kscans

Chapter 345 - Double Front

"I thought it might be, but…"

After being prompted to a chair, and after a brief silence and exchange of glances.

As expected, it was Ashe who broke the silence first. Her voice made Nia, who was frozen as stiff as a board, jump.

"It really was you—it's been a while."

"…………It's, uh, been a pleasure… to see you again…"

And from the looks of it… I had also thought it might be the case, but it seems they had met before.

There's nothing strange about a player at the forefront of the game's progression and a craftsman famous enough to be known by the general public having some connection.

She seemed to be acquaintances with the rankers from our side, Istia, like Irori and Mi-na, too—though I've never actually seen them interact.

"…Can I ask how you two know each other?"

I had been debating whether to actively join the conversation, but since Nia kept shooting me pleading glances, I decided to step in.

Whether she noticed Nia's obvious relief or not, Ashe, the only one in the room who remained unperturbed, gave a small nod to my question.

"I commissioned her to create something for me once."

"Umm… about that, I am truly sorry."

When I turned to look at the one whose reaction suggested some kind of negative outcome, Nia averted her gaze awkwardly.

"I turned her down."

"Oh?"

"You really don't need to worry about that. I was the one who didn't understand enough and made an unreasonable request."

Ashe shook her head as she spoke, and her gaze then shifted to me. More precisely, to my chest—to the indigo brooch that shone with the same color as someone's eyes.

"…Did that happen before the Four Pillars?"

"…………When I gave it to him, I was honestly still on the fence, but…"

To the question that followed her gaze, Nia gave a small nod, as if mustering her courage.

"Well, yes—for me, it was love at first sight."

"…I see. Enough to entrust him with your eyes, then."

I'll confess, I couldn't say I fully understood the meaning of their conversation.

I suspected that the [Agaphanthus Amulet] was a special item, but seeing their deeply meaningful exchange… it seemed to hold a greater significance than I had imagined.

And my confusion must have been easily seen through.

"You haven't told him?"

"Well, I didn't think it was necessary…"

Ashe's question followed her observation of me, but this time Nia dodged it—but the words she added under her breath, "It's too heavy…" were just barely audible.

I debated for a moment whether to press the issue—

"The 'eyes' of [Milmarinus, the Sapphire Fairy] are special."

"H-hey, wait…!?"

—but before I could, Ashe cut in, once again without hesitation or mercy.

"She is the only artisan in this virtual world who can imbue her creations with 'magic' through her own will. And the Anima that makes it possible is [Celestial Aquamarine, Shimmering Blue Jade Twin Stars]."

Faced with her words, spoken calmly yet with a strength no one else could imitate, even our personal artisan could only stammer in protest, unable to interrupt.

"To be able to activate magic at any given moment, even if only once, without needing an incantation, is incredibly powerful. One might even call it cheating."

On top of that, being able to use magic the user themselves can't is a massive cheat. And perhaps no one in the world has felt that more keenly than I have. It's no exaggeration to say that I was able to draw with the Sword Queen thanks to Nia.

"But of course, such power cannot be used without consequence—you're missing your right eye, aren't you?"

"Come again?"

"Eh, wait, how did you…"

"The color saturation is just slightly lower. As the intel suggested."

"No, no! I can't even tell unless I stare at myself in a mirror—wha…!?"

I leaned in close, grabbed her shoulders, and stared intently at her two indigo eyes.

I felt bad for the flustered Nia, but she had clearly lied to me, so she'd have to endure it—though even looking this closely, I couldn't really tell… but,

"…Now that you mention it, the right one does seem a little lighter, I think."

"Ugh…"

Having confirmed it, I released Nia and shot her a deliberate narrow-eyed glare. The artisan who had previously feigned the cost as 'losing her sight for a little while' once again averted her gaze awkwardly.

"You… you're not actually blind in that eye right now, are you? Or was the whole sight thing a decoy to begin with?"

"No, um…"

"It's true that she loses her sight immediately after using the ability. It gradually recovers and she can see again, but she can't use the power."

"That means… what I think it means, right?"

