kscans

Chapter 498 - The Unveiling

The day after the Cursed Dragon Ren Brandle went on a rampage in search of love stories, Parfait recounted the events to Xenobia at their base.

Xenobia laughed throughout the story, eventually clutching her stomach and roaring with laughter until she said, "My stomach hurts." Parfait didn’t think the story was that funny, but Xenobia, still catching her breath, explained that it was hilarious if you knew about the past.

"The Genesis Dragons used to have their own faction rivalries back in the day, so it’s funny to think they’ve converted it into something like this."

"Is that so?"

"I only heard about it, but Ren-chan and the others went through a lot. Maybe they’re trying to paint over it with fun things."

"Is a dragon rampaging really a fun thing? Besides, Instructor Ren was incredibly strong."

The Cursed Dragon, likely controlled by Ren, had unleashed a skill called "Dragon Curse" that halved the stats of everyone around it, while also inflicting slip damage to their HP with curse magic and an onslaught of attacks with status effects like poison and paralysis.

With their stats halved, it was difficult to deal high damage, and even with the players who had heard the announcement rushing to the World Tree, they ultimately couldn’t win before time ran out.

To top it off, she had flown away with a parting shot, or perhaps a wish, that was hard to decipher. "If you want to beat me, fall in love!"

Although they hadn’t won, the battle against the Cursed Dragon, which was essentially making its debut, was a huge hit, especially during the event period, and combat videos of it were racking up a considerable number of views. Chris had also become the person of the hour for having spawned the Cursed Dragon.

There was talk of summoning the Illusion Dragon on a regular basis from now on, and it had been publicly announced that "Kiss of Death" would manage it.

Twenty couples existing at the World Tree.

This was the spawn condition for the Illusion Dragon, and until now, "Kiss of Death" had managed the entrance to prevent it from happening. This time, a new player who was unaware of this had confessed to someone at a scenic spot in the World Tree, and their success as a couple had fulfilled the condition.

"I’m just guessing, but if you provide Ren-chan with a love story, the Holy Dragon Randa Doga might come next. That’s Randa-chan, of course. By the way, she’s never appeared before, so I think it would be a big deal."

"Randa-san, what are you doing… Wait, no, she’s never appeared before? What about her job…?"

"The Genesis Dragons are usually AI, but it seems they take time off work and are on standby during the Spirit Festival."

"I asked Ash-san and the others through Abel-kun to appear in the PvP video, but they declined, saying they had work."

"Being on standby is their job. They’re on standby every year around this time. So far, only Suien-san has ever appeared, but this was the first time for Ren-chan, so maybe she got carried away."

The condition of twenty couples itself was unlikely to be met except during events like the Spirit Festival, Valentine’s Day, or Christmas, so they were apparently on standby during those times.

Parfait was about to ask if they didn’t have their own plans on those days, but she stopped herself, thinking it was better not to. She herself had plans with her friends, but not with someone of the opposite sex.

"In any case, this year’s Spirit Festival has been exciting in many ways. And the new costume system—oh, by the way, have you heard? They said Kazatoki-chan and Lion-chan’s costumes will be unveiled today."

"Yes, I heard at school. Cynthia-chan’s eyes were bloodshot. She lets her long hair hang down in front, so she was really scary…"

Cynthia at school looked like the type of ghost that comes out of a well. Being grabbed by the shoulders at close range by such a person and told, "I did it, Parfait-shi!" was traumatic.

Wondering if everything would be alright, she prepared to entertain her guests and waited for everyone to arrive.

In the base’s café were Parfait, Natsu, Chris, Ginny, Xenobia, and Lion, while Cynthia and Kazatoki were in a separate room. Lion’s unveiling was later, so she was currently chatting with everyone else.

"Lion-chan, you’re the magical girl archangel version, right? Are you, uh, okay?"

There were many meanings packed into "okay," but it was the only simple way to ask. She had heard that Lion’s eyes had gone dead during Ginny and Cynthia’s presentation, so she was quite worried.

"Of course I’m okay. It’s my first time wearing it, but I had them change the design to my liking. I didn’t expect them to cry, but I was desperate too. Thanks to that, it has less skin exposure than before, which is the best."

"Exposure…? I don’t think your current costume shows that much skin…"

"The absolute territory created by the fluffy, frilly miniskirt and knee-high socks is a bit… The first time I saw this outfit, I wondered who I could sue to win… The admins said it was just barely safe…"

"Ah, um, so the archangel version doesn’t have that?"

"Since I’m an archangel, the design is more majestic. It’s a long skirt, so my legs aren’t visible—please look forward to it after Kaza-cchan’s."

"Okay, I’m looking forward to it."

"By the way, they also showed me a design for a magical girl fallen to darkness version, but it was flagged as sensitive content, so it got shelved… I’m so glad…!"

It looked like Lion’s eyes were tearing up, so Parfait gently patted her on the back.

Parfait had also seen the design for the magical girl fallen to darkness version, but it was definitely some kind of succubus. She wished they would not just shelve it, but lock it away in a dimensional prison and never let it out.

As they were talking, Cynthia’s excited voice called out, "Thank you for waiting!"

The door opened, and Kazatoki, dressed in her new costume, walked shyly before everyone. Then she stood in front of them.

"N-no ja…"

Kazatoki blushed slightly, her gaze fixed on the floor as she slowly spun around, showing her back as well.

Her outfit was still miko-style, but it had gone from a simple design to something quite flashy.

She usually wore a white top with red hakama, but now she had a chihaya over it, and a floral kanzashi in her hair. Her fox ears were the same as always, but she now had nine fluffy tails.

