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itsuki-minamy · 2 months ago

Text

"SIDE GOLD"

CHAPTER 5: TIME OF HUNGER (Part 4)

* List of Chapters

Translation: Naru-kun

He struck his jaw from above and below, crushing him.

With their exit blocked, the contradictory lines of force have nowhere to go and release their power on the spot.

After a moment,

The upper half of the giant monster's body was torn in half.

Kokujoji screamed as he saw his thick armor, hardened by fear, shattered.

"Who are you, human?"

(I'm hungry...)

It's not just about answering the last mystery left from the battle so far.

"Come with us! We hope you can come with us!"

(I want someone to connect with...)

He never gave up on his ideals and threw himself at them with his hand outstretched.

"With just that you should be able to do it too!"

(Very scary, very scary.)

The essence of existence,

The negative power it carries,

The intention behind the "Slate" that was sent out,

Even though he understood everything, he still extended his hand.

However, the "Colorless King" never took it.

++++++++++

He was not born into a particularly good family.

However, they were a decent family because they could work every day and earn a living.

However, after he was drafted into the army, only bad things happened to him.

After going to war, scary things were added to the unpleasant things.

Still, it was better while fighting.

After the country lost, it became hell.

The entire unit surrendered, but they were not allowed to return to their homeland.

They were put into freight cars like cattle and transported to the far north.

There was nothing, there was nothing, just the detention center.

There they made him work.

They wore short shoes that broke easily,

They huddled together in a tent that didn't even have a floor.

They survived each day on bread crumbs, salty soup, and millet porridge.

They were made to work until they were completely exhausted.

Anyone who was hurt died.

Anyone who destroyed something died.

Those who did not have enough nutrition died.

Those who were exhausted died.

Some even decided to commit suicide.

Some died while trying to escape.

He could not even move the spoon.

"I'm hungry... give me... that..."

There were days when he desperately asked for help and managed to survive.

Everyone was desperate to work,

Everyone was desperately trying to survive.

But, if that were not enough, he was beaten.

A committee was formed that advocated a democratic movement.

The United States loves war, the Soviet Union loves peace,

He started shouting something like this.

If I cut wood, trim it and load it into my car, I can earn a living.

That was all he needed.

But, if that were not enough, he was beaten.

Soon, some of them began to act out a hair-raising court case.

Exposing reactionary elements, making self-criticism and mutual criticism,

He started shouting something like this.

If I cut wood, trim it, and load it into my car, I can make a living.

That was all he needed.

But, to top it off, he was beaten.

In those days, something very important happened...

Human beings were worn out.

And then how much time had passed?

The man who brought his former superior officer to trial,

The guy who wrote a letter of thanks to a Soviet leader,

Thanks to having people like that in the same workshop, he was able to return home.

Before returning to Japan, he was going to join a certain party,

"Participate in the revolution in some way."

A big shot forced him to make a promise, but he forgot everything on the evacuation ship.

He was very happy to be able to return home alive.

However, as soon as he arrived at Maizuru, he was arrested.

The people who were with him ran away, leaving him alone.

"Where did you go...? Don't leave me behind..."

His body had already deteriorated, so he couldn't run away.

Apparently, among the items left behind by those who fled were some suspicious books and documents.

Suspicion of redness, etc.

Was he a spy too?

The occupation forces interrogated and beat him, but he didn't understand anything.

He was escorted to Yokosuka,

When he was about to die, he was thrown into a support center in Uraga.

In the end he didn't know what was wrong and what was forgiven.

After a while, the support center was closed and he was expelled.

He wanted to return home, but since he was arrested immediately after landing, he had practically no documents.

Demobilization certificate, repatriation certificate, etc.

There must have been something there, but there was nothing he could question.

He didn't know where the people who took him were.

The man who was shouting on the street corner that he would let them go home somehow resembled the committee member.

So he was too scared to come closer.

Maybe they would betray him again, like they did some time ago.

They might label him a traitor and leave him to his fate.

So he was too scared to come closer.

He survived with what he had left and what they gave him.

In the end he got there.

Sometimes he picked up trash that other people had thrown away,

There were also scary creatures hanging around, so he couldn't get out.

Among them,

He couldn't move his body anymore.

He was hungry.

He wanted some food.

But he was scared.

What could he do?

He didn't know.

He was hungry.

Everything would be fine, he wanted it.

But he was scared.

Next,

He might die.

But he wanted it.

But he was scared.

"Help me... I'm hungry... I'm going to die..."

His voice didn't reach anyone.

That was all.

Too scary. Too scary.

++++++++++

It had been about an hour since the monster disappeared.

At dusk, the Kings finally arrived at the epicenter of the incident.

The sea breeze smelled of fish and the dock was dilapidated and messy.

"I never thought someone like him could figure it out from just an insider's point of view. This is also that sword... oh, wait."

Otono stumbled on the unstable walkway and Kokujoji had to help him. He insisted, uncharacteristically, on showing him around on foot and laughed sheepishly beneath his bandages.

"I'm sorry, my lord."

"What?"

Kokujoji made a short trip back.

It wasn't a suitable place for a pleasant conversation.

These are so-called floating settlements, with boats of all sizes populating the shoreline, from houseboats consisting of flat barges with cabins on top, to small boats with tents and even floating barrack-like structures.

Originally, the railway line only reached as far as the mouth of the Sumida River, passing through Tsukishima and Kachidoki, but after the war it continued to extend southwards, absorbing overworked workers, homeless people and even thugs. This was part of the image of the time.

They visited near the southern end.

It was an area like a pontoon bridge connecting the area to a small island off the coast.

The vast, desolate area is a collection of dilapidated shacks that could disappear on a stormy night.

It was dusk and the shadows on the boat were deep. The area below the gangway is also submerged in stagnant darkness, filled with the sticky sound of water. The small island in front of them was half submerged in water, surrounded by a field of tall reeds and rushes, and not a single light could be seen from the windows. It is rumored that this place, commonly known as "Ashinaka", is conveniently used as a meeting place for illegal transactions.

