CH 98

[It’s Your Last Chance]

“From what I heard, it seems Sakurai threatened several knight apprentices including those twin sisters by using Princess Knaust as a hostage. Now that Princess Knaust is free, they should be willing to cooperate with us.” (Higaki)

The place was the corridor of the hospital attached to the Adventurer’s Academy.

Higaki said so in front of Amanai who sat down on the sofa placed there.

Having learned of the situation after Julia was brought to the hospital by Amanai, the Disciplinary Committee, led by Higaki, was now working to resolve the case, most of their members had already been on the move.

In the midst of that, Higaki came to the hospital to interview Julia who had regained her consciousness and at the same time to exchange words with Amanai, one of the people involved in the case who was ordered to wait at the there.

“…Just what is that guy planning to do?” (Amanai)

Amanai muttered while facing down.

To his terribly quiet and powerless words, Higaki only said, “I don’t know.”

“As far as I know, his immediate objective is the Fool’s Necklace. As long as it’s in the academy, I believe he won’t leave the city, however…” (Higaki)

Even Higaki, who had known him the longest, didn’t know anything more than that.

Although his goal was visible, the process he would take to get there was unimaginable. That fact pointed to Sakurai’s peculiarity.

(I don’t know… I don’t know anything anymore)

About the things that had happened so far, about the things that was going to happen hereafter.

His past blunders and denials, as well as anxiety about the kidnapping, were all jumbled together inside Amanai’s mind.

He wanted an answer.

He wanted a solution that would allow him to overcome all the difficulties, just like the protagonist.

However, after all, he was just an ordinary person with a memory of his previous life.

The only thing that he, who had shallow wit, had left was the desire to save Akano Reika.

“Higaki-san. I will, try searching for him too.” (Amanai)

“No, you take a rest. If you were to search for that guy’s whereabouts in an unorganized manner, it would only give him an opening instead.” (Higaki)

“You’re telling me to, stay still?” (Amanai)

“To rest. Though that said, my words don’t hold legal force.” (Higaki)

Implicitly told that she couldn’t add him to the search of the Disciplinary Committee members, Amanai put his hands on his forehead without giving a reply.

Seeing that, Higaki left the place without saying a word. She had something more important to do than cheering him up.

“…………” (Amanai)

When he was born in this world and came to be aware of his surroundings, he knew that he had become ‘Amanai Hayato’.

He thought that he could do something, he found things he wanted to protect, and he believed he could do so.

“And the result is this, huh. Just how stupid am I?” (Amanai)

The words he barely able to squeeze out were self-deprecating, yet it also sounded like he was somewhat… disgusted by the fact that he was able to let his mind wander.

“—!” (Amanai)

He hit his forehead hard, even though it solved nothing, even though it did nothing.

He kept hitting it again and again in quick succession as if to punish himself, before eventually heaving out a little sigh.

“Hey now, don’t blame yourself like that.”

“Eh?” (Amanai)

The one who entered his sight when he raised his face was Julia, who was walking with a crutch.

She looked no different from usual, except for the bandage on her forehead and the gauze on her neck. At her gentle smile and leisure, Amanai involuntarily corrected his posture.

“Is your body okay?” (Amanai)

“Thanks to you. Because you caught me, I didn’t get any major injury.” (Julia)

“…May I, have a talk with you?” (Amanai)

“Of course, that’s why I came here, in the first place.” (Julia)

Julia, having sat next to Amanai, peered in his face and hummed, “Hmm,” as though she was convinced about something.

“Given that there is no time, let’s get straight to the main point. Although that being said, the information I have is only fragmentary, so I can’t guarantee that it will be of much use to you.” (Julia)

“Even if that’s the case, it doesn’t matter. As long as I can use it as a starting point to get as close to what Sakurai is planning as possible.” (Amanai)

“Then let’s omit the detail of my capture. All that happened was I got surprise attacked late at night and had been restrained until a while ago, after all. During that time, we exchanged some words, but it seems like his aim was you guys from the beginning.” (Julia)

“What do you mean?” (Amanai)

“‘I’m changing my cooperator’, ‘I need some pieces to capture Akano Reika quickly and easily, so I threatened your friends by using you as a hostage’…were what he said.” (Julia)

“His aim is Reika from the start——!?” (Amanai)

The worst imagination surfaced in Amanai’s mind.

