Estimated reading time: ~6 minutes
Chapter 100
「Nice to meet you for the first time like this, Miss Kōmitsu. Your boss has been causing us quite a bit of trouble.」
「I’ve heard all about your notoriety. It’s just like you ‘Reformists’ to say something like that after slaughtering so many of our country’s Self-Defense Force members. I guess that’s what happens when you’re willing to abandon 90% of humanity.」
Behind Space Ignition Industries’ CEO, Space President, the men in black suits sigh softly as they listen to the conversation. In the hall at the very back used for events, the upper level seats are lined with mundane furniture that can hardly be called luxurious, just like the other exhibition buildings, on a floor with only paint. Everything is bulletproof, prioritizing practicality over appearance. It’s an excessively crude reception for the man who dominates the world’s space development.
In other words, they are declaring that they will cause an incident here today. This improper treatment also indicates their intention that it doesn’t matter since everything will be destroyed today anyway. The pamphlets distributed to their affiliates each have a map showing different escape routes. That’s why the Space President came here.
「How gutsy of you to deliberately come here despite knowing.」
「On the contrary, if I die, the future ends. You need to act in a way that ensures I don’t die.」
There were seven people in the room. The Space President, five bodyguards, and Momiji alone. The five bodyguards appear to be genuine humans at first glance, but their right arms are slightly bulging or there are glints of metal visible at their throats, clearly indicating they are not ordinary people. However, all five of those bodyguards had upset stomachs. Momiji continues to speak to them casually without changing her tone, even without any bodyguards of her own.
In other words, it’s a declaration that she is on equal footing with the Space President and can win even against all the bodyguards. In reality, the ‘Order’ is overwhelmingly superior in terms of cyborg technology. Even with greater numbers and soldiers equipped with thin powered suits and esper abilities, the Space President predicts that the actual odds of winning are immeasurable. And he is correct.
By artificially ‘synchronizing’ through the transfer of an auxiliary brain, Momiji constantly replaces her own body to keep it in top condition. By referencing 15 years of trial and error, she continues to increase her combat capabilities without any loss to her biological body.
「Thank you to all the players! Coach Naga, what are your thoughts on them?」
「Despite the terrible name, they are top players who have achieved results in numerous action games. Player ‘Quickly Loser’ who defeats enemies with lightning-fast attacks contrary to the name, player ‘Badly Loser’ who is known for a stable win rate, and player ‘Severely Loser’ who specializes in overwhelming firepower. All three of them are extremely powerful and can coordinate as a team with a well-established rapport.」
「Since cooperation is allowed this time, being able to build a relationship of trust from the start is a huge advantage. Next up is the famous beautiful girl streamer who has surpassed 1 million registered followers, player Kanata!」
Beyond the two people glaring at each other, the player introductions for the battle royale that had finally begun were starting. The venue is in an uproar, but there are hardly any people in Momiji and the others’ field of view below. To avoid casualties among the general public while maintaining the appearance of entertainment, only cheers were being played through the speakers. Kanata’s face contorts for a moment at the bizarre sight, but she regains her composure upon seeing the usual comment feed displayed in front of her, and waves exaggeratedly at the camera.
Meanwhile, Momiji and the Space President’s gazes never break away from each other. The Space President inquires.
「So, what’s your next move?」
「Next move?」
「Yes. You people always cling on by using desperate, unorthodox strategies. So there must be something next, right?」
An exploratory silence continues. Beside the heavy atmosphere, Kanata exits and Hiniru with an unusual demeanor appears, furiously parodying an old famous comment, ‘I walk and become material, my speaking figure becomes a MAD video.’ And when Orange appears, the two finally turn their eyes toward the stage.
「And now, here comes our player Orange! Known as the Prophet, he has shaken the world economy and brought about the downfall of numerous influential figures, but his true identity is hidden behind a mask! The man who is the top contender to win this tournament finally makes his appearance! Player Orange, a word please.」
「Uh…」
He truly had an undignified appearance. He looked like an ordinary person, yet he was someone who had a tremendous impact on the world. The expression ‘eye of the storm’ is probably accurate; after all, the center is far calmer than the outside. While watching him, Momiji responds, 「It’s just a formality.」 To the Space President with a question mark floating above his head, Momiji spoke as if it didn’t matter.
「The victory is already in sight. All that’s left is to prepare materials to threaten you and end the ‘Scorch Wars.’」
「Victory? Is there such a thing as victory in this series of events? Many people will inevitably be sacrificed.」
「You should know what we mean by saying we’ll end it by 2040.」
「That’s just disinformation to incite ‘SOD,’ right? Your method aims to end it by 2050, using ‘Inverse Dive’ to deploy forces that should be impossible and strike at ‘UYK.’ However, what lies behind that is the resistance of ‘UYK.’ If the very earth rages, the planet will end.」
That’s why the Space President implicitly says that there’s not much difference between his own plan to escape to space and the plan proposed by Kōmitsu Solutions. Momiji lets out a big sigh at that. Behind her, Orange, who seems to have finally gathered his thoughts, brings the microphone close to his mouth.
「How many times do I have to explain the same thing? Essentially, there are no more plot twists or shocking new information. Kōmitsu Solutions and the Prophet have gathered the keys other than the two I just mentioned. The rest will simply end by June 2040, like a task.」
「What…?」
「You’re too fixated on existing plans. That’s all that’s needed to reach a happy ending. Nothing more is necessary.」
Orange’s words flow in the background. Hearing that, Momiji tries to deliver her signature line, but her words stop at the very end. Kanji is always like that, inevitably diving in diagonally downward.
「I’ll stir things up, so thank you in advance.」
「That’s just like him, isn’t it?」
「…Seems like there’s some new information.」
By holding up the Prophet, Kōmitsu Solutions cannot ignore Orange’s every move, and must work behind the scenes to make it seem like genuine prophecy. The agony of having shouldered a mere fool as a figurehead was finally about to reach its maximum. Because today, Orange would be at the center of the incident in the flesh and in real-time.
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