Episode 211: The Gradual Erosion of the Villain
“Finally, this day has come!”
You’re annoying from the morning.
Stop making a racket inside my head.
“It’s the pre-festival! For me, it’s the beginning of the festivities! The next five days will surely be a wonderful golden five-day period!”
It’s not Star Reader’s Staff right now…!
That’s Star Yomi…
“One copy of the Loli Siera book”
“There’s no such thing”
“Huh?”
“Hm? ^^”
Don’t have strange conversations in my head.
“Sorry. I’m getting too excited ^^ It’s my first time, so my heart is dancing. Also, I’m looking forward to meeting Titchy Six Dream @Request Acceptance Stopped in real life!”
I might be seeing Star Reader’s Staff this cheerful for the first time.
Somehow, I’m starting to feel happy too.
“So, let’s get started immediately.”
Star Reader’s Staff jumps out of my body.
However, its appearance wasn’t the usual Zero.
“I don’t want to get involved in various troubles because I look like Solciera.”
Tea-colored hair with loose wavy long locks.
With glasses that suit a literary girl, the current Star Reader’s Staff looks like an innocent young lady.
And since I moved alone to a room expecting Miuye to return, we can start the photo session here immediately.
Actually, it’s already started!
“Please give me your gaze over here.”
“Yes ^^”
I take pictures of the pure-looking Star Reader’s Staff from all directions.
Looking at it this way, this kind of outfit works well too!
“How do you think? I dressed up to blend in with ordinary people.”
“GOOD”
We give each other a thumbs-up and smile.
“Still, I’m a little worried because we’ll be acting separately today. Without me, Solciera’s performance drops by eighty percent. Unless we’re in the Dual-Star Form, you’re barely half a Solciera right now.”
“Don’t worry, Mizuki Senpai and Hikari are with me. Plus, Miuye will join us soon too.”
In the end, Miuye didn’t return last night but has already informed us that she’s resting there.
Take a good rest and have fun when you’re back.
“To be honest, we should be fine against average enemies.”
“Hmm… Are you really okay? Should I go with you?”
“You’re being overly protective.”
It seems that Star Reader’s Staff thinks I’m weak.
But please don’t forget.
I am also a Solciera and have confidence in my strength.
Moreover, in the current situation where there are countless S-rank individuals, anything that happens will be resolved.
“I’m fine. Star Reader’s Staff, I want you to enjoy yourself without worrying. Forget about me and indulge fully in human entertainment.”
“…Alright. If you say so, I have no choice but to believe you.”
Although still slightly worried, Star Reader’s Staff nods.
“But, Kame, I must warn you strongly. If you harm this child while I’m away, you know what will happen…”
“I would never harm my own child. Mylo Road is my daughter.”
“Remember those words. If you defy me, I’ll forever implant the memories of the rebellious phase of Loli Siera END into your brain.”
“Hyaa!”
“What kind of conversation are you having in front of me?”
Out of fear, Kame disappeared from the fishbowl and returned inside me.
Why does that count as a threat…?
“Mylo Road, that is indeed Demons Gear. It holds a terrifying ideology…”
What could the former enemy mean…?
“Well, I’ll be going now. I need to set things up ^^”
“Yeah, sure. Be careful.”
“You too. Watch out for Fake Siera. Though she usually appears at night, so you should be fine during the day.”
Saying that, Star Reader’s Staff activates the transfer magic circle.
“Expect great spoils.”
“Get me some loli books.”
Kame, what are you asking for?
“Hahaha, I’ll buy them if I feel like it.”
With that, Star Reader’s Staff disappears into the other side of the magic circle.
…Hm, it’s been since I had a cold that Star Reader’s Staff has been away like this.
However, I’m not lonely because I have someone to talk to.
Let’s get along, Kame.
“Let’s play ball outside.”
Maybe it’s not a good idea after all.
“—Kei, I’m thinking of leaving soon. Are you alright?”
The sound of knocking followed by Mizuki Senpai’s voice came from the other side of the door.
“Oh, I’m coming!”
Hikari and Mizuki Senpai seem ready.
Let’s go, Kame.
“Be careful not to trip while running.”
■
The Student Council Room of Kroma Music Academy was bustling from the morning.
“Ah, it’s started! From now on, I’ll be incredibly busy!”
“Eh, trouble already!? Then I’ll send the discipline committee over there… Can’t move because of the fake Solciera alert? Then I’ll go!”
