Another Frontier Online

A few days have passed since Hayato was kidnapped.

Meanwhile, the Old Demon King's army, led by Lunaria in the battle at the event, was defeated in successive battles. The territory other than the "Magic City Under", which is the final base, has been taken.

This event ends when Lunaria is defeated by Amanda. Amanda became the new Demon King. From the player's point of view, it is only an event with a bounty that changes the demon king, but from the Hayato's point of view it is different.

Amanda had the power to destroy Diete by becoming a demon king. And if we destroy Diete, Hypnos will be the custodian of this virtual reality. Because Hypnos has to listen to Amanda's orders, Amanda will eventually have control over all of this virtual reality, and even the spaceship Aphrodite.

If that happens, it will also affect reality. Amanda's goal is to conquer the world and connect all humans to virtual reality. Dreams you couldn't get in real life by doing so - you can become a real human enhancement you can't beat.

If we can fully master the spaceship Aphrodite, it will take time to conquer the world. It was an event that Hayato could not be defeated in order not to let it happen, but the result was a series of battles.

Since Hayato was kidnapped and unable to log out, there is a possibility that everyone can't really fight. As expected, Hayato needed to escape somehow, but nothing could be done.

I've been doing a lot of research to see if I can get away from it for a while, but there's no gap at all. Amanda didn't take part in the event in the first place, she was always in the Demon King Castle, and there was always Hypnos near Hayato.

Only Nanagi seemed to want to expel the Hayato, but he had already given it up because there was only one territory left.

There was some information that Esha and the others were hiding near the Demon King Castle in an attempt to recapture Hayato, but there was no further information.

In the past few days, I thought it was much worse, but the situation remained the same, and the event began in the "Magic City Underground".

Hypnos came as he thought in his room about what was going on. Recently, I've been trying to get in without knocking.

"Good morning, Hayato. It's time for breakfast."

"... Good morning. Hypnos is no different than usual."

“So today could be the last day of the event. I don't care about that. The important thing is the breakfast menu.”

Hypnos holds his right elbow with his left hand, and his right hand makes a fist and hits his chin.

Hayato's thoughts have changed a lot.

Every day, they make three meals in the morning, noon, and evening, and three o'clock desserts, but basically, they leave it to Hayato to make a different dish each meal. Therefore, I intentionally made a dish that was unusual or more difficult.

As expected, there is no ingredient, so if you ask for it, Amanda will say, "Bring it." Hayato has been stung by Hayato. Still, it was Nanagi who obeyed the law, but thanks to this, Hayato was able to make skill-enhancing dishes, and his culinary skills rose to 200.

Unleashed by 200 culinary skills, the performance of "exquisite cuisine". Top-quality five-star cuisine is treated as "exquisite cuisine".

Originally, benefits such as improved status due to meals are only affected by the last dish eaten, but excellent food can benefit from up to the last two types of food eaten.

When Hayato tried it, he found that if he ate two of the same dishes, the effect time would remain the same, but the effect would double.

It was quite powerful, but I couldn't give it to the Lunaria at the Demon King's Castle.

Now, I had to think again about what happened, but at some point Hypnos stopped thinking and looked towards Hayato.

Ah, I'm sorry. Shall we go to Amanda's room?

That's it, but Amanda's not in her room.

Huh?

"Amanda and Lunaria were forced to participate in the battle between the Magic City Underground and the Demon King Castle." You won't come back until you win or lose. "

"I see... is that it?" But what happens if Amanda loses here? Lunaria-san's winning? "

Hypnos shakes his head to the side.

"No, there's nothing wrong with Amanda losing in the Magic City Underground." Amanda can't take the territory, and from Lunaria's side, her defenses will be successful. The event will continue. ”

Is that how it works?

"This time, Lunaria and the others will desperately resist." That said, Amanda's stats have improved due to the fact that she has captured almost all of the territory. It's not going to work on a rope. "

Hayato is going to have a headache if that's the problem.

"It's only bad news for Hayato, but there's good news?"

"Good news?"

"Because of the event, Amanda was forced to leave the Demon King Castle." It is highly likely that they will be set up in earnest around today. "

"That's..."

"Since the Nanagi have been there, we are alone with Hayato today. Do you want to go on a date at the Demon King's Castle?"

That's what Hypnos asks Hayato as he sneezes.

"... how about breakfast on the balcony?"

