"Did you set up remote communication in the device? How did you do it?"
Tenjo Hikari heard Manjome's voice coming from the D-wheel. Although a bit surprised, he wasn't scared.
"Ha, I thought I'd scare you by speaking suddenly." Manjome replied, "I asked Brother Mokuba to set it up, it's high-tech, don't break it."
Tenjo Hikari looked at Tierra.
If it breaks, it can be fixed.
"So, how's it going over there?"
"Don't even mention it, Thunder, because of your component, I almost lost my first duel because I was too slow. Are you secretly jealous of my championship and sabotaging me?"
"Ha? If you could ride, I wouldn't have needed this. Think about your own issues, Champion!" He yelled the last two words.
After some banter, Tenjo Hikari returned to the base, boiled a pot of hot water, sipped from a cup while taking off the Duel Disk and putting it back on his arm, activated the Duel Disk's projection function, reviewed the day's summary and chatted with Manjome.
According to Tenjo Hikari, he might return to the academy in a few months, but Manjome thought, since Tenjo Hikari was in an unfamiliar Other Dimension alone, without any support, he might encounter challenges. At such times, as a friend, he needed to offer support.
So every night, unless work was too hectic, he would try to contact Tenjo Hikari and offer him advice.
Indeed, after hearing Manjome's words, Tenjo Hikari was influenced.
The Famous Detective Manjome's talents would have been well-suited in the S Dimension, but he has his own career and goals. Otherwise, bringing Manjome over would be easier.
Tenjo Hikari contemplated for a moment, glanced at the Dark Sign on his left hand, and explained to Manjome why he came to this world and his ultimate purpose.
Some time later...
"I see, I wondered why you suddenly disappeared." Manjome's voice came through, "You always said you were going to the S Dimension, but you never told anyone why or how you were going. So that Netherworld Dragon card is special to the S Dimension.
No wonder... You used that card only after returning from the S Dimension, and I'd never seen you use any Zombie-Type cards before."
Manjome, worthy of being a "Famous Detective," quickly pieced together the situation from what Tenjo Hikari said.
"Ha, they all said you might still be in the laboratory, but I knew that while you might often stay long in the lab, you'd never miss out on your own matters.
Professor Cronos was interviewed by a TV station, saying they wanted to interview you, but you didn't respond to the message, so I guessed you'd left."
Message?
Tenjo Hikari took out his phone, glanced at it, and there it was. The time coincided perfectly with when the Red Dragon whisked him away.
"And then?"
"I stalled them. Ha—speaking of which, after you won the championship, there were a ton of people looking for you, but Professor Cronos shooed them away, Thanks to an old acquaintance of Professor Cronos, but then you disappeared again.
Not only that, because of your championship, countless juniors knocked on the Fusion Department's door and even bothered Serena in the Alchemy Laboratory."
"Ah, this—hahaha, ahem, I'll catch up with Professor Cronos and Serena later." Tenjo Hikari replied awkwardly.
"Hmm..." Manjome responded, "Regarding your situation over there, I did some analysis for you.
Firstly, having been there, I understand the issues between lower-class and upper-class people, so I can conclude that the conflict between them is not purely due to divine beings, but rather from long-standing economic exploitation. So, what that Shinji's Dark Sign or the Dark Signer told him is unlikely to be the whole picture.
Or, it's biased."
"Do I even need your analysis for this? Alright, enough, go to bed." Tenjo Hikari said, shooing him off.
As if I'm a brainless idiot brother?
"No, no wait, don't be in such a rush. What I'm going to say next is important."
"Then get to the point."
"Since Shinji said it this way, regardless of how much of it is true, one thing is certain. That is, he or those behind him or the gods have determined that if he truly wins, then he might fulfill his ideal goals to some extent."
That is indeed true.
Tenjo Hikari nodded.
According to the original portrayal of the Earthbound Immortal, if Shinji collected all the "Marks" and made the Earthbound Immortal he worships the The One, creating a world in line with his ideals wouldn't be difficult—reviving everyone in the Lower City, for instance, is something the Earthbound Immortal could do, and if he gathered other divine powers, it would be even easier.
After all, with the other half of humanity's souls as food, as shown in the original work, the Earthbound Immortal wouldn't care about the painless revival of the dead.
And Shinji himself clearly wouldn't care much about what happens if the other half of humanity dies, since he seems uninterested and hasn't delved into why the upper and lower divisions are as they are today.
"But isn't it troublesome to find that opponent among the vast number of people?"
"What's more, based only on Shinji's description, every Dark Signer should use Racing Duel to draw the 'Geo' during duels, so the activities of these Dark Signers are limited. If some Dark Signers have different activity areas, what then? Can this elimination even proceed?
Therefore, I guess it's not like this, but rather a different form—that is, using Racing Duel to change other people's 'Geo' into their own.
Thus, ensuring encounters between Dark Signers and Dragon Signers must be crucial.
I think, since you've only been there a day or two and immediately encountered two Dark Signers, it's probably not luck. It's... destined!"
Tenjo Hikari raised an eyebrow and quickly realized: "I see... So, Dark Signers and Dragon Signers are drawn to each other?"
He previously thought that he had no grudges with those Dragon Signers or Dark Signers, and in the race for the The One, he was just an ordinary passer-by. Finish his business and then leave.
After all, in the original story, some Dark Signers were driven to duel Dragon Signers partially because of resentment.
Now he sees, since worlds differ, so does the logic.
Dark Sign and Dragon Sign might merely pick duelists who are "ideal" or "strong enough," rather than carrying those revenge motives.
It appears accepting the Netherworld Dragon's response and resolving grudges for the Mud-Dragon King isn't so simple a task.
"Exactly! Ha, Tenjo, quick thinking." Manjome said, "Since you have the D-wheel, try wandering around tomorrow; you might bump into that Shinji!"
"Hmm. What you said makes sense... Ha, thanks, Thunder."
"Why say that, don't be so sentimental—we, the professor, everyone, we're all your supporters. Over there, if you hit insurmountable challenges, don't forget you have us."
"...Alright!"
Tenjo Hikari couldn't help but smile.