kscans

Chapter 474 - The Beacon

After a lively feast, the final day's 10:00 PM finally arrived—or rather, ten minutes before it.

Full of energy, motivation, and high spirits, we greeted the moments just before the finale in perfect condition. I was placed on a platform, different from the one used for the artillery turret, and stood frozen with a scowl on my pretty-boy face, which was reputed throughout the 300-meter diameter area as 'easy on the eyes.'

"Even if you ask me to say a few words..."

"""Come on, it's just for the mood!"""

"Hey, you're already perfectly in sync. You don't need a pep talk to unify your will."

I had a bad feeling about this, and I was spot on.

The countdown clock, which had started at a hefty one hundred and twenty-six, now showed only two hours remaining.

Since we can't predict the scale or composition of the final raid that will be the festival's climax, it's a natural flow to wrap things up beforehand so we're ready for any ending.

And since there are thirty-six members in total, the only way to get it over with quickly is to have one representative say something appropriate. In that case, it goes without saying who would be put on the pedestal...

I can handle giving instructions, but I have no experience with this kind of thing. Give me a break.

"Ah... well then, let's see. First, to express our mutual appreciation and gratitude for our efforts so far—thank you for your hard work over these three nights and four days."

Am I the organizer of a work get-together?

I'm aware that my tone became stiff, even to myself. It's no wonder that I received a few stifled laughs along with the echo.

It's embarrassing, but it's no use if you're expecting someone like Goldow or Ashe, and I doubt anyone here expects that of me.

I should have been able to show everyone what kind of person I am over these past three days.

And for that very reason.

"I think it was a good group. And a good 'party.' I've done an over-raid before, but I'd never experienced a normal full raid of thirty-six people. So, well... yeah, that's it."

Thank you all for sticking with a leader who's only good at saying the right things with the right face.

"Thanks to all of you, my first time was a great memory. Thank you."

It was embarrassing, but I decided to say what needed to be said, and it was the right choice. I felt better for it, and from the looks on the faces of my group... my party members, it seems to have been well-received.

I'll just pretend I didn't see the smirks on the faces of two of the ladies.

Damn them. For a second, I thought about teleporting them onto the stage to reverse our positions... but only Nia would probably get flustered by that.

Nonomi-san would probably handle a stage greeting with ease—and so.

Oh yeah, one last thing.

"With that said, it's a bit late, but I was thinking of sending everyone a friend request... so, what do you say?"

I quickly operated the window and designated the thirty-five people in my field of vision as the recipients—excluding Nia and Tetsu-san, who were already registered, a small system window appeared in front of a total of thirty-three people.

I was thinking it would be nice if we could find the time to get together again, but the result came in less than five seconds.

To my friend list, which someone had called a 'celebrity roster,' the names of many 'ordinary friends' were now engraved... a truly joyous occasion.

And then, ten minutes later.

Having moved the platform to a height of about ten meters above the ground, I stood by, cooling the heat from my face caused by embarrassment and other things, when my skin caught an abnormality.

The trees swayed, the leaves rustled, and the murmuring of the forest that reached me was undoubtedly the loudest yet. Based on the four raids we'd experienced so far, we had prepared several pattern assumptions, and various countermeasures were also set and shared... but now.

As if toying with the players, the 'starry sky' still hadn't emerged from the darkness of the forest. And at that point, it was confirmed that this raid was different in nature from the previous ones, just like this morning.

A clearly controlled offensive—in other words, it's safe to assume that they have shed their disorganization.

"...'Rat,' 'Ox,' 'Rooster,' or 'Horse'... Now, which one is the leader?"

A gimmick that will likely be the key to this final event. A single special individual, or multiple commander types... I have no way of knowing, but in any case.

The moment countless shadows burst through the forest at once, my role was decided.

Namely—

"I'm not complaining, but this is all I ever do."

—a solitary battle of aerial annihilation to meet the massive swarm of countless 'wings' that had soared into the sky.

Not only the massive bodies of the 'dragons' that appeared last night, but also a new, smaller 'bird' type, numbered in the thousands. To top it off, there's a huge beast that looks like the dragon boss, reeking of specialness, staring straight at me—

"Pattern D... In that case, I'm counting on you guys for the ground."

Below me, a swarm began to appear, following the one in the sky. Among them, I could see a huge 'tiger' that looked like a boss... but I would trust them with the ground.

Of course, I don't mean for them to handle everything until the very end.

I've murmured to myself time and again that I'm fully aware of my position... but this time, as the one leading the charge, I will fulfill it properly.

The perfect heroic performance that is expected of me.

Now, let's hunt them all down, partner.

What I summoned was the [Alv Stella]. For some reason, I can't shake the feeling that this guy enjoys these kinds of moves, the heroic, exciting stuff.

If you trace it back to its origin, I can kind of understand... but still, it's a bit too obvious. The star-sword, as if to show its excitement, emits a faint light. I let out a wry smile.

I held my hand over the crimson jewel embedded in the guard and chanted the key word.

"Alv Call—Helia!"

I face the starry sky, and I carry a starry sky with me. It's probably not my imagination; as if to say, 'Let's show which one shines brighter,'

A torrent of 'red' overflowed from the strongly, brilliantly glowing jewel.