Chapter 101 - Victim Number Two
—As it happens, this was news to me, but each of the four factions apparently has its own 'Castle.'
I hear the architectural styles—or rather, the vibes—differ between the east, west, north, and south factions, but these uninhabited 'Castles' all serve the exact same function.
They are wartime bases where all functions related to the 'Four Pillar War' are centralized. Not only do they act as the faction's heart, a critical point that determines victory or defeat during the war, but they also serve as a massive system console for managing the various affairs required for large-scale events, all by the players' hands.
Apparently, it's primarily managed by an organization called the 'Four Pillar Steering Committee,' composed of representatives from various influential guilds acting on behalf of all players in their respective factions… but that makes no sense, does it?
Why are they letting the players run what is essentially the only official event?
And how have they managed to create a situation that, for three years, has been generally considered to be 'working out somehow'?
Aren't the players in [Arcadia] just as crazy as the developers? I suppose that's to be expected from the only virtual world to ever change the real one. Trying to think about all this complicated stuff just feels like a waste of time.
"…So I got the gist of it, but…"
After that, I parted ways with Kagura-san, who had stayed behind in the tavern after 'delivering her words of encouragement.' Now, I was on my way to this 'Castle' place, with Nia as my guide.
The streets of Istia, which I'd never had a chance to properly explore before breaking out of the beginner areas, felt surprisingly vast now that I was walking through them at a leisurely pace.
…Or so I felt, but…
"Where exactly is this 'Castle'…?"
Unlike the proper field's Safe Area, which resembles a district of skyscrapers, the architecture in Istia's fantasy-esque townscape is generally low-rise.
There are some two-story buildings, including inns that players can use and set as their home points, but—I mean, if a massive structure like a 'Castle' existed, surely even I would have noticed it by now.
"Ah, well, you know, this is Istia. If you don't know, it's no surprise you wouldn't notice."
When I voiced my thoughts, that was the response I got from Nia. It seemed my ignorance, for once, wasn't my fault.
"I haven't looked into it myself, thinking it didn't concern me yet… but Istia's castle is supposedly underground."
"There's a castle underground???"
Sora, walking beside me, provided the answer, but unfortunately, it only deepened my confusion.
How can an underground structure even be a castle? Is it just a ridiculously huge basement?
"I've never actually seen it myself, so… I wonder what it's like?"
She was definitely smarter than me, but Sora's knowledge also seemed to be a mile wide and an inch deep. As we both tilted our heads in confusion, Nia grabbed both our hands.
"Ahhh, this is one of those 'seeing is believing' things! Come on, registration has already started, so let's gooo!"
"W-Wah!?"
"Are you a child?"
Pulled along by her small hands, I jogged alongside a flustered Sora—and just then, the crowd, which had been gradually growing, suddenly became much denser.
"There are so many people…!"
"I expected this, but this is insane…"
This was what you'd call a sweltering heat. The crowd quickly swelled into a sea of people that filled the entire street, creating a festive uproar reminiscent of that overwhelming welcome party from before.
Just as Nia was about to thoughtlessly charge into it, I yanked her back. The weak, indigo-haired girl bounced back with surprising force, delivering a headbutt straight to my solar plexus.
…Unlike a body press to the face, a light headbutt to the solar plexus barely fazed a level 100 avatar. I can't say the same for Nia, who let out a little "mgyu" sound.
"H-Hey, what was that for…?"
"You can't be serious about pushing through this crowd."
Considering the congestion, we were moving forward with surprising ease, but there was still no end in sight. It wasn't like we were in a hurry, but…
"This isn't an actual line we have to stand in, is it?"
"Huh? Well, no. There's no special procedure for registering as a participant or applying to be a spectator…"
In that case, there was no need to bother with the crowd.
"Alright then, Sora, shall we go?"
"Yes?—Huh… eh?"
Sora turned to me at my words, and her expression froze when she saw me pointing at the sky as I said, "shall we go."
"I mean, it's all gonna come out today anyway… no point in holding back now, right?"
"W-Well… is that so? But, um, can you jump while carrying two people?"
