Gambit - Night Stalker Chapter 21
Apr. 17th, 2025 08:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shivalriesSeason: Winter
---
Location: Gambit Stage
Ohji: I-I've had about enough of your false bravado.
It's pathetic to watch. Bluffs won't protect you from the reality about to crush you.
We possess enormous military strength. And you, no matter how strong you are, are just a tiny force before our might.
As you fight battle after battle, your strength will slowly diminish. The audience will begin to tire of hearing your songs again and again, and will judge you more harshly.
Sure, perhaps you'll snatch a number of skirmishes from us, but in the end, victory will be ours.
And once you're all flat on the ground exhausted, we'll walk all over you and claim this conquest in our name.
Leo: "We"?
Ohji: What? W-We King Slayer, of cou—
Leo: Be more specific. You and who?
Ohji: Huh...? What...?
Leo: Wahaha. Look at this guy, he really is like Suo~! His reactions are exactly the same~♪
Tsukasa: I would like to think I am not so foolish—or childish, I should say.
Leo: Here's what's up. I talked to each and every one of your guys.
Ohji: Wh-What are you talking about...?
Leo: Your guys in King Slayer. I sat down and had a long talk with each one.
In the past, I gave up on them immediately and cut 'em out of my life, but this time, I had more time to act, and I didn't want to repeat the same mistake as before.
So I sat face-to-face with each and every one of them.
They may call me a genius, but you know, even composing requires some good old hard work to get done.
If you don't pay attention to stuff like how your singers will feel singing it, or whether or not it fits the theme, your song won't become a masterpiece.
Even a machine can put together some notes and make a pretty tune. But it's only when the singer's emotions are layered over it that a song can move people's hearts.
So this time around, I did some serious "composing".
I mean, I'm always serious, but this time I put in everything I got.
Ritsu: And as a result—what do you know! We and the remainders of Chess and the old newbies of Knights managed to come to a settlement.
Ohji: Wh-What?!
Ritsu: The only clueless one was the naked emperor himself. After having honest talks with Tsukipi~, those people felt their feelings were heard and gave us their sincere approval.
They agreed that Knights is the original unit, and King Slayer is just a bunch of copycats.
I mean, they already agreed once before, but they did it again.
In fact, I'd say most of them were pretty mad that the Kuroki brothers went and rehashed some old drama that was already settled. ♪
Ohji: ......
Tsukasa: I see. We had called all of King Slayer our enemies, generalizing them into a single category...
But in reality, the only ones we can truly consider our enemies at present are the Kuroki brothers.
Arashi: If we're being specific, it's probably only the younger one, Ohji-chan.
Ritsu: Exactly. All we need to do is give that salty little brat a good whack, and it's over.
We'll win the Judgment, and continue our activities as the real Knights.
And just like last time, King Slayer will persistently convey the truth until the fans finally understand.
From then on, they'll fight with their own music and stuff as they walk their own path, separate from Knights.
It's the same conclusion as last time. As for King Slayer's fans, I'm willing to bet they'll eventually understand with time and explanation.
Humans aren't quite as stupid as you think they are, you know.
Ohji: ......
Ritsu: I get wanting to think your enemies are dumb and incompetent. When you're a little cleverer than most and manage to guide things down a certain path, it's easy to assume everyone's the same mindless, gullible sheep.
I used to be like that, so I understand. But you know, you're better off not making light of people.
Even the most powerful of monsters eventually fall to the hands of humanity.
What you tried to make into your pawn is actually more frightening than you think.
Ohji: ......
Tsukasa: Surrender now, Ohji-san. You have lost.
This is checkmate.
Ritsu-senpai can, at times, be extremely vicious, but that makes his strategies predictable. I presume that he in his spitefulness will push all responsibility onto you.
He will make you into the sole perpetrator behind all this turmoil—the one who, acting on your own arbitrary decisions, manipulated the innocent members of King Slayer and laid blame on Knights.
He will proclaim it before the crowd that has gathered in this land, present the plethora of evidence that corroborates his claims, and turn the malice of the world onto you alone.
Those who wish to be just and virtuous will offer you as a living sacrifice to secure the upholding of their idea of justice.
In joy, they will sever your head from your body, and in delight, put it on display for all to see.
"Yes! Justice has been served! We will all live happily ever after! ♪"
But I do not wish to make you, one with whom I once shared a table, into such a wretched villain.
To see you in such a sorry position and push you into something even worse... My justice will not allow it.
So, I ask you...