Without paying attention to the suspicious terrain, Unno took the lead with two or three boats.

"Is there some guy hiding in a place like this, brother?"

"Yes, he always came from the south and returned to the south, that was what I felt every time I saw "Mushikui". I was sure that he had taken the form of a snake and crawled out."

On the other hand, Otono, who has a small and unreliable gait, calmly replied.

Nazumi, who was watching from behind, summarized the information he had heard so far.

"The truth is that all the shapes we faced were just the outstretched hands or swollen mouths of the "Colorless King", and he himself had been here the whole time... Though it's hard to believe at first."

"Maybe that's so. Most of the energy was being used to explode, but it felt like a small fragment was being sent far away."

Beside him, Iku muttered as she hopped on the rotting bow of the ship like a small bird.

Skilled at grasping the structure of things, she combined her own experiences and sensations, Otono's explanation, and Nazumi's interpretation to get a rough idea of what the "Colorless King" was like.

"He was so afraid of the power he had consumed that he was reluctant to accept it. He was very hungry."

Sadness made her small, hunched back even rounder.

Nazumi added more information.

"In other words, while as a living being I desired it, as a human I rejected it. The power he had consumed while he was the monster "Black Cloak", was probably only enough to sustain his life, the bare minimum."

In the twilight, a brief moment of silence passed.

"The others who were devoured only had their lives nibbled away, so it was a waste of their lives. But then we got serious and punched him, and he was the one who was knocked out first."

Unno spat in disgust.

"Even if he hadn't fought us and had reached the sea... this entire pier would have been destroyed, wouldn't it? I wonder why he was starving and suffering."

Otono was pouring out his kindness as he said that.

"Unlike us, the "Colorless King" wasn't capable of holding a proper conversation. All we knew was what we felt when we first met, and there was no way to know anything more than that. Nor was there any way to know what kind of "King" he was."

Nazumi was sad that he hadn't found a solution.

"What I felt... is a poor boy who can't be with anyone."

Iku was concise and used few words.

"I was very afraid of the bonds that came with power."

Then Kokujoji spoke with a sad look on his face, squeezing the hand that had been denied to him until the very end.

"But human life is based on connections. If he is alive, then I am still..."

The Kings, who have had much to do with death, know that such hope is slim.

Yet even so, no one laughed at Kokujoji's naivety.

Finally, Otono turned his gaze to a ship.

"...It seems we have arrived."

It was a small, rickety vessel, with barracks on top and looking similar to a pleasure boat.

It is surprising how it does not sink with such a shallow draft and being submerged in water.

"Me first."

Unno crossed the board first, keeping a watchful eye around him.

But naturally, there was no movement, neither inside nor outside.

The sound of the crashing waves and the stench of floating garbage were the only things that decorated the hut in a gloomy manner as the twilight deepened. Everyone stood in front of the entrance, which was nothing more than a hanging straw mat.

Kokujoji and Otono had already noticed that by this time.

"......"

"Hey Iku-chan, come here."

Otono, as an adult and as a person, tried to stop the girl, but...

"It's okay, I've gotten used to it."

Iku shook her head. She could tell that too from the stench of rotting garbage.

Unno frowned.

"That's not something a child should say."

"Come on."

Nazumi encouraged without pushing.

And so, the six kings were finally gathered.

He was dead, leaning with his back against the wooden wall at the back.

The face visible beneath the long, unkempt hair was abnormally thin and devoid of flesh. The same could be said for his completely thin, rag-wrapped body. There were no gestures or expressions to suggest any kind of will. There, it was as if life had been cut short, and it was the kind of death that could be seen everywhere, a face of death they were familiar with.

The true identity of the mysterious "Black Cloak", the man who had become a monster, the "Colorless King" who had devoured a nuclear bomb and wreaked havoc, was found starving to death in the back of a completely empty room, without a single morsel of food in sight.

Iku didn't feel bad about the situation.

His appearance was normal for today's society.

"The same as everyone else."

"Ah, it seems we kings can die as humans too."

Considering his own circumstances, Otono even felt grateful for that.

Unno apologized to the man on the other side of the death he missed.

"I'm sorry, we were the only ones having fun."

"What would have been the right answer... or is this even the right answer?"

Nazumi saw death before his eyes as yet another problem piled up and needed to be solved.

After hearing the voices of everyone present, Kokujoji finally stepped forward in front of him.

He searched for the right words to say.

(Will your death not be in vain?)

It was different.

(Is it thanks to you that I was able to get this far?)

It was different.

(What would have happened if we had met before?)

It was different.

Having been drawn into the events caused by the "Slate", having prolonged a painful life and death because of it, having forced death and destruction that were never his intention, he has no intention of attributing it all to fate, or judging it in terms of right and wrong. Because facts are just facts.

The time for falsely asking for forgiveness is long gone.

He decided to be honest about what he was carrying inside.

These are...

"Why?"

All plausible reasoning was suddenly shattered by an overflow of emotion.

"Why didn't you take my hand? Why didn't you try to make everyone happy?"

What came out of his mouth was a selfish attachment to the dream he was trying to create. It was a one-sided denunciation of the other person who had not tried to create together with him the desired mystery, the desired miracle.

The other kings present looked in amazement at the distressed state of the "Golden King" when they saw him for the first time.

"If you had taken my hand, I could have taken you with me!"

The dead "Colorless King" remained silent.

But still, the "Golden King" continued to express his feelings.

"Why didn't you come with me? Why did you die alone?"

It was an angry cry that sounded like a wail.

"I don't even know your name!"

It was a wail that sounded like an angry scream.

The kings, all of them different in terms of where they were born and raised, their personalities, aspirations, ages, and occupations, all wanted to hear the thoughts... not logic, but emotions... that were conveyed in the voice of the man known as Kokujoji Daikaku.

