Tenjo Hikari applied for a large party room at the station, set up some kitchen tools and such, laid out various foods from Kaiba Company on the table, and fried a few small dishes, some fried chicken, fried shrimp, counting as starting the party.
It's something that can't be helped. Although Kaiba Company prepared enough supplies, chefs and the like aren't easily found in this Dimension.
While eating, everyone occasionally chatted a bit to understand each other's situations.
Although there were calls before, at that time, separated by mountains and seas, it always felt somewhat unreal. Now that we're here, we can talk about specific things.
"Ed actually did such things." Judai mumbled while chewing shrimp, "Really impressive."
"But, that deck with constantly spinning cards, deciding card effects; that sounds more interesting."
"No no no, big bro, since Saiou-student always picks projects advantageous to himself, it can't be called interesting, right?" Shou said, sweating slightly and feeling a bit helpless.
Kenzan nodded beside him: "Yeah, it's obviously flipping coins, but they all turn out in his favor. That's just too sneaky."
Normal people know this kind of deck is based on luck, so the concept of "interesting" indeed exists, but if the opponent gets whatever they want, can that be called interesting?
It would only feel terrifying or outrageous, right?
"As for Lightsworn..." Tenjo Hikari thought for a moment, and casually said, "Inside Lightsworn, there are different factions."
"Lightsworn has factions too?" Jim asked curiously.
This "justice" force has internal power struggles too?
"It's not like the Dragon Lord and Demon God faction struggles." Tenjo Hikari shook his head, "It's like this, within Lightsworn, there are extremist factions and moderate factions. Extremist factions think of killing, destroying all evil and the soil of evil; moderate factions think through constant change and effort, uniting all forces to create a peaceful world."
Tenjo Hikari raised his hand, made a vague gesture, "Previously, when Lightsworn Spirits descended to this Critical Point Dimension, I dueled against a general from their extremist faction."
He explained in more detail about the two factions.
"I see, so today Judai encountered an extremist Lightsworn Spirit." Jim nodded, "That means there are still opportunities to communicate."
"Lightsworn internally even has archfiends, so Judai, you don't have to worry that those remaining archfiends of the Dark World are really doomed to die or that they'll all be exterminated. It's nowhere near that situation." Tenjo Hikari explained to Judai.
Judai swallowed the fried shrimp, gulped down some cola, eagerly swallowing what was in his throat, then thoughtfully nodded.
After understanding these, Tenjo Hikari gradually learned the specifics of the situation from Judai and them.
So the Dragon Lord absorbed Judai's power, evolving into the Dragon Overlord?
The Dragon Overlord as a Fusion Monster card is actually very excellent, with quite outstanding blocking abilities.
However, Tenjo Hikari was more curious about how Judai, after the duel, could possess the power to deal with the archfiends of the Dark World, even control them with power, making them submit to him?
That's quite impressive.
It sounds like Judai seems able to use some special power of the Supreme King already.
"So, does big bro really possess that Supreme King power?" Kenzan raised his hand beside him, asked curiously, "That's so cool!"
"..." Judai unusually didn't join in the excitement.
If it were any other time, learning that someone is harboring extraordinary power, he would certainly cheer in surprise, saying "that's awesome" or "that's so cool."
But...
This time is different.
He has truly experienced the power of the Supreme King, a kind of dominating power that can forcefully control and command weaker beings to willingly serve him.
He must admit.
He... was afraid.
This power is simply too "strong," even he came to have thoughts of enslaving and controlling archfiends.
Innate evil...
"Nonsense, absolute nonsense." Tenjo Hikari shook his head, very much disagreeing with such a notion, "Never mind anything else, Judai, think about Serena, is it right?"
Tenjo Hikari extended his hand, pointing at Serena beside him.
Being pointed out, Serena seemed a bit dazed but quickly sat upright for Judai to observe.
Judai tilted his head, a bit puzzled.
This time, it was Shou who first understood Tenjo Hikari's intention.