If you despise me, then raise your fist at me all you like. Spit upon me, curse at me, what have you.
Then once you are satisfied, I beg you... end this.
If even you were to be ground to dust underfoot and disappear...
Then your beloved brother will have finally, truly lost everything.
Ohji: ......
Don't...
Tsukasa: Hm...?
Ohji: Don't mock me don't mock me don't mock me don't MOCK ME!
This is unacceptable. Impossible! You are wrong. You are at fault.
I am correct, so why have I lost?
Why must I be treated like a fool and looked at with such pity?
Tsukasa: That is... because you were weak.
Everyone is correct. That is why, in the end, the stronger side's righteousness will dispel the weaker side's righteousness.
It is an often-seen and obvious conclusion.
Ohji: ...Never.
I will NEVER accept this! This isn't reality! Every single last one of you has been an idiot, a fool, incompetent—completely clueless throughout this whole thing!
How could you be righteous, and I in the wrong?!
Tsukasa: No, you are righteous. Or rather, you are also righteous.
You simply weren't strong enough to see your righteousness through.
Ohji: ......
Tsukasa: Normally, I would have nothing to say to the loser, but allow me this, as one who, but for an instant, was your lord and your senior:
Might we not start over? You have talent; if you'd come back and hone it under our tutelage—
Your blade may one day reach me.
You may sharpen your sword for revenge if you wish—but why not spend the time until then together with us, as an ally?
Naturally, I do not intend to allow you to cut me down. Yet I find myself hoping for this future together nonetheless.
Will you laugh this off as an impossible, foolish, childish delusion?
Ohji: ...Yes, I will. This really is the worst, most unfunny joke I've ever heard.
Didn't you say so yourself? It's far too late for any of that.
Besides, I don't have to hone my blade... because I have one for you right here!
Tsukasa: !!
Arashi: Tsukasa-chan?!
Ohji: Ahahahaha! Good thing I brought a knife here just in case the worst happened.
You underestimated me, "Your Majesty". Every single one of you looked down on me!
Die, Tsukasa Suou. Die, Knights scum. Die grasping at your idealistic fantasies as you sink into the depths of despair.
I will never accept the happily ever after you wish for.
...And I will never, ever forgive you so long as I live!
---
< Night Stalker Chapter 20 || Masterlist || Epilogue >
---
Location: Gambit Stage
Ohji: I-I've had about enough of your false bravado.
It's pathetic to watch. Bluffs won't protect you from the reality about to crush you.
We possess enormous military strength. And you, no matter how strong you are, are just a tiny force before our might.
As you fight battle after battle, your strength will slowly diminish. The audience will begin to tire of hearing your songs again and again, and will judge you more harshly.
Sure, perhaps you'll snatch a number of skirmishes from us, but in the end, victory will be ours.
And once you're all flat on the ground exhausted, we'll walk all over you and claim this conquest in our name.
Leo: "We"?
Ohji: What? W-We King Slayer, of cou—
Leo: Be more specific. You and who?
Ohji: Huh...? What...?
Leo: Wahaha. Look at this guy, he really is like Suo~! His reactions are exactly the same~♪
Tsukasa: I would like to think I am not so foolish—or childish, I should say.
Leo: Here's what's up. I talked to each and every one of your guys.
Ohji: Wh-What are you talking about...?
Leo: Your guys in King Slayer. I sat down and had a long talk with each one.
In the past, I gave up on them immediately and cut 'em out of my life, but this time, I had more time to act, and I didn't want to repeat the same mistake as before.
So I sat face-to-face with each and every one of them.
They may call me a genius, but you know, even composing requires some good old hard work to get done.
If you don't pay attention to stuff like how your singers will feel singing it, or whether or not it fits the theme, your song won't become a masterpiece.
Even a machine can put together some notes and make a pretty tune. But it's only when the singer's emotions are layered over it that a song can move people's hearts.
So this time around, I did some serious "composing".
I mean, I'm always serious, but this time I put in everything I got.
Ritsu: And as a result—what do you know! We and the remainders of Chess and the old newbies of Knights managed to come to a settlement.
Ohji: Wh-What?!
Ritsu: The only clueless one was the naked emperor himself. After having honest talks with Tsukipi~, those people felt their feelings were heard and gave us their sincere approval.
They agreed that Knights is the original unit, and King Slayer is just a bunch of copycats.
I mean, they already agreed once before, but they did it again.
In fact, I'd say most of them were pretty mad that the Kuroki brothers went and rehashed some old drama that was already settled. ♪
Ohji: ......
