Chapter 399 - Adamantly
To reiterate, all the difficult stuff is being put on the back burner for now.
The things we want to sit down and discuss will have to wait for the victory party planned for tomorrow… or rather, aside from a certain someone who remained energetic to the very end, the consensus was probably 'just let us rest today.'
Some would log out to mentally cool down, while others would collapse straight into bed to rest their overworked brains. The situation varied, but it was the same for the rankers who had stood at the forefront of the raid and fought with all their might—we were all deeply exhausted.
Once we finished our report and relayed the battle results to Mi-na and Ri-na, we disbanded for the time being, just as we did during the Four Pillar War. It's quite a healthy work-life balance, but if you think about it calmly, this is just a game.
We tighten up when we need to, and we loosen up when we can. It's not about drawing a line between reality and the virtual world, but the residents (players) here are remarkably good at that sort of thing.
—And so. For that reason, Sora and I also exchanged a relaxed 'good work' and 'see you tomorrow,' and after a few minutes of small talk, we left the Eastern Round Table.
This was also just like after the Four Pillar War. The 'heat' that had settled for today would surely erupt with full force at tomorrow's victory party.
There's no shortage of topics to discuss, even more so than back then, starting with the new `Trance` system. I heard they're planning a huge party, borrowing all of Ruvalest from the afternoon… I wonder how that will turn out.
Incidentally, as expected, Sora was swaying on her feet from sheer exhaustion and decided to log out for a while. She said she'd log back in if she felt better, but seeing her condition, she'll probably wake up and find it's already tomorrow.
Unlike me, she's never really experienced that kind of i-i-i-intense phantom fatigue before. The only other time would be her first battle against [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King], maybe?
Demon instructor… I mean, Hinayo-san's coaching seemed to have an exquisite sense of balance, adjusted to be just 'super tiring' and stopping just short of rendering her unable to act.
Well, it couldn't be helped. She really did an amazing job.
It's honestly a mystery why she didn't make it into the ranks with a performance like that, so I really hope she gets a good, long rest—
…………………………………………And so.
I can't just keep hiding in the shell of my thoughts, escaping from reality.
After leaving the Eastern Round Table, I availed myself of my reliable junior's (senpai's) stealth express service and made my way to the castle where my personal artisans reside, to whom I should report my recent victory.
In a room in the now-familiar atelier, located within the Safe Area branch of [Mirage Workshop]—one half of the Western Faction Vestol's two great artisan guilds.
"—Hah… hehe, hahaha…!"
"For starters, could you just tell me h(・)o(・)w(・) m(・)u(・)c(・)h(・) I(・) h(・)a(・)v(・)e(・) t(・)o(・) p(・)a(・)y(・) for you to wear a skirt?"
"Okay, don't come any closer… I have no intention of selling my soul for money…!"
One red-haired artisan, clutching her stomach and laughing with undisguised glee.
One blue-haired girl, uttering unhinged things in a deadly serious tone, her eyes fixed and unwavering.
And one white-haired beauty (me), cornered against a wall in a futile battle stance.
I knew this would happen. It was clearer than day—but for various reasons, I couldn't just not come.
My main reason was that I couldn't neglect to report my victory to the two artisans who have helped me so much, but a major factor was also that I wanted to consult them about equipment for my transformed body as soon as possible.
I have a plan that requires me to spend some time mainly i(・)n(・) t(・)h(・)i(・)s(・) f(・)o(・)r(・)m(・), so acquiring a stealth outfit to somehow neutralize this ridiculously conspicuous appearance is a top priority.
So, Kagura-san aside, showing this form to Nia was inevitable. Which means, t(・)h(・)i(・)s(・) s(・)i(・)t(・)u(・)a(・)t(・)i(・)o(・)n(・) was also inevitable.
"Hah… honestly, you never fail to make me laugh."
"And I'm telling you this trusting that our history together will make you understand, but I'm not intentionally causing these funny events!"
"…………You should be careful. Even when you make an angry face like that, you just look cute."
"What am I supposed to do about it…!—Ah, stop, you…! Don't touch me!"
My mistake was getting distracted by my exchange with the hedonist who usually just stands aside and laughs in these situations.
Slipping through the defensive wall I had built with my own slender hands, a demonic hand reached out and grabbed—my face.
More accurately, both my cheeks.
"Whooooooooooooa………… You're really a girl…!"
"Let go(mff), y-you(hff)…!"
I resisted as my cheeks were mercilessly kneaded, but in this transformed body, the very embodiment of 'powerless,' I was no match even for Nia.
It's pathetic.
"W-wait, ah… wait, no, I can't, this is… Kagura-san! You have to feel this too, look, this is crazy…!"
"Hm? Well then, if you'll excuse me."
No, it's not "if you'll excuse me"! You should be asking my permission, not the fiend's(Nia's), mmphhffffffff…… THAT'S IT, I'M MAD NOW!
"Whoa, huh?!"
"Whoops…!?"
My physical performance may be dead in terms of stats, but I am the [Acrobat]—and I've still got all my skills, starting with [Construction]!
Skills in the `Quick Change` family are versatile things that can be used one-way to simply pull equipment from your inventory, not just for switching.
And if something suddenly appears in front of them, even if they're not battle-hardened veterans, most normal people would be surprised.
Whether these two, who hold titles in the Western Faction, count as normal people is debatable, but they certainly have less resistance to being startled than us warrior players.
Just as I planned, the two who were manhandling my face and hair were surprised by the sudden appearance of the [El-Gran Stasia] and let go.
As they backed away, I stored the outfit back in my inventory—and without hesitation, activated my new skill, [Lumina Raygust].
"Alright, don't move, and be quiet! T(・)o(・)u(・)c(・)h(・)i(・)n(・)g(・) t(・)i(・)m(・)e(・) is over…! Take one step closer and I'll unleash a tornado in this room, you've been warned…!"
With the protective wind wrapped around my entire body—not just my limbs—as both shield and spear, I tried my best to intimidate them, my ridiculously long white hair whipping wildly in the gale.
………………Hey, I'm trying to be intimidating here.
Stop it. Stop looking at me with such amused, fond smiles…!!!
"Argh, we're not getting anywhere…! Can we please move on to my request already!?"
"Ah, haha… sorry, sorry. We got a bit carried away————Alright, I get it, but before that, can I ask just one thing?"
"…I'll hear you out, at least."
"The skirt—"
"I WON'T SELL MY SOUL NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU OFFER!!!"
I told you, I'm a man!
He says he's a man.
Regarding the skills and equipment that have accumulated without explanation, I'm planning to introduce them all in an interlude chapter at the end of Arc 3. I apologize, but please wait a little longer.