Metro Labyrinth Chapter 157.2: Lost Ring

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“Ah, yes… Thank you for the great meal yesterday.” (Shuu)

“Good, good, I enjoyed it too. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a lively dinner.” (Suzuki)

　I sat down next to her while being beckoned. Kaeru gently raises his face and snorts.

“…it’s written on your face that you want to continue where we left off yesterday.” (Suzuki)

“That’s right.” (Shuu)

　The talk about the letter or war? Since, the story has progressed to the barbeque party while it was left in limbo. I was confused and slept only a little.

“You were talking about the Carboniferous period, right? It’s a very long time ago, like the Cretaceous or Jurassic period, right?” (Shuu)

　I explained that I had a vague recollection because I was a humanities major.

“Oh, you know it well enough, don’t you?” (Suzuki)

“Ah, no… that’s about it, I just heard about it a little while ago…” (Shuu)

“I’ve only heard him talk about it in passing. The story is that molds and mushrooms didn’t exist hundreds of millions of years ago. The structure of the world changed drastically when these decomposers of life appeared in history. I wonder if it was a product of necessity, in order to build this world into the shape it is today.” (Suzuki)

“I see.” (Shuu)

“This is just a preamble, forget about it. The point is that Pippin was comparing the collapse of the previous civilization to it, a decomposer of civilization.” (Suzuki)

“…Decomposer of Civilization…” (Shuu)

　I remember hearing that phrase before. It’s definitely Noa’s great grandfather’s notes.

“Pippin was searching for the truth, to find out what caused the disaster, or the source of the disaster. …That was his life goal in his later years.” (Suzuki)

(Cause.) (Shuu)

(Or source.) (Shuu)

　Even though I have not experienced the “Tokyo Judgment,” my suspicion that it was not just a natural disaster has been growing stronger as I have traveled and listened to the stories of people I have met so far.

(Even if it is.) (Shuu)

(Then…) (Shuu)

　Is it because of something, or someone else?

“After he lost his life in the Demon War, we, his disciples, took over his will. It was 40 years ago when that stupid shark, who was desperate, went to Akihabara alone. He received a disturbing title such as ‘Absolute Zero Dragon Shark’ and a wanted list from the Hunter’s Guild.” (Suzuki)

“I see… then what about Ms. Suzuki?” (Shuu)

“Me? I’m not… well, when you’re young, everyone has a mischievous period… *mumbling*…” (Suzuki)

　Suzuki suddenly mumbles. Does that mean she has her own dark history? Another ex-delinquent is here too.

“Anyway, there are three kinds of ‘People of the Thread’. Those who knew some secret about this new world and are hiding it. Those who, whether they know it or not, give priority to the peace and prosperity of mankind. And those who seek to escape outside the walls, even if it means destroying it all.” (Suzuki)

“Even if that’s the case… The are the Metro Church, the Metropolitan Government, and those guys like that terrorist group?” (Shuu)

“You guessed it. I only know about the third one from the newspaper, but it seems to be similar to the radical ideology of Ryuzaki and others. He brought a lot of trouble with the other ‘Master Threadweavers’.” (Suzuki)

　Ryuzaki Sukai, chief of the Shinagawa Tribe. I read in the literature I read in Sugamo that he was quite a ruffian before his death. He repeatedly fought duels among the “Master Threadweavers,” secretly plotted to overthrow the metropolitan government, and gathered troops. In the end, the Tribe was destroyed by the demons, and he too was killed there in battle.

“But… peace and prosperity, the governor of Tokyo wants to go to war, right?” (Shuu)

“I heard that the history of you human beings has been a paradox of wars for peace. It’s the same thing. Well, in the case of the little shit, I’m sure his ambition is fully included.” (Suzuki)

“Ambition?” (Shuu)

“I guess he still hasn’t forgotten the plan that was derailed by the demon invasion more than fifty years ago.” (Suzuki)

“Ah, that’s what was written in the letter addressed to me…” (Suzuki)

　Please lend me your strength, to regain the lost ring. That’s what the governor’s letter said.

