Vol 2 Chapter 4 (2/2)

obvious need to obtain resources from the mainland—— However, [Before

that], Elven Gard went on the offensive”

”What a pain——[Aside fro the enemy to attack us, we had no other

tricks] But if on against the world's largest country, then no one else

would coame whose details are unknown But then

you still couldn't lose to the opposition—— And why is that so?”

Raising a finger while s, Sora said:

”Come, we'll use a sequence to solve the mystery [Question 1] Why

eliame?”

shi+ro answered this question

”Because if didn't eliain”

——Why would the Eastern Union include an [offensive strategy to lure the

enemy] if there are contradictory demands?

They had a need to do that, even if the conditions made them bear any

disadvantages

If they deliberately lost to Elven Gard, then the contents of the game would be

exposed—— thus losing the advantage to win

”However, there will be loopholes even if you do that”

Eliame

Indeed that would prevent any strong measures the person could take—— or

so it seems

”Even if the memory was eliminated—— in the end the [outcome] of the

game would always be revealed”

Hearing these words, Jibrilsuddenly woke up, butthe consistent

expressionless face was Ino

”Okay, followed by [Question 2], why did Elven Gard challenge 4 times?”

”BecauseUsing the losttry to crack the game?”

Yes—— Elven Gard and Elchea were different, they were a big country

[Probing] while being conscious of the losses they had, was an easy task

”After losing once, Elven Gard speculated that it was a [Game that required

no use of ic], because when it comes to the reason why the Elves would

lose, the first suspicion would be this”

Putting up his finger, Sora continued onwards

”Because their memory was eliminated, they couldn't understand the contents

of the gaaic

ineffective As for their second try, they linked arms with outsiders to use

ic externally, but even so they still lost; by the third time, they used some

other way to identify the contents of the game”

Really, for the governic, it really makes one envy, Sora

couldn't help but said so

”With that, they went all out and challenged for the fourth time—— but still

lost Aht? Old man”

”You really do have a great iination”

It was a speculation from Sora, Ino based on this to respond in this way

But thinking that one could bluff Sora—— was the biggest mistake

Frohtly, he then smiled and put up

two fingers

”But this generated two questions, the first is, why did Elven Gard lose? Then,

ain?”

——Yes, the question wasn't why they challenged before

But why did they stop challenging

In this ga was the only information revealed, people couldn't

just ignore this

”There are two possibilities, they understood that the principles of the game

was made to make them lose”

Then Sora bent a finger

”Or—— they knehat that game was, but still didn't understand why they

lost the game”

Laughing, Sora wore a confident smile and said:

”——But, if it was the former, they would have won if they exposed the

game Which means, the [latter] is the correct answer”

Jibril—— The Heavenly Winged from the sixth sequence, felt a chill down

her spine

The intelligence that Jibril was fa

This was an extre ability——

”But this was very weird, knowing the game, yet couldn't comprehend why

they lost the game”

Hoeird oh~ this is strange, Sora recited out before laughing and

continued his explanation:

”Unraveling the ave it to me

just now, old man”

S ironically, Sora peered into Ino's eyes

Watching the Therianthropes that claimed to read minds, Sora said:

”[Question 3]—— why lie about being able to read minds?”

”Because they can't read it”

With an almost instantaneous answer from shi+ro, Sora nodded his head

”What the lie represented, it would be very distressing if known right?”

”Okay, the answer is almost out oh? [Question 4] what is winnable, yet still

isn't winnable?”

With an elated expression, Sora

”——coive everyone a hint!”

As if enjoying a guessing game, he deliberately acted and said:

”The Heavenly Winged, Elves, Mankind, to win against all these races with

different characteristics, only using it defensively, only works when using

a to a race

that is technically advanced WHAT GAME IS IT!?”

Stealing a peak at the television, shi+ro answered:

”A gaame]”

Jibril and Steph didn't seem to understand this

It's no wonder, because in this world, video games probably only existed in

the Eastern Union

For this reason—— they needed to eliminate the memory to conceal it

Because of this, the game couldn't be won

——As long as they becaame

Even if outside help was present, anything could be done, and even so the

risk of being discovered of cheating ——

——Was zero

”To play this galessAiya, as expected of a

technologically advanced country, aht?”