A fierce battle between the supernatural "Kings",

Political turmoil in occupied Japan played out behind the scenes.

The manifestation of "power" that decisively changed the world.

That little feeling gained after all those twists and turns is the true achievement of that battle. Without even realizing it, it was the seed of a Fusang tree that would send out branches and leaves to future generations.

#k #k project #k side gold #kokujoji daikaku #somei chika #somei nazumi #iku #unno yutaka #todokoro suwako #tamataro okuma #otono benji

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itsuki-minamy · 2 months ago

Text

"SIDE GOLD"

CHAPTER 5: TIME OF HUNGER (Part 2)

* List of Chapters

Translation: Naru-kun

"Come on, guys!"

"Chika-san, let's go."

They argued over who would go to the right or left of the monster, but in the end, they naturally decided to turn their backs. Unno, Suwako, and Okuma are on the right. On the left are Nazumi and Chika, and Miya is being carried on her back.

Since those following them didn't care which one it was, there was no further discussion.

"Chika-san, be careful."

"I'll try to lure them as much as I can, but be careful."

Suwako and Okuma spoke to him casually.

"Yes. You should be careful not to get too involved."

Chika, who answered clearly, even seemed friendly to her companions.

"Don't be so hesitant!"

"Chika-san, please don't leave me."

With that unpleasant impulse, the two factions separated.

The "Colorless King", who had been lost in stupor ever since he answered Kokujoji's question, also reacted to his prey's new movements. His long, snub-nosed neck leaned forward, and green sparks shot out from the corner of his mouth.

"I... am..."

Perhaps a remnant of what happened before, fragments of words spilled out from the sparks. Rather than a voice calling out to him, it was a vague, sad sound, like a distant call that echoed endlessly.

"Yes."

Accompanied by that sound, the monster's head spun wildly.

Without aiming at any of them, the "nothing" simply reacted to what passed before its eyes.

The result of the odds bet was blue. Nazumi, Chika, and Miya carried on her back.

He had neither the intelligence to think nor the will to threaten. Like a moth to the light, the giant began to move.

Taking the opportunity, Kokujoji shouted loudly.

"I'll listen to you, tell me!"

"I'm hungry."

The monster stood for a moment, added another voice, and then took another step into the blue again.

Behind him, Unno, who was keeping his distance in the opposite direction, shouted.

"Over here... monster!"

At the same time, he threw out a fist-sized piece of debris. The debris is imbued with the power of the "Red King" and pierces the sky with a force surpassing that of a cannonball. In the wrong direction.

"This isn't control!"

Suwako coiled the rope she had laid out in advance along the area, changing the trajectory of the bullet.

The debris curved sharply from the side and hit the monster squarely in the neck. The scorching explosion was absorbed by the "nothing", but the physical force of it shook its body and made it stagger along with his voice.

"Please give it to me."

Unno was satisfied that it had worked to a certain extent.

"I'm counting on you!"

He shouted happily. He didn't notice Suwako walking away with an indifferent face.

"Okuma, ball!"

He shouted.

"Okay."

Okuma grabbed the debris like an experienced catcher.

"Even Eiji Sawamura would be jealous... I'll throw a fastball!"

He probably threw with terrible form again.

This time too, Suwako twisted her fingers with one hand to correct the trajectory.

The debris shot out from below at an angle, slicing into the monster's cheekbones from the opposite direction. The giant body wobbled, then finally bent its front legs at the knees and sank to the ground.

"Did you see that?!"

Ignoring the boss who was raising his fist, Okuma looked past the fallen monster.

Deep in the rising snow smoke, the shadows of two people, one big and one small, can be seen running with good posture.

"Looks like they managed to get past us."

And then, Unno snorted,

"Is it possible that a monster like this can do something? Well, I guess that's a relief."

Suwako muttered as she half-relaxed.

"Idiot! Chika-san and I have a child together?!"

With the two of them on his shoulders, Okuma leapt.

Right below them, a monster's tail, as thick as a train, passed by at an incredible speed. The surrounding rubble and the few remaining houses were blown away and scattered by the wind.

"Oops!"

"Eek?!"

Okuma ran off, taking with him both the cheers and applause.

"He took the bait, let's run away!"

Behind him, the monster turned, swinging its massive body and tail around. Not only that, it leaned forward. A voice calling for help echoed from the mouth that seems to have a dislocated jaw.

"I'm hungry. Give me that."

The monster began its fierce pursuit, fixing its gaze on what it wanted.

A little ways away from the snowy landscape.

"Don't run away, monster!"

"He's coming, he's coming, ahhhh!"

Hearing a commotion mixed with heavy footsteps, Nazumi and Chika arrived at where Kokujoji was.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Miya-san, you're safe and sound here."

"Thank you."

The pair felt a strange sense of unease at that familiar figure, who only gave them minimal attention back.

It seemed as if he was looking up a little taller than usual.

Has he grown a little?

(And somewhere, too...)

Before he could get a clear answer, Kokujoji bent down and knelt on one knee. He got to eye level with Miya, who's lying on Chika's back with her eyes tightly closed, and spoke to her. Not with false kindness, but with true reliability.

"Welcome, Miya. I'm Kokujoji Daikaku, I'm also a "King"."

"Just like Iku-chan?"

Miya timidly opened her eyes and looked at her opponent. The shoulder straps are untied and she stands weakly. When Chika gently put an arm on her shoulders, she felt safe enough to be able to speak, but even that was a matter of a short time.

After all, a giant monster was rampaging nearby.

Away from the three of them, Nazumi was standing guard.

(Should we put a shield on her to make her feel safer?)

That was what he thought, but considering his earlier guess, the "nothing" reflexively pounced on the "powerful person" who caught his attention. Putting up a visible shield would probably only attract more intruders.

And so far, the "Red King" and his two members were doing well. They staggered and stumbled, they fled and raged, even though they struggled and fled, they were still able to control the monster.

