<Authors Notes>

We have received two new reviews since the last chapter. Thank you very much.

And then, I realized that I had already received over 100 reviews for Failure Frame. Naturally, no two reviews are exactly the same, and thus, I was happy to see that each reader found their own slightly different way to enjoy Failure Frame. Once again, thank you very much. I dont know if I can meet your expectations, but I will continue to do my best in writing.

Incidentally, Im planning to make some corrections to the cavalry numbers in the past. If you dont want to read it again, it wont be much of a problem if you continue to read the main story Ive been tweaking the setting of Alions Thirteen Cavalries while writing though, so you might see some inconsistencies with the past descriptions

Also, Ill just post this now rather than making an afterword. The next update would be scheduled on September 22 (Wednesday) at around 9:00 pm.

<Sogou Ayaka POV>

As per Hijiris suggestion, me and the others decided to make our moves.

Suou Team.

Nihei Team.

Murota Team.

The one in charge of directing these three teams is Suou Kayako.

Meanwhile, Takao Itsuki could move as she pleased.

Her role is to defeat the monsters that the other heroes seem to have a hard time dealing with.

With the teams decided, Hijiri promptly gave everyone their instructions.

[If you find an enemy that looks like the Great Demon Emperor, run away immediately Also, take this.]

[Whats this?]

[Its a magic tool known as Sound Ball. Ive actually been collecting them little by little for a while now. Its a very valuable magic tool Ive only gotten them from nobles and from the back alley market in the royal capital. Well, most of them were something I obtained from my small connections.]

Hijiri apparently learned about the existence of Sound Balls from a book in the hidden archives.

It seems that if you imbued a certain amount of magic power into it, it emits a sound.

In this world, were unable to use smartphones to communicate with others.

But with this, we can instantly send a signal to someone far away.

Even so, theres something Im curious.

(That small connections I wonder what that is?)

Hijiri continued her explanations.

[These Sound Balls produce different kinds of sounds based on their colorso if we decide in advance what kind of signal each color sounds like, we can determine the situation to some extent. For example, if youre going to give out a Im in a pinch, need help signal, the direction and the volume of the sound reaching our ears will give us an idea of where you might be.]

[Hmmm? So, if we decide on the color for Great Demon Emperor found We can send the signal to Elder Sister and the others from a distance huh.]

[Its easier to distinguish the sound of the Sound Balls compared to hunting horns, and it takes too much time to identify the number of flares you sent. We can also raise flags, but it may not be visible due to the angle or height difference. Unless there is a rainstorm with incessant thunderstorms, these Sound Balls should be much easier to use.]

We decided on a few signals based on the difference in sound between the Sound Balls colors.

[Well then, I hope luck favors everyone.]

[Ummm, Hijiri-san and Ayaka-chan too- B- Be careful!]

[Thank you, Minamino-san.]

When Hijiri responded, Moe looked flabbergasted.

[Hijiri-san s- smiled?]

Before each group scattered, I also called out to everyone.

[Everyone too, please be careful. Also Ill leave the care for the people in the royal castle to you.]

Putting her hands on the back of her head, Itsuki snorted.

[Well, well do whatever we can. Hang in there too, Prez.]

Yes, Ill do my best.]

[As for Elder Sister Well, if its you, you should be alright, but still, be careful.]

[You too. Theyre in your care, Itsuki.]

[I cant promise anything for sure but if what Elder Sister says, Ill do my best You can count on me, Elder Sister.]

[Well then, lets go, Sogou-san.]

[Yes, then, everyone- Lets make sure that we all meet again in one piece!]

Like that, Hijiri and I began to run again through the grounds of the royal castle.

Feeling worried though, I look back.

Kayako and the others werent there anymore.

[For now, lets trust in their strength. Itsuki is also with them.]

[Y- Yes]

(Everyone, please be safe)

Suddenly, Hijiri stopped and looked up at the watchtower on the city wall.

[Given its height and position, I think we can see the whole area from that tower.]

