<Kashima Kobato POV>

After being transported into the labyrinth, the first person I met was Ikusaba Asagi.

When Asagi saw me, she had a somewhat complicated expression on her face.

“Ah…… it’s Poppo huh.”

I could only apologize.

“S-Sorry……”

Yes———– among the members who entered this labyrinth, I was the weakest in terms of combat ability.

I knew that well.

However, not long after, we were able to meet up with the Mad Emperor.

Along with him was his subordinate, Chester Ord.

“Those who enter in close succession tend to encounter each other.”

Apparently, this rule was holding true.

Thereupon, Asagi muttered.

“Hmm, SR huh. If I were being greedy, I wouldn’t expect a UR, but at least an SSR would be nice nya. Well, compared to games where only the highest rarity has any real value, this one’s still better, I guess.”

I didn’t understand what the English letters referred to.

And what did she mean by “real value”?

……Somehow though———- it felt like she wished she had met up with someone stronger.

Still, I felt somewhat relieved.

First of all, the Mad Emperor was strong.

Even Mimori was listed among the top fighters.

And most importantly, he wasn’t a stranger.

There were many people in this labyrinth whom I had never even spoken to before.

If I encountered them, what would I even talk about? ———–That thought alone was exhausting.

Even in a situation like this, I found myself worrying about my shyness, which frustrated me a little.

Following Mimori’s instructions, we headed toward the castle.

This was the royal capital where I had lived for a decent amount of time.

The Mad Emperor also seemed to have the city’s map memorized.

So, despite the labyrinth’s transformation, we had little trouble navigating our way.

Any Sacraments that blocked our path were swiftly dealt with by Mad Emperor and Chester.

However, we didn’t encounter any allies along the way.

The Mad Emperor, however, didn’t seem particularly concerned.

“If we continue approaching the castle, we will inevitably come across someone.”

That was his conclusion.

The raid members had been split into early and late arrivals when entering the labyrinth.

Asagi analyzed the situation:

“The early group was more balanced but smaller in number than the late group. Given the size of the capital and this labyrinth’s complex structure, the fact that the four of us were able to meet up according to labyrinth norms is practically a miracle. You know, like that “miracle of meeting you” thing that got drilled into our heads in Heisei Japan pop culture?”

At some point, I started to run out of breath.

Even with status boosts, I was still terrible at running.

Would things be different if I were a higher rank?

Noticing this, Asagi suggested a break.

“Poppo’s dragging us down, so let’s take a breather in that building over there. It’s mostly untouched by the labyrinth’s encroachment and seems safe. Hahh, your unnecessarily large boobs must be weighing you down. Poppo-chan, you’ve always been bad at running in more ways than one huh?”

I apologized.

“S- Sorry……”

But the Mad Emperor and Chester didn’t complain.

They didn’t seem bothered at all.

“No need to apologize, Kobato. Stopping here might actually help us meet up with others.”

“Here, have some sweet tea.”

Asagi had brought a thermos.

Apparently, she had also packed small cups for everyone.

She’s well-prepared.

“………………..”

Sweet tea in a place like this.

It felt completely out of place, but I drank it.

That was just how Asagi always was.

Even after coming to this world———– no matter the situation, she always had this air of composure.

The more time passed, the more she seemed to enjoy himself.

I gazed into the tea held between my hands.

My own face, looking somewhat anxious, reflected on its surface.

……Honestly.

How carefree.

Bringing tea in a thermos, as if this were some kind of picnic.

No matter when or where, Ikusaba Asagi always remained unshaken.

Holding my cup with both hands, I asked,

“……Asagi-san, aren’t you scared?”

“Hm? Oh, of course. Of my own talent.”

“N- No, that’s not what I meant……”

Then.

Asagi’s eyes darkened.

Her mouth curled into a loose line.

Right……

She never panicked.

But sometimes———- Ikusaba Asagi would make that kind of face.

“If we’re talking about fear, isn’t it the half-baked incompetents on our side who are scarier than the enemy? No matter the world, no matter the era, nothing is more terrifying than an incompetent ally. The key word here is “half-baked”. Because they’re just competent enough that you can’t completely discard them.”