Because...
He felt this empathy.
"Ah! I get it, big bro! Did you forget? Serena is the daughter of that professor!"
The professor—
Akaba Leo!
The leader of the Fusion Army!
A series of terms flashed through Judai's mind, and the determination to defeat this ambitious figure suddenly came to the forefront for him.
Because of him, the principal teacher had to resign.
Because of him, Professor Cronos, Hikari, and Shou had to undergo long examinations.
It was all his doing!
More importantly...
Judai looked at Serena, slowly realizing.
If someone is "born as a villain," then isn't Serena so too?
But no one knows better than him.
This young girl just wanted to repay her father, thus accepting duel experiments and training as an ordinary girl. She was just an ordinary girl who liked dueling and was passionate about it, not born evil.
It never happened!
What truly decides her character is not her birth, but herself!
Isn't he surrounded by people like this?
He couldn't help but laugh, scratching his neck, chuckling twice, while Jim and O'Brien beside him listened, discovering Serena was actually Akaba Leo's daughter who dared to attack the X Dimension, both shocked and realized.
Judai's acquaintances, each with their own burdens.
Tenjo Hikari shrugged beside them.
It's really handy to bring Akaba Leo out as the scapegoat right now.
This world isn't simply the world of "Yu-Gi-Oh GX," with Akaba Leo and other dimensions; some things in the original that Judai couldn't understand or accept become understandable and acceptable when looking around and at other dimensions.
No choice, too many people with burdens around.
"Actually, Lightsworn doesn't need too much worry. No matter what they say, they'll abide by the rules; it's impossible for them to directly use force to kill you, at most they will challenge you with a duel." Tenjo Hikari casually said, beside him, Judai listened and silently nodded.
If that's the case, he has confidence, just like Hikari's fusion gaining others' acceptance, separating Hikari from the Fusion Army. Seeking Lightsworn Spirit's recognition.
"The real issue is actually another point, Judai." Tenjo Hikari stroked his chin, speaking, "That point is, Judai, spirits and us humans are not the same.
They differentiate others, not solely by sight, most of the time, they also assess a person's power.
Just as the archfiends of the Dark World recognize you as the Supreme King, Lightsworn Spirits immediately perceiving the power within you. Your past life in Spirit World seems quite famous. This means... in the future when you visit spirits again, surely you will be recognized, causing all kinds of trouble."
"Even if you can accept it once, would you truly be able to continuously accept being questioned, tested, misunderstood, frightening others away when trying to help people everywhere you go?"
"Hey hey hey, Hikari, don't say it so scary, I'm getting goosebumps."
"It's not me talking nonsense, Judai." Tenjo Hikari held an unopened bread package, gesturing gently, "This is the reality you inevitably face."
He can't always adventure with Judai, that's impossible.
He has places he likes, Judai has places he likes too, and they won't always coincide. Just like at the Critical Point, without the Dark World invasion, they wouldn't have collided at any common "sight" at all.
Judai listened, and suddenly tossed what's in his hand onto the table, leaning back, hands behind his head, resting on the chair, mumbling: "Supreme King and everything, has nothing to do with me. As long as everyone realizes this, that would be enough."
"Judai, wouldn't that be impossible?" Jim also thought about this question, "Destruction is far easier than reconstruction, although we don't know what the Supreme King did, Lightsworn Spirits clearly fear you, deep from the soul.
How much time would it take to change each of their thoughts?"
"Solving symptoms but not the root, big bro." Shou agreed, nodding beside him.
Judai knows it just as well.
But what can he do?
This is his own responsibility, his own matter, not something like the Fusion Army, can't put efforts together with everyone, can't expect companions to clear his name for him, nor let others vouch for him.
These are things he can never accept.
"Then... there are two suggestions, not sure if you're willing to listen."
"There are two?! As expected of Hikari, quickly tell me."
"... The first is to understand the Supreme King."
Just one sentence, Judai frowned deeply.