(Well, if they don't do that much, it's not worth trusting them with anything.)

After setting the bar higher than the sky, Nazumi gave himself a passing grade. On top of that, he keeps his eyes peeled for any monsters that might suddenly take an interest in him.

Behind him, Kokujoji began to explain the gist of the operation.

"As you may have heard, your King and her companions are currently being held captive by that monster. Can you help us rescue them?"

"Can I help...? But I’m the least sensitive to electric shocks out of all of us..."

The girl replied in a weak voice, so he spoked directly to her.

"Alright, let's all work together."

Suddenly Miya stopped complaining. It wasn't because she had any doubts about saying something so bold to someone. It made her think that, if they worked together, maybe they could pull it off. Before she knew it,

"Yes."

He even replied, "Yes."

Chika asked, putting an arm around Miya's shoulders, hoping to help her with the conversation.

"But how exactly?"

Kokujoji nodded and continued his explanation. At first, it's a general explanation to help the girl understand, and then gradually moving on to actual actions and things to keep in mind, and confirmation of what Miya has noticed, before finishing in no time.

(Is that the plan?)

(Is that really possible?)

After hearing the whole story, Chika and her husband were almost stunned.

They both thought that a more realistic and common sense plan had been prepared. Because of the great trust he had in Kokujoji, he had not asked for details until the last moment, and yet he was proposing such an absurd operation as a plan... but strangely enough, he had no desire to object.

The confident way he explained evoked the hope that "maybe it is possible" and the strength he himself currently harbors. A strong desire to take on the challenge of "maybe we will succeed".

Both spouses couldn't help but think the same thing.

(Something has changed in him.)

Was Kokujoji Daikaku really such a bold and unrestrained person?

Without even a moment to check, the "Golden King" took action.

"Come on, Miya."

As he said that, he easily lifted the small body onto his shoulders.

Miya was neither frightened nor worried by that almost violent act, but instead clung to the head of the person who offered to join forces with her. With all her heart, wanting to help her "King".

Kokujoji cried out, increasing the feelings he had received and making them stronger.

"Otono Benji, are you here?"

"Yes, my lord."

From deep within the fog beside him, Otono replied as if he were an old acquaintance.

"Tell Red that we will attack now."

"Yes."

When the fog cleared, Kokujoji spoke to Nazumi and his wife, who were standing on either side of him.

"Please join forces."

Chika took out her naginata and replied briefly and clearly.

"Yes."

Nazumi, who was lightly holding the sword, had several implications.

"Yes, let me see for myself."

The three of them kicked up the snow and ran off.

Up ahead, deep in the falling snow, the battle between "nothing" and "red" continues.

Unno, who didn't like pointless fights, was getting quite angry, but still didn't lose his temper because he had received a message from Otono saying, "A fight is going to start now.". Although he didn't have any basis for it, he had a feeling that something interesting was about to happen and was eagerly waiting for the moment to act.

Suddenly, that premonition manifested itself in perfect form.

"Unno Yutaka! Hit him with all your might!"

Kokujoji's loud voice shook the snow.

The tone of his voice wasn't a cold order.

Like a fire, it was a passionate encouragement.

In essence, he's saying, "Go ahead and do it.".

When told that, Unno didn't hesitate to respond.

"You have a good eye, shining gold!"

His heart, his eyes, his body, everything ignited in an instant.

"Okuma! Suwako! To the crown!"

He roared and leaped into the air, transforming into a ball of fire.

Both Okuma, who threw the iron plate when asked, and Suwako, who was spinning the red thread, were happy, perhaps even more so. He is no longer a lost and desperate child on the run, but a bossy and courageous man without limits.

(Good job, Unno! Don't overthink things.)

(Hit him in the forehead, Yutaka-chan!)

Unno's fist came crashing down towards the target the two had prepared, the metal plate that was perfectly placed on the monster's head. A sword-like red light flickered in the snowy sky, and from its tip fell a bolt of lightning that could be mistaken for a shooting star.

"Ohhhhhhhh!"

The monster was knocked down, exactly as he wished, with a thunderous blast of air. The heavy blow that came from above caused his neck and limbs to bend and twist like a thrown string puppet.

Kokujoji ran forward and called out to someone above his head.

"Miya, now!"

"Ah..."

Miya, who was being carried on his shoulders, froze for a moment in fear at the sight of the monster crouching in front of her as she opened her eyes... However, seeing that green sparks were still coming out of the giant head hitting the ground, proof of her King's status, she raised a finger.

"Lightning!"

Her desperate but weak cry produced a faint electric shock on her fingertips, just as she had confessed.

Then, a moment later,

"Sharp!"

Kokujoji unleashed his fierce fighting spirit. At the same time, he steadied his feet, pointed two fingers at the monster, and channeled the power of the "Golden King" into it.

Miya, who had been stroking the air in vain, began to emit a surge of electricity.

Not only that, it turned into a powerful lightning bolt that produced an avalanche.

The moment its tip came into contact with the sparks coming out of the monster's mouth,

"Iku-chan!"

Miya jumped before he could urge her on, shouting again.

Kokujoji also seized the opportunity.

(It connected!)

He grabbed the lightning bolt with both hands.

"Okay, back off!"

At the command, Nazumi and Chika extended their hands toward the green torrent that flashed.

(Seriously.)

(That's impossible.)

It was done.

There was no numbness or heat and he was able to firmly grasp it like a rope.

In case of ingestion, tie a rope and pull it out.

That was the whole story of Kokujoji's plan to retrieve the "Green King". Although the Somei couple are extraordinary heroes in different directions, he naturally conceives and carries out illogical acts that still irritate him.

"Pull back! Pull back!"

Naturally, he also made the same request to Unno and the others, who were watching in amazement at these heinous acts as they pulled the torpedo rope with great force.

"Join us! Save the "Green King" and the children!"

Of the three who woke up after hearing that, Unno was the first to jump aboard and grab the rope.

