kscans

Chapter 657 - One, Two, After the Dawn

“—————————————…”

When I woke up, the first thing I registered was the heaviness in my head. I didn't even have to look at the sunlight streaming through the high window to know—it was the familiar sluggishness my body protested with after sleeping past noon.

It was far from a refreshing start to the day, and I had no motivation to get up—and it wasn't just because of my physical condition.

“...I’m usually the type to get over things after a good night’s sleep, though…”

However, that trait of mine was limited to 'minor incidents.' When it came to matters that stirred up my emotions this much, there was nothing I could do.

I fumbled around my pillow and grabbed my terminal.

Lately, I'd finally built up a little resistance, enough that I could at least glance at the news as long as it wasn't directly about me.

So, with a few quick swipes of my finger, I brought up the headlines on the screen…

—"Sotalm & Nortalia Alliance Scores a Resounding Victory! The Invincible 'Princess' Is on Fire!!!"

“...Dammit. I won't lose next time.”

The ridiculously high-tension, sparkling headline got on my nerves more than I expected—well, maybe just a tiny bit, like the tip of my pinky finger—and I muttered a sore loser’s vow to myself.

Once again, it was a wake-up call that was anything but refreshing.

◇◆◇◆◇

All in all, I think we fought well, and it turned out to be an entertaining match.

First, the invincible samurai was taken down right at the start, followed immediately by the General Commander. Even after losing our top two in the blink of an eye, the remaining members fought hard.

Under Lotta’s command, they used the opening Gen-san created with his sacrifice to push back the offensive, even if only temporarily, with a full-power barrage from Mi-na, Ri-na, and Hina-san. On top of that, the female members put up a valiant effort, creating a wall with a zombie-like assault from the general members.

Tetra-kun also did his part.

While replenishing the faction members' MP, which was being consumed like water—especially by Hina-san—he managed to sneak in and take down one of Nortalia's rankers. It was nothing short of brilliant. The fact that he was immediately taken out by [Ever-Changing] was, well, unavoidable. A truly commendable effort.

After that, however, it wasn't a gradual decline… it was a landslide. The [Sword Queen] herself, supported by [Long Legs] and [Thread-Weaver], single-handedly charged in, sliced, and diced, taking out our female members in a single breath. In less than five minutes, Istia’s rankers were almost completely wiped out.

So, what was I, the main event, doing all this time? Well—I fought hard, okay? I laid bare my secret techniques and trump cards, and if I do say so myself, I went on a wild rampage with the ferocity of a lion.

But come on, it was impossible. I was already at my limit just dealing with the completely savage combination of [Bell-Mail], [Automata], and [Wolf Pack]. The moment they saw I was putting up a fight, the now-free Maru II and Uni came flying at me.

And that was that. Instantly annihilated. There's no way I could win a five-on-one fight. Give me a break.

And so, with our key strategic players utterly destroyed, there was only one outcome for our Istia. The Princess leisurely strolled into our castle, touched the great crystal, and it was game over.

Honestly, there's a lot to reflect on. The only ones who performed their roles flawlessly according to the situation were probably Gen-san, Tetra, and Hina-san.

The two idiots who underestimated Iris’s condition and state of mind, challenging her head-on only to be taken out in seconds, were a lost cause from the start. Then there was Mi-na and Ri-na, who panicked and flubbed their casting against her unexpected frenzy, and me, who got surrounded and crushed without taking down a single person after trying to look cool. The whole thing was just… truly regrettable.

I'm certain we could have put up more of a fight if we had done things differently. That's why it's frustrating, so damn frustrating, frustrating from the bottom of my heart…—but, even so.

Putting aside my inadequacy as a ranker, if I were to give my honest opinion on this war as a single player, it would be this:

“Well, it was fun, so I'll call it good.”

That about sums it up.

However,

“—Hmph. I, too, had fun.”

“Of course Ms. Victor here had a perfectly wonderful time. Just you wait until next time…”

I have no intention of just accepting this loss. And so, I shot a menacing glare at Iris, who had come to visit the loser’s room with a look that said, ‘What’s the problem? It’s only been a day.’

My threat was completely ignored with a very cheerful smile. Two losses in the blink of an eye. I could cry.

“So, what do you want?”

It was far too late to bother with pleasantries before letting her into my room.

It was past noon, a little after two. I asked her as I made coffee, like always, and Iris, who had dropped by unannounced, tilted her head after saying her thanks.

“I had something to discuss, but more than that, I wanted to see you.”

“…”

“Fufu… such a sour face.”

My expression was twenty percent unprocessed frustration, thirty percent an attempt to hide my embarrassment, and fifty percent resignation. Since I couldn't hope to win a war of words, the least I could do was fight back with my expression.

But my resolute desire for no more embarrassing exchanges must have gotten through. Iris hesitated for a moment, weighing whether to continue teasing me… yes, she showed me she was hesitating, but she quickly reined it in and gave a small nod.

“About the after-party tonight. If you’d like, how about we hold it jointly with all three factions?”

“Huh? W-Wait… The winners and the losers?”

“Perhaps it isn't my place as the winner to say this, but I am sure no one will mind, will they? In fact, it was your side that proposed it.”

“That party-loving old man…”

The face of our [General Commander] was the only one that came to mind. As always, those two faction leaders were way too friendly with each other.

Is he her uncle or something?

“I guess it's fine… but why are you telling me this?”

“Goldow said you two would be meeting anyway.”

“Is he some meddling uncle or something?”

Stop trying to play matchmaker, it's embarrassing.

“...Did you not want to see me, Haru?”

“What kind of question is that to ask with such a wicked grin on your face?”

“Fufu… It seems my expressions are completely obvious to you now.”

“I wouldn't be so sure. It’s still mostly guesswork, but…—well, you know.”

Considering how frustrated I still was, I honestly didn't want to see her, but,

That aside, there was something I wanted to ask.

“Iris.”

“Yes?”

Since I was already embarrassed, I figured I might as well just ask without hesitation.

“You don’t seem lonely anymore.”

“…”

I still remembered the look on her face when we first met.

It was a face that resembled someone from my hazy memories—someone who was always lonely because they excelled above all others. Because I remembered, I could ask with conviction.

In response, she simply smiled softly.

“...Haru.”

“Yes, I am Haru.”

“Hmph… —Don't run away, okay?”

She placed her cup on the table, stood up, and, as she always did, quietly approached me where I sat on the sofa, maintaining a safe distance.

Quietly, she drew near… and then, just as quietly, without a word.

She closed the distance until I could feel her breath and, ever so naturally, gently kissed me.

“...Thank you. It’s all thanks to you.”

“…………………………”

And so, her movements were so natural that I couldn't even flinch, let alone run. I stood frozen, passively receiving the warmth that had suddenly landed on my forehead.

“..., …A-anyway.”

Her cheeks faintly flushed, Iris stroked the spot she had just touched, as if to brush it away.

“That’s, um, how it is. So, I’ll see you… later, okay?”

She quickly averted her gaze and, just like that, left her half-finished coffee behind.

She hurried away, and the sound of the front door closing echoed with a soft click.

So, well, when it comes down to it.

“…………………………'The Invincible 'Princess' Is on Fire,' huh… I see, that's certainly true.”

My combined score for yesterday and today was a grand total of three straight losses.