Chapter 462 - The Red Spear Draws Them In
“What a spectacle! The surviving teams are racing towards the Safe Area, fighting for their lives! How many will make it in time—!”
Almost all the surviving teams are moving at full speed. They have no time to interfere with other teams; their focus is on protecting their Flagship Machine and getting to the Safe Area.
There's only one team still using their Magic Dolls to hinder others. Of course, that's none other than our Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy.
Several of our Magic Dolls, which had been deployed as skirmishers and decoys, haven't been completely wiped out. These survivors are standing in the path of the enemy teams.
If these Dolls could speak, they'd probably say, 'Try to push through if you can.'
To the enemy teams, these remaining Dolls are just a single unit, not a significant threat on their own.
But they know better. These Dolls are immovable rocks, possessing extraordinary strength. Avoiding them with bold detours would cost them precious time and result in a loss.
They have no choice but to fight. The best players from each team step forward, determined to clear the path.
There's less than ten seconds left. There's no time to think or hesitate; they focus solely on breaking through with all their might.
They charge at full speed, shields at the ready.
Ideally, they'd shatter and knock back the Dolls. If that fails, holding them back would still allow the Flagship Machine to pass.
I know what they're planning, but my team members won't make it easy. They’ll put in their best effort, and some will even come up with strategies. We won’t let them through so easily.
Similar scenarios are unfolding simultaneously, and I’m paying attention to one of them.
One of our Magic Dolls, thinking the enemy would be immovable, effortlessly hops over a charge, leaving the shield behind. It’s a clever move, completely subverting their expectations.
It then lands and takes out the enemy scout, followed by a burst of light magic. It seems they hit the Flagship Machine by chance—a particularly unlucky team.
The results vary. Some Dolls stand firm and block the path, others buy a bit of time, and some are defeated. However, amidst the chaos, Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy, as expected, makes it to the Safe Area in time.
And then, the moment arrives.
“Time’s up! Any team whose Flagship Machine is outside the Safe Area at this point is declared the loser! What a thrilling final showdown!”
Bursts of light magic signal the defeat of each team.
Among the competing teams, only we, Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy, made it in time.
“We did it!”
“We did it, we did it! That's amazing!”
The members’ joyful faces are radiant. It’s been a tough series of challenges, after all. But there’s a catch.
“We did it! We won, us!”
“She’s right... but, wait.”
“Hold on. When we win, isn’t there supposed to be a light magic of our team’s color?”
“It should be, but why?”
“And when the winner is declared, the announcer should say so, right? They haven’t said anything about that yet.”
“Oh, you mean...?”
“Maybe we didn’t win after all?”
They finally realize. There was one team that didn’t fall for the strategy of being lured outside the Safe Area.
They left only their Flagship Machine and its guardian in the Safe Area, using their other Dolls to create diversions and try to take out other teams by surprise.
They must have planned for all the other teams to lose due to time constraints, which is a sign of a very calm and collected team.
“The final two are Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy and Saint Elliot Academy! While we have a ten-minute intermission until the next Safe Area is announced, Saint Elliot Academy is making a run for it! But this is tough! There’s a significant disparity in the number of remaining Dolls. Can they pull off a miraculous comeback—!”
The announcer’s timely update answers the girls' questions.
The unknown team has only three Dolls left, including their Flagship Machine. In contrast, we still have over twenty.
There’s no way they can win from this position. Running won’t help; it’s a futile struggle.
“Hermira, over there! The enemy is moving south from the west! There are three of them!”
“All units, pursuit!”
So, how will we finish this?
I’m more interested in how we’ll secure the win. The way it ends is crucial. This moment will be remembered, and we’ll be the focus of all the spectators’ attention since only two schools remain.
The worst-case scenario would be if the few remaining enemies put up an incredible fight. If they do, it could overshadow our victory and muddy the sense of triumph.
That would be letting them steal the spotlight entirely.
This tournament marks Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy’s comeback. We can’t let it end on a disappointing note.
We want a glorious finish, and they must feel the same way.
If asked how to win, I’d say, “Win spectacularly.” They understand this without me saying it.
The question is, how do we win spectacularly? That’s not easy.
“Oh no! The three units of Saint Elliot Academy have split up in different directions!”
It’s a desperate move. They’re using the uncertainty of which unit is the Flagship Machine to try and survive longer.
It’s a pointless strategy. We can split our forces into three and still have the advantage in numbers and skill.
We’ve already closed the distance, and the difference in control skill is obvious.
There’s no way they can turn this around, and it lacks any real meaning. If anything, it’s just a way to stubbornly hold on until the end.
But let’s not worry about their intentions. Our task is to figure out how to win.
“Edith Squad, pursue the right Doll!”
“Chelsea Squad, you take the left! The main unit will go after the middle!”
The speed difference is significant, so we’ll catch up quickly.
A simple approach would be to catch up and strike from behind or bring them down and finish them off. But that wouldn’t be a grand victory.