"Haha, what is this?!"

Okuma and Suwako, who were following him, were also frightened.

"Well, if it's heavy work I guess I can manage it."

"If you ask me to help a child, I have no choice but to do so."

He put on the same expression as everyone there and took a step back.

Miya was resting her foot on the end of the rope, Kokujoji was holding it like a weight in the middle, and Nazumi and his wife were up front preparing for the monster's counterattack; everyone was pulling on the rope with expressions of incredible strength and incomprehensible amusement.

Even after a fierce battle, they still put all their strength into the tug-of-war with the monster.

It's so serious and so ridiculous.

Even for the "Red King" and the "Blue King", who had wielded incredible power until now,

"Get your act together, blue hat! Follow the example of your wife with strong roots!"

"You're too noisy, why don't you put your extra energy into the rope?"

The "Gray King" spoke bitterly from deep within the fog.

"It's a pity I can't participate in all this chaos."

It was the first time he had seen something so strange.

However, there was one person among them.

"In that case, support us with your voice and heart! Even that will give us strength!"

Only the "Golden King", who replied cheerfully, showed no signs of confusion. That's because he is the only one who acts based on a single conviction. The mindset that is the source of how supernatural beings can manifest their powers.

"Be free, be tough, be optimistic!"

Kokujoji shouted that.

"We can do anything!"

Putting it into words may seem trivial, but it will have a huge impact on an era that will define the future.

"Be like that and act with that in mind!"

It was not a coincidence nor something that suddenly came to his mind.

That was the result of his daily efforts to discover the laws that govern the raging waves of light and shadow in the vast expanse of the sky, where clouds of stars float and rivers of silver flow. But it was also a completely unexpected discovery.

What he had felt to be the epitome of truth, what he had tried to grasp in every detail, the overwhelming spectacle that his own power had projected, was actually nothing more than a design. The important thing was not to "look at it" but to "move it". Now, every time he exerts his power, the laws and truths he perceives do not "move", but rather change by "setting them in motion". With the intervention of the will, that scene can become anything.

It originates from himself and exists by himself.

Freely adjustable.

If we think about it, the King's power has always been to "move" things according to his own will.

To exert one's own power to the fullest is to freely create laws, truths, the world, and the age.

Once he realized that he was using his power to the fullest of his own will, the gears clicked into place and everything started moving.

Yes, Kokujoji understood.

There's no way that wouldn't be fun.

If he decides to do things that way and keeps going, the path will open up.

"Now, back off! Back off and get the kids back!"

As he uses his will and strength to get things done,

"Come to think of it."

Otono shouted in a somewhat casual tone.

"I'm the one who's here to watch, so I guess I shouldn't be the one to say it."

"What?"

Although he was aware that he was becoming talkative, he couldn't help it and started asking questions frankly.

"Even though this is the time to gather the power of the swords, you still haven't unsheathed your sword."

"Mmm."

Hearing that, Kokujoji simply looked up.

Beyond the falling snow, high in the sky a red and blue glow in the shape of a "sword" (Schwert) could be faintly seen. Those enormous crystallizations of power, pointing their tips towards the ground, were supposed to be proof that the King was exerting his full strength... but just as Otono had said, the golden sword was not there.

"That is a good question."

Kokujoji answered without showing any sign of offense.

"Playing with a ratio of "three against two" is a bad move. To be sure of victory, one must play with a ratio of "four against one".

"......?"

"And for that reason I must win this tug of war!"

Otono did not understand what the story was saying, but he did understand one thing. As the man in charge of mediating the situation, it was noticeable in the atmosphere of his voice and the enthusiasm that permeated his heart.

"Haha, I see."

The essence of what he wanted to know was the source of the joy exuded by the man called Kokujoji Daikaku.

"You really love doing things together, my lord."

And then "everyone" heard what he said.

Hearing that, everyone pulled harder.

However, there was one person among them.

Only one person who couldn't join "everyone", his enemy, the "Colorless King", was resisting the power that was trying to pull the "Green King" out of his own body. He clenched his limbs so tightly that they dug into the ground, clamped his mouth shut to prevent green sparks from flying out, and put all his strength into the tug-of-war.

But,

"...kid..."

That resistance was finally reaching its limits.

"...ugh..."

It wasn't just physical strength, but the power of the three Kings telling him "this is how it should be" (and the modest encouragement of one of them) that finally produced the desired scene.

The base of his neck, which had been stretched so far that it seemed like it was going to be torn off, began to faintly glow with a green light, and that light was gradually drawn towards his throat. Something was coming out of his mouth. The voice escaping from the edge of his closed palate had become denser and had taken on a sad tone.

"Where...?"

The end came suddenly.

A lightning rod with sparks coming out of his closed mouth,

The green light headed further up from his throat.

The moment the two touched, the entire skull of the monster exploded into pieces. Attracted by a strong "force", the girl who was the source of the lightning attack, and the children connected to her, were thrown into the air.

Taking advantage of the momentum, hundreds of white fragments flew out from the monster's neck. Those white things buried in the snow are human bone fragments. That was the end result of those with supernatural powers being secretly swallowed by the monster "Black Cloak" and their powers being completely absorbed.

Before that could happen, the "Green King" Iku Tsunogui and the Biribiri Gang were rescued, and instantly dragged towards the end of the rope, as if escaping death.

Miya, was the one who fell the hardest on her butt from the effect of the rescue.

"Iku-chan! Everyone!"

The girl opened her slender arms to welcome them all, but naturally it was too much for her and they all fell face down into the snow. At the same time, the green power protecting those who were swallowed disappeared. The children, already unconscious, fell onto the snow.

The only one who remained conscious was the "Green King".

"Miya-chan..."

She leaned her small body on the chest of her friend that she had finally found.

"I was watching from inside... Thank you..."

Her haggard face clearly showed signs of fatigue, but she was still smiling.