Sora said, his tone wasn'tof appreciation

”The reason why you boasted out that you could read ive the

defeated a residual doubt——[Why did we lose against you?] an answer

Not letting the defeated an avenue to pursue Actually, you can only see

through lies, but—— not read them”

Indeed—— it was exactly similar to Sora's pride in his skills

Sora used facial expressions, posture and sound to see past lies

While they used their superior senses to detect heartbeat and bloodflow

This was the sa to be a psychic

””

——On the dot

The speculation wasn't wrong, Ino was speechless

However, he didn't show any expression, only eroded by doubt

Initially Sora—— before he are that Ino couldn't read minds

Which was at the ti about those nonsensical

remarks about Izuna's panties

Sora [ithout any anxiety]

This i mind-read

But as if in response with Ino's thoughts, Sora—— yes, like a mind reader

replied:

”Don't you think it is incredible old man, from the start I didn't sound like I

was bluffing”

His own guilty conscience was hidden deceptively?

At that tie of

mockery:

”Yes, that fact that you can't read minds—— I already knew from the start

Why so?”

Okay, time for the last question—— Sora said

”[Question 5] Why did they lose the game 8 times?”

The answer to this question was already known to shi+ro, Steph and Jibril,

therefore——

”This question—— old ht”

”————!”

———— unless the late king he?

The late king was the only one whose memory wasn't eliminated, while

partaking in the Eastern Union's game, they had won territory from the

mainland

But, we agreed that the condition was that he does not inform anyone Why

——

——No, not right

The problem isn't there, it is——!

Still in the , Sora interrupted with a proud smile on his face:

”Yes, you should understand right Fro could tell us, it

proves that you couldn't see through the late king's intent—— you couldn't

read his mind”

The late king's intent was——

”——The late king that signed the contract of [not telling it to anyone in this

lifetime]—— doesn't include death”

If this was true——

It explained how this ame

If he leaked the matter out, the Eastern Union would——

”Well, you should understand the situation right, old man”

Sora pretentiously continued with a malicious smile on his face:

”What a headache Whatever you do requires you to remove my memory,

but if you bet on your continental territory with Steph's panties and played the

gaht”

Yes——then

Just when Ino was about to make a decision, at the same time——

”Or placing everything I said as a speculation——on it,

but [escaping]”

However, like a prey cornered by hunters, Sora broke Ino's thoughts and

grimly said:

——”You think I would let you escape?”——

”We bet on Hu——[The chess]”

When Sora said these words

A faint glow of light appeared in front of Sora's eyes—— a piece

Yes, that wasin this world where even the throne of God was determined

In order to challenge God—— the sixteen chess pieces must be collected,

whichallsixteen races——[Humanity's piece]

Hu]

——nobody present has seen it before

Even Jibril who lived for 6000 years, this was the first time she saw a [piece]

Of course

Because gaame with a [piece], was unheard of after the [Ten

Oaths]

——Not even once was it seen

For it was the bet to power

In the case of losing, itforever

And that is the same as——— demise

”——You, are you serious— guuu!?”

Steph understood the seriousness of the situation

She was about to yell: Are you serious, but was immediately pinned down by

Jibril, with a hand covering her mouth

——The way it has beco, all territory in the

continent

”So now if you escape, it's basically announcing to the world that I was

correct”

Saying with a smile, without any fear, Sora watched the self-proclaimed mind

reader—— Ino's eyes

”Okay, it's check agano, this would be [Checkmate]”

Sora boldly said

”——Did you read past this move? Old man”

Peering at the grinning Sora, Ino shed cold sweat

——How did this happen?

With the last re with a [piece], the inferior race that was

about to lose everything

Trying to achieve doame

so far

Coupled with logicalreasoning that forced him into a corner This situation

—— how did it happen

But——Ino

He tried to keep his facade—— no, he faked out a calm appearance to reply:

”I can only say that your ihness, are you sure you

are not being negligent of one thing?”