I preferred the intense battle at the boundary of the Safe Area followed by the race. It seemed more fitting.
A win is a win, but this is a public spectacle. As champions, we should be mindful of how we claim victory.
“Wait! Stop the pursuit. All units, halt!”
“Hermira?”
Oh, she has something in mind. Good.
“Why are we stopping?”
“The Flagship Machine is probably the right Doll. Taking it out will end this.”
I agree that the right Doll is likely the Flagship Machine. It’s usually controlled by the strongest player, and it shows slightly more skill and mana than the others.
“What’s going on! The Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy Dolls have halted! Is there some trouble?”
The fleeing enemies and the audience alike must be puzzled.
Even my team members have doubts about Hermira’s order, but they’re following it, which is commendable.
“What’s the plan?”
“Hermira, what are you doing?”
“I’ll end this. Is that okay?”
“Sure, but how?”
“I’ll use that. We’ve never had a chance to try it before.”
Hermira raises the spear her Doll is holding.
“Really? You’re going to use it now?”
“You’ve practiced it, but wouldn’t it be embarrassing if you missed?”
“It’s fine. Even if it doesn’t work the first time.”
“Well, maybe.”
“No, I won’t miss. A target running straight ahead like that is impossible to miss.”
As she speaks, Hermira’s control becomes serious and she unleashes her full mana.
The Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy Flagship Machine, imbued with mana, glows a faint red.
It’s a performance to dazzle with a display of flowing mana. It’s certainly eye-catching.
I was a bit surprised by the unexpected move. To me, it’s just a flashy trick.
But if it works here, it could be a spectacular victory.
“Unbelievable! One of the Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy Dolls is glowing red! What is she planning?”
Everyone is watching Hermira’s Doll.
The red Doll takes a few steps back and then hurls the spear with a powerful motion.
“She threw it! She actually threw it!”
The red spear flies through the air, leaving a trail of red light. It’s a beautiful arc, heading straight for its target.
“Impossible! It hit, it hit! What a perfect strike! And it pierced—Saint Elliot Academy’s Flagship Machine!”
The spear hits the fleeing Doll right on target, destroying it.
Shortly after, a faint pink light magic blooms in the sky, representing our victory.
It’s perfect. A fitting and beautiful moment to cap off our victory.
“What a stunning attack and a dramatic finish! The winner of this tournament is—Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy! Congratulations to Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy!”
Faint cheers can be heard from the distant audience.
It must be a thrilling scene. Everyone will agree that the comeback of a prestigious school was truly dramatic.
Indeed, they pulled off a magnificent finish. They did well.
“Teacher, we did it!”
Hermira rushes over, tears of joy in her eyes, and hugs me. Mildree follows, and soon Chelsea and the others join in, all clinging to each other in a jumble of happiness.
“We did it! We really did it! It’s incredible...”
Next to Hermira, Mildree wipes away tears, her eyes red from the effort. Beside her, Chelsea takes deep, shaky breaths, unable to contain her emotions.
“Hey, no crying, okay?”
“You’re crying too!”
“Well, you are...” she sobs.
Even those trying to be tough can’t stop the tears streaming down their cheeks.
They’re all hugging and crying, sharing their joy and pride with each other. Their smiles, despite the tears, are beautiful.
Yukari and Harriet are also part of the celebration, laughing and hugging like any other students. It’s a heartwarming sight.
In the midst of all this, Edith, with her curly hair, stands somewhat stunned despite being enveloped in the hugs. She’s always been a bit of a tough nut.
“Hey, Edith, you should celebrate too.”
I reach out and pat her head, and at that moment, she breaks down in tears, her hands covering her face and her shoulders shaking.
“Edith is crying!”
“No way! Everyone, Edith is crying!”
“No, stop it...”
Her trembling voice only adds to the laughter around her. But I can see the relief and the bond that has formed through their shared struggles.
Oh, this is beautiful. I can’t help but be moved.
I can’t cry in front of them, but reflecting on today’s results and all the practice, it’s natural to feel something. Their efforts, determination, and the glory they’ve achieved. Thinking of all the hard work, and how it paid off, my eyes and throat feel hot.
Compared to the Kikyo Society, their performance might seem minor, but as students, they’ve shown incredible dedication and fighting spirit. They’ve truly done a great job.
I gently stroke the heads of all forty-seven members.
“—We will now proceed with the closing ceremony. All participants, please follow the directions to move quickly. First, the members of Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy, please begin moving.”
“There you go, you’re being called. This is where you show them what true champions look like.”
They’ve earned this moment. Let them end this with grace, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
---
And thus, the Magic Doll Tournament comes to a close. It’s been a long journey.
I considered various ways to conclude the final scenes, but it settled on something similar to the technique Yuki tried in the practice match in Chapter 350, “Restraint in Excess... or Not.”
The Berliza Arc is nearing its end. I’ll aim to wrap it up neatly without dragging it out too long.