Chapter 1021 - Happy New Year
──The Twelfth Four Pillar War concluded with a victory for the Eastern Faction, Istia.
The [Acrobat] carried the [Sword Saint] and [Peerless] in for an opening blitz. The Southern Faction, ambushed by the demonic samurai party, ultimately managed a desperate defense but suffered immense losses.
In a reenactment of the Tenth War, the climax began far too early, right as the battle started. Including the [Sword Queen], who took down the [Acrobat] in a mutual kill, half of the rankers were eliminated.
Having achieved their 'objective,' the [Sword Saint] and [Peerless] witnessed the great triumph of their disciple and junior, then promptly withdrew──only to make a beeline for the Northern Faction on the opposite side.
They slaughtered every Nortalia player they encountered, broke through their lines, and left half of the northern rankers in ruins… yet, as before, they disengaged with strength to spare.
Up to that point, it had been an almost completely one-sided game.
And from that point on, it remained an almost completely one-sided game.
It was a reckless assault, yet they retreated without overextending themselves to regroup. With the two samurai at the vanguard, the Istia forces split into two groups, conquering the great labyrinth as they advanced──
By simultaneously toppling the northern and southern strongholds, they brought the year to a close.
It wasn't just the finish; the final score was absolutely brutal.
The unreasonable storm of 'blades' that had raged within the strongholds had led to a gruesome situation of spawn-camping for the regular players. Furthermore, with both factions preoccupied, the Eastern 'runners' had free reign over the now-empty labyrinth sectors, monopolizing the 'Pillar' points.
The score difference, far exceeding a factor of ten, was so vast it shone with an almost comical brilliance.
…In response to this ridiculously refreshing outcome, the public had but one thing to say.
──Istia is done for.
Frankly, as one of the ones who 'did it,' I think so too…
"──Istia is done for. We should ban them from the Four Pillar War."
That murmured statement, uttered in a voice overflowing with resignation by none other than Lady Helena—the common strategic coordinator for our virtual world's top players—solidified into our group's shared understanding.
The time was a little past noon on January third of the new year.
After the Four Pillar War ended, everyone prioritized their own schedules and obligations, pushing back after-parties, debriefings, and everything else. And so, meeting for the first time in three days were…
"Don't look so down, Helena. Here, eat some meat!"
"…I'll pass on the unidentifiable purple substance."
In the spacious dojo──in other words, the alternate dimension manifested by my master, the [Sword Saint]'s, Terror Armament—we held a belated Merry Christmas & Happy New Year party.
The guest list started with Helena-san and her group, who were performing a parent-child comedy routine, and included rankers from the East, West, North, and South, plus a few others, for a total of over fifty people. A larger appreciation party including the three hundred regular participants from each faction's war effort was planned for the following week, so for now, this was a more modest gathering.
…At least, that was the official pretense──
"Hey, you damn idiot Haru, let's get moving. Spar with me, you moron."
"Haru-san! Haru-san!! Haru-san!!! You were SOOO cool! What was all that?! It was so insane my head's just been going 'Waaah!' ever since!!! How many fans' brains do you have to fry before you're satisfied!!!"
"Okay, okay, you're being really loud, Rinne. Let's step away and cool your head a bit, okay?"
"Hey, Hero. This Saintess here has been bugged out for a while now. Sorry, but could you do something about her?"
"It was truly…! Truly magnificent, Haru-sama…! I knew it, there was no mistake! You are the one, the only one who is my──Ah, ah…"
"Alright, Saya-nee."
"That's enough."
──……………………………………………….
Well, that's how it was.
"…It's so lively."
"It's kind of annoying how you're the one who's irritatingly calm through all this, you know?"
"Why did you say 'annoying' twice?"
All over the shrine-like dojo grounds, large tables were laden with various dishes, sweets, and drinks. Centered around a barbecue set where our own [General Commander] was enthusiastically leading the charge, the generally high-spirited group of rankers was letting loose and having a grand time.
And, well, I'm happy to say I seem to be as popular as ever today…
"Well, do your best to entertain them, Crown. It's your specialty, isn't it?"
