Haruyuki also unconsciously spoke out the next words along with her.
““This world is infinite.””
Fuuko smiled slightly next to his ear, and suddenly pressed her lips onto the side of Haruyuki’s helmet. Like that, her lips slide along it until she reached his mouth, and then she slowly pulled away.
“Eh, ah, umm.”
Haruyuki frantically shook his head with a vigor that spoiled the situation, and then Raker’s smile turned mischievous.
“Since it was over your helmet, Sacchan will probably forgive it.”
Changing her expression, she then said in a firm voice—
“Truly, thank you, Karasu-san. I’ll…be going now.”
“……Yes!!”
With a strong nod, Haruyuki supported Fuuko’s body with his hands and softly set her adrift into space. Raker stroked his arm and touched his hand with her fingers, before letting go.
Responding with a silent nod of her own—the sky blue avatar looked up straight up towards zenith.
The blue ring illuminating the top station of the Hermes Cord just a little further away could already be clearly seen. Further beyond it was a cluster of artificial lights blinking faintly. That was surely the geostationary orbital station lying 38,000 km beyond it.
Fuuko swung her thin hands to the sides of her body, and tiny flames erupted from the jet exhaust of the elegant Enhanced Armament «Gale Thruster» equipped on her back.
Since there was almost no gravity in this world, her avatar started to slowly ascend even with that small amount of thrust. Without turning back, Sky Raker gradually increased her speed. Growing farther away. Farther away.
—And then, Haruyuki definitely saw it.
Particles of blue light gathered on the cut-off ends of her half-lost legs, condensed, and formed two beautiful lines. Their surface, transparent like glass, was gradually restored to the same sky blue color as the avatar’s main body from her knees.
Moderate calves, and shins that smoothly extended out from them. Feet heels wearing high heel shoes, and sharp tiptoes. They all glittered brightly in the sunlight.
“……Ah, ah……”
A quiet voice leaked out from Haruyuki’s throat. At the same time, hot liquid overflowed from his eyes.
In the center of his blurred field of vision filled with the light of the stars, Sky Raker, who had finally returned to her form from three years ago—no, to her true form after who knows how much accelerated time in Accel World, flew and pierced through the jet-black darkness. As if dancing, as if swimming, she fluttered forward at a supple acceleration.
At this point, the energy of Haruyuki’s wings that had held him here until now against the force of gravity finally ran out.
Defying the virtual gravity as it gently drew his avatar downwards, Haruyuki held up his right hand as far as he could.
Between his fingers, the light of the thruster became a big blue star, and drew a cross of light across the sky.
Chapter 11
“The previous Chrome Disaster’s…«wire»…?”
Halting her glass in midair as she was bringing it to her mouth, Kuroyukihime repeated Haruyuki’s words in a dumbfounded tone.
“Yes…I can’t think of anything else besides that…”
Haruyuki looked at Fuuko, Takumu and Chiyuri who were all similarly at a loss for words, and then nodded as if hanging his head.
Sunday, June 9, 12:15 PM. It had only been ten minutes since all five legion members returned to the real world, where only a short amount of time had passed, on the sofas in the Arita home’s living room.
Of course, at first, they had all shook each other’s hands and had rejoiced at having overcome many troubles and brilliantly won—even if the prize points had been equally divided in three shares with the Red and Green teams as well—the «Hermes Cord Traversing Race». They all praised each other for having fought well, and gave a toast with glasses of Oolong tea.
However, after having finished taking about the victory for a little while, a heavy subject had to be put on the table of conversation. In other words—about Silver Crow’s «transformation into Chrome Disaster».
Though, no one condemned or blamed him for having summoned the armor in the first place. Right from the beginning, Kuroyukihime admitted that she might have done the same if she were placed in the same situation as him. However, there was one matter they had to clarify no matter what. That was the mystery of how that armor had reappeared, no, restored.
