kscans

Chapter 653 - From One Battle to the Next

—And so, one hour later.

Seriously, the runner phase was a non-stop, chaotic mess, every bit as tumultuous as the explosive opening act. The North and South rankers didn't venture into the maze after that, but the real game of toppling the 'pillars' in the Four Pillar War begins on the second lap.

Sprinting around and racking up easy points is only possible right after the event starts. Once the troops are deployed, enemies are everywhere. Kanata and I were crying for help all over the place... but hey, I'm sure we provided some good entertainment.

In the end, we had to call Irori and Gen-san back, leaving just the two of us as the main forces on the front lines. I feel bad that the cast of characters from the Eastern Faction was so repetitive, but to win for real, it couldn't be helped. You'll just have to forgive my transformed face.

And on top of that...—

"I see. So this is what you call a hellscape."

"You say that, but you're not even trembling. You've grown, kid."

From here on out, we're about to put on what will undoubtedly be the biggest 'great war' in Arcadia's history. So please, look forward to it.

We were in front of the Eastern wartime base, Ruvalest. At the head of all the gathered members—rankers and regular players alike, who had sensed the 'moment'—the second-rank (Goldow-san) and the fourth-rank (me) exchanged words.

And spread out before our eyes was a wall of people—the North-South raid, who had sensed our intent to meet them head-on and had boldly marched right up to our front door.

Total headcount... I wonder how many. At a glance, all I can tell is that there's a lot of them. Three hundred? Four hundred? Five hundred? Something like that, I don't know.

And at their head stands a single figure of silver and blue, radiating a presence that rivals the pressure of the entire super-raid of several hundred players.

""She's smiling...""

Anyone close to her would be able to read it. The 'Princess,' her usual expressionless face tinged ever so slightly with a pleased smile... haha, it's troubling how I can see right through her.

That girl doesn't think she's going to lose, not even for a millimeter.

"Alright... I have a feeling I know how this will go, but I also have a feeling I don't care how it goes. Reminds me of the early days, when there were no strategies or anything."

"Back to basics after coming full circle. It happens."

"The problem is, the individual power levels now are on a completely different scale from back then. Honestly, I don't know if this will be a proper fight, in more ways than one."

"Like everyone unleashes their ultimate moves at once, and then there were none?"

"This ain't a laughing matter. That could totally happen."

"If it does, the 11th Four Pillar War will go down in history as the ultimate gag episode."

"...That might not be so bad, actually."

"Sure, why not? As long as it's fun, anything goes."

Not just Istia, which is waiting in formation, but Sotalm and Nortalia are also motionless. The same goes for their standard-bearer, Iris, and the formidable lineup behind her.

Eight from the South, excluding the [Castle Lord] and the [Heroine], and five from the North, excluding the [Great Tiger], for a total of thirteen. This lineup of rankers, including some I've never even spoken to, is, in a word, terrifying. A strange laugh bubbles up from the pit of my stomach.

Because, you know?

We're about to pick a fight with that, head-on. It's so reckless it's hilarious.

And yet, that's precisely why.

"At the very least, right now, I'm honestly a little excited."

"..."

"You've got a grin spreading across your face, [General Commander]."

"Shut up and leave me alone—oi, you! Get fired up, you cannon fodder! Whether you end up being a dinky little pistol or a goddamn cannon will decide pretty much everything!"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it—if I fail after having all these insane expectations heaped on me, I'll go down in history as the ultimate clown. Dammit all."

That too, will be forgiven on account of this face and all that.

Well then.

"Haru."

"Yup."

"I'm counting on you, our special attack captain."

"Can you please stop piling on the pressure?"

Exchanging painfully unfunny jokes, I take a single step forward from the front line, all alone.

My destination is straight ahead.

Smiling in my path is the beautiful princess I now know so, so very well—seriously, I can't stop laughing. Is there any walk to death in this world that can surpass this single step?

No, there isn't. And that is precisely why it is irreplaceable.

"Alriiight...—Here I come, Iris. And all you senpais."

We're still far apart. My voice doesn't reach them, and there is no reply. But, as if she has certainly received my intent, I see a look of amusement on one particular person's face. I bite back a wry smile and...

—Recall—I draw [Samidorizuki].

My spirits are high. My condition is perfect. There are some minor concerns about my weapon, but that's just me overthinking it. A blade forged by my master should be more than sharp enough.

Then there is nothing lacking in this step, and no excuses for this sword strike.

Right hand in a standard grip, left in a reverse grip. I lower my hips into a charging stance.

The blade glows with the blue light of a [Water Enchant].

The hands and arms gripping the sword are reinforced with black thread.

My white hair is cloaked in a desperate crimson.

My external output, `Kai`, converges to its critical point.

Perhaps they've decided that this will be the most exciting way to start, and are watching to see what my opening move will be. The stage, in the middle of which both friend and foe have fallen eerily silent...

...has more than enough spectators.

Well then, just like that one time, once more—watch this, world.

"[Shifuu Ittou]... Yui no Tachi."

What I bind together are wind and water, and all the myriad powers I have cultivated in this body.

Come on, I don't care who. If you think you can stop this—

"Seiran."

—then try and stop me.