Chapter 854: December 19th: Beyond Defeat, Beyond Victory
Author's Preface
It's a little short, but adding more would be like drawing legs on a snake.
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".........A total defeat."
There were issues even before getting to the simple test of strength, but even taking that into account, a defeat so complete he couldn't even grunt in protest.
The special status effect "Subjugation" doesn't take a player's life, but in exchange, it forbids actions that consume the stamina gauge for a set period of time. Part of it is because his stamina is physically almost completely depleted, but this special status effect can only be removed by respawning.
However, the reason Kaisoku isn't even attempting to stand up as he lies face-up on the ground is due to psychological reasons that go beyond the effects of "Subjugation".
"That was an invaluable experience. Because there surely won't be a next time......"
She is called the number one player in America, but everyone knows her strength isn't contained within the North American continent alone.
The experience of fighting someone who is undeniably the strongest player in the world will likely become one of the most brilliant radiance of Kaisoku's entire life. But for some reason, Kaisoku realized that there was an "additional" emotion dwelling in his chest.
"Fufufufufu."
Suddenly, the victor, Argent Owl, looked his way and started laughing. He could vaguely tell it wasn't a smile mocking a loser. But what was she laughing at?
"Is something......... did I fall into a funny pose or something?"
"No, that's not it. But it's true I laughed looking at you."
Kaisoku reflects on himself. The effects of "Subjugation" make jumping up and breaking into a sprint difficult, but moving his body itself isn't completely impossible. Furthermore, even without moving, he knows he's lying spread out in the shape of the character 大. Just what exactly touched her koto strings............ at the very least, it's a fact she laughed after seeing something about him.
However, Argent Owl easily provided the answer that Kaisoku himself hadn't even realized.
"Because......... you have a look on your face that says, 'How should I fight next time to win?'"
"..................Eh?"
Looking at Argent Owl, who gave him a small grin, Kaisoku finally realized......... that he had been ruminating over his battle with Argent Owl, trying to read and analyze her movements. It wasn't the kind of tepid sentiment where one gently embraces a memory and strokes it. He had been recalling every single move from the preceding battle, wondering what he could have done back then to rewrite the current outcome......... He realized that he had been thinking about that this entire time.
"Amelia, Leonora, Kwon, Kei too......... when they lose or when they rematch me, they all have those eyes. 'I won't lose next time,' 'I'll win today for sure.' Those eyes... Fighting Spirit, right?"
"I see........................ I see."
Did he still have that left in him? No, that's wrong............ did he still have enough heat left to ignite that against an overwhelmingly superior opponent? He thought he would be satisfied just fighting Sylvia Goldberg. In fact, he even thought that the moment the match ended, he might be completely satisfied as a pro gamer.
But it seems he hadn't completely burned out just yet.
"Ms. Argent Owl."
"What is it?"
"I will surely... no, without a doubt, I'll be the one to retire first."
"Right."
That refers to his lifespan as a pro gamer, and even simply as a living creature, Kaisoku will surely be the one to leave first.
"Until then, I'll put in the effort to stand before you again. Next time... in Galaxia Heroes."
But paradoxically, that also means Sylvia Goldberg will remain an active player until the day Kaisoku leaves. In that case, let us challenge her—as many times as it takes—for even if there's a finish line, the starting point is his to choose.
At the declaration of intent from a challenger who was vastly inferior and had only stepped foot onto her battlefield once, Argent Owl smiled. A glaring, sun-like smile that carried a heat of fighting spirit perhaps even greater than Kaisoku's own.
"Of course. When that time comes, I'll take you on."
If it ended there, it might have looked like a refreshing conclusion swearing a rematch......... but right then, a thought occurred to Kaisoku. He was technically part of the New King Faction, having joined simply because the Former King Faction—which Sylvia Goldberg seemed likely to join—was hostile to them......... but setting aside the right and wrong of their ideologies, from their perspective, he was undeniably an enemy.
On top of that, having fought fair and square and lost......... shouldn't he do something like this as the villain ?
Leaking information to Uomi Kei earlier was undeniably an act of betrayal......... but if he lost this clearly, cleanly, and completely, wouldn't passing them a bit of information be a form of gallantry?
Maybe it was because he fought Argent Owl, who was heroic in a way... Maybe it was because he truly made a living playing games where heroes and villains fight... Or maybe simply because Kaisaki himself is a fan of the Galaxia Label and had a soft spot for these kinds of tropes.
"By the way, Argent Owl. Did you know there's a 'hole' in the royal castle's security?"
And so, Kaisoku decided to cleanly spit out the crucial information he only knew because he participated in the New King Faction's strategy meetings. While feeling moved that he was doing exactly what a comic book villain would do in this situation...............
If there was one... yes, just one miscalculation on Kaisoku's part.
It was that he didn't know who Argent Owl would share that information with upon hearing it... and ultimately......... yes, exactly who of all people that information would reach.
Author's Afterword
Hehh, so the New King Faction is beefing up security at their headquarters, the royal castle. Well, that's obvious. Leaving that place lightly defended would be way too much of a bizarre strategy, after all.
What's this? But the New King Faction intentionally left one castle gate lightly blockaded just in case they need to make a rapid escape............ Hehhh, is that so............... And the secret escape route we heard about from the Former King is actually a bluff filled with explosive items, huh............ Is that so............
Is that so.
Ah, that's right, Your Grace the Grand Duke, and Your Majesty Torvante. I have a little question......... Does the royal castle happen to have any anti-air weaponry?
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