Chapter 1105 - 白と銀の常
And so.
I arrived not at the Round Table, the usual resting place for those with ranks in our East Camp, but────
An instance room (temporary lounge) within the [Underground Castle of Different Layers -Ruvalest-]... or rather, one that can be created as needed if one has management authority.
As soon as I arrived at the castle.
I hopped through the transfer in response to the room invitation notification, and the one who greeted me while slumped on a sofa with an attitude that was nothing short of arrogant and insolent was...
"Yo."
"Hey."
[Screen] Yurayura, a beautiful person of indeterminate gender with silver hair and one eye covered.
"Well now, I believe I have caused you a great deal of worry and mental strain this time."
"Who are you talking about, you bastard? Are you sleep-talking?"
Contrary to the soft player name, this was a person of sharp tongue who made no effort to hide their dangerous nature. When I threw out some casual nonsense as a greeting, they were in top form as usual, which was a relief.
"Well, as per the report (message), there's no need to worry. Just sharing for now."
"Is that so. That's fine then."
Saying so, I also sat down heavily opposite Yura. Our relationship, which had discarded 'restraint' from the dictionary through our meeting and everything else, was normal operation.
Normal operation, and the optimal solution.
"────S-o?"
Thus, without distinguishing between play and business, we brought them up without restraint.
The two of us, for example, exposing faces with zero percent pretense to each other, having cast aside kindness and consideration as unnecessary—things we would never show in front of the Angel (Sora).
"You didn't come to see me because you wanted to see my face, did you? Senpai."
After glancing at me silently with one eye after I asked the business with the affection that only such a relationship could show.
"...────I'll pay (・・) the reward (・・・)."
The silver-haired contrarian placed a benefit for me first for some reason.
"It's a request. Let me use your 'legs'."
As usual, while remaining slumped.
While showing off an arrogant and insolent pose that was laughably fitting, they stated their business bluntly and directly, mirroring my attitude perfectly.
◇◆◇◆◇
"────There are multiple (・・・・・・・・・・) 'Please Drown at Your Leisure'???"
"Five locations (・・・). As far as I... er, as far as I and that guy Lux (Lu) know."
Thus, the breakdown of the 'request' Yura brought was extremely unexpected.
What they sought was simple: they wanted to rely on my movement ability, as I held the title of the fastest in the virtual world. However, the reason (・・) was not simple or easy at all.
First of all, starting from the premise that there are multiple instances of the dungeon known by its nickname or gag name 'Please Drown at Your Leisure'────or rather,
the completely submerged dungeon [Deep Realm of Blue Source], in the world (map).
"Again, those extreme travelers with their massive top-secret info..."
"I don't give a damn about other people's gain, and either way, they were all equally unconquerable. If there's no obligation or even meaning to share, no one's troubled, right?"
"That might be true, but... ────Hmm?"
In short, they wanted to travel around those five [Deep Realm of Blue Source] locations and check them all. However, the big problem was that each was incredibly far apart within the ultra-vast activity area that the top two free-spirited solo travelers had continued to expand for several years.
That's why they wanted to use my taxi, but wait a minute.
"It might be my imagination, but did you say they 'were' (・・・) unconquerable?"
"I did."
"It might be my imagination, but it sounds (・・・・・・・・・・) like that?"
"Don't talk in such an annoying way. I'm saying that's (・・・) right."
When I poked at the part that caught my attention, this was the result. A huge scoop following the massive top-secret info; [Screen] laughed with a "Hmph" through their nose at me, whose thoughts had naturally stopped.
"────The [Deep Realm of Blue Source] bears the 'color' in its name just as it is; it's a dungeon related to the 'Blue Point' that has suddenly appeared and is now looking (・・) down (・・) on (・・) us (・・)."
"Can you stop the barrage of information?"
"And when I went to see if there were any changes upon its manifestation, it's exactly as I thought. I'll omit the details of the basis for judgment, but that dungeon has now transitioned to a conquerable state."
"Can you also spare me the barrage of mysterious hints?"
"Then, for now, it wouldn't hurt to check if the other four are linked. It's perfect, since there's an idiot who can handle a stroll of several thousand or tens of thousands of kilometers in a second."
"'A second' is a bit tough, though???"
On and on it went. Since they kept declaring things that made me retort "What are you saying?" from one to ten, I finally raised my hand to stop their words.
Do you think I'm a kin of the super genius (Ashe)? There's no way I can instantly understand and agree to go just because you suddenly fire off a barrage of surprising info bombs.
"Tch, what a pain. What do you need? Just shut up and follow me, you junior."
"Should I lament that I almost swallowed that refreshing, ultimate villainous power-harassment senior move with the words 'It suits you like an idiot,' or should I make a fist (rock) of rebellion... no, um."
Well, anyway.
"It's fine, though? It's fine, really."
Currently, I'm shocked and terrified, but I have no reason to refuse. So I have no intention of complaining if you give me various pieces of information later, but...
Most of the bewilderment was due to it being unexpected.
"Yura, are you unexpectedly interested in conquering?"
"Ah?"
Until now, although they had almost never failed to dutifully attend the gatherings.
That was that; they rarely joined the circle of the meeting, so I thought they were the type who had no interest in the Grand Quest as a game.
Therefore, I was surprised that they went so far as to call me out and say we should 'investigate.' What's with this guy, is he actually motivated for the game... ────
"I'm not. Let those who want to do it do it on their own."
"I don't get this guy at all."
Apparently, that wasn't it. What is up with this guy?
Their character composition is nothing if not difficult to understand────Thus, a sharp retort that would surely be an innocent acquittal since I was being tossed around.
When I glared at them strongly, a sigh came back instead of a click of the tongue.
"...Regarding what I'm (・・・・・・) chasing (・・), I'll talk about it if there's an opportunity after (・・) I (・・) can (・・) understand (・・) it (・・). I told you before, I can't talk about what I don't know."
"Are you saying you'd be embarrassed if you talked about it first and it turned out to be different later?"
"I'll kill you."
"Seriously, this is one of the world's top 'Is that the attitude of someone asking for a favor?' cases..."
Even for me, in my intentional lack-of-delicacy mode with all consideration turned off, I was taken aback by their arrogance. They're so twisted that I'm starting to like them more and more; what should I do?
Well, what should I do or anything────
"When?"
"Ah?"
"The 'request.' When do you want it?"
Again, as I finally conveyed with words, I had no intention of refusing the invitation to play (・・・・・) from the start. Yura seemed to have some of the venom drained from them, and they softly closed their open mouth for a few seconds of silence.
Then, after staring at me again with silver eyes.
"...The schedule is from now on. It helps."
While their expression softened by a millimeter, they said thanks in a voice that was clearly not just for show.
────Note,
"I'll help you. If it's a request from a best friend."
"Who's a best friend? Say your sleep-talking while you're asleep."
The uncharacteristic smile vanished into a dangerous one in five seconds.
If you're someone with deathly good intuition and flexible ideas like a circus performer's eccentric maneuvers, you might barely be able to speculate about the nature of the Blue Point at this point.
Try it if you can.
Also, as announced, their flirting will continue for a while, so please look forward to it.