Chapter 744 - Right Before the Finals
"────They really did a number on us, those little ones…"
"My condolences, but I'm sure they're thinking the same thing about us."
And with that, the camera turned to us.
It feels a bit wrong to say it, but having snatched victory through a combination of regret and sheer luck, we were declared the winners of the second semifinal match. As usual, we were teleported off the stage… taking the baton from a trio of boisterous retired and active idols, the camera for the first time fell upon the players' waiting room just before the finals.
What echoed between two voices that were now both quite high was a quip laced with sympathy, delivered by a ridiculously beautiful blonde priestess in response to my (forcibly transformed) stunned whisper.
It was Irori, in his transformed body, making his public debut for the day.
I could easily tell that he, like me, had been forced into this form by the grimace he didn't even bother to hide. This was no doubt the staff's doing.
They wanted the customary pre-finals interaction between the finalists to happen between these versions of us. It was so transparently obvious that we were being treated as toys, and I couldn't have been more displeased.
Therefore, I decided I'd do as I pleased, with no consideration for the broadcast's flow or on-screen appeal.
"Honestly… because of you, I got dragged into this as well."
"Don't go blaming everything on me. It's not like I enjoy being a pretty girl."
"I wonder about that. You seem to be having fun, one way or another."
"I purely enjoy using two sets of stats in combat, but I don't recall ever enjoying being fawned over for some mysterious reason!"
"…………For someone so dolled up, what are you even saying at this point?"
"Most of this isn't my choice or taste, you know!"
I won't deny the sense of the culprits who dressed me up, nor the fact that it all suits me infuriatingly well! But if you're going to bring that up—
"You're one to talk. You used to look exactly the same, but now you've gone and grown out your hair and all that."
"…It is precisely because I was the same that I made a reluctant change to create a distinction."
What he means is that when we all transformed at once after the [White Throne] subjugation battle, he was the only one who had almost zero changes—that is, while his body did indeed become female, his face remained his own.
It wasn't exactly identical; his features became slightly more delicate, and his eyes softened a bit, but that was the extent of it. And yet, despite that, he perfectly embodied the midpoint between a beautiful woman and a lovely girl, which made me roll my eyes at what a handsome jerk he was…
While his silky hair remained, he had changed his style from a refreshing, handsome look to a graceful single ponytail, which altered his impression considerably.
His hair, tied at the nape of his neck, was a little shorter than Sora's. The blond ponytail swaying down his back should have clashed with his traditional Japanese attire, but as always, he pulled it off with his face and demeanor.
Though he seems displeased about being put on display, his bearing is fundamentally confident. It seems his heart is made of steel, and his pride is carved from black dragonscale rock.
"What are you staring at? It's creepy."
"Now that's a creepy thing to say. Don't assume everyone is captivated by your good looks."
Facing each other across a table on long sofas. While we were tirelessly trading barbs with no holds barred, what were the ladies up to…?
"Uhm, well… Hinayo-san?"
"Mmm… hehe, it's no use. It seems this is too much for me after all."
Beside the large table, on a bed that was, of course, floating gently. Hinayo-san, who had been tending to the 'Sleeping Princess' sinking into a mountain of cushions, returned my gaze with a smile.
I knew it, but it seems waking up the [Castle Lord] is, as expected, impossible. If even her older-sister figure can't manage it, there's nothing two guys can do.
Since Irori and I are ignoring the camera and doing as we please, I suppose we can let them provide some serene floral beauty on the side. That should be fine.
…Man, her hair is long, though.
It's on a whole other level than my transformed body. It looks like even standing and walking would be a struggle—
"…In any case, let's get the bare minimum of our job done. Haru."
"Hm? Oh, right."
Prompted by the ever-serious Irori, I readily agreed without any further argument, as I had intended to talk about it anyway.
Though, unfortunately, even I can't answer every question.
"It's about the end of the last match, right? First, 'what I did' was simple. It was this [Hellgread Ignis (Crimson Red Hellfire Seed)]—ah, this is the item. Basically, to put it simply, it's an item that can copy the magic properties of a single target onto its user, meaning my avatar."
"…I'm tempted to question your definition of 'simple,' but fine. Continue."
