Published at 25th of March 2019 11:06 pm

Volume 5: Chapter 5: Libra Festival

Part 1

"No, you can't force it this way."

"Please queue up orderly!"

"I have received your documents. Yes, Okay."

The sweet voices sounded out harmoniously.

Elder Tales was a game, so the characters in it were either beautiful cute ladies or handsome stylish men.

Hence, if a certain number of women gathered in one place, especially if they were Adventurers, it would be a beautiful sight. But this was even more elegant than that.

This was the countermeasure HQ set up near the entrance of the exhibition lobby for this emergency.

Shiroe was sighing silently inside.

This was not the first time he saw ladies working hard for Soujirou. They say that 'Women in love are more beautiful', and it was true. Shiroe explained it as the blushing cheeks, watery eyes, and the gentle expressions made them more charming.

But Soujirou's followers… they called themselves his personal guards… did not stop at that. They seemed to have heart signs floating all over their bodies, and this aura was reflected in their voice which sounded sweet as honey.

(It is super effective.)

Shiroe surveyed the area with a dull expression.

The young ladies with blue armbands were maintaining order all over the place, even witnessing the deals between People of the Land merchants and Adventurers, giving them advice.

Their movements were swift and smooth, it felt like they had went through hundreds of hours of training.

But it was impossible for them to go through so many hours of training.

These were the real skills the personal guards of Soujirou possessed, who took a lot of effort from Shiroe in convincing them to help. Although you couldn't tell from their looks, they were a highly organized group.

And their telepathy network was ever-increasing.

From what Shiroe knew, West Wind Brigade which had Soujirou as its guild master has about 30 odd members. But the number of girls in this event was more than 50.

"Tactician Shiroe."

The neat-looking young lady greeted Shiroe.

It seemed like Shiroe assumed the tactician position out of nowhere. This was because Soujirou instructed 'When you reach the place, listen to Shiroe-senpai's orders'.

"5 more people have arrived, they can form a team and move out."

Shiroe knew she was competent and experienced from this concise report.

Only the core members of large guilds like 'Silver Swords' or 'Army Bikes' could match her.

"Ah…"

Shiroe thought about how to say this.

Even though this was his battle plan, he knew how complicated his expression must seem.

"Where is Soujirou?"

"Yes. Sou-sama♥ is in the lobby date… patrolling, escorted by the 4th team."

Shiroe calculated the time as he looked out the window. It was about time to move to the next phase.

"Contact Soujirou and ask him to return to the countermeasures HQ and link up with the 5th team. Then proceed on a 45-minute patrol mission in the lobby. The 4th team will take over the duties of the 5th, which is guarding the HQ and manning the counters… Also, form the newcomers into teams of 3 and detail them to the city zone patrol."

"Roger. I, I, I…"

"?"

The young lady's face turned red, making Shiroe moody.

"We, the 5th, will patrol with Sou-sama as per Tactician Shiroe's orders!"

This announcement made several of the personal guards who were peeking here squeal in joy.

The girls muttered 'Together with Sou-sama!' 'It's my first time!' 'What should I do, my panties are not cute enough!' these words that were full of points to retort. Their eyes were no longer just watery, they were becoming heart-shaped.

Their assumption was spot on.

Shiroe's plan this round used the patrol (dating) with Soujirou as bait to draw in volunteers to help.

Soujirou would slowly patrol the clothing exhibition with 3 or 4 girls. With the instructions to take it slow, this was actually a date. Soujirou had been authorized to buy gifts for the girls with a budget of 20 gold for each of them. The money was sponsored by the Round Table Council.

When Shiroe had a flash of brilliance and came up with this idea, he thought: "This is an excellent plan!"

But he retorted at the same time: "Will this kind of tactic actually work?" But from the results, it was super effective.

Although Shiroe did not know the details, Soujirou's personal guards were united like steel (proclaimed by the girl he was conversing with). According to her, from Soujirou's secretary to the newcomers, they had a pyramid-like command structure. They used this structure to form teams flexibly, handling all the disputes in the area by themselves.

Even when Soujirou was walking the streets slowly with a team, the other 6 parties were also patrolling the area, being prepared for any emergency. Shiroe instructed them to not hesitate to contact him if things got out of hand. They could also intimidate the merchants by telling them to take the matters to the Round Table Council.

Shiroe was at high alert in the beginning, worrying about the People of the Land spies or merchants escalating issues despite all this. But the People of the Land could not bring themselves to do that when facing these alluring ladies, and things had calmed down.

The girls had surprising motives.

