Chapter 631 - To the Battlefield Once More
--- [Eastern Faction War Base: The Subterranean Castle of Another Layer - Ruvalest -] ---
"All scouts, assemble already! Is that AGI you're so proud of just for show, you bastards?!"
"Alright, alright, defense squads, on standby! Mika-kun, do a final headcount starting from the end!"
"Got it! —You heard him! Line up, you idiots!"
"""Genkotsu-san isn't here, is he?!?"""
"He's fine this time, he's meditating on the second floor!!!"
"If he's meditating, then there's no problem!!!"
"Is he really meditating?! Not just sleeping?!"
"Seriously, our faction is just...!!! Every single time...!!!!"
"………………"
"Well, that's how it is. We should follow their lead and liven things up."
It was a scene of utter pandemonium, with countless players leaping about the entrance hall. The boy silently watched the raucous celebration of the faction's three hundred elite members, his cheeks twitching as he forced a bitter smile at my attempt to sound carefree.
"Ha, haha... I'd heard stories, but this is very Istia, isn't it?"
"Well, yeah, I guess. This pre-battle chaos is apparently unique to our faction, but once the festival starts, the North and South are surprisingly similar."
In other words, they're all a bunch of festival-loving idiots who just want to have fun—and I'm all for it. Let's make sure we enjoy this just as much as the spectators.
...Though, I doubt the me from four months ago could have ever said something like that.
"Kanata... you don't seem all that nervous, though."
"Th-that's not true."
"You sure about that?"
Although he seemed taken aback by the chaotic uproar, the boy standing before the grand stage looked far more composed than past newcomers.
Come to think of it, he didn't seem fazed by the massive gallery during the selection matches, either. He must be extremely comfortable in front of people... or perhaps he's used to it for some reason.
—Well, either way, it's a good thing. If he can use that courage to unleash the skills he honed during our half-month of special training, it'll be easy to announce the arrival of a promising new star to the world.
"Alright. Let's do a quick review to get ourselves fired up."
"Y-Yes! Please!"
We were on the second floor of the entrance hall. As before, I gazed down at the noisy floor below through the atrium, then turned to face my cute junior. It was time to fulfill my responsibility as someone who, while not exactly his senior, had been promoted to the role of senpai in name.
"We have two runners this time: you and me, Kanata. But even though our roles have the same name, our approaches will be different. There's ab-so-lute-ly no way they'll let me focus on being a runner, so I'm leaving the main, proper running to you. I'm counting on you."
"I'll do my best...!"
"Stay relaxed... no, that's not quite it. Stay loose, stay calm, and—"
"Never stop thinking, right...?"
"A perfect score. Now, all that's left is to give it your all so you can say you scored a hundred and twenty after the match. Goldow and the others will definitely have your back, so don't hesitate to rely on them."
"Yes!"
"Good... —By the way, Kanata-kun."
His energetic, earnest, and endearing replies were all very reliable and well and good... but there was one small, strange thing. Not just now, but ever since we met up—
"Am I imagining things, or have you not made eye contact with me once?"
"………………"
Hahaha, he looked away. So it seems I wasn't imagining it.
Well, it's not like I don't have a few ideas why...
"Is this the first time you've seen me in this form?"
"Y-yes, it is... I-I'm sorry, I'm just not used to it..."
As I asked, fiddling with my long, pure-white side tail, the boy gave a stiff nod, his hesitant gaze darting toward me again and again.
I hadn't given it any thought, so I only just realized it, but it was true that we'd always met in my "usual form" during training. He probably wasn't used to this side of me.
"Well, my face may have changed, but I'm still the same person inside. Get used to it quickly."
"It's because you're the same on the inside that it's even more..."
"Hm?"
"It's nothing...!"
I clearly heard him start to say something weird, but pretending I didn't was the merciful choice—and the kinder one for my own sanity. The latter accounted for over eighty percent of that decision.
Still, he probably just meant what he said, that he "wasn't used to it." He wasn't giving me the same lukewarm stare as the other guys who prioritize having a good time, so I'll let it slide—
"...So, you're going into battle in that form?"
"At first, yeah. Think of it as some fan service for an occasion like this."
That was thirty percent serious, seventy percent joke. Of course, I'm not against playing a part in hyping up the Four Pillar War, but my main goal is to fight using long-range tactics.
I'm well aware of the expectations, but I have no intention of using my star magic or Sakura Sword in this Four Pillar War.
Instead, I plan to showcase a new style centered on water magic and my "gun"... though it's not entirely new, I'll put on a spectacular show worthy of my title.
Combined with this form's criminally high visual appeal, I'm confident no one will have any complaints. I'll risk life and limb to liven up this stage—
◇ The [Four Pillar War] will begin shortly ◇
◇ Participating players, please stand by in your respective faction war bases ◇
"...!"
"Oh, it's time."
This was the second time I'd heard it. The announcement that once had my stomach churning with immense tension echoed through the hall, and Kanata, beside me, held his breath.
He didn't seem that nervous... which meant he was a little nervous. That was only natural; there was nothing strange about it.
And again, he was doing much better than I had in the past. Hoping this moderate tension would work in his favor, I said,
"Kanata."
"...Yes."
I casually raised a clenched fist.
"I have zero doubts and zero worries—let the [Acrobat] you admire give you his stamp of approval. You're super strong, so you'll be fine."
With a grin, I held out my fist.
"Let's go raise some hell out there."
"...—Yes!"
From the atrium below, I could hear the General Commander's pre-battle speech, just like that day. A few seconds after bumping fists with my junior—my status, skills, and mindset all completely transformed—
◇ Executing transfer to the war field ◇
◇ The [Four Pillar War] will now commence ◇
—a brilliant blue light of teleportation flashed.
Guiding one soul to hell.