Chapter 1019 - I Will Continue to Recite My 'Love'
"────'Answer, the King's Wise Head, a Proxy Eye'… ah, that's about the 'head' from before, you see? It's a weak point, I guess, and that's true, but it's not just that."
"Tch…!"
Calmly, leisurely, Haru, his eyes still stained crimson, began to walk. He picked up one of the swords that had fallen to the ground when his arms vanished… the exquisitely ornate greatsword of platinum.
I couldn't attack. There was one reason for that. …No, two.
"To be blunt, 'Anger, the Trams of Platinum that Open the King's Road'… including the 'arms,' the entire released form is a weak point, or rather… it's not so much a weakness as it is an embodiment of trouble?"
Curiosity.
And fear.
"To you, Ashe, my health probably looks full. But actually, my HP cap is down to ten percent right now. It's a debuff that can't be healed. That's the price for the released form."
I look closer, but the status bar above Haru's head shows no abnormalities; he's at full health. I see. It's the maximum value that's been reduced, so even though the meter looks full to me, its actual value is only a tenth of what it was.
…So what? For the one and only Haru the Acrobat, having his HP limited to a tenth of its normal value shouldn't be a problem at all────
"In that regard, it has extremely poor synergy with my [Crown Crown]. When I fully utilize [An=Re Galta (True Theory: Armor Singing of the King's Key)], I can't bring out the crown."
"…, …………I, see… a little… I think?"
So… so what does that mean?
It's true that the ability to 'nullify self-inflicted damage' is lawlessly powerful. In a game where the general rule is 'reap massive benefits by accepting massive demerits,' the enhancement effect of his unique title, 'Acrobat,' is nothing short of immense.
Take his equipment, for example. If he sets the demerit to something that would cause instant death, he can use the enormous resources generated to add on any ridiculous support effect he wants.
To put it mildly, it's the kind of power that should never be given to a player like Haru.
…But even considering that.
Even if the 'self-damage nullification' ability ceases to function, all that means is he can't use a few of his trump cards. The power of the 'True Theory' he has newly acquired was far from trivial, enough to be permitted in exchange for accepting such a minor demerit.
"………………──"
It was far from trivial, but────calming down, a thought occurs to me.
I remember the last sequence of our fight. …The end of it.
I remember how the armor, in the end, couldn't keep up with our battle.
"The demerit. Are you convinced now?"
"…Mhm."
It was only natural────that armor is weaker than Haru.
Increase his number of attacks? The Acrobat's dance is faster than anyone's. What difference would it make to add two 'arms' that can't even keep up when he gets serious?
Rely on its brute strength? His own firepower, which had shattered my 'sword' with a flash of his blade—even if only once—was more than sufficient.
It was clear. Haru already has everything he needs.
There is no point in sacrificing his own life and trump cards just to summon what amounts to dead weight.
Therefore, there must be. A 'meaning' to it────something that uses even the incantation to manifest the true power common to all Terror Armaments, 'Manifestation Release,' as a mere prelude.
"…Alright, then. Watch closely, Ashe."
The golden phosphorescence lingering in the air begins to gather.
"────This is where the real show begins."
To the 'sword' held aloft by its master.
"Key - Wish - Release."
A new spectacle, one the world has never seen.
A torrent of gold, like a tornado. The light of the shattered armor reshapes itself, as if forming the true figure contained within its soul, filling the blade of the greatsword in his hand with a dazzling golden light.
────It was a gold I'd seen before.
"…, Tch…!"
But this was a brilliance so radiant it threatened to swallow even that past memory.
"──…'In the name of the Star-Crossed.'"
A pulsation.
"'Here and now, I reveal the king's majesty.'"
A heartbeat.
And in the midst of it all.
"Open the world────[Anvar Regulus (The Ever-Shining Star-Colored King's Sword)]."
The golden 'sword,' as if insolently illuminating the world itself, lets out its first cry.
────And he.
Ah, you.
"……………………Oh, what's this? Staring in awe? Get your head in the game, focus!"
"…, Tch…………────Hehe… fu…!"
You're still the same you. Always making me smile.
"…Haru."
"Yeah?"
"…────I love you. You really are my prince."
"──────…, …………H-Hey, Mr. Cameraman! Could you cut that part, please…!!"
I will likely spend my entire life in 'love' with you.
──────And so, on New Year's Eve. On a lively, celebratory night as the year drew to a close.
Ignoring a world filled from end to end with a pandemonium of screams, a world utterly overwhelmed by the surging 'passion' and 'sweetness' that marked the opening of the long-awaited festival….
The silver and golden 'swords' rang out loud and clear, continuing their rendezvous to their hearts' content.
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You can worry about the explanations for this and that later.
For now, just focus on reading the hearts of this ultimate idiot couple.