kscans

Chapter 898 - Team-Up

In any case, the agenda was clear.

The top two have already reached the hundredth floor of the Key Tree. The plan is for the rest of us to get there as quickly as possible and press onward through the 'door' that awaits.

The path might lead to Green Connect, a raid that was cut short. To confirm whether that's true or not, we first need to assemble the required six people.

Furthermore, even if the door does lead to the second act of the Green Connect raid, no one is optimistic enough to imagine we'll clear it on the first try.

We'll challenge it, again and again, searching for the best possible strategy to seize victory. To increase our options for doing so, the first step is to get all the rankers, the game's top players, to the hundredth floor.

Hence, the team-up.

Thirty divided by six makes a perfect five teams. By forming the best possible six-person full parties—well-balanced and powerful—we will execute a rapid ascent up the tree.

It was a simple and logical strategy. By grouping together the rankers, who are each capable of achieving absurd results on their own, our conquest of the Key Tree Maze should be stable.

At least... what was it called? Up to the hundredth floor, the so-called Foundation Tree Road.

And so...

"Pardon my presumption, but I have taken the liberty of preparing a draft of the team assignments... after consulting with Iris and Goldow. If there are any objections or opinions, please share them now."

All of this had been shared with us before the event. So naturally, we had already agreed to the plan of preparing team assignments in advance.

The [Lady-in-Waiting]—who could be called the strategist for not just the Southern Faction but all players—served as the core of the planning, with none other than the [Sword Queen (Iris)] and the [General Commander (Goldow)] also providing their input. I felt nothing but trust. Like the rest of my friends and acquaintances, I watched the proceedings without any sense of apprehension.

Yes, with a sense of relief, trust, and carelessness that assumed nothing could possibly go wrong, I looked at the 'draft' displayed on the window that appeared in the air.

──────────────────────────────

Team A: [General Commander], [Heroine], [Long Legs], [Wolf Pack], [Cloud-Hiding], Kanata

Team B: [Acrobat], [Twin Fists], [Orb Law], [Mirror Law], [Sword Law], Sora

Team C: [Peerless], [Left Wing], [Right Wing], [Knight], [Sound Armor], [Ever-Changing]

Team D: [Thread-Weaver], [Scorching Gaze], [Undying], [Full Auto], [Adamant], [Traveler]

Team E: [Great Tiger], [Screen], [Heavy Tank], [Castle Lord], [Poet], [Dispersion]

──────────────────────────────

"........................Huh...?"

It took me a flat four seconds for my brain to process the information and freeze.

"Regarding the order, it's mostly meaningless, so please don't pay it any mind."

Yeah, well, I don't really care about that.

"The only exception is the person whose name has been placed at the front; they have been selected as the formal party leader, so I would appreciate it if you would bear that in mind."

I have some objections, or rather, things I want to say about that, but that's a minor detail for now.

"We're together..."

I'll also set aside the happy whisper I caught from one side.

"I requested to have you on my team. I've seen plenty of your rampages in the archives, but I wanted to see your growth with my own eyes."

"Ah, y-yes, sir. I'll do my best...!"

And I'll also set aside the energetic voice from my other side, as Kanata showed his motivation to Goldow, who had clapped him on the shoulder... No, I mean, it's not that I have any complaints, but—

"...Somehow, I had a feeling this would happen."

"Oi, you! What's with that dissatisfied look? Not happy to be with the cute and adorable Mi-na-chan? You wanna start a war? What do you think, Ri-na-chan!"

"Hah..."

"Hey, why are you looking unhappy too, Ri-na-chan? You're going to make me cry."

"Eh... Leader... Eh, me...? You've got to be kidding... why..."

"Seems appropriate."

"It does."

"Ufufu... Good luck, our future raid leader candidate."

"You can do it, Nat-chan! I'm cheering for you! Let's climb this thing quick and go on an adventure!"

"Ehhhhh..."

"Why me? Wouldn't Uni be a better fit?"

"Eh? Where'd you get that idea? I think I'm the last person who should be a leader."

"Well, Uni-kun, you do have a tendency to just charge ahead on a whim and do whatever you want."

