kscans

Chapter 834 - Because I Think of You, I Am. Because I Wish It, the World Continues - Part 8

"...I see. Understood."

And so, about thirty seconds after everyone had assembled. As if she had been waiting for it, I rattled off a rapid-fire explanation of this and that, and the Princess, with a single nod, understood in a flash.

I'd kept it ridiculously brief, omitting my personal impressions and other fine details, but Ashe, who had requested the explanation, seemed to indicate, 'That's more than enough.'

"────Enra."

"Yeah, Princess?"

"I need confirmed information from the artisan side. The remaining capacity until the mana pool reaches its critical point, the detailed work progress, the time required for the final phase... and any other impressions you might have, no matter how trivial."

"...Right. Got it, give me a sec."

She didn't stop moving just because she understood; she naturally continued to press forward.

Inside her head, thoughts were likely spinning at a velocity that not only ordinary people but even most superhumans couldn't hope to match. Her expression and voice remained as calm and flat as ever────which is precisely why, in moments like these, she exudes an indescribable air of intensity.

Thus, the hundred or so people gathered around her naturally fell completely silent.

Even in this abnormal situation where the supreme, the invincible, and the lawless were still rampaging over there and over here... if the [Sword Queen] was calmly planning her strategy, then that must be the optimal solution. The raid was filled with an almost laughable degree of absolute trust.

Most likely, the simultaneous teleportation of the entire raid force was also Ashe's command.

By sending in key assets like the [Sword Saint] ahead of time to support those of us at the vanguard, she must have considered every possible 'what if' and decided against feeding in reinforcements piecemeal.

Even scattered across a vast field, even under restrictions that prevented proper coordination. Whether she intends it or not, the title of 'Queen' truly suits her.

"...Yeah. Okay, then────sorry for the wait, Princess. I've got most of it... but sorry, it's not 'confirmed,' just 'pretty much confirmed.' Keep that in mind."

"Understood. Please proceed."

We were truly, undoubtedly, a raid party ruled by Queen Iris.

"............She's so cool."

"Always is, isn't she..."

To my partner's soft murmur, I could only reply in agreement. Her intelligence, her charisma... at times like these, it's almost funny how we seem to live in different worlds.

Meanwhile, indifferent to the carefree thoughts of someone who, despite still being physically present, had effectively retired from the fight...

"First, about this thing────the mana 'Green Connect' is asking for, we're about fifty percent there. If we convert that to the number of boss enemies... well, individuals vary quite a bit, so this is a rough estimate, but somewhere between five hundred and seven hundred? Defeating that many should just about do it."

"Mm."

"And the work progress. As for our 'preparations,' we can start whenever we want. With all ten of the top seats assembled, analysis is a piece of cake. Right, best friend?"

"Don't touch me, you moron."

As the conversation proceeded steadily, a pat on the head was followed by a slap.

With a bit of playful banter from the very close [Crimson Arm] & [Scorching Arm] duo thrown in...

"Right now, we're studying up to shorten the time it'll take to flip the final 'switch.' At this rate... yeah, I'd say..."

...the head of the artisans continued to speak on behalf of his peers, a comical palm-shaped damage effect scattering from his cheek as if nothing had happened.

"────Once we kick things off, it'll be over in thirty seconds. Nothing else worth mentioning. If you need anything else from our end, don't hesitate to ask."

"Mm... Mm, I see. Understood."

It was a spectacular sight, the circle formed by the current top 10 of the Western Faction. Having received the information she wanted, Ashe... closed her eyes for five, then ten seconds.

"────...I've decided."

In that brief moment, she chose her 'solution' without a shred of hesitation.

"I will explain the plan. Listen."

And so, in about thirty seconds...

With a choice of words, summarization of key points, and oratorical skill that were truly in a different league from my own, the raid master delivered her orders concisely and clearly...

"If anyone has an objection, please don't hesitate to speak up."

And of course, there was no one who would dare to disagree.

◇◆◇◆◇

"────Ui."

"...!"

She stepped forward to deliver a flash of the blade, and moved to her side to deliver a word.

She was faintly terrified inside by the creepy, unidentified monster, but she was used to putting on a tough front—a secret from everyone—and heading into battle.

Thus, though the feedback from her strike was strangely unsettling, her 'sword' certainly carried its power through. The full-force swing was delivered without restraint, overlapping with the strike of the [Sword Saint]... her friend.

"Hehe. Is the strategy meeting over already?"

"It's fine. I'm sorry for leaving it to you alone."

Sword and katana joined forces, sending the grotesque black mass flying. Heedless of the scattering impact, the roaring gale, and the massive tremor of the giant's fall that echoed a moment later...──

"............What's new this time? I've never seen that katana or that hair before."

"Of course you haven't. It was my little 'secret,' even from my own disciple."

A woman who looked like a young girl and a princess who bore the title of Queen. Standing side-by-side, they exchanged words with the utmost calm, their voices completely devoid of tension, the very picture of composure.

And at the same time...

"Has it been like this... the whole time?"

"Yes. The pressure from their numbers and mass is considerable, but that's all there is to it."

As it swelled and bloated, the giant's body, now likely well over thirty meters tall, periodically scattered jet-black 'fragments'... which, according to Haru the Acrobat, were 'all familiar-looking.'

Presumably, they were shadows of the boss enemies defeated during this raid, or perhaps mere imitations. While casually and single-handedly annihilating every last one of them...

"...I can't... sense anything from it."

"No. It seems to be... a mass of soulless dead."

Aside from the main body's eerie appearance, the quiet conversation between the supreme and the strongest, both crowned with the name of the sword, continued uninterrupted as they gazed upon a monster from which they could feel neither fear nor will.

But in exchange...

"So, can you keep that up indefinitely?"

"Of course────is what I'd like to say with confidence, but..."

The katana and hair that had stirred the [Sword Queen]'s emotions dissolved without a sound, scattering into light. The end of the lawless, utterly lawless, and outrageously powerful state had come.

"Unfortunately, '[Sword Saint] Ver. 2' ends here."

And so, muttering, "I'm still so inexperienced," she let out a bashful smile and...

"Will this be insufficient for the plan?"

"You've got to be kidding me. ............You can tell jokes, can't you."

"My. I wonder what you think of me, Ar-chan."

"Haru's master."

"...That seems to carry a lot of different meanings, doesn't it?"

...with her continuing words, she drew a rare, clear, wry smile from Iris.

────And still, along with their voices, the two of them unleashed countless flashes of light.

Alone, they were peerless. Thus, when walking side-by-side, there could be nothing to stand in their way. The [Sword Queen] and the [Sword Saint] faced the 'enemy,' sword and katana in hand.

Amidst a rain of black that was cut down and shattered before it could even get close, let alone touch them...

"The plan is simple. Help me."

"Of course. With all the power I possess."

The silver-blue and the ash-gray took a step forward in unison, and the beginning of the end began.