"It's quite romantic." But they told me not to open the door to it. Can I take you after the event? "

There are no romantic shards because Hayato is the only place to escape, but Hypnos laughs and says so.

However, looking at the situation, Hayato lowered his head with a serious face.

"Hypnos, please, can you get me out of here?"

"Huh? This is the first time I've ever been told to face me." Would you like that? "

"Of course, please."

"Do I have the benefit of making it happen?"

At least I don't think Amanda will control us anymore.

"I think Lunaria and the others can win just because Hayato is back." It's hard to know if Lunaria and the others think they can win if they're serious, or if they think they can win if they're serious, but are they overestimating themselves either way? "

"Isn't it Hypnos or Amanda who overestimates you?" You took me. "

"Sure is." That said, I don't think you overestimate it. That's the proof. "

When Hypnos said that, he suddenly moved his body to the right.

Hayato didn't know what he had done, but it would soon turn out.

Hypnos stood in front of the door, and it opened in front of him.

"Ha, Hayato-san...!"

Zenobia-san?

A member of the clan "Ambrosia" led by Lunaria, now Zenobia, who treated her as a demon, opened the door and entered the room.

I immediately recognized the presence of Hypnos.

But Hypnos had no intention of fighting just a little smile.

"Looks like you're here to help Hayato. You're trying to be male phobic, aren't you?"

And Zenobia went into the midst of Hypnos and Hayat, and stood to protect Hayat.

Did you come to help me?

"Hayato-san is a scarecrow, Hayato-san is a scarecrow...!"

Zenobia murmured as she spoke, ignoring Hayato's words. Hayato took the liberty of convincing himself that it might be a self-important thing to be unconscious of a man.

"It seems that the rescue team has finally moved." I was looking for this day when Amanda was gone. I see, that's why I've been losing all this time? "

Hayato somehow understood Hypnos' words.

It was difficult to rescue Hayato while Amanda was in the Demon King's Castle. So I waited for the day to leave the Demon King's Castle. If you continue to lose in the event, you will definitely be fighting in the "Magic City Under", and Amanda will leave the Demon King Castle.

On the other hand, there would have been a way to help the Demon King in his battle against the Castle, but that would have to be won in all the realms. I don't know if I can actually win it all, so I thought it would be quicker to lose everything to help Hayato in the shortest time possible.

That's it for today. I know you're here to help, but I don't know why Zenobia's here.

Why is Zenobia here?

As Hypnos said, Zenobia is male phobic. Since there was a fair exchange with Hayato, I could talk from a distance, but I had never talked so close.

To be honest, it's a mistake.

"I, there's a secret entrance here... but this was originally A, Ambrosia's base..."

Zenobia answered with a small mosquito-like voice.

Hayato was convinced by that. Because if Zenobia was a demon, it wouldn't be strange to know the secret entrance.

I just felt uncomfortable with what I just said. I can't explain it well, but something's wrong with Hayato's neck.

But I don't have time to think about it. I switched my mind and tried to get away sooner than that. And I turned my gaze to Hypnos.

"I'm sorry, but I'm gonna run."

"That's a shame." I enjoyed living with Hayato. "

"... you mean you're not going to stop me?"

"Amanda has no orders." You don't think you can get away with this, but all I've been told is not to open the door to the balcony. ”

Hypnos said, "Isn't it personal?"

"If you can escape, why don't you escape?" At least I won't stop. I'm not going to help you, though. "

Ok, tell Amanda hello then.

I think you'll be angry, so I'd like to hear from Hayato.

I'll send you a voice chat later.

"Do that for me."

Hypnos said so, urging the Hayatos to leave the room.

Hayato and Zenobia left the room, wary of Hypnos.

Hayato called out from behind Zenobia, who was looking around.

"Thank you, Zenobia."

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that." But don't go any closer than three meters. "

I mean, I'm worried about that, but it hurts.

I know it's male phobia, but I'm at a level where I really wonder why I got here. Of course, I'm grateful, but I think I should have asked someone else for the secret entrance.

Then Hayato moves behind Zenobia while keeping a longer distance.

I was just wondering why they were pointing upwards.

Zenobia-san, is there a secret entrance up there?

"Hey, only Ambrosian members can use the secret entrance." That's why Mr. Hayato can't get out of there. "

Hayato understood why he could only come to Zenobia, but he wondered where he was headed.

Then where are we going?

"Ba, the balcony. You can escape from there."

