Another Frontier Online

Hayato and the others are talking in a mansion in the eastern country of Azma.

The shooting stars that attacked the Mansion and the clans under them were all destroyed.

Most of them died and returned to their nodes, but some of them remained fallen. So when I revived with the rope tied down, I lowered my head and apologized.

Even though I apologize, some members are not so reflective. Some people were happy to fight the Demon King.

For most people, this is just a virtual reality game. It can't be helped, but even so, it has nothing to do with the NPCs who live here.

Benitzur had ordered the Samurai crowd to imprison the players. I was going to ask you to reflect for a while in prison.

The escaped member was treated as a wanted person. Benituru instructs the Samurai crowd with a rough snort that he will give a bounty to those captured by contacting the kingdom and the Empire. Specifically, everyone who belongs to the clan that is under the shooting star's umbrella is targeted.

Both apologized for reviving Harrington, the leader of a similarly fallen shooting star, and Clemola, the maid, in captivity.

This time, the responsibility lies entirely with us, and the members who fought with us were only inspired by us. He has said many times that he wants us to be the only ones to be guilty, but Benitul won't admit the good story of such a bug.

There was a lot of movement like this, but for Hayato, it was the second most important thing.

Siegfried remains caged.

Simon defended us, but Ronios returned to the base with the keys. If you have 100 unlocking abilities, you can open them, but there are no skilled players or NPCs nearby.

Relics and Sonia are possible, but even if you log in now, you won't be able to open the cage here because the starting point will be the royal capital.

When Simon found out, his face turned blue and he said, "I'm going to cut my stomach!" I'm making a fuss. It was stopped by Benituru and the maids.

"Don't worry about it!" The Cage of Disharmony can even be opened by the Tamer Guild! But Zeke seems very tired...? "

Maris said it brightly, but Siegfried had a lot to worry about. The Siegfried is somehow lying flat in a cage.

In the same way, Diete, who was approaching the cage of discord and checking various things, muttered, "Such an idiot."

Ditte was staring at the cage like he was staring at her. Everyone stares at the cage without even noticing it. He had an elbow on his left arm with his right hand, and his left hand seemed to be thinking about something by hitting his mouth, but his eyes were wide open as he looked at something unbelievable.

It hasn't moved at all since just now. Hayato cried out that this did not reveal the truth.

What's wrong, Ditte?

She didn't even notice Hayato's voice, and Diete answered nothing. I was just staring at the cage all the time.

Ditte-chan!

When Hayato put his hand on his shoulder and shouted out loud, he stared at Hayato in amazement.

"Ah, oh, I'm sorry... Hayato-kun, I need to talk to you." Come here for a second. "

Diete quickly headed to the corner of the room, and Hayato followed suit.

Everyone seemed strange, but each had something to do, so I took my eyes off the Hayatoes and started working on it.

When Hayato confirmed it, he turned his body toward Diete.

What's wrong?

"It turned out to be a bad thing. That cage isn't just a 'cage of discord'. It's worse."

What do you mean?

"The real Siegfried is debilitating." There's a gradual infusion of drugs that dramatically increase energy consumption. I'll be in a coma in less than half a day. "

"Wait, wait a minute." Why would you do that? "

Diete shakes her head to the side with a miserable look on her face.

"I don't know. This is not a new item created by Amanda, but a rewriting of the settings." Besides, I won't accept any changes to my settings. Zeke has no choice but to get you out of here early. [M] Why is this really happening..... "

It wasn't Simon earlier, but Hayato quickly made up her mind when she saw that Daté was fading in a similar way.

"Okay, then I'll help you right away." As Maris said earlier, Tamar Guilds can open the cage of discord, right? I immediately went to the western country-- "

"That's no good either." The settings have been rewritten and I can't open them without the right key for that cage..... "

Hayato looked at the cage, wondering why it was like that again.

If you can change the settings, only one person has the idea. It was Hypnos, a backup for Daté.

Hypnos was captured by the infinity of the program that is building this world in an attempt to destroy it. Data said the security function worked, but it could have broken through.

However, even so, the question arose as to what it was for.

Hypnos was working to take this world away from Diete as a keeper. I don't really think this will lead to that. Hayato wonders what the hell he's doing.

"Hayato-kun, I want you to believe me." Sounds like a lie, but I can't lie-- "

Diete is looking at Hayato pale.

I didn't know what I was talking about for a moment, but I understood immediately. Dieter thought silently that Hayato had doubts about his words.