Even with inner anxiety, Ino's as still unshakable, and he sustained the

fight

”If your fantasy is true, doesn't itthe

circumstances still lost]?”

——Indeed, the Eastern Union e

However, if it hat Sora had speculated

The Eastern Union ht

And like the past, add another record to the win—— However

Sora, with a wry smile, replied:

”Old man, how did I communicate with you when I was at the library——if

you really could read the mind, you shouldn't have pretended to understand

everything, but frankly be surprised”

Staring into Ino's eyes, Sora revealed a splenetic smile and revealed his trump

card

”Because we—— are not humans from this world”

——In the [World of the past]

They were undefeated in over two hundred and eighty kinds of game, and

were even known as urban legends

In the countless rumors, there was this such recount—— that Ino didn't

understand

——Even with hack and cheats, overco them was impossible

””

On reflex, Ino wanted to conclude that he was lying

However, whatever Sora did, was not shown to have a lie

If what he said was a [lie], then this man, at any circumstances could fake a lie

perfectly

If what he said was the [truth], then it exposed the fact that he couldn't read

his mind

”!”

Either way—— Ino couldn't answer

Sora's sht, it's fine that way

”When I caht?”

But——

”Sorry to disappoint you, but this tiet eaten——

Therianthropes”

Listening to the heartbeat of this Hu, aside from the [truth], any

reaction wasn't felt, causing Ino to gasp

”Okay”

——Sora stood up, quickly followed by the others

”Just like that, but this requires the entire territory as a bet, I don't think it is

so you can decide on your own, so you can confirm with your country

and notify me the date of the bet”

Ah, also also——Sora added on

”I don't need to say, but for the ga the [piece], the whole of

Ihts to spectate, so you'll need to prepare the premises and

equiphts to refuse,

so I guess this is bye?”

After Sora said these co across

him

”Bye, Izuna, we should play games the next time okay——?”

”Although I don't know, des But——”

However, her faone

”Sora and shi+ro——caht, des?”

Hidden in her eyes were burdened with some responsibility as she looked at

the [enemy]

Charged with the responsibility of being a guardian ofso—— those

eyes that were in a state of readiness

”Fight? No such thing, only a game”

Hearing Sora said that, Izuna used sharp eyes to glare at him

”Then you are enemy, des”

Eyes filled with [Hostility], the petite girl grohile saying so

”I won't lose to you, des”

However, in contrast, Sora gazed at her with [kind] eyes

”Sorry, but Izuna will lose, there is no doubt about that 『 』 accept no

defeats”

”BaibaiIzuna-chan, see you later”

The siblings left and waved, while Jibril carried Steph as unrelentingly

resisting and chased after them

Looking at the figure of those four that left

They unhesitatingly operated the elevator buttons, and with that the door

gradually closed

Hatsuse Ino and Hatsuse Izuna could only watch them leave

Part 5

”Lo, lo, look what you've just doneee

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh~~~~~~”

Once they had returned to the city, Steph started shouting, causing Sora to

cover his ears

”Wh, hy didn't you inform us that that would happen!!!”

”You would've opposed if I told you?”

Sitting on the throne, Sora said so while playing a link battle on the DSP with

shi+ro Steph however protested

”Of, of course! You, do you knohat you've just done!?”

”Placed at stakes three million human lives, to seal the enemy's retreat”

Widening his eyes, it seemed to imply—— what's the problem then?

Steph was so surprised she was aled to

squeeze out some words

”Yo, yo, youuuuu, how are you going to be responsible if you loseee!?”

But—— Sora replied with:

”Responsible? Who is responsible?”

This time Steph was really speechless

”If you lose, humanity will end, why isn't there any responsibility?”

He however didn't see

”Compared to that, Steph—— don't you think it is fun?”

