Infinite Dendrogram (light novel)
1 primary work • 18 total works
Book 16
The Search for the Orbs Continues
Hugo and AR-I-CA arrive in the great city of Cortana as they continue to hunt for the Treasurebeast Orbs. This cosmopolitan center of commerce is a jewel in the desert, but few things in the city are as valuable as the Orb that is said to have arrived here—one that can bestow the coveted power of immortality. Unfortunately, Hugo and AR-I-CA can’t be the only ones investigating these rumors...
A knight of ice, a soaring songstress, a bloodstained child, and a Master of death converge upon the poisoned oasis, heralding the coming of brand new possibilities!
Thanks to Ray and his allies, the chaos in the city of duels is gradually abating. However, Giga Professor Franklin is far too obsessed with victory to let it end so easily... “Plan C!” he cries, as he plays yet another ace up his sleeve. But as Franklin stands proud, watching Gideon — and the kingdom with it — face utter destruction, a certain man moves out to show the Giga Professor the true meaning of the word.
College will soon begin and set a limit on Reiji Mukudori's free time. Bent on enjoying his last carefree days in Dendro to the fullest, Ray speaks to his party and makes plans to go to the beach. A nap at the inn to clear his mind leads to a rude awakening as he finds himself kidnapped by the influential cult-clan, The Lunar Society, and is personally approached by their spiritual leader and the last Superior of the kingdom — High Priestess, Tsukuyo Fuso.
After an unexpectedly challenging journey, Ray and his party finally arrive at Gideon, The City of Duels. The mere sight of the towering arenas and thriving fantasy townscapes is enough to instantly awe and enchant him. However — like anything that stands tall and proud — the city cast a great, dark shadow. The name of this shadow is the Gouz-Maise gang — a loathsome band of cutthroats who turn their profit kidnapping children and demanding ransom. Ray, wide-eyed and innocent, was blissfully unaware of just how cruel the hyper-realistic world of Infinite Dendrogram would become.
The day after Ray and Hugo faced off against the vile Gouz-Maise Gang, the city of Gideon was far livelier than usual, brimming with excitement and anticipation for a certain event. As one would expect from a metropolis bearing the title of "city of duels," the event was a match between two highly notable duelists: Figaro — the local hero — and Xunyu — one of the most powerful individuals from the far-east empire of Huang He. Both were Masters wielding the powers of Superior Embryos, and both would give their all to fight, make merry and emerge victorious. But a malicious plan unfurls itself in the shadows, who is it that seeks to strike the Kingdom of Altar at its most vulnerable?
The city of duels is suddenly besieged by one of the Dryfe Imperium’s Superiors. Mr. Franklin, the Giga Professor. Both admirably cunning and incorrigibly heinous, the sadistic scientist sets his sights on throwing Gideon into utter Pandemonium. As luck would have it, Ray, Marie, and Rook are caught right in the middle of his malicious machinations. Though outmatched, outnumbered and outsmarted, the knights and Masters of The Kingdom of Altar don't hesitate to retaliate. They have the spirit, no doubt, but will it be enough to defeat the mastermind of Franklin's Game?
Ray's arrival at Torne coincides with the beginning of the Windstar Festival, a joyous occasion that commemorates the defeat of an ancient evil. But the mischievous hands of fate twist the celebration into a birthday. The once-slumbering entity has returned, and it is now ready to unleash chaos, suffering, and despair upon all in sight. Naturally, Ray Starling is not a man who can allow such a creature to exist. The stars look down, the wind howls... but Ray soon finds his struggle intertwining with the life of a certain PK, and the matter of the missing Master.
Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst, the Altarian government begins its preparation for the coming negotiations. Altimia needs to decide on her kingdom's terms and gather her retinue, while Ray needs to choose a new job and join a clan in case the talks go sour. Of course, the imperium isn't just resting on its laurels, either. As its leaders craft their plans, a vorpal blade flashes in the darkness, and a rabbit-shaped shadow hops out of the northern land on a top-secret mission to the southern kingdom...
While on his quest in the Sauda Mountain Pass, Ray chances upon something surprising... In his hands, he now holds a ticket to “The Anniversary,” a special event led by the control AI.
Teaming up with Juliet and a surprise companion from his college days, Ray and his team agree to make their way to the location indicated on the invitation. Unfortunately for the group, their plans crumble when they see just what kind of event it really is: an all-out battle royale on an uninhabited island!
Nevertheless, they set forth to do what they must: whatever it takes to come out on top of this battle of champions! Can they hope to win in this cradle of elite Masters from all over the world?
Ray and his new alliance, Death Period, are preparing for a major dueling event when they suddenly meet some surprising new recruits! As the clan grows even larger, it might be time for them to find a home of their own. Luckily for them, Count Gideon appears with a most unexpected offer in mind...
At the same time, Sechs and his coconspirators deep in the gaol are putting the final touches on a plan more heinous than any before. The past and present converge to reveal a long-held secret known only to the King of Destruction...and the King of Crime!
Death Period settles into their new home in Gideon, the City of Duels, as the Tournaments are about to begin. Many powerful Masters have gathered from all over for the right to challenge a special UBM...but in a strange twist of fate, Ray Starling finds himself up against an opponent that even Altar’s Superiors would hesitate to fight!
Meanwhile, Sechs and his Illegal Frontier begin their plan to break out of the gaol, setting off a cascade of consequences that will ripple throughout the world.
Will Ray emerge victorious? Will Sechs’s unthinkable plot succeed? Or might this escalating chain of events cause something even worse, as the Overlord of Dreams’ slumber becomes uncomfortably restless...?