Even if you give me that sour look, there's not enough time to explain it in detail right now. If you want to know all the nitty-gritty details, you'll have to wait for the information to be released later.
"You saw how I took the first heat ray at the start, right? I had copied the ability of Hinayo-san, the [Scorching Gaze], with that. In other words, this is what happened."
I formed a gun with my left hand, pointed it at my conversational partner, Irori, and took aim with one eye.
"'Bang'—it was as simple as that."
"Don't point your finger at people."
"Sorry, but this isn't a finger, it's a gun. …Ah, to all the little kids watching at home. This is a promise with your big bro, you shouldn't point your finger at people, okay?"
"…Given your current appearance, is your 'big bro' comment really educationally sound for impressionable children?"
And so, I indulged in some unaccustomed jesting.
Come to think of it, isn't a gun worse than a finger—no, I'm in a virtual world where trading blows equals friendship, so it's fine. Anyway…
"However, as for 'what happened,' I'm sorry, but that's a mystery to me too. I knew that even if I shot it directly at Mi-na and Ri-na, their wall was still up, so a degraded [Scorching Gaze] would definitely be blocked…"
The 'wall' I'm referring to is none other than that barrier of light that thwarted me time and time again.
That wasn't a mage's handcrafted magic defense, but a defensive mechanism originating from their two Anima. In exchange for the restriction of being unable to step outside a very small circle known as their 'canvas' during battle, it grants them two semi-absolute defenses. It's a completely unfair ability.
I sensed it from the impact, but I had actually broken the first layer with my opening barrage of `Hayate`. However, I never had the chance to break the second layer, which required an attack of similar power.
That's why… Hinayo-san had goaded me into using my 'finishing move' that would silence their Anima, their powers, and everything else if it landed, aiming for a one-shot reversal as the end drew near.
"So, I figured, what the heck. If I made it explode inside the 'wind,' maybe… something or other would happen? It was a hundred-percent hunch, so I shot it there. And well—"
"That happened," he finished.
"Yep. To be honest, I didn't have any time to think about it calmly."
This was all, every last bit of it, the fault of my two great seniors who had me dancing perfectly in the palm of their hands. What the hell is 'magic that makes me imagine things'? How is anyone supposed to predict that?
But when they explained it, the trick and its execution were so brilliant that it was the only thing that made sense. I was more impressed than resentful; I could hardly even muster a complaint. It was truly magnificent, far too brilliant.
I'm guessing that not just the appearance and specs, but every minute detail of its actions was based on my 'memories.' Realizing that and looking back, that 'shadow' had perfectly traced the movements I saw in the raid battle I challenged with Ashe.
In other words, my theory is that I wasn't just made to see it, but I was controlling it in real time. Given the ridiculous name of the magic, I'd say that's a strong possibility.
To call it a 'Solo Dance'—they've got some nerve.
"Regarding that, if my own speculation is acceptable, shall I speak?"
Regardless of the outcome, I had been completely outplayed. As I wore a bitter smile accepting this fact, Hinayo-san, who was sitting on the Sleeping Princess's bed, raised her hand.
There was no reason to refuse. I gestured 'please' with both hands, and my partner gave a single nod.
"Your accessory copies magic of the exact same quality as the target, doesn't it, Haru-kun? In that case, the 'flame' you shot should have been identical to mine."
"Yeah, probably."
"Then, I believe a far purer 'mutual interference' would occur than what happens when different people cast magic of the same attribute. Not one where they mix and vaguely cancel each other out, but one where they melt into each other and amplify their respective powers."
"…Hmm."
"Drawing each other in from the inside and outside, their power grew and tore through Mi-na-chan and her sister's 'wind'—in other words, it was a baton pass from me to you, and from you back to me."
"……………………Apparently that's what happened, Irori. Got it?"
"At least it was easier to understand than your usual nonsensical explanations."
"I don't recall ever specializing in such things???"
In other words, what does that mean?
To summarize it in a way my brain, weary from the giant monster war, could easily understand…
"Oh, by the way, the creator of this little item is none other than the renowned [Milmarinus, the Aquamarine Fairy]."
"I figured as much."
"Of course."
All hail our exclusive artisan. I suppose that about sums it up.
And in front of the screen, Nia lets out a silent scream.