kscans

Chapter 101 - Victim Number Two

—As it happened, this was news to me, but each of the four factions apparently had its own 'castle.'

I was told the architectural style—or rather, the atmosphere—differed between the eastern, western, northern, and southern factions, but the role of these uninhabited 'castles' was the same across the board.

These wartime bases, which consolidated all functions related to the 'Four Pillar War' into one place, not only served as the heart of the faction, directly linked to victory or defeat during the war, but were also massive system consoles for players to manage the various matters required for large-scale events with their own hands.

It seemed to be primarily managed by an organization called the 'Four Pillar Operating Committee,' a gathering of representatives from various powerful guilds acting on behalf of all players belonging to each faction… but, wait, I don't get it.

Why are they letting the players manage what is essentially the only official event?

And how have they managed to create a situation for three years that is generally said to be "working out one way or another" by the public?

Is it not just the developers but the players too who are nuts in Arcadia…? As expected of the only virtual world to have changed the world. It makes thinking about all the complicated stuff seem pointless.

"…So, I've been told the basics, but."

After that, I parted ways with Kagura-san, who had stayed behind in the tavern after saying she was done with her words of encouragement, and was now on my way to this 'castle,' guided by Nia.

The streets of Istia, which I had never had the chance to explore until I broke through the beginner areas, felt surprisingly spacious now that I was walking through them calmly.

…Or so I felt, but,

"Where exactly is this 'castle'…?"

Unlike the proper field's Safe Area, which was lined with tall buildings like a city district, the architecture in the purely fantasy-esque Istia town was generally low-rise.

There were a few two-story buildings, including inns that players could use and set as their home points—but, come on, if a massive structure like a 'castle' existed, I was sure there was no way I wouldn't have noticed it.

"Ah, well, you know, with Istia… It can't be helped if you don't notice it without knowing, you know?"

When I voiced my question, that was Nia's response. It seemed my ignorance was, for once, not my fault.

"I haven't looked into it myself, thinking it didn't concern me yet… but Istia's castle is said to be… underground."

"There's a castle underground???"

Sora, walking beside me, informed me, but unfortunately, my confusion only deepened.

Is there even such a thing as an underground castle? Is it just a ridiculously huge basement?

"I haven't actually seen it either, so… I wonder what it's like?"

Though she was definitely more knowledgeable than me, Sora's knowledge was, as usual, broad but shallow. As we both tilted our heads in confusion, Nia grabbed our hands.

"Ah, jeez, this is one of those 'a picture is worth a thousand words' things! Come on, come on, registration has already started, so let's gooo!"

"W-Whoa?!"

"Are you a kid?"

Pulled by her small hands, I jogged along with a flustered Sora—and the crowd, which had been gradually growing, suddenly became much denser.

"There are so many people…?!"

"I expected this, but this is insane…"

This was what you'd call a suffocating heat. The crowd quickly turned into a sea of people filling the streets, a festive uproar reminiscent of that overwhelming welcoming party from before.

I pulled back Nia, who was about to thoughtlessly charge into that, and the powerless indigo girl bounced back with force, headbutting me in the solar plexus.

…A light headbutt to the solar plexus, unlike a full-on face-body-press, didn't seem to faze a Lv. 100 avatar. "Mgyu," Nia let out a yelp, but I couldn't tell how she was doing.

"H-Hey, hold on a sec…"

"There's no way we're pushing through this, it's too much of a pain."

Considering the congestion, we were making surprisingly smooth progress, but there was still no end in sight. It wasn't like we were in a rush, but…

"This isn't an orderly queue or anything, right?"

"Huh? Well, yeah. There's no special procedure for registration or viewing applications…"

Then there was no need to deal with the crowd.

"Alright, Sora, let's go."

"Yes?—Eh… Eeh?"

At my words, Sora turned to me, and seeing me pointing to the sky while saying "let's go," her cheeks twitched.

"I mean, come on, everything's going to be revealed today anyway… there's no point in holding back, right?"

"W-Well… is that so? But, um, can you jump while carrying two people?"

"If you hold on tight… no, that's not possible? One on my back, maybe?"