"There's no way Diete would lie like that." If I had a key, I could help Zeke, right? "

That's for sure.

"Alright, let's get the keys right away." I need your help too, Ditte. "

"... of course. Thank you, Mr. Hayato, for trusting me."

After Hayato told me not to worry, he immediately got serious and approached Harrington and Clemola. There was also Nay by her side, talking with a complicated face, but she was forced into it.

Is Ronios at a base in the Demon Kingdom?

All three looked surprised, but Harrington nodded.

"Yes, there was a voice chat earlier." If you want the keys, you can come to the base and fight yourself. "

"You're apologizing to the leader, but Ronios wants you to pick up the keys?" It seemed like I had a lot of loyalty to you.

That 's--

"Hayato, it's not. The real leader is Ronios. Harrington is my assistant."

Ney interrupted me this time.

"Is that so... maybe you know Nae, who I told you about before?"

"That's right. I saw Ronios collapsed with these two for just a second." So, you know that I know you... right? "

It seemed a little difficult to say, but I knew the circumstances. If you're an acquaintance of Nay, you're a member of the foundation. But that doesn't matter to Hayato now.

"Alright, let's go to the base as soon as possible." I'll ask both of you to show me the way, but don't buy me time or anything. "

The three looked surprised at Hayato's words.

"Um, Hayato, did you understand? I meant to be in the same position as me...?"

"I know, but that's not the point." I'll apologize later or whatever, so hurry up now. Also, I'll fight him with that Ronios, so can you tell him to give me the keys right away? "

And Hayato calls out to everyone.

"I'll be returning to the West soon." I'm going to the base of a shooting star in the Demon Kingdom, so get ready. "

Everyone frowned at the words.

Um, Hayato-san, this cage can be opened by the Tamer Guild.

When Maris said so, Hayato shook his head to the side.

"I asked Ditte to look into it, but it's a very special cage and I can't open it without a proper key." If you stay like this, Zeke will be in danger, so let's go get the keys. "

"Huh...?"

"I'll tell you all sorts of things in the airship, so get ready to go now."

Some members looked half-hearted, but as soon as they saw Hayato's serious face, they started to prepare.

Hayato approaches Sieg in a cage.

"Zeke, I'm gonna help you. Do your best."

When Hayato said that, Siegfried lifted his head and responded forcelessly while lying down.

I'll do my best. He said to keep the dinner as if it was a deluxe for the cat.

Hayato nods to Maris' words, looks towards Siegfried, and smiles.

"Okay, I'll make as many as I can with five stars." And tuna, or samaritan. "

Again, Siegfried bowed his neck patteringly after saying "Nya". You seem to be conscious, but it must be hard to keep your neck up.

“What did Zeke say?”

"I've been following you for the rest of my life... a little Zeke!?" My husband is me, right?! "

I don't know if it was Siegfried's concern or if he didn't understand the situation. However, it feels like Maris, who was dying, has returned to his usual Maris for a little while.

I wonder what kind of master a pet cares about, but Hayato, who seemed to have an ideal relationship, immediately set up the airship to get the keys.

The airship is heading west at full speed.

It takes two hours to reach the West. It took an hour to get to the Demon Kingdom from there, but I decided that was the fastest.

Benitul and Simon were to remain in the eastern kingdom. Since the eastern country is quite confused by the events of the Sake Drinking Boy Crusade and this time, it is said that you cannot leave the eastern country until it is settled.

I bowed my head many times to the fact that neither of us could go, but no one cared about that, and Lunaria said, "I'll be all right because I'm serious."

The airship was launched shortly thereafter. It was my first time back to the West on an airship, but there was no particular problem with Daté's navigation.

I plan to drop by the base once and take the materials from the warehouse and load them onto the airship. According to Rosé, the material itself was still in the warehouse, and it was only part of it that I took to the eastern country this time.

The base of the shooting star in the Demon Kingdom is built like a dungeon, and the monsters are also unattended. I don't feel comfortable getting in there. I didn't know what was in it, so I planned to take what I had in the warehouse as much as I could.

Hayato explained the situation of Siegfried while producing medicine and food. Of course, I haven't spoken to members who don't know reality, Clemola or Harrington, Jolt or Viktor.

Members who knew reality were surprised to hear that Siegfried was a real cat and that this debilitation was affecting reality, but no member doubted it. And even in a hurry, he's motivated.

