kscans

Chapter 100 - The Reveling Fire Artisan

After an interrogation of about ten minutes, I was finally acquitted and released.

Not that I was guilty of anything; I wasn't even sure what crime I was being accused of… Did they think I'd abducted an innocent young girl? How incredibly rude.

Also, I lost count of how many times I was asked, "Are you two not lovers?" but for Sora's sake, I firmly denied it.

I made a promise that our partnership wasn't romantic. If I were to betray that, I'd be finished as a man.

"And so, this is my cute partner, Sora-san."

"She really is cute, so I can't say anything."

"This little one, huh…"

"Ahaha… Thank you very much."

When I proudly introduced her, making it clear there was nothing to hide, the now-calm Nia and a role-playing Kagura-san studied Sora intently.

Though she was blushing from being called cute over and over, Sora seemed to sense she was being welcomed warmly and looked happy. It's a good thing to be able to accept compliments so honestly.

I had already introduced the two artisans, and they, too, were happy to meet another female player. When I joked that they were good people despite their quirks, Nia gave me a shove.

"So, um…"

Once the introductions were over and the atmosphere had relaxed a bit, Sora, who had been glancing at me every so often, finally spoke up as if she couldn't hold it in any longer.

I knew what she was curious about—in fact, that's why I had asked her to come at a different time. For me, it was a 'finally' moment as well.

"So, what do you think?"

Anticipating her question, I opened my arms to show off my new attire once more. I have to say, it was the first time I'd ever asked for an opinion on my appearance with such clear confidence—

"…Uh, um…"

I could get a sense of how I looked in Sora's eyes from her dazed reaction as she stared at me.

"Honestly, I was surprised… It's wonderful."

And just as I'd hoped, I received the words I was waiting for. When I smiled and said a simple "thanks," the girl, who was just as shy as a certain indigo girl, blushed and lowered her gaze.

"Nia-san made it, right?"

"Mhm, that's right. It's a Nia-chan masterpiece!"

Praised by Sora, she showed an obvious sign of getting carried away, but I couldn't say anything to Nia about it anymore.

If anything, I was now the foremost supporter of her design sense.

"I'm telling you… if you had such a cute partner, you should have said so sooner."

And just as I was giving her my full support in my head, Nia shot me another sidelong glance. I was tempted to bury this girl in a mountain of praise.

"What, you still going on about that?"

"That's not it! I'm saying if I'd known, I would have designed a matching set from the start!"

…Hey now, she's starting on something new again.

"Wait, what? Are you saying you'll make one for Sora too?"

"Huh? Of course I will. What are you talking about?"

She replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, and in turn, I was the one being looked at like, 'what is this guy talking about'.

—Oh, you're serious? What, are you actually some kind of goddess?

"…Can I get my hopes up?"

"Hee hee, who do you think I am… You don't mind if I use the leftover materials I was planning to return, do you?"

"Uh… eh?"

Leaving Sora, who couldn't keep up with the conversation, I couldn't hide the grin spreading across my face. Nia, with a mysteriously wicked smile, made a gesture like she was using an abacus and leaned in close.

"But in exchange, I'll be charging you properly this time. I won't go easy on you for keeping a bombshell like this a secret."

"It's not like I was trying to hide it… Anyway, that's fine. Money is no object. Give it your all."

Don't you worry, I've got more than enough [Demon Horns] to fund it—

"Sorry to interrupt while you're getting excited, but it's almost time."

Just as my devious plotting with Nia was underway behind the person in question's back, Kagura-san, looking exasperated, tapped her wrist to let us know time was running out. When I checked the time on my UI, the system clock showed 8:48 AM.

The selection match was set to begin at ten in the morning. Registration for the preliminary round, which came first, would start an hour before at nine, so it was only about ten minutes away.

Entry itself was system-automated and apparently wouldn't take much time… but this was my first time for everything. It was probably best to move with time to spare.

"Alright, let's get going—ah, wait, you two can't come into the venue, right?"

"Yeah. Like I said, there are entry restrictions for other factions."

"Otherwise, it'd be a free-for-all for spies, you know."

So it seemed Kagura-san and Nia, being from the Western Faction of Vestol, wouldn't be able to come and cheer me on directly this time.

This was the debut of the fine attire they had both helped me complete. It was a real shame they wouldn't be there to see it… but that was all the more reason I couldn't make a fool of myself.

