Chapter 102 - The Agaphanthus Amulet
After several dozen seconds of dashing across the rooftops in the public eye, our destination, which wasn't far to begin with, quickly came into view. I landed in a strangely empty clearing in the middle of all this commotion.
It was a decent size, a perfect circle about a hundred meters in diameter, with a mysterious effect in the center—huh, what is that? There's some kind of crack in space. Kinda scary.
Still, arriving here, I more or less understood the situation.
I'd been wondering what a castle in the underground could possibly be, but as players reached the perimeter of the plaza, they were enveloped in the light of teleportation and vanished one after another. And the moment I set foot in this place, a single window popped up in my vision, providing the answer.
—Transfer to the Eastern Faction Wartime Base [Ruvalest, the Phased Subterranean Castle]?
Well, it says 'Subterranean Castle' right there. I have no way of knowing what it's actually like, but if the system says so, it must be true.
"I see… Very fantasy-like. I approve."
"…Um, instead of looking so satisfied, maybe you could help Nia-san?"
Sora, who had caught up a step behind me, executed a much smarter landing and voiced her concern for the indigo-haired girl currently limp in my arms.
It's not that I'd forgotten about her. I just had a feeling that if I put her down right away, she'd just collapse in a dizzy spell…
"Ah… Nia-san? How are you feeling?"
"How do you think…?"
Right… Even [Arcadia] doesn't seem to support that kind of cartoony visual gag, but I could practically see a giant angry tic mark throbbing on her forehead….
"C-Consider it one I owe you…"
"Hmph… Are you sure you should be saying that to Nia-chan? I won't forget this, you know."
I already owe her way more than just this one thing… If there's anything I can do, I'd be more than happy to repay her.
Perhaps my unusually sincere attitude came across, because the deadpan stare Nia gave me as she looked up was slightly less intense. It seemed she wasn't truly angry, which was a relief—
"Haru, how long are you going to stay like that?"
The relief was short-lived as, unexpectedly, another deadpan stare flew at me from a different direction, and this one had some kick to it.
I couldn't possibly imagine she was jealous, thinking I was holding another woman over my partner. No, I clearly understood the nuance: "It's not proper to be so familiar with a woman for so long."
"My apologies. Nia, is it okay to put you down now?"
"Ehh? Since we're at it, maybe a little long—whoa!?"
This girl might be an artisan build, but she was still a level 100 maxed-out player. The moment I judged she was back to her usual self, I let her go. Her ability to stick the landing in a split second was quite impressive.
"Th-That's what I'm talking about! That part of you is not okay!"
"I think the same thing about that part of you."
She shouldn't tease an adolescent boy so carelessly. I'm the kind of simple-celled organism who falls for someone just for picking up my eraser, not that I'd know.
"You two really get along well, don't you?"
See, now Sora-san is laughing at us.
As Sora watched Nia and me with an amused smile, I averted my gaze toward the mysterious effect in the center of the plaza.
What is that thing… It looks like a collection of transparent glass shards floating in mid-air. It's hard to describe, but it was a spatial rift that looked like it had a high attack power.
"Honestly…—Alright, well. This is as far as Nia-chan's escort service goes."
"Ah, right."
When I turned back at her voice, Nia had her hands on her hips, looking at me with a prim expression as if to say, "The tour is over."
"So, I just accept the transfer here?"
"Yep. And since the selection match is going on, an additional selection screen should pop up. Just follow the prompts and you'll be sent to the venue… or probably a waiting room at this hour."
I see.
She added that the process would automatically handle my registration and block assignment. Incredibly efficient. No wonder they said entry wouldn't take any time.
"Um, what about for spectating? I can't just go to Haru's venue without doing anything, can I?"
"It's not complicated, so don't worry. If you're registered as friends, the system will guide you so you can transfer to the designated venue based on that info."
Looks like Sora's all set, too. In that case—
"Well then, I'm off. Again, thank you so much for—"
"A-and stop."
Just as I was about to offer my thanks once more before parting, my mouth was sealed by a single outstretched index finger. When I looked at her, puzzled, Nia met my gaze, looking somewhat fidgety.
"I'll be taking my payment, of course… but before that, you know. That isn't finished yet, so let me put on the finishing touches."
"Hm?"
She pointed to the very [El-Gran Series] she had tailored for me. I still felt a thrill just wearing it, a testament to its wonderful craftsmanship… but what did she mean it wasn't finished?
As I tilted my head, Nia took something small from her inventory.
Reflecting the morning sun, the sparkling object was—
"A jewel…?"
"Mhm, a little finishing touch."
Nia closed the distance and reached for my chest, toward the area just below my left collarbone. I understood her intention and stood perfectly still, entrusting myself to the indigo artisan.
Click. The gemstone settled into a mount that had clearly been prepared for it, emitting a deep blue glow that closely resembled her own hair, which swayed nearby.
"Go ahead, check it?"
"Ah, right."
Slightly flustered by how close she was, I tapped the newly added decoration with my fingertip—
[Agaphanthus Amulet] Accessory: Adornment (Brooch)
A welcome to this meeting.
Gratitude for this bond.
A blessing for this arrival.
May your path be filled with countless heart-pounding moments.
"Ah… th-the flavor text, just, don't mind it! That's, you know, just the system writing something that sounds profound all on its own…!"
Despite having closed the distance herself, Nia was unable to hide her blush as she tried to explain it away.
Honestly, this indigo-haired girl, I have no idea what she's making excuses for, but—
"Nia."
"Y-Yes…"
Whether the system generated it automatically or not, that's beside the point. You don't need flavor text to understand the feelings put into a gift.
Our acquaintance was still short, but after something like this, I had no choice but to accept the fact that she liked me. I still had no idea what it was about me that had struck a chord with her, but…
"—Thank you. I'll do my best."
It's my policy to respond earnestly to feelings of goodwill.
When I dropped my usual playful tone and offered a genuine smile, Nia looked down, embarrassed.
"Yes, um… good luck, okay?"
She whispered, bestowing her words of encouragement upon me.
System-chan really went all out with that flavor text.