Surrounding us with mist without warning was already very alarming, but who could have expected them to recreate the entire area around Kyoto station just like the simulated space during the daytime... "...?" My mobile phone rang -- it was Kiba. He also came to this place? By the way, phones actually worked! "Hey hey, Kiba? Where are you now? Have you been transferred to this weird space as well?" "Yes, we're at the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Rossweisse-san and Saji-kun are here too. You?" "I'm with Kunou, at the subway platform of Kyoto station. Wait a second, let me check the map." I let Kunou down from my shoulders, and took from my pocket the map that all the servants carried, spreading it out on the floor of the station platform. ...The Kyoto Imperial Palace was... here! Northeast of Nijou Castle. ...What, wait a minute. "This dimension, can it be that vast? It happens to be comparable to the size of this map which is centred around Nijou Castle?" "Yes, this dimension has recreated Kyoto's vast streets with Nijou Castle at its centre. Though one wouldn't be surprised at the battlegrounds of the Rating Game which are equally vast, it looks like the spellcaster has researched in depth the game fields of the Rating Game." Well, I guess we can treat this as a rare chance for training before our next match. After all, there were few opportunities to take action in a space as vast as this. "Kiba, we will set the gathering point at Nijou Castle, OK?" "Yes, understood. Have you contacted Asia and the rest? I think they have also arrived in this dimension. We all seem to have been welcomed by our esteemed heroes." "Ah, I will try calling from here. Why don't you try calling Sensei who is outside. Really, such a sudden welcome." The conversation with Kiba ended. After that, I was able to reach Asia and the rest. The Church Trio seemed to be together. I felt relieved that Asia had Xenovia and Irina by her side. If Asia was alone, I would be so worried. I also told them to meet at Nijou Castle. Then Kiba called back again. It looks like it was impossible to reach Sensei outside. I also tried on my end, but it didn't work no matter what. ...How strange. Clearly we could call one other from within, but cannot make contact with the outside. Rossweisse-san explained through Kiba to me that, this dimension probably had a special barrier or spell preventing communications with outside... Yet allowing us to communicate with each other within it. Their intentions were mind boggling. Continuing to ponder this wasn't going to yield any clues, so let me meet up with everyone first. Now, I must hurry to Nijou Castle. After we toured it during the day, one of the ways of returning home to the hotel from Nijou Castle was to take the subway from near Nijou Castle and then switching to the tram to get back to Kyoto station. Currently, all I need to do is continue ahead following the subway line to reach the station in front of Nijou Castle. In order to make it easier to move, I summoned the gauntlet and started the Balance Breaker countdown. Since we were brought here by the enemy, it was only natural to expect attacks. [ Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!!!!!!!!!! ] Red light wrapped around my body, and the aura took the form of armour. Seeing this scene unfold, Kunou couldn't help but be impressed. "Hmm though I already saw it in the daytime, but the Heavenly Dragons' armour is truly red and beautiful, so this is the legendary dragon." She patted my armour several times, and marvelled at it greatly. This curiosity was just like my other child fans. Though she spoke like a princess, she really was a little child at heart. To think someone would take the mother away from this child. No matter what the reason, forcefully abducting the innocent is unforgivable. "Kunou, I will definitely come up with a way to save your mother. Don't leave my side, I will protect Kunou carefully." Hearing these words, Kunou -- her face went red. "Mmmhmm! That sounds about right!" Blushing. So cute! -- But just as we bantered, I suddenly felt the presence of hostility. Looking at the front of the station platform, I found a man wearing the Heroes Faction uniform making his way towards me. ...His hostility was aimed at me. I must be his target. He stopped once he neared me, and smiled. "Good evening, Sekiryuutei, remember me?" ...Nope, no memory at all. "My memory... is a little bad." To my answer, the man smiled wryly. "Well that's true, how could you remember a small fry like me? --But thanks to the power I gained that time, I can now fight against you." --The man's shadow began to move as if it had a mind of its own. Witnessing the scene, I recalled instantly. The owner of the shadows who wore a big black coat, freely controlled shadows, and could transmit attacks through the shadows of others--
"I've got it. You're the Sacred Gear possessor who attacked me in town using shadows." Hearing my answer, the man showed a smile. "Very correct. At that time, I was defeated by you guys most pitifully. However, it is different now. The regret, fear, and self-loathing from my defeat have brought me to a whole new level. Let me show you, the real shadow skills..."
A rustling sound... I felt an indescribable sense of pressure. The shadows in the area near the man, the pillars, the automatic vending machine, etc., all of them started to squirm in a way that gave me goosebumps. And then the man muttered in a low voice.
" --Balance Break." A series of rustling sounds continued... The presence given off by the man strengthened, and all the shadows from the surroundings gathered together to his side, surrounding his body. The shadows wrapped themselves around the man's entire body... And then, gradually, those shadows took form, becoming something shaped like armour over the man's body. ...Full bodied armour made of shadows? It was almost like my own Balance Breaker.
" --Similar to your own Balance Breaker. Isn't that what you are thinking?" As if reading my mind, the man whispered joyfully. "Yes, when defeated by you guys, I was filled with thoughts of increasing my defence. I felt myself wanting armour like yours. The Sekiryuutei's powerful offensive capability truly impressed upon me this much. This is my Sacred Gear Night Reflection's Balance Breaker, Night Reflection Death Cross. Come, Sekiryuutei, let me avenge my defeat!" Every part of that shadow armour began to squirm as if it was alive. The shadows covered his face, leaving a pair of eyes staring sharply at me. It looked like the eyes of a monster...
Next... Since Asia was not here, I couldn't use promotion. Really, I was already unlucky before the battle began. Oh well, this was a good chance to train. -- Let me try fighting without promotion. ...Looks like I've become more courageous, perhaps from all my real combat experience. The feeling of extreme nervousness has disappeared. No, the feeling of tension still exists, and my body was trembling.