Story Reader / Collab / Blazing Simulacrum / Story
On the scoreboard, the symbols for the black "Queen" and "Knight" dim.
So, no thoughts of surrendering now?
Are you still pinning your hopes on that pawn?
...Why are you so desperate to win?
Let me guess, perhaps you are driven by a sense of duty to protect your companion, the greed for wanting something from me, the kindness cultivated by sweet nothings of comradeship and bonds?
Or is it just a pure competitive spirit?
Unfortunately, this game will not satisfy any of those purposes.
You're trying to find a way back to the so-called "Original World": through me, right?
Unexpectedly thrown into a strange event, you find yourself in a place that, well... exuded an air of the "Demon King's castle"?
Plus, there's a villain with seemingly evil intentions, and the whole world is on the brink of destruction.
At this point, all you need to do is gather your companions, reach the final boss's castle, and embark on a thrilling adventure.
Utilizing your exceptional wit to turn the tables, your thought-to-be-lost allies revive one after another, everyone hugging each other in joy and relief, and the crisis is neatly resolved.
A cause for celebration, or is this the ending you longed for in your tale?
No matter how insurmountable the difficulty, there's always a solution. Even if the journey is filled with despair and sorrow, the conclusion always brings a slight solace.
After all, you've weathered many similar storms. Regardless of how outlandish the circumstances, there always seems to be a sensible way out.
It's a self-consistent logic, or rather, it's the principle of "contradiction" at work.
In your imagination, defeating me would solve all the contradictions.
Am I right?
Too bad. I don't believe in such stories.
Standing against me is utterly pointless.
From the beginning, it was never possible for you all to "return."
Hmm? You don't seem very surprised.
Corridor is a "mirror"...
Did that self-proclaimed "Craftsman" tell you as much?
No... not from the very beginning.
You're more cunning than I thought, Alpha. If you'd been honest from the beginning, this farce might have ended sooner.
Everything in this Corridor is but a reflection in the mirror.
Be it you, Alpha, or Lucia, none came from the "Original World"...
You've been here "from the beginning."
Corridor reflects the "Mental Image".
You are your thoughts, your emotions, your past, present, and future.
However, a shadow in the mirror can never step outside its surface.
This story was never contradictory from the start. Your conflict with me will lead nowhere.
This "game" holds no significance for me, it's merely a "game."
Do you think I would lie?
So, shall we see what unfolds once this game is over?
I can even reveal the answer to you in advance—nothing will happen.
Even if you fancy yourself a dragon-slaying hero, you've picked the wrong castle, [player name].
What, you're blaming me for not telling you the truth?
Accompanied is a soft sigh after a long silence.
Would it have influenced your actions?
Hmph...
Alpha chuckles, seemingly having anticipated your reaction.
...You're wrong, you cowardly "King". "Contradictions" do exist.
At least, they exist between you and me.
Alpha watches the "King", her stance unchanged regardless of her own thoughts, never wavering from the start.
Why, Alpha?
The Mental Image of Corridor labels us "outsiders."
That Craftsman said, our presence here is an "error."
This mirror of Corridor was never meant to reflect us, so there must be something else serving as the "medium."
Luna's consciousness... or rather, a shard of it, has indeed "come here."
It shouldn't stay here; it needs to return where it belongs.
You're not the real Ascension-Network. Luna is the "mirror," and you're just her reflected shadow.
So, what do you see through this veil of shadow, Alpha?
If you truly understand everything, you'll know which side you should pick.
...The one you've been trying to eliminate has always been the same person.
That girl in black will stand in your way no matter what.
You removed me, an uncontrollable factor, from this game to ensure her downfall.
Everything was arranged against her, so you said victory or defeat meant nothing to [player name].
If [player name] really loses, you'd use Lucia as leverage, forcing [player name] to abandon that girl as the "King".
And you know this naive fool won't easily let go of someone they've barely known for a day. That's why you've cleverly staged such a dilemma.
