CH 79

「… 《Snow Moon Butterfly Concerto》」

The clear skies of the previous moment disappeared as if it were a lie, and the entire area became a silvery landscape of snow. It was hard to see because of the blizzard, but above Aria-chan’s head was a large block of ice that looked as beautiful as the moon.

『Oh! ! It’s a beautiful sight! ! I’ve never seen this before! !』

『Fumu. I’ve only seen it once in a thread, but it’s definitely fantastic to see it in person… To be able to create something like that with just one skill is nothing short of amazing! !』

『Brakija-san can say such poetic things…』

『W- Why not! ? Is it wrong to say such a thing! ?』

『No, no~ ! I think it’s very cute and nice~ ! !』

『Ku! Shut up! L- Let’s focus on the match! !』

『Yes, yes!』

『─── ! !』

───Parin! !

「Go!」

〜〜♩︎〜♪︎〜〜♩〜♬〜〜♩

The ice butterflies fluttered and twirled, making a sound that almost made me mesmerized just listening to it.

It would appear around me and charge at me. But, of course, I avoided them all.

─── Hmm? Less than before?

Yes. The number of butterflies that attacked me was very small. Last time, more than a few hundred butterflies attacked me, but this time it was only a few dozen. What else is going on… ? I thought to myself…

───Parin! Biki! !Pakipaki! !

The ice in this area made a creaking sound. I realized. It wasn’t aimed at me from the start.

「─── In a field with poor footing, it’s my domain! !」

「… You’re right, I can’t make a move like this…」

An uneven field of ice. Chipped pieces of ice and the ice waves that had been released earlier. A number of them overlapped to create a field that would damage me if I moved carelessly.

─── …… Chin …

After sheathing the sword, I lower my eyes and put my right hand on the hilt of my sword.

「………. Fuuu ……….」

「W- What are you doing! ? Do you really want to die so badly! ?」

「……」

「… I understand! I’ll give you my all! ! 《Ice・Ice・Ice・Ice・────」

「…………」

「──e・Ice・Ice・Ice・Ice・Ice・Lance》! ! !」

Aria attempts to overwhelm me with numbers, without even combining the ice lances into one.

───Zun! ! !

A lance of ice was thrust from the ground towards Ayane at once. Ayane opened her eyes a single moment before that and drew her sword.

─── …… Chin …….

The ice lance, which had been so vigorous, came to a stop a few dozen centimeters away from Ayane. And then…

───Pishi! … Paryiiiin! ! !

The ice lances cracked almost simultaneously.

The broken pieces of ice reflected the light, creating a scene as if diamonds were falling from the sky.

「I guess that’s it」

「… I suppose… I lost」

「But Aria-chan, you were strong」

「… Right … Hurry up and kill me」

「Maa, maa… If I may say so myself, Aria-chan, you will become stronger」

「! ……. un… thank you」

「Un!」

「I’ll see you sometime… Kill me?」

「Eh… U- un………….. Haa…」

───Supan!

It’s hard to do when you’re smiling at me with a blush on your face…

『The winner! player Ayane! ! This concludes the second round! ! Everyone was so cool! ! Especially player Ayane! That last move was too fast for me to see, but it was cool! !』

『……』

『? Brakija… san… ?』

『… That sword style… No… That’s not possible… Because that man would have to take an apprentice… 』

『L- Let’s see! We’re taking a 10-minute break since Brakija-san is like this! ! Bye! See you in 10 minutes! !』

『Hmm? ? … Why are you…… I’ll have to check again… 』

I released my abominable gorilla powers and went back to the waiting room where Suzu was probably waiting for me anyway… Maa, I’m glad.