第３１９堀：本当の答えとの対峙 (Part2)
"Subarachnoid hemorrhage is terrifying, but that bit at the end about 'burning out until you're pure white'? The protagonist didn't actually die in that one, you know."
"Oh, you knew that?"
"Of course I did. Wait, is this really an energy drink? The one with the eagle logo..."
"Yep. Contains 1,000mg of taurine."
"Lipo... wait, no, no! Isn't it a bit cruel to pour this over someone's head!?"
"Nah, it's Taiki's fault for failing to secure a landslide victory."
"Ugh... but that skill-nullification technique of Taizo's—it was like he was denying the very existence of magic power..."
"What are you talking about? Luna was guarding, and Taiki wasn't reverted to his original state, was he?"
"Oh, now that you mention it... I see."
"It wasn't a total negation. It felt more like it sealed skills that rely on a flow of magic power."
Ah, I see.
It’s true that the barrier Luna made for me stopped the magic leakage. Since there was a way to counter it, it’s only logical to assume it was specialized for certain types rather than a total denial of magic.
At the time, I was too preoccupied with the issue of my own life support—or should I say, my corpse maintenance?—to think about such things.
Well, I survived, so all’s well that ends well.
I almost met my maker before the match even started, caught in the crossfire of my own allies.
As I was pondering this, Taizo’s treatment seemed to finish. Hifi accompanied him as they walked back toward us.
"Well, I managed to scrape out a victory. However, their resolve is clearly genuine."
Taizo wore a refreshed expression, as if all his doubts had been cleared away.
"Yes, I could tell. In that head-on collision, I didn't sense a shred of malice."
"Exactly. If there were any ulterior motives in a brawl like that, even an idiot could tell."
Anyone harboring strange thoughts in a situation like that would inevitably have their movements dulled. But there was none of that from Taiki. He was purely focused on competing with Taizo.
"I mean, at the very end, you were both laughing while you traded blows."
"Huh? We were?"
"Ah, I suppose neither of you noticed. You were both smiling like it was the most natural thing in the world."
"Yes. Seeing that, there was no room for suspicion."
Usually, only children training together to improve themselves would fight like that. The older you get, the harder it becomes to fight in such a way, but that was a pure, earnest battle to surpass one another.
"I’m embarrassed to have let you see such a sight. If you’ll excuse me, I need to rest. Comet, I leave the next one to you."
With that, Taizo leaned his back against the trunk of a cherry tree. Even if his wounds were healed, his fatigue was clearly still there; he let out a long, steadying breath.
"Got it. Leave it to me. If we take this second win, victory is all but guaranteed."
This match is essentially a round-robin. Even if we win two, if everyone loses to the remaining opponent, it’s over.
Normally, Taizo should be the one to go out for the next match, but in his current state, it should be my turn.
We’ve already secured one victory, and even from the perspective of our judge, Luna, we should have the advantage. She isn't the type to declare a loss as a victory just out of personal bias.
It’s just a matter of how much time I can afford to take it easy.
...She leaves a different impression than the gods I’ve known, but that is the kind of person Luna is.
"Taizo is forfeiting. Well, that’s for the best. And next up is Comet."
"Naturally, since Hifi is last. It’s my turn. Now then, I wonder if my opponent will be Yuki?"
I said that, and looked toward the other side.