“Wait, I can't open a room with a balcony that's locked.”

According to what Hayato heard, only members of the New Demon King's army could open it. I've tried Hayato several times, but I've confirmed that I can't get into that room.

"It's okay, it's okay..."

Are you okay?

"Oh, please, just follow me." Ha, if Hayato-san can escape, he'll be ready to fight for real soon. "

Ah, yeah.

Hayato didn't fall into the hole, but he could only nod to Zenobia's unusually strong tone.

Zenobia and Hayato then moved to the door of the room where they could go out to the balcony.

Watching what Hayato would do, Zenobia opened the door without doing anything in particular.

"Huh...?"

Zenobia gestures to Hayato in amazement.

"Yes, quickly. Yes, quickly."

Rooms are quite spacious, but there is no particularly prominent furniture. However, the three chandeliers on the ceiling are quite splendid, with clever patterns on the walls that look gorgeous. I don't know about Hayato, but I think it might be a place like a dance hall.

And the south wall was bright with lots of windows. There are also a number of window-shaped doors that lead out to the balcony as well as the windows.

Zenobia did not hesitate to move to one of the doors, and opened it normally without any particular problem.

Hayato crosses the dance hall and goes out onto the balcony.

The balcony was quite spacious, half a circle about fifty meters in diameter, and it was a place where a hundred people could fit in.

Even though it's virtual reality, it feels good outside for a long time. Hayato took a deep breath without being particularly aware.

All you have to do is fly out from the balcony. I thought so, but even without pain, I began to think I didn't want to fly from this height. At least there is gravity. I feel it when I fall and it's pretty scary.

Zenobia-san, do you have a rope or something?

Hayat asked, but Zenobia answered not.

Zenobia-san?

"Why...?"

Zenobia turns her gaze away from Hayato.

Hayato was also caught and turned his gaze to you.

"It's good to be home soon."

There was Amanda in black armor, not her usual casual outfit.

"Amanda-san? I thought you were fighting during the event...?"

"I came back from a deliberate loss because I was concerned. After all, you're not going to win against me. You're going to fight like a battle of time."

Amanda says that with a smile.

Perhaps it was a plan to defend Hayato until he was rescued. But Amanda found out.

"It would have been nice to kick them off and become a demon king, but if you were to be robbed of the Hayato in the meantime, you might not be able to see them until you've conquered the world." It's a bit boring, so I lost quickly and came back. Maybe there's some fuss over there. Unfortunately, I couldn't see that. "

Having said that, Amanda stood to put her weight on the handrail, which was about the height of her waist.

Well, Zenobia, if there's anything I can tell you?

(Open the door...?)

The face that was laughing before changed, and now I looked at Zenobia as if I was staring at her.

Zenobia stands to protect Hayato, but her hips are slightly receding.

Amanda opened her mouth, wondering if she was tired of Zenobia saying nothing.

"You're saying nothing is not my misconception?"

"Misunderstood...?"

Amanda laughed as Hayato murmured.

Zenobia is the spy I sent to Lunaria.

"... eh?"

"I had a lot of information sent over there." Zenobia also told me that there was a team around the Demon King's Castle that would take Hayato back. That's why we had people assigned to you, but you didn't just say that you would come and help yourself, did you? Was this really the plan? "

Zenobia sighed after saying that.

"You said it, didn't you?" I can't live in reality. But I don't want to break up with my friends. That is why I agreed to my plan. I said I wanted to stay in this world with Lunaria and the others, so I left my consciousness behind. Or was it a lie to one day take the side of the Lunaria? "

"I'm not lying. I really want to live here forever. But I think it is wrong to ignore the person's wishes and put it here. I looked at the reality and the people who were coming and going, and I thought,

Hayato finally noticed it.

Zenobia's memory is returning. I was cooperating with Amanda.

Zenobia said that the discomfort was "Ambrosia" in the name of the clan. This is the name of the clan that was used before the memory was lost, which is not called now, unless the memory is restored. And the door leading to the balcony was opened because Zenobia was a member of the New Demon King's Army.

Zenobia continues.

"Some people live happily remembering reality. And Hayato also runs a coffee shop in real life. It's not good to be trapped in virtual reality when there's something you want to do in real life - I thought it over.”

"Is that all you have to say?"

Amanda looks at Zenobia boringly.

