Episode 389: The Queen's Favorite

"——'Blade of Lost Mind'!"

A second later, I lunged at Fuyumi without a single hesitation.

She blocked my attack with her short sword still in its sheath, muttering,

"Sto… stop! Stop, seriously! No way! Not me! I swear! This is real!"

"Who else could it be...?"

"I don't know! I-I-I didn't even know about this plan...!"

"Preparation...?"

"I was only told by Reika-sama to guide everyone! That's all! I'm neutral!"

"Then send Asuka back right now!"

"That's ridiculous!"

"Asu-ka! Asu-ka!"

"Ahh...!"

It was Nanami who calmed me down as I grew flustered.

"Wait. Calm down."

"What...?"

"Asuka—she got caught because she was careless. To be honest, it's the carelessness that's to blame."

"That's..."

"I understand. Reika's goal was to make us fight each other right here. That's surely why she brought us here—her favorite thing is stirring up drama between people who should be on the same side."

"Really?"

"Yeah. To her, circle clashes are just like a hobby."

"Huh... wow..."

When Nanami, another club member, says it, it carries more weight.

"She's not an enemy, but she's not a friend either. That's exactly why our discord feels real—just the kind of thing she'd think up."

Well, honestly, it'd be easier if she just said "enemy~☆" outright.

"He's a strange one. His life's aspirations and the way his heart is set are contradictory. He wishes for others' happiness more than anyone else, yet secretly enjoys watching people fight and feud."

From her tone, it was already clear that Nanami had somehow been affected by this person.

Then, she leaned her lips close to my ear and whispered,

"Besides, I think... Mai's really not aware of anything at all."

"Really... is that so?"

"Ah. Please trust me, someone who's known you for so long."

Hmm.

If you're saying that, then it's worth believing you.

"But what about Asaka? We can't just leave things as they are."

"Calm down. Even if Rikka is ruthless, she won't go as far as killing."

"That's—"

Well, that makes sense.

From Rikka's perspective, there's no benefit in going that far.

"Anyway, we're moving forward....Even if we're attacked by enemies along the way, just ignore them. After all, it's just a children's attraction, so there's no way you'd get lost, right? Right?"

"That's true, I suppose."

"Then there's no time to waste here. Let's go beat up Rikka as fast as possible."

"Yes..."

I didn't exactly come here to beat up Rikka, though.

▼

Our future direction is set.

"Erm, um... Well... I don't know what to do now...?"

One person, completely flustered, was Maiyo.

No wonder. Right now, she had completely lost her sense of where she stood.

I let out a small sigh,

"Please resume the guidance."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I believe Maiyo isn't someone who betrays her friends."

"…………"

"However,"

Seizing the brief moment she let her guard down,

"――'Soul Siphon Blade'"

I swiftly slashed across his chest, then cleaved him in a diagonal cut across his torso.

"Yowch!"

He tumbled backward in shock, flailing around for a moment with his pants completely down...

"Hey? Doesn't hurt? Huh? Weird?"

He exaggeratedly rubbed his stomach, acting like a clown.

"But... but... my stomach's so hungry..."

"Thanks to the 'Fatal Strike' ability, I've absorbed his magical energy."

"Terrible..."

"At the very least, you should still have enough strength to move. That means you won't be able to pull off any foolish tricks anymore, right?"

"Ugh... You didn't fully believe me, did you?"

"Of course not. Risks must be eliminated."

Clanking softly as he sheathed his blade,

"But from now on, I'll believe you. You're powerless to cause trouble anyway."

"I see... but are you sure you'll be okay after this, in your current condition?"

"Just think of it as a diet."

"I'm perfectly in control of my figure. If I lose any more weight, my ribs will start showing."

"……Well, if it's too difficult, I'll just leave you behind."

"Hmm... Alright, I'll do my best."

"Then, good luck with that."

When I casually said that, Mayi took a deep, deliberate breath.

Um, well then everyone... watch your step and move slowly... We don't know what lies ahead, but we can't let ourselves be beaten by any villains.

Then, from underground, a creepy laugh (recorded) echoed: "Hehehehehehehe..."

"By the way, do you really see any point in continuing this farce?"

"That's right. Actually, the attraction in this castle was supposed to restart operations soon. That's why they've installed the latest voice recognition system... It's programmed to advance the attraction based on the previous line of dialogue..."

Ah...

That's why.

As I come to understand, the red lights disguised as torches leading down into the underground begin lighting up one after another.

Beyond those stairs, it seemed as though one were descending into the very depths of hell.