[Yes, it might be faster than blindly running around]

[I could also use my inherent skill to quickly descend again.]

Entering the watchtower, we ran up the stairs together.

There were also soldiers in the tower who were suffering upon exposure to the Tyrants Miasma.

But here, suppressing the distress in my heart, I ran past them.

We reached the top floor.

We could certainly see a large area from here.

Making sure to hide ourselves, the two of us looked out the window.

Thereupon, I noticed something.

Seeing whatever that is, I unconsciously stifled my voice.

[Hijiri-san, over there.]

[Yes.]

In the end of our gaze is a black mist-like thing about the size of a person.

Its shifting about and moving.

It was around the plaza with a fountain, about 300 meters from this tower.

[ ! ]

Suddenly, the black mist swelled up.

Now that it has expanded, we can clearly see it.

A huge mouth.

Its white teeth and gums were clearly visible from where we hid.

Looking closely, I can see a golden eye-like sphere inside its mouth.

It was as if the golden eye was hiding inside its mouth.

However, the golden eye soon retracted into the inner parts of its mouth.

It was quite the strange sight.

Within the mist, only a mouth that looked very much like a humans existed

And that mouth

It was vomiting out monsters.

Its like a fishing net with an area torn open, and its catch gushing out.

Just like that, the Great Demon Emperor spat them out-

Creating Golden-eyed Monsters

[From what youve told me besides the Great Demon Emperor, the only other being who could create Golden-eyed Monsters was his Confidant, the First Oath which was given a share of their power, right?]

[Y- Yes From the way the First Oath talked back then, it sounded like it was something special to be able to share that power. However, it doesnt seem like that has ever happened before in history]

[And that black mist-like being When I joined the Eastern Army it was the same core of that humongous biological fortress, the Great Demon Emperor.]

[Which means, that is]

Stopping my words there, I gulped.

As it finishes spitting out the monster, the black mist faded.

Looking at that mist

[Yes.]

With a tone of certainty, Hijiri spoke.

[That settles our target then.]

Hijiri and I ran down the stairs of the watchtower.

Our original plan was that we would jump down from the top floor.

But at this distance, were in danger of being noticed by the Great Demon Emperor.

Thats what Hijiri decided.

After we left the watchtower and came to a large archway.

The door of the passageway was open from the beginning.

[]

In the plaza ahead of this path

(The Great Demon Emperor is here.)

Leaning my back against the wall, I quietly peered across the passageway.

(There it is.)

Its wobbling around like a ghost.

There are five Golden-eyed Monsters around it.

I can clearly see it from this distance.

The Great Demon Emperor is probably walking with its two feet on the ground.

(Within that mist, it had a humanoid body?)

If thats the case- Thats good news.

If it has a body, I would be able to physically cut it down.

I exchange glances with Hijiri.

[How should we attack, Hijiri-san?]

[I think the best way to go here would be a surprise attack using an inherent skill with maximum attack power but]

Hijiri stopped talking there.

Yes- The whole time, she seemed to be thinking about something.

I spoke.

[Thats what I also think. Anyhow, its an opponent that wed eventually have to defeat More importantly, if we can defeat the Great Demon Emperor here We would be able to return to our world.]

[Right.]

I feel some kind of atmosphere around Hijiri that I couldnt quite put my finger on.

[Hijiri-san is there something bothering you?]

[If the Great Demon Emperor were to die here, -No, it certainly would be great if we could defeat the Great Demon Emperor here Most importantly, thinking that we dont have to fight that biological fortress Depending on how you look at this situation, this could be a great opportunity. A surprise attack in the best timing Yes Lets do this, Sogou-san.]

[Yes. Lets do this, Hijiri-san.]

Bracing myself, I tightly grasp my spear.

Thereupon, turning to Hijiri-san

[If its us, well definitely win.]

[Thats right. Lets believe in each others strength.]

[By the way, Hijiri-san which of those surrounding Golden-eyed Demons !]

