Editing City Series:Volume8b Chapter13 (section)

===Excel’s Board Mode: In DT Castle===

'''<Excel’s Over Reload>

You are in BF3 – Large Lift, a Top Page of the castle.

The current time is 2:57 PM.

A steel lift painted white takes up a 20yd square of the floor in front of you.

The stairs down to the Questron are behind you.

A large piece of rubble lies atop the lift. It is a piece of a wall cut away during Daikatana’s battle with the intruder.

One PC Body is there. He is the intruder, Aoe Shouzou Asb.

Aoe has only just arrived from the adjacent page: In the Wall. He is currently running your way.

Aoe: “What, I break through the wall and come running but some old guy is the only person who comes to greet me? And on the same lift that formed the roof? Where’s the fun in that?”

'''<Excel’s Over Reload>

Aoe looks up at the pit overhead.

He is approximately 10 yards in front of you. He stops in the center of the lift.

Excel: “You arrived quicker than expected. I nearly failed to arrive in time.”

Aoe: “Mh. So you greet even the rude guests? You were trained well.”

Excel: “I am not here to greet you; I am here to determine whether or not you will be allowed to pass.”

'''<Excel’s Over Reload>

You pull a program trigon from your pocket.

The program trigon is printed with an ear symbol in black.

Excel: “This is Master Yuo’s hearing.”

Excel: “Fearing the slim possibility of resistance from herself and to help her focus, she converted the rights to her hearing, touch, sight, and voice into program trigons and left them with the Quartet.”

Excel: “Although the one for Mekton is currently with Master Algo since Mekton is at Babel.”

Aoe: “Hah. So I’m supposed to take them back? You have terrible taste in games.”

Aoe: “But more importantly, how’s Yuo doing? Has she given up?”

Excel: “She has.”

Aoe: “I see. I suppose there would be no point in defeating her otherwise.”

Aoe: “So are you willing to be my test case? Answer the question I am about to give you.”

Excel: “What might that be?”

Aoe: “When would you be willing to accept defeat?”

Excel: “––––––”

Excel: “What is that supposed to mean?”

Aoe: “Why the surprise? It’s a simple question. I am asking when you would decide you didn’t need to keep fighting.”

Excel: “––––!?”

'''<Excel’s Over Reload>

Your eyebrows are raised and your eyes narrowed. The meaning is uncertain.

Your expression is changing. You are looking dead ahead now. It is a serious look.

Excel: “Ha. So Myst was right after all.”

Aoe: “Myst?”

Excel: “Do not worry about it. It is none of your business.”

Excel: “Anyway.”

Excel: “To answer your question…”

Excel: “That would be when I confirm Master Yuo has surpassed me as a programmer.”

Excel: “Unfortunately, that can never happen now that she has fallen to resignation.”

'''<Excel’s Over Reload>

Aoe’s eyebrows are raised and his mouth curved downwards. It is a defiant look.

Aoe: “I can’t strictly call this the strongest power since I wasn’t asking with my fists, but still.”

Aoe: “Understood, Excel Raphael. I will give you what you want.”

Aoe: “And if you accept my answer, then let me pass. Is that acceptable?”

Excel: “Ha. Very well. Assuming you can manage it, of course.”

'''<Excel’s Board Mode has ended>