"Why can't humans do the first thing they decide to do until the end?" You abandoned me and my people, but I was beaten to do my job. "

Amanda said that and looked at Zenobia. There is nothing particularly angry about it. It's more of an indifferent eye than an indifferent eye.

"I thought it was a pawn that could be used a little, but it wasn't." Oh, I'm not mad at you. I didn't expect it in the first place. But you don't need your free will for an unusable pawn, do you? I'll make you the same as everyone else. "

Same as everyone else. That means you'll lose consciousness and use only your avatar, just like any other Ambrosian.

"Wait. Amanda, can you forgive Zenobia because I will stay?"

When Hayato said that, both Amanda and Zenobia looked at Hayato with surprise.

But Amanda soon smiled.

"Hayato is interesting." How dare you offer to help Zenobia, who was a spy. I don't think so, but you're not in love, are you? "

Zenobia looks even more surprised.

"Huh? No, that's not it--"

"Even so, we can't negotiate." It doesn't make sense to talk about the premise of being able to escape from here. "

And Amanda said to obstruct the word of Hayat, and cast something against Hayat.

It's just a stone. But even if it's just a stone, it's fatal to Hayato. Hit it, and Hayato slowly kneeled with his HP at 0.

"I can't move a character in a corpse state." It's common sense here, isn't it? "

Hayato remembers it when he hears it.

If your HP reaches 0 and you fall, you can only use revive magic on the spot or return to the base you registered with. There is a magic that attracts corpses with sacred magic, but no one can use it right now.

In other words, I couldn't escape from the Demon King Castle.

Hayato-san, I'm sorry!

Zenobia shouted and stomped on the balcony floor with her right foot.

Ground Shaker is one of the melee skills. Weapon skill is to make the opponent float a little and collapse by swinging the ground vertically. Zenobia used it for Hayato.

Hayato, who had not completely collapsed, floats slightly in the air with the impact.

(Eh? Hey-)

And Zenobia released the "rising upper" with her right fist in a flowing motion. This is one of my melee weapons skills, and it's a skill that unleashes a jumping upper and raises my opponent high in the air.

Hayat, who had received it, flew high in the sky.

(Wait, wait! I'm scared! Isn't this the start of the Aerial Combo?! Why would you do that!?)

In the melee game, there is the word "aerial combo". Simply put, the technique is to float the opponent into a situation where they cannot be blocked, that is, into the air and hit them in a row.

It's a melee game, but Hayato thought Zenobia might be trying to do it.

I don't feel any pain, but my vision and gravity remain the same, and my HP is 0, so I don't feel free. In such a state, Hayato was flown quite a bit overhead.

Hayato's gaze, which was blown overhead, turned to the balcony.

Amanda was slashing at Zenobia.

But Zenobia was attacked with a white blade. And immediately counterattack with a backhand blow.

Amanda immediately returned the attacking sword, Durandal, and received it. However, because of its knockback ability, Amanda was able to blow away without any damage.

At that moment, Zenobia saw Hayato in the sky.

And shrinkage. He used his melee skill move, which moves instantly in front of the target, moving in front of the Hayato in the air.

This time, I unleashed the Rolling Sobat's Wind God Kick in the air. It's a range attack move, but it also has knockback capabilities, so I moved the Hayato a little outside the balcony.

(After all, it's an aerial combo! So, you're going to let me out with this!)

Hayato understood Zenobia's intentions, but there was still some distance outside the balcony. It's a large balcony, so the knockbacks don't travel far enough.

Zenobia used the shrinkage to move to the side of the blown Hayato. And now we use the backhand blow to blow Hayato out further.

(I see, Zenobia-san...)

Zenobia received a special power from God-Dete. It can reduce Cool Time to 0 by hitting melee skills with Weapon Abilities in a row. There are many limitations, but we can continue to attack almost indefinitely.

Now Zenobia is using it to get Hayato out of the balcony.

Of course, it wasn't Amanda who watched it silently.

"Let's do it."

Suddenly Amanda appeared in front of Zenobia. Amanda used shrinkage too.

And the air battle between Zenobia and Amanda began. Nevertheless, the battle here is not settled by battle. A battle to see if we can get Hayato out of the balcony.

Either they're interfering with each other, or they're pushing Hayato back by attacking him, or pushing him out.

Zenobia has the advantage of being able to produce Weapon Skills in a row. Amanda didn't have it, but she used her Weapon Ability efficiently.

