Chapter 528 - The Seniors of Life
Parfait and her companions set out to sea by boat to discover the Ghost Ship. The explorer guild led by Luty had prepared over ten vessels, and since the major Clans participating in this Quest were using their own ships, a massive fleet that could truly be called an armada was racing across the ocean all at once.
The weather was exactly as forecasted—or rather, fog began to gradually set in. Since this was Virtual Reality, it was unclear if the conditions for fog to manifest were the same as in reality, but many Players remarked that it was strange for fog to appear under these circumstances, and everyone's expectations rose that a contact with the Ghost Ship was highly likely.
Despite the situation, for Parfait's group, Lion's statement about "wanting to be taught how to be a gyaru" felt more important. Amidst this, Benitsuru, who had been asked to teach her, stood on the deck with her arms crossed against the wind, facing the sea in a Nioh-like stance.
"Rio-chi."
"Yes."
"The path of the gyaru is a steep one...!"
"I am prepared for it!"
"What are you two doing, Master Benny and Lion-chan? You're both getting too carried away; everyone around us is troubled."
Parfait interjected into the exchange between Benitsuru and Lion, but Abel was laughing loudly while Simon looked exasperated. Wilnel, who had joined them later at the harbor, had a serious expression at first but soon spoke up.
"A gyaru, is it? While there is no clear definition, they are young women who act in a social, trend-conscious, and positive-thinking manner, following their own path. It is said that in the distant past, they would excessively tan their skin or wear flashy makeup. One can really feel the history."
"It's a bit troubling to hear a definition like that, but is Master Benny really a gyaru...?"
At the very least, she wasn't sensitive to trends. If anything, she was old-fashioned. Furthermore, there probably weren't any gyaru who wore katanas at their waists. Parfait felt that some other parts might apply, but even so, she wondered what that really meant.
"To tell you the truth, I was a Samurai Gyaru! Ito okashi... was that it?" (T/N: Ito okashi is a Heian-period phrase meaning 'very charming/interesting', used here as a joke about her 'ancient' gyaru status)
Parfait didn't know which era of gyaru used the phrase ito okashi, but Benitsuru said so while making a horizontal peace sign near her eye and a tehepero face (T/N: a playful 'tee-hee' expression with a tongue poke). Knowing her actual age, it was a pose that made one wonder, but since her appearance was that of someone in her early twenties, it didn't feel out of place. If anything, with her pink hair tied in a slightly permed side-tail, she did look somewhat like a gyaru.
While it was a situation that made it difficult to react in many ways, Simon soon spoke.
"Beni... Princess, you are past thirty-five, yet you lack composure."
"Isn't mentioning my real age against the rules!?"
Simon criticized Benitsuru's pose, but he was quick to handle her, likely being used to it.
"Lion, was it? Why do you wish for the Princess to teach you about being a gyaru?"
"Princess...? Um, actually—"
Meeting them for the first time, Lion explained the circumstances to Simon and Benitsuru. Hearing this, Simon nodded in understanding, saying, "I see." Then, for some reason, a delighted Benitsuru began thumping Lion on the shoulder with a huge grin.
"Rio-chi, you've got quite the eye! To see through to the fact that I'm a gyaru! I shall grant you a reward!"
"You have likely never called yourself a gyaru once in your life..."
"As usual, it's Simon-sensei's role to stop Benny-san's rampages."
When Abel said that with a laugh, Simon sighed before answering.
"I am getting tired of it, but she is technically my sword master as well."
"What do you mean 'technically'! I am the genuine master of both Simon and Par-chi! Master at the end of the year and on New Year's!"
"Then I wish you would behave more like a master... well, fine. So, Lion."
"Y-Yes."
"At the very least, the Princess is not a gyaru. She is merely a selfish woman. I do not think she will be of any reference."
"That evaluation is too low! I'll have your head!"
Saying so, Benitsuru drew the katana at her waist and slashed at Simon, but Simon parried it with his own blade without much concern. However, the only thing different from the norm was that it happened in an instant. To most people, only the sound of the blades clashing and the sound of the sword being sheathed could be heard.
