Game Opportunities Become Reality Episode 195
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Game Opportunities Become Reality Episode 195
45. Each One's Position (5)
A full day and a half had passed since Reiers County vanished.
Even if the time ratio between the two worlds was 10:1, a day and a half in Rondel meant three hours on Earth, and that was enough time for those in Reiers County to figure out their situation.
"Th-This place is another world?"
"There's no other way to put it. After scouting the surroundings with reconnaissance drones, no terrain matching Rondel exists, and in a city where yellow-skinned people are the majority, a civilization different from ours has taken root. And above all..."
"Above all?"
"It appears that no supernatural powers like magic exist in this world."
"What?"
"We can't find any trace of magic at all. Moreover, the weapons used by this world's military are purely physical arms like firearms, bombs, and missiles things that have fallen out of use in Rondel."
In Rondel, physical force is a sub-concept of supernatural power (magic, Aura, Spirit Power, Divine power).
Even a low-level shield could defend against powerful physical attacks.
That was why, despite Grand Duke Lucas from Earth wielding enormous influence in Rondel, artifact-based weapons rather than cost-effective bullets, high explosives, and missiles became the standard on the battlefield.
"Oh Sepia, why have you brought such a trial upon us..."
Count Reiers had no choice but to cover his forehead with his palm and lament.
He had no idea how he was supposed to accept the current situation.
They had barely managed to escape the abnormal climate, and now they were suddenly hurled into another world...
A situation had arisen where they had to worry about their survival from here on.
"And another concern is that this world's physical laws seem slightly different from Rondel's. Whether it's because the mana in the atmosphere is thin, the fact that physical force is a sub-concept of supernatural power doesn't seem to hold here."
"What does that mean?"
"The enemies' combat capabilities are based on physical force, but their destructive power is considerable, and if we keep allowing missile attacks to hit us while defenseless, the Heaven-Piercing Fortress could fall."
It was information that could only deepen their worries.
The defensive barriers standardly installed on the Heaven-Piercing Fortress include a 6th Circle wide shield covering the entire structure and a 7th Circle Great Shield that reinforces weaker sections partially.
The very idea that these barriers could be breached by mere physical attacks was an unanticipated scenario.
Seeing Count Reiers' complexion worsen as he listened to the report, the Knight Captain quickly interjected.
"You fellows are speaking too pessimistically."
"Yes?"
"That's the story for when you keep taking hits while defenseless, isn't it? In the end, you just intercept them in the middle."
"W-Well, that's true."
"And even if interception fails, a few shots won't destroy the Heaven-Piercing Fortress. First, the 6th Circle wide shield blocks the enemy's attacks, and even if that's breached, the 7th Circle Great Shield covers the weaker areas as a second line. Even if both the first and second barriers are destroyed, beneath them lies alloy armor five meters thick."
At the Knight Captain's command, the adjutants, realizing they had only emphasized the severity of the situation, belatedly bowed their heads and apologized.
"Your Excellency, please don't worry too much. Not a single scratch appeared on the two Heaven-Piercing Fortresses while they destroyed the military base that attacked us and returned. Moreover, the Vanguard unit wasn't even deployed."
Seeing the Knight Captain's confidence that there was no need to worry, Count Reiers, the Lord, managed an awkward smile.
But the smile did not last long.
The current situation was too grave to find comfort in military strength.
"Is there a plan going forward?"
At the Count's question, the adjutants offered several opinions.
"After investigating, it seems this world has no restrictions on advancing into space."
"What does that mean?"
"Various artificial structures beyond the atmosphere are surrounding this planet."
"How fascinating."
"Most of those artificial structures are used for ground surveillance and communication, and some have been built for military purposes."
"Meaning?"
"It seems wise to sweep away the artificial structures in the sky and prepare for any contingency."
"Hmm..."
"Also, there are cables connecting the continents along the ocean floor, which appear to be for communication as well. It would be best to remove those too."
It was a conversation that would have horrified Earthlings if they had heard it.
These were people from a fantasy world.
However, it was not a medieval fantasy world it was set in a near-future era based on Earth.