"…Um, no thanks."

"Hey, you two, what on earth are you talking about—"

No thanks, huh… Then I have no choice.

"In that case, Sora-san, you'll be making your solo rooftop acrobatics debut."

"Um, Haru? You can go on ahead by yourself—Ah, fine! I get it!"

Ultimately, what good would it do for me to go on ahead alone when I didn't even know the exact location? Whether she caught the sentiment in my gaze or not, Sora nodded, looking somewhat desperate.

So then, all that was left was—

"Now then, Nia-chan."

"Wh-What? What is it?"

Sensing a dangerous atmosphere, Nia cautiously tried to put some distance between us—but, hey, how long are you going to keep holding my hand?

No, what's with you? You like me or something?

"A piggyback ride, being carried over my shoulder… or, well, since I have no choice, a princess carry. Choose whichever you like."

Setting aside my joking thoughts, I presented her with the options, but Nia only grew more confused.

"Eeh…? Out of those three choices, well… Nia-chan's a girl too, so a princess carry would be nice, but…"

The answer she likely blurted out without much thought sealed the indigo girl's fate.

"Sora, you ready?"

"I am, but… p-please try to be the one who stands out, Haru. I'll be sneaking up from the side."

So you want me to make a scene?

Very well, I shall invite my companions on a delightful stroll through the air.

"Hey, what is really going on? Are you having fun excluding Nia-chan like th—Nyuwaah?!"

I don't know what she likes about it, but I no longer hesitated to make physical contact with this girl who would sidle up to me at every opportunity.

With a practiced motion I was used to from handling Sora, I scooped up her small body, and Nia, who had been giving me a sidelong glance, shrieked as she curled up in my arms.

"Wh-What, wh-wh-what are you doing?!"

As if she had sensed this was coming, Sora had vanished from my side by the time the surrounding eyes were drawn to the noisy Nia. Following my partner's response on the UI radar at the edge of my vision—wow, that was fast. The girl was already perched on a rooftop, looking rather terrified.

Alright, my turn to go.

"Nia."

"Y-Yes…?!"

"Don't make too much noise, okay?—You'll bite your tongue."

"……………………W-Wait a sec—"

—Activating [Guardian's Cradle], [Rabbit Run], & [Fataless Jumper], plus [Floating Leaf].

"Isn't that, the Azure Jade Fae—"

An interesting phrase that grazed my ear from within the clamor was unfortunately cut off before I could hear the rest—my body, holding Nia, shot up from the sea of people like a bullet.

"H-Hie—"

Even without it, the effect of [Guardian's Cradle] meant I wouldn't drop her, but Nia, in a moment of panic, threw her arms around my neck and let out a shriek.

"I'll never drop you, so don't worry."

"What, are you flyi—Hiih?!"

Since both my arms were occupied, I couldn't use the jump-switching of [Blink Switch]. As I kicked off the wall of a building I had targeted as a landing spot and leaped up again, she let out a second shriek and clung to me even tighter.

"Oh, hey, sorry. Are you afraid of heights or something?"

"N-No, I'm not, but! But why are you so calm…?!"

"Well, I'm just used to it."

Even though the skill's effect should have reduced the sensation quite a bit… seeing Nia tense up every time I jumped, I reflected that I had perhaps been a little inconsiderate.

No, I'm sorry. I just kind of assumed you'd be the type to love thrill rides.

…Sora did ask me to stand out, but maybe it would be better for me to just run on the rooftops too?

"Nia, sorry, but could you just point me in the right direction?"

"T H A T W A Y!!!"

No, really, I'm sorry. I'll treat you a little more carefully from now on, so please forgive me?

After genuinely regretting that I had scared her more than I intended, I shifted to running on the rooftops and headed in the direction Nia pointed, with about seventy percent anger in her gesture.

Sora, skillfully running along a rooftop several rows away from us, who were hogging all the attention.

When I glanced at her, her movements now completely fitting for a light warrior—my partner, who had experienced this countless times, gave me a wry, indescribable smile as she saw Nia, eyes squeezed shut in my arms.