kscans

Chapter 500 - The Invitation: The Case of the Exclusive Artisan

With the date of the almost-spontaneous trip set for the near future, Ashe had given me two missions.

Or rather, I'd simply been entrusted with the responsibility for things that had naturally arisen, but either way, they were unavoidable tasks I had to carry out.

I hadn't expected such a sudden development as 'we're leaving in three days,' and in hindsight, I lamented that I should have mentioned it as soon as the plan came up—

"—So, with that, Nia-chan, wanna go to the beach starting the day after tomorrow?"

"I'm gonna slap you, you know?"

There's no turning back time. Rather than mourn the past, I decided to look to the future and began my mission to deliver the princess's invitation to two people, at her command.

I'd considered sending a message in the real world, but for now, I dove into Arcadia, saw one of the names online, and decided to visit her atelier.

And Nia's reaction was only to be expected. In the real world, an invitation like "Let's go on a trip in a few days, for a week" is generally considered absurd, so it was no surprise to be met with a look that screamed, "What is this guy even saying?"

"I know it's weird to say something so crazy out of the blue, and I'm really sorry, but it's Ashe's plan. You'll just have to accept it for what it is."

"By saying that, you're indirectly calling the princess a 'person who says crazy things out of the blu—'"

"And sorry to pile it on, but for various reasons, I have no intention of turning this down. My attendance is confirmed, so please consider that."

"You're really piling it on… but, well, it's fine."

Sinking into a cushion on the large sofa that served as one of her two regular spots—a high-end item that also functioned as a respawn point like a bed—Nia wore a subtle expression that was difficult to put into words.

"I'm the one who got to monopolize you first, after all. Wait, are you sure it's okay for me to come along? That's more how I feel…"

"It's not just 'okay for you to come along,' it's more like I was told to bring you no matter what…"

"Huh…?"

While not as bewildered as the utterly confused look on Nia's face suggested, I was feeling something similar myself.

Ashe had previously said something along the lines of 'I'm the one who got to monopolize him first,' just like Nia, so she probably considers things even at this point.

And on top of that, the Sword Queen, who reveres 'fair play' to a level that makes you want to ask, "Are you some kind of knight?" told me this:

"To put it in your words, she said she wants the brawl to be fair and square, so everyone can have a good, clean fight."

"…She says things like you now?"

"Hold on, you and Ashe both. I've never once said a battle-crazed line like Irori, have I???"

'Everyone having fun' is undoubtedly my motto and identity, but I have absolutely no memory of singling out brawling and saying something like that.

Right? I haven't, right? I'm pretty sure I haven't.

"…W-Well, anyway, that's the situation. I know it's incredibly sudden, so it might be difficult, but she said a reply by the day of is fine, so please give it some thought—"

"I'll go."

"Please do, tha—Wait, really? Um, I think I mentioned it, but…"

Despite the rambling in between, her reply came so quickly it might as well have been instant. I was taken aback that she had given a positive answer with barely a moment's hesitation.

"I heard you. Other people are coming, right?"

"Yeah, so, I mean, we'll be meeting in the real world…"

"It's fine. We're both—well, I used to be—rankers in Arcadia. That's more than enough to trust each other. With the princess and you there, it should be fine."

True to her words, her expression showed no trace of worry… It reminded me of her invitation to that 'date' what feels like a long time ago. I couldn't decide if I should be impressed or exasperated by her strange boldness and decisiveness.

"It's a bit late to be saying this, but I feel like there's a huge disconnect between my view on the line between games and reality and everyone else's…"

"That's because most people, myself included, see it as an entertainment but not an unreal game. We're tied to a unique 'identity' that can't be remade, so the more famous someone is, the less likely they are to do anything bad in either the real or virtual world."

"That, I can understand."

In other words, the more well-known you become in the virtual world, the more 'showing your face in the real world' becomes an act of presenting your own credibility and showing trust in others.

In fact, I'm probably at a point where if I did something wrong in one world, both of me would be dead. My fame is directly linked to my responsibility and 'trustworthiness.'

"So, tell the princess 'I'll gratefully accept your kind offer'… actually, I'll do it myself."

"Okay, got it, roger—well then, I still have something to do, so I'll be taking my leave."

When I indicated I was leaving, she gave me a faintly lonely look. We see each other almost every day, don't we?… I swallowed such tactless words with a wry smile.

"Good night, Nia."

"…Mmm. Good night."

I failed spectacularly at suppressing the grin spreading across my face at the fact that she seemed to find our usual parting a little sad. I waved a hand and left the room.

Just as I had read her inner thoughts, she must not have missed mine. As for the happy smile that appeared on her face, I decided to ignore it out of embarrassment.

◇◆◇◆◇

"……………—Veshna."

Responding to the call, a tiny starry sky emerged from its master's shadow.

It was an extremely small creature that could fit in the palm of a girl's hand. It had large ears, a long, slender tail, and as a trademark, two white stars shone where its eyes should be.

Through its brilliant command of its swarm, the "mouse" that had recently managed to rattle even the Acrobat keenly understood the words and emotions of the master who had acknowledged and named it.

Thus, as if to fill the loneliness and uncertainty it sensed, it skillfully grasped the thumb of the hand it rested on with its forepaws and nuzzled its small head against it in comfort.

Watching this devoted and adorable sight, its master let out a soft chuckle and—

"Every time we meet, saying 'see you later' gets harder and harder."

The girl, facing her own runaway emotions, murmured to no one in particular, her face a mixture of happiness, sadness, and confusion.