Published at 26th of March 2019 12:07 am

Volume 4, Part 2

▶First Day {C} [Kazuki Hoshino]'s room

«Your [class] is [Knight]»

This obvious message is written on the monitor.

The others should have seen this screen by now as well. I can only pray that the [classes] were distributed in my favor.

«Hey you bastard, what's wrong with you that you expose facts of your own accord?! How will you make up for this if it gets boring because of you damn hypocrite! If that happens give me back my money!»

Noitan started to curse right after appearing, but as usual I can't counter with anything.

«Choose your partner for the [Secret Meeting], you scum.»

The blood-shot-eyed Noitan vanishes and the photographs of six people appear.

[Secret Meeting], huh. I know exactly who I'll choose. I reach out almost reflexively for Maria's picture---but stop my hand halfway.

Is it really alright to pick her?

It's no mistake to choose Maria. In order to save Maria, I will certainly need her cooperation.

But... I reached out my hand reflexively. Almost without thinking.

Is that because I instantly concluded that it is the right choice?

...as if. Even after what just happened out there, I'm unconsciously trying to rely on Maria again.

Therefore, I should not choose her, no matter if it's right or wrong to select her.

I will cut off my dependence on her.

"I will fight, alone."

Therefore, I'll choose the person I'm going to beat first.

I stretch out my stopped hand. I choose---

«Hoho - this iS - an uneXpected - tuRn»

---«Iroha Shindou».

I will become the «King».

For that sake, I will first put Iroha-san under my rule.

[Iroha Shindou] -> [Yuuri Yanagi] 15:00~16:00

[Yuuri Yanagi] -> [Iroha Shindou] 15:00~16:00

[Daiya Oomine] -> [Kazuki Hoshino] 15:00~15:30

[Kazuki Hoshino] -> [Iroha Shindou] 16:20~16:50

[Koudai Kamiuchi] -> [Daiya Oomine] 16:20~16:50

[Maria Otonashi] -> [Daiya Oomine] 15:40~16:10

▶First Day {C} [Secret Meeting] with [Daiya Oomine], [Kazuki Hoshino]'s room

I've already prepared myself for the [Secret Meeting] with Iroha-san, but the one with Daiya is first. Which means that he selected me quicker than I chose Iroha-san.

Since I was all ready to speak with Iroha-san, this is kind of a let-down, but I get a grip of myself right away.

I must be careful.

Daiya arrived immediately at my room when it was time. Before even sitting down on the table, he scowls at me.

"...hey, are you really Kazuki Hoshino?"

"Eh?"

An unexpected question.

It's more like the others can't be called real since they are copies, but he doesn't know that.

No, but that he poses such a question means that he's not aware of being the 'owner' of the 'Game of Idleness'. Daiya's NPC fights under the same conditions as the other NPCs.

...Wait. Does that mean that----

"......Daiya. How do you think about this 'box'?"

"You have some nerves ignoring my question and asking one yourself. ...Anyway, let me tell you."

He continues, frankly showing me his discomfort.

"This 'box' is trash."

As I thought.

"There's no meaning in the existence of a nonsensical 'box' that just exists for making people play a game about killing each other."

This Daiya thinks exactly like the Daiya of the second round.

In fact, his words are almost the same as in the second round. It's obvious now that I think about it. Daiya's NPC hasn't taken over his memory. It's only natural that he would take the same actions since their amount of information is the same.

And if memory serves me right, in the second round he---

"Who's so stupid to play such a pathetic game like [Kingdom Royale]?"

---tried to stop [Kingdom Royale].

In other words, my goal of stopping [Kingdom Royale] matches the goal of Daiya's NPC. So you could call him an «Ally».

No, Daiya isn't my only «Ally». Except for Koudai Kamiuchi, all the other NPCs don't want to kill actively either. As a matter of fact, only the players did so in order to survive, because they knew that the others were NPCs and thought there was no other way out.

...a chance of winning may just have come in sight a little.

"Daiya, there's something I want to tell you. Okay?"

