kscans

Chapter 658 - The After-Party (Extra Large)

After the last Four Pillar War and the battle to defeat the `White Throne`. Then there were other things, like the world event, [Starry Paradise]. Through it all, I've experienced my fair share of "feasts" in the virtual world.

So I was starting to get used to the raucous parties with hundreds of people—or so I thought, but it was the truth that…

“This scale is way beyond what you’d call an ‘after-party,’ isn't it…?”

“It’s, um, a festival, isn’t it…?”

As dusk fell into night. My partner, likely being considerate of my fatigue, called me in the evening. Naturally, I invited her, and we made our way not to a 'castle'—

—but to a city. The soon-to-be-unveiled `Frontier`, built in the area outside the main circle, the 'Outside.' This was the stage for the post-festival celebration of the 11th Four Pillar War, a day late.

Well, of course. No matter how massive each faction's castle was, there was no way their grand entrances could hold nearly a thousand people.

Three hundred from each of the three factions, plus the rankers and invited guests, made for a massive gathering of over nine hundred. The wave of people filling the countless long tables lined up outdoors was just as packed as a real-life festival with its rows of food stalls.

My dumbfounded remark was met with an equally stunned but accurate assessment from Sora-san beside me. As usual, the rankers and general players had separate seating, but the sheer heat and energy of the crowd made any such boundaries meaningless.

It had only been a few minutes since it started… or rather, I had arrived just on time with Sora a few minutes ago, but it seemed like it had been going on for a long time already.

All over the place, ridiculous events were already underway, creating a scene of pandemonium that was almost laughable.

There were no winners or losers, just everyone congratulating each other on a hard-fought battle, animatedly recounting a war that had been more chaotic than any before—it was peaceful, and truly wonderful.

Well then, in that case…

“Sora, I’m gonna have to step away for a bit. You okay?”

I couldn’t very well ignore the countless gazes that had been pouring down on me. I turned to my partner beside me—or rather, the trio—and asked.

“Look at this big brother, playing the guardian again. Just hurry up and show your face already.”

“Leave the bodyguard duty to us.”

The quickest replies came from the little ones who were, as if by right, clinging to Sora. Waving them off with a nonchalant ‘yeah, yeah,’ I sought an answer from the person herself.

“Um, yes. I’ll be with Mi-na-chan and the others, so please don’t worry about me.”

She, too, was on her third feast. Having gotten used to it, Sora-san could display a courage unbefitting of a young girl. I probably didn’t need to worry.

My partner gave me a soft smile, not just putting on a brave face. I smiled back, raised a hand, and said, “See you later,” then turned toward the tables where the ‘rankers’ were gathered. Not Istia’s, but…

“—Well now, the prince has finally arrived.”

“I told you to stop calling me that, Oume-san.”

‘Come on, hurry up, over here,’ they beckoned. From the moment I entered the venue, the top brass of Sotalm had been sending me intense, inviting glares.

And so.

“To put on my ‘public’ face once more. I am Haru, the [Acrobat]. It's a pleasure to finally make your acquain—”

I began my grand greeting—only to be cut short. A hand grabbed me by the scruff of my neck, and I was forcibly invited to a seat with a thud. The culprit was, of course.

“We’ve already bashed each other’s heads in, haven’t we? No need for tedious formalities now.”

It was none other than the Heroine, a woman whose豪快ness belied her appearance.

…And, well, I don’t mind that, in fact I kind of like it, but.

“W-Why are you sitting there…!”

“Don’t ask me…”

I’d only been slammed down at the end of the long bench, but my senior, who had suddenly found herself in close proximity without my consent, jumped with a start and slid sideways, complaining.

I wonder about this. Natsume-san, the [Thread-Weaver], is glaring at me with extreme caution. I might have gotten the best of her on the battlefield, but did she end up hating me for it—

“—Ah, Haru. Don’t mind her. Nacchan’s just shy around new people.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just ignore her for a bit. She warms up pretty quick to nice folks.”

“She’s basically a cat, a really easy-to-win-over kitten at that. Haru-kun, you could probably get her in one go.”

“Wha—n-what!? Hey, wha—!?”

My minor concern was blown away by the swift, gossip-like teasing from her three friends: Uni the [Heavy Tank], Auerin the [Adamant], and Fuji the [Automata].

Natsume-cha… Natsume-san shot up, slamming her mug on the table in a rage, but a quick glance at her profile told me everything.

I see, so that’s how it is.

Alright, I’ll leave Nacchan-senpai be for now. For the time being, I suppose I should finally say something to him—I was starting to feel a little bad for him.

“Hey Kanata, how’s it going? Did you get a good rest?”

“S-So-so, sir…”

He wasn’t mingling with the boisterous general players, nor was he invited to Istia's table as a semi-insider. For some reason, he was cowering at the Sotalm table. I turned my gaze to my junior.

His situation was also easy to guess. After Oume-san threw me into the seat, she naturally sat down next to Kanata… and seeing how close they were, that was probably what it was all about.

“Looks like you’ve taken a liking to my junior?”

“After he played me so brilliantly, of course. Kanata has potential. You’d better train him well.”

“He’s our rising star, after all.”

It was almost certain that Oume-san had abducted him.

“Anyway, you need to do something about your gear, and fast. Your Anima is fine, but your weapon… it’s not bad, but it’s not enough.”

“Y-You think so…? I mean, it’s a Grade 30-plus…”

“You think something like that can get through my defenses? Hurry up and find something suitable.”

“Suitable… um, I’m very grateful for your assessment, but…”

“Still, you’re so much more timid than you were on the battlefield. I don’t dislike that kind of gap, but I prefer the fierce you.”

“W-Well, um, I-I’m honored.”

“By the way, that dagger you used for a moment, was that from Kagura—?”

“...Hmm.”

I’m glad to see they’re getting along.

But Kanata, you’re being cornered by a beautiful woman at point-blank range, yet all you do is act humbled without a hint of a blush. You’ve got skills—

“See, Auerin? When Haru makes that face, he’s usually thinking something stupid.”

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

“Like the kind of stuff you usually think about, Auerin.”

“What’d you say, you bastard, Uni?”

“Ahaha.”

“Don’t you ‘ahaha’ me, you four-eyed schemer.”

…I knew it, but the Sotalm faction gets along really well too. That's a good thing.