"Everyone just keeps saying Crown, Crown…"
Even as I shot a sidelong glance at the back of my white-cat senior, who had casually approached, left a taunt, and departed, the wave of seniors coming to pester me showed no signs of stopping.
Blocked by the rushing tide of acquaintances and friends, I could vaguely see my self-proclaimed little sister pouting in the distance, but forgive me, there's nothing I can do to solve that.
And so, as I was finally grabbed by the collar and dragged from the circle by Tiger Lucky, my eyes met with the other star of the party from across the room──
""…………──""
Ashe, surrounded by her fellow knights, and I shared a silent laugh.
I'm glad she seems to be having fun. We communicated without words, me thinking that I was having fun too, when suddenly,
──Idiot.
"Hah… haha…"
I let out a wry smile at the sulky voice that flew into my head.
With that, I sent a makeshift apology and excuse via my mind. Having supposedly accomplished something great at the height of my infatuation, I allowed myself to be unceremoniously dragged away.
◇◆◇◆◇
"Hmph. First it was sword to sword, now it's eye to eye. You're really in sync, aren't you? Hmph…"
"Now, now…"
When the main stars of the show are present, the flow of people naturally becomes uneven. In other words, by keeping a distance from that flow, one can secure a safe zone even amidst the festivities.
──And so, at one of the tables on the edge of the banquet.
Nia, who had just flung a complaint into her beloved's mind, and Sora, who was comforting her as she pretended to be in a bad mood. For a while after the party began, their acquaintances and friends headed to the most obvious places to visit first, leaving them in a temporarily secured peace.
""………………""
Their gazes, one pair of aquamarine eyes and one of amber, were directed at one place—one person—and one person only.
Both watched their beloved… who seemed to be starting a ruckus with his friends at the edge of the venue. The two, in a sense left behind, let out──
""…………………………Haaah…""
A single, wistful sigh in unison.
It was an undeniable fact that the 'Princess,' who had given her answer, received his, and secured her future first, was not just one step but many steps ahead of them.
However, that wasn't the reason for their sighs, nor was it the fact that they had been forced to watch their 'tryst' through a broadcast screen during the Four Pillar War, from a place they couldn't reach.
It wasn't because the world was loudly celebrating 'IriHaru' or anything like that.
Neither Nia nor Sora was bothered by the gazes or voices of those around them at this point. That is why──the reason for their wistful sighs was singular.
""…………………………………………………………──I'm so jealous…""
And then,
""Ah…! ………………Eh, ah…""
They let out the unconscious words at the same time, noticed each other's muttered thoughts at the same time, looked at each other at the same time, and… as their eyes met, their faces instantly flushed red.
In the hearts of the two maidens in love was…
"Th-that just now was…!!!"
"No, I, that's not…!!!"
It was so intense it felt like you could get burned just by watching. A 'tryst' filled with a heat they directed only at each other… and this was──simply, jealousy.
A desire they couldn't control.
There was no room for any other emotion.
And so, at the generally lively, peaceful, and harmonious New Year's party.
In one corner of it──
"…Looks like another case I'll have to make up for."
"What are you talkin' about? Get ready already."
The man who drew more gazes than anyone else in the room let out a powerless, carefree smile, not looking entirely displeased. This was surely something the world should count as a 'sin.'
──Or perhaps, however.
◇Eastern Faction Istia◇
──────Ranker's Title──────
◇First【Sword Saint】────【Ui】◇
◇Second【Peerless】────【Irori】◇
◇Third【Crown】────【Haru】◇
◇Fourth【General Commander】────【Goldow】◇
◇Fifth【Left Wing】────【Mi-na】◇
◇Sixth【Right Wing】────【Ri-na】◇
◇Seventh【Heat Gaze】────【Hinayo】◇
◇Eighth【Undying】────【Tetra】◇
◇Ninth【Twin Fists】────【Genkotsu】◇
◇Tenth【Screen】────【Yurayura】◇
────────────────────
A crown that connects the brilliance.
The world itself might laugh, saying he is worthy of that name.