Chapter 6 - NEET Laughs
「Sirena」Taigoubou
VS
「El Blanche」 Jeanne d’Arc
Field: Watatsumi Palace
Victory Condition: Subjugation of the enemy Hero
Victory Reward: 「Sirena」 Cession of Enteres Island
「El Blanche」 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」
“Wh......What is......”
What is happening──
Tifalycia muttered in astonishment.
“Why is......「El Blanche」 having a......Heroic War with......「Sirena」? A-At this timing? ......The stage is Watatsumi Palace? And also, why is the victory reward set as the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」──”
Even though she followed Reiji’s advice and recollected the points of concern, her head could not keep up anymore.
The facts were beyond Tifalycia’s analyzing ability, so she could only keep asking why.
In contrast to Tifalycia who could not comprehend a thing and yet could not shift her gaze away from the sky...
“......I see.”
Reiji’s calm muttering looked more reliable than ever.
Observing him, it seemed like he understood everything, so the strong desire to unveil all the mysteries drove Tifalycia to almost ask him all her questions on reflex.
──No.
She shook her head.
I cannot. Nothing will change if I just ask him.
Tifalycia stopped in her tracks at the last moment, took a deep breath, gathered her little remaining rationality, and desperately tried to analyze their situation.
The unbelievable situation they were in was an incomprehensible fact itself.
Why is the 「Sirena」 able to provide the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」 as the victory reward in the Heroic War?
Tifalycia unconsciously touched the crude collar on her own neck ── the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」, and her body tensed up.
In the first place, the『Race Flag』 should only be handed to the alliance partner after the alliance had been established.
Even if the 「Sirena」 would form an alliance with 「Liberator」in the future, they had not done so currently.
In that case, the 『Race Flag』 should still belong to 「Liberator」.
Therefore, the victory reward the 「El Blanche」 wanted would be invalid, and the Heroic War itself could not be held.
It should not be possible to establish it..
However, the Heroic War was indeed established.
In other words, the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」 had somehow been passed on to 「Sirena」.
Then, using the 『Race Flag』 as bait, the 「Sirena」 involved the 「El Blanche」, and made the outcome of the fight against 「Liberator」 unsettled──
“I think TifaTifa might have the wrong idea there?”
Taigoubou suddenly interrupted, causing Tifalycia to raise her face.
Next to the always cheerful girl...
Seire smiled elegantly, and continued the words of her Hero.
“Why are we so persistent on forming an alliance with 「Liberator」?”
“Insisting on...an alliance......?”
“We have never once mentioned the possibility of not forming an alliance with 「Liberator」, right?”
Certainly, the 「Sirena」 had been vague about the contents of the alliance, but they had never mentioned anything about not wanting to form an alliance.
Rather, the conversation with them had forming an alliance as the premise.
“B-But the alliance is yet to be formed──”
“Try to recall. When I was explaining the virginity stealing battle, what were the conditions set?”
──If Reiji-chi’s first time is stolen, it will be the victory for 「Sirena」, and 「Sirena」 will be the dominant side in this alliance.
“Ah────”
She certainly said that.
She clearly said that they would form an alliance.
“Look, didn’t TifaTifa also say that when you challenged Reiji-chi to a 「Showdown」?”
While spinning her fishing rod...
The Hero of 「Sirena」 who should not have been at that place spoke.
“{ the instant the 「Showdown」 is established, my objective is automatically achieved (I win)} ──Like that.”
Like how Tifalycia had challenged Reiji to a 「Showdown」, and the instant the 「Showdown」 was established, the real objective was achieved.
The moment the 「Showdown」 for the leadership of the alliance (Reiji’s virginity stealing battle) was established, the 「Sirena」 had already achieved their original objective of obtaining the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」──
In other words, the 「Sirena」...
“Since the beginning, your objective was to obtain the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」......?”
“Nope.”
Reiji immediately denied it.
Tifalycia looked at her Hero in confusion.
“What these girls did is a lot more hideous. It will be fine and all if they could obtain the dominance in the alliance with 「Liberator」, but once that possibility is slightly shaken, they will just sell out the alliance matter to another race, it’s a two-stage plan.”
Two-stage plan.
The 「Sirena」 saw 「Liberator」 as a nuisance. However, they flipped their attitude when they realized that it would be easy to make use of 「Liberator」, and intended to form an alliance.
Then when they saw that they could not shape the alliance to be advantageous for themselves, they would sell it to another race at a high price ── a race that also saw 「Liberator」 as a nuisance.
Originally, the side that was challenged to a Heroic War could voice out 『Unable to accept the condition』 and refuse it for any reason they wanted.
Therefore, the 「Elf」 could continue to exist despite having the disadvantage of not having a Hero, and 「Liberator」 would not get crushed instantly despite having no national power.
The races that were in these kinds of disadvantageous situations would never agree to a Heroic War that they knew they had no chance of winning without any special circumstances.
A special circumstance like an alliance that is formed by a race that is desperate due to their financial crisis, in exchange for their 『Race Flag』.
In order to create such a circumstance, 「Sirena」 and 「El Blanche」 had come to an agreement beforehand.
However, even so, there was still a mountain of problems that were still unresolved.
“Why...the Heroic War──”
A contract that concerned the entire race could be resolved between the Rulers if both sides had no issue. If the contents are accepted by both races, there was no need to purposely hold a Heroic War.
Even though Heroic War should only be the last method──
“That’s because this way works better for them.”
“Works better......?”
“The 「El Blanche」 want the other races to acknowledge them as the『World Administrator』. They will appeal to others in the form of an overwhelming victory in a Heroic War. If they say that they rescued 「Liberator」 from 「Sirena」, their image will further be improved. On the other hand, the peace advocating 「Sirena」 losing the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」 in the Heroic War will also support their non-violent peace advocating image to other races, allowing them to move more conveniently.”