Why, did Sakurai target his childhood friend? Who did he refer to when he said he was changing his cooperator?

“W-why… Reika. Do you have a clue, as to the reason?” (Amanai)

“I don’t know the exact reason. However, Sakurai-kun also said, “You have to give a present to your cooperator, after all,” …I wonder if he was referring to her.” (Julia)

Julia replied to the question he asked with a sense of urgency.

Hearing that, Amanai made an expression like he had swallowed a bitter bug.

If it was indeed true he kidnapped Akano as a present, then his new cooperator must be the Black Sword. Amanai was convinced of it.

‘Akano Reika’ was a heroine in the game, and because she was a heroine, she had something special about her that set her apart from the others (mobs).

That special something was ‘perfect compatibility to demonization’.

The demonization technology developed by the Black Sword had drawbacks.

They were: each people were compatible with different monsters, and depending on their willpower, the recipient might run out of control.

Therefore, the demonization technology had become a one-off technology that could only be applied to selected humans; it had reached an impasse where it was not applicable to most people.

The key to solving that was the ‘perfect compatibility’ of Akano Reika.

Her flesh and blood could adapt to all monsters; and the fact that quality of hers was revealed in the game meant that now that the game had turned into reality, she would also be targeted by the Black Sword as a key figure in the mass production of demon-kins here.

(But even if one’s flesh and blood is compatible, they can’t become a demon-kin without a willpower that doesn’t lose to that of the monster’s. That was what Pygmalion Don Troll said when he captured her in the game. There’s no way Sakurai doesn’t know that.)

However, since Sakurai kidnapped her despite knowing that, he couldn’t help thinking that he might have found some kind of means to circumvent that.

If he could prove that means to the reincarnated person who might be in the Black Sword, Akano would most likely be a great present.

“But why does he want to change the one he’s cooperating with now after all this time…” (Amanai)

“That… might be because of me.” (Julia)

“Eh?” (Amanai)

Julia replied to his suddenly muttered question.

When he turned his face, she lowered eyebrows and looked terribly apologetic, completely different from her usual self.

“Actually, yesterday I was watching your fight with Baldasare-kun in the plaza with Sakurai-kun.” (Julia)

“You were watching that battle with… Sakurai?” (Amanai)

“We coincidentally met. Because I knew you and Sakurai-kun were cooperating, I thought it might be good to get to know him a bit, so I invited him to watch together from behind a building.” (Julia)

Amanai narrowed his eyes and scrunched his eyebrows.

To him, the event in that plaza was not something likeable, in fact, it was a bitter memory that was plaguing his heart.

He couldn’t even control his expression learning that they were watching it secretly.

“I personally think it was a good match which promoted the growth of the two of you. However, Sakurai-kun started acting weird after watching the battle, like something was on his mind. Thinking back on it, he might had been contemplating about whether or not to continue cooperating with you.” (Julia)

“Then later in that same day, I got attacked and the result is as you can see,” she added with a sad laugh.

Amanai, looking at her condition, felt sorry, thinking that Julia wouldn’t have become like this if Sakurai hadn’t seen his pathetic performance.

(…after all, this is my fault, huh.)

After all, it was clear that the reason Sakurai changed his mind was his lack of ability.

If the cause was him, this problem was something that would no doubt occur sooner or later.

It was his fault.

Everything was the fault of Amanai Hayato.

“Ha, haha.” (Amanai)

He leaked out a dry laugh.

With the truth presented so clearly in front of him, the truth that those around him got involved because of his stupidity, he could not not understand it even if he didn’t like it.