No—— a pleasant sed out

”A game where you bet on three million human lives, if you win, the territories

would increase, the Eastern Union and their kemonomimi will become ours

—— such a rare ga and fun?”

nods nods

Sora laughed innocently, while shi+ro as sitting on his lap nods her head

and smiled

Seeing their reactions, Steph felt her back shudder

———————— Mad

To describe these siblings, euphemistic words like [abnormal] and

[aberration] shouldn't be used

Indeed, the real , is that they are literally —— mad

”Wha, what are you guys treating human lives as”

Facing up against their sanity, Steph felt terror rather than contempt, she

wanted to run, but she stood her ground and started co:

”I despise youI thought you were doing those ridiculous actions for

hu that——!”

Steph scolded them, this scenario has happened for quite some time already

But this tienuine contempt

and disappointment

—— Sora still nonchalantly answered:

”Calame oh?”

——Just this sentence, all doubts to Steph turned into belief

Believing in this rave mistake

This

In actuality, they had never placed Humanity or the Eastern Union in their

eyes

They only think that this world itself is a game——!!!

(——Handing over grandfather's greatest achievement to these kind of

people was a mistake—)

Despair, disappointment, fear—— countless of emotions flooded Steph's

heart

However Jibril only held admiration for shi+ro and Sora

”As expected of my master and monarch——”

——For victory, even the lives of the civilians could be placed on the tables

Without any plans or strategies, but to assure a [win]

Steph feared the [Unknown]

However, for the same [Unknown], Jibril was full of envy, interest and

yearning

”You, what are you saying! This is completely irresponsible——”

”Then Dora-chan, let me ask you”

Rarely seeing Jibril display such seriousness in her eyes, Steph flinched

”You said hoere they going to be responsible if they lose But conversely,

if they win, everyone in the Therianthropes would lose their jobs, land,

property, denied of their rights, even die You want e of

that responsibility? Or is that the responsibility of the losers?”

”——Th, that”

She couldn't rebuke

However, even so—— Sora's action was too irresponsible

At least At least think ofseeking the consent of the people right?

Jibril continued speaking

”Even if war is prohibited, the world would still continue and people would

still die”

————The world that prohibits usage of force

Conversely, there is only that

”As long as indirect ways are used like plunder and do

was still possible”

This was the [Ten Oaths], and——

This was how the humans have been treated up to now

”Dora-chan doesn't want the bet to happen, and allow humanity to end?”

”No, noNot like that——! But!”

Doing that kind of thing isn't responsible at all

That kind of thing, is too strange—— Steph said so, but——

”The so-called authoritarian figures exist because of that”

Jibril herself was one of the authoritarian figures

Using cold and eorically said:

”Whether in reality or in ga]——

what responsibility is in there?”

——Facing those words that was spoken out by someone who experienced

the war, Steph was speechless

But, unexpectedly—— [Sora] let out an uncertain voice

”Hht?”

”——Eh?”

”What?”

”Ah?”

”Un?”

Those words didn't seeht

At the moment when everyone widened their eyes in surprise

Suddenly, as if having an understanding, Sora said out:

”Ahokay okay, I understand, so it's about that eh”

Always feeling that so, Sora finally found the reason

”I always find it weird that even though this world is decided by games, there

was still a sense of tension It appears that you all—— have the same ideals

as the people in our worldreally surprising”

”Ahh”

Similarly, shi+ro appeared to have noticed and nodded

”I see, no wonder nobody has appeared to solve the game of this [World]

—— no wonder God called us here”

Perhaps he had figured out the problem and solved it

Returning his gaze back to his gauously:

”Rest assured, illfollow our declaration and conquer this world, conquer

everything and leave nothing behind”

Then, Sora suddenly thought ofso

”Oh yah, and Steph”

”Ehwhat?”

”You asked me what happens if I lose, so I will tell you seriously”

The pleasant sone

With a serious expression, he stared into Steph's eyes and said:

”——We won't lose, didn't we say it was [Checkmate]?”

With assurance, Sora said

”The gaainst us”

——However, because his target was too over the top, Steph couldn't

believe him

”Correct, we still need one more puzzle, soon—— the puzzle will come

soon enough”

We'll play so until then

Finishi+ng with those words, Sora resuame

——Only the sister could understand him

Countless tips were left behind

And the tho couldn't obtain an answer from those tips

Jibril and Steph could only—— look at each other