"What?"

"Your stance is the most dangerous one."

Daiya frowns.

"...what the...? Sure enough, I may look like a dangerous individual seen from the others' point of view. After all, I might be able to kill someone if it's necessary. ...but so what? Why do you say that now? Do you want to persuade me because I'm dangerous?"

"...No. I didn't mean to say that you're dangerous, but that you're in danger the most. In other words, you're at risk of being killed."

"Don't talk bullsh---"

But he stops instantly.

"No, it's not all that wrong, huh. Leaving aside whether it's really 'the most,' I agree that I could easily become a target because of this personality of mine. Because I look dangerous to them!"

"That's not the only reason."

When I say this, Daiya stares at me wordlessly.

"It's also because you're the 'owner'."

"Hah? Don't mess with me! Sure, I'm an 'owner', but I'm most definitely not the 'owner' of such a 'box'."

Come to think of it, he also defamed this 'box' as nonsensical or something in the second round. I'm amazed he can say that, in spite of using it as a way to stave off his boredom...

Or is it also a lie that he's using it to stave off boredom? Does he really have a hidden goal which I shouldn't know? And not even his NPC is able to see through the real Daiya's intention?

...I don't know, but I'd better hide the information that would make this confusing.

"...no matter what the truth is, Maria thinks of you as the creator of [Kingdom Royale]. Therefore, I think there's a high possibility that the others would falsely assume that crushing the 'box' - or killing you - solves this case when they get to know that."

In fact, in the second round he was killed first because of that.

"...Well, possible. But still, it's funny that I'm not being told «don't kill anyone» but «don't get killed by anyone»."

Saying so, he scowls at me.

"As I thought, you're strange somehow. Our good-natured Kazuki Hoshino normally wouldn't be capable of such a thought. Even if you really hit upon this, you would never tell me with so much confidence. What's with that attitude? Almost, as if you've already---"

He stops there.

"...I see... it finally makes sense to me. That's also why your attitude towards Shindou and the others seemed strange to me, huh. Hey, --- it's not the first time you're playing [Kingdom Royale], right?"

That's Daiya as we know him.

He was able to arrive at the truth with only this little information, although there would be many other possibilities. His capability really is amazing.

"...judging from your expression, looks like I'm right. Well, the truth doesn't matter to me. I only need to know what you're trying to make me do after making me answer your question. So, try telling me your plans."

Daiya speaks arrogantly.

"But be prepared to be used by me."

I unconsciously close my mouth.

In this [Secret Meeting] I originally wanted to find out how he's going to move. Put another way, I didn't have concrete plans of what to do with him.

However, I came to know that we share our goals.

Couldn't this be the greatest chance I have? I'd be able to work together with Daiya.

I mean, there can't possibly be a situation where he listens to me more unaffectedly than now. If he believes me, we can do something about his situation of being an easy target. And most of all, I'd have access to his outstanding wit. That would be a huge leap towards the achievement of my goal.

Of course it's still risky. If he wants, he can easily make use of me as he said. I don't say so because I've become faint-hearted, but because it's a fact I experienced in the first round.

But---

"I know the system of the 'Game of Idleness' well."

I can't stay silent anymore. I guess it was already decided that this would happen since the time I revealed being the [Knight].

"There's a lot I want to tell you, but first I'll teach you how the previous three rounds of [Kingdom Royale] progressed! In the first round---"

Like this, I started explaining to him.

Daiya silently listened to me, almost without interrupting me.

Unable to tell him everything in the remaining time, the [Secret Meeting] ended with the appointment continuing in the next [Secret Meeting].

▶First Day {C} [Secret Meeting] with [Iroha Shindou], [Iroha Shindou]'s room

I don't know whether the cooperation with Daiya will go well. But for now I'll switch and concentrate on the next matter.

The partner of the next [Secret Meeting] is the person I ought to clear first---I ought to control first---Iroha Shindou. I've already decided what I'm going to tell her to achieve that.

The reason why I want to bring her under my rule right off. It's because she has the power to change the mood more than anyone else.

