Chapter 370 - Re: Straight Down the Cliff
Now that I've thoroughly experienced the vastness of the main field, the [Garden of Divine Creation], it makes perfect sense, but apparently, the 'beginner areas' for each faction, not just Istia, are in a state of extreme depopulation.
With a boundless, unknown world stretching out to the east, west, north, and south, there's simply no reason to return to a tutorial map where you can't expect any decent loot.
For that reason, and because we didn't have any other newcomers with us, Sora and I never gave it much thought, but it seems that each field in the [Trial Spheres of Partition] was an instanced zone.
Well, that's to be expected… Even these maps, when measured against the standards of the 'analog games' Ashe mentioned, could be considered vast in terms of area.
However, a space of that size could never have handled the chaos of the initial service launch. To manage the massive number of players before they moved on to the virtually infinite main field, this design was a natural choice.
So, the seven maps prepared for each faction are structurally the same as dungeons.
Unless you manipulate the 'settings' as we did during our run, it uses an automatic matchmaking system up to the maximum number of people. If you properly configure things, you can also enter a party-exclusive instance.
—So, does that mean multiple 'White Thrones,' which sit at the deepest part of such an instanced space, can exist at the same time? As for that question, unfortunately, the players haven't found a definitive answer.
It's been confirmed that when someone else is fighting in a separate instance, entry into that crater becomes impossible… However, it seems you can still visually confirm that 'it' is there in the center.
In other words, it's a fact that multiple versions exist simultaneously in different spaces.
'Boundary'—since it's a being that governs space, I suppose that makes sense. It's an otherworldly existence from the start, so there are limits to how much we can theorize.
In any case, the important thing is that, for these reasons, we don't need to worry about interference or spectators.
After Ashe led the charge and we all poured into the transfer gate, I can only imagine the uproar back there as people start speculating 'Could it be?'…
Either way, whether we win or lose, the events of today's battle will be uploaded to the archives. The public outcry is just a matter of sooner or later.
And so, the march toward the 'White Throne,' which began in a surprisingly calm manner, was—
"Is this a mountain climbing tour?"
"…W-Well, if you want to be generous, you could call it a spectacular view."
Even Sora-san's attempt to smooth things over falls a little flat this time.
Traversing the familiar [Cliff Road of the Sky Bridge]—on its narrow, precarious cliffside path, is a long, long line of over a hundred top-tier players.
The sight of them, clad in their glittering armor, chatting animatedly with those in front of and behind them as they advance… is, to put it bluntly, exactly like a mountain picnic.
It's a scene you'd often see on a school hiking trip.
Except the ones climbing aren't innocent children, but a crowd of innocent (?) gamers in dazzling equipment.
Well, well, it seems morale is high, which is a good thing.
"In a few minutes, this whole group is going to start jumping off…"
"That's, uh, quite a mental image… I mean, are we really jumping off?"
"Eh, I don't know. From what I heard from Ashe, probably?"
It wasn't a huge deal for me either way, so I only asked her briefly, but when I questioned how we would get down the cliff, she just said, "Normally."
That the [Sword Queen] would descend, normally.
With all due respect, I couldn't imagine a 'normal' descent involving ropes or anything of the sort, so I had arbitrarily decided, ah, so we're just 'normally' jumping off.
Well, it's an attraction that a rookie around level thirty could survive if they fought for their life. Considering everyone here is max level and a top-tier warrior, a mass freefall is, at least, plausible.
…And so on.
Having been ordered by Goldow to 'help any idiot who loses their footing,' I, along with my partner, have been serving as the rear guard for several minutes now.
The lead group must have reached the most convenient drop point, the one closest to the massive crater. The line, which had been advancing at a leisurely pace, came to a halt.
Well then… let's be proactive about socializing.
"Excuse me, handsome older gentleman over there."
"Whoa…! Oh, what's up, Lord Crown?"
Since I was tasked with providing accident support, I had kept a slight distance from the back of the line to get a better view of the whole group.