“B-But aren’t those two claims the opposite of──”
“It’s fine being opposite. Those other irrelevant races will only believe what they want to believe anyway. What’s important is that both of the claims are sensible on the surface. As long as they are sensible, they can say anything they want. And then, more importantly ── compared to making contracts in secret, doing things like this will actually give a better impression.”
“Impression......just for that kind of a thing...”
“That kind of a thing is one of the most important matters. Didn’t I say it many times before? Intel controls everything.”
Be it 「Sirena」 or 「El Blanche」.
Not just looking at the fight before one’s eyes. One always had to think about how to move afterwards.
And Tifalycia was caught in that flow.
“By the way, since the alliance has been formed, our 『Race Flag』 will also belong to 「Liberator」, so you may keep it or sell it to other races, feel free to use it as you like♪”
“──”
Different from 「Liberator」, 「Sirena」 had no need to form an alliance with other races in the first place, furthermore, they had no intention of competing against other races, so it did not matter where their 『Race Flag』 ended up at.
No matter which race they were forced to form an alliance with, it would not be a problem to them.
In the first place, once the Hero himself/herself stood on the stage, the 『Race Flag』 became an unimportant thing.
Unable to sustain their kingdom without forming an alliance with another race, making the 『Race Flag』 necessary for that very sake ── only 「Liberator」 were in such a precarious situation, forcing them to take on a disadvantageous negotiation with an opposing race to retrieve their 『Race Flag』.
“That’s why I said it would be better to obediently form an alliance with us.”
As Taigoubou expressed her dejection, Reiji casually spoke.
“So you’re saying, rather than being uprooted by the 「El Blanche」 in an instant, it’s better to be slowly squeezed dry by the weaker 「Sirena」?”
“What an awful thing to say, Reiji-chi. ──Isn’t making a pre-emptive strike a staple war tactic?”
“I understand very well that we 「Sirena」 are a weak race. To make up for that very weakness, we’ve simply relied on an external force, that’s all there is to this.”
“Yeah yeah♪ ──It would be too late once the cup gets overturned.”
Spilled water could not be retrieved.
In that case, they had to make a move before it was spilled──
It was certainly a sound argument. A sound argument, but...
“Using your weakness as justification for despicable means ── so there are also these kinds of peace advocates.”
Hearing Reiji’s sarcasm, Taigoubou and Seire just cheerfully laughed.
“We should have said it before.”
“What we are concerned about ── is only ourselves from the very beginning.”
“We would form an alliance if it went well, if it didn’t...”
Taigoubou took a step to the side, and looked up naturally.
“We will just pass the rights of the alliance to the race that wants it ── like this♪”
As she said that...
Suddenly appearing in the sky, a being with two wings spread out like the God’s emissary, landed on the ground of the underwater city ── right in between Taigoubou and Seire.
The girl who was wrapped in a monochrome costume folded her wings and put her hands before her thighs.
With her light purple hair fluttering about, she bowed.
Her heterochromatic pupils, asymmetrical white and black wings could not help but stand out.
“──I have ARRIVED......at this place to WITNESS the fulfillment of the CONTRACT.”
She awkwardly spoke.
That appearance...
More importantly, the wings at her back ── caused Tifalycia to open her eyes wide.
“Don’t tell......me...”
“「El Blanche」...huh.”
Reiji continued her words quietly, and the girl displayed a business smile...
“YES. I......I[1] am the head miko of [Association Du Ciel] from 「El Blanche」...called Alpha Stasis. Pleased to make...your ACQUAINTANCE.”
She made a deep bow.
◇◆◇
When he first arrived to this world.
After learning about the Great Contract Magic that was created by the six races.
What Reiji had wondered right at the start was 『Why make such a meaningless thing』.
The trigger to create the Great Contract Magic was the war before it ── [Seventh].
In that war, it was obvious that only one race would be able to obtain the world.
Leaving mana aside, not only did they own high performance physical bodies, they also possessed the sorcery 『Prophecy』 which allowed them to see into the future. The 「El Blanche」 had caused the world to be destroyed six times over.
Openly crowning themselves as the messengers of God, proclaiming that they came from a dimension more prestigious than the earth ── a race that named themselves the messengers from the skies.
Graceful and elegant, hypocritically courteous, if they were to be put in a traditional race uniting game, they would undoubtedly be the last boss race, and should be the last obstacle towards the ultimate NEET life that Reiji aimed for, however...
“To think that...the agent of that 「El Blanche」 is a loli sister......”
“────Ha?”
Right before the girl who blinked her eyes ── Alpha Stasis, Reiji dove into deep thought.
“No wait, is it suitable to treat her appearance as a ‘sister’ in the first place? She certainly is the miko of god (Sister), but if it isn’t monotheism then she can’t be a sister. The seven races should have their own concept of god, then since each of them have their own religion──”
Seeing Reiji mutter such nonsensical things with a serious mood, Tifalycia unconsciously relaxed...
“Umm Reiji......now isn’t the time to talk about those things──”
Despite knowing that it would be useless, she still tried to remind him.
“What the heck is this person blabbering about......”
Hearing the agent of 「El Blanche」 muttering so with a serious face, Tifalycia opened her eyes wide.
“Eh.”
“Eh?”
“Just now......what did you?”
She seemed to hear something unlike what the graceful and elegant, hypocritically courteous 「El Blanche」 would say──
“──Ah, e-erm......I didn’t say ANYTHING?”
Alpha covered up with a smile.