Miya smiled back at her King.

"Yes. Everyone here helped me."

"Everyone here" she was referring to welcomed the "Green King" by sitting on their butts, instead of standing up and bullying her.

Nazumi who had been fighting with her just moments ago now let out a rare sigh of relief.

"It seems we can finally talk calmly."

"What a carefree thing to say. I'm not done fighting this bastard yet."

As he spoke, Unno, who was also sitting cross-legged and resting, lightly punched him.

Kokujoji asked beside him, watching the situation intently.

"What do you think, Otono Benji?"

"Yes, it seems it's time to put an end to this."

Hearing Otono's voice, Chika, Suwako, Okuma, and the others also looked towards the monster. The three of them had planned to grab the children and retreat if the situation worsened, but it seemed that the King and his companions were more relaxed.

Deep within the snow that continued to fall, "nothing" crouched as if a concentrated darkness had indeed lost its power.

"Where is it...?"

Although a mournful cry could be heard coming from the base of his neck where his skull had been blown off, there was no sign of him regenerating. Not only that, even the outline of the giant body was gradually fading away and starting to shrink.

"Where did you go...? You're gone."

His voice, as if trying to make his pain understood, grew weaker as he continued to speak. Soon the voice stopped and the body disappeared. It was as if he was convinced of that.

"Where did you go...? Don't leave me behind..."

Finally, the voice would reach its final stage of agony and the poor "Colorless King" would fall and die.

It was supposed to be like that.

Suddenly,

Kokujoji Daikaku, Unno Yutaka, Somei Nazumi, Tsunogui Iku, Otono Benji... even the "Colorless King" who was about to disappear had noticed it. Realizing this, he looked up at the snowy sky.

A huge "force of destiny" comes from high in the skies, which will dramatically change the existence of everything that exists on this earth, in this country, and even in this world.

After receiving the President's telegram, the "Skinny" section immediately put "Option 3" into action. A modified B-47S high-altitude bomber, dubbed the "Versifire", took off from the carrier toward the sea and began to rapidly climb to bombing altitude and turn to enter the bombing course.

The only thing that was reported to the regular crew members was that this was a secret operation. From the beginning of the operation, they were one of two select bombing teams (the other being the "Trash Hands" team) that had been rotating through top-secret bombing training in the United States, Yokosuka Naval Base, and the Pacific Island region, and were some of the best bombing experts in the entire Carrier Air Wing.

Although they were forbidden from landing in Japan or having access to any information, they had a vague idea of the mission direction based on the content of the bombing training, but the bombing target was kept secret until the start of the operation.

Even when suddenly the special crew member who appears as a passenger, a Marine colonel in charge of handling the atomic bomb, told them that the location was "right in the middle of Tokyo, Japan", they showed no particular reaction.

They are professional soldiers and have been trained to follow orders. The most important thing is the special assignments, promotions, and vacations that are earned through missions, and rebellion or dissent from superiors is never even considered.

In order to be able to return home as soon as possible, they carry out the tasks given to them.

The ideal is to be able to fully demonstrate the results of their intensive training.

That was what they had in mind.

The true nature of Hiroshima and Nagasaki continues to be concealed, with the exception of a few accusations, by press censorship and propaganda, but even if they had known the truth, it probably would not have made any difference. Replacement crew members would simply have been recruited. To them, Japan was just another landscape to behold from the harbor.

Of course, they showed no interest in the long speech given by the Navy captain, who was a special crew member, about the historical significance of this secret operation and how it would contribute to great achievements for the United States and the capitalist world as a whole. For them, bombing was just one of their daily missions.

After a briefing on the objectives of their bombing raids, the only thing they did before the final inspection of their aircraft was to offer a devout prayer in the prayer area set up on board the aircraft carrier.

The "Versifire" they were piloting began to circle over the Kanto region smoothly, just as they had practiced. The area was covered in stormy snow clouds, the worst possible weather for a bombing raid, but the plan remained unchanged. The real objective of the bombing raid is a situation where supernatural kings gather in one place. There was no way to postpone or cancel it.

Since this mission cannot be scheduled at a specific time, they were provided with state-of-the-art equipment. This is not a conventional visual optical sight, but a new type of radio-guided radar sight.

The bombing raid was directed by locally hired Japanese operatives, who were positioned in a wide area surrounding the battlefield. It was this radio guidance device that Otono mistook for a "huge radio".

Of course, these people never imagined that an atomic bomb would fall in the center of the circle they were forming. All they could do was shiver in the snow, complaining about the heavy burden they were told an observation team represented.

As they turned, the "Versifire" completed its radio guidance adjustments, then lowered its altitude and entered the bombing path. It was a completely unexpected event, but the red and blue "Sword-like Shine (Schwert)" floating low in the sky was directly in front of them, welcoming them like a guiding light.

During the descent, the bomb bay doors opened and the atomic bomb was released.

The third atomic bomb dropped on Japan, "Skinny Guy", which gave the section its name, was thin but several times more powerful than the previous ones and fell into the snow clouds as if it were being absorbed.

If it had been the "Silver King", it would not have been more affected by the destruction than a gentle breeze.

If it had been the "Golden King", he would have raised his fist and sent the object flying high into the sky.

If it had been the "Red King", he would have jumped up and kicked the atomic bomb back onto the aircraft carrier.

If it had been the "Blue King", he would have raised a solid shield to protect those beneath him.

If it had been the "Green King", he would have been able to neutralize the explosion with the power of alteration he unleashed along with the lightning.

If it had been the "Gray King", he would have enveloped it in a thick layer of mist and banished it to the vast expanse.

But now,

The "Colorless King", hungrier than anyone else, took the bait before anyone else.

The giant body, which had almost lost all of its thickness, stretched out into the sky like a thin, sharp needle. To satisfy the hunger he desired more than anything, he wanted to devour the piece of "power to change fate" that had fallen from the sky.

