural look of s.h.i.+ro prompted Jibril to ask:
"Does Master have.....no, the day before yesterday’s memories?"
"....No, so....This is fine."
——This confirmed that there was time period where the memories
disappeared.
Which meant that——
"Then——you mean that the game was conducted from the day before
yesterday to yesterday right?"
Jibril who had just vowed to help, processed everything in her head and
asked. s.h.i.+ro nodded in response.
"Wh, what does this mean?"
However, Steph tilted her head and needed Jibril to explain to her.
"s.h.i.+ro-sama has [memories] that we don’t, while we have [memories] that
s.h.i.+ro-sama doesn’t, thus causing some contradiction——however, if
everyone lost their memories, then it would link to something else."
Steph looked confused, but, yeah, it meant that——
"This proved that everyone partic.i.p.ated in the game, and the player could
influence the whole human species——meaning that he was a representative
of Imanity."
——yeah, and also——
"....Steph....Come here.....I need to confirm from you."
"Ye, yes, please do."
Steph saw s.h.i.+ro’s eyes staring at her, exposing a serious expression never
seen before.
Overwhelmed by the pressure exuding from an eleven-year-old girl, Steph
swallowed her saliva and responded to her.
——it took her a few seconds to grasp the situation.
"...............Th, that.....What are you doing?"
If Steph wasn’t mistaken or hallucinating, she should be seeing a s.h.i.+ro whose
expression was extremely serious. However, s.h.i.+ro’s pair of hands.
Those pair of hands were rubbing——
".....Rubbing....Steph’s....Chest...."
She continued to rub and rub.
"——...Erm, errr, how should I react to this?"
However, s.h.i.+ro had a nonchalant expression as she continued her hands.
Nodding her head, s.h.i.+ro tilted it and asked:
"....Not excited about it.....?"
"Ho...How can I be excited about this!!! If I’m excited, it’ll be problematic for
me!"
s.h.i.+ro let go of her hands, fully expecting that answer.
"....Obviously subjected to the command of [Loving me].....yet not excited?"
"————ahhh..."
...Indeed, if the [Oath] forced Steph to love s.h.i.+ro, there should at least be a
reaction.
In other words, the person who asked Steph to fall in love was Sora.....Steph
figured it out.
However, Jibril asked sorrowfully:
"Master, that....This doesn’t need that kind of confirmation right."
"....Un."
s.h.i.+ro didn’t particularly mind and answered in recognition unhesitatingly.
"——What?"
"..Because I know.....Nii exists...."
"...Then can I ask why is my chest getting forcefully rubbed?"
Causing her to get so worried.....Steph asked with a frustrated expression.
s.h.i.+ro nevertheless answered back:
".....Thanks."
"What is there to thank! What are the benefits of rubbing my chest......"
However, s.h.i.+ro interrupted Steph with her next words.
"....If not for Steph......I wouldn’t hav....So——"
Then——s.h.i.+ro’s next sentence....
She thought about it, had she ever said those words to anyone else aside from
her brother?
——conclusion was no one.
s.h.i.+ro who was unaccustomed to this awkwardly averted her gaze and
blushed——
"...Thank, you......Steph...."
s.h.i.+ro’s actions and words, stunned Steph speechless.
However, s.h.i.+ro didn’t realized that——for the next few days, Steph would
feel extremely troubled.
Steph’s internalstrife:[Seduced by an eleven-year-old girl, shouldn’t be
normal.]
Not paying heed to the troubled Steph, Jibril quietly inquired:
"Then Master.....What you mean is, you’ve already grasped hold of the
situation?"
"....Un."
Her brother guessed that after he bet the [Human species’ piece], Kurami
—— Elven Gard would definitely approach.....Her brother must’ve used that
method to lure out Kurami, wanting her to become his companion.
"....Again......Another question."
This question was the last one and was key to finding them, which was the
——[Game’s content].
s.h.i.+ro had thought of a few possibilities in her mind.
——her brother knew that the opponent would come to him.
Even better, he knew that the opponent was Kurami, or perhaps the Elven
species——Erwin Gard.
But, for memories to get s.n.a.t.c.hed away, it was undoubtedly the work of
magic.
Did the Elves prepare the game?——No.
The opponent was the elves from the seventh place, it was impossible for her
brother to not expect that there would be magic intervention.
"....Nii used......Jibril’s game....for the game."
If that was the case, then he could challenge the elves without getting cheated
by magic.
The only people who could do that on Imanity’s side——was one person.
"——my game?"
