The Fall of Heaven - At That Time, the World Changed

Carton's fall from heaven spread rapidly throughout the world. The names of beings in heaven were displayed in temples around the world. Early in the morning, the movements of priests correcting the bulletin board would soon be known to the people.

Carton was a reincarnated warrior from a world where formidable warriors called "Warwicks" came. Among them, he was particularly skilled, and his comrades expected him to rise even higher with the Ladder.

He had no intention of belonging to a nation, etc., and such people were in a position where 30% of the Celestials were called “Jungle Leafs''.  Among them, Carton was attracting attention because he took the top position on the 8th ladder. There are still two stairs left until the ceiling. The future prospects were also bright.

He had no intention of belonging to a nation or any such organization. Those who did considered themselves the so-called "Jungle Leafs", a position occupied by 30% of people. However, Carton's achievement of reaching heaven on the 8th tier of the Ladder attracted attention. With two steps still remaining, his future potential was unmatched.

〜Vadzul〜

"Sis! Something terrible happened!"

"I told you not to call me sis! Call me General!"

"Um, more importantly, at the temple earlier, the rankings..."

"Rankings? …What happened?"

"Well, Carton... disappeared."

Rankings did fluctuate. Battles for positions occurred depending on the circumstances. However, most Celestials belonged to some organization and existed as the iconic warriors of that organization. It wasn't an environment where one could challenge such individuals just because they wanted to improve their rank.

Although Carton was just an adventurer, he belonged to the infamous clan called "Disaster" and was known to the public as the clan's second in command. It was unlikely that many would dare to challenge him in front of such a notorious clan.

The change in celestial positions usually occurred when someone close to heaven ascended the stairs, significantly boosting their rank. However, this time, Carton disappeared from the rankings. It wasn't normal for someone who had raised their rank with the Ladder to drop a rank, let alone disappear.

"... Killed by a monster?"

"No, it seems someone did something to him."

"What? Replaced? Who? One of ours?"

"No, it was someone with a name we've never heard before. Shigeto Kusunoki..."

"I don't know... huh?"

She pondered the completely unfamiliar name, but suddenly remembered. Someone had come looking for people this time. But he had just arrived in this world. Was that possible?

"Could it be... What about Takato and Miki?"

"They finished going up two steps and headed to Dudur Valley this morning."

"Hmm, bad timing. But maybe it's good news. Send someone to check."

"Understood!"

Not "understood”. While thinking such things, Camilla watched her subordinate leave the room.

--Replacement?... Just arrived in this world?

"Freibe! Hold on!"

"W-What is it?"

The subordinate who was about to close the door was stopped and hurriedly peeked out.

"I'll go. Get ready."

"Eh? You, sis?"

"I said call me General!"

"Un-understood!"

Even Camilla, who was born and raised in this world, had never heard such a story. It wasn't something she had heard of, even if it were about gangsters around the 10,000th rank being defeated, let alone a Celestial. If it was a replacement, it was a result achieved by showing their abilities to each other, not by surprise of by poisoning. In this world's rankings, God was watching closely.

"If we could bring Takato and Miki with us... No, that might be dangerous."

Perhaps a troublesome situation had come their way. Camilla sighed deeply and reluctantly prepared to go out.

◇◇◇

　～Glenvaren Dynasty～

"Tomonori, were you here?"

"Oh, Your Highness! What happened?"

"Shigeto Kusunoki came with you, right?"

"Yes... but..."

"What kind of man is he?"

"Well... Even though you say that, he was a teacher at our school in the other world."

"Hmm, the notification when he entered the country mentioned that. His magical and physical abilities were ordinary, but... did he do any martial arts?"

"I heard he practiced Iaido, but I've never seen his actual skill."

"Hmm..."

Watching Belms lost in thought, Ikeda looked at him with a puzzled expression. The name of Professor Kusunoki came up suddenly, and Ikeda had no idea what had happened.

And it was no wonder. Since Ikeda, along with the first Kendo club members, had went to the Glenvaren Dynasty right after the transfer, he didn't know what had happened afterward.

“What happened to Kusunoki-sensei?”

Ikeda had been assigned to the Dilmun Knights directly under the royal family, not the Barren Knights affiliated with the Dynasty, because of his Guardian Spirit. Because of this, he often had conversations with Prince Belms. Belms, lost in thought, glanced at Ikeda.

"He ate a Celestial."

"He ate it? What do you mean?"

"There was a guy named Carton in 87th place. Today, it became Shigeto Kusunoki."

"...What?"

The Dilmun Knights were known as the highest-ranking group in this world, with talents such as Ulrich, who held the title of "Nakumo" as the 2nd rank, leading 23 members. They showcased a significant presence even against other countries, making the extraordinary nature of heavenly positions painfully apparent in the past week.

--What's going on with Sensei…?

◇◇◇

　～Rigaland Republic～

"Domoto... Have you woken up?"

"Sorry, did I sleep  a lot again?"

"Yeah, the boost in your abilities when you go up the Ladder is crazy, isn't it? It only takes us a few hours."

"Hmm... My rank has risen safely. But even after going up two steps, I've just barely gone past 10,000. I still need to raise it more... Huh? What's wrong? Tsuji."

When Domoto talked about his rank, Tsuji and Sato exchanged glances, wearing complex expressions.

"Oh... actually, there was something called 'Heaven's Fall.'"

"Heaven's Fall?"

"It seems to refer to when a Celestial within the top 100 loses a battle, and the ranks are swapped."

"Celestials, huh? What does that have to do with us?"

"Well, the one who defeated that Celestial is... apparently, it's Kusunoki."

“Kusunoki?”

"Yeah. He's the one who ascended to a Celestial..."

While Domoto was sleeping at the inn, Tsuji and Sato went to the Adventurer's Guild to submit their requested items. At that time, there was an unusual commotion in the guild. When they asked the receptionist what happened, they heard the story of a Celestial losing their position.

Moreover, the one who had dropped the Celestial was someone with a name no one had ever heard before, causing quite a stir among the adventurers.

"I still can't understand it. He was supposed to be just a mob in terms of ability?"

"...Maybe his carried-over skills came in handy."

"But still... I heard he practiced Iaido."

"Yeah, that's what I heard."

"That kind of... a form-only technique..."

"...It seems it was the real deal."

At first, they had the impression that Celestials were those who had killed others in higher ranks. However, as they observed the excitement around them, they gradually realized how abnormal the situation was.

—A completely unknown person from outside the ranks suddenly defeated a Celestial.

—Apparently, they were newcomers who had just been transferred.

However, Domoto smiled at the two, looking somewhat pleased.

"If Kusunoki is alive, there's a good chance that Kimishima also survived. That's what it means, right?"

"Ah, yeah. That's right."

"It's a good story, isn't it? Our goal isn't some petty 87th place. If we steadily go up the Ladder, we can surpass that ranking. “

"Oh, that's right. Even mobs can defeat Celestials. If we level up..."

"So that's it. There's definitely a difference in Guardian Spirits. There's no need to hurry."

"Yeah, if even Kusunoki can do it, we can too. We have to do our best."

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