　Since then, I have often thought about it, and came to a single conclusion.

　The lost ring–that is,

　The long-cherished wish of this country, which was about to open its doors, but the opportunity to do so was lost forever.

　In other words,

(Understood! The lost ring—it’s the Olympic symbol!) (Shuu)

(In other words, what the governor of Tokyo is planning to revive is the Tokyo Olympics!) (Shuu)

　The moment I came to the conclusion, I put on my glasses went to the nearest spotlight, and had a vision of Tamiko screaming, “Hey, what the squeak?!”

“It’s true, well, it’s a glorious bridge that connects people’s hearts.” (Shuu)

“Right? …a huge ring of road between cities that carries people and things. He called it ‘Yamanote Line’ or something like that, and he’s going to drive a huge carriage on it.” (Suzuki)

“……seriously……?” (Shuu)

　I know, I didn’t even have time to facepalm and reply, I couldn’t even close my mouth.

(Yamanote Line.) (Shuu)

(Yamanote Line? Revive the Yamanote Line in this country?) (Shuu)

“In order to accomplish this, it is necessary for us to take back Shinjuku. In other words, what he was begging me for this time was…” (Suzuki)

　At the same time.

　Shivers ran down my spine,

　I jumped back with Kaeru and Suzuki in arm.

　The place where the three of them were is crushed by something pouring down from above. It’s a bunch of countless tentacles, strung together like a big tree.

“Hey!” (Shuu)

“Hmm, good reaction. But it’s not worth the trouble.” (Suzuki)

　Suzuki snapped her fingers.

　Then, the bundle of tentacles crumbled into small chunks of meat. It was like being chopped into pieces in an instant.

　Did Suzuki did that? But what did she do? I didn’t even see anything.

“This is…” (Shuu)

　A bunch of tentacles had grown out of the lake. The purple-tinged fluid was spilling from the severed sections.

(…that?) (Shuu)

　One head floated on the surface of the water.

　One hand grips the surface of the water and pushes the body up from the surface as if to climb onto a platform, and then stands on the surface.

(What is this creature?) (Shuu)

　Its appearance is similar to that of a human, but it is clear that it is not human.

　It has no hair or body hair, and its pale skin is wrinkled and saggy. His limbs and torso are long and slender, and his right arm is a bundle of tentacles that swells from the elbow. When it lifts it up, tentacles began to grow again.

“It’s been a long time.” (Creature)

　The voice that it emits has a flat tone, it was hushed, mumbled, broken, and difficult to understand.

“Finally, we were able to meet. The preparations are over.” (Creature)

“…you’re really starting to piss me off, aren’t you?” (Suzuki)

　Saying that, Suzuki clicked her tongue.

“That damned brat, I’m sure he’s in a good mood now that everything is going according to plan. You must be in a good mood when things go according to your expectations.” (Suzuki)

“Um… are you angry?” (Shuu)

“I am angry, fiercely angry.” (Suzuki)

“You know him well, don’t you?” (Shuu)

　True to her words, Suzuki’s profile changed and baring her teeth, she had returned to being a beast.

“Look, this guy is the great enemy that hinders the governor’s ambitions, the opponent in the war to recapture Shinjuku. He came all the way from the other side to save us the trouble, didn’t he?” (Suzuki)

“Recapture of Shinjuku… are you serious…” (Shuu)

　The bad feeling meter swung through the max, and I wanted to cover my face.

　Governor of Tokyo, Chuuta, a shota.

　We played Jedi together, didn’t we? Why have you dragged your friend into such a disaster?

“It’s been a while. I didn’t want to see that sullen face again–‘Omnipotent Elephant’.” (Suzuki)

T/N: I think I might change another beast king’s name. So, recap, the opponent is a beast king who took over Shinjuku, Omnipotent Elephant Watanabe. 

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