Chapter 252: The Truth Behind Duke Inferno's Death Is Exposed! Is Sam Planning a Repeat Performance?
Little Gui's livestream room.
After parting ways with Black Swan.
Stelle returned to the Golden Hour.
By now, she had already established contact with the Astral Express crew through the [ Astral Express Family ] group chat.
[ Stelle: My investigation here is finished. ]
[ Stelle: Where are we meeting up? ]
[ March 7th: Stelle! ]
[ Himeko: It's good to know you're safe. ]
[ March 7th: That woman didn't do anything bad, did she? ]
[ Himeko: About Miss Firefly… I'm very sorry. ]
[ Himeko: The Family has cordoned off the scene. We are currently negotiating with their representatives; it's almost over. ]
[ Himeko: Let's meet near the Clockie Statue later. ]
Guinaifen teleported directly to the Clockie Statue.
She looked around.
The Express crew members didn't seem to have arrived yet.
Stelle muttered to herself, "So much has happened… I should take a moment to organize my thoughts while I wait for everyone to gather…"
Just then.
The screen went black.
A line of small text appeared on the screen.
[ A while ago, deep within the Memory Zone ]
Whoosh!
A sudden burst of flame seemed ready to overflow from the screen!
Many people hadn't even reacted yet!
"Holy crap!"
"What's going on!?"
"This is… the battle between Acheron and Sam!"
"Whoa! I almost forgot about these two heavyweights!"
"They've been fighting for an entire version."
Sam was seen pulling a nearby road sign out by its roots.
He seemed to be clearing the battlefield, preparing for the upcoming fight.
A mechanical voice rang out: "It is time for you to draw that blade."
"…Ranger."
As he spoke.
He dropped into a crouch.
Besides the cross-shaped flame burning at his chest.
Surging flames also activated on his right hand!
It looked as though he would explode into action at any second!
Yet Acheron remained calm and indifferent.
She pointed her scabbard at Sam.
Suddenly, she asked, "Hunter, do you still dream?"
"Do you dream of those who died because of you?"
As she spoke.
A red light flashed on Acheron's tsuba.
She gripped the hilt.
Just when everyone thought they were about to see a grand battle between the two.
The screen went black again.
Another flashback!
[ Several days ago, Ever-Flame Mansion ]
The background was similarly filled with flames.
But in this scene.
Acheron's opponent was replaced by… Duke Inferno!
Duke Inferno had already fallen beneath his throne.
Acheron was pointing her scabbard at him.
The moment this image appeared!
In the livestream room.
Countless bullet chats instantly flooded the screen!
They formed row after row of comments!
…
"Old Duke [ Old Duke ]!"
"OLD DUKE!!!! I missed you!"
"Your voice and face remain in our hearts."
"Case closed!"
"Precious footage from before his death."
"The Duke: Children, this is not funny."
"It's finally coming!"
"Yes, yes, yes! The reconstruction of the Duke Inferno tragedy is here!"
…
Now, wherever "Old Duke" appeared, similar bullet chats would inevitably surge.
It had almost become a fixed routine.
In the video.
Duke Inferno's weary voice came through: "…It seems the outcome was decided long ago."
"They are still alive, and so are you," Acheron said.
She paused.
Then added, "You still have room for choice. Leave that music box behind, and then go."
"Choice?"
Duke Inferno sounded as if he had heard a joke.
"The path of Destruction has never had room for hesitation."
"Fire demon of Tophet… even if you offer your life to that Aeon, you will not receive His favor."
Duke Inferno disagreed: "Ranger, you walk upon the narrow path of The Hunt; naturally, you cannot understand."
"We come from the fire, are born of the fire, spreading, burning, destroying, until the kindling is spent, leaving behind a floor of dead ash."
"Burning is the life of a fire demon, the beginning and the end. We are born towards death, only to carry out a profile of the universe's truth: all things are born to be destroyed."
The Duke became more emotional as he spoke.
Unfortunately, this scene was static.
It lacked the prestige of the Ever-Flame Mansion trailer.
Otherwise, this scene would have been quite breathtaking.
Acheron: "Your companions didn't seem to think so. They earned a chance for you to live."
"They are my children. Like I once was, they are sparks not yet white-hot. They are young; I will not reproach them."
"But my flames are already hoarse, and time is running out. Do you see the Planet of Festivities in the distance? I intend to bring Purgatory there—so before that, I must cross over you."
In the livestream room.
The netizens were filled with emotion!
…
"The Duke is too pitiful. Even at this point, his information is so asymmetric."
"He still thinks she's a Hunt pathstrider?"
"Old Duke still has some backbone; he didn't surrender."
"Precious footage of a great father fighting to secure gacha banner spots for his children [ doge ]."
"As a boss, Duke Inferno really gave his all. He was about to die and was still thinking about causing trouble on Penacony…"
"Rest in peace, Old Duke. Penacony has already been destroyed three times in a single day."
…
"Why?" Acheron asked.
"Because on the paths opened by Them, you have walked further than I…"
"…Emanator."
Acheron fell silent.
Duke Inferno continued: "You cannot hide your identity. Draw that blade. We shall indeed remain here; we are destined to fight to the death, because I choose to do so."
"Destruction is a magnificent moment. If one survives through baseness… this life would be far too long."
Hearing these words.
Little Gui suddenly looked enlightened.
"These are the words Duke Inferno said in 'Night of Ever-Flame: Scene 33'!"
"It actually came true!"
"The Duke really matches his words with his actions!"
Facing Duke Inferno's choice.
Acheron confirmed once more: "Even if the answer… might be your own destruction?"
"The answer is not important. What matters is that it exists, just as your existence does. Everything exists to be destroyed—and an Emanator is no exception."
"Even within the void, beautiful dreams [ Penacony ] can be born. So-called impossible things are merely things that have not yet arrived."
"Very well, I accept."
Acheron accepted Duke Inferno's challenge.
"You will witness the most brilliant and violent fire in this world. May this burning illuminate your bottomless dream." Duke Inferno's presence was imposing.
"A bottomless dream… indeed. But you misunderstand one thing."
"This blade remains in its scabbard, not out of mercy or contempt. It is a secret I am unwilling to show others, but as a return gesture…"
[ As she said this, her hand also lightly rested on the tsuba. ]
"I will be honest with you."
"The Hunt… is not the path I walk."
After Acheron finished this sentence.
A crisp ring of a blade echoed.
The screen plunged into darkness.
"May death end your long dream…"
"…and lead you back to the waking world."
Acheron's voice grew calm.
Yet it triggered wild speculation in everyone watching!
…
"The Duke has backbone!"
"A real man."
"You're for real, Old Duke?"
"So the Duke actually sought his own death?"
"Laugh at the memes, not the man. The Duke is a real man."
"I declare: The Duke is no longer the universe's biggest clown. His spirit of living for death deserves some respect."
"Once Acheron draws her sword, it's total annihilation…"
"Being able to make Acheron draw her blade is already something to be proud of."
"Could it be… now Sam is going to emulate Duke Inferno? To prove his path through death?"
"The scene from the PV is about to be reenacted."