Yes, The Flügelfrom the sixth place, with the capabilities to create a virtual
world——Jibril.
This should be what her brother said towards Jibril:
"..Jibril....Can you do it? A memory elimination game....."
Being asked like this, Jibrilstarted thinking.
Ifshe was asked to create that kind of game now...?
"It is possible if it was the virtual world used for the Word Connector....but
currently this is reality...."
"...And if there was cooperation with the Elves?"
"Co, cooperation——!? You mean cooperate with those forest hillbillies!?"
Expressing disgust from the bottom of her heart, Jibril would’ve never thought
of doing that.
However, seeing s.h.i.+ro’s eyes closely watching her, Jibril had to reply
seriously :
"——Although I’m not clear about the technique user of the elves.....but it
isn’t impossible. The Flügelfrom the sixth place should have the upper hand in
manipulating power, as for using complex magical techniques.....the Elf from
the seventh place has to be——very clever."
For Jibril to praise another race, was something absolutely impossible.
She had to bluff it out, under the gaze of her master who she had committed a
heinous crime on.
"For example——if the core of my Word Connector’s board was modified
by the elves....then, there should be a magic that could possibly change reality
to this scale."
But, it still wasn’t enough. A key factor was missing.
"....Can you guarantee.....the game....cannot cheat?"
"Can."
Jibril unhesitantly answered s.h.i.+ro’s worried question.
"For this technique that can bring about such huge changes, the elemental
gallery needed far exceeds the limit of elves, so in the end the initiation for the
game would come from me. Ifsomething happened to the game, I would’ve
noticed at that time."
".....Absolutely?"
"Yes, if this chain of events was caused by powerful magic, then I’ll definitely
notice it.
Jibrilsurveyed her surroundings again.
"To be honest——that power is similar to the [Heaven’s strike] I used against
the elves during the world war."
Jibril continued, with a casual look:
"I remember, I wanted to destroy the capital without leaving any traces. They
consecutively connected to the Elemental gallery with three thousand elves to
put up a barrier, but in the end they still couldn’t block it."
By now s.h.i.+ro was completely unfazed by Jibril’s actions in the past, and kept
thinking.
However, Steph couldn’t help but make a comment out of the war weapon in
front of her.
"Wh....What were you doing!?"
"The elves’s magic technology advanced drastically after the war, but their
control over it remained the same. If this situation was caused by magic, and it
was under Master’s instruction, then it should’ve been me who started it.
Cheating will never escape from my eyes."
Jibrilsaid it with an understatement, categorically continuing.
——Which means, the source of all this came from this room.
In this room filled with countless amount of games, there should be a
[gameboard].
The gameboard——to the game that is currently ongoing.
However, no matter how much they searched, they couldn’t find it, so——
"......Jibril.....There should.....Be a reaction to magic....In this room."
Her brother was in this room——but there was no way to prove his
existence.
So this gameboard must definitely be [outside of s.h.i.+ro’s knowledge].
"....Disappeared for a day and a half....[the memories of the game]....Then the
game....Can’t be found...."
Even if the game was out of her knowledge, if the game is still ongoing, then
there should be the usage of magic——
"....I’ll investigate."
Jibril couldn’t detect any magic in the air.
However——she would never doubt her master again. Stretching out her
wings, Jibril widened her amber eyes.
"Eh! Wh....what."
The pressure generated caused Steph who was unable to detect magic to fall
to the ground.
Because Jibril was currently manipulating unparalleled numbers of Elemental
Gallery——the source of magic.
The halo on her head started spinning; giving a misconception that the room
was shaking——
"——found it."
s.h.i.+ro and Steph smiled upon hearing this sentence.
However, Jibril pointed to the corner of the room——
"....I’m sorry, but I could only detect a information hindering force field. It’s
just like what Master speculated, if that elf technique was used in my
gameboard’s core, then breaking through that forcefield——is impossible."
"....Guu."
s.h.i.+ro groaned, biting on her nails.
——One more step, the answer was right in front of her——
"It’s, it’s nearby? I’llsee if there is anything there."
Steph looked at the ground and headed to the direction Jibril pointed——but
suddenly, Steph stumbled and fell on the ground face first, as if tripping over
something.
"...Dora-chan, to trip on nothing, you don’t really need to increase your
negative characteristics."
However, Steph stood up and widened her eyes in surprise.
"....Eh? Tripped? Me?"
Having heard this, s.h.i.+ro and Jibril comprehended something.
".....!"
"You can’t track it even when it exists, and you are not conscious of it after
coming into contact?"
s.h.i.+ro nodded in reply to Jibril’s words, and walked forward.
