Chapter 1121 - 覇道顕現
────Later, Nia, the jewelry crafter—or rather, the seamstress—of the West Camp who became famous in many ways as the [Blue Fairy (Milmarinus)], spoke of that time as follows.
She said she gave in to her desires and created a terrifying monster. And that she had no regrets.
────Later, Ri-na, the [Right Wing] of the East Camp, whose name—already great—would resound even further in various senses, or rather, strike terror into the world, spoke thus.
She said that was the first and last time she ever trembled in fear at someone else's idol potential.
────Later, Natsume, known as the [Thread-Weaver], who steadily walked the path of popularity in a different direction from a certain someone and gained a broad, calm fan base distinct from that certain someone's specific demographic, spoke.
She said it was a matter that should have been sealed away.
────And later, a pitiful citrus fruit, who would find the unwanted nickname "Chatty Citrus" circulating in certain circles and enjoy an unwanted resurgence in popularity, spoke.
"Astonishment. That is truly the only word for it. No, well, I thought I understood, you know? As someone who luckily managed to fit into the frame of 'friend' to his august self, I thought I understood, but he leaped right over my expectations with such ease that I was just flabbergasted, like, 'Whoa, I'm stunned,' you know? Yes. I mean, I had a faint, vague inkling from his laughably bad—or rather, clueless—way of handling fan service, but that person is truly the incarnation of the word 'full effort' to the very marrow of his bones. People often say things like 'A "woman" roleplayed by a man is cuter than a real woman' just to pick a fight with us girls, but he's beyond that dimension already. He's 'the real thing in a sense,' after all. No, what do I mean? I mean exactly what I said! Who do you think he is? Our Clown-sama's specialty, an absolute uniqueness that no one can imitate. In short—(rest omitted)—"
──────And then, later.
The person himself spoke thus.
"I am merely meeting the demand. Are you satisfied?" he asked.
Clad in the now-familiar Japanese-style waitress uniform used in limited situations. Wearing a smile like a celestial maiden, likely having adapted and grown completely accustomed to it by then.
Shimmering with an aura called charm that no one could resist────as if declaring the pandemonium of that night of descent, which became legend, to be a natural result of his campaign.
◇◆◇◆◇
"────Thank you very much for waiting. May I take your order?"
"""""────────────!!!"""""
"Shall I bring you a refill for your drink? ────Yes, coming right away."
"""""────────────!!!"""""
"Understood. Please wait a moment... Yes, certainly. Of course I will be the one to serve you."
"""""────────────!!!"""""
"Tables 6, 9, 12, 17, 18, and 24, please split up and clear the empty plates..."
"""""────────────!!!"""""
"Yes, it's fine. You may leave the handling of the rioters—I mean, the customers—to me."
"""""────────────!!!"""""
"...I'm sorry it's turned into such a festival. Everyone, please stay calm and do your be—"
"""""────────────!!!!!!!"""""
Snap. Crackle.
"Dear customers."
"""""────────────────"""""
"Please mind your manners while dining. ────I will visit the tables in order of those that appear to have many good children... understood?"
"""""────────────......"""""
"I will come to offer you my hospitality... won't I?"
"""""────────────..................!!!!!"""""
How should I put it? To put it simply, it was a sight worthy of being called hell on earth.
"Whoa..."
"This is..."
"Wow..."
"What is that..."
And watching this hellish scene of extreme pandemonium that transcended the boundaries of gender were four women—the only red spots in the room—escaping the festival at the very edge of the tavern. In addition to them...
"..................He's the monster you all created. Do something about it."
Dread, agitation, astonishment, and sheer repulsion. The lone male chef let out a massive sigh as he retorted to the four girls who were watching the 'matchless' display of the newborn monster from the sidelines in a daze.
Then, as one of the masterminds—the cause of it all—and his partner, Nonomi's reaction, which she couldn't deny was her duty to provide, was────
"I-I'm sorry..."
"No, even if you apologize..."
It was very rare, but she must have been truly agitated to the extreme.
Looking at the chaotic, heroic figure of her male friend who had flown far beyond—no, to the far side of—her expectations, she blinked her orange eyes and let out a sincere apology in a second.
It was hard for Ittetsu to blame her. After all, who could have predicted that just because they egged him on as a joke, he would turn into that?
The thing at the center of the festival was so crazy that he could at least feel that much sympathy.
"........................Wait, what... what is he? Was he a professional maid?"
"A shocking truth...?"
"And how should I put it, he doesn't have the vibe of someone who lives in a cafe... What on earth is this genuine aura I'm feeling...?"
"I mean, I've never seen a 'genuine' one, but—" Natsume and Ri-na nodded in agreement with Nonomi's words as she blinked in deepening confusion.
"..............................Ah—..."
And there was one person who realized what that was when it was put that way.
Only Nia, who knew the various circumstances surrounding him on the reality side that the others had no way of knowing, realized────that Haru's behavior was his specialty.
The specialty of specialties for him, the Trickster... ──it was a [Recollection (Memory Re-enactment)] itself.
Nia knew. She knew the kind of person Nonomi called a 'genuine maid.' Well, 'genuine' was one thing, but apparently she prepared that uniform herself, yet Nia sensed that when it came to her state of mind, she was a truly serious maid.
In other words, his graceful behavior of serving────... no, it wasn't just that.
His usual composed face was the Princess (Iris).
The innocent smile he suddenly showed was the Angel (Sora).
The bewitching way of speaking that toyed with his opponent was the Older Sister (Hinayo).
The calculated, supremely flirtatious gestures shining through here and there were the two idols (Minalina).
The occasionally bleeding through forceful but cheerful and unoffensive pressure was the Exclusive Artisan (Kagura). The soft manner that sometimes surfaced was the Saint (Sayaka). The bouncy accents that peeked out at times were the Energetic Girl (Rinne). And the melting vocalizations used to deliver the finishing blow at key points were... likely Nia's best friend (Hiyori).
That wasn't all. There were countless others────many forms of "charm" reproduced by perfect 'memory' coexisting simultaneously, all integrated and performing together to color a single figure.
...That was no longer mere roleplay.
"......................................................This is that, isn't it."
A single virtual persona that had come to fruition here in virtual reality, capable of destroying everything.
────If, by some chance, he were to come before her. And if he were to begin his revenge on her while keeping his surface persona as that... Nia, having assumed a future that was highly likely and prepared herself for inevitable death, spoke with a look of realization.
"It's that thing... 'the lid of the pot of hell has been opened.'"
"You're one of the masterminds, you know."
"We who egged him on are equally guilty."
"In other words, we're the masterminds and the 'parents' of that thing... Yikes, I'm starting to shake."
And then, following the voices of dread, agitation, astonishment, and repulsion────
"........................Hey."
A single low voice.
"...Is it my imagination? I feel like he's looking this way."
Sure enough, that became the harbinger of the execution of the sentence.
Dozens of seconds later, the safe zone disappeared from the corner of the venue. And before even a few minutes had passed, the girls were overrun by the New Humanity (Maiden)... it goes without saying that this became a legend (funny story) told to future generations.
It seems that for specific opponents, this becomes an even greater hell when Nia-chan's intimate skinship is implemented as a combo. End of the world.
By the way, the Master emulation escaped integration due to an unconscious "I shouldn't involve her in this."