Chapter 262: Two Cards

We have received two new reviews since the last chapter. Thank you very much.

And then, I realized that I had already received over 100 reviews for 「Failure Frame」....... Naturally, no two reviews are exactly the same, and thus, I was happy to see that each reader found their own slightly different way to enjoy 「Failure Frame」. Once again, thank you very much. I don’t know if I can meet your expectations, but I will continue to do my best in writing.

Incidentally, I’m planning to make some corrections to the cavalry numbers in the past. If you don’t want to read it again, it won’t be much of a problem if you continue to read the main story...... I’ve been tweaking the setting of Alion’s Thirteen Cavalries while writing though, so you might see some inconsistencies with the past descriptions......

Also, I’ll just post this now rather than making an afterword. The next update would be scheduled on September 22 (Wednesday) at around 9:00 pm.

As per Hijiri’s suggestion, me and the others decided to make our moves.

Suou Team.

Nihei Team.

Murota Team.

The one in charge of directing these three teams is Suou Kayako.

Meanwhile, Takao Itsuki could move as she pleased.

Her role is to defeat the monsters that the other heroes seem to have a hard time dealing with.

With the teams decided, Hijiri promptly gave everyone their instructions.

[If you find an enemy that looks like the Great Demon Emperor, run away immediately———– Also, take this.]

[What’s this?]

[It’s a magic tool known as Sound Ball. I’ve actually been collecting them little by little for a while now. It’s a very valuable magic tool...... I’ve only gotten them from nobles and from the back alley market in the royal capital. Well, most of them...... were something I obtained from my small connections.]

Hijiri apparently learned about the existence of Sound Balls from a book in the hidden archives.

It seems that if you imbued a certain amount of magic power into it, it emits a sound.

In this world, we’re unable to use smartphones to communicate with others.

But with this, we can instantly send a signal to someone far away.

Even so, there’s something I’m curious.

(That small connections...... I wonder what that is?)

Hijiri continued her explanations.

[These Sound Balls produce different kinds of sounds based on their color......so if we decide in advance what kind of signal each color sounds like, we can determine the situation to some extent. For example, if you’re going to give out a “I’m in a pinch, need help” signal, the direction and the volume of the sound reaching our ears will give us an idea of where you might be.]

[Hmmm? So, if we decide on the color for “Great Demon Emperor found”...... We can send the signal to Elder Sister and the others from a distance huh.]

[It’s easier to distinguish the sound of the Sound Balls compared to hunting horns, and it takes too much time to identify the number of flares you sent. We can also raise flags, but it may not be visible due to the angle or height difference. Unless there is a rainstorm with incessant thunderstorms, these Sound Balls should be much easier to use.]

We decided on a few signals based on the difference in sound between the Sound Balls’ colors.

[Well then, I hope luck favors everyone.]

[Ummm, Hijiri-san and Ayaka-chan too———- B- Be careful!]

[Thank you, Minamino-san.]

When Hijiri responded, Moe looked flabbergasted.

[Hijiri-san...... s- smiled?]

Before each group scattered, I also called out to everyone.

[Everyone too, please be careful. Also...... I’ll leave the care for the people in the royal castle to you.]

Putting her hands on the back of her head, Itsuki snorted.

[Well, we’ll do whatever we can. Hang in there too, Prez.]

Yes, I’ll do my best.]

[As for Elder Sister———– Well, if it’s you, you should be alright, but still, be careful.]

[You too. They’re in your care, Itsuki.]

[I can’t promise anything for sure...... but if what Elder Sister says, I’ll do my best———— You can count on me, Elder Sister.]

[Well then, let’s go, Sogou-san.]

[Yes, then, everyone———- Let’s make sure that we all meet again in one piece!]

Like that, Hijiri and I began to run again through the grounds of the royal castle.

Feeling worried though, I look back.

Kayako and the others weren’t there anymore.

[For now, let’s trust in their strength. Itsuki is also with them.]

[Y- Yes......]

(Everyone, please be safe......)

Suddenly, Hijiri stopped and looked up at the watchtower on the city wall.

[Given its height and position, I think we can see the whole area from that tower.]

[Yes, it might be faster than blindly running around......]

