Chapter 131: The Waiting Time

"Are you certain Akihiro Kurata will come here?" Masaru Daimon asked, looking uncertain.

"Yes. For the sake of his Digital World annihilation plan and his own ambitions, he will certainly come to eliminate Mercurymon. After all, it is the guardian of this forest." Qin Fei stated without hesitation. After all, to awaken Belphemon, one of the Seven Great Demon Lords, Kurata needed a vast amount of data energy, which meant slaughtering more Digimon to collect it.

Thus, Mercurymon was an obstacle he could not afford to leave behind. Furthermore, because of Kurata’s wariness toward Mercurymon, the original events of the anime unfolded as they did: he used Masaru and the others to distract Mercurymon before launching a successful sneak attack.

"However, because there have been some variables, I don't know what Kurata might bring with him when he arrives in this Digital World." Qin Fei glanced at the Gotsumon nearby, who was keeping a tireless watch over him. He smiled; though the creature was somewhat hostile toward humans and prone to petty schemes, its loyalty to Mercurymon was plain to see. In the original storyline, after Gotsumon broke its limits to evolve into Meteormon, its willingness to stand alone against Masaru’s group and Kurata’s forces to protect the entrance to Mercurymon’s palace proved its unwavering dedication.

"So, when will Kurata arrive in the Digital World?" Yoshino and Thoma, who had been guarding Hiroshi Yushima, moved closer. Watching Uncle Yushima and Mercurymon engaged in friendly conversation, they felt there was no immediate danger. Besides, the silent Tortamon beside Yushima did not seem like an ordinary Digimon either.

"If it really was that guy Kurata who did all this, I'm definitely going to punch him!" Masaru mimicked a punching motion, seemingly imagining Kurata as a sandbag to be pummeled.

"Just wait. It shouldn't be much longer..." Without Masaru and his group to lead the way, Kurata would likely take more time, and he might even bring more reinforcements.

...

Time passed within the walls of Mercurymon’s palace. The two groups, once wary of each other, gradually eased their guard, though they remained gathered in separate, distinct areas.

"Qin Fei!" Suddenly, Qin Fei, who had been leaning against a wall to rest, heard Uncle Yushima’s call. Opening his eyes, he found both Mercurymon and Yushima looking at him, as if they wanted to discuss something. Forced to stretch, Qin Fei stood up and walked over.

"Qin Fei, I heard you mention earlier that Kurata is conducting some kind of dangerous experiment?" Uncle Yushima seemed to have finally recalled Qin Fei’s earlier explanation, his eyes serious as he stared at him, clearly seeking clarification. "To slaughter so many Digimon in our Digital World—the amount of data energy must be immense. Whatever he intends to do with that energy cannot be simple. I hope you can explain it to us in detail."

Seeing the grave expressions on both the man and the Digimon, Qin Fei nodded. He looked at Mercurymon first and asked, "Are you aware of Belphemon, one of the Seven Great Demon Lords? ...Its egg has been discovered by Kurata..."

"..."

Sure enough, upon hearing that name, Mercurymon’s expression changed instantly. "That man is absolutely insane. The power of Belphemon is not something a mere human can control. If Belphemon is awakened, both the human world and the Digital World will suffer an unprovoked catastrophe. Even I could not..."

"That is exactly why we must cooperate, to prevent that man from awakening Belphemon." Qin Fei looked solemnly at Mercurymon. "Kurata is no simple opponent. He commands multiple Ultimate-level Digimon, and even countless man-made Digimon capable of destroying the data within a Digimon’s body... Gizmon."

Mercurymon fell silent, sitting upon the Throne of Ice, lost in thought. A moment later, seemingly having made a decision, Mercurymon rose to his massive height and walked toward the palace exit.

"What are you doing?" Seeing Mercurymon leave, everyone turned their attention toward him.

"Since that man intends to come for me, I shall go outside to greet them. After all, I am the guardian of this Digital World."

"Lord Mercurymon, I will follow you!" Gotsumon roared, following along with high spirits. Then came Ikuto and Falcomon, who regarded the Digimon as a father figure...

It seemed Mercurymon intended to take the initiative. After all, if Belphemon was truly involved, a brutal battle was inevitable. Qin Fei hesitated for a moment before following as well. He did not want a repeat of the original events where, even after shifting the battlefield, they were still successfully ambushed by Gizmon. After all, in the face of the impending invasion by the Gizmon army, Mercurymon would certainly be a valuable ally.

...

The night sky was filled with countless stars, yet the base of the snowy mountain, usually cold and desolate, saw many unusual figures gathering that night. There were Digimon, and there were humans.

The tallest Digimon sat casually on the ground, staring at the road in the distance, motionless as a stone statue, as if waiting for someone. Soon, several smaller figures gathered around it, gazing into the distance together. Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Renamon and BlackDorumon emerged as well. After gathering with Qin Fei, they opened the specially prepared luggage at his instruction, seemingly preparing to set up camp.

Qin Fei, who had planned to stay in the Digital World for a while, was far better prepared than Masaru, Yoshino, or Thoma. He had tents, sleeping bags, iron pots and ladles, compressed food, and even lighters—everything one could need. Consequently, his campsite attracted quite a few people and Digimon, such as the gluttonous Agumon and Lalamon... and Falcomon.

Even Uncle Yushima sat smiling by the campfire Qin Fei had lit, scooping up a ladle of hot water as if he were in his own home.

"Perhaps, Suguru Daimon was right." Watching the harmony between the Digimon and humans around Qin Fei, Mercurymon’s eyes softened, seemingly beginning to accept the philosophy of the two worlds coexisting in peace.

"It is actually quite difficult. The Digimon of this world are too easily influenced by human emotions, which triggers rampages." Qin Fei said with a touch of regret after pouring a spoonful of compressed food into the hanging pot over the fire.

"Hmm? 'This world'?" Mercurymon seemed to catch the nuance.

"Qin Fei says he is a traveler from a different world. Hahaha, I’m starting to think there’s actually something to that." Masaru sat down as well, speaking enthusiastically to Mercurymon.

"Another Digital World? It is not impossible..." However, upon hearing Masaru’s explanation, Mercurymon did not seem overly surprised, as if he had long known that multiple Digital Worlds might exist.

"Oh?" Qin Fei paused, then asked with pleasant surprise, "Do you know of a way to travel to other Digital Worlds?"

Mercurymon shook his head, indicating he did not know, having only heard of such rumors. "However, if you truly wish to return to your own world, you could try asking at Yggdrasil. Perhaps the God of the Digital World knows."

Hearing Mercurymon’s suggestion, Qin Fei shook his head and dismissed the thought for the time being. Yggdrasil might be plotting the destruction of the human world at this very moment, and the Royal Knights were not to be trifled with. Qin Fei felt it would be best not to provoke those top-tier Digimon with his current level of strength.

However, Qin Fei then glanced at BlackDorumon, who was munching on a biscuit. This Digital World did not seem to have given birth to Alphamon; he wondered what kind of existence his BlackDorumon truly was.

He patted his cheeks to refocus. Now was not the time to think about such things. After all, the person responsible for all this was about to arrive.