kscans

Chapter 950 - The Next Item on the Agenda

Alright, with that, I suppose we can put a pin in the process of figuring out the challengers for now.

As for the NPC that seems to be the sixth slot, that's something we can confirm later, along with the theory that it's one from each of the four factions plus someone's partner.

And so, the meeting of the de facto faction leaders moved on to the next issue.

"At this rate, it looks like it'll take close to two months for it to fill up."

"So, right around the new year, huh?"

"Ah, which means…"

"Everyone's got plans, I reckon, so it'll probably get pushed back even further, eh?"

Iris stated it succinctly, Goldow rubbed his chin, Enra-shi folded his arms and looked up at the ceiling, and Jin-san smiled with his usual, supreme elegance.

What were they talking about? The door depicted on the floor of the hundredth layer. More specifically, the gauge inscribed upon it.

Just like the six sigils shaped like player cursors that marked the challenger slots, there was a pattern on the outer circumference that held a light, which seemed to indicate some kind of progress.

This was another thing we could just test later, but it was highly likely that the door wouldn't open even if we solved the details of the challenger slots and lit up all six sigils.

Or, even if it did open, there was an extremely high probability that we'd be met with some progression bug or an insurmountable disadvantage on 'the other side of the door' due to some unmet condition.

Therefore, we'd almost certainly have to wait until the gauge filled up. And Iris was saying that this 'waiting' period was looking to be a little under two months from now.

"—Well, isn't that fine? We finished conquering the hundredth floor in a flash, and even though it's just the slots, we managed to solve that mystery. Think of it as getting a head start on our period for preparation and steeling our resolve."

"Yes. With the next 'Starry Paradise' event and the 'Four Pillar War' in between, we won't have as much time as we think to spend on forming new teams, confirming and mastering our coordination, and holding meetings."

Of course, we'll also need time for adequate rest—Helena-san added, picking up her father's thread and continuing the proceedings.

…As she spoke, her eyes turned toward me.

"We plan to bring this up for discussion again when all the rankers can gather, but… I believe we should inform those present of the confirmed slots now."

"………………"

And with her next words, the meaning was sealed.

Well, it's not like I didn't see it coming—

"First, Iris. Next, Haru-sama. And then Sora-sama. This lineup is unlikely to change."

Of course, that's how it would be.

By now, I'm aware that my own individual combat ability is… well, let's just say it's pretty high up there among the rankers. I have to admit that, considering my track record.

On top of that, since my presence can function as a 'support item that maximizes the [Sword Queen]'s specs in party play,' it's only natural that I'd be treated as a confirmed slot.

Iris's [One's Gift (Fox's Fortune Shadow-Cloth)] removes the activation restrictions on the ranker title '[Sword Queen]'s' enhancement effect, `Braver, Lone Hero`, so long as the designated target is on the same battlefield.

In other words, my presence is indispensable for her to get serious in anything other than a solo fight.

And if I'm in the running, then… for the exact same reason I'm tied to Iris, Sora is inevitably tied to me.

Honestly, I think she's a shoo-in based on her specs alone, but when we're paired together, our combat power skyrockets, making it an absolute no-brainer.

And well, since I understood all that….

"Understood."

Although I felt a bit intimidated about pushing past my seniors, I was now a ranker in my own right.

I didn't hesitate to nod back.

"…I'll think about the Northern and Western selections a little longer. We might have to take a vote at the next meeting, so I want you all to think about it on your own as well."

Seeing my nod, Iris spoke again.

And so, within the circle of comrades who voiced their assent to the Princess's proclamation.

"The same goes for the NPC. I'll get to confirming all that right away—…Haru, I need you to help with that, too."

"Hm?"

"Assuming the guess that the sixth slot is an NPC is correct, there might be further conditions. For example… it could be limited to someone who has forged a bond with a player."

"Ahh…"

Following Helena-san's words, a new request was directed at me personally, and I nodded in understanding. Come to think of it, 'registering an NPC as a friend' was a pretty rare case, wasn't it?

If that was the case, then it would indeed be fastest for me—the one who has the name of that boisterous Twin-Shield Knight, Lord Kendy, on my list—to cooperate.

"Got it. I'm ready whenever."

"Good, thanks."

And just as we settled that.

With her usual expressionless face… or rather, a faintly discernible smile,

"…………………………"

"………………"

I exchanged glances with a staring Iris for one second, two seconds, three seconds.

"…………………………………………"

"………………………………"

And thus—

As if she had finally reached the limit of her patience.

Tap, tap, tap. The [Sword Queen] strode briskly toward me and forcefully grabbed… my stomach.

Or rather—the slender arm that was wrapped around my stomach.

"—Just how long do you intend to cling to him?"

"—Infinitely?"

And so, so began the staredown between the Tenth Seat and the Princess.

Originally, Irori was the only one summoned to the meeting to report on the hundredth floor's conquest. The red one (Mi-na) had tagged along beside him… and the blue one (this girl) had tagged along beside her, breaking away the moment we arrived to launch a full-frontal assault on me.

She'd been like this the whole time.

Before the serious meeting started, and even after it began, she hadn't left my side for a moment.

So why had I been ignoring her all this time? Simple.

It was because I knew she wouldn't listen even if I said anything, so I'd just given up.

"Let go. Getting my brother-fix is a little sister's right."

With Ri-na now spouting some seriously wild stuff without a hint of hesitation, almost everyone in the room—with a few exceptions—shot her a strained smile.

"Know your time and place. A normal 'little sister' doesn't cling to her 'brother' so affectionately in public during a serious meeting. Enough already, that's not fair."

With a dead-serious expression, Iris tugged and tugged—though she seemed reluctant to use brute force, trying to get her to release her grip voluntarily while piling on the words.

"There's no one here who'd mind anyway."

The self-proclaimed little sister refused to yield, sticking to her selfish ways. The others, who had been arbitrarily categorized as 'people who don't mind,' moved past strained smiles to looks of exasperated resignation and lukewarm gazes.

"………………"

With a blank mind, I glanced around at each of their faces—

"…………A-ahem. Th-then, for now, that concludes our business. We will contact you again after adjusting our schedules, so please be on standby."

Finally, my eyes met Helena-san's. The fact that her supremely intelligent monocle seemed to have slipped down her nose… well, I'd just chalk that up to a trick of the light or my imagination.

With that, we were dismissed, which meant my next plan was already decided.

"Alrighty."

""—Ah."

With a [Flash Traveler], I made an instantaneous escape from being sandwiched between the 'Princess' and the 'Sister.' I strode over to the one person whose eyes, among all the gazes I'd just met, had been dyed a distinctly exasperated color….

"Yo, Irori. Got a minute?"

"Out of the blue…—No, I understand. Very well."

I invited my friend for a chat.

---

Meanwhile, my master was smiling next to me the whole damn time. So cute.