kscans

Chapter 336 - Southern District

The district of each of the four factions—East, West, South, and North—can be entered even by players from other factions, as long as one follows the proper procedure.

This 'procedure' isn't particularly complex. Basically, you just need to apply at the Safe Area's 'City Hall' and have an entry pass issued.

Alternatively, entry is also possible if you are given a permit by a ranker representing that faction. I had no idea, but apparently, I already possessed such a privilege… though I'm not sure if the day will ever come when I use that right myself.

In any case, I had already obtained a permit to visit the Southern Faction, Sotalm. Ashe had given it to me through Goldow the other day.

It was a crimson card depicting Sotalm's symbol, the 'Castle.'

By holding this in my hand or placing it in my inventory, the process was the same as going to my own faction's city, Istia.

From a transfer gate within the Safe Area, I could jump to the Southern Faction's city.

—So, as I led Sora toward a nearby transfer gate, I…

"Ah."

"Eh?"

I unexpectedly spotted a familiar face and let out an involuntary sound.

Sora, who had been walking beside me, tilted her head in confusion… but he had probably noticed us first.

Whether out of consideration for me, now a figure of considerable attention, or not, 'he' stopped the foot he had raised to walk away and turned back.

Oh… I'm half grateful, half apologetic.

"Ah—um… it's been a while."

"—Yeah, not since we crossed paths during the Four Pillar War."

He was fairly handsome, which was rare for Arcadia. Or rather, he was somewhere between handsome and a cool older guy, a man who was just starting to acquire a certain refined渋味.

He was a medium-class warrior with a one-handed mace at his hip and a round shield slung across his back.

"Thanks for that time, Zou-sa… Elephant Three."

"Zou-san is fine, everyone calls me that—this is the first time we've met in a calm setting, isn't it, our esteemed Ninth… no, you're the Seventh now, right?"

Elephant Three, commonly known as Zou-san. A veteran Istian and a regular in the Four Pillar War, he is a high-ranking player known as a key figure in the defense corps.

He was my opponent in the first round of the Four Pillar War's main selection tournament, a memory I recall quite vividly.

"And you must be the rumored partner?"

His gaze shifted to Sora, whom I had failed to properly introduce as my mind struggled to catch up with this unexpected encounter. It was natural for one's eyes to drift to a companion during a greeting; this was my fault.

However, my partner, who harbors a slight shyness—

"My name is Sora. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Ah, a pleasure to meet you too, Sora-chan."

—exchanged greetings with surprising smoothness, without even a hint of a stammer. Her graceful curtsy, coupled with the dress she wore, made her look every bit the part of a young noble lady.

Well, she is a genuine young noble lady, after all.

"Are you two heading out?"

We'd bumped into each other and exchanged greetings—it would be a bit heartless to just say 'see you later' and leave.

Just as I was thinking of something to talk about, he spoke up… This man is a natural conversationalist. He doesn't hesitate to meet your eyes and speak.

As expected of our defense corps leader, he possesses some impressive communication skills.

"Yes, just over to Sotalm."

"To the South…—Ah, I see."

It was a succinct answer on my part, but Zou-san seemed to grasp something from it.

With a surprisingly playful expression and gesture, he clapped his hands together and stepped aside, clearing the path to the transfer gate.

"Then you probably don't have time to entertain a passing old man. We'll save our chat for another time, if the opportunity arises."

"No, no, not at all…" I wanted to say, but the truth was, we didn't have much time to spare. In that case—

"Then… since we seem to have a connection, if you'd like."

I quickly tapped on my window and sent a friend request to the good-natured senior. Seeing the window appear before him, Zou-san's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Well, well… haha, now I'll have something to brag about to my wife and son when I get home."

With a kind smile, he tapped 'Yes,' then extended his hand as if asking for an autograph from a celebrity. "Could I trouble you for a handshake?"

…'As if.' I'm a bona fide celebrity now, aren't I?

Somehow, truly—I never would have imagined this would happen back when I faced this senior, who now grips my hand with such a happy expression, in battle.

"A pleasure, Acrobat-kun."

"Please, call me Haru… If you have time, let's go somewhere together sometime."

I felt as if another layer of awareness of how far I'd come had just been added.

◇◆◇◆◇

"Whoa…"

"Haaah…"

After expanding my circle of acquaintances in an unexpected place, we were guided by the light of the transfer to the Southern Faction. Seeing the cityscape, with its distinctly different design from Istia, Sora and I let out a collective sigh of admiration.

Compared to the eastern city… no, compared to this, it might be better to call the Istia district a 'town.' The scale and density are probably similar, but the overall atmosphere is completely different.

Sotalm's district is truly a 'city'—the buildings, more orderly than those in the east, have a distinctly fantastical appearance, but… somehow, the scenery exudes a sense of regularity, a certain 'order.'

And there's one more clear difference from the Istia district.

"That really stands out."

"I suppose that's what's normal, though…"

It was probably the center of the city. From a fountain plaza with a rather familiar design, we could see a massive landmark—the Southern Faction's 'Castle.'

"[El Faria, Knight's Royal Castle]… I saw it in the Four Pillar War archives, but it's really flashy."

"It's a… a little intimidating, isn't it?"

Unlike our wartime base, which is for some reason buried underground, this castle proudly displays its majesty above ground.

Each faction's personal color is also reflected; while the eastern Ruvalest is based on 'white,' this El Faria's main color is 'red.'

The structure is also completely different. Ruvalest had a rather eccentric design, a blend of Japanese and Western styles, but this is a classic 'Western castle.'

It's imposing, but undeniably cool—well then…

"And with that… we're done reacting. We've kept you waiting."

"Huh?"

As I made a statement that would be completely nonsensical if one hadn't noticed, I turned around, causing Sora to voice her confusion—well, yeah, I expected that.

I only noticed because my eyes happened to catch something as I was looking around.

"—Fufu, I've been waiting for you."

The voice that replied with a gentle smile belonged to a calm woman.

Whether intentionally or not, she had been standing beside us with a faint presence. She was likely the guide the South had sent for us.

She wore a black skirt suit—an outfit that could belong to an office lady in the real world… but her soft, long peach-colored hair and matching eyes were very characteristic of an avatar from this virtual world.

Her apparent age also seemed to be around twenty, so it might be more accurate to call her a college student in a suit rather than an office lady.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Momono, and I assist Helena. I've been tasked with being your guide today, so I came to welcome you."

"A pleasure to meet you, I'm Haru."

"H-Hello, I'm Sora. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I wasn't surprised that a guide had been sent, as I had been told to expect one. However, had I shared that information with Sora? No, I had forgotten.

I might get an earful from my surprised partner later—as I was thinking that…

"Then, shall we go?"

With a soft smile, Momono-san began to lead the way. We'd had our share of drama in the real world, but this would be our second time meeting in the virtual world—

"The Princess is apparently waiting with bated breath."

—to the person I knew, Ashe, who was so close, yet so far away.