kscans

Chapter 337 - Gathered at the Throne

Although this was my first time visiting the Sotalm district, I was here on specific business, so sightseeing would have to wait for another time.

We walked from the fountain plaza to the 'Castle' without incident—that is, without a single person on the street turning to look at us. Hey, wait a minute, stop.

"What just happened…?"

"I didn't feel a single stare…"

As soon as we arrived at the royal castle, El Faria, we were guided by transfer to a waiting room.

Seeing Sora and me looking utterly bewildered, Momono-san, who had led us here so smoothly, let out a soft chuckle.

…Well, yeah, if someone did something, it had to be you. You've got the face of someone whose prank just succeeded, you gentle-looking lady.

"Helena-san instructed me that it would create unnecessary trouble if we made a scene before preparations were complete…"

When I looked at her for an explanation, she raised a hand to her ear as she spoke.

Peeking through her peach-colored hair, a white-and-pink earring shaped like the five petals of a cherry—no, a peach blossom—dangled from her left ear.

"I took the liberty of hiding you two. My skills can't compare to Tetra-kun's stealth, but they're more than enough to disrupt the perception of unsuspecting players."

Oh, you know my junior… well, that aside.

"Hid us… you say?"

"Pardon my asking, but are you perhaps a former ranker?"

She couldn't be a current ranker—that much was certain. When I had looked it up, the name 'Momono' was not on the list of Southern Faction rankers.

When I asked, Momono-san smiled and shook her head. "Oh, heavens no."

"You can't earn a rank in this world with just enough skill to secretly escort VIPs. I'm simply a non-combatant tasked with assisting Helena-san."

Is that so—by the way, due to various circumstances, I've made it a rule to never believe anyone in this world who says 'I'm not strong.'

At least, not until I've seen it with my own eyes. I have a history of being thoroughly messed with by a certain friend who calls himself an 'Insider.'

"I see—and, um… it seems we've just passed the meeting time."

I glanced at the system clock in the corner of my vision and, while sinking into the offered sofa, implicitly asked if we were still waiting.

"I apologize, it seems someone is running a little late… They'd like you two to enter last, to serve as an introduction, so please wait just a little longer."

"Oh… so it's a public self-introduction ceremony."

"…!"

Don't worry, Sora-san. If it comes to it, I'll throw myself to the wolves and snatch all the attention.

◇◆◇◆◇

—And so, after waiting for a little over ten minutes.

We were once again guided by Momono-san to 'that place,' where we stood under the collective gaze of the twelve people already seated.

It wasn't that I had expected a certain group of people, but there were more familiar faces than I had vaguely anticipated. Sora… well, she was another story, but for me, it helped to ease the tension a bit.

Starting with Goldow, seven of the Eastern rankers, excluding the top two, were present.

And at the far end of the long table sat the 'Princess' herself.

Beside her stood a woman in a suit wearing a monocle. She had to be the famous 'Queen's' right-hand woman—the [Lady-in-Waiting].

Like the [Lady-in-Waiting], the remaining three were players I had never met before. However, I had memorized the faces of the current rankers when I researched them before, so I could identify them.

Two men and one woman… each with a commanding presence, which was perfectly fine. At the very least, I didn't sense any hostility in the gazes directed at us.

—Now, what to do? They seem to be expecting something, so maybe I should do a party trick?

Alright, watch closely.

Witness the secret weapon of a man who, when forced to liven up a party during a banquet gig, responded with desperate resolve, only to bomb completely and be hailed as a hero for his bravery—!

"Behold th—"

"Um—!"

—is right hand! —…Huh?

"I am Sora… the partner of Haru… the Acrobat…!"

We had spoken at the same time. One of us stopped, the other did not.

"It's a pleasure to meet you…!"

Completely taken aback by my partner's unexpected vigor and guts, I stood there dumbfounded, my foolish plan forgotten—

"…Ah, I'm Sora-san's partner, Haru. Nice to meet you all."

I gave a lazy wave and a casual greeting, which caused one of the male players to burst out laughing with a choked "psh!"

Success. I have no idea what he found so funny, but if one person laughs, it's my win—Goldow holding his stomach is just business as usual, so that doesn't count.

"Sora."

I called out to my partner, who had frozen in a deep bow. It seemed she had been pushing herself, as she unfroze and stiffly raised her head.

"Thanks."

"…N-No problem."

Just now, and earlier when we met Zou-san—well, that's just how it is, I suppose.

I couldn't help but thank her for pushing through her shyness to act as the Acrobat's partner.

"Can we sit anywhere?"

"Yeah, come on over."

I wasn't sure who to ask, so I played it safe and looked at Goldow, who had just recovered from his laughing fit. I felt like Ashe, whose eyes met mine for a second, had a displeased look on her face, but for now, my only option was to ignore it.

Following his beckoning, I walked toward the area where the Istia members were gathered. The two little ones quickly captured Sora and made off with her.

…Well, I guess I'll take a seat next to Irori at the end.

"—With a greeting like that, no one will know who's whose plus-one."

"No problem. We're both the main event."

I brushed off Irori's immediate teasing and discreetly checked on Sora from a distance.

