kscans

Chapter 291 - Beyond the Prologue

"—Long time no see!!"

"…………Ah, ahh… It's been about six days, right?"

"This is long overdue, but! Regarding the Four Pillars event the other day, I wanted to thank you again for your generous support!!"

"No, it's fine… I thoroughly enjoyed watching the archives. You entertained me, too."

"Which brings me to my next request! I've come bearing a new commission! I was wondering about your schedule, Kagura-san, if I may be so bold!"

"—You're so loud! What's with that energy!?"

After sending Arshe back to her room in the real world, I dove into the virtual world with a clear mind.

Finding her name on my friends list for the first time in a while, I made a beeline for her workshop without a second thought.

My long-neglected personal magic crafter was, as always, the epitome of a cool big-sister type and the personification of approachability… Ahh, this sense of security is just what I needed.

"Geez… Seeing you all frantic like this, I guess it's been just as rough as I expected."

"Enough to talk your ear off for a day…"

Her smile, a perfect blend of sympathy and amused detachment, made me instantly start whining. The casual pat on the shoulder that followed was like a balm to my soul…

"Well, at the very least, I'll stay the same for you. And don't you dare break down on me. You're not thinking you're at the 'very top' already, are you?"

"…………If I may be blunt and risk misunderstanding, I seriously love you, sis. I'll follow you for life."

"Don't be an idiot. What are you gonna do following me? Your job is to charge ahead—and stop calling me sis."

This lack of reservation, combined with a sense of trust on a different vector from Sora's, is priceless.

I know this is her way of being considerate, which is why I'm so indebted to her…

"—It finally feels like… it's time. Though maybe that's just because the time someone provided was so dense."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Kagura murmured reflectively, her gaze fixed on the large, unrefined workbench—a stark contrast to the stylish ones in Nia's workshop.

Lying there was a massive lump of iron, illuminating its surroundings with a faint, pulsating light.

Following my grand finale in the battle against Irori, and although I unfortunately couldn't secure a direct victory in the big showdown against Arshe—the 'experience points' were more than sufficient.

My… no, our Terror Armament was ready for its grand evolution.

"Will this take a while again?"

"Nope, the evolution itself is quick. We can start right here."

Heck yeah.

It was the same when my Anima, the [White-Flawed Straight Sword], was upgraded to the [Ev-R Quartz, Sky-Soaring White Crystal Sword]. I had a feeling this would be the case.

"You're grinning."

"Can't we say the same for each other?"

How could we not be excited? We were about to witness the next chapter in the story this sword tells—a story told by its weaver and its wielder.

"No need to draw it out—I'm starting."

"I'm counting on you."

There was no need to hesitate. I had no reason to doubt her skills as a craftsman. Not now, not ever.

I took a step back to watch.

The magic crafter in her kimono caressed the skin of the iron mass that lay waiting in silence—and in that instant, the entire body of [An-ri Galta (Prologue: The Wedge-Fragment that Sings of Eternity)] began to shine with a brilliant light.

No, not shining—it was glowing red-hot.

I couldn't comprehend why her slender fingertips, touching its surface, weren't bursting into flames. The blast of hot air felt like it was scorching my avatar's skin.

"—Haru."

She rarely used my name. My gaze shifted from the sword to the person.

The magic crafter stood serenely, seemingly unfazed by the hot wind, but her copper-red eyes, fixed on the iron, burned with a fierce intensity.

"It's asking—do you move forward, or go back?"

"………………"

Even when I prompted her silently to continue, she said no more. As if in a trance, her voice sounded unusually sacred.

Forward, or back.

Considering only the literal meaning of the sword's question, there was only one choice.

But in the context of a confirmed 'evolution,' the word 'back' couldn't possibly have a negative meaning.

It was a question about the true nature of [An-ri Galta], something both I, who had wielded it, and she, who had entrusted it to me, probably understood.

This sword—was never meant to be a sword in the first place.

"………………Let's decide together."

"You're forgetting one… no, one blade."

"Right—my opinion is, I'd like to leave it up to its will."

"Hah, what a coincidence."

A laugh, and the magic crafter's crimson hair swayed as she placed both her hands on the sword—

"I was thinking that would be the most 'interesting' outcome, too…!"

A light that surpassed red and became white-hot—filled the 'Playful Fire-User's' workshop to the brim.

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Wait, did I ever actually give a detailed explanation of [An-ri Galta]? No, there's no way, but maybe…! All its abilities have been shown in the main story, so this is fine…!!