Chapter 206 - Signs of Change
"…I see, so that's what this is."
In a section of the maze area.
No matter how much he walked or ran, he never encountered his target, a title holder. Furthermore, for a little while now, he had been subjected to a series of sporadic attacks from regular players.
Irori, having just cut down a unit from the North-South Alliance, paid no mind to the phosphorescent glows of the death effects lingering around him. Instead, sensing a shift in the situation, he quietly looked up at the sky.
"Goldow."
The war-time exclusive telepathy skill was controlled by the general commander. The system would relay a 'call' from up to thirty pre-registered members, but he couldn't initiate a call himself.
If there was no reply, it meant he was busy, but—
"Yeah, what is it?"
Letting out a breath at the response, Irori spoke as he walked along the frozen waterway.
"Ever since Haru took down Great Tiger at the start, there's been no sign of any enemy title holders. They're probably plotting something."
"Ah, just got the same report from Gen a minute ago."
"I see. What about Hinayo?"
"She said she started getting hit with sporadic attacks a little while ago. Gen said the same, but… Irori."
"Attacks, huh… Same here."
It was as if… yes, as if they were trying to pin down their locations.
"Goldow, where is Haru right now—"
As his premonition grew, his concern turned to the whereabouts of the young man who would likely be the key player in this war. The answer came not from the commander's words, but from a pillar of light that shot up into the sky.
"…There."
"…There."
A destruction effect, more vivid than the spawn effect. It was proof that the Acrobat had just smashed another 'Pillar', and…
"Shouldn't we call Haru back to base? If my hunch is right…"
If the North and South had already finished their 'observation' and 'preparation'…
That pillar of light could be the signal for the enemy to make their move—
"—!!"
He was able to react only because he hadn't let his guard down while talking.
Reading the presence that had sprung into existence right behind him, Irori spun around, the momentum of drawing his sword carrying him into a reverse turn. Looming before him was a semi-transparent figure that gave him an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.
His sweeping slash was met by a 'katana'.
What blocked the blade of [Frostblade Shirosou] was… a transparent, mirror-image of itself.
"…Still as creepy as ever."
Through his own semi-transparent, faceless form, he could see two players emerging from around the corner of the passage.
The Southern Faction's fourth-ranked, [Full Auto]—Fuji.
And their fifth-ranked, [Adamant]—Auerin.
They were the well-known attendants of the [Sword Queen], Iris. Watching them approach leisurely, Irori confirmed that his 'hunch' had been correct.
"Honestly…—you're in the way."
The copy-doll hissed as it pressed its blade against his with both hands. Irori clicked his tongue, parried its sword with just one hand, and—his free left hand shot through the air and seized the faceless neck.
The doll's feet lifted from the frozen waterway as it began to struggle.
"Freeze."
He wouldn't grant this thing that copied his own form the time to disgrace itself like that.
The moment the [Anima] in his right hand let out a blue glow, the doll froze over in pure white, all of its movements ceasing.
He hurled the ice statue back at its 'master'. It shattered at their feet, but [Full Auto] didn't even glance at the scattered fragments, instead offering a slight smile.
"Haha… it seems you're a bad matchup for me too, Irori-kun, though not as much as Tetra-shonen. It was the right call not to come alone."
"Don't get complacent. It's not like I have a favorable matchup either."
A lightly armored warrior with a greatsword, and an unarmed mage in a robe. He was no stranger to either of them, and this wasn't the first time he'd faced them as enemies.
And because he knew them, Irori's lips twisted into a bitter smile, as if to say, what a pain.
"The fourth and fifth-ranked against the seventh. I could cry from this VIP treatment."
"Hah! Listen to him, Fuji. The number two combatant of the East has something to say."
"He's as sharp-tongued as ever. Let's approach this as if we're learning from a master, shall we?"
Auerin readied his greatsword, and Fuji took a step back. Like a conductor, he raised both his hands—and in that instant…
Five copy-dolls appeared silently around them.
Each one was a perfect replica of Irori, and each held the same katana as him.
"…………Hey, didn't you only have four of those before?"
"I'm not one to stagnate. I'm sure the same goes for you, doesn't it?"
"Of course. I've got a new trick or two of my own."
The young man glared at them with narrowed eyes. In response, [Full Auto] and [Adamant] shot him sharp, smiling gazes.
And so, facing two opponents who, by numbers alone, were his superiors, the [Sword Protector]…
"…Well, you've got a point. In that case…"
He sliced through the air with his blue blade, letting out a sharp ring.
"You'd better be planning to make me use my trump card—come at me."
The corners of his mouth curled up, and he simply sneered.