Chapter 53: Great of Browns ⑩
Day 3.
The meeting went on. The meeting danced.
This session’s agenda was the presentation of achievements by first-class explorers.
Well, aside from being boring, I understand that presenting accomplishments is important.
In fact, since yesterday, Agaro-san, Megadia-san, and Ens-san had been attending.
Which means Megadia-san’s knight attendant, Pakira-san, was also present.
I thought I might fall asleep from boredom, but the presentations by the first-class explorers were one surprise after another.
Truly top-tier results at the highest difficulty.
Especially notable was the “Sword of Swords” “Mountain Eater” — a gem-class hydra with five heads.
They said its size was like a mountain, and each of the five heads, from lower to mid-class, carried a variety of relics.
And someone defeated it with a single sword. As expected from one of the world’s strongest.
The person himself was lying beside me, gnawing on a massive monster bone.
That’s so dog-like… well, he is a dog.
There was also “Strange Chef” Jeff’s branch pasta from the Holy Tree Forest dungeon.
And “One Who Gained Great Strength” Gravis-san’s story about the Worldwide Butler Championship was interesting.
That old man… he was a butler?
Why would someone be a maid or a butler and still be an explorer?
Speaking of which, I heard that Alweld von Rutvelt’s family is also one of the kingdom’s top nobles.
I don’t want to praise him, but he’s pretty competent himself. Does he even need to be an explorer?
Ah, but the Coon Hunt he leads is the largest in the city, yet it has a bad reputation.
I also consider them an enemy.
Is he bad at leading people? Or does he simply not care to lead?
I have a feeling it’s the latter. Maybe he was just requested to do it for a mission.
Thus, the third day of the meeting ended smoothly, without incident.
By the way, the witch announced the successful production of the ancient potion “Lost Soma”.
And also the restoration of the national treasure-level legendary item “World Map Clock”.
Chive-san presented a new product for explorers.
And also announced the defeat of the vine demon Rielle that controlled the Kahe Marsh.
As a result, the dungeon sealed in Kahe Marsh would be restored.
Kahe… what is that?
Shiro-san reported the collection of rare materials and the discovery of several unexplored dungeons.
Particularly, the discovery of new unexplored dungeons caused other first-class explorers to perk up.
Munieka-san announced the extermination of a large band of thieves.
And the defeat of a gem-class lower monster called Keria. Semi-parasitic monsters are scary.
But the most surprising was Narcissus-san.
She’s probably the only one who can proudly say, “I didn’t do anything behind the scenes!”
Apparently, even without achievements, there’s no immediate demotion or expulsion.
Also… is it really okay for “Thousand Faces” to say, “State secrets and other stuff, so I’ll keep it secret”?
I understand there are many things one can’t say because of relics.
Arena.
It was packed and bustling again today.
We were watching from the VIP area as usual.
Emi-san was seated diagonally in front. The witch and Munieka-san sat beside me.
Ens-san wasn’t present. Axe-san and the others were surely watching from somewhere.
Shiro-san and Chive-san were absent.
As soon as Mineha-san and Ruriha-san appeared in the arena, a wave of cheering erupted.
Their names were called repeatedly.
The two were in their large forms, not Fairial forms.
That was understandable, since the Fairial forms are too small to see clearly.
Mineha-san wore her usual armor. She had mentioned it’s been a bit tight recently.
Ruriha-san also wore armor, more elegant and majestic than Mineha-san’s.
However, her armor left gaps at the shoulders and waist, forming rings.
“Exhibition match. Fairy Queen Ruriha vs. Mineha—mother-daughter match begins. Victory by surrender or unconsciousness. Killing is prohibited. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Then, start!”
At the signal, the two clashed with their spears.
Mineha-san wielded “Demon Star Spear”.
A blue spear with white triangular patterns spiraling along its shaft.
Ruriha-san held a jet-black spear.
The spear resembled a jousting lance from past-life memories. It seemed to be the main weapon for Fairials.
“Of course, you’re using ‘Shadow Dancer,’ Mother.”
Mineha-san thrust freely, and Ruriha-san lightly parried and laughed.
“You’ve grown stronger, Mineha.”
Black, mist-like smoke emanated from Ruriha-san’s spear.
It quickly formed human-shaped figures.
The figures resembled Ruriha-san and multiplied to four.
Each held a black spear.
“Decoys?”
