Episode 212: The Blissful Maiden’s Meeting
“――Ah, you’ve arrived. You failed Sanctuary User.”
In that dimly lit place, the Conductor sat alone in a chair, waiting for Diya.
Perhaps it was an abandoned theater.
The stage neglected, parts of the curtain torn.
The seating area, presumed from its layout, had a peeling floor with numerous wires forcibly run through it.
“This is not a Royal place. Frankly, it’s garbage.”
“There’s no need for your understanding. I merely thought to test you. It’s simple. If you can win, I’ll acknowledge you as a Sanctuary User.”
“I’ve heard enough. I’ll knock everything out and settle this. And I’ll save that girl too.”
Pointing at the altar constructed on the stage, Diya boldly declared this,
Assuming there would be traps, she stepped right into the heart of enemy territory.
However, her smile exuded confidence in victory.
“You’re just a brat sitting on a makeshift throne…”
“Make-shift? I am the rightful successor. Watch as I demonstrate the techniques of the Sanctuary User passed down from Teacher Nei.”
With that, Diya clenched her fist.
To her, the identity or purpose of the Conductor held little priority.
Because even after obliterating everything, she could still learn the truth later.
“Sanctuary Liberation”
The golden energy contained within her fist was slammed into the floor.
At that moment, a ripple of gold spread outward from Diya.
Waving like it was rewriting the world, this Royal presence.
It eventually created walls, birthed skies, and transformed the decrepit theater into a grand, luxurious one.
From somewhere came the thunderous applause and a flurry of cherry blossoms.
Several spotlights illuminated her, along with a dazzling chandelier that made one’s eyes dazzle.
Even the decorations carved into the walls were all gold.
This, indeed ―― was the Royal.
This extravagantly luxurious place, reaching the pinnacle of opulence, was the sanctuary of this era.
“This is my Golden Court. This is what Royal truly is!”
A golden gauntlet attached itself to her fist, and from somewhere, a fanfare predicting victory resounded.
“Well, shall we begin? Please, no one-hit KOs?”
“…You vulgar creature. That person’s sanctuary was nothing like this crude display.”
In the golden world, the Conductor frowned.
Then, with evident malice, they pointed at Diya.
“Go forth. And prove yourselves.”
Responding to the Conductor’s call, a silver wind danced around the area.
The figure wielding a great scythe was undoubtedly Solciera.
Moreover, she wore a pitch-black outfit, indicating her enhanced form.
Once, she fought fiercely against Rokuhara. Despite that past, Diya faced her without hesitation.
“You won’t disappoint me! Just when I was running low on punching bags!”
No starting bell was needed.
The battle had already begun.
“!”
With terrifying leg strength, the sound of air splitting echoed.
And the next moment, Diya was right before Solciera.
Over short distances, her approach was faster than any instant teleportation, allowing Diya to slip into Solciera’s guard.
And then ――
“I’ll spare your face. Even if you’re a fake, I have no interest in hitting beautiful faces.”
A sharp and heavy body blow to the abdomen.
With a sound akin to firing a shotgun, Solciera’s body floated into the air.
And then turned into sand, exploding mid-air.
One strike.
Her fatal punch ended it all in the blink of an eye.
Amidst the swirling sand, Diya looked at the Conductor and announced,
“My Golden Court nullifies all extraordinary abilities. Whether relics or magical constructs, it reduces them to zero here. In this place, only fists hold the truth… Do your fists possess Royal?”
“Foolish nonsense like Royal…”
Despite losing one of their pawns, the Conductor remained calm.
In fact, they nonchalantly sat down on a nearby golden chair.
“What can your self-centered fists accomplish? Who can they save? Unlike that person, your sanctuary is inadequate. It doesn’t merit evaluation.”
“You’re awfully twisted for someone who lost. Now it’s your turn to step into the ring.”
“No, I refuse such barbarism.”
With those words, numerous magic circles appeared around Diya.
From them emerged Solcieras.
The moment they passed through, the transfer magic circles, having lost their effect, were destroyed.
Simultaneously, Solciera and her group found themselves forced into a match without interference or convergence artillery attacks.
“It makes no difference how many come. Here, this is Royal.”
“Go!”
On the Conductor’s command, the Solcieras rushed forward en masse.
■
Even though it wasn’t open to the public yet, the place was filled with excitement.
The bright eyes shone like beasts’.
Yet, their efficient movements led to piles of books forming rapidly within the venue.
Additionally, posters, figurines, etc., were prepared.
The Chroma Second Dome, set to open during the Hinotuchi Cultural Festival pre-night event.
This was the promised land where all the academy’s content gathered.
“Hmm, so this is the place…?”
Within her assigned area, having perfectly completed the setup, the Star Reader’s Staff nodded in satisfaction upon seeing it.
Then, using a tablet acquired from the support site’s earnings, she took a photo.
(“Setup complete…”)
The cutting-edge weapon seemed diligent in her mutterings as well.
“Excuse me, are you Star Yomi?”
“Hm?”
Turning around, she saw a girl with a deeply pulled-down hat.
The Star Reader’s Staff quickly judged her to be a Beautiful Girl.
She was already becoming similar in thought processes to her master.
