Chapter 224 - Side by Side on the Battlefield
"Guh… Well, for an old man, I put up a decent fight…"
Ten minutes—or perhaps just shy of it.
Though he had declared with all his heart that he had no intention of losing, the title of 'King' in this world was not so lenient that it could be overturned by spirit alone.
It felt like he had held on for a much longer time, but in reality, that was all the time he had managed to buy. To think that was the best he could do with his [Anima] fully released and the power of his title… it was utterly frustrating.
Unless one possessed a particularly strange virtual brain, rankers accustomed to combat in the virtual world wouldn't falter even after several hours of continuous fighting…
For better or worse, the physical and mental are directly linked in this world.
If one fought with the desperation of facing death against overwhelming pressure, even a battle of a mere ten minutes—no one would laugh at him for falling to his knees, dragged down by a ridiculously powerful sense of phantom fatigue.
"…………I'm surprised. You're completely different from a year ago."
As the [General Commander] gasped for breath and dropped to one knee—the girl standing before him remained perfectly composed, her breathing even. In a quiet voice… yet with a faint trace of 'color' in her expression.
She shook her head at Goldow, who was mocking himself.
When Goldow lifted his face at Iris's words and saw the expression on her doll-like beautiful face—the warrior's exposed cheek, revealed where his armor had been shattered, relaxed ever so slightly, as if savoring his joy.
"…Hah, that makes me happy. Guess even an old man can grow a little in this world."
In place of his lost right arm, he used his left hand to remove the crown from his helmet. As if following its master's will, the [Gordion, Golden Armor of the Hero], which had reached its limit, began to crack and crumble from its extremities.
It was a sign of surrender—personally, he would have preferred to struggle to the very end… but the facade of the [General Commander], who was expected to maintain his dignity and charisma, wouldn't allow for such an unsightly display.
If it was a loss, accept it gracefully. That was why he fought every battle with his entire being, leaving no regrets. That was the stance and pride of Goldow, the third-ranked member of the Eastern Faction—and its current top ranker.
"Goldow."
"Yeah?"
"…For the first time in a while, I had a little fun—thank you."
"Hey, stop that. Old guys get sentimental easily, you know."
To his lighthearted remark meant to hide his embarrassment, Iris, who had said she had fun, smiled just a “little”—and at the same moment she raised her sword to bring down the curtain, the kneeling warrior's avatar was enveloped in a blue light.
"Whoops, looks like…"
The warrior smiled, his stalling having paid off…
"…………"
The 'Queen,' whose finishing blow had been interrupted, showed a rare, clear expression of displeasure.
Teleportation was instantaneous, leaving no time for a proper exchange of words… but as he burned the image of her innocent, childlike expression—one he hadn't seen in a long time—into his memory.
—It was you, wasn't it, youngster?
—First, the face-to-face. Give it your all.
And so, despite a few twists and turns,
Finally reaching the entrance to the situation he had hoped for, the [General Commander]'s mood lifted. Ignoring the displeased [Sword Queen],
He left behind a smile like a mischievous gang leader who had pulled off a successful prank—and vanished from the stage with the light of teleportation.
◇◆◇◆◇
"[En—]—of course you would!!?"
"Damn right!"
The moment Haru's figure vanished and a battered Goldow appeared outside the barrier, the [Heavy Tank] naturally tried to initiate another [Engage]. I used [Extended Step] and a quick-draw slash to send him flying in the opposite direction.
[Ikkatsu]—though he easily blocked it with his daggers, it was a special strike with massive knockback and a skill interruption effect.
I'd bought some time—but there was no time to catch my breath!
"Defense unit!!"
"""ROGER!!"""
Responding to the command, the twenty-odd elite soldiers of the East lay in wait for the boy who had been sent flying. Though they had been completely shut down and formed a hellscape moments ago… the [Heavy Tank], upon spotting them, contorted his face in disgust as if to say, "Ugh."
And who could blame him—he was now facing a group of men stripped down to their underwear.
"[Regalias, Tree-Calming Royalty]!!"
The resulting effect was instantaneous and subtle. A faint, shadow-like light ran along the ground, a light that those trapped within the 'domain' would likely not even notice—
"Gnh…!"
"Heavy… but!"
"WE CAN STILL MOVE!!"
These were men who excelled in defense to begin with. Their base vitality (VIT) stats alone must have resulted in a significant reduction to their agility. Their movements were sluggish, lacking any sharpness.
But it was different from before, when all they could do was crawl on the ground spewing curses. If they could move, they could fight.
And if they could fight, then whether they won or lost—whether they lived or died, they could fulfill their role.
"Ah, damn it, I messed up…! Did I reveal my hand too soon?!"
"Too bad for you, Heavy Tank!"
"Go get 'em, kill 'em! I'm going to support Ri-na-chan!!"
"Mi-na-chan is waiting for us on the other side of that wall!!"
"Let me fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a meat shield for Mi-na-Ri-na, AAGH!!"
…In a way, it had become a different kind of hellscape.
"You fools… —How are you, Commander?"
"Hah, thanks for the help. I was just about to offer my head."
Even with a massive debuff applied to them, if he wanted to maintain his advantage, he couldn't kill these soldiers. The members of Istia were generally fools, but they weren't idiots.
By exploiting that situation, they could surround and stall even a vastly superior opponent—…or so I had hoped it would be.
"Looks like it's tough… No time for idle chatter. I'm leaving this to you. Get back to command, quickly."
On top of not being able to move their avatars as they wished, they had removed all equipment except their weapons. Not only was their defense gone, but they had also lost all the various enhancements and support effects from their gear.
It was no surprise they couldn't even properly stall him. Seeing the defense unit being effortlessly brushed aside, I couldn't help but suppress a wry smile.
…Then, as planned.
"I'll take care of Uni the Heavy Tank."
"Right, I knew you would—I'm counting on you, [Sword Protector]."
The hand that clapped my shoulder carried the 'heat' of trust, built up over time by carrying that title. When I said I would do something, I always did.
So, it would be the same this time.
Even if the opponent was a formidable enemy against whom I had never once claimed victory.
"Alright, then… I guess I'll follow my junior's lead!"
If I was going to be cool and hint at victory—
"[Extended Step]!!"
—Then all that was left was to go and cut him down.