"Yes. Until the item imbued with magic—that gem—fulfills its purpose."

"You spilled everything…"

This is… I shouldn't be blaming her for hiding it or not telling me; I should be blaming myself for not looking into it…

To Nia, who was looking away with a sullen face, I probably had no right to say anything—no, maybe I should at least say one thing.

"You should have told me. If I don't know, I can't even thank you properly."

"Because, because it's too heavy! It's something I did on my own…!"

"And now everyone else seems to have figured it out, which just exposes my own ignorance and stupidity, doesn't it?"

"Who cares about that at this point?!"

"I'm trying my best to redeem myself, you know!"

"—You two are close."

A cool voice cut in, bringing both of us to a screeching halt.

To Nia, who had choked on her words—Ashe offered a rare, natural smile.

…Though the person in question had her head down, blushing, so she didn't notice.

"May I call you Nia?"

"…Feel free."

"Yes. You don't need to use honorifics with me, either."

Ignoring Nia, whose face clearly said, That's a bit much to ask, Ashe stood up from her chair.

"In terms of order, I came later. So—I'm sorry for cutting in like this."

And then, just as she had with Sora earlier, she bowed her head.

Of course, it was Nia who was flustered.

"H-eh, what… Wait, wait! This kind of thing, I don't know how to react when you apologize…! And it's not like it's anyone's fault or anything—Stop just standing there and help me out!"

"Do I even have the right to speak in this situation…?"

What in the world am I supposed to say? Besides, the moment this situation arose, it was already decided who the ultimate villain was.

But well, for now…

"Ashe. It makes me uncomfortable, and it's making Nia uncomfortable. If you could, please don't do that."

"…Mm, alright."

Seeing the Sword Queen obediently raise her head, I let out a huge sigh of relief—and in the next moment, I pretended not to see her tilt her head and ask, "Ashe???" as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

If I don't call her Ashe, she'll sulk. If I do, Nia will find out. It was a no-win situation from the start.

"As you said, I don't really think anyone is 'at fault' either. This is just my own selfishness, wanting to show sincerity as the one who is greeting you later."

In the end, she continued to cast herself as the villain… yet not once did a feeling of guilt or anything similar cross her face.

"I understand what kind of existence I am to others. So, I also understand that I'm intimidating you."

"Ugh… I'm sorry—… N-no, sorry."

"It's fine, it can't be helped. Even I get nervous when I talk to a 'god.'"

She's probably talking about someone from Yotsuya… The developers are, for better or worse, like gods to the players.

And we're in the absurd situation of having such a god as our sponsor.

"Nia."

"Yes!"

As I was tilting my head at the mention of a god, her name was called, and Nia, who reflexively straightened her back, was met with a smile from the celestial princess.

"It may be difficult, but don't worry about me. Don't hold back, don't show any mercy. You should pursue your own love."

"—…"

The hand she offered—was it intended as a declaration of war to Nia? From my perspective, watching from the side, it didn't seem that way at all.

"I have no intention of losing. But even if I lose, I won't hold a grudge. But before any of that… we first have to make this person fall in love, or nothing will begin."

Yes, perhaps the intended recipient was different.

"………………That's, I think, that's true. Yeah."

Nia, who may have understood her intent just as I had, hesitantly took Ashe's hand after a myriad of expressions crossed her face.

"Um, so… alright. This is just for now, right?"

"Yes, for now—knowing Haru's personality, it's hard to imagine him suddenly leaning towards one of us in this situation. So… the competition can come after that."

"Is that, really, how it is…"

I have a feeling a terrifying conversation is unfolding, but at this point, I'm convinced that my right to speak in this situation is a clean and absolute zero.

No matter what I say, or don't say, the future that awaits me is nothing but a severe burn.

And so, the two pairs of eyes turned towards me, one garnet and one aquamarine—

"For now, let's work together—and make him fall in love."

As they have been, and as they will be… for which I am truly grateful.

"…Please, be gentle with me."

They would mercilessly—steal away any chance of escape from a pathetic guy like me.