Even though detecting it was impossible, it was [still there]——coming into
contact was also possible.
The gameboard was here, invisible and cannot be perceived upon touching.
Hastily, s.h.i.+ro found something where Steph had tripped.
There were a few pieces ofstone with both black and white sides, stored in a
small box.
There were numerals carved on the stones in the box.
Guessing what kind of pieces there were was in fact very simple.
"...Black and white...Reversi."
"What is going on? Is that a game?"
Why was it possible to see the pieces, but not the game board? s.h.i.+ro
answered Jibril’s question:
"....Because....It’s not used."
A piece that was recognizable but not yet used.
Forcefully taken memories, a game outside of common knowledge——a
game that is still ongoing.
It all added up in s.h.i.+ro’s head.
The rule is probably——
".....Using memories....or existence....to divide into two.....A mutual
struggle....Game."
Jibril had a reaction to s.h.i.+ro’s monologue, while Steph still couldn’t catch up
to the conversation.
"In, in my humble opinion, Master...."
"Is he sane to play with those kind of rules!?"
Indeed——if s.h.i.+ro’s speculation was correct, it was undoubtedly a crazy
game.
However, if the rules of the game was just as s.h.i.+ro suspected, then——
"...Nii is indeed.....Too much....."
Shedding a cold sweat, s.h.i.+ro finally——understood her brother’s intentions.
Before The First Step
"——okay, I’llrepeat the rules."
Sora talked to Kurami who was sitting across the table.
He said to s.h.i.+ro, Steph, Jibril, Kurami and the elf girl behind her:
"The game shall use [one’s own concept] , splitting it into 32 pieces of——
[Reversi]."
The front and back was divided into black and white, Sora continued to
speak while holding the engraved pieces in his hand.
"Engraved on this pieces are numbers, the closer you are to 32, the more
you’ll get, like memories, flesh, personality so on and so forth. Aside from
that, it is just regular reversi. Flipping each other’s pieces——mutualstruggle
for [Existence].
The elf weaved out the game, with Jibril being the power source for the game.
Although Sora explained it very easily, but since this was an extraordinary
rule, everyone couldn’t help but feel nervous.
"In addition, the degree of importance complies with magic. Prioritizing your
deepest thoughts first. Which means, you wouldn’t know what kind of
concept each piece holds."
He had a happy look, but——
"......Not knowing what you’ll lose if your piece gets eaten up——Isn’t it
fantastic?"
Facing against Sora who had a maniacalsmile——Kurami calmly replied.
"I want to expose your true ident.i.ty and your country, and you want to
expose me and Elven Gard’s methods. Which means, this is a mutually
beneficial game."
"That is a good answer, the winner gets all——while the loser loses all."
The significance behind this statement, caused Steph to have chills down her
spine.
"——Losing your [Character]——haha, this is interesting."
"Ah, this is different from the usualReversi. You can’t skip a turn even if you
can’t eat any piece. Soo if you don’t ama.s.s some pieces, then you should
understand....What would happen right?"
Kurami had a fearless look, pointing out the loopholes in the game.
"Then——how do we go ahead with the [Unable to continue] rule?"
When the five senses, flesh, memories related to the game and so on have
disappeared.
"Cooperation...Which means s.h.i.+ro and the other two, against your elf,
therefore everyone here is a partic.i.p.ant——everyone must [Swear to the
oaths] to begin the game."
But even so, there will be problems, that is——
"But, since it’s winning each other’s [everything], when the situation arrived
that the companions [Forgot], then the game is over. Once the game is over,
the one who has the most pieces wins."
"Victory determines the need of objectivity, so the board itself would judge, is
it like that?"
"Indeed, that is how I’ve fabricated it to be."
"I’ve confirmed it, please rest a.s.sured, Master."
Kurami’s partner, the Elven girl, nodded with Jibril.
Jibril’s eyes and strength negated the possibility of the most worrying——
[Cheating].
Nodding his head, Sora continued:
"——But, if we regain everything after the game...It would be boring right?"
Yes, this is magic.
But even with Jibril’s gargantuan strength, the results cannot last forever.
Sora smirked, seeing through Kurami’s attempts of wanting Sora to
completely disappear.
"In order to [fix] the game’s results——we willrequire [Two] bets."
Firstly, Sora put up one finger and said:
"The first is [Confirming the result of the game]——confirm the erasure,
exchange and the existence of the other party except their presence. The
winner can also request one more thing"
Speculating Sora’s intentions, Kurami continued:
"...In other words, that is the [Realrequest] right?"
