Chapter 653 - From One Battle to the Next
—And so, one hour later.
Honestly, my time as a runner was a whirlwind of chaos that rivaled, if not surpassed, the tumultuous opening act. After that initial clash, no other Northern or Southern rankers appeared in the maze, but the second round of toppling the Four Pillars is when things really kick off.
Sprinting around and racking up points is something you can only do right after the battle starts. Once the enemy units are deployed, every corner is swarming with foes. Kanata and I were pushed to our limits all over the place, but… well, I'm sure we provided plenty of highlights for the viewers.
In the end, Irori and Gen-san were called back, leaving just the two of us as the special forces on the front lines. I feel bad that the cast of characters on our side didn't change much, but it was necessary for a serious shot at victory. I hope the audience can forgive me on account of this transformed avatar of mine.
And what's more…
“I see. So this is what you’d call a vision of hell.”
“And yet, you’re not even trembling. You’ve grown, kid.”
From here on out, we were about to put on what would undoubtedly be the greatest war in Arcadia’s history. So please, look forward to it.
We stood before Ruvalest, the Eastern Faction's war base. Sensing the time was right, every member, ranker and regular alike, had gathered. At the very head of the formation, I exchanged words with our second-in-command, Goldow, and our fourth-in-command, me.
And spread out before our eyes was a wall of people—the North-South raid force, who, sensing our resolve to meet them head-on, had marched straight up to our gates.
By my estimate, their total numbers were… well, how many were there? A quick glance just told me ‘a lot.’ I had no idea. Three hundred? Four hundred? Five hundred? Something like that, who knows.
And at the head of their force was a single, silver-blue figure whose presence was more than a match for the pressure exuded by the hundreds-strong super-raid behind her.
“She’s smiling…”
Only those close to her would be able to tell. A pleased smile had faintly colored the usual expressionless face of the ‘Princess’… hah, how troublesome that I could see right through her.
That girl doesn’t think she’ll lose, not even for a second.
“Well… I’ve got a feeling about how this will go, but I also have a ‘bring it on’ feeling. Reminds me of the early days when there were no established strategies.”
“It’s come full circle, back to the basics. Yeah, that happens.”
“The problem is that the power of each individual is on a completely different level now. Honestly, I don’t know if this will be a proper fight, in more ways than one.”
“Like everyone fires off their ultimate moves at once, and then there was none?”
“It’s not a laughing matter. That could totally happen.”
“If it does, the 11th Four Pillar War will go down in history as one of the best comedy episodes.”
“…You know, that might not be so bad.”
“Why not? As long as it’s fun, anything goes.”
Not just Istia, but Sotalm and Nortalia, too, remained motionless. Ashe, the figurehead at the front, and the impressive lineup of faces behind her were all the same.
The South’s eight members, excluding the [Castle Lord] and the [Heroine], and the North’s five, excluding the [Great Tiger], made for a total of thirteen. The lineup of rankers, including some I had yet to even speak with, was nothing short of terrifying, a sight that brought a strange laugh bubbling up from the pit of my stomach.
I mean, come on, right?
We’re about to pick a fight with that, head-on. It’s so reckless it’s hilarious.
But that’s exactly why.
“At the very least, I’m actually kind of looking forward to this.”
“…”
“You’re smirking, General Commander.”
“Shut up and leave me alone—hey, you! Get fired up, you cannonball! Everything depends on whether you turn out to be a dinky handgun or a full-blown cannon, you hear me?”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it—if I fail after having all these insane expectations heaped on me, I’ll go down in history as a legendary clown. Dammit all.”
That, too, can be forgiven on account of this face of mine.
And so…
“Haru.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m counting on you, our vanguard captain.”
“Could you please stop piling on the pressure?”
I traded some harsh jokes as I took a single step forward, away from the front line, all alone.
My path was straight ahead.
And smiling in my way was the beautiful princess I now knew so, so, so very well—really, I couldn’t stop laughing. In this world, could there possibly be a greater walk towards death than this single step?
No, there isn’t. And that is exactly what makes it irreplaceable.
“All right… Here I come, Ashe. And all you senpais.”
We were still too far apart for my voice to reach them, and there was no reply. However, I saw the joyful expression on one particular person’s face, a sure sign that she had received my message. I bit back a wry smile.
Recall—I drew [Samidorizuki].
My spirits were high. My condition, perfect. I had a few slight concerns about my weapon, but a blade forged by my master should be more than sharp enough.
Then there is no inadequacy in this step, and no excuse for this strike.
Right hand in a standard grip, left hand in a reverse grip. I lowered my hips, assuming a stance for a forward dash.
The blue light of a [Water Enchant] coated the blade.
Black threads reinforced both my hands and arms.
My white hair was clad in desperate crimson.
Outer Force ‘Kai,’ converging to its critical point.
Perhaps they thought this would be the most exciting start, and so they waited, watching for the opening move. In the center of the stage, which had fallen into a delightfully eerie silence, both friend and foe looked on.
Therefore, the number of spectators was also more than sufficient.
Well then, just like that one time, once more—watch this, world.
“[Shifuu Ittou]… The Final Strike.”
I would weave together wind and water, and the countless powers I have cultivated in this body.
Come on, anyone. If you can stop this—
“[Seiran].”
—try and stop me.
A spring storm blows through.