Chapter 1065 - A Peaceful Interlude
I have no way of knowing exactly what was being reproduced inside his head.
However, I suspect that whatever form it took, the fact that he was 'reproduced' was undeniable. If it weren't, the conclusion would have been different.
First, I pushed Sora forward with the near-certain hope that even a past 'me' wouldn't be different in that regard. From the reactions I got, I gained confirmation that 'Wow, this really is me,' and so I didn't hesitate to take him up on his provocation.
The [Rivelmet Wolf] and [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King] had attacked us without mercy because they were reproductions of enemies, and their player-killing spirit had been implemented without change.
Therefore, if something other than an enemy was drawn forth, a strategy other than an all-out brawl would arise, be pickable, and be presented. That was likely the gist of it.
Whether that was by design or if it was a slip in the trial caused by the thoughtless 'unexpectedness' the Sage mentioned...
Again, we had no way of knowing.
We didn't know, and yet...
"...Uh, what is this?"
After defeating 'me' using a technique I'd borrowed from a certain senior, I spoke with a complete lack of tension before the fourth act, which appeared ten seconds later.
"Honestly, this might be the first time I've seen the real thing."
"You don't really get a chance to see them unless you go out of your way to find them."
The voices that followed were also entirely relaxed. Tora-kichi and Ashe had already shifted into a calm, expressionless state, though there was a difference between his casual tone and her flatness.
In addition, one more person. Sora-san was...
"...It's, um, a little cute..."
She was crouching in front of it, having lost all her vigilance. It was a semi-transparent, wobbly round thing about thirty centimeters in diameter, and she was staring at it with intense curiosity.
It was a simple thing, described only by words like that. It was unclear if it even deserved to be called an entity in a biological sense.
Like Sora-san, I had the knowledge, but this was my first actual encounter with one.
"Well, then... this is... Nia-chan's turn, right?"
"Yes."
Ashe agreed with a smile as we all gathered around to look at it.
The only existence from Vestol in the Western Faction that allowed for a clear of the tutorial area, the [Trial Spheres of Partition], with zero combat actions depending on the route.
It was the famous King of RPGs in a way: the Slime.
"Oh my..."
So, since it wasn't a danger, we called over the 'owner,' Nia-chan.
Well, Arcadia did have dangerous slimes... in fact, the dangerous ones (living in the Garden of Divine Creation) were the majority, but this was the famous, powerless incarnation of the species.
It was a being that could be called a 'teacher' for players who chose the Magic Craft faction of Vestol... and Nia, who had been called over and approached timidly, reacted like this.
"Hiee... I-It's been forever since I've seen a Pudding Pull."
A slime... was that an enemy name or an object name?
Well, its enemy name was [Pudding Pull], and that was her thin reaction to it. Even a Magic Craft player who claimed to be powerless recognized it as such...
"...Wait, is this Nia's..."
"Her fated opponent...?"
"Eeeh...? It's not like I have some epic story with them..."
Because of that, the overall atmosphere remained relaxed. We watched Nia as she poked the Pudding Pull with her finger and rolled it around. I slowly reached a realization.
Ah, so that's why...
"I get it. The condition for the reproduction summons is limited to things the person has actually fought. In that case, Nia-chan's reference data was almost zero, so this was the only choice..."
Tora-kichi's speculation was likely the answer.
"Ah, that makes sense..."
"That seems highly likely."
"It's very peaceful..."
While Sora, Ashe, and I nodded...
"Eeeh...?"
Nia had a face that was more confused than anything else, with a hint of dissatisfaction as she continued to poke and roll the green [Pudding Pull] around. I kind of understood how she felt.
I understood, but I started to feel bad for the thing because it was so defenseless. Stop it. It felt so fragile that it might just wear away into nothingness.
And so...
"Hmm... I thought maybe a Rabbit might show up."
"Hey, don't say that. If that thing shows up in an environment with zero memory, at least one of us is definitely going down."
Nia looked back at me while saying something unsettling.
No, she looked at us. She looked back at the party... and raised one index finger, asking 'Is it okay?' with her blue eyes.
After receiving four nods, the Magic Craft master...
"Hyah."
She gave the Pudding Pull a single tap... and in an instant, a faint mana light drew an intricate geometric pattern on the slime's surface. When it reached from top to bottom...
...
With a pop.
It was a comical sound, like a balloon rather than a gelatinous body. The [Pudding Pull], which had been thoroughly harmless since its appearance, easily popped and vanished into light.
As expected of the Slime Teacher, who is said to be of service to every Magic Craft master in the Western Faction.
It was a training dummy for the precise mental manipulation of [Magic Craft] operations, which are highly sensory, as well as a friend for leveling up. It was a rare, weak creature that could be defeated just by touching it with Magic Craft fingertips as if solving a maze or a puzzle.
I felt a sense of pride for the number-one-weakest in its pathetic end. Rest in peace...
"...You know."
As I thought, I understood what Nia wanted to say.
It was probably along the lines of 'Isn't the order completely reversed?' and I'm sure Sora, Ashe, Tora-kichi, and I were all thinking the same thing, but please take those complaints to the Saintess.
...Oh, look. Perfect timing.
"...The two partners were a set, and then one for each of the four factions."
"Looks like it. That was surprisingly easy."
As the remnants of what was likely the finale vanished, we were soaking in a strange afterglow. Right beside us...
At the same time as she had first vanished, she reappeared.
...
A slender figure clad in the 'black' that hid her appearance stood at a distance that felt like a close friend. She swayed back and forth, happily.