Chapter 256 - A Soothing Pilgrimage
Four or five hours of chaos later, the Four Pillar War victory party came to a close.
...However, it wasn't as if the players, still running on the high from the previous day, were about to quietly disperse.
"Let's gather somewhere and chat," or "Let's go raid a nearby dungeon"—most of them were planning after-parties, ready to revel through the night.
Naturally, I received many invitations myself. At the main party, I'd been relentlessly teased by regular players and rankers alike, dragged onto a stage where I was forced to sing a medley solo of my favorite virtual singer's songs, made to run around as a target for some superhuman-level pitching game, and, after being challenged to 'do something interesting,' I even had to perform an acrobatic show.
"—So yeah, that's about it. They showed me some merciless affection."
"Fufu... I am glad you were able to enjoy yourself."
Midnight in the real world. After bowing my head to the numerous gracious invitations, I left the venue. I was now passing through a familiar bamboo grove, heading toward my Master's dojo.
The reason was that I had received a login notification from the Sword Saint herself, who was now sitting next to me on the usual veranda, listening with a smile as I recounted the details of the party.
It made me wonder if she'd anticipated when the party would end and set aside time for me—a conceited thought, but not an unreasonable one for a disciple to have.
I sent her a message to say hello and check, and it seemed my ego wasn't entirely off the mark. She graciously invited me over, which is how I came to be here.
By the way, I tried inviting Sora, but she politely declined.
Well, it was already late, but more than that... I think she correctly perceived this as a visit to report my battle results to my master and acted with proper deference.
After I'd finished my report, covering the party and everything else, we fell into a natural silence.
I glanced at her profile; her expression was as calm as ever.
The tea she'd personally prepared had the same warm taste as always.
The voice I heard when we spoke was also the same—but she was less talkative than usual. Her gray eyes, turned toward the sky, quietly reflected the stars.
I still can't read her the way I can with Sora. It's difficult to grasp her inner thoughts so easily, not enough to call it telepathy.
...However,
"Haru-kun."
"Yes."
My master isn't someone you need to pry into the thoughts of—
"From the bottom of my heart... you were magnificent. You did so well."
She's the kind of person who shares her words without hiding anything.
Her already petite frame looks even smaller when she's sitting in a formal kneeling position. And yet, when she smiles so softly, she always seems so much larger than life—
"...It's all thanks to you, Master. Thank you again, for everything."
During these more formal exchanges, I still can't meet her eyes directly. Even after becoming her disciple and our bond deepening—my perception of her as a celestial being never seems to fade, no matter how much time passes.
"Haru-kun."
"Yes."
Once more, however.
The part about Ui-san that's truly captivating, the part that leaves me utterly flustered—
"As a reward for your hard work, how about a lap pillow?"
"............I will respectfully decline."
A half-joking, playful remark.
It goes without saying that seeing my reaction and smiling mischievously as she says, "That is a shame," is her most devastatingly powerful playful charm.
"Then, shall we try something else? May I have your sword for a moment?"
"Huh...? Oh, yes. Of course."
Maybe it wasn't half a joke, but a full one from the start. As Ui-san gave up on her pampering more easily than usual, I summoned and handed her [Samidorizuki].
I watched, wondering what she was up to... It didn't seem to be the sword itself she was interested in. She began to untie the decorative cord on the pommel—
"There, it is done."
In place of the fresh green, a new braided cord of ash-vermilion was tied on. I don't know much about these things, but it seems not only the color but the style of the knot has changed.
"It is nothing much... just a small good luck charm."
She offered the sword back to me as I leaned in to look—...and along with the time she gifted me [Samidorizuki], I discovered another one of her unfair traits.
I mean, well—
"Please, accept it."
"Th—... Thank... you."
Forgive me for saying so, but it's so earnest, or... how should I put it—
For the giver to have such a happy smile... that's just playing dirty, Master.
H A P P Y N E W Y E A R ! Please continue to support Arcadia this year!!
If the world is making its first shrine visit of the year, then I'm making my first Master visit. There's probably no deep meaning to it, but it's a 'plum knot' => 'tassel knot'.