“Yes, that is ‘Shadow Dancer.’ There’s a time limit and cooldown, but it can freely create shadow clones controlled by thought. They’re like shadow Luriha.”
Shadow Ruriha…
They looked like silhouettes, but the facial contours and body lines were identical.
“Being able to control them freely by thought… I envy that. If Menos Dolls could do that, it would be much easier.”
“…Seems difficult.”
“The other Menos Dolls are obedient. Recently we discovered that they each have self-awareness. But basically, they are dolls, obedient and excellent maids. The problem is Shaldina.”
Ah, I see. Other Menos Dolls have self-awareness too.
And I kind of understand Shaldina. I might go see her next time.
There are a lot of things I’m curious about.
The match progressed, with Mineha-san surrounded by Ruriha-san and her four shadow clones. She was struggling.
She was barely avoiding and taking the repeated attacks from their spears.
Strange… she isn’t using the “Star”?
“Mineha… she’s luring them in.”
“Huh?”
I instinctively reacted to Emi-san’s whisper.
“I see, I see…”
“Luring them in?”
“Probably she plans to counterattack after drawing them in.”
“And Ruriha-san noticed. She’s intentionally letting herself be lured.”
Mineha-san was finally completely surrounded by Ruriha-san and the shadows.
At that moment, Mineha-san’s spear glowed.
The white triangular patterns along the spear shaft separated into triangular objects.
Nine “Stars” floated in the sky.
These triangles were originally the blades of the dagger “Orianes.”
The triangles that Mineha-san calls “Stars” separated and spun around.
“Oh my, this won’t do.”
Ruriha-san stepped back, trying to pull her shadow clones back as well.
But it was too late. One of the shadow Rurihas was obliterated by the attack of the Stars.
“Oh my.”
“Here we go, Mother.”
As the nine triangular Stars danced, various cheers erupted like a spring bursting forth.
The Stars moved in sync with Mineha-san’s spear movements.
A spiraling charge from the Stars eliminated another shadow Luriha.
The Stars were Mineha-san’s relics, a combination of “Spiral” and “Remote Control.”
Their destructive power was terrifying. Especially when the triangles spun like drills—breakthrough power was exceptional.
The remaining shadow Ruriha was pierced along with her shadow spear. Only one remained.
“Oh dear.”
“Mother, this is my Star.”
The last shadow Ruriha vanished under the Stars’ supporting attack.
Only Ruriha-san herself remained.
“…You’ve truly grown stronger, Mineha. But…”
Once again, black, mist-like smoke emerged from Shadow Dancer.
Mineha-san tried to intercept by sending all her Stars forward.
Yet she was a step too late.
Perhaps it was futile anyway.
“…Mother.”
Dozens of shadow Rurihas appeared, filling half the arena.
Ruriha-san drew a silver spear with black wings from her pouch.
It was wrapped in a yellow band inscribed with black letters. A peculiar spear.
She now wielded two spears, one in each hand.
“I’ll show you what you lack.”
All the shadow Rurihas attacked at once.
Mineha-san raised “Demon Star Spear”. Eight Stars circled around the shadow Rurihas.
They slowly began to surround them.
“Starlight, Vortex!!!!”
As she struck down, the ninth Star shot straight into the midst of the shadow Rurihas.
Instantly, a dazzling vortex erupted, swallowing the shadow Rurihas.
“Fairy Ordinance, Article 2: In the name of the ‘Fairy Queen,’ Mineha’s Stars, fall!”
Chanting, Ruriha-san drove her other strange spear into the ground.
The Stars of “Demon Star Spear” fell.
“…Fairy Ordinance!”
“Now there are no more Stars.”
“W-What!?”
The remaining shadow Rurihas charged at Mineha-san.
She resisted bravely, but her armor was broken, her spear seized.
Finally, she was pinned to the ground, all limbs restrained.
Ruriha-san pressed the tip of her Shadow Dancer spear against Mineha-san, looking down.
“I win.”
“…Yes.”
“Mineha, you did well. But your defeat came from having too few cards. I still have several other OOPArts-level spears equivalent to these two.”
“That many…?”
“Oh my, the more cards you have, the better. Of course, mastery is a prerequisite. So first, obtain a spear equal or superior to these. That will be your challenge moving forward.”
“…Yes, Mother. I’ll win next time.”
“Yes, I expect nothing less.”
“This is my defeat.”
“——Winner: ‘Fairy Queen’ Ruriha!”
A roaring wave of cheers swept through the arena.