“My apologies. I don’t mean to blame you or anything.” (Julia)

“It’s alright. Thanks to you, the problem has become clear, rather, I feel like I’ve become able to think positively about what to do from now on.” (Amanai)

Seeing that, Julia opened and closed her mouth several times in an attempt to say something to Amanai, but perhaps because she couldn’t find the word to say, she eventually closed her mouth.

Dozens of seconds passed without them saying anything to each other. The one who broke the silence was Julia.

She took a piece of paper out of her outer garment and held it out in front of him.

Amanai asked with his eyes what the paper was before receiving it,.

“I found it in my pocket while I was being treated. It’s probably a note written by Sakurai. I don’t know what it means, but I’m sure it can be a clue to get closer to him. But…” (Julia)

“But?” (Amanai)

“It’s written in a peculiar ciphertext, so I can’t read it. If you know something about it, I hope you can tell me.” (Julia)

As he read the contents of the paper, Amanai wrinkled his forehead.

What was written in the memo was a huge list of numbers.

From the first line, there was a sequence of numbers showing some regularity, such as [31122222*55555448*0003334*] which continued for several lines.

“…………” (Amanai)

“Is there anything you can think of?” (Julia)

Amanai silently shook his head and returned the paper.

Julia received the paper while saying, “I see,” like finding it unfortunate, and stood up with the crutch as a support.

“We, the knight apprentices, will pursue Sakurai’s tracks. I will let you know as soon as something turn up. So, for now…” (Julia)

“The Disciplinary Committee chairman Higaki-san had told me that, so even though I’m involved, I understand that I, as an amateur, better not move poorly. That’s why, umm, please do your best.” (Amanai)

“Ahh, I will. Wait for the good news.” (Julia)

Julia left the place with the sound of her crutch hitting the floor ringing in the corridor.

After staring at her until he could not see her back, Amanai put his weight on the back of the sofa and looked up at the ceiling.

Ceiling with pure white tiles.

A sequence of numbers emerged in his view.

It was the list of numbers written in the memo that Amanai saw; he remembered them all accurately in just over a dozen seconds.

The numbers lined up in order. That was why Julia said it was ciphertext.

However, in Amanai’s eyes, it’s not a ciphertext or anything. It’s just a writing that need time-consuming conversion.

(But only reincarnated people know this. Something like phones’ characters input, no one will know about it unless they do from the beginning.)

Amanai deciphered the text while remembering the memories of exchanging emails with the phone that his parents gave him for communication when he was a child in his previous life.

In this world where phones did not exist, no one but the reincarnated people who could understand that this list of numbers indicated characters input method using the numeric keypad of a feature phone, which could be said to be nostalgic in the present.

Looking at it in another way, this character string could only be understood by reincarnated people, so Amanai was convinced that this was a message from Sakurai.

And should it be said as expected? The first line of the sentence that Amanai had inwardly converted was definitely directed to him.

‘It’s your last chance’.

The rest of the text simply stated the time and place.

Amanai, having read it, closed his eyes and exhaled.

Since Sakurai put it like that, this would probably be the last chance for him.

Those words resonated deeply in Amanai’s chest to a surprising extent.

“…Phew.” (Amanai)

Amanai Hayato slowly stood up.

Because he kept delaying things with the excuse of he had not yet ready that the situation turned out like this, so he had to start moving… such a vague idea surfaced inside Amanai.

It was not like he had mentally prepared, it was not like he had renewed his determination, and it was not like he had any clear vision.

The power that was inserted in his legs was thought of self-reproach that he couldn’t get those around him involved more than it they already were, and a sense of duty to save his kidnapped childhood friend.

Amanai knew that his current self was far from being comparable to the protagonists in stories, but still, he must not stop his legs, he had to keep walking.

With wobbling and uncertain gait. In a ghost-like manner.

Still, he kept walking forward step by step, and his lone figure slowly getting further away from the hospital.