I don't have much time in the air. If you fall outside the balcony, you lose. And it wasn't enough until the outside.

As the altitude gradually decreased, Zenobia became impatient and missed the attack.

If Zenobia's Attack Streak is removed, Cooldown is doubled as a disadvantage. Now Zenobia has been unable to use her Weapon Skill for a while.

Amanda laughed as she understood it.

"This is my--"

Amanda blew up as she tried to say she was winning.

An airship appeared in Hayato's eyes, which did not know what had happened.

The attack that blasted Amanda was a Critical Shot of Esha. Hayato was blown above the Demon King Castle, so he shot it from the airship that was on the north side.

"Ha, Hayato-san, yes, let me have coffee in real life one day. But I'll do my best."

Zenobia covered her mouth with a collar and said it looked like it was smelly.

Shortly thereafter, Hayato is hit by a critical shot. Two or three times, Hayato was thrown out to the south side of the balcony.

And only Zenobia fell straight onto the balcony.

For a moment, Amanda, who didn't know what had happened, was lying on her back.

I was wondering why I was in this situation, and I saw some kind of ranged attack on Hayato. And I understood everything.

As soon as Amanda fell on the balcony, Hayato rushed towards her. The damage taken and the damage caused by the fall reduced my HP by less than half, but I didn't mind and rushed over immediately.

I stepped out of the balcony railings and looked down, but there was no Hayato.

When she saw it, Amanda shook her body and then slammed her fist against the handrail.

Zenobia falls to the balcony late.

Zenobia's HP was severely reduced by falling damage and she was dying.

"You did it...!"

Amanda turns her gaze to Xenobia, who is fallen in large letters.

Oh, Hayato escaped.

That's where Hypnos came in.

Even now, Amanda turned her gaze toward Hypnos, who had arrived.

"Hypnos! What were you doing?"

"I don't care what you said you were doing." Should I say that I didn't do anything in particular? "

"With you, you wouldn't beat Zenobia!?" Why is it so easy to take Hayato away from me! "

"I haven't received such an order." My orders were not to open the door leading to the balcony. "

Upon hearing that, Amanda turned her sword towards Hypnos.

"You know what you're doing, don't you?" Even though I understand the intention, I interpret the order in a strange way...! "

"I'm sorry, there's still a lot to talk about when you're talking about AI."

Amanda moves in front of Hypnos in an instant, attacking from the top with her sword.

Hypnos took it in with one hand as if it were nothing.

"It's dangerous, isn't it?"

"What is your purpose?" What do you want to do? "

"I'm just an AI that you have to obey." There's nothing I want to do - what would you do with Zenobia lying there, more than that? Looks like you've been betrayed? "

When she heard that, Amanda bit her back teeth, but she pulled out her sword and put it in the sheath on her waist.

And Amanda sighed a great sigh.

Hypnos and the fallen Zenobia sighed incredibly long and deeply.

"That's enough. Put me in the dungeon."

Huh? I thought I was losing consciousness and using an avatar?

"I won't do that. It's troublesome."

"Is it because you don't want Hayato to hate you?" If I said I didn't need free will, Hayato would protect Zenobia. "

"... you were watching from the beginning?" How do you feel about the observer? "

"I don't care what you think." Rather than that, is it all right to give me the order I just gave you? You just need to put Zenobia in a dungeon, right? "

"If I tell you to bring me Hayato, will you do it again?"

"It's going to be hard to bring." Perhaps in the future, Diete would accompany Hayato as an escort. As expected, we can't beat Diete. "

"Oh yes. Then we can just keep Zenobia in the dungeon - I'm tired." I'm going to bed today. Don't let anyone near the room. "

Well, good night then.

Amanda glared at Hypnos for saying that.

"The greeting is over... nonsense"

Amanda said that and walked out of the balcony.

Hypnos, who was watching it, put his arms together and gave a faint smile.

"If it changes, it will change." Didn't Zenobia escape from where you would have taken Zenobia's consciousness without telling her about it? "

Hypnos asks Zenobia as she falls. It doesn't mean you can't move even if you're damaged. You can get up and run. But Zenobia didn't do anything like that, and she just collapsed.

"I thought I'd stay by Amanda's side... only Hayato would betray me." Otherwise, I'm not going to help either one. "

"I don't think it's a meaningful act, but I guess that complex emotion or theory is human... then this way." Follow me. "

And there was no one on the balcony.