kscans

Chapter 337 - Interlude. Happy Days

Lunaria Freire looked outside from her room in the base.

A long line of players snaked across the landscape outside. They had come to enter the headquarters of the clan Ambrosia.

Today was the day the world would end. The day they would bid farewell to reality. Why were so many people here on a day like this?

After pondering it for a while, Lunaria reached a certain conclusion.

"Lunaria-chan, are you awake?"

A woman entered Lunaria's room as she spoke.

Her name was Xenobia. She was a member of the clan Ambrosia and the one Lunaria got along with best. According to Lunaria, she felt a sort of kindred shadowy power from her.

Xenobia looked at Lunaria with a surprised expression.

"Why are you wearing your armor and weapons?"

Lunaria was clad in crimson armor known as the Inferno Series and equipped with her Demonic Sword Arondight. She was dressed as if she were about to go slay monsters.

"There are a lot of people outside."

"It's a lot to deal with so early in the morning. But what about it?"

"I can feel their desire to defeat this clan and make a name for themselves. The proper thing to do is to face them. Let us intercept them together. They will become rust on Arondight's blade."

"No, no, I'm not getting that feeling from them at all. The people outside just came to see you, Lunaria-chan."

Lunaria tilted her head.

"Does that not mean they want to fight me? I will get a little serious."

"There's no way that's it. You're very beautiful, Lunaria-chan, so they've come all this way just to get a glimpse of you."

"Hmph, you'll make me blush. But how do they know my face?"

Due to her social anxiety, Lunaria usually wore a helm that concealed her face. She had kept it on even during the Clan Wars. She took it off from time to time, but the only ones she would show her bare face to were her clan members.

"You know, your helm broke after you took that super high firepower magic during the battle with Blackjack."

"...I remember now. After I was taken down along with that Ivan person, my helm's durability ran out and it broke. I've had it repaired, but I should make them pay for it next time. That was Esha Crown-chan, right?"

"That's right. But today is the end, so I doubt she'll remember you even if you meet again. Anyway, after that, your face was displayed on the monitor during the awards ceremony. I heard it caused quite a stir."

"I see. I was so focused at the time, I didn't notice."

"You say you were focused, but weren't you just in an extreme state because there were too many people?"

"...I've forgotten such things from the past. So, does this mean the people outside are smitten with my charm?"

"Your charm, I wonder...? Well, I think they came to see you one last time. What do you want to do? Will you meet them? There are quite a few of them..."

"Hmph, impossible."

Lunaria refused without missing a beat. For someone with social anxiety, that was an impossible task. To begin with, it had taken her a long time to even speak normally with Xenobia right in front of her. Talking to strangers was as impossible as running a hundred meters in three seconds.

"I figured. It's impossible for me too. There are a lot of women, but there are more men, so I don't think I can go outside either... In that case, I'll tell Grant and Phaul. That it's impossible for you, Lunaria-chan."

"That sounds a little uncool, so just tell them it's not even necessary for me to go out."

"They came to see you, Lunaria-chan, and you say it's not necessary for you to go out..."

"More importantly, are you okay, Xenobia-chan? Can you tell Grant-chan and the others? I think you've become able to talk to them recently."

Xenobia was similar to Lunaria and had a fear of men. Despite spending a great deal of time with the members called Grant and Phaul in the same clan, she still couldn't look them in the eye when she spoke.

But Xenobia scoffed with a "Hmph." Then she gave a thumbs up with her right hand.

"It's a piece of cake with voice chat."

Lunaria gave a thumbs up in the same way.

"I know what you mean."

After that, Xenobia sent a message via voice chat saying it was impossible.

The recipient, Grant, seemed to have expected as much, and replied that the two of them should escape from the base. The other members must have been connected to the voice chat as well, and they exchanged words, promising to meet again in the next world.

The two of them left through the back entrance of the base and stepped into the nearby forest.

It was a place the clan Ambrosia often used as a hunting ground, where stronger enemies appeared the deeper one went. Their reasoning was that even if people noticed they were gone and came after them, the monsters would get in the way.

Lunaria and Xenobia began hunting monsters, just as they always did.