"If you both hang on… wait, would that work? Maybe I carry one on my back?"
"…Um, no thank you."
"Hey, what are you two even talking about—"
No, huh… Well, can't be helped.
"In that case, Sora-san, you'll have to make your solo rooftop acrobatics debut."
"Um, Haru? You can just go on ahead by your—Agh, fine! I'll do it!"
Besides, what good would it do for me to go ahead alone when I don't even know the exact location? Whether she caught the unspoken message in my gaze or not, Sora nodded, looking somewhat resigned.
Now then—
"Alright, Nia-chan."
"W-What is it? What's going on?"
Sensing the ominous mood, Nia began to inch away warily—but honey, when were you planning on letting go of my hand?
No, what's with you? You like me or something?
"A piggyback ride, a fireman's carry… or, well, I guess a princess carry is an option. Feel free to choose what you like."
Putting my playful thoughts aside, I presented her with the options, which only deepened Nia's confusion.
"Ehh…? Out of those three… well… Nia-chan's a girl too, so a princess carry would be nice, but…"
Her answer, likely spoken without much thought, sealed the indigo-haired girl's fate.
"Sora, you ready?"
"I'm fine, but… p-please try to be the conspicuous one, Haru. I'll just sneak up from the side."
So she wants me to make a scene?
Very well, allow me to invite my companions on a pleasant stroll through the sky.
"Hey, what is really going on? Do you have to have fun leaving Nia-chan out—Ngyahhh!?"
I don't know what she likes so much about it, but this girl takes every opportunity to get close to me. I had no hesitation about physical contact anymore.
I scooped up her small body with a well-practiced motion, one I was used to from handling Sora. Nia, who had been giving me a deadpan stare, shrieked and curled up, wrapping her arms around me.
"Wh-what, wh-wh-what are you doing!?"
As if anticipating this whole spectacle, Sora had vanished from my side by the time the surrounding eyes turned toward the commotion. I followed my partner's icon on the UI radar at the edge of my vision—nice and quick. The girl was already on a rooftop, looking rather nervous.
Alright, my turn to go.
"Nia."
"Y-Yes… ?"
"Don't make too much noise—you'll bite your tongue."
"……………………W-Wait a sec—"
—Activating [Guardian's Cradle], [Rabbit Run], [Fataless Jumper], and [Floating Leaf].
"Hey, isn't that the 'Azure Jade Fae—'"
I faintly caught a curious phrase from the surrounding chatter, but unfortunately, I couldn't hear the rest—my body, holding Nia, shot up from the crowd of people like a bullet.
"Hieee—"
Not that I would have dropped her, thanks to the effect of [Guardian's Cradle], but Nia reflexively threw her arms around my neck and let out a shriek.
"I won't drop you, so don't worry."
"What, you're fly—hyah!?"
With both arms occupied, I couldn't use [Blink Switch] for my usual warp-jumps. I kicked off the wall of the building I'd designated as my landing spot and leaped again. She let out a second scream and clung to me even tighter.
"Oh, hey, sorry. Do you have a fear of heights or something?"
"N-No, I don't! I don't, but! How are you so calm…!?"
"Well, I'm just used to it, I guess."
The skill's effect should have been mitigating most of the sensation, but seeing Nia tense up every time I took off, I started to regret my lack of consideration.
Yeah, sorry about that. I just kind of assumed you'd be the type to like roller coasters.
…Sora did ask me to be conspicuous, but maybe it'd be better if I just ran along the rooftops normally?
"Nia, sorry, but could you just point me in the right direction?"
"Th-that way!!!"
Seriously, I'm sorry. I promise I'll be a bit more gentle from now on, okay?
Genuinely regretting having scared her more than I'd intended, I switched to running along the rooftops, heading in the direction Nia was pointing with about seventy percent fury.
Sora, skillfully running along a rooftop a few rows away from us, the center of attention.
When I glanced at her, her nimble movements now perfectly suited to a light warrior—my partner, who had experienced this countless times, looked at Nia, who had her eyes squeezed shut in my arms, and gave a wry, indescribable smile.