The Lightsworn deliberately descended from the sky. At a glance, there were likely hundreds, maybe thousands of spirits, an overwhelming number.
What truly shocked Amaki Hikaru, though, was that among these Lightsworn spirits, many wore black robes.
'Twilightsworn?'
Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
"Wow, angels! Angels have come to save us!"
Many students were ecstatic. Influenced by portrayals in various forms of media, most people were more than willing to believe angels would help humanity. So when they saw these Lightsworn spirits, they felt no fear.
Indeed, the spirits did not attack upon landing. By comparison, they were quite "friendly."
"Humans!" A Lightsworn dragon soared overhead, proclaiming, "We are spirits from the Realm of Justice. We heard the cries of this land and its suffering."
It began to explain the reason for their arrival.
In the Lightsworn Realm, they could hear prayers. When someone in dire need wished for justice, it was possible for them to hear it and descend.
This time, they had come in response to the pain of this dimension, to the prayers of its people.
"Wow!!!"
"That's amazing!!"
"So there's a dimension like that!" Many students cheered with joy.
"However..." the dragon's tone suddenly shifted. "This world has already been completely invaded by the Dark World spirits. With only our forces, we cannot both protect you and eliminate all demons!
So.."
As it spoke, some of the Lightsworn began to emit a faint, twilight-like glow.
"We will completely annihilate this dimension. Please evacuate immediately and return to your world!"
The excited students immediately felt as if cold water had been poured over them. They froze.
A KaibaCorp staff member immediately interjected, "That's not possible! The students are scattered across the Critical Nexus in different regions, and there's only one dimensional gate here! Even gathering them is dangerous with all the demons on the way!"
"And a lot of students are still in sealed Duel Zones with Duel Spirits. They can't receive messages!"
"Yeah! My friend doesn't even know what's going on!"
"Besides, even if we all leave, what about the spirits here? Are you going to kill them too?!"
The crowd erupted in protest. No one was looking at the "angels" anymore; they were worried about their classmates and friends.
The Lightsworn dragon didn't reject them outright. It looked to a few Lightsworn warriors, and they chattered among themselves. Eventually, the dragon spoke again.
"Apologies, humans.
The demons of the Dark World are a wicked force invading countless dimensions. Normally, they are scattered across realms in battles against us. However, this time, they have gathered their power in one place, clearly, something is hidden here.
They might even intend to launch a massive invasion of all Spirit Realms.
To prevent worse outcomes, we must end it here and now, decisively.
We will give you three days. That's the most we can offer. As for the local spirits, do not worry, we will find a way to return them to their dimensions or bring them to the Realm of Justice."
The Lightsworn, after all, were agents of justice. They wouldn't truly exterminate every living thing in this dimension. They would try to protect what lives they could.
But...
"Three days isn't enough! Even the farthest students couldn't make it back in time by train!"
"No way! We still have..."
"Silence!" A black-robed female general stepped forward, holding a massive, red-glowing greatsword like a fallen black knight. "For the sake of justice, some sacrifices must be made. If you refuse to leave, we will destroy you as well!"
Everyone fell silent in shock.
What was that supposed to mean?!
"General Jain, this is going too far!"
"Yeah, Jain!" Even some Lightsworn spirits tried to talk her down.
Hikaru observed, and Tierra whispered beside him, intrigued. "That spirit seems affected by that cosmic god's power."
"I see. Even under similar influences, results differ. That spirit seems to have just become extreme. Unlike Sartorius, no split personality."
Hikaru nodded.
The Lightsworn were warriors under Archangel Michael. They fought and died for justice, they wouldn't fall completely to darkness.
Still, this wasn't minor either. It was like the state of the Light Monarch.
After thinking it through, he raised his voice to draw the Lightsworn's attention.
"Lightsworn spirits, no matter what you say, we cannot accept this! For us, for our school, for KaibaCorp, the true justice is ensuring all participants leave this dimension safely and finish the tournament!"
"That's right, Hikaru!"
"Amagi Hikaru!"
"Yeah, we have Hikaru with us!"
His voice rallied the students. His actions had earned their trust, and now, they saw him as their anchor.
Several students even shouted instinctively, "Let's Duel! Let's settle this with a Duel!"
"Yeah, you all can agree to that, right?!"
Perfect. Hikaru didn't even need to say it himself.
"A Duel?" Some of the Lightsworn exchanged glances. "When differing justices cannot be reconciled, a sacred Duel to determine the outcome is acceptable."
"That human seems well respected. He must be the leader among these human warriors."
"Then..."
"Let me do it!" Jain swung her cloak and slowly descended from the sky. The other spirits followed her down.
She unfurled her cloak and planted her greatsword beside her. It slowly morphed into a black Duel Disk with red patterns, which affixed itself to her arm.
Hikaru stepped out of the crowd onto the Duel Field, activated his Duel Disk, and slotted in his Deck, which began to shuffle automatically.
"The rules are standard one-on-one Duel," a massive Lightsworn dragon announced from above. "The victor shall gain greater authority. If you win, we will aid you. If you lose, you must withdraw from this dimension and avoid the war.
So, humans, do you accept this man as your representative Duelist?"
No one objected.
"Then, let the Duel begin."
[Hikaru, LP: 4000]
[Jain, Lightsworn Paladin, LP: 4000]
...
Bonus @400
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