kscans

Chapter 795 - The Tomoe Trio

Although Sapphire takes the form of a dragon with great wings, it doesn't actually fly by flapping them. If you were to ask me how it flies, my only answer would be, 'I have no idea.' Regardless, this fact comes with several major advantages.

One is its silent flight. Another is the wonderfully considerate fact that it produces very little wind pressure or other environmental effects during takeoff and landing.

And so, the moment Sapphire completed a quiet, splendidly smooth landing—its massive body, far lighter than its size would suggest but still orders of magnitude heavier than a human, along with the added weight of its passengers, causing the ground to tremble ever so slightly—

"—Woooah, I missed you, Sapphy-chaaan!!!"

"Whoa?!"

"Hey, what the—"

"Careful...!"

"Eek?!"

A vibrant, single-minded ruffian charged forward without a second thought, bellowing a war cry as he crashed into the Stardust Beast's chest. The sudden jolt made the three younger-looking members of our group, minus Ui-san, plus our blue-haired companion cry out in surprise.

The rest of us, myself included, remained completely unfazed. Those of us who had seen the ruffian's wind-up, having easily predicted this outcome, just sighed and began to dismount—or rather, dis-dragon.

"Try to keep it in moderation."

"Okaaaaaaaay!!!!"

"That is not the voice of moderation."

For now, I'll ignore the chartreuse-colored embodiment of freedom who blows everything away—the Northern Faction's number one ranker, Lux the [Traveler]—and proceed with my own greetings.

"""..."""

Six eyes were fixed on me. Well, I was drawing stares from all around, but three pairs in particular stood out. I should probably prioritize the ones right in front of me.

One woman and two men. Their expressions were divided.

First, the woman. She was calm, or perhaps more accurately, natural. She possessed a different kind of big-shot aura than Lux... a quiet yet palpable presence. A delicate maiden with long, ibis-pink hair that swayed gently.

Her brilliant emerald eyes watched me with a soft warmth.

Then, the two men. Slender youths with somewhat stern, tightened expressions—likely a sign of caution. They flanked the woman protectively, their appearances identical save for one having his mid-back length chestnut hair flowing freely while the other had it tied back.

Both pairs of eyes fixed on me were a sharp, deep royal blue.

Clad in matching, intricately designed monochrome priest robes, the trio looked for all the world like they were a matching set straight out of a painting.

I see, I see. They seem to be just as the preliminary information described.

In that case, it's proper for the junior to greet them first.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Haru, the [Acrobat], rank four of the Eastern Faction, Istia—"

Just as I began the exchange with the customary pleasantries, a sweet, cheerful voice boldly cut me off.

"—I've been wanting to meet you for so long."

"..."

It was half 'no way' and half 'of course.' And just a sliver of 'you've got to be kidding me.' In that case, the others who know 'her' as I do...

I could distinctly feel the gazes of the two girls behind me, Sora and Nia, stabbing into my back.

"I've been watching all of your exploits ever since you rose to prominence. Your magnificent, 'protagonist-like' performance has been a source of great entertainment for me every day."

"Uh, thank you... I guess."

Contrary to her gentle, easygoing appearance, her speech was crisp and clear. Her voice itself was soft, but it carried... an indescribable pressure, a certain power.

Yes, as I thought, a powerful presence. And above all else—

"Um, you're a bit close..."

Her sense of personal space was something else. She had advanced on me with an unrelenting thump, thump, thump and was now right in front of me. At some point she'd taken my right hand, wrapping it reverently in both of hers, and our faces were now less than thirty centimeters apart.

My back felt like a pincushion. The four blue eyes in front of me were also taking on a dangerous glint, but—well, I wasn't worried about them.

If anything, they were...

"—Alright, that's enough."

"—Saya-nee, stop it."

"Oh... my, my."

...undoubtedly on my side, seeing as they ruthlessly peeled her off me, ensuring my safety in more ways than one.

And so,

"...You probably already know, but I apologize."

"No, no, not at all."

One of them secured the 'problem child' of sorts, while the other—the young man with his hair down—remained before me. He instantly dropped his cautious expression and offered a friendly smile.

"My apologies for the late introduction. I'm Shoh, rank four of the Northern Faction, Nortalia, the [Mirror Law]. In a different way from my sister over there, I've been looking forward to meeting you, [Acrobat]-san."

"Ah, likewise."

As I shook the hand he cordially extended,

"—Then, I'll go next. Apologies for the circumstances... I'm Ren, rank five of the Northern Faction, the [Sword Law]. I saw your performance in the recent Triangle Duo. It was magnificent."

"Thank you, I'm honored."

...the other young man, who had secured a safe distance, introduced himself while holding onto the woman, who was now quietly puffing out her cheeks.

As I responded, I couldn't help but let out a wry, detached smile, thinking, 'What a handful,' as everything unfolded exactly as my research had suggested...

""Come on, Saya-nee, your introduction."

"Oh, honestly, I know."

Their timing was impeccable, though perhaps not quite on the level of a certain pair of wings. After being scolded by her two 'younger brothers,' the woman was released and turned to face me once more.

And then... she just stared again. Her green eyes gazed at me for a long moment before she spoke.

"—I am Sayaka, rank three of the Northern Faction. My title is the [Orb Law]."

She was Nortalia's number three. The one who sat in the middle of the 'Unyielding Seats of the North' that filled ranks one through five—the woman people called the 'Enchanting Saintess'—possessed a truly charming...

"Ufufu..."

"..."

Correction. She possessed a truly beautiful, dangerous, and bewitching smile as she looked at me.

"Please, let's get along—Haru-sama."

As if deliberately trying to do so, she sent daggers into my back with her words, all while radiating an overwhelmingly unique aura.