That obviously faked smile froze the mood.
“............Last minute pretense.”
Leu whispered, and Reiji deepened his grin.
“Well, that is that ── is it fine to treat you as the representative of the 「El Blanche」?”
Hearing Reiji’s casual words, Alpha clearly sighed in relief and nodded...
“Heh, so basically, the great 「El Blanche」 did not even send out the Ruler, let alone a Hero for a Heroic War, and left everything to a mere miko huh.”
Just listening to those thorny words felt painful.
The girl’s expression became stiff for a moment, then she slowly formed a smile.
“──YES. You are correct to interpret it like THAT.”
Not only was the sarcasm directed at the 「El Blanche」, Alpha who had been sent here was also mocked.
She seemed to not mind it and continued on with her fake smile.
“IN THE FIRST PLACE, this Heroic War has been promised to be over IMMEDIATELY. I have been sent here only TO watch over the CEREMONY.”
Her gaze turned towards Seire and Taigoubou next to her...
“──That’s right.”
The Ruler of 「Sirena」 casually responded.
──Yes.
The Heroic War that betted the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」 was over without even a single confrontation, let alone a battle between the Heroes.
As long as the objective of the 「Sirena」 was to sell the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」 to 「El Blanche」,「Sirena」 just had to say {I surrender} and the objective would be achieved.
What the two races needed was just to go through with the Heroic War.
“Please do not MISUNDERSTAND, US 「El Blanche」 have evaluated YOU 「Liberator」 HIGHLY.”
While maintaining a fake smile...
The miko of 「El Blanche」 spun her words.
“The 「Infirma」 and the [Absence] are clearly WEAKLINGS. With no place to go, and are unable to obtain happiness even IF there is a place for them to stay, the 「Liberator」 is willing to accept, save, and take in these PEOPLE. THAT benevolent spirit is a wonderful THING.”
She clasped her hands, and closed her eyes as if making a prayer, then opened them with a “HOWEVER”.
“At the same time ── I must say that YOU are also a very dangerous EXISTENCE.”
“Wh──Why is that!?”
Seeing the seated Tifalycia protest, Alpha slightly tilted her head and spoke.
“May I ask how do YOU think of US?”
“......Eh?”
How do you think of the 「El Blanche」?
Hearing that sudden question, Reiji sneered and spoke.
“Suspicious. One-sidedly selling your self-righteous justice is just annoying. Some 『World Administrator』 (lol), messenger from the sky (lol)?”
“Wai......R-Reiji!”
“What, isn’t that the truth?”
“E-Even so, your way of saying it──”
“I SUPPOSE.”
As if to interrupt Tifalycia who was trying to follow up, the miko of 「El Blanche」 giggled...
“That’s why YOU are DANGEROUS.”
And declared so.
“The ideal YOU embrace is WONDERFUL. HOWEVER ── That is in conflict with OUR JUSTICE. BECAUSE that MUST be done by the hands of US 『Noblesse』 and not anyone ELSE. Honestly speaking ── 「Liberator」 is a NUISANCE.”
“Wha...isn’t that just for the convenience of the 「El Blanche」then!?”
“......That’s why, since YOU are obstructing OUR convenience, WE are telling YOU to stop you DUMB TRASH.”
“......Dumb trash?”
“──Ahh...uh...a-ahem ahem......eh...I am saying PLEASE STOP interfering with OUR conveniences just NOW♡”
“......Too full of openings.”
Perhaps Leu’s whisper was not heard, or perhaps it was heard but ignored, Alpha Stasis forcefully continued with her fake smile.
“If YOU people have POWER, YOU can probably face US head ON. HOWEVER, YOU people do not have that POWER. Those who do not have power IMITATING those with power is TROUBLING.”
Therefore, 「Liberator」 would be crushed.
When 「Liberator」 had to negotiate with them to retrieve their 『Race Flag』, they would bring out conditions that would fully defang 「Liberator」, or conditions that they absolutely could not compromise on, then force them into a Heroic War if they refused.
If they forced 「Liberator」 into choosing either accepting the conditions that would make 「Liberator」 unable to exist as 「Liberator」, or accepting a Heroic War, 「Liberator」 would not have a way out.
Even the originally effective buying time tactic known as pending the answer would only further tighten on their neck.
No matter which answer they chose, it would only lead to the fragile country known as 「Liberator」 falling into ruin and getting destroyed──
“Of course, WE will protect the people that have NO place to go to as a result of that you KNOW? Well, 「Liberator」 cannot even support its OWN citizens in the first PLACE, WE will at least provide THEM with the minimum necessities of LIVING. No no, YOU don’t need to THANK US. That is the obligation of US 「El Blanche」 as the 『World Administrator』 ── WE are the Noblesse after ALL.”
A fake smile full of affection.
Seeing that suspicious expression that could match some NEET Hero somewhere, Tifalycia lost her words.
What she said seemed graceful, but was actually one-sided, forceful, and self-conceited.
Tifalycia did not want to agree with any of that.
Did not want to agree, but ── it was the truth.
「Liberator」 had no power.
Because they had no power ── they could not protect it.
“──Now then. Is it about time now?”
Taigoubou cut in after watching the events play out, causing Tifalycia’s body to shiver.
The Heroic War between 「Sirena」 and 「El Blanche」.
「Liberator」 had no place to interfere in it.
Despite the bet being one which would decide the fate of 「Liberator」, they could only watch as spectators.
Therefore.
This situation...was...truly...
Helpless──
“Jumping to conclusions like this is your bad habit.”
Unexpectedly.
Reiji whispered in a small voice next to Tifalycia’s ear.
“............Eh?”
