I was surprised. You seem quite overprotective. I did not receive that kind of impression from you."
"That’s hardly the issue. Rather, saying that she’s in the way wasn’t a lie… well, compared to that, you’re a real surprise as well, especially this . If my memory is right, it’s a war written in a passage of a fictional historical annal… Isn’t that about Cooley’s role in cattle disputes from < Táin Bó>[14]?"
"You are about half correct. In this world of Little Garden, the has the same value as the historical truth… Do you know of the concept of a [Paradigm Shift ][15]?"
"Yeah. I just learned about it recently."
Izayoi returned a nod of confirmation to His Highness.
— The world of Little Garden was unevenly distributed along the various time axises.
Even if an event was a historic fiction, in a different time stream, it would be a historical fact. Its existence was allowable so long as it fit the rest of history. It would be a truth in this land of Little Garden.
Izayoi read the words on the Geass Roll in his hands before crushing it.
"The rules of plunder are in effect only while we “Duelists” are fighting. Also, there is the curse of Maeve which weakens the men on the Player Side. This curse will remain until I win? My, this is quite an important responsibility I have!"[16]
"But you do not hate it, right?"
"I won’t deny it."
They both took a suitable distance while bantering with one another.
Though both smiled, their eyes showed no amusement.
"However, this is quite unexpected for this Game… Honestly speaking, I thought you’d avoid a fight with me."
"Oh? Why?"
"Because only I can beat you."
Izayoi made his declaration. His words were neither arrogance nor provocation. He spoke as if it were purely a fact.
The Demon Lord Alliance — Only Sakamaki Izayoi could defeat the [Ouroboros].
His Highness, without denying anything, spoke sincerely.
"Yes. That is not a mistake. The only one who can defeat me in this “Capital of Glittering Lights” is you… But that is why I came. Since the only one who can defeat you is me."
His gold eyes shined sharply, and a brutal smile appeared on his lips.
There was no vicious trick or hidden agendas.
They were Joker and Joker thrown against each other from the start, and they would determine the flow of battle.
"…"
Izayoi narrowed his eyes as he looked down on His Highness.
The connection he felt in the previous battle was not an illusion.
Sakamaki Izayoi and the white-haired, golden-eyed boy would inevitably settle their fight. This was not something to decide victory or defeat in the battle between the [No Name] and the Demon Lord Alliance, but it was simply their instinct.
"Nice. That’s some good ambition there, Hakuhatsuki ."
"… Hakuhatsuki? Though you said it before, what do you mean by that?"
"It’s something I decided. Since you’re a white-haired brat, you’re Hakuhatsuki. Using an honorific title to address my opponent as ‘Your Highness’ in a fight to the death, isn’t that strange?"
He placed his hand on his waist and spoke in a disappointed manner.
Though His Highness should have gotten angry for having been treated like a child, he strangely consented and nodded.
"I see. It is as you say. There is no obligation in using honorifics for people who are out to kill each other."
"Right?"
"Yes. But now that you have pointed that out, the obstinate desire to have the opponent address them in respect is also the attitude of those in authority."[17]
One step.
Taking a step forward, the two measured their distance while speaking.
Like a signal, screams and roars could be heard erupting from various parts of the palace all at once. The main force of the [Demon Lord Alliance] had infiltrated and were taking action.
His Highness, with his golden eyes, gazed sharply at Izayoi—
"It is decided, Sakamaki Izayoi. In your last moments, I will make you call me by my title—"
"Ha, you can try, Hakuhatsuki!"
The two roared and collided.
The air burned.
The earth was crushed.
Their fists which could bisect the ocean met.
Their battle partially destroyed the 8th Left Wing of the palace in an instant.
Rubble collapsed and turned to powder, dispersed by the evening wind, as the two clashed.
The trees on the opposite side of the palace quivered from the shockwave.
In this Little Garden where Gods and Deities gathered, the intense and aggressive battle of the newcomers created sparks in their collisions.
Trampling over ancient ruins, they were God-sent children of the new age who erased the countless accumulated achievements beneath them. A glory which surpasses the brightness of a star would bless them at the end of battle.
This Garden of the Gods which had long since stagnated starved for a new brilliance.
They competed for supremacy, the new age would begin now—
"…"
Unknowingly, they were advancing toward ruin.