It was a subtle assessment of Ronios. Besides not knowing that Siegfried is a real cat, I think I'm doing this without knowing this, but the members who know the situation are all aware of the fact that I'm "doing extra things".

Ronios' motives were told by Clemola and Harrington.

Ronios always said he was quite obsessed with Hayato and wanted to fight. I have not been informed of the reason for this, but it seems that Hayato said many times with joy, "He is a fool, but he is excellent."

Although it was troubling for Hayato to get such an evaluation from an unknown opponent, Jolt also talked about it. I couldn't say because I had an appointment with Ronios, but Cremola and Harrington said it, so I decided to follow it.

To summarize the story briefly, the talented Hayato and his allies wanted to get angry and engage in a serious battle.

From Hayato's point of view, I can only think that the people of the foundation are different from the structure of the head. I somehow understood the desire to test my strength, but I had no idea what to think and how to reach that conclusion.

If you want to beat it, you should beat it before you recognize that the opponent is playing against you. Hayato thinks it's not a sport to fight each other with all our might, and it doesn't mean anything.

Hayato has seen it in videos in the past, but the wild animals don't bother to show up when they catch their prey and declare that they will attack now. We get close enough not to be noticed and attack before they do.

Ronios is inferior to the animals that lived in the wild. That's what Hayato said. And even if I fought, I think it would be most humiliating to win by doing it appropriately, rather than seriously.

Just leave it for now.

Having cared more than that, Hayato decided to talk to Jolt alone.

Could it be someone from the foundation?

"Yeah, that's right. It's an old story. I'm a normal person now."

Normal.

"Don't worry." I don't have the power to do anything in real life. I don't like that kind of thing and it came out. Well, we'll see about that later. "

That's right, Hayato stopped the conversation and resumed making medicine and cooking again.

Hayato and his airship arrived in the capital.

There was no place to land close to the base, so I left the airship floating and landed at the base with Lancelot, Garland, and Black Rose Bloody Crow, loading the materials from the warehouse onto the airship.

And Hayato put items that were different from the materials in his item bag. An item to fight for when you have to.

After the loading was finished, I set off for the Demon Kingdom.

Hayato makes food and chemicals from ingredients and distributes them to everyone. Hayato wasn't as bad as Maris, but he was in a bit of a hurry. I try to work as monotonously as possible to calm my mind.

Thirty minutes later, Surya's voice echoed on the deck halfway to the base.

"Maris, calm down. If you're anxious, Zeke won't feel safe."

It was Maris who took it back, but after a while, he was in quite a hurry to see Zeke, who was even weaker. Surya was pestering her.

"But, Zeke is getting weaker and weaker..."

"Pets have to be strong to live, but Zeke's strong, so it's okay. But no matter how strong your pet is, it doesn't make sense if your husband is dying. With a determined attitude, your pet can rely on your help. That's why you need to calm down."

"Well, that's true... but if Zeke dies..."

Maris!

Surya blocks Maris' words.

"Okay? You're Zeke's master." What would you do if you didn't believe me? "

Marys clenched her mouth and looked worriedly at Zeke in the cage. Without getting up, Sieg pointed only at his face and said, "Nah..."

"Huh...?"

What's the matter?

"Ah, yeah. I'm thinking too much... heh?" I feel like I've been told something similar in the past...? "

"Sieg is smarter." Yes, you just have to think about taking the key. Besides, Maris has a trusted companion, doesn't he? "

Maris looked around in a hurry. Then he nodded back in tears as he saw everyone nodding.

"Well, I don't have to worry about it because everyone is amazing anyway." It's okay, Zeke. Don't worry, everyone will take care of it. "

Yaaaa

Sieg sounds stronger than before. Shortly after that, Maris laughed.

"All I'm worried about is dinner today." I'll leave that to Hayato-san, so you don't have to worry about it! "

"I told you in the East, I'll make anything for you."

When Hayato said so, Zeke responded by waving his tail while lying down.

Hayato was wondering who might have done this, but he stopped. For now, I'm only thinking about helping Zeke.

Thirty minutes after that, I finally saw where the shooting star was based.

A lonely abandoned castle surrounded by woods. The weather is always bad in the demon kingdom, but its darkness gives it a creepy feeling.

But now, the members here are not frightened by that.

It was in the woods, but there was an open place nearby, so I landed there. Everyone gets off and stands at the entrance to the abandoned castle. It looked like a much larger castle than I'd seen it on an airship, and it seemed like it would take some time to explore.