While it was a common occurrence for Parfait, not only Lion, who was meeting them for the first time, but also Wilnel, who had rarely met them, were taken aback.
"Master, Sensei, please don't run wild here. You'll startle the people around us."
"Mu, that is certainly true. It seems I too was in high spirits due to it being my first AFO in a while."
"They told us we couldn't play with Par-chi and the others in AFO for a while, so I got carried away playing here after so long too! It couldn't be helped!"
Because Parfait had stood out considerably right after starting the game, there were several players of Hayato's generation who had been told to refrain from contact to avoid making her stand out even more. That restriction had apparently been lifted just recently. It seemed they had reached the conclusion that keeping Parfait from standing out was impossible.
For that reason, Benitsuru and Simon had come to play this time, but the result was tremendous, and gazes from the surroundings were already fixed on Parfait's group. Though, if anything, there were more gazes directed at Benitsuru and Simon this time.
"I thought it was getting noisy, and of course it's Parfait-san's group."
"Luty-san, I'm sorry for being so loud."
"No, no, it's fine. It's not so much that it's noisy, but rather that many Players were just surprised by the clash between those two earlier. By the way, could you introduce them?"
Luty said so with a smile. Parfait guessed that she probably knew who they were. Picking up on the intent that she wanted an introduction since it was their first time meeting in person, Parfait introduced Benitsuru and Simon.
"This is my sword master, Benny... Master Benitsuru. And this is my senior disciple and also a school teacher, Simon-sensei."
"You can just call me Benny!"
"I am Simon."
"I have heard much of your great fame. I am Luty. Thank you for participating today."
"No, no, we are the ones who should apologize for the sudden participation. By the way, there is something I wish to say."
"What would that be?"
"It would be best not to draw that gun. You seem to be concerned about the distance, but the place where you stand is within the reach of my blade."
She was standing in a position where, no matter how one thought about it, Simon's blade could not reach. Yet, Simon said it would reach. Luty's eyes widened at those words, but she immediately looked toward Parfait.
"Parfait-san! Did you tell Simon-san about Esha-san!?"
"Eh? No, I haven't..."
At Parfait's answer, Luty looked toward Simon with sparkling eyes.
"Wonderful! Simon-san can also read my movements!"
"I can 'also'? Parfait, what on earth is Luty saying? And what is this talk of Esha?"
"Ah—I'll explain in order, but Luty-san has a habit of firing her gun to measure an opponent's strength."
"We have just met, but what a troublesome fellow."
"My mother was subjected to the same thing—no, she felt like my father was being targeted, so she apparently shot first."
"I see. I have known her for a long time, but Esha is a troublesome one as well."
The corners of Simon's mouth were curled in a smile as he said that. However, that smile soon vanished, and he looked toward Luty.
"You are a troublesome one, but I too will cut you down without warning if you target Hayato or my acquaintances. Furthermore, when you test an opponent, you should consider that you are also being tested by them. As a senior in life, let me say that you should stop such trivial behavior."
Hearing this, Luty was surprised but straightened her posture and bowed. To Parfait, the movement seemed beautiful enough to be called refined.
"I thank you for your advice. I shall carve those words into my heart."
"Umu."
"When Simon says it, the persuasiveness is on another level. Even though Simon used to slash at every strong person he saw like a street murderer back in the day!"
"Why are you revealing that!"
"What were you doing, Simon-sensei..."
"No, wait, Parfait, that was like a youthful indiscretion! Back then I was weak, and in order to become even a little stronger—"
While Simon was desperately making excuses to Parfait, Luty had a face like she had found a kindred spirit, Lion and Wilnel were slightly put off, and Benitsuru and Abel were laughing. In the midst of that situation, a Player's voice cried out, "It's the Ghost Ship!"
Parfait turned her gaze in that direction and saw the faint silhouette of the Ghost Ship within the fog. And immediately after, the moment a sound like a firework being launched was heard, an explosion occurred and the ship shook violently.
"It's battle! The enemy is firing cannons! Fire back!"
At Luty's words, everyone snapped to attention, and the battle began at once.