"It's the perfect role for you, Tora-san. Family bias aside, you're Nortalia's finest 'general.'"

"What's with that? Stop it, you're making me blush. Flattery will only get you a smile from me."

"........................Ngh..."

"...Oi, one of 'em's asleep. Is this party gonna be okay?"

Amidst the lively chatter, the atmosphere was amicable.

Everyone seemed to have no complaints or objections to their respective team assignments, which was great—which meant, naturally, that people's eyes would gather on the one person who stood out...

"—Haru-sama."

"....................................Y-Yes."

It wasn't an intrusive stare, but I was keenly aware of being the center of attention. A sweet fragrance accompanied a presence that drew near, and my name was called.

I turned my head to see the Saintess standing beside me.

With a sweet expression like a maiden in love, a look of yearning like a lady granted a secret rendezvous, her glittering emerald eyes reflected only one person—

"To be able to accompany you is like a dream. I look forward to working with you."

"Ah, uh... um..."

I glanced to either side of her.

To the left and right of the third-ranked member of the Northern Faction, the [Orb Law], stood, of course, the fourth-ranked [Mirror Law] and the fifth-ranked [Sword Law]. Shoh-san and Ren-san were my allies. I clung to that salvation, which had been established during our previous encounter, but the response I received was...

"...My apologies. Ren and I will do our best to manage things, so..."

"Please bear with us and join our party..."

Two faces of merciless resignation.

"Ah...—Guh!?"

And then, the follow-up attack came from behind. It felt like a mountain of muscle had suddenly landed on my shoulder. I was pulled back, and a gruff old man's voice whispered in my ear.

"...You're in a tough spot with the Saintess makin' moves on you, ain't ya?"

"How did you know—was it Iris again...?!"

"Well, I know you've got your own stuff as a man, but she's not a bad kid. Down the line, you might have to rely on her for expeditions and what not. Use this chance to get to know her."

"..."

"You're flustered 'cause a stranger's gettin' friendly with you, right? Then just get friendly enough that you won't be flustered anymore. Luckily, you've got stoppers on both sides of her."

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

And there it is, his trademark logical argument that belies his muscular frame. When he puts it like that, making me think, "Well, if you say so," I guess I don't really have a choice.

Not that raising my hand to object was ever an option for me, anyway.

"You've got Sora, too. Have her protect you if things get rough, pretty boy."

"And there's the unnecessary comment. Get off me, you muscle-head!"

Without me even needing to shake him off, Goldow pulled away, laughing cheerfully. And just like that, with all my escape routes cut off, I was back to square one.

I exchanged a glance with my partner, who seemed just as troubled as I was, then turned back to face the smile that could only be described as earnest—so incredibly, earnestly gentle and soft.

Fine. It may be eighty percent one-sided enthusiasm, but we are inexplicably pen pals. In that sense, we aren't exactly strangers. But that's precisely why I have to swallow my fear and be brave, or I'll probably be intimidated by her forever.

In that case, I'll gladly accept this team assignment, which was probably Goldow's doing.

"N-Nice to meet you..."

I have three reliable allies. What's a bewitching saintess to me?

Gen-san over there is still meditating, but his presence is reassuring in its own way (?), so there's no need to be afraid. This is nothing! Bring it on!!!

"...too."

I didn't even need to look back to know that I was in a weird, desperate state of mind, fueled by confusion. But I figured things would work out one way or another, and with that slightly, just a tiny bit, optimistic thought, I extended my hand—

"—Fufu..."

"........................P-"

The moment she took it, cradling it reverently with both her soft, warm hands as if it belonged to the most beloved person in the world... it was all too easy.

"Please, I beg of you... refrain from... excessive body contact..."

My mind was mercilessly flooded with nothing but anxiety for the near future.

---

Sora-san is troubled next to him, and Nia-chan is troubled in the Western Faction's seats.

Iris is on her throne with a serious, expressionless face.

And as for me, I'm personally not a big fan of the 'evil woman who hits on a guy who's already in a relationship,' but I love the Saintess. Be prepared.