Chapter 1222 - Stargazing
—That being said, right before my eyes.
"...What are you talking about? Senpai, you're already the undisputed third place of the faction, in both name and reality, right?"
"And yet, thalassophobia."
"That's one thing, and this is another."
No matter how far we came, I couldn't face the obstacles standing in my way 'due to personal reasons (a bit of trauma)'. If such a fact were to be made public, the world would probably tease me grandly, calling it a blatant appeal to my humanity or something. Things just don't go as one wishes... so,
Even if I was exhausted, the day wouldn't end, and it was around the time of night spent side-by-side with Underclassman No. 1.
"Even your self-awareness seems quite sufficient now, though?"
"Well, of course, if I don't get my act together in that regard, it would be rude to those around me..."
The location was the 【Deep Realm of Blue Source】—which I had become completely accustomed to visiting—the closest one to the player main district, the 【Safe Area】, out of the pitch-black lakes existing in five locations.
Namely, the ruins of the now-lost "Northern Land", in its vicinity.
"But, even so, combat power and dignity are different, or should I say...? Like, a sense of conviction dwelling in strength, or a sense of security? That kind of accumulation is, you know?"
"Even if you say 'you know'."
"Look, it was a bit lacking, wasn't it?"
"That's probably just you fighting a one-man battle, Senpai. Good work."
"Wow... so blunt..."
Tetra and I were far from the circle of bustle... and while gazing at the chaotic lakeside overflowing with people, people, and more people, we were chatting idly in the shadows where no one's perception could reach.
If you were to ask what we were doing, it was a simple story.
"Well, whatever. For things like that, isn't that usually how the person themselves feels?"
"What's that? Speaking from experience?"
"No. Because I have no intention of ever being self-aware."
"Strong."
We were doing nothing. It boiled down to this.
In accordance with the guidelines set forth for the simultaneous conquest of the 【Deep Realm of Blue Source】, regarding the acquisition of the 《Water Spirit's Blessing》 by the participating members, it had already been completed the other day with the last two people... namely, Minalina's achievement.
Therefore, a blank period was given to all concerned parties as a temporary breather. It was at the timing when I had also finished processing various tasks entrusted to me by acquaintances and friends, and happened to find myself free.
I had decided to make my way here to casually see how things were going—the sight of the players who seemed to be highly excited, literally inspired by the "decree" in question.
By the way, I received news of Sora-san's safe recovery around noon, but she was taking it easy and resting today. If that was the case, without inviting anyone in particular, I had originally intended to come alone.
"In any case, there's no one left who thinks of the 【Acrobat (Senpai)】 as a newcomer anymore, right? At least, I've taken the liberty of holding both a 'sense of conviction' and a 'sense of security' on my own, you know?"
"Oh, what's this? Lip service in exchange for taxi fare?"
In other words, Tetra had merely happened to be present at the place where I decided to set off. In other words, he had merely used me, whom he called Senpai, as a taxi with an arrogance unbecoming of an underclassman.
The destination was, as usual, a toxic spot located several tens of kilometers away from here. In my opinion, his keeping me company in conversation was probably in lieu of the transportation fee.
He would probably work me to the bone for material gathering as well. He was a shrewd self-proclaimed underclassman—
"I wouldn't show such troublesome consideration. —...Sigh."
And so, the boy clad in black, who was both shrewd and considerate, let out a sigh.
Since I could read that his gaze was directed not at me, but right above us... at none other than the "sky", and that he was clearly directing his emotions toward none other than the "sky", I could guess that the sigh was not spilled in response to my unamusing joke.
If so, I too.
"...Well, I've gotten tired of looking at it by now."
"Indeed. As expected, it's getting annoying about now."
Since it was something I had been thinking almost daily lately, sympathizing with him was just as easy as guessing his thoughts. When I layered my sigh over the pitch-black sky that had continued to lose its "blue (color)" since that day—the day we finished the second act of the 『Green Connect』 conquest—Tetra replied with agreement as a matter of course.
"It's not like I particularly love a clear blue sky, though."
"I wonder about that statement coming from a founding member of the clan 【Blue Sky】."
"Even the night isn't even night, and there's not a shred of elegance to this, is there?"
"And now this underclassman brings up elegance."
For the most part, it was just as Tetra said.
And such a feeling was probably a common one that all players held even now.
The "sky" that had lost its color since that day might look like a starry sky or a night sky if one only looked at the way the shining stars floated—but that was by no means a 'sky'.
At least, it was not the starry sky of Arcadia that we knew.
Because, the stars have stopped breathing.
In the 'sky' of the virtual world Arcadia, it was common knowledge that the shining stars were constantly playing around. However, ever since the color was lost, all the sparkles remained quietly lined up.
As if time had stopped.
"I liked it, you know. If I looked up at night, I never got bored."
"Well, it was too lively, so if you stared at it, your eyes would start to flicker, though."
Whether being made into a meme, or serving as a snack for the lore theorists... the starry sky, which seemed to have been loved by Arcadians one way or another, had long since vanished along with the rest of the sky—
"If we bring that thing down, will it go back to normal, I wonder?"
Staring at the presumed culprit, the vivid "blue" sitting in the sky where time had stopped... or rather, looking annoyed just as he had said earlier. As if to say it was an eyesore, Tetra muttered.
Now, of course, I didn't possess such an answer, but...
"I'd also like to complain if I could, so I'm praying that the real deal isn't underwater."
"Yes, yes. Leave the skirmishes to us."
Well, I suppose anything can be managed if we work hard enough.
The unknown is piled high, the Unreasonable is extra-large, yet this virtual world never betrays the expectations of us players—therefore, when we escape from this long darkness.
"...Now, are you ready soon? If we don't go quickly, we'll be up all night today."
"Hey, wait, what kind of demonic territory are you trying to drag me into? Hey."
That the sky we look up at will show us a view that the real world could never hope to match.
While anticipating it as usual, we should just run forward.
In a game, suddenly alone with a close friend.
Doing nothing in particular, gazing at the artificial scenery, just continuing to chat idly.
A blissful time that is worthless to anyone but themselves, and which they themselves do not even notice.
That aside, bring out the heroine.
Tetra-kun is basically like a heroine too, I guess. Then I guess it's fine.