"I was thinking of taking it easy for the last day, but I feel like fighting like this suits me better."

After fighting for a while, Xenobia said something like that.

"A life spent in endless battle is certainly cool... even if it's a life in virtual reality and not the real world."

"I think a life in virtual reality is the best. Nothing ever went my way in reality. That's why I jumped at the suggestion that I could live in a game world forever. I think there are quite a few people like that."

Today, their memories of reality would be erased. And a life of living here as if it were reality awaited them. Some people had shown reluctance, but in the end, everyone had consented.

"Nothing went your way? I heard you were number one in the world at fighting games?"

"That might be amazing in its own way, but in reality, I was just shut up in my room playing games. Nutritional supplement tubes were provided, and as long as I wasn't extravagant, I could live without doing anything. I just kept playing and before I knew it, I was number one in the world. It's not like I aimed for it."

Xenobia said that, and then looked at Lunaria.

"Since this is the end, there's something I want to ask. What were you like in reality, Lunaria-chan? There are quite a few famous people in this virtual reality, but you're not particularly famous, are you?"

To enter this virtual reality, one needed to board the spaceship Aphrodite. As interactions increased not just in the virtual world but also on the spaceship, it became clear that many famous people were on board.

They were excellent in specific fields, and there were many people you'd never heard of, but the majority were celebrities or their families.

However, in Xenobia's memory, Lunaria was not famous at all, nor was she the family of someone famous. She had heard that Lunaria looked exactly like Amanda, who used to be in this clan, and that they were from the same hometown, but that was all.

Lunaria was wearing her helm, so her expression was not visible. But even from her mouth alone, it was clear she was flustered.

"Ah, sorry, was that something difficult to talk about? I don't want to force you to answer..."

"It's fine. It's certainly hard to say because I'm a failure."

"A failure...?"

"I did a lot of studying and took tests, but I couldn't get good results, so I'm a failure. Conversely, Amanda and everyone else got excellent grades, so they're successes."

"Um, I don't really understand...?"

"To put it simply, Amanda and I are Genetically Enhanced Humans."

"...Excuse me?"

"That said, it's not through things like genetic manipulation, but the type where they use periodic medication to instill enhanced physical abilities and thought acceleration. Development in space and interstellar travel are difficult for ordinary people, so there was research into creating humans who could physically and mentally withstand such things. Amanda and I were sort of born in that research facility."

"You're... joking, right?"

"It's true. That's also why Amanda and I look similar. Genetically, we have the same parents. It's just that I'm the dropout, and Amanda is the excellent one. That's why our surnames are different."

Xenobia was at a loss for words.

While she thought it was a joke, there were aspects that made her think it could be true.

Lunaria and Amanda possessed a level of strength in battle that left others in the dust. Since this world directly reflected one's real life reflexes and thought speed, they were superior in reality as well.

Arondight's skill, Black Swan, allowed for speeds that surpassed the laws of physics, but it wasn't a speed that could be achieved with practice. In fact, one's sense of reality would remain and act as a limiter, making it unusable for ordinary people.

But Lunaria and Amanda could move without being bothered by it at all.

Honestly, if you asked if Lunaria was mentally strong, it didn't seem that way, but both Lunaria and Amanda felt much younger than they looked.

It was only speculation and an image she had, but Xenobia thought that if they had lived in a research facility since they were born, they might turn out like that.

"Um, well, I mean..."

Xenobia tried to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. She didn't even know what she should say.

"It's cool, right?"

"Eh?"

"Being a Genetically Enhanced Human. It's so cool, like a Hero or a Demon Lord from a game. Personally, I'm rooting for the Demon Lord. You know, like they take revenge for having unwanted power implanted in them, and use that power to conquer the world."

A smile played on Lunaria's lips as she spoke.

Seeing Lunaria, who showed no sense of tragedy and was just talking about her favorite game, the credibility of her story gradually faded.

"Are you maybe joking?"

"Huh? Do you maybe like classic games where the hero defeats the demon lord, Xenobia-chan? Shall we have a long talk? I'll tell you all about the charms of the Demon Lord."

"That's not what I meant. The story about you being a Genetically Enhanced Human. That was a joke, right?"