–

――There were two people looking down at such figure of Amanai from the window on the upper floor.

“…I think this is too drastic of a measure, after all.”

“Don’t worry. Just as I believe in him, Sakurai-kun, too, believes that he will stand back up, thus the proposal.”

One was Higaki Ao, the chairman of the Disciplinary Committee.

The other was Julia von Knaust, a royalty.

The two, who were accomplices, expressed each of their feelings while thinking about Amanai who was caught in the scheme.

“Honestly, I don’t think that guy’s scheme will succeed. Even if he told me that such a cornered person’s will would transform in a positive direction when his back is further pushed into a corner…” (Higaki)

“He probably judged that Amanai-kun’s problem is rooted so deep that we have to do at least this much. I’m of the same mind as him.” (Julia)

“Princess overestimates Sakurai. I’m sure he only thinks, “He’ll get better if something shocking happens,” or something, you know?” (Higaki)

“Maybe, or maybe not. But at least he has the enthusiasm and spirit to make me think that this will work.” (Julia)

Certainly, Sakurai had a tremendous enthusiasm and spirit to the point that they influenced those around him. Higaki also strongly felt that through their encounter.

If she hadn’t met him, her tumor-like abnormal attachment would have continued to grow unabated, and if she hadn’t fell into the Netherworld with him, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to realize her stupidity.

Although it was Iris who urged her to reflect herself and corrected her from the deplorable path to humane path, it was him who was always at the starting point of everything; his enthusiasm and spirit swept her away, and now she had made it to this point.

She didn’t have the words to deny that fact.

“Still, I don’t think everyone can get back on their feet.” (Higaki)

Not everyone could rise from their weaknesses and mistakes.

Rather, there should be more people who would bend their knees and look for another way, or give up and make a compromise.

That was why those who could ‘get back on their feet’ was respectable and admirable. Higaki thought so, at least.

And Higaki did not know much about Amanai. They had not interacted enough for her to have an impression that he was one those people.

So, she couldn’t believe that he was someone who could get back on their feet.

And if the ‘what if’ came to pass, only the fact that a boy had ended up being cornered because of them would remain.

However, she was in no position to say anything about that because she had already lent a hand in this scheme, even if she did so because she was asked by Sakurai and Julia.

“It’s fine, don’t worry.” (Julia)

“However…” (Higaki)

“I’m confident in my ability to judge people. And I’m sure that if I leave the matter to Sakurai-kun, Amanai will become stronger.” (Julia)

In response to the uneasy Higaki, Julia assured her that her worry was unfounded, and spoke of her faith in Sakurai and Amanai.

If it was Sakurai, he would definitely be able to change the current situation in the preferable direction.

Amanai would grow as if he was reborn under Sakurai’s hands.

Higaki was confused but refrained from refuting the bold remarks of Julia, who had put her full trust in someone whom she had just met yesterday. Well, if she says so, she thought.

Maybe she sensed Higaki was still unconvinced, Julia turned to her and said to her with a refreshing wink,

“Besides, Sakurai-kun promised, “I’ll prepare your opponent to be in his best condition for tomorrow’s round-robin tournament.” You should believe the words of your friend, right?” (Julia)

“Princess, I advise you to settle as friends.” (Higaki)

“Areee—?” (Julia)

At the response which was said in frighteningly cold tone, different from her expectation, Julia tilted her head slightly to the side with a smile still on her face.

However, be that as it may, it was an unusual for someone to talk this much to her, Julia smile to that refreshens.

“Hi~ga~ki~sa~n, wha~t a~re yo~u do~i~ng?”

Iris, who was excluded from Sakurai’s scheme and had been searching for him, was approaching Higaki’s back with quiet anger, and Julia – who explained about the ongoing operation due to her intensity – ended up receiving a huge scolding, “I don’t care even if you’re a royalty of the world of the living!” from Iris together with Higaki. But that’s another story.