As the fidgeting Kazatoki stood there, Cynthia nodded in satisfaction beside her and, with a beaming smile, announced, "Now, allow me to explain!"

"This is Kazatoki-shi’s new costume, the Nine-Tailed Fox version de gozaru! A true beauty! Not just the men of the world, but I myself cannot remain silent zo! Ah, I want to turn Kazatoki-shi into a Killing Stone and display her in my room de gozaru!"

Cynthia, at maximum excitement from the start, went on to explain the finer points of the design.

"When you think of a nine-tailed fox, you think gorgeous and beautiful! However, a gaudy outfit would lack nobility and be underwhelming… so we kept the decorations to a minimum! But having it composed almost entirely of red and white is also plain, so we added gold ornaments right on the borderline of being noticeable de gozaru! A beauty that could topple nations! It wouldn’t be strange if she ruled over a colony or two zo! Offer fried tofu to Kazatoki-shi every day!"

"Cynthia-chan, calm down."

Still, Parfait understood why Cynthia was so passionate. The design of the costume was clearly a labor of love. Kazatoki didn’t seem to mind either, twisting her body as if to check her own appearance.

"I-it feels like a waste to fight in this… no ja."

"No, no, Kazatoki-shi, a costume is not something to be enjoyed on a mannequin zo. A costume is meant to be moved in, so I want you to move around a lot de gozaru. A straight punch, an axe kick, breakdancing, I want you to do it all de gozaru yo! Actually, I’d rather you dance with a fan or a sakaki branch…! Kuu, how much money would that cost de gozaru ka!? …Hah!? A blank check is just a piece of paper, so it’s not an offering…? Is there a chance…?"

"Okay, stooop."

After putting the out-of-control Cynthia in a full nelson, everyone gathered around to look at and touch Kazatoki’s costume, checking out the parts that interested them.

If asked whether she would want to wear it in real life, the answer would be a definite no, but she could sense a certain style in the design. It made her think she could rely on her to make clothes or coordinate outfits in the real world as well.

After everyone had thoroughly enjoyed Kazatoki’s Nine-Tailed Fox version costume, it was Lion’s turn.

Kazatoki, who had just been the subject of a fashion check, now watched the door where Lion and the others were with an excited look on her face.

"I’ve seen the design for Lion-chan’s archangel version, but this is the first time I’ll see her wearing it, so I’m really looking forward to it… no ja."

"I haven’t seen that design. I wonder what it’s like."

At that moment, Cynthia’s high-tension voice shouted again, "Presenting, de gozaru!"

The door opened, and Lion walked in, wearing the costume called the Magical Girl Archangel version. She stood before everyone and struck her usual cutesy pose.

"An angel kiss to your heart! I’m the isekai magical girl, Archangel Lion-chan! If you’re going to support me, then kneel!"

For a moment, Parfait almost knelt, but she came to her senses, remembering it was just an act. Ginny and Cynthia, perhaps just playing along, knelt with graceful movements.

"Um, I was joking, so please stand up. Cynthia-san, your explanation—"

"Yes, an angel! No, an archangel! Daaamn, God is amazing, seriously amazing. To make such a wonderful angel his servant, God is guilty! What was he thinking destroying the Tower of Babel!"

"Um, the explanation…"

"Oops, I got too excited de gozaru. The concept for the archangel version was merciless and beautiful… but at Lion-shi’s suggestion, we changed the setting to one where she broke free from God’s absolute obedience through sheer force of will de gozaru! So, while she is an angel, she is also a rebel against God, in other words, a rebellion! By now, you must understand zo!? The current concept is the Rebellious Archangel de gozaru! I could eat ten slices of pizza toast while looking at Lion-shi zo! And after that, I could probably chug about ten raw eggs from a mug na!"

Ignoring the excited Cynthia, Parfait looked at the archangel version costume.

It was mostly white. The image was something like a wedding dress, but with several black belts that looked like restraints. There were also numerous pink decorations to match her hair color, and an illustration like a magic circle was drawn on the chest of the dress. The voluminous long skirt completely covered her legs, and just as Lion had said, there was almost no exposure. And on her back were six wings, one of which was black.

It seemed more like the image of a fallen angel, Parfait thought, remembering Lion’s story about having the design changed.

"Lion-chan, which parts of the design did you have changed?"

"Oh, that’s—"

"Lion-shi! I can produce a version with the skirt removed at any time zo! I cannot design clothes out of fear of God na! Bring on Megiddo or whatever else you’ve got de gozaru!"

"No, the angle of the high-leg cut on that one is insane, so it’s a no go. Actually, it’s not the angle, the high-leg cut itself is a no go. It would definitely be flagged for sensitive content. The skirt is essential."

"A pity de gozaru… Hah! But in the real world, anything goes, doesn’t it…? Even the magical girl fallen to darkness version could work…?"

"Seriously, stop. Ginny-san, please don’t look like you just had a brilliant idea."

"Cynthia-chan, Ginny-chan, let’s not cross the line. Even close friends need to have manners, okay?"

When Parfait said that, Cynthia and Ginny nodded, though they looked disappointed.

"It cannot be helped. Clothes are things that bring happiness when worn. I cannot force someone to wear something they dislike in the slightest de gozaru… There are times when money is powerless de gozaru na…"

"Just as Cynthia-san says. Forcing someone to wear something is unbecoming of a person."

"Ginny-chan, you have a criminal record for doing that every year on her birthday. You have ten prior offenses so far."

Just before the unveiling party came to a close, a message arrived from Break, the leader of the clan "Fight☆Club," announcing that they would be shooting the PvP video in one week.