“This general opening starts at 12 o’clock… This one is already open. …Hmm!? There are still unapproved documents! Hey, is this exhibit permitted!?”
While students bustled around, Diya stood by the window, overlooking the streets of Kroma.
In her hand was royal tea.
However, she wasn’t idle.
The gem knights she created, the Royal Knights, were processing documents at an incredible speed and giving instructions through gestures.
Even amidst the busyness, the royal personage never skipped their morning tea time.
“This year’s events have begun… Hopefully nothing untoward happens. No, fretting is unbecoming of royalty. Any issue can be resolved royally. This is the strongest student council president!”
Diya sipped her tea with these words.
The aroma of tea and the hubbub felt pleasant.
(“Still, it is a concern that we proceed without resolving the issue of fake Solcieras… Each one may be weak, but they are tough opponents for regular students and novice explorers.”)
The venue for the Hinotuchi Cultural Grand Festival was Kroma.
As the de facto host, Diya bore significant responsibility.
But Diya smiled gracefully without showing any signs of fatigue.
She knew that royalty equaled the strongest.
“Then, let’s have some sandwiches, ‘Diya-chan!’… Call me the Student Council President.”
Seeing a flustered student rush into the student council room, Diya turned around with a royal remark.
The student had a pale face.
Diya instantly understood something troublesome was happening.
“Should we change locations?”
“Yes! Please!”
Nodding at the student, Diya announced to the student council members.
“I’ll step out for a moment. Leave the rest to Royalty.”
“Yes!”
Satisfied with the energetic responses, Diya headed to the warehouse with the student.
Packed with student council records and Ryuko merchandise inventory, the warehouse was much quieter than the student council room.
“So, what exactly happened?”
“Look at this!”
The student summoned a window and handed Diya a video.
There was a girl lying on what looked like an altar.
“…This uniform belongs to Factom General Academy.”
Suddenly, someone appeared before the prone girl in the video.
“–My name is irrelevant. If you’re an empty girl, that’s enough.”
She resembled a witch.
Her once beautiful eyes were now sharp like a bird of prey, and her lips were painfully cracked.
One might believe her to be a corpse risen from the grave. She clearly said, looking directly at them,
“Sanctuary User, come. I’ll test if you’re suitable. If you refuse, this girl will die… Ah, keep this quiet for now.”
With dramatic gestures, she announced herself.
Acting as if she were the star of the stage, she bowed deeply.
“My name is Conductor. The one who guides the queen to the rightful future. I’ve been waiting for you, false Sanctuary User.”
With the conductor’s painful smile, the video ended.
The student then tremblingly handed over a stone.
“With this, you can reach the Conductor.”
“So why did you become the messenger?”
“That’s… ”
The student, pale-faced, looked around nervously.
Diya didn’t miss how the student’s gaze fixed on her chest.
“Don’t move.”
“Wha–”
Before the word finished, she stepped in.
A perfect step-in, a twist of the body.
And then, a punch released from a trained arm, imbued with royal power.
“Sanctuary Armament”
The fist glowed with golden light, thrusting straight toward the student’s chest.
Moving faster than even bullets, it was nearly impossible for living beings to perceive.
The next moment, accompanied by a sound like breaking something, the student collapsed on the spot.
Diya exhaled while performing a motion akin to brushing off her fist.
“You were under a spell in your chest, weren’t you? That’s why you couldn’t help but come here. If I refused, you’d explode… Something like that, right?”
“Da-Diya-chaaaan!”
Relieved, the student burst into tears and clung to Diya’s legs.
Repeatedly expressing gratitude, the girl rubbed her cheek against Diya’s legs.
“Stop that! That’s not a royal gesture! …Regardless, I understand the situation. If you’re calling me, I must go.”
“But… Are you really okay? Shouldn’t we tell Teacher Nei…?”
“That’s not royal.”
Diya said while patting the student’s head.
“The fact that they’ve thrown down the gauntlet means they’ve prepared thoroughly. We don’t know where their surveillance eyes are. It’s best to straightforwardly break their trap and resolve it royally.”
Saying that, Diya infused magic power into the received stone.
A disposable transfer magic circle activated, floating before her eyes.
“…If I don’t return within an hour, rely on Ryuko. She’ll definitely resolve it.”
“Student Council President Diya…”
“Then, I’ll handle it royally.”
Flowing her golden hair, Diya disappeared into the transfer magic circle.
All the student could do now was pray.