"Let's split up and find Ronios." As soon as I find it, I'd like to call it a fight, but after I promise to give you the keys-- "

"But that's it..."

Harrington interrupts Hayato's words.

Ronios sent a voice chat saying that he had put the key in the treasure chest he was guarding. You can only get the key by defeating yourself. They also said they were waiting in a special field where they could only fight one-on-one.

When she heard that, Diete frowned, but as for Hayato, she thought it would be easy.

"Then I want you to knock down Ronios and get the key as soon as you find him." Then we'll be right back here. Maris and Surya want you to stay here with Zeke. Also, do you mind if Ditte-chan? "

It turns out that Maris would rather wait here than walk around the castle with a cage. Besides, it's easier to deal with when something happens to Daté.

No one objected to it.

The team was divided into five parts.

Lunaria, Zenobia, Black Rose, the Dark Ten Knights led by Gil, the Ash Genesis Dragon, the Black Dragon of Ney, and the former heroic team of Hayato and Esha. Jolt and Viktor accompanied Hayato and Clemola and Harrington roped the trees away from the entrance.

Everyone stepped into the castle when it was ready.

The abandoned castle on which it is based is quite spacious. Hayato had been to the Demon King's Castle to meet Diete before, but I thought it would be comparable.

Lunaria and Hayato headed for the most likely top floor, and Hayato and Hayato headed for the next possible basement. The rest of the crew explored the castle.

The Hayato are scarcely talking while exploring underground. Currently, only Hayato and Esha know all the circumstances, not Cecil, Noat, Jolt or Viktor. However, the atmosphere of Hayato and Esha made it difficult for me to take a light mouthful.

Hayato thinks he's exploring while defeating monsters.

The best thing was for the Lunaria to find Ronios. I didn't think Lunaria would lose in a one-on-one battle, and it was bound to end in a flash. The other members were strong, but I couldn't kill them instantly.

If Destroy could shoot, it would be settled quickly, but I remembered that it was caught in a special field where Ronios was, and I thought it was subtle if I could shoot him.

While I was thinking a lot, I found a big double door in the basement.

It's just a wooden door with a keyhole made of iron, but it exudes an unusual atmosphere. Hayato opened the door without any hesitation.

There is a staircase that leads to the basement, which seems to have some kind of light source and is quite bright.

Hayato does not hesitate to go down the stairs.

I didn't think Ronios was going to set a trap in this place anymore than he wanted to. To be honest, I think it's sweet, but I also think it's sweet being a foundation.

Down the stairs, it was a huge space.

It's a circular hall with steps around a round stage in a coliseum-like setting.

A ditch about ten meters wide to the auditorium is dug around the stage, and there is water about five meters below.

There are only two narrow suspension bridges on the stage, one from the audience seat and the other from a place like a VIP seat. It is considerably higher than the audience seat, making it necessary to cross the bridge.

There were several sumptuous chairs at the VIP table, one of which was seated by Ronios. There was also a treasure chest right next to it.

Ronios had his hair tied behind him like an all-back. She put her legs together, put her right elbow on the handrail, and put her fist on her right cheek. She seemed to be thinking, but she smiled when she saw Hayato and the others.

Apparently, Hayato is the first one.

The voice of Ronios echoed in a quiet place. Fifty meters away from the distance, but I could hear and see well in Hayato's ears because it was virtual reality.

Give me the keys.

That's all Hayato says.

But Ronios smiled and shook his head.

"You're listening to the rules, aren't you? If you want the key, you'll have to take me down."

"Okay, let's fight." Are you going to fight on that stage? "

"You're right. There are only two people on the stage. And if I defeated them or dropped them off the stage, I would win. Only the winner can cross the bridge. The key is in this chest, so you have to defeat me and cross over. It's quite a nice place, isn't it?"

"I understand the situation. Then let's fight."

"You don't have to panic, do you?" I want to talk to Hayato slowly. "

"I'm not talking to you."

Ronios, who had a thin smile, looked unhappy, but he could not help but stood up and crossed the bridge.

As soon as she put the gun up, Ronios opened his right hand and turned to her.

"You shouldn't do that. This area is protected from external attacks and support. If you do something extra, the attack will bounce back."

"Esha, stop it. And if this is the case, it's my turn, right?"

Cecil said that and gently held the barrel of Esha's gun with his left hand from the top. “Then I'll leave it to you,” Esha said, unwrapping Belseve's stance.

Cecil wiggles his hands as he bends his neck to the right and left.

