kscans

Chapter 934 - Intertwining Branches and Leaves

"Alright, let's get this over with quick."

With those words, the Scorching Arm hopped down from her large chair. For someone facing a turning point for a Terror Armament that was, in fact, also her own as its 'Weaver of Legends,' she seemed remarkably relaxed.

Perhaps I was unconsciously looking at her with a 'Is it really okay to be so casual?' expression, because she returned a look that seemed to say, 'You don't have time either, right?' as she walked around the desk. Her small yet dignified avatar came to stand beside the two of us.

"I've just never been the type to get nervous right before somethin' big. Don't mind me."

"She is the type to dwell on things by herself afterward."

"Shut up, Sayaka. Don't be spillin' my personal info."

"I would rather not hear that from you."

After another round of their friendly banter.

"Here."

"Yes."

Their exchange, too, spoke of a deep, long-standing relationship.

Responding to the 'Weaver of Legends'' request conveyed through a short sound and gesture, the 'wielder' who had caught it without fail replied. And so, in front of Sayaka-san's raised hands, a single book appeared.

It was a book made of bone, something you couldn't even call a 'book' since its cover couldn't be turned, yet it could only be described as such.

"There are only two things we know for sure about this thing right now."

As I gazed at the [Will-No-Erma (Prologue: Heroism Recorded in Dragon's Solace)] floating in its owner's palms, the other half of its ownership duo, who was also watching it, spoke up again, her playful tone gone.

"One, its existence can't be known to anyone but the three of us. …The fact that it still exists even after you found out means that you've given your consent, right?"

"Yeah."

It was because she believed it would be so… because she wished for it, however presumptuous it might sound, that Sayaka-san had revealed its existence to me without hesitation.

I don't know what would have happened to this Terror Armament if I had heard and then refused. I suspect it wouldn't have just ended and vanished on the spot… but still, there's no doubt that it took courage.

I was long past the point of getting cold feet.

When I conveyed my understanding with a nod, Kokoro-san glanced sideways. At the end of her gaze was none other than her partner, a faint, happy smile on her cheeks.

Her subdued demeanor was likely a result of being teased so much. Seeing this, the girlish avatar let out a single, undisguised, amused smile and moved on.

"Two, its form of evolution and all that is different from a normal Terror Armament. This thing is the type to advance by 'fulfilling conditions' rather than 'accumulating experience.'"

"Hm?"

I tilted my head, not understanding at first.

"The fact that it's a powerless ornament at the 'Prologue' stage is weird enough, but it means that even a useless ornament can evolve. Right now."

An additional explanation. That pretty much cleared it up.

"…Oh, huh? Ah, so that's how it is?"

"That's how it is."

"It seems that is how it is."

In other words, what was about to begin wasn't just a ritual to carve my name into a 'book.'

"—Alright, let's get this over with."

It was also a ritual for the story that had chosen me, with great reverence, as its 'protagonist' to finally, after more than three years, turn to the next page.

And so, heat rushed forth.

At the center of us 'three parties,' the moment Kokoro-san held her hand over the [Will-No-Erma] that Sayaka-san was holding up, a scorching flame of magical light overflowed from her small body.

"Tch…"

Magic power, strong enough to be visualized as intense light accompanied by a faint pressure. I used to think it wasn't strange, given that every artisan I met was like that, but it was a magnificent abnormality.

My partner, who kicks up gales, is the same. The ability to cause a 'phenomenon' with the movement of magic even before exercising any power is a type of talent in Arcadia.

Kagura-san, Nia… all of them. So it's no surprise that the Scorching Arm, reputed to be above those two in overall skill, could do the same, but it really makes you think.

Now that I'm something of a magus-craftsman myself, I think it even more.

Even if they have little to no fighting ability, they, too, are truly 'monsters.'

"'Author (Sayaka)'—I ask you."

And then, the master of the scorching flame spoke with a light tone.

"What is a 'story' to you?"

"…It is something that stays by everyone's side."

Were those words prepared, or were they words she believed in so strongly she could answer instantly? To Sayaka-san, who answered the sudden question without hesitation, Kokoro-san gave a single nod.

"'Protagonist (Haru)'—I ask you."

Next, her face and words turned, of course, to me.

"What is a 'story' to you?"

"…………"

Of course, I hadn't prepared an answer. I couldn't respond instantly like Sayaka-san.

But for me, it wasn't that difficult of a question either.

"—The 'now.'"

I uttered just a single word.

The reactions from the 'wielder' and 'Weaver of Legends' standing on either side of me were…

"Fufu…—Do you see now, Kokoro?"

"Yeah, yeah…—I'm fine with losin', so keep the lovey-dovey stuff to yourself."

…each a single smile.

It's quite embarrassing, but I'm glad I was able to provide a satisfactory answer. Just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, thinking I had fulfilled my part of the ritual without a hitch—

"And last, the 'Bookbinder (me)'… well, as for that—"

Scorching flames raced, and brilliant light burst forth.

The moment the girl, still holding her hand over the 'book' where the light converged, once again flashed a fearless smile—one that had become familiar in such a short time and suited her so well—

"—I'll let these 'arms' do the talking."

With the heat born from the light, the page of the story was turned.