"Alright, come closer. Let's see if I can wake Ddraig."
Following Albion's suggestion, Zeroy brought the Boosted Gear close to the unconscious Vali.
When Vali fainted, Divine Dividing had deactivated, but now it emerged once again.
It radiated waves of white energy, attempting to resonate with Zeroy's gauntlet.
After a while, the jewel on Zeroy's gauntlet glowed brighter, and a deep voice sounded—tinged with confusion and irritation, as if just roused from slumber.
"Who dares disturb my rest..."
"Hah, so you're not dead, red one."
Ddraig had been awakened.
"White one...? What's going on here?"
The bewilderment in Ddraig's voice grew.
Albion briefly explained the current situation.
Ddraig then described his own. His former host had been killed, and the Gear taken. He hadn't cared, since the old host had never even activated him—they had no bond at all.
The new host, however, was immensely talented—perhaps the strongest Red Dragon Emperor in history.
So he had intended to nurture this one properly.
However, upon discovering him, the host mistook him for some ancient monster trying to possess him, refused to listen to his explanations, and layered another seal atop the existing one.
"Strange, though. By rights, that boy shouldn't have had the power to seal me... but he did."
Even in death, the Heavenly Dragons' souls sealed within the Sacred Gears retained immense strength, far from easy prey.
"No matter. He's dead now. And my new host... heh heh... hahaha! This time, I've truly struck gold!"
"Tch, so noisy! Just a slightly stronger host, red one—are you really so inexperienced?"
"Ho? That tone... envy and jealousy? It's practically overflowing! How ugly! Truly ugly, white one~"
"Ah... I thought I'd been lucky. But no... is that it? Did your damned right hand draw this card?!"
"Useless words, white one. This time, I've won!"
"Hmph! My host is also the strongest in history. Until the end, the outcome remains uncertain..."
...
"What's happening now?"
Kuroka stared blankly at the collapsed Vali and the Red Dragon Emperor standing beside him.
Should they step in? Although, why was Arthur still motionless?
Why are you just watching?! Have you already betrayed us, Arthur?!
"Here it comes!"
Suddenly, Arthur drew his Holy Sword, readying himself.
From afar, Zeroy—having dismissed the Boosted Gear's armor—was flying toward them.
"..."
Kuroka forced herself up, suppressing the urge to flee, taking a fighting stance instead.
Surely she wasn't an enemy? Vali was still alive, and neither side had gone for the kill... surely this was only a destined clash with the White Dragon Emperor? That said, why was she suddenly heading their way?
"Relax. Your captain's fine—I only knocked him out. I'll heal him soon, so no need to worry."
Phew. So she wasn't an enemy. Maybe even an ally.
"Anyway, first, let's fight! I'm eager for your challenge—I hope you'll satisfy me!"
"——!"
'Crap! Another battle maniac! Everyone run!'
"Oh, and don't worry—I'll heal you afterward too."
Yet, even together, Kuroka, Bikou, and Arthur were no match for Zeroy.
Even without using the Boosted Gear's Balance Breaker, she quickly took them all down.
She knocked each one flat to the ground!
"..."
Flat on her back, pain radiating through her body, Kuroka still felt relief deep down.
Good. This was freedom.
She was even glad her strength was lacking.
Because she was weak, she'd gone down after only a few blows.
Look at Bikou and Arthur beside her—especially Arthur, one of humanity's strongest candidates.
Because they were strong, they took far more brutal hits. Just watching was enough to feel sorry for them.
Please, just leave already. Don't even bother healing us, just go!
Battle maniacs were nothing except trouble.
No conflict, no provocation—and still, because of strength, you'd get dragged into a beating.
'Even if there were no lasting consequences, it still hurt! So please, go!'
Kuroka prayed to herself—abruptly, then she felt a piercing gaze settle on her.
That gaze... no way...
She looked up, her heart sinking, her face twisted into an expression worse than crying.
Why me? What do you want with me?
Wait—she's coming this way?!
Crap! Don't—don't come over here!
"Kuroka, right?"
"...Can I say no?"
"Hm? You could. In any case, Shirone is waiting for a certain sister. Are you sure you want to answer that way?"
"Shirone?!"
Kuroka's pupils shrank to pinpoints.
Even if Zeroy hadn't come here to kill, she was too unknown, too mysterious. Kuroka had been treating her as a dangerous enemy all along.
So when she heard her little sister's name from Zeroy's lips, her mind jumped straight to the worst.
"Why do you know about Shirone and me... what are you after?"
Kuroka's aura flared as she forced herself upright, wearing a ferocity she hadn't shown even in the battle just now.
Yes—the stray cat hissed.
Even if hopelessly outmatched, even if it meant death, an elder sister protecting her sister still hissed.
In other words, for her sister's sake, Kuroka had entered a desperate burst state.
Zeroy watched with interest—albeit not that much interest.
Kuroka would indeed be stronger in this state, but not enough to matter. Not enough to make the fight enjoyable.
So Zeroy cut her off.
"No need to tense up. That child's my friend of sorts. One of my purposes here is to clear up the misunderstanding between you two. So come with me—Shirone is waiting right over there."
...
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