kscans

Chapter 57 - The Other Protagonist

To say she was on edge―――would be an understatement. Sora, watching her partner perform a high-stakes dance against a monster whose every move was lethal, didn't know how many times her heart had shrunk in her chest.

Whenever she faced a situation like this, she would tell herself over and over, "This is just a game," but the sense of reality from the information pouring in through her virtual vision was so immense that Sora couldn't just laugh off the scene before her as mere play.

If, in the next moment, Haru were to become prey to the greatsword, Sora would surely scream.

"Tch...!"

What was frustrating was her own powerlessness, being able to do nothing but watch such a scene unfold.

Thanks to Haru's repeated support, her negative feelings about using `Spectate Ale` had lessened considerably... but still, the constraint of not being able to participate in the battle herself was unbearable.

Her own skill, which forced her to watch. The fact that even with everything else she had, she couldn't be more useful to him than that skill―――the part of her that had accepted that as fact was what angered her most of all.

"Just when..."

...we were finally able to fight side-by-side.

The sensation of the `Cradle of Sword-Craft`, asserting its presence in her clenched right hand, seemed to only fuel her sense of powerlessness.

She was aware that she had gotten carried away with obtaining the fighting power she had longed for, but at the same time, she had been confident that "with this, I can be of help."

Seeing Haru's face, uncharacteristically envious of her, had even made her happy to be in the opposite position for once――――――so, what was this situation now?

...I don't want this.

A thought that trickled out sent ripples through her cowering heart.

In the end, she hated being able to do nothing but watch him.

She hated that she was convinced that only he could be a match for the enemy.

And she hated, unbearably, the part of her that―――somewhere in her heart, was relieved by those facts.

"...More than supporting you,"

The way she should be, a question posed by the magitech artisan who had crafted her ring the other day.

"I want to stand... and fight by your side...!"

Sora's voice, weaving that thought once more―――

◇ A skill has grown ◇

drew forth a single, inorganic, emotionless system announcement―――from the world.