"It's true, though? I don't know the name of the research facility, but it's a facility of the Zodiac Foundation."

"...What's that?"

"Oh? You don't know? The Another Frontier Project here is supposed to be led by that foundation, though?"

"Ehh...? Isn't this a planet-wide project that has removed national borders?"

"Yeah. That's why the Zodiac Foundation is scattering money to various countries and organizations and taking the lead. I don't know why Amanda is here, but I heard I was sent over here because I couldn't become a member of the colony development or interstellar travel teams."

"U-u-uuuuh?"

Xenobia seemed unable to keep up, holding her head with both hands and shaking it from side to side.

After doing so for a while, she stopped abruptly and gave a thumbs up with her right hand.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

"You'll forget it anyway, so no problem. Well then, shall we dive deep enough to conquer the Dark Cave for our final day?"

"We can't do it with just the two of us, can we? We don't even know how many floors there are to begin with..."

"I have found you!"

A woman's voice cut through Xenobia's words.

Instantly, Lunaria hid behind Xenobia's back. Though the petite Xenobia couldn't hide Lunaria at all.

Ten women, clad in black gothic lolita dresses, appeared before them.

One of them held the hem of her skirt lightly and gave an elegant greeting.

"It has been a while. I am Rosalie Quentis."

"Oh, it's just you, Rosalie-chan. Long time no see."

Rosalie Quentis was the leader of the clan Black Rose.

They were a clan that had made it to the top four of the Clan Wars and had fought against Lunaria's clan, Ambrosia. Ambrosia had been victorious at that time, but ever since, Black Rose had become fanatical followers of Lunaria.

As far as Lunaria was concerned, she recognized them as people she had become reasonably good friends with. It was to the level where she could step out from behind Xenobia and speak normally.

"Um, Rosalie-chan? Do you need something from me? Or do you have business with Xenobia-chan?"

"While Xenobia-sama is a tempting offer, this time I have come with a request for Lunaria-sama."

Though this was a virtual reality, Lunaria felt a sense of fear from Rosalie's bloodshot eyes, but she did her best to listen.

"A request?"

"I would like you to wear this dress!"

Rosalie said, taking out a black dress. It had embroidery in the image of a rose on the chest, and while it was somewhat revealing, it was a tasteful black dress.

"I'm not so sure about equipment that seems to have low defense... Are you perhaps saying you can beat me if I wear this?"

"No, it is not for a fight, I simply wish to dress you up, Lunaria-sama! You are the very definition of supreme, Lunaria-sama! A perfect form like a goddess! I cannot suppress my desires as a designer!"

"Hmph, praise me more."

Rosalie herself was quite beautiful, but right now her nostrils were flared, a state not quite suitable for public viewing.

Despite the situation, Xenobia clapped her hands together.

"I remember now. I've been wondering for a while, but there's a famous digital clothing designer named Rosalie Quentis."

"Digital designer?"

"You see, in reality, resources are scarce, so it costs a lot of money just to make clothes. It's not as advanced as here, but they are people who think up clothing designs in virtual spaces. I believe she won a famous award."

"I was not trying to hide it, but I am that Rosalie. And this time, I came because I truly wish for Lunaria-sama to wear this dress!"

According to Rosalie, she would lose her memories of reality at the end of the day, so she wanted Lunaria to wear the dress she designed while she still remembered.

Ever since she fought Ambrosia, she had wanted Lunaria to model clothes for her. And after receiving the reward for making it to the top four, which allowed her to create originally designed equipment, she had finally created something she was satisfied with.

And when she thought to have her wear it on the final day, she wasn't at the base. She pleaded with the Ambrosia members at the base to find out where she had gone, and had finally tracked her down here.

"I understand your passion. But are you sure you want me?"

"It has to be you, Lunaria-sama!"

The other members of Black Rose nodded at Rosalie's words. Furthermore, they held clothes they had presumably designed themselves in their hands and were slowly closing the distance.

"It's the last day, so why not wear it for them? You'll lose your memories of reality, but this might become a memory you remember even in the next world."

Lunaria thought for a moment at Xenobia's suggestion, then nodded.

"Alright. In consideration of your expression, Rosalie-chan, I will wear the dress for you."

