Chapter 1033 - Strategy Meeting
And so, on the evening of the day after next.
"Yo."
"Good evening."
I logged in and found her in the clan home.
"It's still light out here in the virtual world, though."
"It's dark back there in the real world, so it's fine!"
January 9th. In other words, today was the day before the big festival involving the general Four Pillar War participants, and two days after school had started following winter break.
Sora and I, who had arranged to meet at our base according to schedule, saw each other's faces for the first time in two days.
Even without a formal meeting arrangement, we had been messaging each other, and last night, we had even ended up talking over a call.
Despite both being busy as students, we were doing as we always did. We never failed to maintain our partner communication whenever we had a spare moment.
... Or at least, we were trying to.
"... ..."
We were stuck in a stalemate. The cause wasn't mutual, but rested mainly with Sora-san, who was making a cute, troubled face as she hesitated on her next move.
Well, of course. As far as I was concerned, I was more than welcoming.
"... Well? What will you do, Milady?"
I stood there with my arms spread wide, ready to catch her without a hint of hesitation.
I was basically inviting her to come at me from any angle. To Sora-san, who had sounded a bit lonely yesterday and looked like she wanted to be pampered now, I gave a perfectly carefree smile.
"...! Th-this is a common space, you know! Honestly...!"
"Tetra would probably smack me for saying this, but isn't it a bit late for that?"
Lately... starting about a month ago.
The girl had been struggling to find the right sense of distance ever since that day. Whether it was her reaction to my behavior or her realizing I had read her mind, she turned away, trying to hide her slightly reddened cheeks.
"Let's go! We're going to be late!"
"We still have plenty of ti... Ah, okay, I'm coming, I'm coming! Wait up!"
She started walking away with quick, light steps.
And so, the angelic girl and the guilty man arrived at their usual destination. While we weren't fighting, we maintained an indescribable distance.
"... Thank you all for gathering here despite your busy schedules."
It was the top floor of the Sotalm war base, overseen by Helena, the former ranker of the southern camp and the right hand... or rather, both hands... of the Queen, Ashe.
My meeting with Sora unfortunately wasn't for a personal date, but for a strategy meeting that had been shared with us. In other words...
"Let's begin immediately. A formal meeting regarding the conquest of the Door."
We were there for that.
Six faces were gathered in the assembly hall. There was Helena-san, who was acting as the moderator, myself, and Sora-san, who was sitting quietly and elegantly beside me.
"... Nia, are you okay?"
"Eh?! Ah, yes. I'm fine, though..."
"You don't look fine at all. Are you sure?"
Nia-chan was frozen stiff, clearly unaccustomed to the atmosphere. Looking out for the blue-haired girl was Ashe... the King of this very place.
And then there was one idiot tiger who had made a remark that was almost certainly counterproductive.
In short, these were the people selected for the conquest party for the 100th-floor Door of the Key Tree, excluding the NPC Kendy-dono.
Nia-chan was currently shrinking back on the side opposite to Sora. She clearly still hadn't processed the news that she had been added to the party a few days ago. She looked like she had zero mental preparation.
Poor girl. She truly was pitiable, but...
"Now, now. It's almost all family and one tiger. Don't be so nervous."
"I am nervous!"
"Who are you calling a 'tiger'! I'll kick your ass, you baldy. At least call me a 'beast'!"
I don't know why, but I could only think of this guy as infinitely cute no matter what face he made. I suppose I couldn't help it if I got poked in the side for my grinning face.
By the way, it was a double attack from both sides. Forgive me.
"... That Clown has become quite reliable, hasn't he?"
"The normal heartwarming vibe is also getting to me, so please spare me."
I brushed off the Lady-in-Waiting's older-sisterly gaze from behind her monocle along with Ashe's expressionless, staring eyes.
"So, how are things looking?"
Unfortunately, with the exception of Helena-san, the people here were a tiger, a nervous blue-haired girl, a modest angel who was shy about speaking in front of a group, and a show-off.
Since Ashe basically entrusted everything to her right hand, I was the only person who could properly respond and keep the conversation moving.
I decided to put away the playfulness and bring out some responsibility. Seeing my change in demeanor, Helena-san gave me a look that was both impressed and expectant.
"I called this a meeting, but as you know, we have no information about what awaits behind the Door. Therefore, we cannot even discuss countermeasures."
"True."
It felt as though she was entrusting me with a heavy duty.
"Therefore, half the purpose is just an introduction. We are all familiar with one another..."
"..."
"... Well, perhaps not every single corner. I thought this would be a good chance to build some rapport, so I set this up."
"That's what she says, Nia-chan."
"Ugh... I-I look forward to working with you..."
"Yeah. Me too."
The blue girl bowed while somehow mimicking the tiger's Kansai dialect, and the tiger responded with a cheerful, friendly smile. However, I sensed something.
This was probably going to be a difficult task.
"I see."
But it wasn't a fatal problem.
For now, I should put that aside and prioritize progress... No, Helena-san, please don't look at me with those 'I'm leaving it to you' eyes. It's troubling, really.
"Ah... So, what about the other half?"
"Even if we can't plan countermeasures, we can discuss the preparations we can make. Also, while it won't be a full-scale coordination drill, I thought we could have a brief exchange session."
"Like deepening our mutual understanding by sharing our hands."
"Yes. Of course, you are free to decide where to draw the line on the information you share. We are players, after all. There is no obligation."
I suppose that was the end of the preamble. Helena-san looked around at everyone, having provided thorough supplementary care. No objections were raised.
Everyone had gathered here knowing we would meet in the evening and take up some time at night. We had already finished an early dinner, so I had no problems either.
Well then... but I wasn't the one in charge.
"Then... let's begin properly."
I would leave the proceedings to the Sword Queen, whom the Princess trusted.
You'll probably, maybe, perhaps find out more about the blade in the next chapter.