Chapter 1208 - In the Connecting Night
The communication regarding the conquest of the [Deep Realm of Blue Source], which had been blocked by an invisible and unavoidable wall due to zero information, seemingly spread to each camp at the same time Ashe personally came to the East (our side).
And on that very day, a meeting was held.
With the exception of a few, everyone who could clear their schedules gathered, and those from the East, West, South, and North who could be involved in the dungeon conquest... whether in direct combat or various support roles, any ranked player who could exert some kind of power, regardless of whether they were craftsmen, were gathered under the command of Just come anyway.
Well, indeed. Although it won't be confirmed without verifying it again, the speculation obtained from this failure—that unless we attack the five identical dungeons scattered around simultaneously, we cannot completely defeat the boss sitting in the innermost depths. If that is correct, it is quite a big problem.
It is simply a matter of lacking war potential. To put it more correctly... it is a matter of seriously lacking those who can display their true ability underwater (to the extent of taking on an overlaid boss).
If this were a mere overlaid boss, in other words, a proper (?) large-scale battle where we could allocate legitimate war potential, or rather, sheer numbers, there would have been no problem. There shouldn't have been, at least.
No matter how extremely difficult underwater combat in Arcadia is, the total number of active users is approximately thirty million. Even if an estimated half of them are craftsmen or otherworld life tourists who do not touch combat content, and even if we demand an extremely high standard of equivalent to ranked players from the remaining half who enjoy combat... well, even though it would be a percentage below the decimal point.
From among the elite class that exists on a scale of a thousand people, we should have been able to hope for some who could adapt to underwater. If not for the ridiculous system restriction of a six-person party entry limit.
And so... first of all, in order to get the "confirmation" out of the way, the ranked players were gathered. To put it simply, it was a ritual to ask once again whether it was possible or impossible.
—As a result, nine people, including myself, practically dropped out.
Setting aside myself, who is sorry for having an extremely personal reason like past trauma... from the East camp (our side), first is Hina-san. It isn't even on the level of having bad compatibility.
The authority boasted by her Soul-Bound Vessel, [Nova Rescellerate, Mirror Illuminating Six Stars], is none other than spatial ignition ability to put it clearly. Yes, space, ignition ability.
In other words, unless it is an "empty space," specifying the coordinates for the ability's activation is impossible. Fitting for an extremely powerful yet temperamental Soul-Bound Vessel, also known as a Magic Vessel (Magia), this utterly simple weakness backfired, making her a grand, runaway candidate for staying behind this time. Well, it can't be helped.
As for the others, from the South camp, [Knight]-dono and [Thread-Weaver] Natsume-chan-senpai are barely substitutes in the heavily weakened category. Furthermore, though not as severe as Hina-san, due to poor compatibility of their abilities, [Long-Legs] Record-shi, [Poet] Yata-san, and [Heroine] O-ume-san, making a total of five people—half of them—are out.
And from the North camp, [Pack of Wolves] Jin-san is completely out, second only to Hina-san, because his pack would cease to function, saying, "As expected, I can't really be of any help with a doggy paddle, can I? Ah, I can swim, though." In addition, [Cloud Hide] Ricky-shi is also out with a smug face, saying, "What do you think happens when a cloud enters water?"
A refreshingly disastrous mountain of corpses.
Moreover, besides the nine who were ruled out, even for the remaining twenty-one... or rather, fifteen if we exclude the six previously selected, a decrease in war potential to a greater or lesser extent is unavoidable for each of them.
For example, the famous tiny duo of the East (our side). Although they can become an immense force as long as they reach the boss room, or rather, the boss palace, they are guaranteed to be absolute dead weight during transit—and so,
In short, anyway you look at it, everything is lacking.
We have ended up in a situation where we have no choice but to say we are insufficient for the conquest.
◇◆◇◆◇
—Thus, that night.
"And well, that was pretty much how it went. It was a wake, a total wake."
"Waa..."
In our home in the virtual world, the clan home, specifically in the sofa area famous in [Soten] which serves as our place of relaxation. I was telling the outline of the story to my partner, who was sitting side-by-side with me.
And so, Sora-san, who worked hard at her high school girl (duties) today as well, showed off her heirloom sword, "Waa...", with an indescribable expression. When this comes out, it is usually in the same situation.
In short, it is when she is so exasperated by me or the world that she is at a loss for words.
"U-um...?"
Therefore, it was also as expected that she tilted her head cutely and prompted me to continue. While suppressing my desire to endlessly pat her head because she was so cute, I conveyed what I had organized in my own mind.
Namely, the future plans and so forth decided at the meeting.
"For now, it's been decided that everyone who could potentially be part of the conquest team will go get [Water Spirit's Blessing]. Whether we continue the conquest mainly with ranked players or recruit help from the public on a large scale, if we're going to act as the spearhead, we should reach out for any power we can get in advance."
"Ah... that's how it turns out, doesn't it?"
"Yeah. We'll need time for that, so well, postponing the conquest is a decided matter... and after that, anyway, we can't do anything unless we fill the slots..."
"...Y-yes?"
"Gossan and the others said they'll start calling out to candidates other than the ranked players in order."
"Even if you tell me that while staring at me so meaningfully..."
Well, indeed, it is a matter of course, but I have also been entrusted with a very natural, or rather, reasonable "talk." Therefore, it would be strange to put on airs, so let's get it over with quickly.
"Sora-san, can you do it? ...As your useless partner, this is incredibly uncool of me, though."
The story of the request that was lightly tossed to me by the boss himself, saying, "Ask her for me."
If this were a matter of asking her to accompany me, as her unique partner, I wouldn't care about sharing the same fate at this point. However, asking her to participate even though I cannot participate... when I brought up such delicate inner feelings without hiding them, Sora-san gave a wry smile.
"I don't think that's something you need to worry about, though."
"No, as a guy who wants to look cool..."
"As your partner, being able to make up for your weaknesses is my satisfaction, you know?"
And then, erasing the bitterness and harboring gentleness... she nudged the shoulder of me, who was scratching my cheek like a kid.
"Haru, you usually don't have any weaknesses at all."
"At times like this, why don't you just rely on me honestly?"
"..."
Close range. The amber eyes looking up at me reflected me freezing with a complicated expression—no, they reflected my face, which had turned completely love-struck in a second at how much of an Angel she was and how utterly endearing she was. Oh my god, she's super cute.
A dozen or so seconds since she bumped into me, there was no reason to push away the warmth that wouldn't leave.
"...The pitch-black water is super scary, you know."
"That is, um... I-I think I'll probably be fine if all the reliable people are there......"
"The enemies that appear are super grotesque, too."
"Grotesque... I-I've built up a tolerance. Compared to when I first started, I...!"
My attitude was half-playful. However, in reality, I intended to give her a warning without any joking, but it seemed her resolve would not waver. ...Though her voice wavered just a little,
As for her heart, I could tell just by looking into her eyes. We are partners, after all.
"I see... then, Sora-san."
"Yes!"
"Wh-whoa...!?"
"I leave my share to you!"
Taking advantage of the unrealistic virtual world, I vigorously ruffled and played with her golden hair... and firmly submitted the request. And before Sora could look up and start complaining,
Or rather, before she could scold me, asking what I was doing.
"Don't push yourself too hard. Because it'll make me want to push myself too."
I lightly bumped my forehead against her held head, muttering my true feelings.
After that, my partner, who looked up after catching both of my hands—
"...Understood."
She smiled reliably and patted my head as if in return.
Afterward, we were witnessed flirting by Tetra-kun.