That power (the atomic bomb), "Skinny Guy", activated a barometric reactor by means of a spring-loaded timer, which opened all electrical circuits at an altitude of 2,000 meters, causing the detonator to receive a signal from a radio-controlled induction device on the ground, and then the neutron generator went into full operation at the optimum altitude for massacres.

The nuclear fission chain reaction released enormous amounts of neutrons and heat.

For a moment,

It was sucked into the "nothing" that stretched out like a jaw.

The "Colorless King" swallowed all that destructive power that could change destiny.

Everything that should emerge instantly caused the "nothing" to expand like a balloon. The expansion became a pseudo-explosion, splitting the air and sending violent tremors through the air. That was repeated two or three times, perhaps like the vomit produced by swallowing an immense amount of energy, or as a final resistance to the reality of the atomic bomb explosion.

Either way, the result of the "predation" created an extraordinary spectacle.

This was completely different from the mushroom cloud that should have appeared.

Appearing low in the sky was a gigantic sphere that could be mistaken for a completely black moon.

Its expansion and violent tremors scattered snow clouds over a wide area, bringing back the blue sky of winter and the midday sun. In the distance, where the drifted snow glistened in the sunlight, a huge red and blue glow in the shape of a "sword" (Schwert) dominated the sky.

Everyone in the suburbs of Tokyo saw it.

The intoxicating fantasy or the terrifying nightmare.

With the explosion, a clear sky appeared and suddenly a "strange object from this world" appeared.

(That has now changed...)

Kokujoji did not rely on logic, but experienced it with his own eyes.

The Kings, who were looking in the same direction, also realized the same thing...

The people recognized his "power".

With that realization, the world changed.

The various inexpressible certainties, including the existence of the bomb (or something like that) that had caused this, could not be logically digested nor sublimated into emotion and were instead returned to the reality that had changed in one fell swoop.

The sphere of "nothing", which even absorbs light, fell once again, having been devoured with the "power" it desired.

As if it were a giant bird's egg being laid, it landed with a thunderous roar and raised a thick cloud of dust.

Naturally the Kings on the field took a few steps forward.

Of course, it's not for the sake of welcome.

This is to protect the people behind them from what's coming. Unno is the first to become a shield for his subordinates, Nazumi naturally becomes a shield for Chika, Iku fights back despite being exhausted and becomes a shield for her companions, and Kokujoji boldly becomes a shield for everyone.

"Tch... That bastard took something dangerous and has now come back to life."

Then, from the dust that was clearing, it emerged.

This monster was indistinguishable from the four-legged lizard that had been fighting until just now.

"That "bad thing" is something I'm curious about, but I'll only pursue it after I've overcome the immediate threat."

It walked slowly, making a rumbling noise.

The kings noticed and raised their gaze higher and higher.

"What is this?"

He looked down from beneath the thin, transparent "Sword-like Radiance (Schwert)" floating between red and blue, with his head at a height of perhaps fifty meters.

The monster stood up.

"What an unbridled test that is imposed upon us! To be told that we must overcome even this..."

Something beyond normal identification, like a reptile or an amphibian. If you just look at its features, it could be an ancient dinosaur. But what is actually happening is something even more impossible.

If they had to choose a word from the classics, perhaps they should call it "monster".

The monster let out a roar that struck deep within, incomparable to the weak throes from before. The world has already changed. Common sense does not protect them from anything. Abnormality attacks relentlessly.

Faced with an unimaginable situation, the group failed to read what was normal for the monster. Although they knew that its jaws were open and aimed at them, they couldn't imagine what would come next.

However, they were able to act pretentiously at the right moment because they were faced with hostility and murderous intent.

Hostility and murderous intent began to swirl within its jaw.

Seeing that, which they had never seen before, Unno and Kokujoji, who displayed their battlefield instincts, cried out.

"What?! Something's coming!"

"Disperse!"

Screaming, he ran out to act as a decoy for "something dangerous", though she didn’t know what it was.

Half a second after the two,

"No!"

Nazumi, who had predicted the worst possible situation, took a firm stance. As he checked Chika's position, he quickly sheathed his sword and gave instructions in a voice that left no room for argument.

"Gather around me, quickly!"

"Hurry up, I mean."

Suwako anxiously looked around. She gets into dangerous situations every day and can sense when an emergency is approaching simply by the tone of his voice. Thus, she scattered the red threads in all directions and tied up the Biribiri members who were still lying in the snow. That was the end. She finished it, but she still needed one more step.

(The force that draws everyone in immediately...)

Iku was holding her hand.

"Thank you."

As she said that, green lightning flowed along the threads, reinforcing the force and attracting all of her allies with incredible speed. A shocked Okuma, Unno, Kokujoji, and others ran to catch them, and Iku herself hugged the frightened Miya.

As if it was her duty to check on the situation, Chika shouted loudly.

"Everyone, stay safe!"

"Understood."

Nazumi who returned, concentrated his energy and formed a spherical shield to protect everyone gathered there.

Another half second later,

A storm of hostility and murderous intent erupted from the monster's mouth. Normally invisible in the sunlight, the irregular, high-pressure air churning through the air scattered a diffuse glow like pure white flames everywhere.

Its destructive power could not be compared to that of flames.

After hitting Nazumi's shield, it staggered and wavered for more than ten seconds, and the white flames had pulverized everything they touched, from the road to the houses and overturned vehicles.

When the monster saw the blue shield disappear from below, it changed direction and began to move away. The rumbling sound caused by its long strides carried with it the "sword-like light (Schwert)" from the zenith and moved away into the distance.

At some point, the red and blue "sword-like (Schwert)" glow also disappeared, under the empty sky. A blue shield rolled out from a corner of the ruins, where pieces of wood and stones were piled up. It wasn't an intentional hiding spot. It was repelled by the high pressure of the white flames and was buried under the rubble.

The shield was suddenly released, and everyone who was safe was thrown out. Incidentally, the ground that made up about a third of the sphere's base also crumbled, like a vestige of what existed before the destruction.

