Great O’Browns ⑩
Day 3.
The meeting goes on. The meeting dances.
The agenda this time was the presentation of achievements and such by the Tier I Seekers.
Well, aside from it being boring, I understand that presenting achievements is important.
And actually, since yesterday, Mr. Agaro, Megadia-san, and Ens-san have been participating.
That means Megadia-san’s Tsukaeshi, Ms. Pachira, was also present.
I thought I might fall asleep from boredom, but the Tier I Seekers’ achievement presentations were a continuous stream of surprises.
A series of achievements of the highest difficulty, as expected.
Especially the subjugation of a Jewel-Class, five-headed giant hydra called the “Mountain Eater” by “Sword of Swords.”
I heard it had a colossal body like a mountain range. To defeat something like that with a single sword. Truly one of the world’s strongest.
The person in question is lying beside me, gnawing on a huge monster bone.
That part of him is so dog-like. Well, he is a dog.
There was also “Strange Chef” Jeff’s tree branch pasta from the Sacred Tree Forest Dungeon.
The story about the “All-World Butler Championship” from “He Who Gained Immense Strength” Gravis-san was interesting.
That old man. He was a butler?
Maids and butlers… why are they working as Seekers?
Speaking of which, I heard Alveld’s Rootbelt family is one of the most prominent noble families in the kingdom.
I don’t want to praise him, but he himself is quite capable. He doesn’t need to be a Seeker, does he?
Ah, but the Koon Hunt he leads is the largest in this city, yet it has a bad reputation.
I also consider them an enemy.
Is he bad at leading people? Or does he simply have no intention of leading?
I somehow feel it’s the latter. Maybe he was asked to do it as a request.
And so, the third day’s meeting ended uneventfully.
By the way, The Witch announced the successful refinement of the ancient Potion “Lost Soma.”
And also the successful restoration of the national treasure-class Legendary, the “World Map Clock.”
Chive-san announced new products for Seekers.
And also the subjugation of the Ivy Demon Rielle, which had dominated the wetland area called Kahe Marsh.
It’s said that this will revive the Kahe Dungeon, which was sealed within Kahe Marsh.
Shiro-san announced the collection of phantom materials and the discovery of several unexplored Dungeons.
Some of these Dungeons, in particular, caused a stir among the other Tier I Seekers.
Munieca-san announced the annihilation of a large bandit group.
And the subjugation of a lower Jewel-Class monster called Keria. A semi-parasitic monster… scary.
But the one who surprised me the most was Narcissus-san.
“Ura has done nothing!” Is she the only one who can say that so openly and honestly?
Apparently, there’s no immediate demotion or expulsion even if there are no achievements.
Also, is it okay for “Thousand Faces” to say, “It’s a secret due to national secrets and various other things, gesu”?
It seems there are many things he can’t say due to his Relic.
The arena.
Today, too, it was packed and lively.
This time as well, I’m allowed to watch from the VIP area.
Emi-san was in the seat diagonally in front of me. The Witch and Munieca-san are sitting next to me.
Ens-san isn’t here. Ax-san and the others must be watching from somewhere.
Shiro-san and Chive-san are absent.
As soon as Mineha-san and Ruriha-san appeared in the arena, a vortex of cheers erupted.
Mineha-san’s and Ruriha-san’s names were chanted repeatedly.
The two of them were in their large forms, not Fairial form.
I think this can’t be helped. In Fairial form, they’re small and hard to see.
Mineha-san was in her usual armor. She mentioned it had gotten a bit tight recently.
Ruriha-san was also in armor. She wore more elegant and luxurious armor than Mineha-san’s.
However, that armor had gaps at the shoulders and waist, forming rings.
“Exhibition Match. The mother-daughter match between ‘Fairy Queen’ Ruriha and Mineha will now begin. Victory is determined by surrender or knockout. Actions that would kill the opponent are prohibited. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Then, begin!”
At the signal, the two clashed with the spears in their hands.
Mineha-san’s is the “Phantom Star Spear.”
A blue spear with a white triangular pattern spiraling around it.
Ruriha-san, on the other hand, held a pitch-black spear.
In terms of my memories from my previous life, a spear is a lance. It seems to be the Fairials’ main weapon.
“As I thought, you’re using ‘Shadow Dancer,’ Mother.”
Mineha-san said, thrusting without hesitation.
Ruriha-san lightly parried the thrust and smiled.
“You’ve gotten stronger, Mineha.”
Something like an eerie black mist or smoke emerged from Ruriha-san’s spear.
It successively took human form.
The forms resembled Ruriha-san, and in an instant, they increased to four bodies.
All of them were holding black spears.
“Clones?!”