“In the first place, your nature is frank, honest to a fault, unconditionally accepting of others’ kindness, annoying──”
“......Wh-Why are you suddenly insulting......”
“Since it’s the truth.”
Reiji spoke without concern, and Tifalycia was about to complain to him.
“And then, because of that, you refuse to give up to an unbelievable level and continue to look straight ahead. And that ── is able to match a NEET such as me.”
That was.
Not exactly insulting, she noticed.
──Since it was the truth.
Reiji certainly said so.
Truth.
Tifalycia’s truth.
Frank, honest to a fault, unconditionally accepting of others’ kindness, annoying, refusing to give up to an unbelievable level and continuing to look straight ahead.
Look...straight ahead──
Those words lit up the depth of Tifalycia’s heart, seething quietly, burning unbelievably hot──
“Then, it’s a pity but──”
Surrender. Before Taigoubou could say that word...
“──Are you really fine with it?”
Suddenly.
The Hero of 「Liberator」 chuckled. Laughed.
Crossed his arms, spoke.
“There’s not really any other meaning ok? None but, Taigoubou, you can treat it as repayment for all kinds of services you provided. Do you truly believe that I did not anticipate this situation?”
As if putting on airs. As if making fun of her.
He told her ── in a severely provoking tone.
“Constantly losing, tolerant of other races, the peace advocating race, 「Sirena」. In truth, they are always only thinking for themselves. Because they are only thinking about their own race rather than any other races, they can even overlook the victory right before their eyes. Only wanting to maintain the status quo, and willing to use any kind of method for that sake. A total self-centered race such as 「Sirena」, throwing away shame, reputation, common sense, and snuggling under another race for dependence ── did you think that I cannot imagine it?”
Everyone could feel Reiji’s words stiffening the relaxed atmosphere.
“......Kyahha, Reiji-chi is also very desperate♪”
The Hero of 「Sirena」 just smiled composedly and spoke.
“Doesn’t saying that mean you are telling everyone that you are out of plans? I guess you want to buy time, but the moment this situation occurred──”
“No, I would have done so before this situation even occurred if I wanted to buy time.”
He interrupted Taigoubou immediately.
With a sneer.
The Hero of 「Liberator」 spoke with a tone as if he was talking to an idiot.
“Well, thinking with common sense, there’s no reason for me to give advice that is advantageous to the sole enemy here, 「Sirena」, right? Ah there’s no other time buying tactic as obvious as this.. Un un, since I think so, you must also think that way, normally speaking.”
As he said so...
For a fragment of an instant ── However an obvious instant, he peeked at the 「El Blanche」 girl.
“......”
The fake smile of Alpha Stasis clearly showed displeasure after noticing his gaze.
Completely not joining in on the conversation, the 「El Blanche」 girl who stayed as an observer gave off a displeased aura.
A fact that would normally be ignored caused Taigoubou’s chest to feel a slight discomfort.
Coincidence. By chance. It’s fine to ignore it. A fine detail that was strange to be concerned about.
........................However.
On the other hand, if that reaction had meaning.
How should that meaning be interpreted?
Why did Reiji ── the Hero of 「Liberator」 look at the agent of 「El Blanche」. Did the agent of 「El Blanche」 feel displeased about that gaze?
Could it be?
「El Blanche」 and 「Liberator」 teamed up?
The arrogant 「El Blanche」 might very well play a double-sided role.
The benefits for 「Liberator」 in teaming up with 「El Blanche」 were needless to say. What about the merits for 「El Blanche」 in teaming up with 「Liberator」?
It was not about teaming up with 「Liberator」 itself, the greatest benefit for teaming up with 「Liberator」 against 「Sirena」 and the greatest demerit for 「Sirena」 ── territory and authority, such possibilities could not be denied.
However, if that was the case, would 「Liberator」 need to tell Taigoubou of 「Sirena」that in the first place──
──Taigoubou, you can treat it as repayment for all kinds of services you provided.
No, that was not it.
Just like 「Sirena」 weighing 「Liberator」 and 「El Blanche」 on both sides of a scale, it would be fine to lean towards any side, what if 「Liberator」 also put 「Sirena」 and 「El Blanche」 on a scale and was in a situation in which choosing any side would be fine?
Or perhaps to 「El Blanche」, it did not matter if it was 「Liberator」 or 「Sirena」.
If any side worked, just like Taigoubou purposely telling Reiji the truth, Reiji also purposely told Taigoubou the truth──
It would be coherent.
“──”
Taigoubou...
That composed smile on her face disappeared for the first time.
“......Ryo-chan?”
The first person to notice that change was the person who stayed the longest with her in this world, Seire.
“Don’t tell me, you believe those words just now?”
That question clearly divided the Hero Taigoubou and the Ruler Seire.
“......Seire. It’s unfortunate, but ── I cannot easily answer 『I think so too』.”
“──Ha?”
As the Hero of 「Sirena」, as the ingenious tactician, Taigoubou knew.
Destiny zero, Realtà none. Not possessing any power, let alone a fragment of mana, no motivation, no common sense, no delicacy, the NEET Hero Houbami Reiji, who seemed to be compiled of only negative traits, made the Hero Napoleon Bonaparte, who led the 「Beastia」 to obtain victory through various Heroic Wars who was undoubtedly an astonishing threat, suffer a complete loss.
──The country known as 「Liberator」 could easily collaborate with others.
Without any power in hand, no history, no resources, no threat.
A country just worth making use of.
However, just the Hero belonging to that country, was an unknown variable - different from every other country.
There was no need to fear the known. In contrast, it was necessary to fear the unknown.
Therefore, Taigoubou gathered information regarding him. Came up with strategies to the best of her ability. And all those plans she made ended up in failure ── and the strategy currently deployed counted even those failures into it.