"Yes, because if it isn’t done, then after extinguis.h.i.+ng my existence you can’t
do anything to s.h.i.+ro."
This sentence indicated Kurami’s motive——of being the sole representative
of the human species.
"Similarly, I also can’t do anything to the elf, so the second request is——"
".....Win the other party’s partner right."
This meant that if Kurami won, she would gain Sora’s memories of s.h.i.+ro——
Imanity’s representative.
And if Sora won, he would obtain Elven Gard’s top magic user.
"In conclusion, we can have the rights to each other’s existence."
Hearing that, Kurami laughed:
".....You think I’llsympathize with you, and keep your existence?"
"Haha, what a funny joke, how could I ever think of that."
Sora laughed similarly and stared at Kurami before saying:
"Even if I’m gone, with the Oath’s constraints, s.h.i.+ro would definitely be
broken. And regarding your partner, the same should happen. Which means,
in order not to have a glance——which means [Death] or the [change of
personality], we must agree that we can change the oaths——right?"
In addition to Sora and s.h.i.+ro, everyone had a chill down their spines in the
area.
"Simply put——this is a bet and battle on one’s existence and life ."
Yes——this includes the partner. [Win all or lose all].
Crazy——Steph probably wasn’t the only one who thought of that.
s.h.i.+ro who was used as a stake either did not take into account that her
brother might lose, understood the contents, or knew what her brother was
doing——her eyes were half closed.
"Until the last step can’t be taken, which means until everything is taken away
——under these rules——okay, if everyone is prepared we can start the
game."
Sora said wittily, looking at everyone whose eyes were converged on him
alone.
Sora crafted this crazy game.
Against this kind of man, Kurami kept quietly and began to think.
Indeed, this——was Sora’s ideal game.
The rules itselfseem to be fair——because of this, Kuramistarted to suspect
the game itself.
Because this game was by the opposition, she did not have an advantage.
Is it because there are loopholes in the rules, or——Kurami gazed at her
partner.
But the girlshook her head.
Meaning——she couldn’t detect anything, couldn’t grasp the meaning,
proving that the game was fair.
This hinted that the elf girl couldn’t cheat the game when fabricating it;
however, in contrast, Jibril couldn’t do it too.
"....Okay."
So there was no more choice aside from digging out his true intentions.
She didn’t care about Sora’s intentions, there were Elven forces here backing
her up.
In that case, Sora, s.h.i.+ro, Steph and Jibril.
Kurami, elven girl and everyone in the room raised their hands.
"——【Acciente】!!"
Part 5
s.h.i.+ro placed the Reversi piece engraved with [Three] in her hands.
She stared at the empty s.p.a.ce——no, staring at the invisible yet existant
gameboard——
This was unfortunately a fight for 32 Reversi pieces that contains one’s
concept.
The remaining pieces for both side were small in amount——meaning it was
very important.
Because they were pieces that once used would cause them to lose, they kept
it.
However, this rule was set—— was set by the challenged, in that case her
brother.
This meant that the game’s advancement, even his disappearance was very
meaningful.
Which means——s.h.i.+ro closed her eyes and think.
——Why would her brother leave her alone? She was puzzled.
However, it was definite course of action if the answer was known.
The first ofseveral very simple reasons.
He would deliberately give some memories to the opponent, temporarily
placing him on the side of the losing——
"....That sort of thing....s.h.i.+ro...Can’t do this...."
s.h.i.+ro made this conclusion with a sad smile after thinking for a moment.
Her brother’s actions, if performed by s.h.i.+ro......She would definitely be
unable to remain sane.
Just because her brother disappeared from her side, she suspected her
brother’s existence.
——It was okay ifshe was forgotten.
——Forgetting about her brother——s.h.i.+ro believed that her spirit wouldn’t
be able to remain normal.
s.h.i.+ro stared at the invisible, untouchable gameboard.
The gameboard was really invisible, but——
Her brother hated sunlight, so she could discern that he wouldn’t sit by the
window.
Her brother, whether he was sleeping or sitting, would always give s.h.i.+ro the
corner of the wall.
Because s.h.i.+ro would feel lonely if there was a wide s.p.a.ce, her brother would
always block the wide s.p.a.ces for her.
Although she couldn’t see the gameboard, Everything was exposed to her.
Her brother’s habit, her brother’s actions, everything related to her brother,
her brother’s sitting position, and even the s.p.a.ce left for s.h.i.+ro could be seen.
(......Here.....Nii is....Here...)<>
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