kscans

Chapter 351 - A Name the World Doesn't Know

"Let's start with the core of the matter."

After reiterating that he would be speaking vaguely, Mr. Togo began his story.

"First, as you suspect, we do not have the authority to interfere with the virtual world within [Arcadia]. That is why, despite holding the titles of management and development, we needed to request 'game clearance' from an 'outside' party."

"..."

I remained silent next to Ashe, who was wordlessly prompting him to continue, but from the very beginning, I had no idea what he was talking about....

From Mr. Togo's phrasing, it was clear he had a superior, a 'pinnacle' figure. And it was easy to guess that this person's power was on a completely different level from his own—

Setting aside why they want the game cleared, the mystery is how they are even able to take action to get it cleared.

If the person above him holds such absolute power, I don't understand why they would allow Mr. Togo and his team to act freely while only restricting the disclosure of some information.

'Some is permitted' implies that the act of requesting outside help to clear the game is, in itself, allowed.

It's allowed, but restricted. Permitted, but not permitted.

Is their stance something like, 'We won't help, but you can do as you please'? I have absolutely no clue what the intentions of this 'pinnacle' figure, the de facto ruler, are.

Since they aren't cooperating and are imposing restrictions, one would think they aren't at least positively inclined toward clearing the game....

So why not just stop them? If they hold all authority over [Arcadia], that should be easy enough.

"I'm sure you have many questions, but unfortunately, there is not much I can say about those 'above.' If I were to break our contract, it could cost me my head."

"You don't need to force yourself."

Mr. Togo smiled gently at Ashe's words, saying, "Thank you," but what he was saying was not gentle at all.

Contract, cost me my head... The disparity in their positions and the one-sided exertion of power became even more pronounced.

"However... what I'm forbidden to say is specifically who it is. I can share other information. For example, yes—"

He swirled the grape juice—not wine—in his glass with a cool, if unnecessary, flair.

Smiling like a mischievous boy rebelling against his parents, Mr. Togo said.

"The virtual world is currently being operated by a single individual."

"—..."

"...That's enough. I won't ask any more about that matter."

I had been silent from the start, but that vaguely phrased, roundabout information bombshell left me utterly speechless. Ashe, for her part, forgot her polite speech and, on behalf of my useless self, put a stop to his revelations.

This old man just casually dropped an incomprehensible, insane, shocking bombshell—

"That, indirectly, should serve as an 'answer.' An answer to the 'why' you must have been wondering about."

"—Wait, stop... Are you really sure this is okay?"

He's still going—I couldn't help but interject, but judging by his face, it seemed it was 'okay.' I have no clue where the line is... if that counts as safe, what kind of nuke would be considered out of bounds?

"For better or for worse, that one is indifferent to us. As long as we don't explicitly break our promise, I doubt it would bother to reprimand us—though I'm sure it's watching us closely, even at this very moment."

....................................

"...Uh, um... Ashe?"

"...Yeah."

"Should we head home now?"

"...I'll try a little longer."

Right, you'll try... well, it's probably too late for us now, anyway....

—If you're going to eat poison, you might as well lick the plate clean. Let's do this.

"Can I ask a question?"

"Of course."

I raised my hand, taking over for Ashe, who was likely organizing her thoughts and considering how to proceed. Mr. Togo, looking satisfied at having successfully recruited more 'insiders,' nodded in return.

"I've always thought the technology in [Arcadia] was insane, but could it be—or rather, as I suspected, are the developers also... something like that?"

My question, in other words, was whether they were the same kind of being as the 'single individual' currently running the virtual world. In response, he closed his eyes for a moment—

He nodded, then shook his head.

Yes and No. What that meant was...

"The 'one' currently in control of that world is an operator and a developer—however, there are two developers for [Arcadia]."

So, one of them is like that. And the other is not.

I wanted to know the answer, yet I didn't—as I stared at him with an indescribable expression on my face, the Director of Yotsuya Development opened his mouth.

"The other's name is Yotsuya Tsukihito."

The name he spoke was one that, as far as I knew, was unknown to the world.

"He is my son... and Sora's twin brother."

That was, without a doubt, a piece of a secret that, once heard, there was no turning back from.

"Um... may I?"

"Of course."

"Is that safe to say?"

"Ah, of course."

I see... I have absolutely, positively, no freaking clue where the line is....