Therefore, I have to move before she can do something that's disadvantageous for me.

At least she shouldn't completely reject what I have to say, judging from her attitude earlier.

It's alright.

Reassuring myself, I enter Iroha-san's room.

"......"

And yet, I wonder why? Iroha-san was standing there, expressionlessly, with crossed arms, almost as if she was awaiting an enemy.

"May I ask? Why did you choose me as your partner for the [Secret Meeting]?"

A wariness she hasn't shown in the big room.

I answer her while feeling a little anxious.

"Because I wanted to make you my comrade first, Iroha-san!"

That's no lie.

"...«Iroha-san»?"

Iroha-san narrows her eyes suspiciously.

"Umm, what do you mean?"

"...most people call me «Kaichou» when they first meet me, you know. Thus it feels awkward being called by the real name right away. It seems like I'm hard to approach familiarly."

Now that she mentions it, I was calling her «Kaichou» as well until she told me to stop...

"Anyway... why would you want to make me your comrade first? ...wait, better not say it. You noticed that I'm trying to control the mood anyway, right?"

".........eh?"

I'm perplexed at her stunningly quick understanding.

"You're troubled when I arbitrarily do something that ends up worsening your position. Hence, you want to quickly make me your comrade, right?"

"Well, yeah..."

What the hell? It's almost like she predicted what I was going to say.

"Let's assume that one obediently follows someone like a little child and it ultimately leads to a good outcome, okay? Even if things went well by luck, I can't appreciate such people. Because it means stopping one's own thinking and leaving one's life to someone else, you see. Say, don't you agree?"

"......err---"

"It just doesn't suit me. Obeying someone's instructions, dancing to someone's pipe - that's no fun. ...Um, where were we? You said you want to put me under your control on the pretext of making me a comrade?"

As I thought.

As I thought, she has already seen through my intention.

"But as I said, I choose to not move by your leadership. We choose to move by thinking «ourselves»."

"...we?"

Iroha-san doesn't answer the obvious question of whom she refers to that way.

There's only one person that would join forces with Iroha-san at this point in time.

Yuuri Yanagi.

There's only Yuuri, who once tried to kill Iroha-san through [Sorcery].

...there's no way this could be a good course of events.

"Honestly speaking, I basically wanted to believe what you told us in the big room!"

"...Eh?"

"But you know, in our [Secret Meeting] Yuuri pointed out that you seem to one-sidedly know us well. Well... of course people hear about us to a certain extent through rumors, but she said that you're not on that level; that you seem to know about us more in detail."

"That's because---"

But Iroha-san doesn't let me interrupt her.

"I don't care what you know about us. That is because I know that you're in a special position. But you know, the problem is that you hid that fact. You didn't reveal to us right away that you have information that gives you an advantage to fight in this game."

"I-I didn't mean to...! No. I just didn't say it because that's not something you can say right away!"

"Yeah. May be. But there's no guarantee. I don't know whether you're the instigator or an endorser or an opponent of this game. I want to believe the latter, but if I'm wrong, our lives are at stake. Don't you think it's too risky for us to just obey your words?"

Therefore, she doesn't follow me.

Aah, sh*t... it's an obvious consequence.

"Don't worry. I won't ignore your opinion, Hoshino-kun. I will properly hear you out! But «we» decide whether we believe it. Our life depends on it, so we can't just blindly follow someone. Therefore, I won't become your «comrade». Sorry."

I do think her judgment is appropriate and I also think it seems like the best decision to make for them.

It's also a situation where it seems like I can still achieve anything.

But it only seems like that---I can't anymore-

This is already a dead-end.

"......Iroha-san."

"What? Do you still want to try persuading me? No problem. I'll listen!"

"......"

To tell the truth, I thought I could expose almost everything to her like I did with Daiya. Because I expected that she would comparatively accept my story favorably as she's capable of calm decisions. At least I think she would have supported me more or less in my goal to «end the game without anyone dying».

"...I changed my mind."

