Then again, Atou must’ve had some extremely complicated feelings about it herself. Takuto hoped she would forgive him for utilizing such distasteful tactics for political means.
At any rate, they had formed an odd party made up of two men and two women, traveling the road to El-Nah that hugged the central mountains on the outskirts of Mynoghra’s Seldoch region.
Feeling the gentle breeze caress his skin, Takuto scanned his surroundings for threats and spoke to Yu. He wanted to share information while they still could.
“By the way, Yu, you said that you can’t get along with the Succubus faction. I remember you mentioning they had attacked you. I know it’s a little late to ask, but would you mind telling me more about that incident?”
He should have asked sooner, but Takuto had been unsure about his relationship with Yu, so he couldn’t bring himself to ask until now. Perhaps it was because a part of him still couldn’t shake off his preconceived notion that Players were destined to fight each other. Or maybe he’d just determined it would be too troublesome if Yu sought information of equal value in return if he bombarded him with questions.
Not even Takuto was capable of always reading what move his opponent would take next, nor did he always draw the correct conclusions. But he was capable of—and willing to—do things over. So he decided to resolve this burning question now that they had gotten to know each other better.
Well, I doubt I’ll learn anything too important… Takuto figured Yu’s answer would fall within what he’d already theorized had happened, but it didn’t hurt to ask.
It could be crippling if it turned out he let a vital piece of information slip him by just because he didn’t ask. As it was, Yu already had a rotten record of not revealing crucial information since he forgot to tell Takuto that another Player had teamed up with the Succubus Queen.
“Hm? Yeah, I guess… It should be fine now that we’ve come this far together. You know Kigou?”
“Wasn’t that the name of an already defeated Player? I learned about it through a general World Message, though.”
The abrupt announcement from the Succubus faction had left a lasting impression, but another important event had occurred around the same time. A World Message had flashed into Takuto’s mind, notifying him that a Player named Masato Kigou had been terminated. Since the notice referenced a Witch and Player that Takuto was unfamiliar with, he assumed the incident took place far away from Mynoghra. But Yu mentioning Kigou’s name suggested he was somehow related.
The answer to Takuto’s questions slipped with surprising ease from Yu’s lips.
“Huh. So that’s how it works. Guess that means every Player knows that he’s been eliminated from the game? Crap…”
“Don’t tell me…”
“Yup. I killed Kigou.”
A beat of silence. Tension ran between them but passed in an instant.
Takuto steadied his breathing, then slowly shifted his gaze from the long road ahead to Yu. “Why?” he asked.
He was not asking “why” he would do something so inhumane as kill. Takuto wanted to determine the intent behind the killing and the events that had led up to it.
He didn’t think this overly friendly duo was capable of killing off another faction for no reason—something they should be avoiding in general as peace seekers. Of course, they could be capable of something like that if everything until now had been a lie. But Takuto had a feeling something drove him to it.
“I guess you could say they launched a one-sided attack against me, and I didn’t have a choice,” Yu answered. “There was a misunderstanding between us, but we operated on completely different frequencies from the start, so we would’ve clashed eventually anyway. I think you probably would’ve hated his type too, King Takuto.”
“Care to tell me what type, just for reference?”
“The type that thinks men are stepping stones and women are trophies? Deluded bastards who think they’re special, and that everyone else is a dull, foolish bottom feeder they will happily sacrifice for their goals.”
Ick, Takuto cringed. He hated that type the most. He didn’t hate them for being self-righteous, egocentric pricks—he hated them for being utter morons.
“Oh yeah, there’s that one guy every so often who gets a taste of power and runs wild. The unthinking nitwit who wins millions in the lottery and somehow ends up burning through it all in a few years and lands themselves in debtors’ prison.”
“I mean, I honestly wanted nothing to do with him, either,” Yu said. “Players are, like, in possession of some insane powers, right? I’m not saying Brave Questers is inferior to other games, but it’s terrifying when you don’t know what they will—or can—do.”
Takuto nodded. He understood. He understood painfully well. He’d experienced the nightmare for himself more than once, and one of those times was inflicted by the not-so-inferior Brave Questers.
Takuto no longer underestimated the other Players. If Yu operated by the same understanding, then he would’ve never considered going after another Player. Especially when his sole goal was to enjoy living happily with Ai. The disadvantages far outweighed the advantages.
“I feel you there. I’m painfully aware of the threats posed by the game mechanics each Player has at their disposal. So, was it just a bad case of luck that Kigou came down on you and you couldn’t get away?” Takuto asked.
“Ai caught Kigou’s eye in the worst way, man. Then that prick had the nerve to say, ‘I’ll let you go if you leave that woman behind,’ all while he ogled her like a piece of meat. As a man, you’ve got no choice but to fight when someone says that about your woman. Don’t you agree, Your Majesty?”
Was Kigou a ham actor in a school play? Or some hackneyed villain in a third-rate fanfiction? Whatever the case, Takuto sympathized with Yu. Kigou’s actions sounded so contrived it was easier to believe Yu was making it up, but Takuto knew that type of scum truly did exist in reality.
“I won’t deny it. But I’m glad it seems like you were able to terminate him for good.”
“Yeah. I made sure to deliver the final killing blow. I didn’t have much choice, since I was afraid letting him go would just land me an even bigger enemy hellbent on revenge.”
Then we’ve got no problem. All is well. Takuto’s impression of Yu improved when he realized the Hero didn’t leave any loose ends by offering his enemy half-hearted and misplaced pity. Just like how there were reckless idiots who let power go to their head, there were also idiots who ineptly apply a false sense of justice or show sympathy, only to panic when their decisions blow up in their face later.
I’m glad Yu’s not that type. If he hadn’t dealt the finishing blow, we’d have another problem to worry about. But wait… Takuto suddenly reconsidered that train of thought. Something niggled at him. Lines began to crease his brow. Something doesn’t add up here. I asked him why he’s at odds with the Succubus Army. Why did he bring up a Player he’s already finished off?
While Takuto was baffled by the small thorn of incongruity, Yu continued his story.
“So, here’s where it gets bad. Kigou’s game just had to be a Trading Card Game of all things.”