Five months earlier, Haruyuki, Takumu and Kuroyukihime had accepted the request of the Red King Scarlet Rain, and fought the fifth generation Chrome Disaster in the Unlimited Neutral Field. At the conclusion of the battle, the armor had finally been destroyed, and Cherry Rook who had summoned it was also «executed» by the hands of the Red King.
Just before everything had ended and they returned to the real world from the Leave Point in Ikebukuro Sunshine City, everyone there on that occasion had opened their item storage and confirmed that the Armor of Catastrophe hadn’t been sent over to any of them. Of course, Haruyuki also clearly remembered that his opened item window had been completely blank.
That’s why, Silver Crow shouldn’t have been able to summon Chrome Disaster now.
However, in reality, Haruyuki had instantly killed the formidable enemy Rust Jigsaw with the fearsome power of the armor.
The only explanation for that inconsistency was a small thing from that hard battle in Ikebukuro that Haruyuki miraculously remembered in the middle of the discussion—a certain phenomenon that he hadn’t paid any attention to at all until now.
“Err…I think senpai, who directly fought the fifth generation Disaster, remembers, but…”
Tightly grasping the glass of now completely lukewarm Oolong tea in both his hands, Haruyuki haltingly spoke out his idea.
“That guy had a false flight ability by drawing duel opponents and objects up to him with super-thin hook wires released from either of his hands, or conversely by attaching his wires to parts of the terrain and pulling himself towards them. His movements couldn’t be predicted at all…I had no choice but to intentionally let myself get hit by his hook wire on my back in order to prevent him from running away into the portal.”
While saying that, Haruyuki remembered the shock, the metallic clang, and also the cold feeling of the sharp hook when it hit his back.
“After being connected to him through the wire, I pulled Chrome Disaster up to a high altitude with my wings, and then finished him off with a dive kick. At that time, the main body of Disaster was certainly destroyed, but…the wire broke off from him due to the impact…The end of that wire remained…attached to my back…I can’t confirm what happened to that wire when we returned home through the portal.”
As Haruyuki cut off his words there, Kuroyukihime whispered in a dumbfounded tone.
“The previous Chrome Disaster’s…«wire»…?”
“Yes…I can’t think of anything else besides that…”
As Haruyuki hanged his head, Takumu’s voice, similarly blurred with shock, reached his ears.
“B-But, Haru. Isn’t it impossible for parts that fall off duel avatars…to remain in existence while attached to other avatars when they Burst Out…?”
“I-I’ve also never heard of such a thing.”
Chiyuri frowned strongly and shook her head.
“I’ve also finished duels with broken swords or spears still stuck to me in the past, but they were all gone when I entered the next duel, you know!?”
“But…there’s no other possible explanation. B-Besides, when I summoned Disaster earlier, a long tail was created from my back at first. That spot is definitely the place where I was pierced by the hook wire.”
—And, whenever that mysterious voice spoke to me many times over these past few months, the same spot on my back definitely ached as well.
He didn’t speak out that last thought. Because it was far too terrifying. If that ache was also something
that remained due to Chrome Disaster’s wire, then that meant…wounds received in Accel World also continued to affect the living body as well. That was the one thing that was impossible no matter how he thought about it. It didn’t make any reasonable sense.
As the three childhood friends looked into each other and fell into silence, Fuuko, who had remained silent until now, hesitatingly spoke up.
“…Actually…«foreign substances that remain after duels» is a phenomenon that can occur according to the system.”
“Eh?”
The three them turned their gazes towards her with a jerk, and Raker looked around at them and explained.
“In other words, an attack with a «parasitic attribute». Although it’s incredibly rare, there seem to be cases where a «curse»-type power reaches its extreme limit, and it acquires such an attribute. However, the only such cases I know about are abilities that turn a small animal-type object into parasites that then steal an enemy’s sight and sound, or that insert a bomb into an opponent and then make it explode with some kind of trigger…”
Continuing after her, Kuroyukihime murmured in a low voice.