---it won't go that way anymore.

"I see."

After all, Iroha-san would tell everything to Yuuri-san. And as soon Yuuri-san's opinion mixed in, a change would definitely occur.

That is because unlike Iroha-san, who can view things objectively, Yuuri-san doesn't believe things that aren't in her favor. For example, I don't think she would believe that she's only a NPC at the moment or that she bears the sin of murder on her shoulders.

What would Yuuri-san do after hearing my words, that are unfavorable to her?

I can see it clearly.

She would deny it.

She would consider me her enemy.

And then she would aim to win [Kingdom Royale], making use of Iroha-san.

In other words---she would commit murder.

Therefore, this is already a dead-end.

"------"

There was still spare time.

But I didn't find anything to talk about anymore.

▶First Day {D} Big room

And I had to see the consequence of my failure right away, in its worst shape.

"I think we need groups."

Iroha-san waited for the moment everyone was sitting to say that.

I failed to immediately grasp her intention. Iroha-san and Yuuri-san are cooperating, after all. Why does she need to announce this to everyone?

But seeing her smiling at me, I understand.

This is some kind of constraint.

A constraint against me and the «person who knows the reasons for [Kingdom Royale]» in whose existence she believes.

Iroha-san has put me on the enemy side because I failed to achieve anything in our [Secret Meeting].

"It seems there is the need for an explanation. First, let me confirm our goal. Naturally that is to get out of here without any killing incident. Am I right?"

No one objects.

"Okay, Hoshino-kun proposed one method to achieve this. According to him we automatically get out of here if all of us survive. That sure sounds like an attractive proposition, really! But don't you agree that it's too dangerous to believe him blindly and move as he wants us to, without knowing his true motivations?"

After checking that everyone's listening seriously, she continues.

"But well, there's no real other good plan that comes to mind, is there? We can't even tell for sure whether he's telling the truth or not. But that also means that no murder will occur. Why? Because no one would commit murder for winning the game when there's this attractive proposal that might be true."

"Well, I guess so."

Hearing Koudai Kamiuchi's agreement, I can barely manage to not scream out «You're the only one that's not like that!».

"In other words, we would ultimately follow Hoshino-kun's goal. Without fully believing him, we would spend eight days without doing anything."

"Maybe. But in the end we may get saved as he said, and in any case, it's much better than to kill each other in the game, isn't it?"

Iroha-san answers her as Maria nods.

"Yes, sure, but there's also someone who's not like that, isn't there?"

"Who?"

Then, Iroha-san says without changing her expression,

"The instigator of the game."

The person she perceives as her enemy.

She didn't mistake whom to consider as her enemy. But it's not possible to defeat him - because his non-NPC version isn't here.

Thus, Iroha-san drifts off the correct path to take.

"I don't know what his intention is, but the instigator of this game definitely wishes to see the repugnant scene of us fighting each other. Or can you find any other aim in such a meaningless game?"

No one objects. Because everyone can agree to what she's saying, even without definite proof.

And I know that she's actually right. This 'box', that was created by Daiya as a way to stave off boredom, does indeed not wish that things proceed without anything happening.

But let me repeat this: he isn't here.

"Therefore, someone --- someone who supports the instigator --- will certainly change the flow so that people will die in this game."

Iroha-san speaks while clearly looking at me.

She has mistaken her enemy.

"...do you want to say that Kazuki's going to do that?"

"No, I didn't say so. I only want to say that there might still be someone among us who wants to change the flow. And that it's dangerous if he manages to do that. Therefore, we will divide into «groups»."

"Into «us» and «the instigators»."

I see. Thinking that there are «instigators» isn't Iroha-san's only mistake.

"Yeah. Why not?"

"I think... we need to do so, too."

Her gravest mistake is to think that no one would spur on the game apart from the «instigators».

Fair enough. When I was an NPC, I also didn't want to believe there were people like Koudai Kamiuchi who actually want to play a killer-game. I also didn't notice that Yuuri-san would go as far as committing murder. Both are things I wouldn't have come to know without experiencing the second round.