Tsukasa: I see. We had called all of King Slayer our enemies, generalizing them into a single category...
But in reality, the only ones we can truly consider our enemies at present are the Kuroki brothers.
Arashi: If we're being specific, it's probably only the younger one, Ohji-chan.
Ritsu: Exactly. All we need to do is give that salty little brat a good whack, and it's over.
We'll win the Judgment, and continue our activities as the real Knights.
And just like last time, King Slayer will persistently convey the truth until the fans finally understand.
From then on, they'll fight with their own music and stuff as they walk their own path, separate from Knights.
It's the same conclusion as last time. As for King Slayer's fans, I'm willing to bet they'll eventually understand with time and explanation.
Humans aren't quite as stupid as you think they are, you know.
Ohji: ......
Ritsu: I get wanting to think your enemies are dumb and incompetent. When you're a little cleverer than most and manage to guide things down a certain path, it's easy to assume everyone's the same mindless, gullible sheep.
I used to be like that, so I understand. But you know, you're better off not making light of people.
Even the most powerful of monsters eventually fall to the hands of humanity.
What you tried to make into your pawn is actually more frightening than you think.
Ohji: ......
Tsukasa: Surrender now, Ohji-san. You have lost.
This is checkmate.
Ritsu-senpai can, at times, be extremely vicious, but that makes his strategies predictable. I presume that he in his spitefulness will push all responsibility onto you.
He will make you into the sole perpetrator behind all this turmoil—the one who, acting on your own arbitrary decisions, manipulated the innocent members of King Slayer and laid blame on Knights.
He will proclaim it before the crowd that has gathered in this land, present the plethora of evidence that corroborates his claims, and turn the malice of the world onto you alone.
Those who wish to be just and virtuous will offer you as a living sacrifice to secure the upholding of their idea of justice.
In joy, they will sever your head from your body, and in delight, put it on display for all to see.
"Yes! Justice has been served! We will all live happily ever after! ♪"
But I do not wish to make you, one with whom I once shared a table, into such a wretched villain.
To see you in such a sorry position and push you into something even worse... My justice will not allow it.
So, I ask you...
If you despise me, then raise your fist at me all you like. Spit upon me, curse at me, what have you.
Then once you are satisfied, I beg you... end this.
If even you were to be ground to dust underfoot and disappear...
Then your beloved brother will have finally, truly lost everything.
Ohji: ......
Don't...
Tsukasa: Hm...?
Ohji: Don't mock me don't mock me don't mock me don't MOCK ME!
This is unacceptable. Impossible! You are wrong. You are at fault.
I am correct, so why have I lost?
Why must I be treated like a fool and looked at with such pity?
Tsukasa: That is... because you were weak.
Everyone is correct. That is why, in the end, the stronger side's righteousness will dispel the weaker side's righteousness.
It is an often-seen and obvious conclusion.
Ohji: ...Never.
I will NEVER accept this! This isn't reality! Every single last one of you has been an idiot, a fool, incompetent—completely clueless throughout this whole thing!
How could you be righteous, and I in the wrong?!
Tsukasa: No, you are righteous. Or rather, you are also righteous.
You simply weren't strong enough to see your righteousness through.
Ohji: ......
Tsukasa: Normally, I would have nothing to say to the loser, but allow me this, as one who, but for an instant, was your lord and your senior:
Might we not start over? You have talent; if you'd come back and hone it under our tutelage—
Your blade may one day reach me.
You may sharpen your sword for revenge if you wish—but why not spend the time until then together with us, as an ally?
Naturally, I do not intend to allow you to cut me down. Yet I find myself hoping for this future together nonetheless.
Will you laugh this off as an impossible, foolish, childish delusion?
Ohji: ...Yes, I will. This really is the worst, most unfunny joke I've ever heard.
Didn't you say so yourself? It's far too late for any of that.
Besides, I don't have to hone my blade... because I have one for you right here!
Tsukasa: !!
Arashi: Tsukasa-chan?!
Ohji: Ahahahaha! Good thing I brought a knife here just in case the worst happened.
You underestimated me, "Your Majesty". Every single one of you looked down on me!
Die, Tsukasa Suou. Die, Knights scum. Die grasping at your idealistic fantasies as you sink into the depths of despair.
I will never accept the happily ever after you wish for.
...And I will never, ever forgive you so long as I live!
---
< Night Stalker Chapter 20 || Masterlist || Epilogue >