“I…… I’m sorry……”

“Hm? ……Oh, right. That applies to you too, huh, Kobato-chan?”

“Eh?”

For a moment, I thought she was talking about me.

But apparently, the person she had in mind wasn’t me.

“Well…… Since you at least seem self-aware, you’re still better than most.”

With our short break over, we resumed our march toward the castle.

▽

And now———–

We stepped into a new room.

The space had openings to passageways in higher places.

A staircase leading up was visible, seemingly the way to reach those upper levels.

This was where we were now.

And at last———–

We finally encountered someone other than ourselves.

[                      Ara ara. It’s been quite some time, hasn’t it?                      ]

A woman in the room smiled and spoke.

Asagi raised a hand and greeted her in a lighthearted tone.

[Yahho, long time no see~~]

The one we had run into was————

Vysis.

With that, Alion’s Goddess slightly opened her eyes.

[Well then———– let us proceed with the slaughter of you ungrateful traitors, all at once.]

The Mad Emperor and Chester immediately shifted into combat stances——–

[Aaah, hold up a sec.]

The one who stopped them was Asagi.

Vysis temporarily halted her movement.

[———-Ararara? What’s this, Asagi-san? Hm? Don’t tell me…… Could it be you’re about to beg for your lives!? Are the four of you about to fall to your knees, press your foreheads to the ground, and plead for mercy!? Hm!? Will you give me the grand sight of a dogeza!? Runrun♪ If that’s the case, what a delightful development! Should I get my hopes up!?]

“Hmm”, Asagi pursed her lips.

[Are you really that scared?]

[ ? Yes? What are you talking about? That makes no sense. Are you even listening to yourself? That’s incredibly rude. Besides, aren’t you the ones who are afraid? Hah?]

[Nah, I’m talking about Mimori-kun.]

[Haaaaah? Who even is that?]

[Fufuun, he’s “unknown” after all. I see, so even a God is equally afraid of the unknown huh? I see, I see. Yeah, I’d be scared too. An opponent beyond comprehension? That’s terrifying, isn’t it? Acknowledging that is the first step, you know.]

[Hmmm…… Asagi-san, are you desperately trying to save yourself? Ah, could you not come any closer? Don’t tell me…… you’re trying to use that Unique Skill of yours? Ahh, terrifying, terrifying. You so-called Heroes really are all backstabbing scum, aren’t you?]

I was shocked.

Vysis knew about Ikusaba Asagi’s Unique Skill……?

Asagi tilted her head.

[Hmm? If you understand my Unique Skill that well, then that means……? You actually read the letter I secretly sent through the magical war pigeon instead of throwing it away, huh? Asagi-chan is sooo happy~~]

Hearing those words———– I was confused.

(Asagi-san…… Eh?)

She sent a letter…… to Vysis?

What letter?

When?

[But y’know, I didn’t write everything in that letter, you know~~? Gotta use the drip-feed strategy. If I revealed everything, Asagi-san’s value would diminish after all.]

[……Umm, Asagi-san. You don’t seriously mean that, do you? That letter was just another scheme to deceive me, wasn’t it?]

[Nah, nah, nah, if I wasn’t serious, I wouldn’t have leaked valuable intel about our side, right? I’m sure there was some useful information in that letter that even you didn’t know, huh? Tell me, after our little incursion into the labyrinth, did you manage to verify a few things?]

[……………………]

Vysis didn’t answer.

She simply stared at Asagi.

Meanwhile……

[A…… Asagi, san…… This has to be a joke, right?]

Even the Mad Emperor seemed blindsided.

[What is the meaning of this, Asagi? Don’t tell me———–]

[Unn, it’s exactly what you think.]

Asagi laughed. As if she found this situation amusing. As if it was just another game.

[I’m switching sides to Vysis-chin’s faction.]

[! No way———– A- Asagi-san, why!? Why would you———–]

[Because I want to fight.]

[Fight…… ———-Eh?]

