kscans

Chapter 631 - To the Battlefield Once More

—Eastern Faction War Base [Otherworldly Subterranean Castle - Ruvalest]—

"All you scouts, get over here now! Is that AGI you're so proud of just for show, you bastards?!"

"Alright, defense squad, on standby! Mika-kun, start the final headcount from the end!"

"Roger that! —You heard him, line up, you idiots!"

"""Where's Genkotsu-san?!"""

"He's fine this time, meditating on the second floor!"

"If he's meditating, then there's no problem!"

"Is he really meditating?! Not just sleeping?!"

"Seriously, what is with us Easterners…! Every single time…!"

"………………"

"Well, that's how it is. We should follow their lead and get hyped up too."

The scene was pure pandemonium as countless players zipped around the entrance hall. The boy watched the festival-like chaos of the faction's three hundred elite members in silence, his cheeks twitching into a wry smile at my attempt at a relaxed comment.

"Ha, haha… I'd heard about it, but this really feels like Istia, doesn't it?"

"Well, yeah, I guess. It's true that being like this before the battle even starts is unique to us, but once the festival kicks off, the North and South are surprisingly similar."

In other words, they're all a bunch of festival-loving fanatics who just want to have fun—which is perfectly fine. It's not just for the audience; we should enjoy it to the fullest too.

…Not that I could have ever said something like that four months ago.

"Kanata… you don't seem all that nervous, surprisingly."

"Th-that's not true."

"You sure about that?"

Though he seems taken aback by the chaotic scene, the boy facing this grand stage seems far calmer than past newcomers.

Come to think of it, he didn't seem fazed by the huge crowd during the selection match either. Perhaps he's just very good in front of people… or maybe he's used to it for some reason.

—Well, either way, it's a good thing. If he can use that courage to unleash the skills he's honed over the past half-month of training, it'll be easy to show the world a new rising star.

"Alright. Let's do a quick review to get ourselves fired up."

"Y-yes! Please!"

On the second floor of the entrance hall, overlooking the noisy level below from the atrium just like before, I turned to my cute junior. Though I'm not exactly a veteran, my title now makes me his senior, and I intended to fulfill my responsibility.

"We have two runners this time, you and me. But even though the role is the same, our approaches will be different. There's no way they'll let me just focus on being a runner, so I'm leaving the main, proper running to you, Kanata. I'm counting on you."

"I'll do my best…!"

"Don't worry about… no, that's not right. Relax, stay calm—"

"And don't stop thinking, right…!"

"A perfect hundred. Now, if you can fight hard enough to say you gave a hundred and twenty percent after the match, you'll be golden. Goldow and the others will definitely have your back, so don't hesitate to rely on them."

"Yes!"

"Okay… —By the way, Kanata-kun."

His energetic, earnest, and dedicated replies are all very reliable and well and good… but there's one thing that feels off. Ever since we met up, or rather—

"Is it my imagination, or have we not made eye contact once?"

"………………"

Haha, he looked away. It seems it wasn't my imagination.

Well, it's not like I don't have an idea why…

"Is this the first time we've met while I'm in this avatar?"

"Y-yes, it is… I-I'm sorry, I'm not used to it…"

I asked while fiddling with my long, pure-white side-tail. The boy gave a clumsy nod, his gaze darting toward me hesitantly.

I hadn't given it any thought, but now that he mentions it, we had always met up in the 'real world' for training. So he's probably not used to this side of me.

"Well, my face might be different, but I'm still me on the inside. Get used to it quickly."

"It's because you're still you on the inside that it's…"

"Hmm?"

"It's nothing…!"

I definitely heard him mumble something weird, but pretending I didn't is the merciful choice, and it's easier on my psyche. The latter being about eighty percent of the reason.

Still, his words are probably true; he's just "not used to it." He's not giving me the same lukewarm stare as the guys who are all about having a good time, so I'll let it slide—

"…So, you're going with that avatar?"

"At first, yeah. Think of it as some fan service for an event like this."

That's thirty percent serious, seventy percent joke. I don't mind playing a part in hyping up the Four Pillar War, but my main reason is that I want to focus on long-range tactics.

I know what's expected of me, but I have no intention of using my Star Magic or the Sakura Sword in this war.

Instead, I plan to show off a new style based on water magic and my "gun"… not that it's entirely new, but it'll be a spectacular show worthy of my title.

Combined with this avatar's ridiculously high face value, I'm confident no one will have any complaints. I'll put my heart and soul into making this a great show—

◇ The [Four Pillar War] will begin shortly ◇

◇ All participating players, please stand by in your faction's war base ◇

"…!"

"Oh, it's time."

This is the second time I've heard it. The announcement that once echoed while my stomach churned with immense tension rang out, and Kanata beside me held his breath.

He's not that nervous… which means he is a little nervous. That's to be expected; there's nothing strange about it at all.

And again, compared to how I was in the past, he's doing much better. I hope that a healthy amount of tension will work in his favor.

"Kanata."

"…Yes."

I gave a light shake of my clenched fist.

"I have zero doubts and zero worries—the Acrobat you look up to will personally guarantee it. You're super strong, so you'll be fine."

With a grin, I held out my fist.

"Let's go raise some hell out there."

"…—Yes!"

From the atrium below, the General Commander's pre-battle speech echoed, just like that day. With a new standing, new strength, and a completely different mindset, I bumped fists with my junior. A few seconds later…

◇ Commencing transfer to the War Field ◇

◇ The [Four Pillar War] will now begin ◇

A brilliant blue light of teleportation flashed.