She was putting on a brave face, but she couldn't hide her nervousness… Well, Mi-na and Ri-na will probably help her out. She's already quite close with them, and next to them is Hinayo-san, whom she also gets along with well.

—Just then, it seemed it was their turn.

After exchanging a glance with Iris beside her, the woman with the monocle stepped forward and gave a respectful… almost mesmerizingly beautiful bow in our direction.

"My name is Helena. I believe we will have many opportunities to meet in the future as Iris's assistant, so I look forward to working with you."

And, was it my imagination—no, this probably isn't my imagination.

Her introduction was directed at both of us, but the part about 'many opportunities to meet' felt like it was about eighty percent aimed at me.

Perhaps Ashe has already told her something—

"Incidentally, the large man over there is my biological father. He may be blunt in his speech, but we are not on bad terms, so please do not worry."

"————…huh, wait, what, say again?"

"E-Eh?"

Wait a second, don't just step back with a prim face. I require a proper explanation for the bombshell you just dropped while pointing at our General Commander—

"Well then, I suppose it's my turn."

Ah, damn, the next person is already standing up… Well, I guess there's no need to pry. It was just so unexpected, the complete opposite of what their appearances and atmospheres suggested.

"I'm Fuji, fourth-ranked of the South, Automata. A pleasure to meet you both."

As Sora and I returned his nod, I couldn't help but react to the name I remembered. I hesitated for a moment, but my eyes met his, which were filled with amusement from behind his glasses, and I decided to engage.

"This senior of mine here scared me half to death about you, my nemesis."

He was none other than the person I had been repeatedly warned to 'avoid encountering' during the Four Pillar War.

I suppose I have ways and means of winning, but on paper, he is indeed my nemesis. At the very least, he's not someone I'd willingly choose to fight.

"A pleasure to meet you for the first time, Lord Acrobat. During the last war, I was thinking the same thing, and I was hoping for an encounter, but…"

The slender man in a robe, with navy blue hair and eyes, shrugged his shoulders—

"Having reviewed the archives now, I wouldn't dare say such a thing. Phew, I'm glad we didn't run into each other. It would have been an instant kill for me, no doubt."

He said this with a gentle smile, whether he was being serious or joking.

Well, he wasn't wrong… it would probably have been one of two outcomes: either I'd instantly kill him, or he'd toy with me and slaughter me…

"No doubt about it. Well, like my partner, I'd probably be instantly killed too."

"The matchup is terrible for us," said the other male player, standing up in a smooth transition. He was a tall light-armored warrior with auburn hair and eyes.

"I'm Auerin, fifth-ranked of the South, Adamant. We're not exactly partners, but we're a duo bound by a long, complicated friendship."

"Nice to meet ya," he said with a ridiculously handsome face and a charming wink.

This guy is definitely popular, I just know it.

"…Hey, what's with that look?"

"Oh, just thinking about how there are different types of handsome guys."

There's the refreshing, likable handsome type, and the refreshing but annoying handsome type… hey, whoa, hold on, wait a minute…! Don't you start reading my mind and reaching for your sword too!!

"Haru—is that okay?"

"Whoa!"

As I was trying to calm down my angry senior with just my eyes, Auerin's voice startled me. He must have walked around the table.

"I saw everything in the archives, too. It's strange for the one who lost to say this, and it's frustrating, but…"

An outstretched right hand, and another cheerful smile.

"—Nice fight. That was insanely hype."

"…………"

Yep, confirmed. This guy is definitely, absolutely, one hundred percent popular.

"Thanks—Auerin… is that okay?"

"Of course. Let's have a match sometime, when you're free."

As I shook his hand, Auerin returned to his seat, leaving behind a somewhat friendly smile. I'll have to remember to send him a friend request later.

And so, all that was left was the last person—

"Then, I'll be the last one."

If I had to describe the woman who stood up in one word, it would be 'adventurer.'

Her body, clad in leather top and bottom with a traveler-esque black long coat, was neither large nor small, neither muscular nor delicate.

Of medium build… though perhaps it's a bit rude to describe a woman that way? However, perhaps because of her exceptionally good posture, she looked more stylish than her height would suggest.

Her stance—or rather, her entire aura—was brimming with 'confidence,' and her youthful face with golden eyes was filled with a triumphant smile that seemed to say, 'This is me!'

The bright, light green hair tied at her neck, swaying in a small tail, suited her perfectly, as she embodied 'full of energy' with her entire being.

"Nice to meet you, Acrobat-kun, and your partner-kun."

Her voice, though slightly husky, was clear and bright, and mostly matched the image I had of her… To reiterate, I have memorized the faces of all the current rankers.

That includes, of course—the faces of the faction tops.

"I'm Lux, first-ranked of the Northern Faction, Nortalia, the Traveler."

Is she a girl, or a grown woman… Like Ashe, it was hard to guess her age from her appearance. She beamed a smile as bright as light itself and puffed out her chest.

Whether she knew that the two newcomers were taken aback by the presence of the 'North's Number One,' who was famous for being a straightforward problem child, or not…

"I've heard all about you from Tora-kun and the others—next time, you have to come on an adventure with me!"

Lux, the Traveler, concluded her words innocently, bringing the round of introductions to a powerful close.