The look in their eyes literally changed as they carried out their patrol duties orderly and seriously. They handled situations honestly and tactfully, showing no flaws. They might be able to get closer to Soujirou if they volunteered for this, that was what they were imagining. Soujirou appeared in front of them quite often and took different groups on patrol, motivating them to work harder.

Since Soujirou might see them at any moment, their attitudes were careful and respectful. They were like loving cats as they focused on acting their role of a cute girl, but Shiroe could feel the aura of a tiger from them.

Unlike the motivated girls high on adrenaline, Shiroe's spirit was at rock bottom. He didn't envy Soujirou and didn't want to build a harem. But seeing such an obvious difference would make any man moody.

Soujirou was an outstanding young man. Mature, gentle, polite, and reliable in battle. He also had a goofy side, tickling your desire to protect him… Shiroe understood what they were describing. Because back in the Debauchery Tea Party, Saki and Nazuna spent lots of time explaining why Soujirou was so charming to them.

Even so, Shiroe still didn't get it.

(Is that all it takes to be so popular?)

The pop idol status of Soujirou made people doubt whether this was some kind of spell. They were envious, but unable to suppress their anger… It was so unfathomable. Shiroe mumbled to himself.

"Tactician-dono, this is the first time we've met. We have been detailed to, eh, 16? That's right, the 16th team."

Shiroe looked at the happy young lady standing at attention in front of him, confirming his unfathomable feelings again.

(Why are such girls being mass-produced? Love is so mysterious. How should I put this, those popular with the opposite sex are geniuses at some level, but they are dangerous too.)

Shiroe recalled how Soujirou was.

A handsome youth who looked frail but loved to battle, with nothing to complain about as a friend. Since they were playing games together, they should be friends, but it was a bit different from the female perspective.

"Understood. Teams 9 to 18 will carry out zone security duties."

"Zone security? Sounds like a special police force!"

The young lady was happy about something while Shiroe nodded gently. Shiroe understood that he must not retort or resist such women who had this sort of emotion.

"Hmmm, ah, my lord."

Akatsuki called out. Her gaze shifted between Shiroe and the Crescent Moon Alliance stall. Her awkward expression probably came from the clothes she was wearing.

"What is it?"

"Ermm… want to participate? We promised to go on stage right?"

Akatsuki reminded Shiroe of the agreement.

Now that she mentioned it, he'd made a promise with Henrietta to go on stage to market their merchandise.

Shiroe was in charge of miscellaneous jobs and was an extra in the line up, Akatsuki was the main character they were counting on. The old-world fashion clothing Akatsuki wore with Henrietta's help should be used for the purpose of displaying on stage.

But Akiba was under attack right now.

They really had no time to do this.

"My lord is going to keep his word right…?"

"That is correct…"

(Hold it… Maybe not?)

Shiroe adjusted his glasses and thought.

The intention of the enemy was to overwhelm the administrative capability of the Round Table Council with their saturation attack, causing loss of confidence and even internal strife. To counter that, they should keep the schedule of Libra festival as close to their plan as possible. Shiroe had been thinking that way, but was now considering changing this policy slightly.

(Outsiders won't know what our schedule is like. If it looks like a success, some ad-lib performance should be fine.)

When Shiroe thought about this, his freedom of action increased drastically.

He stopped breathing, moving the chess pieces in his mind with the timetable in his heart. His own moves and other players' counter moves. Strictly classifying data he had and information to be confirmed, gradually filling the chessboard.

Shiroe was not a god, so he could not see most of the situations. But every move in chess would give more than the expected amount of information, as if the enemy were exposing their crude plans with their arrogant actions.

For creatures like humans, they could not accomplish anything without leaving their footsteps behind.

Adding in this supplementary data, the unseen chessboard slowly surfaced.

The hard work of the citizens, the honest attitude on-site. With the festive atmosphere as the background, all kinds of groups made power plays around the city of Akiba.

Shiroe thought that there were countless chess players of his level in this world. For him, this was a way to sound out his thoughts to himself. There were tons of situations he could not handle.

Shiroe contacted Krusty and Isaac, asking them to clamp down on violent incidents within Akiba. Other pieces he could move had already been activated. Keeping to the policy of keeping the incidents below the table, all the scenes were managed by volunteers. But the famous major guilds in Akiba would join in to handle the situation, gathering powerful players all over the chessboard.

Right now, Shiroe was unable to take on the enemies' movements alone, so he asked Soujirou for aid. His personal guards advanced to the front line facing the merchants that were causing trouble, solving problems like exiling people. This was an ability Shiroe didn't have.