[I could also use my inherent skill to quickly descend again.]

Entering the watchtower, we ran up the stairs together.

There were also soldiers in the tower who were suffering upon exposure to the Tyrant’s Miasma.

But here, suppressing the distress in my heart, I ran past them.

We reached the top floor.

We could certainly see a large area from here.

Making sure to hide ourselves, the two of us looked out the window.

Thereupon, I noticed something.

Seeing whatever that is, I unconsciously stifled my voice.

[Hijiri-san, over there.]

[Yes.]

In the end of our gaze is a black mist-like thing about the size of a person.

It’s shifting about and moving.

It was around the plaza with a fountain, about 300 meters from this tower.

[ ! ]

Suddenly, the black mist swelled up.

Now that it has expanded, we can clearly see it.

A huge mouth.

Its white teeth and gums were clearly visible from where we hid.

Looking closely, I can see a golden eye-like sphere inside its mouth.

It was as if the golden eye was hiding inside its mouth.

However, the golden eye soon retracted into the inner parts of its mouth.

It was quite the strange sight.

Within the mist, only a mouth that looked very much like a human’s existed......

And that mouth————

It was vomiting out monsters.

It’s like a fishing net with an area torn open, and its catch gushing out.

Just like that, the Great Demon Emperor spat them out————-

Creating Golden-eyed Monsters......

[From what you’ve told me...... besides the Great Demon Emperor, the only other being who could create Golden-eyed Monsters was his Confidant, the First Oath which was given a share of their power, right?]

[Y- Yes...... From the way the First Oath talked back then, it sounded like it was something special to be able to share that power. However, it doesn’t seem like that has ever happened before in history......]

[And that black mist-like being...... When I joined the Eastern Army———— it was the same “core” of that humongous biological fortress, the Great Demon Emperor.]

[Which means, that is......]

Stopping my words there, I gulped.

As it finishes spitting out the monster, the black mist faded.

Looking at that mist———–

[Yes.]

With a tone of certainty, Hijiri spoke.

[That settles our target then.]

▽

Hijiri and I ran down the stairs of the watchtower.

Our original plan was that we would jump down from the top floor.

But at this distance, we’re in danger of being noticed by the Great Demon Emperor.

That’s what Hijiri decided.

After we left the watchtower and came to a large archway.

The door of the passageway was open from the beginning.

[.....................]

In the plaza ahead of this path......

(The Great Demon Emperor is here.)

Leaning my back against the wall, I quietly peered across the passageway.

(......There it is.)

It’s wobbling around like a ghost.

There are five Golden-eyed Monsters around it.

I can clearly see it from this distance.

The Great Demon Emperor is probably walking with its two feet on the ground.

(Within that mist, it had a humanoid body......?)

If that’s the case———- That’s good news.

If it has a body, I would be able to physically cut it down.

I exchange glances with Hijiri.

[How should we attack, Hijiri-san?]

[I think the best way to go here would be a surprise attack using an inherent skill with maximum attack power but......]

Hijiri stopped talking there.

Yes———- The whole time, she seemed to be thinking about something. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

I spoke.

[That’s what I also think. Anyhow, it’s an opponent that we’d eventually have to defeat...... More importantly, if we can defeat the Great Demon Emperor here——— We would be able to return to our world.]

[......Right.]

I feel some kind of atmosphere around Hijiri that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

[Hijiri-san...... is there something bothering you?]

[If the Great Demon Emperor were to die here......, ———-No, it certainly would be great if we could defeat the Great Demon Emperor here...... Most importantly, thinking that we don’t have to fight that biological fortress...... Depending on how you look at this situation, this could be a great opportunity. A surprise attack in the best timing...... Yes——— Let’s do this, Sogou-san.]

[Yes. Let’s do this, Hijiri-san.]

Bracing myself, I tightly grasp my spear.

Thereupon, turning to Hijiri-san......

[If it’s us, we’ll definitely win.]

[That’s right. Let’s believe in each other’s strength.]

[By the way, Hijiri-san...... which of those surrounding Golden-eyed Demons...... ——–!]

At that moment, I almost shouted out loud.