“…An Enhanced Armament that turns a part of itself into a parasite and escapes the main body’s destruction…I’ve never hear of such a thing…But…If what Haruyuki-kun says is true, it could explain a part of Disaster’s legend.”
Putting down her glass and twining together her fingers on top of her crossed legs, the Black King continued.
“The Armor of Catastrophe always leaves its owner and transfers itself to someone else storage with 100% certainty. That kind of percentage isn’t possible under the usual ownership transfer rules, but at times when it can’t transfer itself as an item, it survives by turning a part of itself into a «parasite»…If I think of it that way, it sounds convincing…”
“Ye…Yes, certainly…”
Parasite. While his entire body shuddered at the horrifying image conjured by that word, Haruyuki nodded. Then, he thought of something, and hurriedly asked a question.
“B-But, if parasitism is a system ability, shouldn’t there be a method to cancel it?”
“Yes…there is. Although normal parasitic attacks disappear over the course of a long time, it should be possible to cancel it with a «purification» ability as well. —However, the ability’s level would need to be the same or higher than the attack being purified…If there’s an ability-user who could purify a parasitic ability that can even regenerate itself completely from the cut-off end of a wire, then that would be…”
There, Kuroyukihime exchanged a look with Fuuko, and the corners of both their mouths tightened. However, her face immediately returned to normal and she spoke in a clear tone.
“All right, I will take measures for dealing with this case. It’ll take a bit of time.”
“—Now that I think about it.”
Continuing the conversation, Fuuko spoke.
“When Karasu-san stayed over at my house…”
Immediately, Kuroyukihime, Takumu and Chiyuri all repeated back her words together all at once.
“““Stayed over?”””
“I’m talking about in the Unlimited Neutral Field. Back then, when I caressed Karasu-san’s back.”
“““Caressed?”””
“I’m talking about when we were in our avatar forms. Geez, I can’t continue speaking if you’re all like this…Back then, I also felt it slightly. That there was something of a different nature on one spot of his back…If I had only investigated it more deeply back then…”
“H-Hey, Raker, just what would you have done in order to investigate it?”
As Kuroyukihime’s right cheek twitched, Fuuko smiled sweetly at her.
“That’s a secret, of course.”
As the atmosphere in the room finally came undone with this exchange, Haruyuki let out a sigh. Raising his head, Haruyuki declared in a firm voice.
“Umm, it’s true that I lost to its temptation once, but the armor disappeared again thanks to Chiyu’s ability…besides, even if it continues to remain as a parasite in my avatar even now, it should be fine as long as I don’t summon it again. Of course, I want to quickly have it purified, though.”
“…Yeah, that’s right. I believe in you. Of course, you were also saved by Chiyuri-kun’s ability, but at the same time, you rejected the armor with your own will. That is something none of the people who wore the armor up until now have been able to do.”
Kuroyukihime said that and smiled, but her face immediately became clouded in concern next.
“Wha…What’s wrong, senpai?”
“Hmm…But…this matter may not end as just as our problem. Haruyuki-kun, when you summoned the armor and fought Jigsaw, hundreds of gallery viewers from the stands saw you, right?”
“Eh…yeah…”
“Then, even though if you only used it in one battle, the rumor that Nega Nebulas’ Silver Crow has become the sixth generation Chrome Disaster owner has probably already spread across Accel World…After this, those who express drastic opinions may come out…”
“Eh…senpai, what do you mean by drastic?”
As Chiyuri tilted her head, Takumu quietly explained.
“In other words, that Haru should be «punished», or «executed»…opinions like that.”
“Eeh!! Tha…That’s way too messed up!! After all, Haru didn’t do anything wrong!!”
Chiyuri shouted indignantly, and Fuuko softly soothed her with her hand from beside her.
“Bell, everyone present here believes that. But…in Accel World, there are many forces that strongly oppose Nega Nebulas.”
