kscans

Chapter 289 - An Unrelenting Offensive

"Well then, I'll be taking my leave now."

"Thank you."

"See ya."

Another two hours had passed—or at least, that's how long it felt after a ridiculous barrage of information. But thanks to the rapid-fire responses from both parties, it had probably only been about thirty minutes.

Seeing that Iris had reached a good stopping point, Chitose-san stood up. The two of us saw him off… leaving behind the ever-expressionless Princess and a mere spectator who had been desperately trying to commit the mysterious conversation to memory with a question mark floating over his head the entire time.

Finally, it's my turn. My list of questions is ready to go.

"Can I ask something?"

"Yes—but I'd like to move somewhere else first."

As she spoke, Iris stood up… and there it was.

Should I take the hand she offered so incredibly naturally? Since yesterday, her every word and action toward me has been radiating prince-like charm. What's up with that?

Are you pulling double duty as both a princess and a prince?

And just like before, she remains completely unfazed even when I hesitate, unsure how to react, never breaking her offensive posture. She's just too strong…

"…Out of curiosity, what are the candidates for this 'somewhere else'?"

"My room, or your room."

And then there was this.

While I was desperately trying to block out the sensation of skin that could no doubt build a fortune through handshakes, I was hit with another high-speed attack.

So casually,

late at night,

with a guy,

she's trying to be alone in a room with me!!

"It's fine."

"…I'll let the fact that you just read my mind slide, but what exactly is fine?"

"It's not as if I'm the one who will be pushing you down, after all."

"That doesn't make it 'after all' at all, you know?"

"Even in this world, I'm stronger. If you were to attack me, I could fight you off, so no 'mistakes' will happen without consent."

Her declaration, stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, left me speechless.

I mean, sure, if we were to have a rematch now that she knows my tricks, I'm confident I'd lose a hundred times out of a hundred, but… wait, what? You're strong in the real world, too???

Like, you've mastered a hundred forms of self-defense or something—

"Though, if you approach me gently, I won't resist."

"Hk…?!—Aaaah! I can't hear you! I can't hear a thing!! I shall deign to extend you an invitation, so come on over! You can munch on cookies to your heart's content!"

This is impossible! What am I supposed to do?! Everything is on hard mode for someone with no experience! Is my first official encounter in my love life really the final boss…?!

Alright, I started walking off on my own—but she's following, isn't she?

I'm absolutely not turning back now. I have a feeling that seeing her face would be a fatal blow!!

◇◆◇◆◇

"You're far away."

"It's a safety measure."

More for my protection than hers, really. With that settled, we changed venues to my room, my home field. After ushering Iris to the sofa area meant for relaxing, I took up a position on a chair at a distance. Let the question time begin.

"Let's get straight to it—defeating the Colored Monsters in two years. Is that even possible?"

"…You're far away."

"………………"

I scooted my chair a little closer. Though still looking slightly dissatisfied, she began to speak.

"Goldow mentioned that you were out of touch with Arcadia's current state of affairs. You seem to know of the Colored Monsters, but how much do you really know?"

"Ah… Sorry, but you can assume it's basically zero. I vaguely know about the existence of the 'White Throne' and the 'Red Circle.'"

After getting crushed by the 'White' one—[Tsarkalv of the White Throne]—I glanced at some strategy guides, decided 'I'm nowhere near that level yet,' and gave up. Then the whole Four Pillar War mess started, and I switched over to PvP mode.

"I see. In that case, I'll explain a few things before I answer your question."

After a brief preamble about how it might take a little while, a lecture began—personally delivered by none other than the [Sword Queen] herself, a situation that, when you think about it calmly, is absurdly luxurious.

—According to her, based on information from NPCs in Arcadia and various 'traces' left in the fields, the number of known Colored Monsters is five.

These five 'divine messengers,' known as 'Red,' 'Blue,' 'Green,' 'White,' and 'Black,' have even had their names revealed.

[Riertahelia of the Red Circle]—who governs Infinity.

[Guanariserai of the Blue Point]—who governs Eternity.

[Jehatreglie of the Green Connect]—who governs the Covenant.

[Tsarkalv of the White Throne]—who governs the Boundary.

[Hypnoniclo of the Black Distortion]—who governs the Moment.

To date, players have confirmed the existence of three: 'Red,' 'Green,' and 'White.' As for the one missing pillar from the 'remaining four' that Chitose-san mentioned earlier…

It isn't 'Green'—it's 'Red.'

"…………The 'Red Circle'… [Riertahelia of the Red Circle] has been defeated… Are you sure about that? Seriously?"

"I am. About two… years ago. I severed its head with my own two hands."

"………………"

—Okay. I have a few questions and objections based on information that probably only I and one other person know, but… I'll swallow them for now.

"…Does something bother you?"

"A little. It'd be faster to show you, so set some time aside for me in the virtual world later."

"…Mm, alright."

Perhaps because of the strange look on my face, Iris gave me some additional information regarding the defeat of the 'Red' one, just in case.

She mentioned things like a major world announcement being made upon its defeat, and how a new system was implemented as a reward for beating a Colored Monster—

While this only raised more questions, I was at least convinced. From a system perspective, it seemed the 'Red' one had indeed been slain.

………………Governs 'Infinity,' huh?

I wonder where 'Immortality' went.

"Alright, I've got a handle on the Colored Monster situation. You have archives from back then, right? I'll make time to look through them—huh? What's with that expression?"

Though she maintained her usual deadpan look… I thought I saw her lips twitch slightly. I tilted my head at this subtle, yet undeniable, sense of strangeness, and Iris looked away, saying, "It's nothing."

Judging by that brand-new gesture, I'm one hundred percent sure it's not 'nothing'… Whether my inner thoughts got through to her or not, she seemed unusually hesitant to speak—

"…Back then, I was just… reckless in many ways."

"…Hm? Yeah."

"I didn't fight as cleanly as I do now."

"Oh…?"

"………………I didn't… so—I don't really want you to see."

"………………"

No, I get it.

Even I get it.

I understand that this feeling of 'not wanting to be seen' probably doesn't stem from something like 'pride as a swordswoman.'

When she looks at me with a troubled expression, her cheeks blushing with embarrassment, anyone would get it…!

That she doesn't want me to see…!! There's no man, no human on this planet, who wouldn't think that's cute…!!

"U-Uh, m-my next question is!"

"…Mm."

I'm just a weak young man who's never had a girl confess her feelings to him face-to-face.

I need a plan, as soon as humanly possible, to overcome this situation where I lose my composure and turn into a bumbling mess every single second…!!

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I'm trying to have a serious info dump, but the Princess keeps making it sweet on her own. Help.