[If I had to put it into words, hmmm…… I was captivated?]

Asagi folded her arms, nodding to herself as if confirming something.

[He’s incredible. If it were just Hijirin, I might have barely been able to hold back. But him? No way. I’ve been observing, and now I’m sure of it. He’s really, truly…… In this game———]

She declared:

[I want to go all out against Mimori Touka and test my strength.]

▽

(Test…… my strength……?)

What…… is Asagi talking about?

I don’t understand.

No——- perhaps……

My mind is refusing to understand.

Asagi walks toward Vysis, keeping her front facing us.

At that moment, I can tell the Mad Emperor is conflicted.

He’s likely hesitating——— wondering whether he should attack Asagi or not.

Vysis seems to be feeling the same way.

Honestly, I was more worried about this side of things.

What if Asagi gets killed by Vysis just like that?

But———

[Hey, Asagi-san, could you not come any closer? You’re filthy.]

Vysis recoils as if avoiding germs.

Asagi twirls around to face her directly.

[Wow, so mean! That reaction totally has that traditional bullying vibe. Asagi-san is, like, super hurt now, okay? Even in another world, I didn’t expect to be hit with my home country’s proud cultural tradition. Boohoo…… Vysis-san, you’re so cruel……]

She makes an exaggerated show of fake crying.

It almost seems like an impression of Vysis herself.

[Uh…… are you seriously mocking me?]

[Ara ara, my oh my? You really shouldn’t call your own past actions “stupid”, Goddess-sama. Ever heard of a boomerang?]

[……What exactly are you trying to do?]

[I mean, I already told you, I’m gonna be on your side, Vysis-chan. You okay there?]

[Hmm, I don’t get it. Frankly, your whole deal of betraying one side and then the other has been incomprehensible from the start.]

[I was just trying to ride the winning horse and clear the game in my own way, see? And now, that priority got bumped down a rank, that’s all. In other words, I’ve found a new number-one goal.]

[Prio…… what? ……Whatever. Fine, I’ll humor you a little…… So what is it now? What do you want?]

[I already said it, didn’t I? I want to fight Mimori-kun, with some decent pieces at my disposal.]

[You hold a grudge against him?]

[Eh?]

Asagi shrugs, answering with complete nonchalance.

[Nah, not really?]

[Huh?]

[If anything, I actually respect him, yeah. For someone his age, he’s pretty damn impressive.]

[Then you have even less reason to be against that filthy fly. I’ll kill you.]

[Fufu…… You really shouldn’t throw around strong words carelessly. Makes you look weaker, you know? Just like a certain Captain-san once said.]

Vysis eyes Asagi coldly.

Her voice———– shockingly cold as well.

[You really are mocking me, aren’t you……? Seriously, what’s your game? Answer me already, you d*mn brat.]

[Fufuuun, Vysis-chan———-]

[If you really thought I was trying to trick you, you’d have killed me by now, wouldn’t you?]

[……………………]

[Starting to feel uneasy, aren’t you? Could it be that you’re finally realizing…… just how “dangerous” Mimori Touka actually is? That maybe———- having Asagi-san as a pawn isn’t such a bad idea after all?]

[……………………]

[Your Divine Servants, was it? Those so-called Divine Servants you put your hopes in, maybe they got taken down by that unexpected attack group, hmm? Since they’ve got your precious Vysis-chan Factor mixed in them, you’d know if they were defeated, wouldn’t you? And because you know…… you’re starting to think “Wait, this might actually be bad”———- am I wrong?]

[……………………]

[Fufu…… Meanwhile, Mimori-kun has all sorts of powerful cards———- his beloved, super-strong, big-breasted, obedient blonde Elf knight, for example. Or Ayaka-senpai, the deranged hero who went full-on martial god mode. Vysis-chan…… putting it into the traditional words from the country I was born in———— you totally botched your opening move. Maybe you had your reasons but…… Mimori-kun was never someone you should have dealt with that way.]

[…………………..]

[You shouldn’t have discarded him. You should have kept him close, and made absolutely sure he was eliminated at the right moment.]

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