kscans

Chapter 897 - Gazing Up at the Treetops

Although Iris herself possesses the ability to easily manage the proceedings of a meeting, when it comes to a 'moderator' for us rankers, she is, as expected, the one for the job.

"First of all, I'd like to congratulate everyone on their hard work during the third World Event. To that end, if anyone has anything to report or share regarding this matter, please do so at the beginning of this meeting."

And so, no one would dare interrupt Helena-san as she commanded the room with a string of dignified, flowing words—

"That tremor. Who was involved?"

—or so I thought.

She was likely planning to have everyone share their reports from the event at the start of the meeting. But before she could finish, someone—either too impatient or simply lacking any sense of restraint... well, considering his personality, it was definitely the latter.

He didn't raise his hand, merely his voice. It was our very own tenth-ranked member of the Eastern Faction.

Lounging in his designated seat with his legs crossed and an elbow propped on the armrest, Yurayura, the [Screen], put on a textbook display of someone who owned the place.

Contrary to his laid-back player name, he exuded a rough, almost menacing aura. I suppose that, along with his whole condescending act, is what his fans adore...

"...The hell're you lookin' at? Not like I'm doin' anythin' weird."

"Why did you direct that at me specifically?"

Some might have smiled fondly, thinking ah, his usual shtick, while others would have simply followed the flow of conversation, unbothered. Including me, who was inexplicably singled out for intimidation, no one here was fazed by Yurayura's behavior.

"Eek—!?"

"No need to be scared, Shizuku. That's just his thing."

Actually, there was one person. In the middle of the section where Vestol's artisans were gathered, the [Raindrop Koropokkuru], a little girl in green, was cowering before the [Screen]'s wicked face.

Next to her, the Third Seat, [Scorching Arm], who was trying to calm her down, was of a similar size, which only served to make her look like an even more pathetic little animal. The poor thing—

"Regarding that..."

"I think that was probably our fault."

It was still too early for the meeting to descend into noisy chaos. Having calmly come to that conclusion, two people spoke up to steer the conversation back on track.

It was a pair of the most powerful players, both bearing the title of the sword: the [Sword Saint] and the [Sword Queen].

"To put it simply, we cleared the 'Great Labyrinth' we've been talking about for a while now."

"The two of us defeated the boss who was sitting at the very end."

And so began their explanation, led by Iris with the occasional soft-spoken interjection from my master. Thanks almost entirely to the former's skill, the report was delivered concisely and swiftly...

"—And that's everything. ...The unveiling, as I mentioned, will have to wait for a bit."

"Fufu... I hope you're all looking forward to it."

"""""————————...""""""

It was the very first report of the meeting, a mere 'side note,' and yet the two sword-wielders had shared a military achievement so staggering it left the rest of us speechless. They both finished their tale looking faintly satisfied.

In response to that...

"...I see."

I feel like Yurayura, the [Screen], who seemed to have come to some sort of personal understanding, wouldn't be punished for sharing a few more of his thoughts with his comrades.

But that's just him. And it seems I wasn't the only one who, knowing what he's like, had decided to leave him be out of friendship.

"Hah... Now then, does anyone else have any information that needs to be shared?"

That was probably a sigh born from being all too familiar with her 'master's' absurd antics. Without directing any questions toward the one who started it all, Helena-san moved the meeting forward.

There were no objections to ignoring Yurayura, nor did anyone else raise a hand.

"Well then, setting aside the incomprehensible business of our top two..."

"...Helena?"

"I feel like something rather harsh was just said..."

"Without further ado, I would like to move on to the main topic."

Every time I see her operate in a setting like this, I can't help but think: The [Lady-in-Waiting] is incredible. Well, I suppose I and everyone else should brace ourselves for the 'main topic.'

"As was shared with you all before the event, we will now commence the full-scale assault on the Key Tree by all ranked members. Are there any questions?"

This time, not a single hand or voice was raised. The queen gave a quiet nod, and...

"Then, for confirmation—am I correct in understanding that all ranked members of the three factions, excluding the Western Faction, have collectively completed the conquest of the fiftieth floor of the Key Tree?"

More than thirty heads nodded in affirmation.

Just as we had coordinated our schedule to finish the fiftieth floor the day before the event, all the rankers from the three combat-capable factions had set a date to align their progress. That was the preparatory stage.

There were no exceptions. Even those who didn't specialize in direct combat—like the Saintess, the [Orb Law], who had been inexplicably directing a heated gaze at me ever since she arrived—all thirty-plus members from the East, North, and South had completed the mission.

The 'plus' in 'thirty-plus' referred to the unranked members of our clan, [Azure Sky]. That included, of course, my partner, whose lack of a title is nothing short of baffling, and the promising new star, Kanata-kun, who was deemed a combat force capable of keeping pace with the rankers during the recent 'Green Connect' raid.

"".........""

Incidentally, both of them were currently sitting silently on either side of me, behaving perfectly.

Looking at them now, you'd just see an adorable girl and a charming young boy. But seats were prepared for them precisely because every single ranker here acknowledged their strength.

—Needless to say, it's not like they're the only two powerful players in Arcadia right now who are on the level of being called 'quasi-rankers.'

Former rankers who once held a title, players like Lotta for instance, were also considered as candidates... But this time, under the premise that the 'destination' had an estimated capacity of six people, the two of them were chosen in consideration of their ability to coordinate with the top fighting forces, among other things.

Well, if it was Lady Helena's decision, I doubt there would be any objections from within or without.

In any case, the exact total was all the rankers... minus Iris and my master, who had already cleared the hundredth floor, which made twenty-eight, plus an additional two, for a total of thirty.

Thirty people who could justifiably be called the strongest fighting force at present.

"Very well. In that case—"

There was only one reason we had all aligned our progress to this point.

"In order to aim for the rapid arrival of all rankers at the hundredth floor of the Key Tree, let us proceed with the team assignments."

Even if we bear special names... no, precisely because we bear them, we are players who never stop moving forward.

Our eyes, fixed upon this world, this game, are always searching for the fastest path.

"Hah... What a goddamn pain."

"I'd rather go on an adventure than climb a tree..."

Or so muttered the Eastern traveler and the Northern [Traveler]—well, to each their own. I suppose a little variance in motivation is to be expected.

---

Even so, Lu-chan still did his part and showed up. What a good boy.

By the way, Yurayura cleared up to the 50th floor solo. Scary.