Accel World Vol 6 Chapter 1 (2/2)
The sudden light laughter that flew by, made him blink his eyes a few times.
Then Kuroyukihime’s smile changed to a fearless one, and exaggerated in a somewhat low sound.
“I am already their enemy. I did not join their foolish «Mutual no invasion treaty» either. If they have a problem, then the six Kings can just come duel me. That is exactly what I wish for, right?”
“...Senpai...”
‘—— Truly, what a strong, cool... and brave person.’
While he was impressed within his chest, he of course did not have the ability to put it into words, so the least Haruyuki could do was look with all his heart into the s.h.i.+ning deep black eyes at close range.
Doing so made Kuroyukihime’s sharp look soften, and she again kindly smiled as she accepted Haruyuki’s gaze. With her lips moving slightly, a lowest volume whisper shook the air lightly.
“Thinking back, I had been protected by you a lot since the beginning...”
The lightly extended fingertip, gently touched Haruyuki’s right cheek. Even while his heart beat loudly, he somehow managed to answer in a raspy sound.
“No way... That’s not it... I had also...”
However Kuroyukihime lightly poked Haruyuki’s cheek with her index finger to seal his objection.
“I am your «Parent». So I have the right to protect you any time. That’s why, at least during times like this, rely on me without saying anything.”
“...Sen, pai.”
With his chest quickly tightening, Haruyuki somehow managed to say just that, and continued to exchange gazes with Kuroyukihime. The sword King that returned a kind nod, as her fingertip stayed on Haruyuki’s cheek, once more whispered her words from a few seconds ago.
“I promise. You, I will protect.”
“...Yes. Yes.. I believe yomugiu!”
—— There, the reason that the ending of his words were overwritten by spoiled sound was.
The backrest of the driver’s seat suddenly fell down, and squashed Haruyuki.
The hand that thrust out from the seat’s edge grabbed hold of Haruyuki’s left ear and at the same time it was pulled, Fuuko’s face peeked out with both cheeks blown up hugely, and said in a resentful voice.
“Hey Saa-chan, Karasu-san! Getting excited in someone’s car is forbidden, you hear!”
The two people in the front returned their seat angle back to normal and as Haruyuki fixed his depth in the back seat, it was 3 minutes to 2 pm in the afternoon already.
Looking up through the window, he saw somewhat moody light clouds in the middle of June sky, but spots of blue color also showed their faces here and there. There did not seem to be any worry of sudden thunderstorm disrupting Neuro Linker connection.
Continuing after a slight cough, Kuroyukihime said tensely.
“This time’s conference is not an everyone connected become fighting opponents kind of «Battle Royale Mode» and instead, the host, «Blue King»’s two close aides will duel and other partic.i.p.ants will be in the gallery which will automatically dive in. That is, there is no need to think about danger of anyone attacking us.”
“Ah... Including «Incarnate System» type of attacks too?”
Haruyuki’s question was answered by Fuuko.
“Yea, even if mind power is used, you cannot do something like attack the gallery in the normal duel field since the gallery does not even have a HP gauge. In the previous week’s «Hermes Code Traverse Race», the reason that the partic.i.p.ants and audience were hurt by Rust Jigsaw’s mind power was because the HP gauge was set for everyone, but the number for it was locked due to the special field status.”
“I see, it was that right... Somehow... someway, it was like...”
As Haruyuki murmured obscurely, Kuroyukihime added with a quiet sound.
“Somehow it was like, it seems there was leeway left for destroying the race with mind power, that?”
“Ye... N, no, to that degree is...”
He hurriedly shook his head. If that was said, then the next conjecture would inevitably hold true. That was —— that destructive act by Rust Jigsaw, was approved by the developer of Brain Burst.
No way, it could not be that. That simply could not be. The ident.i.ty unknown developer, who managed Brain Burst for whatever goal was still a mystery, but Haruyuki had already began to feel a deep respect for him/her as a gamer. The person who built and maintains this much of a fun, exciting, and immersive game... no, «world», could not be helping some dirty guy from the likes of «Acceleration Research Society».
“Haruyuki-kun.”
As he strongly ground his inner teeth, Kuroyukihime’s gentle sound called out.
“Listen, remember just this. Accelerated world’s main actors are each and everyone of the Burst Linkers. You're the same. What kind of form you commit to this world is fully left up to your choice. No matter what the developer’s intent is.”
“...Yes!”
At the same time as his deep nod, the time display at the edge of his view showed that it was 10 seconds before the appointed time.
“Good response. —— So then everyone, start Global connection.”
Under the legion master’s direction, three fingers pressed the link b.u.t.ton on each of their Neuro Linkers.
After the Global Net connection display lit up, the connection status continued after, and 2 seconds after that icon disappeared ——.
A ‘Vis.h.i.+!’ kind of acceleration sound echoed fully in Haruyuki’s hearing.
In the center of his view, [A REGISTERED DUEL IS BEGINNING!] in flame letters brilliantly flared up.
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