Chapter 252 - Is My Date an Angel or a Bomb?
—The day after the Four Pillar War. The customary after-party, framed as a social gathering, was a boisterous festival held every time, regardless of the previous day's wins or losses.
The venue was [Ruvalest, the Multi-layered Underground Castle], which had also served as our wartime base. While on our way, I confirmed a few things with Goldow via message, and it seemed all players who participated in the war were invited.
Additionally, title holders with ranker status were given VIP treatment and allowed to invite one guest each, making it a fairly large gathering of over three hundred people.
I had also been told that I could ‘bring one person, regardless of their faction,’ which is why I had invited Sora in advance.
While I owe a great debt to my master and my two artisan friends, this was a case where there was truly only one choice… In fact, I’m sure that if I had neglected my precious partner, the other three would have scolded me. My prediction couldn't be wrong.
As for the party format, it was far from a refined affair like a standing buffet in the ridiculously spacious entrance hall. Apparently, it was standard for things to devolve into a raucous celebration of drinking and singing.
There was even something like a stage set up against one wall, so there might be some performances. If there was a magic show unique to this virtual world… no, this other world, I would definitely love to see it—
"I wonder what it'll be like, Sora-san."
"—! …P-Please look forward…!!"
While it hadn't fallen completely silent, the deafening roar from just seconds ago had vanished from the hall as if it were a lie. I spoke to her over my shoulder, and my partner, who was hiding behind me and shrinking smaller than I’d ever seen her, pleaded in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
Five minutes to nine. Right on time for the gathering.
As I teleported into this place from that spatial rift, I was greeted by a massive cheer, so loud I thought the sound pressure might blow me away.
I couldn’t make out a single word, but there was no doubt it was a warm welcome. Faces both familiar and new had begun to surge toward us—but a few seconds later, they all froze in their tracks.
Innumerable gazes were fixed on a single point.
"H-Heuuu…!?"
There was no one else but the lone girl hiding behind me.
Sora was smart enough to understand what it meant to appear here as the guest of the [Acrobat].
And yet, when we met before the war last night, she was the one who accepted my invitation. She'd been fidgety ever since we met today, but not once did she say she wanted to back out.
As always, she was conscious of her desire to “stand by my side.” I couldn't help but be moved by her gallant figure, showing no signs of fleeing despite her fear.
—In any case.
"[Construction]."
Keeping my left side shielding Sora, I took a step forward. With my evolved weapon-swapping skill, I summoned the great black rock battleaxe to my right hand.
"Whoa—"
"Huh?"
"Heh?!"
I was battle-ready in an instant. It wasn't just the crowd surrounding us;
"Wh-… Haru?!"
It was no wonder Sora cried out in surprise from behind me. Before my partner's hand, wavering for a moment between confusion and trying to stop my rampage, could reach my back—
"—HRAAAAAH!!"
A flash of steel, an impact, and then a deafening roar and shockwave. The [Giant's Hand Axe] slammed into the indestructible castle floor, sending a spectacular shower of sparks into the air.
Even for a crowd of seasoned veterans, being hit with a surprise like that without warning when they were relaxed for an after-party must have been quite a shock.
…And no, I swear it's not because I was trying to intimidate them with a ‘How dare you gawk at my partner, you bastards’ kind of threat.
Anyway, after watching more than a few people recoil or jump in surprise, I turned to the now completely silent hall—
"HELLOOO, GOOD EVENING! ARE YOU ALL HAVING A GOOD TIME?!"
—and let out a meaningless shout, just like that ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ time before. Sweeping up all the gazes that had been directed at Sora, I scanned the crowd for the person I was looking for… and when our eyes met, I sent a signal with my best wink.
And just as I hoped, despite looking like the very personification of carelessness, he was remarkably considerate. With a wry smile—
Following my roar, the sound of a massive clap echoed through the hall. The crowd, stunned by this acrobat's antics, was caught off guard and turned in unison toward the source—
"Having a good time? The party hasn't even started yet."
The great golden-haired man who had captured everyone's attention—[General Commander] Goldow—let his wry smile fade, replaced by a wide, cheerful grin.
"Well then, I guess it's about time we started—Alright you bastards, raise your cups! If you don't have one, raise your fists!"
A smooth, seamless opening declaration. Sending a silent thanks to the Commander for understanding my intent and drawing everyone's attention, I turned back to my partner, who was frozen behind me.
As she blinked in confusion at the rapidly changing situation, I offered her a smile—
"Here you go, Sora-san."
Taking advantage of the fact that almost no one was watching, I grabbed her hand, which had been hovering in the air after missing its chance.
I took her hand, and then—
"—tinue on! TO ISTIA'S VICTORY!!"
"""""TO VICTORY!!"""""
—As always, a thunderous, enthusiastic roar.
And in this place, there was no one who wouldn't get swept up in that energy.
Overwhelmed by the Commander's call and the subsequent roar of three hundred people, my partner let out an adorable squeak, and I took her small hand.
"To victory!—There we go."
I raised our joined hands and smiled at her. Finally… with the caveat that it was a little strained, I managed to draw a smile from her.
Excellent—since we're here, let's have some fun.