Their abilities and judgment were by no means to be underestimated.
"No, that's not it. What we need to do isn't war. It's survival."
The saving grace was that Count Reiers was a reasonably rational man.
"First, we will attempt to communicate with the natives of this world."
The Lord's command was law.
The retainers bowed their heads at Count Reiers' orders.
"What was the name of the nation we clashed with?"
At the Count's ensuing question, the Knight Captain answered on behalf of everyone.
"It's called China."
"China? China... Very well. Let us send an apology letter to that nation's representative. We should clear up the misunderstanding and seek reconciliation."
Count Reiers prayed that this nation called China would be a reasonable counterpart.
* * *
Once we arrived on Earth and became able to converse with the Demon King, one fact was proven.
That fact was that Lord Exceed truly was a Demon King existing within Earth's sphere.
[What is this situation?]
In response to Lord Exceed's question, I introduced myself on behalf of the group.
"Hello, Demon King. My name is Adrian El Lawrence."
[Lawrence? You mean Grand Duke Lawrence?]
If he knew of me, this conversation would be much easier.
"That's correct."
[What business does one of Rondel's leaders have with me? No, before that I can hardly understand how real-time conversation is even possible.]
Did he not know that the place we were speaking from was Earth?
Or was he pretending not to know?
Either way, I faithfully answered his question.
"Selin said something interesting. So I came to Earth with her to verify the facts."
[What...?]
My simple answer was met with a reaction of bewilderment and surprise.
It seemed that even a Demon King couldn't fully comprehend his Contractor's circumstances.
And the conversation was limited to voice only, not video.
[Hah, this is rather embarrassing. How is such a thing possible?]
"That's a secret."
Would he get angry if I dodged the answer?
[Well, fine. It's only natural you wouldn't answer a Demon King who's constantly coveting your world. By the way the fact that Selin has been captured by you means the plan ended in failure.]
But this Demon King, Lord Exceed, remained far too composed.
It meant that not all Demon Kings were hot-blooded types who would spout lines like "How dare a mere human!"
"I do apologize for that. At the request of the Holy See, I helped investigate and annihilate the organization Selin belonged to."
[I didn't have high expectations to begin with. At best, I figured the success rate was around ten percent.]
A response so nonchalant it took us by surprise.
Thanks to that, we were all left with stunned expressions.
Of course, the most stunned of all was Selin herself.
"I have a question for the Demon King, Lord Exceed."
[What is it?]
"Selin claims that Sepia, the goddess of our world, has been interfering with Earth. Is that true?"
[Yes, it's true.]
After that, we asked one question after another to verify the story about the goddess we'd heard from Selin, and we received answers identical to hers.
Based on the nuance alone, it seemed genuine.
But we weren't naive enough to be convinced of the truth through conversation alone.
Which was why we didn't ask about the Hollywood System the very thing that would expose my identity as Grand Duke Lucas's heir.
'If I could face him directly, I could easily verify the truth with my Myriad Mirror and Blake's Observing Eye.'
So I decided to take a bit of a risk.
"Could you possibly descend, even if just for a moment?"
[If you help, a brief manifestation is possible. But why should I comply with your request?]
As rational as he was, I could tell he didn't care much for me after all, I was the one who ruined his plan.
I gave an answer that might pique his interest.
"If I find that the Demon King's choice is truly the right one, who knows? I might be able to help Selin."
[Hmm...]
He let out a contemplative sigh, but soon, as if pleased, let out a low chuckle.
[Very well. And if I find you unworthy when we meet, I'll blow your head off.]
"If you do anything strange, I'll run away immediately."
[Funny guy.]
I and my companions prepared for the worst.
The Demon King is about to descend.
If things didn't look right, we'd have to bolt, so we heightened our tension.
[You know how to draw a Teleport Magic Circle yourself, right?]
"Yes."
[Then pour Mana into it while removing the coordinate formula that serves as the central axis.]
"Understood."
By normal standards, it was a half-finished spell that would do nothing.
But following the Demon King's instructions, the light spread out in a strange way.
[Good, confirmed.]
