kscans

Chapter 632 - A Clear Heart for a Day of War

The large-scale field that serves as the stage for the Four Pillar War completely changes its appearance for each grand festival. This change isn't limited to the overall size or the structure of the maze area; it's customary for it to affect the environment itself.

Sometimes it's a grassland, sometimes a wasteland, sometimes a forest or a lava zone… At other times, it's a vast network of canals that ensnare the players' movements.

It has no official name, simply referred to as the "stage of war" or the "war field." According to the inhabitants of this world (NPCs), it is a playground prepared by the goddess.

An extradimensional space created solely for 'Her' to watch the festival of the 'otherworlders' (players), illuminated by the light of countless stars.

And beneath a moon so enormous it seems to cover the sky, a cross-shaped floating island hangs among the clouds.

Its very existence is shrouded in mystery, a treasure trove of topics for dedicated theorists to satisfy their endless curiosity—but for those who actually set foot there…

"—Whoa…"

"Well then…"

"What is this?"

"Goddess, seriously…"

Depending on the situation, it can also be an unpredictable area of unreasonable hardship that makes one want to scream "You've got to be kidding me" from the bottom of their heart.

"Haha, déjà vu."

"It's like this every time."

Behind the players who were muttering their usual complaints, a boy and a young man emerged from the 'castle,' delayed. They looked on with a mix of exasperation and resignation… yet their smiles were more cheerful than during the ten previous times they had experienced this.

Beyond the connecting path from the Southern Faction's war base, the Knight's Royal Castle - El Faria, the gaping mouth of the 'Labyrinth' was filled with a web of rock—no, black iron.

The countless 'bridges' crisscrossing between the maze walls on either side were reminiscent of the Cliff Road of the Sky Bridge that led to the crater where the 'White Throne' had been.

"—Huh? What's that? What's going on?"

Following the Heavy Tank and Adamant who had gone ahead, a sweet, girlish voice chimed in about the strange sight. From beside Auerin, a long-haired white head peeked out, her sharp, cat-like yellow eyes suspiciously eyeing the 'Labyrinth.'

Southern Faction, Seventh Seat. The Thread-Weaver, Natsume.

"—This could change things significantly, depending on whether or not it's destructible."

And behind Uni, a slender, blue-haired, blue-eyed young man, nearly two meters tall, calmly observed the situation with narrowed eyes without needing to stand on his toes.

Southern Faction, Eighth Seat. The Long Legs, Re-cood.

Though their styles differed, Natsume in white and Record in ultramarine, both wore robes befitting mages. Following them—three more figures emerged from the royal castle.

"—Running through this is impossible. Even the prince will have to put his full-speed sprint on hold, huh?"

A low, resonant baritone voice. A black cloak, black gloves, and black boots. A man with long black hair and black eyes, wearing a black feathered hat like a minstrel.

Ninth Seat. The Poet, Yata.

"You think something like that will stop our princess's fiancé?"

A cheerful, clear voice. A woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing light cloth armor resembling a sister's habit and carrying a great warhammer that far exceeded her own physique and weight.

Tenth Seat. The Heroine, Oumetouri.

And,

"—If anything, I'd expect him to run while slicing through it all, from one end to the other."

A maiden's voice, like the tinkling of a bell, accompanied by the grating sound of unrefined metal. A figure clad head to toe in full plate armor, a rare sight in Arcadia, looking more like a decoration than a person in modern times.

Sixth Seat. The Knight, Aika.

The Castle Lord, Mei, and the Full Auto, Fuji, who stood quietly by his partner Auerin's side, remained on standby in the 'castle' as usual. Counting them, nine champions who bore the 'name' of the South.

Without a hint of tension before the grand festival, they stepped onto the battlefield's soil with natural ease… when at last, a final, serene footstep followed them.

"—Everyone, be careful."

With a sway of silver-blue hair and a flash of garnet eyes, she was expressionless.

Yet now, the one they looked up to as their 'princess' was undeniably smiling.

"If you meet Haru one-on-one, surely none of you can win."

Southern Faction, First Seat. The Sword Queen, Iris.

Within her gathered an absolute faith.

She does not err, she does not stray, she does not speak falsehoods. Even if—that expressionless face was feverish with love, her retainers would not doubt her.

Therefore,

"Hah, bring it on…!"

The words of the Heroine, as if speaking for them all, were the consensus of the South's ten seats.

"He's a real monster now. He and his fans won't complain if we gang up on him."

"I don't know. Haru-kun seems like the type to say, 'Ganging up on me is unfair, senpai!'"

"Ahaha, he totally would. While spinning wildly in mid-air."

While the three who were acquainted with the princess's beloved laughed, the five who had not yet had the chance to meet the rising star each held a passion in their hearts—and taking the reins of that passion,

"—It seems your enthusiasm is more than sufficient, which is excellent. In that case…"

It was the cool voice of the Lady-in-Waiting, Helena, playing the part of the queen.

"Let's attack him with our full force, without holding back. This time, it's our turn to win."

At her words, the princess who received her gaze—

"Mm… —Let's all have a lot of fun."

Following a command she could not have hoped for in the past, all of them roared in affirmation.