“That, that is ‘Shadow Dancer,’ you see. It has a time limit and a cooldown, but it can create shadow clones that can be freely controlled by thought. In short, they’re Shadow Rurihas, you see.”
Shadow Ruriha-sans, huh.
They look like shadow puppets, but their facial contours and body lines are exactly the same.
“To control them freely with thought is enviable. If I could handle the Menos Dolls like that, it would surely be much easier.”
“…That sounds tough.”
“The other Menos Dolls are obedient. It was recently discovered that they each have their own ego. However, since they are fundamentally dolls, they are loyal to orders and are excellent maids. It’s just Shardina who is the problem.”
Ah, as I thought. The other Menos Dolls also had egos.
And I kind of understand about Shardina. Maybe I’ll go see her next time.
There are various things I’m curious about.
In the match, Mineha-san was surrounded by Ruriha-san and the four Shadow Ruriha-sans, and she was struggling.
She seemed to be giving her all just to dodge and receive their continuous spear attacks.
Strange. Isn’t she going to use her “Stars”?
“Mineha. She’s luring them in, you know.”
“Eh?”
I instinctively reacted to Emi-san’s murmur.
“I see, I see,”
“Luring them in?”
“She’s probably planning to make her move after luring them in.”
“And Ruriha knows that too. She’s deliberately falling for the lure.”
Finally, Mineha-san was surrounded by Ruriha-san and the Shadow Ruriha-sans.
At that moment, Mineha-san’s spear glowed.
The white triangular patterns detached and floated in the sky as nine triangular “Stars.”
“Oh my, this is not good.”
Ruriha-san retreated and tried to make the Shadow Ruriha-sans fall back.
But it was too late. One of the Shadow Ruriha-sans disappeared from an attack by the “Stars.”
“Oh?”
“Here I come, Mother!”
As the nine triangular stars danced, various cheers erupted as if gushing forth.
The stars moved in accordance with Mineha-san’s spear movements.
With a spiraling assault from the stars, another Shadow Ruriha-san was eliminated.
The stars are a combination technique of Mineha-san’s Relic: [Spiral] and [Remote Operation].
Their power is terrifyingly high. Especially when the triangles draw a spiral, they become like drills.
Their piercing power, in particular, is on a different level. The Shadow Ruriha-san was pierced, spear and all. One remaining.
“Oh my, oh my.”
“Mother. These are my stars!”
The last Shadow Ruriha-san was also annihilated by the stars’ support attack.
Only Ruriha-san remained.
“…You’ve truly gotten strong, Mineha. But…”
Again, something like black mist or smoke emerged from “Shadow Dancer.”
Mineha-san tried to stop it by making all her stars charge.
However, she was one step too late.
No, perhaps it might have been futile anyway.
“…………Mother.”
Over several dozen Shadow Ruriha-sans appeared. They filled half the arena.
And then, Ruriha-san took out a silver spear with four black wings from her pouch.
It was wrapped in a yellow sash inscribed with black characters. A mysterious spear.
She was now dual-wielding spears.
“I’ll teach you what you’re lacking.”
All at once, the Shadow Ruriha-sans attacked.
Mineha-san raised her “Phantom Star Spear.” Eight stars circled around the Shadow Ruriha-sans.
They began to gradually surround and circle them.
“Starlight Vortex!!!!”
As she swung it down, the ninth star fell in a straight line into the midst of the Shadow Ruriha-sans.
Instantly, an intensely shining vortex erupted, and the Shadow Ruriha-sans were swallowed up.
“‘Fairy Edict,’ Article 2: In the name of the ‘Fairy Queen,’ Mineha’s stars, fall!”
Chanting, Ruriha-san thrust her other strange spear into the ground.
Then, the “Stars” of the “Phantom Star Spear” fell.
“…’Fairy Edict’!”
“With this, there are no more stars.”
“N-No way!?”
The remaining Shadow Ruriha-sans rushed towards Mineha-san.
She resisted bravely, but Mineha-san’s armor was shattered, and her spear was taken.
And finally, her arms and legs were grabbed, and she was pinned to the ground.
Ruriha-san pointed the tip of “Shadow Dancer” at Mineha-san.
She looked down and said.
“My win.”
“…Yes.”
“Mineha. You did well. But, you know, the reason for your loss is the scarcity of your cards. I still have several OOPArts spears comparable to these two.”
“That many…”
“Oh my, the more cards you have in hand, the better. Of course, that’s on the premise that you can master them. So, first, acquire spears that are comparable or even stronger. That is your task from now on.”
“…Yes. Mother. Next time, I will win.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”
“It’s my loss.”
“—Winner! Fairy Queen Ruriha!”
A great vortex of cheers erupted in the arena.