Even in this overwhelmingly advantageous situation, she could not see through what the Hero known as Houbami Reiji was thinking.
He still ── remained an unknown.
Therefore, she could not decide.
The scenario was an arranged Heroic War with the 「El Blanche」.
Even this situation that should not have been thought of normally, she could not ascertain that he absolutely had not expected it and prepared the unimaginable development of 「Liberator」 and 「El Blanche」 teaming up.
“......It’s a joke, right? Ryo-chan just needs to say 『I surrender』 and we will win──”
“If you really think so, then why don’t you say it?”
Casually. Nonchalantly.
He spoke with a tone as if the side that was in a helpless situation was not 「Liberator」.
“Well, as long as you don’t regret it later.”
“────”
It could only be a bluff no matter how she considered it.
Reiji had only repeatedly claimed that he had expected this situation without any proof, he did not hint any actual method of overturning the situation.
Just that ── he exerted pressure onto Taigoubou and Seire that if the situation progressed as it was, the loser would be them.
There was no basis.
There was no proof.
Therefore, 「Sirena」 should declare their loss in the Heroic War with the 「El Blanche」 without hesitation and then they should win in the 「Showdown」 against 「Liberator」.
──Even though they should.
“Ryo...chan......”
Her dear comrade. Her most trusted and closest friend was hesitating.
She believed that there being no evidence from Reiji was the best proof of the fact that the development was definitely beyond her expectations, and if they progressed here, they would be the side that would be destroyed──
“......I don’t really get the fine DETAILS, BUT...”
As if irritated of waiting.
The agent of 「El Blanche」 who had been watching over the situation spoke.
“Hurry up ── NO, can YOU follow through with the decision made beforehand ALREADY?”
Those words, which side was it directed at?
「Sirena」 losing here was the decision.
There should not have been any time or reason to hesitate originally.
Hurry up and surrender──
However, which side was that for?
“............”
It could not be answered.
Because there was no certainty, Taigoubou could not nod.
Seeing the Hero of 「Sirena」 biting her lip, her usual cheerfulness replaced with a bitter face, Reiji’s grin deepened.
“Ah, could it be that you noticed? The trick behind this situation.”
Seire reacted before anyone else to the word trick.
“Ryo-chan!”
“{If that’s the case, why didn’t you tell me} ──Are you going to ask that?”
“......!!”
Why do you know ── Seire seemed to want to say that, Tifalycia sympathized with her.
Because to Tifalycia, the situation that Seire currently got into was so vivid to her that her body could remember it clearly.
“Aah, Taigoubou definitely would have wanted to tell you at first. Normally speaking that is.”
Reiji purposely shrugged his shoulder and narrowed his eyes dramatically, making Seire unable to look away.
She could not help but focus on his every action, concentrate on his every word.
“Normally...speaking......?”
“Let me ask you back, is the current situation normal?”
“──”
“Because Taigoubou herself thinks that saying out what she just noticed will cause all of you to fall into the worst outcome, she couldn’t say it.”
Taigoubou trembled.
Confirming Taigoubou’s obvious reaction, Reiji continued.
“Now then, what would that worst outcome be? ──What do you think is the worst thing that can happen now?”
He stretched out his right hand and urged Seire to speak up.
To speak up what was probably already in his mind.
Seire gulped, looked at both Reiji and Alpha, and opened her mouth ── but before that.
“Yes, that’s it.”
Reiji snatched the confirmation.
In other words, she was forced to confirm that what she thought of as the worst outcome was true, causing her eyes to widen in disbelief.
“D-Don’t tell me......”
Impossible. Impossible. Impossible.
Seire repeated that word many times in her head, then unconsciously saw Taigoubou’s bitter expression, and confirmed that the impossible would happen.
“If you noticed that truth, can you say it out loud? ──You can’t.”
One-sidedly decided, but unable to rebut him, she bit her lip.
──Incredible.
Seeing the despairing atmosphere from just a while ago seemingly overturned, Tifalycia was utterly astonished.
The despairing situation was not overturned in reality.
He was only implying that it was overturned.
That was because ── Reiji had not said a single thing about the actual content.
Therefore, as a spectator, Tifalycia had no idea what the worst outcome those girls thought of was.
He was just making the other party think that he knew, then acted on pursuing the content the opponents imagined on their own.
The Hero and Ruler of 「Sirena」 were toyed with on Reiji’s palm.
What a ── despicable, nasty, wonderful fraud.
However, there was still someone clear-headed in this situation.
“Umm, seriously what the heck is going on......NO, what is going ON?”
Alpha Stasis still maintained her smiling face, but was unsure whether she still wanted to keep her act up or not, she voiced her doubt.
“PLEASE just say ‘I surrender’. That is enough to end THIS.”
“Oi oi, you still don’t understand this situation? It’s already way past that stage.”
“............Haa?”
What the hell is this guy saying?
Alpha showed an expression which people other than Reiji could also see and know was genuine.
Only the 「Sirena」 girls saw it as plain acting and spoke with a stiff voice.
“You sure can say all you want in this situation......”
“As expected of 「El Blanche」.”
Seeing 「Sirena」 not hiding their anger and hardening their attitude all of a sudden, Alpha’s smile stiffened.
“I do not understand what the two of YOU are angered ABOUT──”
“「El Blanche」 put 「Liberator」 and 「Sirena」 on the scale, right!?”
“「El Blanche」 wants to dispose of 「Sirena」, right!?”
After a beat.
“──Ha!?”
“──Eh!?”
The Ruler and Hero of 「Sirena」 looked at each other’s faces filled with disbelief.
Reiji sneered.