As Lunaria said that, cheers erupted from the members of Black Rose.

And so began a fashion show starring Lunaria.

If a man had been able to enter this space, he would have been called a hero.

A gathering of beautiful women like a meeting of fairies. Since the clothes were mostly black, it was less a gathering of fairies and more a witches' sabbath, but it still exuded a feminine atmosphere, creating a space that completely repelled men.

Starting with the dress Rosalie made, Lunaria wore dresses from all the members of Black Rose. Furthermore, she struck poses as she was told.

Lunaria, who had acted normally at first, got carried away as time passed.

Now she was saying things like, "A life as a model might not be so bad."

Even Xenobia eventually gave in to the strong pressure from Black Rose and began her own fashion show.

After that, she wore so many different clothes that Lunaria seemed to have forgotten her social anxiety, becoming so friendly with Rosalie and the others that she started asking them pointed questions.

"Do you all have any regrets about reality, Rosalie-chan?"

"None at all."

"Why?"

"Because here, I can make clothes in a way that's close to reality. As Xenobia-sama said, in reality, it costs a considerable amount of money just to buy fabric. The question is where one would find such money."

The other members of Black Rose nodded at Rosalie's answer.

"It may sound extravagant, but I want to design clothes using the many types of fabric as if they were water. This virtual reality grants that wish. And besides..."

"Besides?"

"Because! Lunaria-sama! Is! Here! That is why!"

"Okay. Calm down a little. I was about to draw Arondight and cut you down."

"Rest assured. I am calm. This is my natural state."

"Then lower your tension a little more. Lower than the depths of the earth."

As they talked like this, time passed in a flash. In less than two hours, the sun would set on the horizon, and this world would end.

Fighting monsters wasn't bad, but spending enjoyable time like this wasn't bad either. She decided to keep talking until it was time.

"What kind of hopes did you tell the next world about, Lunaria-sama?"

Rosalie asked such a question.

When the next world began, their memories of reality would be gone, but in exchange, they could have some of their wishes granted. She had told this to the AI that made announcements in this world.

"I asked to be able to live happily with everyone. Reality wasn't very fun."

"Lunaria-sama..."

"I think it would be nice if days like today continued forever."

When Lunaria said that, Rosalie's eyes flew wide open.

"Leave it to me! I, Rosalie Quentis, will make sure Lunaria-sama has fun every single day!"

"Um?"

"My wish is to dress up Lunaria-sama. I requested that as my wish for the next world, so I believe we can probably be together in the next world as well!"

"My knowledge tells me that's stalking..."

"Rest assured. If there is a stalker, I will beat them to a pulp!"

'You're right in front of me,' Lunaria thought, but she figured it was better than a male stalker and gave a vague reply.

Though not exactly a stalker, the leader of the clan Blackjack, whom she had fought in the Clan Wars finals, would sometimes come to their base. She had been feigning absence and had never met him, but she arbitrarily convinced herself it was something similar.

More time passed, and just as she was thinking about what to talk about, Lunaria sensed an unpleasant presence.

When she turned her gaze toward the source of the unpleasant feeling, she saw Amanda leaning against a tree, looking at them.

The moment she noticed her, she switched her equipment to the Inferno Series and drew Arondight. It happened in an instant, surprising Xenobia, Rosalie, and the others, but when they saw Amanda, they all took a combat stance.

"You look like you're having fun, Lunaria."

"Amanda..."

"Are you wallowing in a sense of superiority by associating with humans far inferior to yourself?"

"I've never once thought I was superior to humans. In the first place, we are human."

"Our base is indeed human. But the environment we were raised in and our way of life are different. I have never thought of us as the same."

"That's a difference of opinion. So, what do you want?"

"Come with me."

"Absolutely not."

"Are you sure? If this continues, you'll live your life without your memories of reality."

"That's what I want, so it's not a problem."

"Living your life thinking this place is reality is something only a fool would do. Rather than that, I will let you help me. Don't you want to rule the world together?"

"I don't want to do it with you, Amanda. If I'm going to do it, I'll do it with everyone."

"You certainly are disliked, aren't you."

"I've never seen anyone who says they like you."