I hadn't been chatting until now, so he must have been surprised when I suddenly spoke to him. Though his initial reaction was big, the nice middle-aged man with light gray hair and a dandy beard quickly broke into a friendly grin.
They may praise the rankers to no end, but from a truly general perspective, every player gathered here is part of the 'cream of the crop.'
In other words, to varying degrees, they too are leaders.
They might get rowdy and cheer, but if you talk to them, they'll respond as 'fellow players.'
As someone who is about to become their comrade-in-arms, it's a relief and something I'm grateful for.
"Sorry to be a bother, but I only got a vague explanation. What's the plan from here? I heard we're just going down 'normally,' but…"
Exposing my ignorance is nothing new to me at this point.
Though I thought to myself 'who am I to talk,' I swallowed my pride and asked. The handsome man with a longsword slung over his back nodded without a hint of concern, "Ah, I see."
"That's right, we're just going down normally. There's a spot up ahead where the cliff face becomes gentler… well, I say 'gentler,' but that's only compared to a sheer cliff."
"I see. Well, I guess with an avatar's physical abilities."
"Yeah. The advance team will lay down some cushions below, so just sliding down shouldn't be a problem… and if a problem does arise, the advance team will help you out."
"Right, right… Got it. Thanks for the info."
"Don't mention it—we're counting on you today, our Seventh!"
"Haha—you can bet I'll work like a horse, so look forward to it."
I bumped my fist against his outstretched one, and with that, our excellent communication was complete. Let's see… I think his name was Mouton-san.
I did go through introductions with all the selected members at the 'meet-and-greet' the other day, and I've perfectly remembered all one hundred names.
As always, my memory is disgustingly good, even to myself.
If only I could use this in the real world, I wouldn't need study groups… wait a minute, if I could somehow replicate my notes from back home over here and memorize them—
"Haru?"
"Yes."
"I'm not sure what it is, but you're making an evil face."
"It was just an attempt. Forgive me."
How did she know…? No, she's right, cheating is bad. Especially since I'm already enjoying the real-life cheat of Arcadia's entertainment time being 50% more efficient than reality, which is a blessing those who can't play don't have.
Well, in reality, I don't even know the detailed mechanics of 'memory' over here, so I have no idea if such a scheme would even work.
Anyway—
"Long story short, it seems we're sliding down rather than jumping. Apparently, there's a point where the cliff becomes more like a super-steep slope."
"Long story short…"
Sora smiled at my choice of words… Perhaps she was happy to avoid the jump, because she nodded in satisfaction. "Right, that's what's normal."
By now, I think this girl has quite an aptitude for action, but in her day-to-day mentality, she never strays from being an 'extremely graceful' young lady of the Yotsuya family.
There's no need for any tactless commentary—which is why, right now, I have other things to consider.
A steep slope, almost a cliff.
Sliding down with great momentum.
We're at the very back.
And Sora-san is wearing a knee-length skirt.
"………………Nope."
"Pardon?"
"I don't think so."
"W-Wha… what do you mean—"
There is no 'what do you mean'.
And a short while later… allow me to provide the answer—this is what I mean.
No matter how excellent Arcadia's Iron Wall Skirt System (TSS) is, men are simple fools who can get worked up just by the glimpse of skin between a skirt and long boots!!
"Like hell I'm letting anyone see from below, you idiots!!"
"Who are you talking to and what are you doing!?"
There was absolutely no other option. I completely ignored the slide, which was more like a controlled fall.
After seeing Mouton-shi give a thumbs-up and disappear into the mist below the cliff, I naturally scooped Sora up into my arms—
"Alright, let's go! Part 2 of 'Proof that People Can't Fly'!"
"Stop it, let go of—Gah, honestlyyyyyyy!!"
Just like that one time, I leaped off the cliff without a moment's hesitation.
Sora-san flits about quite energetically, so I feel like things get even crazier during battle, but the TSS and the Yotsuya heiress's ladylike power will probably manage somehow. It will manage (The will of the world).