“Ahh, imagination is incredible, isn’t it?”
Seeing Reiji’s pretentious attitude, Taigoubou immediately realized the situation she fell into, and her gaze sharpened.
“──Deceiving others is bad, Reiji-chi.”
“Oi oi, it’s the person who listened that’s bad, Taigoubou. ──You got deceived on your own, right?”
He harshly cut in.
“I believe that you understand it by now ── you had already fallen into my trap long ago. The moment you did, it was my win no matter what.”
Frivolously.
With composure as if peeking at a sandbox from the outside, he laughed.
“If you feel frustrated, why don’t you try to escape? It’s just a matter of saying {I surrender}.”
“N──”
Before she could finish No need for you to tell me.
“Well, in that instant, instead of the Elkea Floating Island that is promised to 「Sirena」, you will lose Watatsumi Palace though.”
“──Wh?”
“{Why? Did the matter regarding Elkea Floating Island leak out?} Oi oi, don’t make me say that kind of thing.”
As expected.
As expected, 「El Blanche」 and 「Liberator」──
──No, that’s not it!
It’s a bluff. A bluff. It must be a bluff!
Before she could convince herself, she vividly imagined the situation of Reiji coming into contact with the 「El Blanche」 beforehand and setting 「Sirena」 up.
That was impossible.
Even though it should be impossible...
The impossible things that led up to their current situation made her unable to deny it.
Calmly thinking about it, since they were deceived once, it was highly likely that he was still deceiving them.
However, at the same time, because he deceived them once, there was a high possibility that this time was the truth.
If she was deceived once, she would raise her awareness in order not to be deceived twice. By making use of that awareness in reverse was ── very likely.
In conclusion.
She became unable to distinguish which was the truth.
In the first place ── Between 「Liberator」 and 「El Blanche」, which choice would bring the biggest benefit?
“Hey, what are you ── ahem, YOU people of 「Sirena」, PLEASE calm down. ME teaming up with 「Liberator」 IS──”
“......Kyahha, let me ask you back ── can you believe the words of the party concerned?”
With the words 'party concerned', Alpha Stasis finally noticed it.
The situation progressed in a weird direction without her knowledge.
By a person who purposely made it progress that way──
“Houbami Reiji......!”
She recognized the Hero of 「Liberator」 as an enemy for the first time.
This strange situation was created by him, he was controlling it.
However, that realization was overwhelmingly late.
“So ── What do you want?”
She asked that with a half given-up tone.
That question was exactly the words that Reiji had been waiting for.
“What we want...huh. I have been waiting for that question all this while.”
Then the maniacally laughing Reiji──
Tapped on Tifalycia’s shoulder.
“Isn’t that right, Tifalycia?”
Although he directed it to her.
“......Ha?”
She could only make a confused response.
“No no, not ‘Ha?’.”
“Eh......eh?”
“Un un, enough with playing dumb ── Come, tell them ‘What I want is this’ with guts.”
You are throwing the ball to me after coming so far──!?
“Wh-Why──”
Are you are pushing me to the front suddenly huh!?
She barely suppressed herself from continuing with that line.
Seeing Reiji’s gaze as if he had grasped everything, Tifalycia switched to a calm thought that even astonished herself.
Perhaps.
It was because she had always been watching Reiji’s figure toying around with Taigoubou, Seire, and Alpha Stasis from a spectator’s perspective.
Reiji’s intention, thoughts, aim.
She was able to predict them a little.
She felt that her thoughts were slightly influenced by him.
Surely, pushing Tifalycia onto the stage at that point was ── not mere recklessness, but there was a reason it had to be Tifalycia, and she had a vague idea how to respond to that expectation.
Not Reiji, not Leu, not Taigoubou, not Seire, and not Alpha.
The reason it had to be Tifalycia.
──What will you do?
If it’s me.
If it’s Tifalycia Cleargreen──
Tifalycia closed her eyes once, then opened them again and saw not Reiji or the two 「Sirena」girls .
It was the 「El Blanche」 girl.
Then, she spoke without a tint of hesitation.
“I, Tifalycia Cleargreen, the Ruler of 「Liberator」 hereby declare. We 「Liberator」 are ── formally requesting the aid of the 「El Blanche」.”
◇◆◇
“......Ha?”
The first to make a sound was the Ruler of 「Sirena」 in response to that nonsensical declaration.
“What......did you say?”
That kind of mere begging would never work.
As a Ruler who carried the responsibility for the race and the country, she can not even understand such a thing ── holding such a feeling that was close to indignation, Seire looked at the 「El Blanche」 miko who should be having similar thoughts, and was shocked.
“Eh......?”
The 「El Blanche」 girl was clearly in a bind.
Why──?
There was no reason to hesitate.
She could refuse it immediately and laugh it off.
Thinking so, Seire looked at her own Hero and once again she opened her eyes wide.
“Why......Why is Ryo-chan also showing that same expression?”
Taigoubou also showed a clearly frustrated expression.
Hearing the question from her Ruler, the Hero came back to her senses and constructed her words.
“──Aah...that’s...how you play it......”
Taigoubou understood.
The reason why Alpha, as the 「El Blanche」, was in a bind.
To her ── To the 「El Blanche」 who called themselves the 『World Administrator』, those words were a fatal strike.
“Because 「El Blanche」 is the 『World Administrator』.”
The Hero who had seen through everything and made the Ruler of 「Sirena」 say those things looked straight at Alpha Stasis, and calmly spoke.
“Like what you said just now, the 「El Blanche」, as the 『World Administrator』, represents absolute justice. Towards those in defiance of that absolute justice, it is natural to suppress, guide, and educate them.”
