Episode 328: Reunion with the Strongest
A black minivan sped along an endless highway.
Looking outside, a serene landscape of mountains and valleys unfolded.
Inside were Yuma, Rui, and Akito. Jack was behind the wheel as the driver.
Their destination was Indiana, where “Prometheus” currently had its base.
The drive would take about ten hours, and Akito had already stretched out in the back seat, declaring, “I’m gonna sleep for a while.”
Yuma, in the passenger seat, spoke to Jack, who was gripping the steering wheel.
“Come to think of it, I didn’t ask why the 【Yellow King】 came to New York. Why did it attack a place outside its territory?”
“Ah, that’s what you’re wondering?”
Jack chuckled, keeping his eyes on the road.
“New York… well, there are several ‘Yellow Dungeons’ on the East Coast. For some reason, the Yellow King tends to appear near ‘Yellow Dungeons’.”
“Is it gathering its comrades?”
“No, the Yellow King is a lone wolf. It doesn’t make allies.”
“Then, why…?”
Yuma looked at Jack, puzzled.
“The Yellow King goes around killing Lightning Affinity Monsters.”
“Huh!? What does that mean?”
Yuma was surprised by this revelation, and Rui, who was sitting in the back seat, leaned forward, saying, “Really?” It was hard to believe that a monster would kill its own kind.
“It’s true. That’s why there are so few Lightning Monsters around New York. We don’t know why the Yellow King attacks its own kind… but investigating that is also the job of the Extermination Squad.”
“I see.”
Yuma turned his gaze forward. The Red King and the Green Lord had attacked with their comrades.
In contrast, the Blue King fought alone. Yuma understood that the Kings had different fighting styles, but even so, the 【Yellow King】 was unusual.
He had never heard of a monster that killed other monsters so indiscriminately.
Yuma felt a strange mix of emotions.
The car sped along the highway, heading straight for their destination, Indianapolis.
◇◇◇
Indianapolis Museum of Art—
In an exhibition room with a massive mammoth skeleton, a tall man sat on a bench. He wasn’t doing anything in particular, just gazing at the silent mammoth.
A woman with tanned skin approached him from behind.
“Albert, we have a message from the New York base.”
“Is it Pigeon-san again?”
Albert flapped his hands, imitating a pigeon. Mia sighed and continued.
“Apparently, a Japanese Seeker came to the New York base.”
“A Japanese Seeker? They came all the way from Japan? That’s amazing.”
Albert’s eyes lit up as he looked at Mia’s grim face.
“Are you interested?”
“Yes, of course. If they’re such interesting Seekers, I’d love to meet them.”
“That’s good. They’re on their way here now. They should be arriving soon.”
“Eh? Is that so?”
Albert stood up from the bench, scratching his head with a laugh.
“Then we have to welcome them. I was getting bored with the Yellow King not making any moves, so this is perfect.”
Albert headed for the exit of the room and opened the door. Outside were several men and women. They were all wearing the same uniform and exuded an extraordinary aura.
They were the members of the world’s strongest Seeker Clan, “Prometheus.”
Albert led the members towards the entrance of the Art Museum.
◇◇◇
The car carrying Yuma and the others left the highway and entered a commercial district lined with buildings.
They saw a few people here and there. It seemed that this wasn’t an uninhabited area like New York.
“Are those people residents of this city?”
Jack, who was driving, replied, “No,” while turning the steering wheel.
“They’re not residents. They’re the Extermination Squad and their affiliates gathered here.”
“Affiliates?”
“They’re not Seekers who fight directly, but scholars and government officials who are in charge of research, information gathering, and analysis.”
“I see… Still, there are so many of them.”
Yuma looked out the window, impressed. There were probably thousands of people gathered here. The car stopped in front of a large building.
Everyone got out of the car and looked up at the building.
“Albert should be in this Art Museum…”
Jack looked around and then headed towards the entrance of the Art Museum. Yuma and the others followed him.
They would finally meet Albert. Yuma was a little nervous, and Rui, who was walking next to him, seemed to feel the same way. Only Akito didn’t seem to be thinking about anything.
Before Jack, who was leading the way, could reach the door, the automatic doors opened.
A tall man emerged from inside. Behind him were a tanned woman and about seven other men and women.
It was a long-awaited reunion for Yuma.
“Flame Emperor… Albert…”
Albert, who had turned to face them, smiled and looked at Yuma.
“I knew it was you. When I heard that a Seeker from Japan was coming, your face immediately came to mind.”
A cheerful smile. But the people around him were different.
“What!? You’re—【Black Armor】!!”
The tanned woman’s eyes widened as she glared at Yuma. Yuma also remembered the woman.
Albert’s right-hand woman and the vice-leader of “Prometheus.” Mia Ines, who wielded Frost magic in the Second Stratum!
Yuma had been hit by Mia’s magic before, so he couldn’t help but tense up.
“This man is an enemy! Everyone, surround him!!”
At Mia’s command, the members of Prometheus went into battle mode. They quickly spread out and surrounded Yuma and the others.
Everyone was armed and ready to attack at any moment.
“Hey, what’s with the sudden hostility! We came here to help, the normal thing to do is welcome us!!”
“That’s right! We’re not enemies. Let’s talk!”
Akito and Rui tried to stop them, but Mia wouldn’t listen. She drew a Dagger from her waist and held it in front of her.
Frost drifted around Mia, and the temperature dropped sharply.
Jack was just as flustered.
“W-wait! They said they came to defeat the 【Yellow King】. They helped us, and they’re not enemies. Besides, they’re incredibly strong. You shouldn’t fight them!”
“…Hmm, are they really that strong?”
Albert asked Jack, as if intrigued.
“Yes, they are.”
Albert grinned and patted Mia on the shoulder.
“Now, now, Mia. Maybe they have their reasons. It’s a bit rude to suddenly point swords at them.”
“B-but Albert! You should know better than anyone how terrifying that 【Black Armor】 is. If he goes on a rampage, we won’t be able to stop him easily!!”
Albert stepped in front of Mia and walked closer to Yuma.
“A-Albert!”
Mia called out worriedly, but Albert ignored her and calmly looked down at Yuma.
“Are you really our ally?”
“…I intend to be.”
A tense atmosphere crackled between Yuma and Albert.
“I see. I’ll choose to believe you. But everyone here seems worried that you might go on a rampage. Unless you dispel that anxiety, I think it will be difficult to cooperate.”
Yuma narrowed his eyes and glared at Albert.
“So, what do you want me to do?”
“It’s simple! Just show us that you won’t go berserk even if you use your monstrous power. It’s very easy to understand, right?”
Albert’s expression became as bright as a child’s.
Mia, who was behind him, shrugged and shook her head as if to say, “Oh well.” Seeing that, Yuma had a bad feeling.
“That means, by any chance—”
Albert’s eyes widened with delight.
“That’s right! It means you should try fighting me.”