It's not something she could possibly notice without remembering the previous rounds.

But Iroha-san continues her explanation, having no idea of all that.

"Our greatest concern right now is the trap of the instigator. But we can ward this off as long we don't act as he wants us to. No, rather we should comprehend his intention and use it against him to grasp an outcome where no one kills anyone."

Maria asks with a frown,

"That's why you want to divide us in «groups»?"

"Exactly. I think that, if we all act separately, someone will fall for his intention. On top of that, we all have our own interests. The worst case scenario I can think of is that one of the psychically weaker people will start to suspect the rest and make the grave mistake of committing murder.

But what if our wills are united? What if we all have a will that can't be shaken, whatever happens? The trap of «the instigators» would degrade to being a joke! Therefore, I'm saying we should build «groups» with a united will. Of course the «the instigators» who want to trick us won't be able to enter there."

"Hmpf," Daiya snorts at her explanation, "I got your reasoning, but how do you plan to build those «groups»? To begin with, how can you distinguish the instigators from the others?"

"There's no way I could distinguish them, is there?"

Iroha-san says as if it was a matter of course.

"What? But then---"

"Therefore---I'll just take their freedom away."

Iroha-san says without letting Daiya speak out.

"...I can't seem to understand you. Will you threaten everyone who doesn't agree with you or what?"

"The opposite!"

Daiya raises an eyebrow.

"The opposite?"

"Yeah, the opposite. I won't take away the freedom of the people that don't follow my plan, but of those who agree with me."

Not only Daiya, but everyone here widened their eyes.

"I won't allow any objection against me from anyone who belongs to my «group». I'll have them swear absolute obedience to me. And I will kill anyone who betrays me."

"K-Kill...hey..."

Looking straight at me, when I said that, she explains,

"Let me tell you how I'll do it. First, I'll make the ones who approve of me hand me over their food supply. If we can believe that Uglypoo, we will die by turning into mummies if we don't eat anything in the {E}-block, right? Therefore, I will flush away everyone's food in the toilet as soon someone even shows a sign of betraying me. If they properly obey me, I'll give them one portion at each {D}-block. Well, by food management, you can achieve the same effect as the [Revolutionary] does with [Assassination], you see."

"Wait, wait, wait."

Daiya stops her explanation.

"Why should anyone want to enter your «group» while knowing what awaits him there?"

Iroha-san flashes a cold smile to his question.

"Everyone who belongs to my «group» vows me absolute obedience. Of course, they cannot do anything. They also can't try to stir up a killer-game. Therefore, I will judge everyone who belongs to my «group» as a victim that was involved in this game or as a loser who gave up fighting against me. On the other hand, I judge everyone who doesn't belong to my «group» as an enemy that has the intent to fight."

Iroha-san stops once and takes a breath.

Then, she raises the corner of her mouth slightly and declares,

"If you want to prove that you're no enemy, then at least toady to me!"

Everyone loses their tongue to her rude words - even Daiya.

In short, Iroha-san's saying that it's not optional to enter her «group», but forced, and that everyone who does not obey her will get erased by her.

Taking a glance at our silenced faces, she continues without changing her expression,

"I hit upon the method to clear this game. Someone with the right will has to rule over the others. Mh, well, you could say it's becoming a temporary «King»."

Becoming a «King».

It's the same conclusion that I've come to.

"I know that I just said something extremely selfish. Of course it's possible that I make a wrong decision. It's also possible that someone will die due to my mistakes. I admit this possibility! But I'm sure you agree that it's much better than acting separately, getting into chaos and starting to distrust everyone, right?"

"Where's the necessity for you to do that?"

"There's none."

She answers frankly to Daiya's remark.

"But I don't think there's anyone who's more suited for it than me."

She says confidently. Daiya scratches his head after hearing that and continues,

"That's not the only problem. From our point of view, we can't deny the possibility that you are the instigator yourself. Before we can follow you, you need to prove to us that you're trustworthy."