Because of that, 「Liberator」 was a target of correction and reform since they went against that absolute justice.
However...
“On the other hand, towards those who seek help one-sidedly and show submission, lending a helping hand is the obligation of the 『World Administrator』 ── as those in power, right?”
Because they called themselves the 『World Administrator』, the 「El Blanche」 had imposed on themselves an obligation that they could not defy or change themselves.
The mission of the justice known as Noblesse Oblige.
“Of course, you can refuse us with a ‘Like I care’. However, in that instant, it will mean that you 「El Blanche」 have discarded that grandiose claim along with it. In that case, what’s left is ── just a boring conqueror race.”
The elegant and noble 「El Blanche」 would never allow such a label.
They understood that calling themselves the 『World Administrator』 only when it was convenient for them was not allowed.
Despite coming to an agreement with 「Sirena」, they still went with the Heroic War as a formality because their impression towards others was important.
All of that was for the sake of making a reason to convince others, based on the rule that they themselves deemed necessary to abide to.
That rule restrained themselves. At least, they had to show that they abided by that rule.
Therefore──
Since the Ruler of 「Liberator」 formally has seeked help, she, as just a miko and not a Ruler, could only answer as such.
“......Regarding THAT REQUEST......Please let ME bring it back to MY home COUNTRY.”
She would like to examine the request again in another place.
In other words, she would like to leave the place ── towards her who declared so...
“Before that ── may I say something?”
As if to tear apart the scenario, Taigoubou swung her fishing rod sharply.
“I surrender.”
In an instant, on the magic formation displayed above their heads, the words 「El Blanche」 victory were carved.
◇◆◇
Along with the conclusion of the Heroic War, the sea above them closed up and lighting returned to normal.
Under the lighting that had been dimmed, Taigoubou seemed to have regained her composure, and spoke quietly.
“With this, the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」 belongs to 「El Blanche」, so we have carried out our end of the contract. In other words, the promise between 「Sirena」 and 「El Blanche」 has been fulfilled, right?”
The possibility of Reiji teaming up with 「El Blanche」 had been cut off.
Taigoubou quickly took action once she judged so.
「Liberator」 seeked aid from 「El Blanche」, as a result, they were spared from the correction and education from the 「El Blanche」, and would instead obtain refuge, that did not matter.
That was already unrelated to「Sirena」.
What was related to them was only the matter regarding the reward they agreed upon beforehand for selling out 「Liberator」.
It was unknown how Reiji found out, what 「Sirena」 wanted was a piece of territory under the rule of 「El Blanche」 in exchange for selling out 「Liberator」.
They who boasted that having Watatsumi Palace alone would be fine were going to receive that land that they had been secretly aiming for from the 「El Blanche」──
That should have been the outcome of this commotion, however...
“NO. UNFORTUNATELY, this cannot COUNT.”
The 「El Blanche」 girl looked at the two 「Sirena」 and clearly answered.
Seeing that clear attitude, the Ruler of 「Sirena」 spoke with a calm demeanor on the surface.
“......This is a little bit unreasonable.”
As if those words were the cue.
Several hundreds of girls that had gathered unknowingly surrounded Alpha.
Taking a glance at their movements with a pasted smile as if it was nothing, the 「El Blanche」 miko quietly spoke.
“If YOU want to talk about REASON, the premise of 「Liberator」 becoming a PROBLEM for world order YOU mentioned has already crumbled in the first PLACE. Since 「Liberator」 has shown submission towards the 「El Blanche」. There is NO obligation to fulfil a contract with the premise CRUMBLED. With THAT being the CASE, if YOU have any COMPLAINTS──”
Slowly, as she spread her white and black wings, her smile faded away.
“FORMALLY, IN the way of a Heroic War ── I can hear YOU OUT.”
Any more complaints would be accepted in the way of a full-scale war.
As the girl openly declared so...
“────”
「Sirena」 could not say anything.
Them facing 「El Blanche」 head on and obtaining victory would be extremely difficult. It could be said to be impossible.
Perhaps because she knew how bad of a position they were in, she, as just a miko, could make such a forceful stand without any concern.
Despite that, 「Sirena」 could not just compromise and pull out.
The tense atmosphere that was on the verge of raging was──
“Oh, next is a proper Heroic War? That’s nice, do it do it.”
Reiji, who had moved onto Taigoubou’s bed and laid down, poured oil on the fire as a complete spectator.
──Whose fault is it...
Taigoubou was about to say that on reflex, then noticed that instead of 「Liberator」 against 「Sirena」, or 「Liberator」 against 「El Blanche」, it had changed to 「Sirena」 against 「El Blanche」 unknowingly.
──No.
It was not unknowingly.
They were put against each other.
They were set up to turn the Heroic War which should have been a rigged one into a real one.
And the one who created all that was──
Noticing Taigoubou’s gaze, the sneering Reiji purposely looked away.
The girl in line with his gaze ── the Ruler of 「Liberator」, Tifalycia Cleargreen...
“──Then, how about this?”
As if it was natural...
She controlled the atmosphere.
“The three races that are here. How about forming a temporary alliance between us?”
And said something incredible.
◇◆◇
The person who broke the long, way too long silence, was the Hero of 「Sirena」.
“......Ti ── TifaTifa, what might you...be...saying......?”
Not just 「Liberator」 and 「Sirena」 who are already in an alliance, but a three race alliance including 「El Blanche」?
That bizarre idea, that unimaginable development, robbed away her thoughts and rationality.
“I don’t think it’s something that strange though.”
It was the girl who could only be seen as an 「Elf」 who said so.
With half of her bloodline from 「Infirma」, the [Absence], Tifalycia Cleargreen, looked at Seire, Taigoubou, and Alpha in sequence, and then spoke.