Is this your idea of a "game"? It's nothing more than a meticulously planned murder.
My wish was to create a world without "conflicts". But as long as that girl in black exists, she will breed conflicts, which is inherently incompatible with the "peace" I desire.
And where does this wish come from?
Don't you understand, Alpha?
You've been through so much with her, and witnessed the same world together.
The essence of conflict lies in mutual hatred, which inevitably leads to mutual destruction.
Both of you are victims of malice. Why can't you comprehend such a simple wish?
If she could remain in this world, one that I've reshaped, she'd never suffer again. She would enjoy eternal stability and warmth.
As her sister, isn't this what you wanted?
...
[player name], you too.
Aren't you tired of saving the Earth time and time again? Don't you wish to see an end to the constant crises that befall those you hold dear?
I can offer you the future you've always dreamed of, free from the burdens of your past.
In a true "paradise," you'll find enduring "happiness."
This isn't a dream, not a conjecture, nor a negligible possibility.
It's a "reality" that only "you," who exist here, can experience.
The "King" extends her hand, as if sincerely seeking reconciliation.
She wants to create her own Eden in this Corridor where everyone can live happily.
Under her governance, the Mental Images will cease their conflicts, giving rise to a more advanced civilization.
All it takes...
Is the sacrifice of one girl.
Without any other cost.
It seems so effortless, so easily attainable.
...So you made up your mind?
Do you... truly comprehend the situation at hand?
Even if you refuse my proposal, you won't find a new path.
Are you worried I might be lying? Do you doubt my ability to fulfill these promises?
As expected... humans are fundamentally unable to escape their predatory and harmful nature...
I only need to eliminate one person; I won't take anything from you.
Even so, you choose to be my "enemy"?
Utterly foolish...
...
I've said it many times, you're just a coward who refuses to confront others.
Everything you're trying to build is just plain worthless.
Are you denying your own sister's hopes?
You know what awaits her once she leaves here.
There, you can't protect her indefinitely, but here, you can.
It's not a choice. If you reject my proposal, your existence will truly become meaningless.
...Even so, I won't let Luna stay in this prison woven by herself.
This isn't a choice either.
...
So, what can you do now?
My "Queen" has ascended the throne, and my "Knight" stands guard at the finish line.
She's out of the game, I've achieved the result I desired.
Only a minor "Pawn" remains, what can it possibly accomplish?
On the scoreboard marking the number of dice, a golden dice symbol lights up.
That is the final event reward for BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER, a special dice that could grant an extra dice to any piece.
Even if you use it on a piece that's been taken out, it'll only return to the start.
"Bishop", "Knight", "Queen"... reviving any of them is futile; they can't possibly reach the finish line.
It doesn't need to reach the finish line.
You...
I fully understand your intention in designating me as a "Rook" and your efforts to keep me out of the game.
In chess, the "Rook" is the sword and shield of the "King", both a chariot and a castle.
When necessary, the "Rook" will swap places with the "King" to shield it from enemy harm.
But Luna, as much as I wish to, I can't always be there to protect you.
...
Wait...
You... can't... leave...
You promised... you would always...
I'm leaving now, Luna.
A golden dice floats before Alpha, lighting up the dim "Rook" on the scoreboard.
...
She walks along the final corridor.
At the end of the corridor stands a colossal door, behind which lies the end of the chessboard.
Before the door, a white knight stands in silence.
With the sword covered in cracks and frosted with bits of ice, the knight is surrounded by ice yet to melt.
Fida recognizes these are signs of battle left by the girl named Lucia.
...It's been a while, Fida.
What in the world is going on... Melaka?
I need to stop you here.
I... I still have so many questions for you.
...I'm sorry, but I can no longer answer them.
Is this our... inevitable fate?
This is not fate.
We exist in a constant state of desiring to harm others, no matter when, no matter where.
This is the outcome we all anticipated.
Draw your sword, Fida.
You can't run away this time.
...!