"Well, I thought I was coming to Revenge right away, so I was a little under-digested." Let's do it more seriously this time, shall we? "

"Yes, I would love to." It doesn't make sense if it doesn't. "

Ronios responded to Cecil with a spare expression. And I pulled out the rapier.

But Hayato stopped Cecil before he could cross the suspension bridge.

"I'll do it here." Cecil doesn't have to be serious. "

Everyone loses their words except Hayato. Meanwhile, Hayato quickly crossed the bridge and stepped onto the stage.

Ronios was surprised at first, but now he looked dazed.

"I thought I was going to fight Hayato, but I don't want to fight." And you know you can't fight each other, right? I thought I could really fight a serious opponent, but I feel like I've been given water..... "

It's cute compared to what you've done, isn't it?

Hayato said so, looking around the stage. It is circular with a diameter of about twenty meters. Ten meters outside if you want to be in the center. Hayato shifted his standing place for a moment. Normally, you can't win, but if you lose outside the field, you have a chance to win.

After checking the stage, Hayato looked at Ronios' gear to avoid being noticed. Check the equipment of the rings and bracelets, taking special care not to let them fall out of sight. I was relieved to know that it was the same equipment as I saw in the cafeteria.

Hayato looks provocative. I didn't have enough acting skills, but Ash and the others practiced in the coffee shop occasionally, so I imitated it. It's a disgusting look, but it's a necessary act to piss off the opponent.

"You know how it feels to be harassed, don't you? Anyway, I'm going to lose, so I need you to give me the keys right away."

Ronios is too provocative.

"Maybe you want to make me angry and do something about it?"

Hayato answers nothing. I just pretended to be a little surprised.

And I think the smart guy reads the back of his actions right away. And when you notice the back, you think that the opponent is inferior to you, and you destroy yourself on your own.

"It would be a shame if that were the case." You can't be so angry. I can't help it, so I'll force you to eliminate it. I can't do any damage, but I can drop it off the field. I think I know, but I can't reverse it because of Str. When I got here, Hayato lost. "

Ronios approaches Hayato. Just a step away, I noticed the knife that Hayato had.

Hayato's knife is "Adamantite Knife Extreme". It is not a weapon that is used to make food.

"Is that what you were going to fight for?" It's just an item that displays the production menu and doesn't even damage it, does it? Well, originally, in the fight between players, no matter what the weapon-- "

Ronios said so and stopped.

Hayato has been playing this game for much longer than Ronios. There's no way I don't know such basics.

Dangerous. I suppose Ronios tried to jump back, but it was too late.

Hayato stepped towards Ronios and drew his left hand, which had no knife, closer to Ronios' face. Immediately after that, his left hand emits a rainbow-colored light.

While holding the knife in my right hand, I picked coffee from the menu with my index finger. Hayato knows what's on the menu without having to look at it. I just chose no time as usual.

Light that occurs when an item is made. It happened in Hayato's left hand. And the coffee was sure to become a star five, and the rainbow light shone.

Ronios saw the light in front of him and turned his face away from the glare. Then, he held his face with his left hand and retracted to hold down Hayato with his rapier. But even if I hit it, it won't hold back because it won't damage the Hayato.

While adjusting his standing position, Hayato approached Ronios even closer. Because it has moved, the coffee making is canceled and the light is absorbed. Equipped with the ring I immediately brought, I traded an item to Ronios.

Trade is a system that passes items to the opponent. For the first time, items can be transferred with the mutual consent of the passenger and the recipient. However, Ronios has closed his eyes from the glare and is unaware that he has been offered a trade.

"I didn't mean to blindfold you." But I can't win by just doing that... hnn? "

After finally recovering from the smudge, Ronios discovered that Hayato had offered him a trade. But I don't know what that means.

"Chocolate bombs...?"

It is a party play item that does not cause any damage, but if it is not received, it will explode after five seconds, causing knockbacks to blow off each other.

You would have received it as soon as you knew it, but if you're new to the game, you wouldn't know it. Hayato was betting on it.

"It's my feeling. - Explode."

Five seconds have passed since I applied for the trade. At that moment, the chocolate bombs explode.

Hayato remained, but Ronios was blown away by the blast.

I-

Ronios, who shouted with surprise, had already been blown out of the stage and had no choice but to fall.

And the sound of it falling into the water was heard in Hayato's ears.

Without checking the Ronios that had fallen, Hayato returned the ring with the ability to knock back to the item bag and headed towards the treasure chest.