Chapter 23: Trouble and the Mysterious Girl

All in all, before I could even properly connect the call to Ameno Yotsuba, somehow—

I had already dealt with the physiological issue.

The shame from the sound of flowing water and the instinctive pressure from my body hit me at the same time.

Under that double interference, I somehow managed to barely hold onto my sanity and sort out the current situation.

…In a certain sense, this probably counts as growth.

I was still sitting properly upright. One hand held the phone, while the other carefully adjusted my clothes.

At the very least, until the call with Ameno Yotsuba ended, I had to make sure no further “extra situations” would occur.

“Yoruichi.”

The first voice to come through the receiver was his.

Unlike before, it carried a slightly hurried edge, yet it remained restrained—without the slightest hint of panic.

The feeling was more like the situation had exceeded expectations, but was still firmly within his grasp.

“Hey, don’t call me so familiarly.”

I reflexively shot back, “We’ve only just met, haven’t we? And we’re only in an alliance.”

“Sorry.”

Ameno Yotsuba apologized immediately. His tone was calm and direct, without any trace of perfunctory courtesy.

“It’s just that this matter really is important.”

…This guy is strangely overly polite in places like this.

“Important?”

I answered while simultaneously wrestling with the black stockings.

Honestly, handling something like this with just one hand was far too difficult for someone with zero experience.

“About the contest for the territorial division point.”

Ameno Yotsuba cut straight to the point.

“Territory?”

I subconsciously repeated, “Ameno Yotsuba, you don’t even have KING status right now, do you? How are you planning to divide territory?”

“It’s not only KINGs who can possess territory.”

His reply was very calm, showing no sign of being offended by the question. Instead, it felt like he was patiently correcting a misunderstanding.

“Even without KING-level authority, ordinary players can apply for territory. The scope of authority is simply different.”

Even though I couldn’t see his expression, I could imagine it—

A composed and rational look, not one of smugness or showing off.

“Go on.”

On the surface I responded calmly, but inside I was already starting to break down.

Damn these black stockings… why are they so hard to deal with!

“You should understand one thing first.”

Ameno Yotsuba’s tone lowered slightly, growing more serious. 

“The identities of KING and lord are not completely equivalent.”

He paused deliberately, as if confirming whether I was following.

“It’s not that only a KING can become a lord. But once someone becomes a KING, they are necessarily a lord.”

“In other words—”

I followed his logic and continued.

“There isn’t only one way to defeat a KING—direct combat isn’t the only method.”

“Correct.”

A trace of affirmation entered Ameno Yotsuba’s voice. 

“Causing a KING to lose their territory is also equivalent to defeating them.”

I see.

My understanding of the territory system in THE NIGHT THE DAWN had always been superficial at best.

Let alone something like “becoming a KING”—that had never been among the options available to a player labeled “trash” like me.

For me, just being able to help Ameno Yotsuba reclaim the position of KING already felt like a dream.

“But the specific tactics and application process would be clearer if discussed inside ENDLESS WORLD.”

For the first time, a faint, almost imperceptible note of request colored his voice.

“…Right now?”

“Please.”

It wasn’t coercion, nor was it an order.

It was a request made with complete respect for my will.

That kind of attitude actually made it harder to refuse.

“But I still have class.”

“I understand.”

Ameno Yotsuba’s tone remained calm. “That’s exactly why I’m asking instead of ordering you.”

…This guy really is cunning.

And the content of classes at Blue Sea Academy—

Honestly, just thinking about it made me feel drowsy.

Ever since the academy fully transformed into a BHAO-oriented institution, the meaning of “attending class” had become quite ambiguous.

“…I’ll have Heita help me ask for the morning off.”

The time ratio between reality and ENDLESS WORLD was roughly 10:1.

Even so, a single morning might not be enough to handle an entire territorial plan.

“Alright.”

I finally gave in. “I agree.”

“That’s a huge help.”

On the other end of the line, Ameno Yotsuba clearly breathed a sigh of relief, but he quickly returned to his usual steady tone.

“Next time we meet in reality, I’ll treat you to dessert.”

He paused, then added, “Of course, I’ll respect your choice.”

“Hey—!”

I instantly bristled. “Don’t just treat me like a kid to brush off!”

Beep.

The call was decisively ended.

“…”

I stared at the phone screen, my temple twitching faintly.

Ameno Yotsuba, this guy… is still rude after all!

The moment my emotions surged, I vented all my resentment onto the black stockings.

“Haa—!”

The next second.

Riiip.

“…Huh?”

I looked down at the glaring tear and froze completely.

“It… tore?”

Sure enough… stockings are still way too advanced for me.

Fortunately, I could still force them on somehow, preventing an even greater disaster.

“Whatever. I’ll head out and have Heita help me ask for leave first.”

Even as I said that out loud, a complicated, indescribable feeling swirled in my chest.

The moment I reached the bathroom door—

An inexplicable sense of unease rose up.

“…Did I forget something?”

Before I could figure it out, a calm, ice-cold voice suddenly spoke from behind me.

“Oh? I never would have guessed the Night Witch was Yae Yoruichi.”

My heart stopped in an instant.

It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over me; cold sweat slid down my spine.

I finally remembered the thing I had completely overlooked.

The AR plugin.

“Ah, no need to mind me.”

The other person leisurely added, “Mm, indeed, no need at all.”

The tone was cold, yet it carried an almost amused self-mockery.

“Ahaha… Yae Yoruichi? Who’s that? Night Witch? I don’t know anyone like that at all, nope?”

“Objection overruled.”

The girl behind me mercilessly cut me off. “Forced reasoning. Completely ineffective.”

…It’s over.

“Spare me!”

Almost instinctively, I spun around and bolted without even daring to look at her face.

“You won’t escape, Yae Yoruichi.”

That voice followed from behind—calm and utterly certain.

“I absolutely will not let you get away.”