“It’s me. Chichi Six Dream.”
“Oh! Chichi Six Dream! Nice to meet you here for the first time! ^^”
Chichi Six Dream hesitantly shook the offered hand, appearing somewhat reserved.
“Hmm, is something the matter? Since this is my first time meeting anyone, please let me know if I make any mistakes.”
“N-no! It’s just…you’re cuter than I imagined. …I thought you were a man, Star Yomi-san.”
“Hahaha, I see. As you can see, I’m just an ordinary Beautiful Girl.”
Saying that, the Star Reader’s Staff proudly twirled around on the spot.
The angles, smiles, and sway of her clothes were directly inherited from her master.
Using her full computational power, the Star Reader’s Staff manifested the CG of an innocent Beautiful Girl right there.
Her delicate appearance stopped the hands of the students setting up around her for a moment.
Chichi Six Dream also stared at her, mouth agape in awe.
(“Hehehe, how about this different vector of innocence compared to my partner? …By the way, this kid feels familiar somehow.”)
The Star Reader’s Staff tried to search her memory banks.
But before she could, Chichi Six Dream spoke up.
“Um, excuse me! H-how do you become that cute?”
“Eh? …Eh?”
Caught off-guard by the unprecedented reaction, the Star Reader’s Staff was confused.
While she had practiced aggressive moves starting with burning the brain at the Solciera Academy, she hadn’t learned how to handle approaches from peers on equal footing.
(“Shut her up with a kiss…? No, that wouldn’t be appropriate on a first meeting. She’s not destined to be my partner.”)
Unlike her master, the Star Reader’s Staff was a sensible Demon’s Gear who understood propriety.
Hmmm, pondering deeply, the Star Reader’s Staff sought an answer.
Then, from among the over ten thousand Beautiful Girl games within her, she salvaged a suitable response.
“I’m not doing anything special. If I must say, it might be love… ^^”
“Love…!”
“That’s right. To me, you look quite cute too. Aren’t you in love as well?”
“H-h-h-how dare you…”
“You don’t need to hide it. We share the same aspirations. In a sense, comrades.”
Saying that, the Star Reader’s Staff approached Chichi Six Dream.
Then, she gently patted her head and smiled.
“Let’s both hope our loves come true.”
“…Yes!”
(“Though, speaking of which, I could already make her mushy anytime I want! While she sleeps, ■■ and ■■■■■■, then ■■■■ and finally ■■――”)
Despite harboring such terrifying and evil thoughts, the Star Reader’s Staff displayed a spring sunlight-like smile.
Encouraged by her, Chichi Six Dream’s eyes glimmered with strong determination.
“That’s right…! I’ll keep trying until that person notices me…! I won’t lose to some third-rate Demon’s Gear…!”
“Hm?”
Upon hearing Chichi Six Dream muttering to herself, the Star Reader’s Staff finally realized her identity.
(“Ah, Chichi Six Dream is the Vice Chairperson of the Discipline Committee at Kisou Academy. Haven’t seen her since the last time we went to beat up Professor.”)
Even upon realizing her true identity, the Star Reader’s Staff continued smiling, refraining from mentioning her name.
A model Demon’s Gear who respects etiquette.
“Ah, by the way… please take this!”
Saying that, Chichi Six Dream handed over a book.
Realizing this, the Star Reader’s Staff reciprocated with a volume she had poured her heart and soul into creating.
“Here you go ^^”
Desires exchanged through trade.
The Star Reader’s Staff gazed intently at the book handed to her by Chichi Six Dream, intrigued.
(“Hmm… Rokuhara x Dream Master. Living up to being on the frontlines of this genre. The passion and love are palpable even from the cover.”)
It seemed to be a sweet love story between a somewhat Chiaki-like beautiful girl and a more shoujo-manga styled Rokuhara.
Although usually not inclined toward this genre, the Star Reader’s Gear showed unexpected interest.
(“Male-bodied Solciera! Is that a thing?”)
An electric current ran through the Star Reader’s circuits, inspired anew.
Had her master been present, a comment would surely have interrupted.
“Thank you. This will be a great inspiration ^^”
“I feel the same. Your artwork is educational. U-um… it’s definitely quite erotic, isn’t it?”
“Is it? I restrained myself quite a bit.”
Blushing while flipping through the pages of the Star Reader’s Gear-authored book, Chichi Six Dream.
What was considered wholesome by the Star Reader’s Gear seemed otherwise to the average person.
Remembering something, Chichi Six Dream raised her head despite her reddening face.
“We can’t stay like this! The event starts soon, I need to get back!”
“Indeed, it is that time. Then, good luck, Chichi Six Dream.”
“Yes! …Ah, that’s right. Let’s release a book together someday!”
“Great idea! Sounds wonderful!”
Both beauties nodded with radiant smiles.
They didn’t yet know.
That next year, at the Hinotuchi Cultural Festival, they’d create a buzz-worthy bestseller featuring a love triangle between ‘Rokuhara x Dream Master x Solciera’.
And astonishingly, it would win the Hinotuchi Cultural Festival’s top award, earning the ire of the subjects involved.
For now, these two were nothing but innocent dreamers.
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