At that moment, I almost shouted out loud.

On the other hand, Hijiri-san it was just a bit, but a frown formed on her face.

[I was what we should do.]

[In the end, you were also just as I had expected huh]

Looking rather relaxed

[]

The Great Demon Lord turned towards his direction.

[In the end, that humongous thing we saw back in the Eastern Front was just a vehicle huh and just as I had expected You were the one I saw at that time. Good grief In the end, everything in this world ends up just as I had expected. Everything just goes as I had expected.]

As if to release the heat within his body, he exhaled.

Combing his hair back, he raised his chin

And with a gesture filled with arrogance, he calmly looked at the black mist.

[And as I thought, in the end, it would have to be me that settles this No matter how much you struggle It would end in the same conclusion. It was said that Gods do not play dice but in the first place, the concept of dice itself doesnt exist for me. As soon as my foot steps on the trashy concept of dices It can be said that Gods have fallen beneath me.]

Surrounded by small golden wave dragons, Kirihara Takuto.

From where me and Hijiri hid, he appeared in the northeastern direction.

[Its just like the previous world. The strong will always have the opportunities worthy of their qualities They will always find such opportunities. Well, its true that good fortune only comes to the strong. In the end, the world is arranged where the winners keep winning Ahh, do I need to introduce myself? I am strong.]

The Great Demon Emperor didnt say a word back at him.

It has a mouth that is comparable to humans.

However, the Great Demon Emperor never uttered a single word.

They look rather similar to those classified as Demons such as the Confidants.

Such beings were capable of speaking the human language.

However, could it be that the Great Demon Emperor couldnt speak?

It cant communicate with others.

It cant be understood by others.

Knowing that makes me feel some kind of eeriness from the Great Demon Emperor.

Thereupon, the mist around the Great Demon Emperor mysteriously swayed.

Its five other golden eyes looked like they were ready for battle.

However, it doesnt feel like it would be moving yet.

[-Tsk, guess Id better hurry. I really hate rats]

Hearing his words, Hijiris eyes squinted.

[He probably noticed our presence. And with the way its eyes are moving right now The Great Demon Emperor might have also noticed us here.]

[! I- In that case- Lets go, Hijiri-san.]

[]

[With our current positions, its possible for us and Kirihara-kun to attack from both sides. Matching attacks with Kirihara-kun, we will also]

[No, we cant do that.]

[H- Hijiri-san!?]

[You were so impatient that you didnt notice huh Or perhaps, youre just thinking that such a thing isnt possible?]

[Eh?]

[Clearly look at him.]

[? What in the world is Kirihara-kun, !]

Looking at Kirihara again, I was astonished.

As I was lost for words, I felt Hijiri glance at me once before looking back at him.

[Hes also aiming for us.]

Yes.

Kiriharas left arm is pointed in our direction.

Perhaps

Thinking that were here to steal his prey.

Even at a time like this

He doesnt see me and Hijiri as teammates

[He regards us as competitors.]

[That is]

[If we attack the Great Demon Emperor, he will probably not hesitate to unleash his inherent skill against us.]

Realizing this, I bit on my lip.

(Even though this is supposed to be a time for the three of us to work together.)

Kiriharas other arm was naturally pointed at the Great Demon Emperor.

Thereupon, from within the black mist-

[.]

Something that looked like a black scythe appeared.

They were shaped rather similar to the arms of a praying mantis.

The pressure exerted by the Great Demon Emperor increased.

An expansion of their precipitous intimidation.

A pressure so intense that it seemed to pierce through my skin.

It was on the level that the pressure brought by Eingrantz couldnt even be compared to this.

(What a heavy pressure So this is the Great Demon Emperor)

[It seems like the time to make others see for themselves has finally come. And thus Here on out, before their eyes would be the final decisive battle Now]

As the golden wave dragons Kirihara shone brighter, he vigorously declared.

[Its time for this King to battle.]

[ Dragonic Buster. ]