On the other hand, Hijiri-san———— it was just a bit, but a frown formed on her face.

[......I was what we should do.]

[—————In the end, you were also just as I had expected huh—————]

Looking rather relaxed......

[...........................]

The Great Demon Lord turned towards “his” direction.

[In the end, that humongous thing we saw back in the Eastern Front was just a vehicle huh...... and just as I had expected...... You were the one I saw at that time. Good grief...... In the end, everything in this world———— ends up just as I had expected. Everything just goes as I had expected.]

As if to release the heat within his body, “he” exhaled.

Combing his hair back, he raised his chin———

And with a gesture filled with arrogance, he calmly looked at the black mist.

[And as I thought, in the end, it would have to be me that settles this...... No matter how much you struggle...... It would end in the same conclusion. It was said that Gods do not play dice————– but in the first place, the concept of dice itself doesn’t exist for me. As soon as my foot steps on the trashy concept of dices...... It can be said that Gods have fallen beneath me.]

Surrounded by small golden wave dragons, Kirihara Takuto.

From where me and Hijiri hid, he appeared in the northeastern direction.

[......It’s just like the previous world. The strong will always have the opportunities worthy of their qualities...... They will always find such opportunities. Well, it’s true that good fortune only comes to the strong. In the end, the world is arranged where the winners keep winning...... Ahh, do I need to introduce myself? I am———– strong.]

The Great Demon Emperor didn’t say a word back at him.

It has a mouth that is comparable to human’s.

However, the Great Demon Emperor never uttered a single word.

They look rather similar to those classified as “Demons” such as the Confidants.

Such beings were capable of speaking the human language.

However, could it be that the Great Demon Emperor couldn’t speak?

It can’t communicate with others.

It can’t be understood by others.

Knowing that makes me feel some kind of eeriness from the Great Demon Emperor.

Thereupon, the mist around the Great Demon Emperor mysteriously swayed.

Its five other golden eyes looked like they were ready for battle.

However, it doesn’t feel like it would be moving yet.

[————-Tsk, guess I’d better hurry. I really hate rats......]

Hearing his words, Hijiri’s eyes squinted.

[He probably noticed our presence. And with the way its eyes are moving right now——— The Great Demon Emperor might have also noticed us here.]

[! I- In that case———- Let’s go, Hijiri-san.]

[........................]

[With our current positions, it’s possible for us and Kirihara-kun to attack from both sides. Matching attacks with Kirihara-kun, we will also————]

[No, we can’t do that.]

[H- Hijiri-san!?]

[You were so impatient that you didn’t notice huh...... Or perhaps, you’re just thinking that “such a thing isn’t possible”?]

[Eh?]

[Clearly look at him.]

[? What in the world is Kirihara-kun......, ————–!]

Looking at Kirihara again, I was astonished.

As I was lost for words, I felt Hijiri glance at me once before looking back at him.

[He’s also aiming for us.]

Yes.

Kirihara’s left arm is pointed in our direction.

Perhaps———

Thinking that we’re here to steal his prey.

Even at a time like this......

He doesn’t see me and Hijiri as teammates......

[He regards us as “competitors”.]

[That is......]

[If we attack the Great Demon Emperor, he will probably not hesitate to unleash his inherent skill against us.]

Realizing this, I bit on my lip.

(Even though this is supposed to be a time for the three of us to work together.......)

Kirihara’s other arm was naturally pointed at the Great Demon Emperor.

Thereupon, from within the black mist————-

[.....................................]

Something that looked like a black scythe appeared.

They were shaped rather similar to the arms of a praying mantis.

The pressure exerted by the Great Demon Emperor increased.

An expansion of their precipitous intimidation.

A pressure so intense that it seemed to pierce through my skin.

It was on the level that the pressure brought by Eingrantz couldn’t even be compared to this.

(What a heavy pressure...... So this is...... the Great Demon Emperor————)

[It seems like the time to make others see for themselves...... has finally come. And thus...... Here on out, before their eyes would be the final decisive battle...... Now————]

As the golden wave dragons Kirihara shone brighter, he vigorously declared.

[It’s time for this King to battle.]

——————— [ Dragonic Buster. ] ———————