“But, even so, that’s just horrible…”
As Chiyuri frowned sadly from the bottom of her heart, Haruyuki strained to smile at her with all his might while feeling something well up inside his chest.
“It’s okay, Chiyu. The legions of the other Kings besides Prominence have already been frenzied against us until now anyway. Even if another fire for us to face has lit up now, we’ll face it together.”
“Yes, exactly.”
Nodding deeply, Kuroyukihime then stood up. With her skirt fluttering, she moved over to the big window on the south side of the room. After turning around and gazing at her four subordinates one by one with sparkling eyes, the Black King firmly spoke.
“—Most likely, in a few days, a meeting between the Seven Kings will be called for the first time in two and a half years. Although the first topic of discussion should be about taking measures regarding the concealment of the Incarnate System being completely shattered due to Rust Jigsaw and the «Acceleration Research Society», the subject of Haruyuki-kun’s transformation into Disaster—will surely be brought up by the Radio or someone else there anyway. But, no matter what kind of demands they make, I will protect you, Haruyuki-kun. I’ll give them an all-out war just as I desire. This plan…does no one have any objections to it?”
“No objections!”
Fuuko, Takumu and Chiyuri immediately said that in chorus.
“……Thank you.”
Haruyuki could only whisper that in a trembling voice.
—I’m truly glad that I’m here right now. I’ll also definitely protect this place…these comrades of mine. No matter who the enemy, no matter what the adversity, I’ll protect them till the end.
Just as he was engraving that thought into his heart. Chiyuri’s curious voice entered his ears.
“…By the way, Kuroyuki-senpai, why are you wearing your uniform even though it’s Sunday?”
*GIKU*
Haruyuki and Kuroyukihime both froze.
“That’s because…”
Fuuko, after giving her usual Raker-smile and sending a Raker-wink their way, spoke.
“…Sacchan’s closet is filled with nothing but a mountain of uniforms.”
After that, they replenished their sweets and drinks at the ground floor shopping mall, and once again held a victory celebration.
After they made lo
ts of noise, talked together, and finally finished cleaning everything up together, the time was around 6 PM.
Chiyuri and Takumu went home first due to their earlier curfews, and several minutes after that, Kuroyukihime and Fuuko also headed to the front door together.
As Kuroyukihime was bending down to put on her shoes, Fuuko spoke in a small voice.
“……Sacchan.”
“Hmm?”
Kuroyukihime stood back up and turned around, her black hair swishing.
“What’s wrong, Fuuko?”
Taking a step away from Haruyuki next to her as he stood to see them off, Fuuko grasped her hands together in front of her body, as if searching for the words to use.
After a while, she started nervously speaking in a tone unusually blurred with childishness—as if they had returned to being elementary school children.
“Umm…Umm, at first, I thought I should stay quiet about it until our next «duel» and surprise you then, but…as I thought, I should say it to you right away…”
She sucked into a deep breath.
And then, the girl, who had spent a long, long time as a hermit in Accel World, cherishingly spoke a single sentence that marked the end of her days of solitude.
“Umm. My legs, have returned.”
Jet-black eyes widened. A short breath leaked out from slightly opened lips.
Then, Kuroyukihime changed her shocked expression to one that was half tear-filled, and half smiling.
“……I see.”
Whispering and nodding, she spoke out one more time.
“I see…You found it again. The thing you lost that day.”
“Yes.”
Nodding her head with a gulp, Fuuko took one, two steps towards Kuroyukihime. She held out her arms, drew the stock-still Kuroyukihime to her, and quietly hugged her tightly.
Unlike the time they did so two months ago on the Shinjuku Southern Terrace, the two of them didn’t say anything further. They just quietly, gently, held each other. Haruyuki felt that they were connecting far far deeper than linking their Neuro Linkers with a cable could, connecting with each other’s souls, so to speak. Haruyuki heard the sound of the glass wall separating the two of them fall away.