“The objective of 「Sirena」 is the happiness of 「Sirena」, by maintaining the status quo. The objective of 「El Blanche」 is to act the role of『World Administrator』, by giving salvage to those seeking aid. And the objective of us 「Liberator」 is to sustain our current livelihood. Is there any reason to be in conflict?”
“You say it as if it’s so......simple.”
Certainly.
Saying it like that, there was no real reason for the three sides to be in opposition.
Tifalycia added further.
“In the first place, what are the actual objectives of all the races?”
── 「Sirena」 did not care about anything else as long as they were able to live in peace and happiness.
It was for that peace and happiness that they made a move on 「Liberator」 which was easy to make use of, and if it would no longer benefit them, it would not bother them to sever ties with them completely. And then, as long as the refuge provided by 「El Blanche」 did not interfere with their self governance, it would be a great shelter.
──「El Blanche」 wanted to play the role of 『World Administrator』.
That basically meant, in order to demonstrate their power as 『World Administrator』, they wanted to put the other races below them. As long as 「Liberator」 acknowledged 「El Blanche」 as a superior race, it would not be a problem to allow them to continue their self governance.
──「Liberator」 wanted aid from allied country, immediate aid.
As long as what was lost was not the dignity and ideals of the country known as 「Liberator」 for that sake, others did not really matter. It was not a problem even if they had to acknowledge 「El Blanche」 as the 『World Administrator』.
In other words.
“Well, issues that can be considered as problems......there are none.”
Hearing the deep in thought Seire murmuring that, Tifalycia spoke without changing her expression.
“Isn’t that right? It may sound unbelievable at first, but if you point it out in actual words and consider, there isn’t any real hinderance. ──No, rather, you can say that there is only benefit.”
Because she was an [Absence] that had mixed blood from other race, she was able to come up with the idea of benefiting through passing the wall of the races.
Tifalycia proudly spoke as if it was the truth of the world.
“What the freak...are you talking about?”
Alpha Stasis, who had remained silent...
The 「El Blanche」 miko who gave up her fake smile and revealed her irritated expression...
Strongly refused.
“There’s no freaking way I will make that kind of thing.”
The girl, who had been giving off a pure and holy atmosphere, stared at Tifalycia and spoke with an aggressive tone.
“......Well well, AlAl is a miko after all, right?”
“That’s not what I freaking mean.”
Slapping away Taigoubou’s mediation, when Alpha was about to continue...
“......Not in the form of ruling, but in the form of being equivalent with other races ── that kind of an alliance is not allowed by 「El Blanche」.”
Until now.
Leu, who had not spoken a single word...
“Therefore, 「El Blanche」 will only take the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」 and there is no way they will give any other race their own 『Race Flag』 ── is that what you wanted to say, two-faced?”
“──What do you freaking know about US you stupid PEEKING STREGA?”
Alpha cursed in retaliation, while Leu stared back without any expression.
Seeing the two on the brink of rampaging, Taigoubou spoke with a troubled face.
“......Hmm, so, do LeuLeu and AlAl know each other?”
“No comment.” “I don’t have the obligation to freaking answer you.”
“Wao......”
As they rejected Taigoubou in unison, she exaggeratedly shrugged at their unapproachable attitude.
Then, Tifalycia who paid attention even to their bickering...
“Then let’s do this.”
And directed the situation.
“Us 「Liberator」 will gain ownership of the 『Race Flag』 of 「El Blanche」.”
““Ha?””
The synched voices came from the two 「Sirena」.
“Then we will transfer the ownership of the 『Race Flag』 of 「El Blanche」 we obtained to the 「Sirena」. With that, the three-races alliance (Three-way monitoring) should be established. For that sake, it would be great if 「Sirena」 can assist us.”
The one who reacted the most to that bland speech was the 「El Blanche」 miko.
“Wha──! What the freaking hell are you talking about you IDIOT!! There’s no way that can be──”
“We won’t know whether it can be done or not without trying it first. Firstly, I am not hiding anything about this matter. Your side should have made plenty of preparations though.”
“──E-Even...so......such a thing won’t be allowed!?”
The shout, which had no intimidation perhaps due to her cute appearance and her voice, did not reach the Ruler of 「Liberator」.
“Allowed or not is a story between 「Liberator」 and 「Sirena」. You aren’t related to it, right?”
“There’s no way I’m not──”
Related.
The 「El Blanche」 girl knew the reason she could not continue.
That was because ── What the Ruler of 「Liberator」 was talking about was none other than the same plan as the conspiracy between 「El Blanche」 and 「Sirena」 in regards to the 『Race Flag』 of 「Liberator」.
“What is allowed to you as a miko is to bring the Ruler of 「Liberator」 who is seeking shelter to have an audience with the Ruler of 「El Blanche」 ── is that not all?”
“Y──You jerk......”
Seeing Alpha clenching her teeth, Tifalycia showed an instance of an apologetic expression, then closed her eyes, and told her as if trying to convince herself.
“You should have considered the possibility of having what you did happen to you.”
You reap what you sow. Karma comes back to bite you──
Tifalycia said so and then turned to face the two pressured 「Sirena」.
“Aah, by the way, there is no need to consider what would happen if we could not obtain the 『Race Flag』. Suppose that is the case, it will only be 「Liberator」 who sacrifices. That said ── I think that’s just unfounded worry.”
She cut off her words with a breath.
“Now then. What do the two of you think?”
And gorgeously tilted her head.
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1 Original text used bo in boku first, then changed to watakushi. ↩
oooohhhh thank you :D
ReplyDeleteI like it but I wish it would update faster
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