kscans

Chapter 185 - Three of a Kind

"As always, this place lacks a certain warmth, doesn't it?"

The decor was opulent, with deep red as its base, giving it a somewhat heavy feel. Surveying the scenery, which had a different atmosphere from his own faction's meeting place, the golden giant—Goldow—spoke in a playful tone.

"—And who's the one who's 'as always'? You barge in here unannounced, and that's the first thing you say?"

The target of those words, a female player standing beside the seat at the far end of the long table—a stark contrast to the Eastern Round Table—shot him a cold glare, making no effort to hide her disapproval.

A single streak of blue-silver served as an accent in her mid-length wavy black hair. Her matching black eyes were adorned with a monocle, giving her an intelligent and somewhat sharp impression.

Combined with her slender physique and an outfit resembling a real-world suit, she was a woman who would make anyone think of the title 'secretary' at first glance.

"You're the same as always, too. Glaring at me with those cold eyes before I've even said anything."

"I was born with this face."

"What are you talking about in your avatar form?"

The exchange was lacking in both warmth and reservation, and could even be taken as hostile—but the atmosphere between them, as they faced each other in a completely natural manner, could never become thorny.

"Honestly... are you taking care of yourself in the real world?"

"Don't worry. I recently got a new kitchen, and I've even been cooking for myself."

"I bet you're just frying and sautéing at best."

"Don't underestimate me. I just mastered stewed dishes the other day."

It wasn't that there was no reservation, but rather that there was no need for it. Anyone watching the two of them for a few minutes would surely arrive at that simple conclusion—

"...So."

However, the other person in the room—the one sitting in the seat of honor, the 'throne,' attended to by the woman—understood their relationship without needing to observe them now.

"What business do you have?"

Thus, she didn't hesitate to interject. At the sound of her clear voice... the third-ranked [General Commander] of the Eastern Faction, Istia, Goldow, and the former tenth-ranked [Lady-in-Waiting] of the Southern Faction, Sotalm, Helena, cut their banter short.

"Sorry to bother you, Princess. I've got a personal proposal regarding tomorrow's war."

Next to Helena, who had taken a step back and quieted her presence, her master and the [Sword Queen] of Sotalm—no, the queen of all players in this virtual world, Iris—responded not with a tilt of her head, but with a simple blink.

Her regal demeanor, as if to say "continue," suited her perfectly. Realizing that he was, as always, on the verge of being overwhelmed by a girl less than half his age, Goldow suppressed a wry smile and opened his mouth.

"Knowing you, you're probably already very interested... but tomorrow, we're bringing out our new face."

It wasn't Iris who reacted with a twitch, but Helena at her side. The queenly girl, as usual, rarely let her expression waver for trivial matters.

However—

"If you happen to meet him on the battlefield... if you plan on going to meet him—"

Surely, the following 'proposal' would crack even that work-of-art-like poker face. Thinking this, he stated his intentions... and as expected,

"...What's the point of that?"

Seeing Iris's expression shift slightly—truly, ever so slightly—Goldow was convinced his 'proposal' had been accepted.

He had made her ask a question—meaning he had piqued her interest, which was as good as getting her on board with his plan. Helena, understanding that her master was, above all else, honest with her own curiosity, let out a small sigh in the shadow of the chair.

"I can't guarantee what will happen. But I'm reasonably confident in my ability to judge people."

He paused deliberately, and Iris narrowed her eyes impatiently. Once her interest was piqued, she was by no means an emotionless person.

Feeling a definite response, Goldow nodded with satisfaction—and the big man with a wicked smile on his face declared, as if issuing a declaration of war:

"Stop asking questions and just try it. You never know, something might just happen."

◇◆◇◆◇

he sound of a car door closing outside was right on schedule.

Having already finished all her preparations and relaxing, the woman clad in a maid outfit unbefitting of a Japanese home—Itsuki—quickly made her way to the entrance.

Her master was not one to appreciate excessive fussing. She didn't reach for the doorknob, but simply waited quietly by the entrance... and then the door was unlocked from the outside, and a man opened it and came in.

Neatly trimmed black hair and a well-groomed beard. Though somewhat short for a man, his impeccably worn suit exuded an aura of dignity far beyond his stature.

Yotsuya Togo—Natsume Itsuki's employer, and above all, the father of her beloved 'young lady.'

"Welcome home, Master."

"Ah, I'm home, Itsuki-kun."

They both understood that neither desired excessive words of welcome or praise. Although it was an employer-employee relationship, Itsuki also knew that they already treated her as a member of their 'family.'

Her master would allow her to take his jacket, so she took the light coat from him and stood by his side so as not to be in the way as he took off his shoes—and then,

"How is Sora?"

It was expected, but... there was no reason to complain about a father who cared for his beloved daughter above all else.

"She returned about two hours ago and is resting."

She replied with a hint of a smile at his unwavering devotion to his family—but then, thinking of his beloved daughter's situation, her smile turned bitter.

"She doesn't show it, but she's quite worn out."

"...I imagine so. I've put her through something terrible."

Even though it was unavoidable due to their positions and the timing... the state of the girl, who was currently caught between hardship and pleasure, was honestly difficult to watch.

"For now, today's opponent is the last one, correct?"

"Yes, the last. I will be declining all others for a while."

Hearing the words she had wanted to secure above all else, Itsuki let out a silent sigh of relief.

Good. It seems there won't be a need for an all-out war with her master anytime soon—

"—Dad?"

Turning around, she saw a girl's face peeking out from the stairs next to the hallway.

Her sleek black hair swayed as she peeked into the entrance, and upon seeing her father, her face broke into a soft smile, and she pattered over to him.

"Welcome home. Thank you for your hard work."

"I'm home, Sora. Thank you."

His daughter's smile and kind words were surely a source of vitality greater than anything else. As he handed his bag to Sora, who held out her hands, Togo's cheeks softened, and he smiled, his dignity nowhere to be seen.

"I heard you'll be home today and tomorrow. Is that true?"

"Yes, it's true. Tomorrow, what I have to do won't change no matter where I am."

Following two steps behind the parent and child as they walked towards the living room, Itsuki quietly watched the scene she didn't get to see often.

"...Hehe."

She felt her own heart fill with warmth—and in order to let them fully enjoy this brief moment of peace, the self-proclaimed maid braced herself to carry out her duties with renewed spirit.