A moment later, ominous black mana fell as a single beam of light.
-BOOM!
And with a blink, a handsome man with black hair, red eyes stood at the center of the magic circle.
He looked about my age, or perhaps a bit younger.
But the black mana he radiated was so overwhelming that my mind went blank for a moment.
"Looks like he's heavily restricted. At that level, he's 9th-circle. Worth a fight."
Blake's words let me breathe a small sigh of relief.
Then the Demon King's gaze turned to us.
"Hello, Lord Exceed, Demon King. I am Adrian El Lorenzo. This is my wife, Arcia El Lorenzo, and this is our advisor, Blake Russell."
Our task is simple.
Ask him whether his statements were all true, and examine his answers with the Myriad Mirror and Blake's Observing Eye.
If there's no falsehood in his words, we'll move on to the core questions, including the Hollywood System, with a much lighter heart.
"Huh?"
But the expression on the Demon King's face as he looked at us was strange.
Like he'd just seen a ghost, perhaps?
"What's the matter?"
And when he even started to sway, his loyal servant Selin rushed over to support him.
She was likely seeing her master's face for the first time today.
But apparently she liked his good looks, as she was blushing while forgetting her place.
No need to worry about those two getting together.
If I shut off the dimensional transport device, we including Selin would immediately return to Rondel.
"The Demon King looks rather frail, doesn't he?"
Blake sneered.
In response, the Demon King let out a wry laugh.
"You haven't changed one bit."
At those words, we had to tilt our heads in confusion.
He spoke as if he knew Blake well.
"What are you talking about?"
Warm eyes.
A smile gradually curling up.
Lord Exceed, looking at Blake, wore an expression unbefitting a Demon King.
Sensing something odd, I used my Myriad Mirror to examine his information.
[Lord Exceed / 9th-circle Black Mage (incomplete summon state)]
Race: demon race
Age: 3
Affiliation: Ruler of the 2nd Demon Realm, Exceed Sector / 7th seat among the 13 Demon Kings
Talent: Supreme
Trait: Great Prophet, Reincarnator with memories of a past life
Relation: Interest / Neutral
State: Surprise / Bewilderment
And when I saw the trait "Reincarnator with memories of a past life" in his information, my eyes went wide.
"It's been 3 years. No wait, for you Blake, it's been 30?"
"Huh?"
"It's only natural you don't recognize me. Long time no see, friend."
* * *
The great disaster that struck Earth.
If you had to pick the country that suffered the most from it, that would be China.
Unlike the United States which they had considered their rival that managed to hold itself together and weather the crisis relatively intact, China was utterly devastated, and in the process, power was reorganized around regional military leaders, splitting the nation into four.
What's more, the fragmentation was still ongoing.
Instead of banding together, they only forced their ideologies onto each other, and the prevailing prediction was that at this rate, China would split into seven or more regions within five years.
Of the current four Chinas, the strongest faction was the Chairman's faction, centered on Beijing and Tianjin.
And it was that Chairman's faction that had fought a battle against the Reiers County.
"Just what the hell are those bastards!? Are they really aliens!?"
"Judging by the situation, they seemed to have no idea what was happening to them either."
"This is insane."
"What should we do? The dark-skinned people claiming to be envoys from the Reiers County have apologized and requested a ceasefire."
The one who answered the irate Chairman was the director of the Central Office.
"Looks like we can communicate, huh?"
"They were using something like a translator, and even though the language was different, I could understand what they were saying. I don't know what it is, but they have advanced technology."
The Chairman clicked his tongue briefly, clearly displeased.
His reaction was only natural.
After all, it was the Chairman's faction's army that had been struck first.
And when they responded to the unidentified enemy who had launched the preemptive attack, didn't they end up blowing an entire military base to pieces?
And then they come asking for reconciliation how could he not be furious?
The country may be divided now and China's glory not what it once was, but he was still the master of a vast nation.
"So where is that envoy delegation now?"
"They're waiting in the conference room."
"Let them keep waiting. I'll go see them in about three hours."
"Yes? Ah, understood."
And so the Chairman dealt with his guests in his own way.