Chapter 632 - A Clear Heart for a Day of War
The large-scale field that serves as the stage for the Four Pillar War completely changes its appearance each time the virtual world's one and only grand festival is held. This transformation is not limited to the overall size or the structure of the maze area; it's customary for it to extend to the very environment within.
Sometimes it's a grassland, sometimes a wasteland, sometimes a forest, or a lava zone... and at other times, it's a vast network of waterways that ensnares the players' every step.
It has no official name, simply referred to as the "stage of war" or the "war field." According to the inhabitants of this world (the NPCs), it is a playground prepared by the goddess.
It is an extradimensional space, illuminated by the light of countless stars, created solely for 'Her' to watch the festive chaos of the otherworldly visitors (the players).
And beneath a moon so massive it seems to cover the sky, lies a cross-shaped, floating island among the clouds.
This place, which overflows with mysterious information at the slightest poke, is a treasure trove of topics for enthusiastic theorists to satisfy their endless curiosity—but for those who actually set foot there...
"—Whoa..."
"Well now..."
"What is this?"
"Come on, Goddess..."
...depending on the situation, it can also become an Unreasonable area of unpredictable challenges that makes one want to scream "You've got to be kidding me!" from the bottom of their heart.
"Haha, déjà vu."
"It's the same thing every time."
Behind the players who were muttering their customary complaints, a boy and a young man who had just emerged from the 'castle' looked on. They exchanged smiles that were half exasperated, half resigned... yet far more cheerful than on the ten previous occasions. Their gazes were fixed ahead.
Beyond the connecting path leading from the Southern Faction's war base, [El Faria, Knight's Royal Castle], the gaping mouth of the 'Labyrinth' was filled to the brim with a net of rock—no, black iron.
The countless 'bridges' spanning the left and right labyrinth walls, crisscrossing in a complex pattern, were reminiscent of the [Cliff Road of the Sky Bridge] that led to the crater where the 'White Throne' once sat.
"—Huh? What is that? What's going on?"
Following the [Heavy Tank] and [Adamant] who had gone ahead, a sweet, girlish voice chimed in with a sharp retort to the strange sight. Peeking out from beside Auerin, a pair of confident, cat-like yellow eyes under long white hair stared suspiciously at the 'Labyrinth'.
Southern Faction, Rank #7. The [Thread-Weaver], Natsume.
"—Whether or not it's destructible will change things considerably, I imagine."
And behind Uni, calmly observing the situation without even needing to stand on his toes, was a slender young man with blue hair and blue eyes, standing nearly two meters tall.
Southern Faction, Rank #8. The [Long Legs], Re-cood.
Though their designs differed, Natsume in white and Record in ultramarine, both were clad in robes befitting mages. Following them—three more figures emerged from the royal castle.
"—There's no way you can run on this. I guess even our prince will have to seal away his full-speed dash, huh?"
A low, permeating baritone voice. A black cloak, black gloves, and black boots. A man with long black hair and black eyes, wearing a black feathered hat like a minstrel's.
Rank #9. The [Poet], Yata.
"—You think something like that could stop our princess's fiancé?"
A cheerful and clear manner of speaking. A woman with long golden hair and blue eyes, wearing light cloth armor resembling a sister's habit and carrying a great war hammer that likely far exceeded her own body weight.
Rank #10. The [Heroine], Oumetouri.
And,
"—If anything, I'd expect him to run through while slicing it all down from end to end."
A girlish voice like the chiming of a bell, accompanied by the harsh scrape of metal. A figure encased from head to toe in full plate armor—a rare sight in Arcadia—appearing more like an 'ornament' than a 'person' by modern standards.
Rank #6. The [Knight], Aika.
As always, the [Castle Lord], Mei, and her partner, the [Full Auto], Fuji, stood by Auerin's side, waiting inside the 'castle'. Counting them all, nine heroes who bore the 'name' of the South.
Without a hint of tension before the great festival, they stepped onto the battlefield's soil in a natural state. And then... the final one. The serene footsteps of none other than their 'master' followed.
"—Everyone, be careful."
Her silvery-blue hair swayed, her garnet eyes blinked, her face expressionless.
And yet, in this moment, the one they all looked up to as their 'Princess' was surely smiling.
"If you meet him one-on-one, I'm certain no one can defeat Haru."
Southern Faction, Rank #1. The [Sword Queen], Iris.
What coalesced around her was absolute faith.
She does not err, she does not stray, she does not speak falsehoods. Even if—that expressionless face was flushed with the heat of love, her retainers would not doubt her.
And that is why,
"Hah, bring it on...!"
The [Heroine]'s words, a declaration of war that seemed to speak for them all, were the consensus of the Southern top ten.
"He's a real monster now. Even if we gang up on him, I doubt he or anyone else will complain."
"I wonder. Haru-kun seems like the type to say, 'Ganging up on me is unfair, senpais!!!'"
"Ahaha, he totally would. While spinning wildly in mid-air."
While the three who were acquainted with the princess's beloved shared a laugh, the five who had yet to meet the rising star in question felt a heat smoldering in their hearts—and reining it in,
"—Your enthusiasm seems more than sufficient, which is excellent. In that case..."
...was the cool voice of the [Lady-in-Waiting], Helena, playing the part of the queen's attendant.
"Let us be childish and crush them with our full might. This time, it is our turn to win."
At her words, the princess who received her gaze—
"Mm... —Let's have lots of fun."
—spoke words she once could not have hoped for, and all her subjects answered with a resounding cheer.