Chapter 746 - Triangle Duo
In the grand festival where the real and virtual worlds intersect, the `Triangle Duo`, there is no tedious closing ceremony or any similar program.
Once the final match concludes and the tournament curtain falls, all that remains is an ending that, like an anime or drama, builds anticipation for 'what's next.'
In other words, it isn't something that makes one strongly conscious of the end—
"…Hehe, you look tired."
"You bet I am. I'm genuinely, completely exhausted…"
It's a casual 'bout' rather than a 'fight,' a pairing many had wished for. A lighthearted, lively tail end of the stage to send off the audience and wrap up the excitement.
One-on-one on a wide field. A true bit of fun, lasting a little over five minutes with fixed HP and MP, between two individuals chosen by a pre-event audience poll.
This year, the actors chosen were… well, yeah. It can't be helped.
"Don't worry, I'll be considerate of your exhaustion."
"…Even if you provoke my competitive male pride, you'll have to forgive me for running on empty."
"I'm not provoking you. I'm worried about you."
And so, it was only natural for me, the [Acrobat], and the [Sword Queen] to be on stage with an atmosphere so fluffy it was hard to believe we were about to cross swords—ah, I knew it all along.
I knew this year's finale would end up like this.
"…Can you do your best?"
"Even if I can't do my best, I have to give it my all."
As the 'Princess' once again graced the stage, I expected the space to fill with a roar of cheers… but surprisingly, the audience's clamor settled into a pleasantly buzzing murmur.
Perhaps, seeing this as the grand finale of the program, they were quietly watching, a phenomenon similar to the ending credits of a movie. Or maybe they were engrossed in listening intently to our conversation… for my peace of mind, I hoped it was the former.
"Sorry, but I'll have to hold back on my top speed."
"—…I see. Just the fact that you'll use it is enough to make me very happy."
And enjoy it, she added.
While restraining myself from being captivated by Ashe's beautiful smile as she tilted her head in front of the crowd, I took a light, deep breath and gathered the bare minimum of concentration.
Alright, then.
Now, let this newcomer have the honor of decorating the true finale.
"—'I am he who soars through the sky.'"
And so, the cheers that finally erupted as if they could be held back no longer were, I suppose, inevitable.
"'A single falling star connects all, clad in green, it sways with the hurricane.'"
Slowly, slowly.
"'A fleeting tune played in passing, a hasty step becomes a flash.'"
As I recite the song, I look at the face of the princess opposite me.
"'Clad in white, bursting forth in blue, the thunderhead espies the forming of crimson clouds.'"
And what do you know, she looks just as happy as her words suggest.
"'The time of encounter has come, with the sin of treading into the divine realm, I announce it to the moonlit heavens.'"
As promised, this is my original avatar, not the transformed one. Factoring in [Desperate Crimson], my base agility is higher in my alternate form than my primary, hence the declaration of not using my maximum speed.
Even so, what's born is a monster with over 1000 AGI. As expected, or perhaps as usual, it will be a sight that isn't very kind to the audience's eyes…
"'I am he who seizes the sky.'"
Well, for that, I hope you'll enjoy it with an emphasis on the atmosphere more than ever.
"'This body is the end and the beginning's first arrow.'"
In addition to the special fixed-stat specifications, I had the staff tweak the settings a bit with a prior request, so the effect duration is unlimited.
"'Dispel the veil, transcend the canopy.'"
And with this, my MP is also infinite, allowing for the continuous, full-power activation of [Eyes Oculus].
"'The destiny yet unseen lies in the distant future, and that is why'—"
"…—[Celestial Clearbellfa, the Null Sword of Protection]."
Without hiding her anticipation, with a smile so adoring it made me want to beg for mercy, Ashe quietly readied her two 'swords.' It was, as if in reminiscence, the same pure white form as that day.
"'The swift heavenly storm resides in the soul yearning for the beyond.'"
Finishing my chant, I too took my star sword in hand.
"[Lightning Gale]."
"[Little Braver for One]."
Together, as if whispering, we called forth the names of our 'powers'—and dashed.
A flash of lightning, a roar of wind, sword and sword racing against each other.
A true speed that easily surpassed sound. A stride that stepped into the divine realm, as the system calls it, one that ordinary people could not even perceive, let alone see.
And so, the swords clashed.
""——————""
As usual, in this form, the flow of perceived time is literally different. The speed of speech between us is on another level, and to hold a conversation, I have to go through the trouble of speaking incredibly slowly, so apart from muttering to myself, my default is to keep my mouth shut.
Knowing this, Ashe matches my pace.
Therefore, what I received was not words, but only her gaze—garnet eyes that firmly captured my body, which had become lightning racing beyond sound.
Light burst, and the flash of a sword streaked.
I dodged the familiar silver giant flash, the very model and prototype of my own `Hibachi`, the sword of the [Sword Queen], took some distance, and landed on the floor like a lightning strike, unable to stop a strained laugh.
—Hey, are you serious, Ashe-san? There's a limit to being the strongest and invincible.
I knew it. I was aware of it.
But to actually have her keep up with me like this, I couldn't help but be amazed and astonished. It seems I'll have to relinquish the 'invincible' part of the title my master granted me, 'Arcadia's fastest, invincible monster.'
Again, I know the trick.
[Little Braver for One]—an effect of her unique gear, [One's Gift (Fox's Fortune Shadow-Woven Cloth)], which is a set with my [Nine Tail]. It's a completely rule-breaking ability modification and enhancement.
The black and navy blue hair ornament (lariat) that looks so stunning in her silver-blue hair activates its hidden power only when her chosen 'designated target' is on the same battlefield, regardless of whether they are friend or foe.
Its main effect is to remove the restriction on her unique title, 'Sword Queen,' and its enhancement effect, `Braver`. In other words, its maximum effect is activated regardless of the presence or number of allies.
And that alone is a massive breach of the rules, but there's more. The 'designated target,' which can never be reset once assigned—in other words, me—experiences sensory synchronization.
Not sharing, but synchronization, meaning the influence is one-way. Ashe, who unhesitatingly carved my name into her unique item, copies various sensations from me when we are on the same battlefield.
Which means, right now.
The benefits of my ten-times thought acceleration (`Eyes`) and attack prediction (`Oculus`), which I need to fully activate to handle [Lightning Gale], are being enjoyed in their entirety by the [Sword Queen] herself.
When you combine that with the power to embody divine speed that rivals even the [Sword Saint]'s 'Shukuchi' in momentary movements through her 'Almighty' gift, and the 'intuition' that comes from vast experience built upon natural talent and relentless effort… well, this is the result.
Let me be frank with my thoughts—There's no way I can win against that.
And so, the soaring 'lightning' and the 'sword' dance.
Neither giving an inch, their smiles never fading, the white-blue and silver-blue figures paint the stage completely in a few minutes that feel like an eternity, their clashing blows roaring like a lovers' tryst—
The third `Triangle Duo` came to a close, with more excitement than ever before.
This arc was roughly sixty chapters long. Thank you for following along.
I wrote in a previous afterword that my Master would also have a moment to shine during the Triangle Duo, but she and one other person requested 'a quiet stage,' so I will move that to a separate location.