Chapter 237 - Finale, and Then
—Ten seconds remaining.
At the end of a sprint where I had bet everything, my virtual body, which had long surpassed its limits, was on the verge of crumbling. I managed to stay upright by quickly stabbing [Samidorizuki] into the ground for support.
—Nine seconds.
From behind, I heard the sound of water splashing as 'her' body, which had been sent flying into the air after we exchanged ultimate attacks, landed on the ground.
—Eight seconds.
『—, —』
A moment later, the words that struck my ears carried a heat unlike the emotion-suppressed voice from before, as if they came from a different person—
When I turned around, all that remained was a flower of red phosphorescence dissolving into the empty air.
"—…………"
—Five seconds remaining.
"Hah, so… it's your win…"
Was the emotion contained within those words praise? A blessing—?
I couldn't be sure, but one thing was certain.
"Sorry about this, Princess, again and again—"
—Three, two, one.
"This time, it's a draw."
In that instant, all the threads of magic connected to my avatar transformed. They changed from a faint glowing blue to a vividly shining red.
[Trickster of Zenith]—duration, three hundred thirty-three seconds.
When pulling the trigger for this skill, the caster is forced to make a 'promise with the world' in the name of a covenant. In accordance with that promise, which one cannot escape by any means—
the marionette strings that granted me power I did not yet deserve fulfill the mission hidden within their glow.
The crimson-dyed magic wrapped itself around my avatar, coiling tightly all the way to the ends of the strings connected to the void—and well, that’s what it means.
My fight, which I entered having cast aside victory, has come to its conclusion.
Right. If I'm going to do this, I might as well try to look cool one last time…
"And with that, the curtain falls on this evening's performance by the [Acrobat]—I suppose?"
—Hahaha, ah… I shouldn't have done that.
As I muttered the line with theatrical flair, I let out a bitter smile, instantly assaulted by embarrassment—
As if merging with the threads that collected its life, the pale azure avatar unraveled into red phosphorescence and departed the 'stage'.
The scattering particles of light added a touch of color to the lonely sky, now empty of its 'performer'—
Two pillars of light shot up towards the heavens, signaling a 'final act' upon the battlefield.
◇◆◇◆◇
—, —, —, —, —, ——————
『—…Good evening. Is this the first time you've contacted me directly?』
『Good evening. It has been a while.』
『I was watching. Forgetting my age, I found myself holding my breath, completely captivated.』
『…………』
『…Ah, my apologies. We are not yet on such terms that we can chat amicably—so, would you tell me the reason for your call?』
『………………It's about the matter I refused before.』
『Yes.』
『Two years… no, it's been almost three now, so it might be too late, but…』
『Go on.』
『…………If I still have the choice, I will accept.』
『—…………』
Across the device, 'he' heard those words clearly. His strength gave out and he leaned against the hallway wall, restraining the urge to unleash a torrent of welcoming replies.
Because—
『—However, there is just one thing.』
'Her' next words were…
『A condition—…………no, a 'request' that I have.』
…something he had anticipated without even needing to think.