"I see. I forgot because I'm not one of «the instigators». ...you obviously won't believe it when I just say it like this, huh. Well, can't be helped, I'll just show you."

Saying this, she pulls up her shirt.

"My resolve of becoming the «king»!"

A knife is there.

"W-What are you---"

Ignoring me, she thrusts the knife into the table. Yuuri-san stiffens because of the loud, dull sound.

"Take a good look, guys! This is what you call resolve!"

She tears off her uniform's scarf and wraps it strongly around her left little finger so that her blood almost stops.

What on earth is she---

My comprehension can't follow her actions. But completely ignoring this fact, she grasps the knife before her eyes with her right hand.

Unbelievably sharp, determined eyes. She raises the corners of her mouth and breathes wildly. Cold sweat appears on her forehead.

"I-Iroha?"

She makes Yuuri-san retreat with the sole force of her glance. And then---

"Uh, UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

She roared and---

"Ha! Ahaha, ahahahahahahaha!!"

---cut off her own little finger.

"Ah, aah------"

Neglecting Yuuri-san who has turned pale and lost her tongue, Iroha-san continues to laugh.

"W-What are you doing---?!"

Maria, who was unable to react to the sudden turn of things as well, rushes to Iroha-san, tears off her white shirt and starts to stop the bleeding. Iroha-san didn't stop this, but breaths wildly while contorting her mouth.

Then, she turns her awe-inspiringly determined glance to me.

Of course I'm overcome with fear by such a thing!

"How is it? Do you think someone who just wants to enjoy such a pathetic game would be capable of this kind of resolve? Do I, who can cut off her own finger with mere determination, really look like such a rookie?"

"Uh, uuh......"

"No way, ha! Haha! I! Do! Certainly NOT enjoy this game! I'm strong and won't give in...! I'm a born leader! Got it, guys?!!"

We got overwhelmed.

We have no other choice but to obey, seeing her like this.

Right.

This is---Iroha Shindou.

This is---Iroha Shindou's resolve of becoming the «king».

"Entrust them to me! Your life, your soul - entrust them to me just for the while we're in this game! I'll bear everything for you! I'll take all the responsibility and bear it until I break!"

She throws her little finger away.

To display us that she cut off any attachment to such things.

"Follow me, people! And be prepared, my enemies! As if I'd let it go your way, you fools! I'll rule this place! That's right, I---"

Then, she speaks sharply:

"I will become the «king»!"

This strength.

I can't help but get timid. There can be only one «king». There can't possibly be two at the same time. In other words, I will absolutely have to fight against her, who is a superhuman without any doubt.

That's unreasonable! There's no way I could win.

My immense fear suddenly lights up a new thought in me:

...couldn't I just leave becoming the «king» to her?

It's not important who the «king» is. As long there's someone capable who rules the place and ultimately no one kills anyone, I can achieve my goal of protecting Maria. So isn't it okay to entrust her with everything?

"------"

I know. That's not possible.

I mean, she can't fight against her enemy. She is just an NPC and her real version has already ended her fight.

I look around.

Yuuri-san is shivering and emptiness is starting to dwell in her eyes.

Koudai Kamiuchi seems calm, but he can't conceal the enjoyment in his eyes.

But Iroha Shindou hasn't noticed. Because of her outstanding nature, she can't take notice of the delicate signs of the human heart.

If she becomes the «king», she's only going to get betrayed and killed like the [King] in the scenario of [Kingdom Royale].

Right, therefore, I have to do it.

I can't rely on Iroha-san. I can't rely on Maria. I can't rely on anyone in this fourth round of [Kingdom Royale].

After all, I'm the only one here.

Right now I'm the only one who's really fighting against Daiya, who's in that dark room.

I look at the finger she has thrown away.

Iroha-san, I understand the extent of your resolve.

I also know that you're an amazing person.

But still --- you're not geared for it.

You can't become the «king». You're an embarrassing child who's trying to become the «king» while playing just a minor role here - get lost.

The only one that has the right to become the «king»---is me!

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