Chapter 637 - III ≦ I?
"...Yes, this is—"
"—Helena-chan, I'm sorry!! It's not like I was underestimating him or anything, not one bit, but his monstrousness is way beyond what I expected!!! I'll fight like my life depends on it and I don't plan on losing, but the three of us are stuck for now, so count us out as combatants, I'm really sorry!!!"
"..., ..."
As soon as she answered the call and connected the telepathic link, a voice bursting with palpable desperation unleashed a torrent of words. Even with the system filtering it, the sheer force of the voice made the [Lady-in-Waiting]'s head spin. She closed her eyes and remained silent for a few seconds.
Now, how should she respond? After a moment of genuine perplexity—
"...Given the opponent, some contingency is to be expected. However, if that's the case, focus on holding him off as long as you can. I will not permit you to fall for nothing."
"Okay, roger that!!!"
"Then, I wish you good luck."
The line cut off instantly, her lack of composure all too apparent.
Just what kind of hellscape was unfolding in the depths of the maze right now...? The opening of this event was shaping up to be just as boisterous as the last, and she had to swallow the smile that threatened to escape.
And then,
"—...What is it?"
Beside her, the princess who was dutifully observing the 'wait' command tilted her head.
"A report from Natsume. They've entered combat with Haru-sama."
"..."
"Even if you make that face, it's not your turn yet."
Uzu...—It was almost laughable. She gently chided her master, whose impassive face was now clearly colored with emotion, only to be met with a composed expression that was clearly just for show.
"...Is Natsume alright?"
"She's with Aika and Record, three on one, but... I wonder. If they were facing the him of a while ago, they wouldn't have fallen behind, but his growth over the last two months is an unknown variable."
At the very least, she didn't sound composed over the telepathic link—when Helena conveyed this,
"...I believe that reaction is unbecoming of a faction leader."
Iris's expression had clearly shed its impassivity... and a faint smile graced her cheeks. Helena rebuked her with an exasperated tone, but she simply shook her head and said, "That's not it."
"If Haru is their opponent, then I'm sure the three of them will have fun, too."
"Yes...?"
"'Having fun' is a wonderful thing."
"..."
Looking toward the maze entrance, thinking of someone within, her garnet eyes filled with trust... It was the same as always. As her master so grandly doted on him,
"'Love is blind'... it might be a little different from that, but from an outsider's perspective, it looks much the same."
The [Lady-in-Waiting] let out a heavy sigh.
Facing the map that detailed the state of the battle, she once again began to solemnly command her faction's forces.
◇◆◇◆◇
A frenzied stage where threads danced, magic flew, and steel flashed. The white rabbit darted about, completely unrestrained.
"Three-on-one"—a simple phrase that unequivocally defined the advantage and disadvantage of the battle. Yet, even throwing himself into such a situation, his 'legs' knew no rest.
"Tch..., ...—!!!"
With the silent pride of a knight, she took the blow. Aika, who had blocked the 'fist' with her 'shield' without a sound, was sent flying with an absurdly loud explosion and an unbelievable amount of force, sliding across the floor in a shower of sparks.
"This is impossible, I can't even get a hit in...!"
"The fact that neither the threads nor the magic are even grazing him is just ridiculous!"
She waved her fingers, swung her staff, but neither the scattered 'threads' nor the 'water' could touch the white shadow. They chased him relentlessly, but were always one or two steps behind.
They hadn't underestimated him.
They hadn't looked down on him.
They hadn't doubted him, either.
It was just, simply—
"—...Eee...ya! K-K-Kidding meeee!!"
—that he, too, had a desperate look on his face. But the one performing those insane, high-speed maneuvers, leaping about, had casually vaulted over their expectations and predictions.
Indeed, the title of [Acrobat] is no empty boast—
So thoroughly convinced were they that the figure before them was, in truth, an [Acrobat].
"No, seriously! It's a lie, it makes no sense, how can you see my 'threads' while moving at that speed, it makes no sense! It makes no sense!!"
"You've said that three times—"
"You mages don't have time for idle chatter! —Reco, enough with the probing, get serious! If all three of us get wiped out at once, this will be no laughing matter!"
She was impressed. She was astonished—and, though she wouldn't say it out loud, she was enjoying herself.
However, that was that. Even as fellow Rankers, if they were to be soundly defeated in a three-on-one, their pride and many other things simply wouldn't allow it.
He was a newcomer, but that didn't matter. They had already accepted that he was their superior in battle. Therefore, in addition to their pride as seniors, it was out of the question for them, as challengers, to hold back.
Therefore,
"Right, right—Of course, that's the plan...!"
Without needing to wait for the order from Natsume, the caster in the middle and their designated commander, Record silently bared his teeth and swung his greatstaff high.
"Origin String... Release."
"Tch, seriously...—!"
In that instant, the [Acrobat] who heard the key phrase widened his eyes.
"Sing—[Endless, Doll of Atonement]."
The four-pronged 'head' of the staff split further, and four 'mouths' blossomed open.
The third Narrator's Armament (Terror) makes a casual appearance.
Natsume and the others are seeing things through a "This is insane!" filter, but it goes without saying that the protagonist is also thinking, "This is insane, I'm gonna die!!!!!"