"Really, thank you both for everything. I'll give it my all and go on a proper rampage, so please look forward to good news."

"Come on, now. Don't be so stiff. Just go out there and have fun, okay?"

When I put on an unusually solemn face, Nia, who was completely back to her usual self, started patting me on the back.

"Let's go, let's go! Nia-chan will see you off to the venue entrance!"

"Yeah, yeah… Sora, let's go."

"Ah, yes!"

I let out a wry smile at Nia, who had zipped past me and out of the tavern, then called out to Sora to head out as well—

"—Haru, wait a sec."

I was so surprised I stopped in my tracks.

…What surprised me was that, aside from when she was flustered and unconsciously called me "Haru-kun," this was the first time Kagura-san had ever called me by name.

"…Um, is something wrong?"

"Sorry, I forgot there was something I needed to tell you about your weapon—Sora."

"Y-Yes?"

Turning her gaze to the tilting Sora, Kagura-san gestured with her finger towards the door Nia had just left through.

"I'll give your partner back in a moment, so could you go outside and keep Nia company for a bit?"

…Yeah, I think I get the gist of it.

And there was no way Sora-san wouldn't pick up on an atmosphere so obvious that even I could sense it—

"Yes, I'll be waiting."

With a smile and a face that showed she hadn't noticed a thing, Sora left the tavern.

Left behind were me, who had been stopped, and Kagura-san, who had created a situation for just the two of us with some purpose in mind. The master, who had become part of the background, didn't count.

"…About my weapon?"

"Yeah, that's right—bring out your [Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity (An=Re Galta)]."

Oh. I thought it was just an excuse to get rid of everyone else, but was she really talking about my weapon? Either way, I had no reason to refuse, so I did as I was told and summoned the Terror Armament—

"Huh… eh?"

Because of its extraordinary weight, this unique greatsword was difficult to hold up even with 300 STR—Kagura-san's surprisingly delicate hand was placed over mine as I held it, the tip of the blade resting on the floor.

An odd sound escaped my lips, and I reflexively started to react… but stopped. I realized the warmth in her hand wasn't directed at me personally, but at us.

At me and the [Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity (An=Re Galta)].

At the Terror Armament she had helped forge as a Weaver of Legends, and at its wielder.

"It felt short, it felt long, but that one month went by in a flash."

Her voice was the same as always, full of the artisan's usual confidence. But her tone seemed to carry feelings I had yet to touch upon.

"You know, I didn't start playing Arcadia of my own free will, nor did I have any particular goal."

"…"

I felt there was no need for me to respond. Her bronze eyes told me without words that she just wanted me to listen.

"For three years, I've had a decent amount of fun. Making things is fun, hanging out with my clanmates is fun, even listening to troublesome clients' orders is fun—even just going with the flow, you can enjoy yourself to an extent."

Her words matched her expression, which was reasonably bright. Then her three years, which I knew nothing about, must have been positive enough.

But whether she was fulfilled by it was another matter—so, I decided to ask.

"So, how about now?"

I spread my arms—but since that would probably punch a hole in the tavern floor with the An=Re Galta, I just tilted my head back and gave her my best smug look.

And in response, Kagura-san, who had been wearing a reasonably happy smile, let her eyebrows relax and gave me a look of satisfaction.

"I'm glad I met you that day. It pays to check the forums on a whim—thanks to you, I've finally found a purpose."

She looked down once, then raised her head again, and her eyes no longer held any trace of half-hearted enjoyment.

"I'll support you. So you just run."

The purpose she said she found after three years of stepping into this virtual world. The expression on her face as she smiled, looking straight at it, was more captivating than any I had seen from her before.

"Run as far as you can, and show me what lies 'beyond'."

"…Heh, I guess for now I'll start by rampaging in the selection match?"

"That's not enough. Just kick aside the small fry. What I want to see is much further beyond that."

Small fry, you say…

Kagura-san scoffed at my wry smile, then pulled back the hand she had placed on mine and the An=Re Galta—next, the fist that clenched her feelings tapped against my chest.

"Listen, Haru. You are strong. You are special—guaranteed by Kagura, sub-master of Mirage Workshop in the Western Faction, Vestol—the Reveling Fire Artisan."

"…!"

What I saw was yet another expression I'd never seen before.

The red-haired artisan laughed at me, as I stood breathless at her resolute gaze, and declared.

"Hurry up and climb to the very top—I'm looking forward to it, Haru."