That remark must have irritated her, as Amanda's composed smile vanished, and she glared at Lunaria. Then she placed her hand on the sword at her hip.

Amanda's sword was Durandal. It had only one special ability, and that was that it had "no durability." No matter how many times they clashed swords, it would not break, giving her an advantage the longer a battle dragged on.

A tense atmosphere, as if a battle could break out at any moment, dominated the area.

But then, a loud voice echoed.

"Hahaha, even on a day like this, are we having a PvP match?"

A grim-faced man over two meters tall stepped in between them.

Clad in black armor, he looked like a giant boulder. That was likely the impression of everyone present.

As if the man's appearance had broken the tension, Amanda removed her hand from the hilt of her sword.

"You've spoiled my fun... Lunaria, let's meet again in the next world. But at that time, you will do as I say."

"I'd rather die."

"You...!"

Amanda's face twisted in anger for a moment, but then she scoffed with a "Hmph," turned her back, and walked away.

"Did I interrupt something?"

As the large, grim-faced man said that, Xenobia shrieked, "Gyaa!" and hid behind Lunaria's back.

And Lunaria, while protecting Xenobia, hid behind Rosalie's back.

The more timid members of Black Rose also moved to hide behind someone else.

"Mu. I must have frightened you. I may look like this, but I won't do anything, so please rest assured."

As the large man said that, a voice called out "Captain" from behind him, and several people clad in similar armor appeared.

Seeing their matching black armor, Rosalie muttered.

"Could that be Gil Creef of the clan Nightmare?"

"Oh, you know of me. Mu? That attire... Are you ladies from Black Rose? And you over there are Lunaria-dono and Xenobia-dono of Ambrosia. This is a stroke of luck. I am delighted to meet you on this final day."

Lunaria and Xenobia also remembered. They were the opponents they had fought in the clan that had made it to the top eight.

That was the extent of their relationship, but Lunaria felt at ease. He wasn't a complete stranger. That reason alone was enough for her.

"Your face isn't scary, so don't worry. In fact, it's cool, so you should be proud."

Gil and the members of Black Rose showed surprised expressions at Lunaria's words, but in the next moment, Gil laughed loudly.

"That is the first time I have been told such a thing. Thank you, Lunaria-dono. I will carve those words into my heart as a final memory of reality."

"Yes, please do. And thank you too. It was a bit dangerous just now, so you saved us."

"I am glad if I was of some help. Well then, we shall be on our way. Having such boorish men around would ruin the last day."

Though his words were self-deprecating, he seemed to be joking, as Gil and the members of Nightmare were laughing and saying things like "Captain" and "That's harsh."

And just as Gil and his men were about to bow their heads and leave, Lunaria stopped them.

"You're not boorish, so it's fine if you stay with us."

Everyone except Lunaria had a look of "Eh?" on their faces, but only Lunaria had a smug face as she beckoned to Gil and his men.

"We fought against Nightmare in the Clan Wars. That means something like a friendship has blossomed. So let's stay together until the end today. If you're okay with it, that is."

Gil sat down on the ground with a smile.

"What, even if I had other business, I would choose this. There is no man who would turn down such a tasteful arrangement as spending the last day with beautiful young ladies. Right, everyone?"

The members of Nightmare nodded and began to sit down with smiles on their faces.

Lunaria smiled, Xenobia's face twitched, and Rosalie and the others looked somewhat displeased.

"I for one would prefer a gentleman with a slightly slimmer build."

"Mu. I believe you were Rosalie-dono. Do you dislike muscles? I believe you would understand they are fine muscles if you were to look at my biceps."

"If you take off your armor, I will beat you to death. In the first place, excessive muscles are the enemy of design. Why are they so rugged..."

It seemed that Black Rose and Nightmare did not get along very well, but they were creating a lively clamor.

Such a situation was very comfortable for Lunaria.

She never laughed at the research facility. It was a daily routine of being looked at with displeasure by the researchers because she couldn't produce good results. Days continued when she didn't want to see anyone, but ever since coming to this virtual reality, it had been so much fun.

'It would be happiness if I could spend my days like this even after my memories of reality are gone and the world changes,' she thought, as she too joined the lively circle.