Under the guidance of Athena and Fram, Yuri finally set foot into the duel city. Along the way, he found himself restlessly taking in the sights.
“Wow...the eight tribes really do live together!”
A truly wide assortment of folk strutted the streets. A human clapping her hands to call in customers; a beastman busily running around with his tail in the air; a dragon-kin whose manly curled horns and scales glimmered in the sun; an elf whose long ears twitched back and forth; a dwarf carrying around a basket about as big as she was; an angel basking in the sun, their pure white wings fully spread; a demon whose black wings drooped as he scowled reproachfully at that same sun; a spirit taking it easy in the middle of a bonfire—
The sight of all eight tribes all in one place was unique to the duel city, and its influence made its way into the cityscape. There were elevated elven inns surrounded by greenery; small buildings only a dwarf could enter; rest areas for each element of spirit to recharge; shops with sunshades put out for demons; the diverse cultures of the tribes were clear to see.
Yet, Yuri couldn’t see any walls between them.
“I heard this was where all sorts of tribes gathered, so I thought there would be more difficulties living together.”
“Hmm, well, there are some things you worry about living shoulder to shoulder, but generally, most people who come to the duel city are like, ‘dueling is number one, everything else comes second.’”
“Right. And even if there is a problem, this city always offers an applicable resolution,” Fram said, as she prodded at Yuri’s head and pointed. At the end of her outstretched finger—a man of the Human Tribe, and another of the Beast Tribe.
“Oi, bastard! Don’t think you can just set your stall on my property!”
“Aah? What’s that!? It’s not more than a fingertip over your property line!”
“What part of that is a finger!? Are you talking about those big, meaty beastman claws of yours!?”
“Well you try and find someone who says a nail isn’t part of a finger!”
The two men quibbled in front of their stores, and after glaring so hard that sparks were flying—
“Then let’s settle this with a duel!!”
Right after they cried out in unison, the cheers and roars erupted down the street. Weapons and howls were simply normal in town, and the onlookers were already gleefully heckling the pair.
“Oh, Hank and Richard are at it again! Do your best, both of you!”
“You can really just fight in the middle of town!?” Yuri asked in amazement.
“Yes. Time and place are irrelevant, that is the duel city’s reason for existence.”
A duel began the moment both sides decided to fight. Whether it was the beach or the forest, inside a room, or in the middle of town, the entire city was a fighting arena. Yuri thought back to his master’s explanations as his eyes were stolen by the spectacle, only for the beastman who had initiated the duel to be sent flying right at him.
However—his body never collided with Yuri. It passed straight through as if he had no substance at all.
Yuri could hear the voices and the clash of steel, but the weapons they swung would never hit their onlookers and rubberneckers, nor would they touch the buildings or the merchandise in the stalls.
“Hmm... So this is the duel city’s Field!”
“Yep, yep. The safe and sound duel system! When the duelists are in the Field, they can’t affect anything around them in any way! Everyone’s safe and sound!”
“I’ve been wondering for a long time now, but what principle does the Field work on?”
“No clue! You’ll have to ask Fram!”
“...Why did Mirka think this girl was capable of being a guide?” Fram sighed before adding, “The Field is a separate dimension that a duelist can be transferred to through their Proof. A reality that isn’t reality. No matter what happens in this dimension, it cannot impact reality in any way, shape, or form. I can’t explain the actual inner workings myself, but at the very least, it is a technology that has existed since this city’s founding.” And there, Fram narrowed her eyes ever-so-slightly. “Additionally, the effect of death within the Field doesn’t reflect on reality either.”
“If I’m remembering right, once the Field is undone, everything is put back to how it was before, right?” Yuri asked.
“Correct. If you die from a fatal wound, the Field will be forcibly dissolved and you’ll simply be dragged back to reality. Once you’re back, it’s all put back to normal.”
“You still feel it, by the way! You can’t actually die in duels, but you still feel it; the wounds really, really hurt, and if you die, it’ll be so painful, you won’t be able to move right for three days!”
Her ears drooping, Athena made a large X with her arms. She was a veteran duelist, so if she was saying it, it must be considerably painful.
“To a duelist, death is complete and utter defeat. And the winner’s orders are absolute,” Fram stated, indifferently spelling out the philosophy of the duel city.
The winner of a duel was fully justified in everything they did. In the duel city where battles were respected above all else, this was an unshakable, unwritten rule. That was precisely why, whenever a problem broke out, it would be solved with a duel, and the result of this duel would make for an undeniably clear outcome.
“So death is defeat, and victory is justice. That’s nice and easy!” Yuri concluded.
“Child...your adaptability astounds me.”
“Normally, they get really confused or scared when they hear about artificial death, you know.”
After which, the two exchanged a perplexed look before ruffling up Yuri’s hair.
“Good boy, good boy! You’ll make a fine duelist, Yuri!”
“You really think so!? You think I can be a strong duelist!?”
“Sure you can! I guarantee it! You’ll be strongest, second to me!!”
“...What are you trying to accomplish, comparing yourself to a newbie?”
Fram delivered a chop to Athena’s head, and by the time that was over with, the entrance was finally in sight. The symbol of the duel city—Babel Tower. A symbol of battle that continued to stand where it was, never discoloring or decaying in its lengthy history.
Yuri was left stock-still, looking up at the tower, while Athena easily clambered her way up the stone staircase.
“Righty-ho, let’s hurry and get your registration over with! We must’ve met each other for a reason, so how about you let Big Sis show you around town!?”
“Are you sure about that? You were only supposed to guide me to the registrar.”
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it! Big Sis has taken a liking to you, Yuri! I get the feeling you’re going to get up to all sorts of interesting antics, and I’d be happy if we continued to get along!”
Seeing Athena flash her teeth in delight, Fram offered a slight sigh. “I’m sorry, it looks like Athena has taken a liking to you. You have my pity, but just give up,” she whispered.
“Is she that bad?”
“She’s strong in a fight, but as you can see, her head’s completely empty. Still, she’s not a bad kid, so do try to get along with her.”
“It’s kinda like you’re the big sister here, Fram.”
“Naturally, I’m somewhere around four hundred.”
Sounding half resigned, Fram stared at Athena in the distance. However, her eyes did not seem to belittle the girl. More so, as fellow duelists, it felt as if she properly recognized her as a rival.
Precisely because they had come to understand each other through battle, and recognize each other’s abilities, they were able to build a bond of trust across tribes and grow close enough for friendly banter. Having witnessed this relationship unique to the duel city, Yuri couldn’t help but smile.
“Well then, I should work hard to be like you two!”
“That’s the spirit. Though I think it will take quite some time to reach us.”
Once a gently-smiling Fram had settled back down on his back, Yuri followed behind Athena.
She was waiting for them at the top of the stairs. The sight that greeted him as she threw open the doors—he stopped in his tracks. A gorgeous, bright and colorful circular hall. Seamless smooth walls and a carefully polished marble floor along with the lamps placed around made the hall almost blinding in its uniform light.
While he stood in a daze, Athena was a step ahead, barreling full-throttle toward the center register. “Mirka!” she shouted, “I brought a kid who wants to register!”
Upon hearing Athena’s voice, the woman at the counter turned with a languid voice. “Yes, yes. Good work, Athena.”
Black bat-like wings extended out from her back. Those small wings performed a few test flaps as the crimson-haired woman lowered her head to Yuri.