"Damn it, that bastard... Hey, are you guys okay?"

Unno, who had already clenched her fists, said to Okuma and Suwako, who were sitting on their butts.

"Somehow."

"Ouch... that was horrible."

Meanwhile, Nazumi noted with relief that no damage had occurred to the Nanakamado facility. The monster also left in a different direction. It seemed like it had consumed enough energy and was satisfied. After those thoughts,

"We're obviously safe, but are you okay, Chika-san?"

He called out to her with an indirect gesture.

"Yes, thank you."

Chika had already recovered and was examining the remains.

The rock-like lump in her hand crumbled into pieces with just a light squeeze.

"Rocks and wood are as fragile as soybean pulp... What is this?"

An unexpected person answered that question.

"A voice that desires, a voice that is afraid... that is the power that combines the two."

Iku was consulting with Miya to make sure that her friends were safe.

"The entire time I was inside him, I could hear him screaming."

From a limited number of words, Nazumi instantly constructed a logic.

"Hmm, so that power was a type of telekinesis... an attractive force that draws you in with desire, and a repulsive force that pushes you away with fear, a chaotic mix of both contradictory forces that was then unleashed... perhaps we could call it a "super contradictory line of force"."

"This is no time for excuses!"

Unno, who seemed completely unconcerned, shouted.

"Let's go after that bastard right now!"

So he urged Kokujoji excitedly.

"Hmm? What's wrong, "Golden King"?"

"......"

There was no response that would have been expected if he had been hit any further.

On the contrary, he stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the back of the "Colorless King" as he walked away.

(How fast the world is changing.)

He was overwhelmed by the sheer speed of the event, but he still retained the excitement from before, the feeling that his "Kings" were "moving the world", or rather, it was because they were carrying it along.

No matter how "strong" one is, can they really maintain this speed?

Or perhaps it is precisely because they possess "power" that they are required to run so fast.

Something that came from above, something that was devoured, something that was devoured and transformed... the things that transformed and attacked one after another are now, with no time to waste, about to overflow into the ordinary world.

(Leaves the evacuation zone... soon after, combat with the siege forces begins.)

The deserted evacuation zone, shrouded in snow, was a shell of common sense, isolated from the rest of the world, no matter how rampant the supernatural powers might be. Now then, that can be easily crushed as well.

(We must quickly withdraw the besieging forces and evacuate the civilians in our path.)

The overflowing transformation threatens to engulf everyone.

It is no longer just the visual impact of seeing a black moon.

The direct violent threat of the "Colorless King", who had transformed into a monster, was drawing near.

(We, no one but ourselves, must take action to stop it... but is it really okay to let this "power" flow out and use it in front of the people living in this present time? This is a "power" that can arbitrarily create laws, truths, the world, and the era.)

Reality pushes him forward mercilessly, not allowing him even a few seconds of hesitation or serious concern.

Now, a word from the "Green King" called for a change.

"Don't let him go."

"What do you mean by that, Iku?"

Sensing the girl's intelligence, Kokujoji asked seriously.

Iku clumsily got to the heart of the matter.

"Once he reaches the sea, he will relax and let himself go."

And the sense of crisis was clearly conveyed.

"If he were to unleash it, all the force holding him back would pour out."

Nazumi translated her words again.

"In other words, when the "Colorless King" reaches the sea, for some reason he will feel relieved and release the emptiness that makes up his giant body. Then, the power that was swallowed up in the sky will begin to overflow."

That "power" that made the sky explode... They had no way of knowing the exact nature of the object that had been swallowed by the "nothing", but the extent of its threat was imprinted in their minds. What if it premiered on the coast of Tokyo Bay?

A chill ran through everyone who heard the story.

Kokujoji is forced to act in the face of harsh reality and time-bound circumstances.

"Otono Benji, are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm glad I didn't muster up the courage I didn't have and didn't approach you."

A voice emerged from the fog surrounding him, as if it were a normal place.

As a former officer, Kokujoji asked the former soldier.

"You were listening, right? Can you accurately calculate the direction he's traveling in?"

"Wait a moment... Hmm, it seems he's heading directly south. I think he's going to skirt the moat from Tokyo Station to Ginza and reach the mouth of the Sumida River."

"Okay, thank you."

Saying so, he clasped his hands and called a man from "Tokijikuin" who was wearing a communication device. He picked up the receiver and requested the operator to connect him to the emergency line. After a short wait, he got ready.

(Anyway, for now we must take practical measures.)

Naturally, the people around him also watched the development of events. No matter what they did, they all understood that to face that monster they would need the combined strength of the Kings, just like in the tug-of-war earlier.

After a short pause, the call was connected.

His opponent is the person with the most power he can control... the chairman of the ruling party.

Without much ado, Kokujoji made a reasonable request to protect the citizens, and also asked that preliminary steps be taken so that they can fight the "Colorless King" at will.

"As stated earlier, the battle situation is serious. Please evacuate all civilians on the route immediately."

But,

"......"

For some reason, the President did not immediately respond to this request, which was supposed to be urgent.

"......?"

Kokujoji, knowing that his partner is far from clumsy, waited for a response, though he was perplexed.

After a few seconds, probably a period of deep thought, the question arose.

"By what authority?"

"Eh?"

Kokujoji couldn't help but respond in an idiotic voice.

The President reiterates his statement once again, making sure to carefully consider what he is saying.

"What authority do you have to interfere with the emergency command, I ask?"

Kokujoji's confusion only increased. He also knew that, in an emergency like this, he was not the type of person to waste time arguing... or so he thought.

"Now is not the time to get hung up on formalities..."

"It is very important."

The President's tone remained unchanged. He took his time and enunciated each word carefully.

#k #k project #k stories #k side gold #kokujoji daikaku #somei chika #otono benji #todokoro suwako #tamataro okuma #iku #unno yutaka

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