It also helped in another area.

Shiroe recalled his petite companion's telepathy call from the Production Guild Liaison Committee.

Shiroe could feel her tender but determined fingers. Although it was still small and vague, Shiroe could see the image of a young bird chirping, spreading its wings for its first flight.

Charasin's processing speed increased and the incoming issues were falling drastically. This was thanks to the patrol sent by Isaac to nip the trouble in the bud, earning time for Soujirou's personal guards to remedy the outstanding problems.

They regained control of the situation faster than expected.

It was still early, but Shiroe could already see the ending. He was ready to activate the next plan.

Shiroe noticed the word 'freedom' as he recalled Akatsuki's words. He thought about which chess pieces he could move without disrupting the Libra Festival timetable and make the event even more lively.

The enemy was increasing the burden on the system and spreading rumors. Their objective was to lower the unity of Akiba as a whole, so others would think 'Akiba is no big deal'. It had nothing to do with facts, just an attack on the psychological level. The best way to counterattack was to make the Libra Festival even more lively, increasing the satisfaction of all participating to its peak.

"… My lord?"

Shiroe heard Akatsuki's worried voice, lifted his head and smiled at her. It was a smile Henrietta described as 'black hearted'.

"Ah! Akatsuki? Please ask Henrietta to prepare the costumes. Also ask the neighboring guild for help, try to come up with a set of clothes that will make people's nose bleed."

"Ah?"

"Teams 9 to 18!"

"Here!"

The members in the vicinity responded immediately and Shiroe stood up and declared fearlessly.

"Move out and patrol the city zone! Sorry to trouble everyone, please lend me your support. I will treat everyone to a feast after the mission is over today, please show Soujirou your cute and beautiful side!"

Part 2

Lord Marvis' words made Raynesia turn pale.

She didn't understand. She wasn't clear about it at all.

Raynesia smelled the burning stink of danger.

"Ok princess, please prepare with haste all right?"

"Eh, Ah… about that…"

Raynesia turned around for help, Elissa in front of her was lecturing a maid working under her as she reviewed a copy of the documents from Lord Marvis' henchmen.

"Princess."

"How is it?"

"The documents are real… It is hard to imagine, but the fault might lie with us, a loophole in management oversight."

Oversight.

Loophole in management.

Even though Raynesia heard the words, her brain wasn't processing them. The blunder soaked slowly into her consciousness, making her feel cold as if she were touching freezing liquid.

Simply put, Lord Marvis had already informed Raynesia in advance to prepare a warehouse for him when his ship reached Akiba. The same document was delivered to Maihama, and an agreement to help was sent in reply.

This meant Raynesia promised to prepare the warehouse, but forgot about it when preparing for the festival. That was the whole story.

But there was no way to tell what really transpired. There might be an error in delivery resulting in miscommunication, or an error by the administrative clerk. Or Raynesia was too busy and stuffed the document somewhere and lost track of it…

But this was not the time to review what really happened.

Lord Marvis was holding a reply from Raynesia's side, so it was definitely an oversight on Raynesia's part.

And Raynesia as the host had the obligation to assist the guest and make things convenient for him. Also, the daughter of the Corwen family stationed in Akiba and the noble sea merchant from the west Lord Marvis had different statuses. If you took into account the hidden tension between the eastern and western federations, she had no choice but to eat humble pie.

Raynesia was a woman.

In accordance to the nobles of the People of the Land, she was not educated in the ways of politics. But she could learn about it from the social world.

"Hmph, what's the matter? You are not going to tell me you are not ready for me? I already sent in the request in advance."

"About that…"

It was easy to apologize.

But Raynesia was not used to such dealings and was unable to judge whether she needed to apologize now. The lazy Raynesia wouldn't think 'I should have put in more effort to learn if I knew this kind of situation would come up'. But she still thought there was something she could do about this.

She should have asked a few competent bureaucrats to be dispatched here from Maihama, that should be obvious. She had already gotten permission from her grandfather with some constraints to pick several followers to bring along to Akiba, but that was still not enough.

"Is this the Corwen clan's way of doing things? Or is your working relation with the Adventurers… with Akiba just an illusion?"

His mocking tone made Raynesia lower her head.

Her heart was full of retorts, but Raynesia was not sure of the correct way to say it, or which way of expressing it might be dangerous.

Anyway, she needed to apologize and compensate for the goods on the ship to appease him. She would worry about the details later, could she drag this problem along and solve it after the dinner party?

Raynesia thought numbly.

People called her a beautiful princess.

She would get compliments from knights and bureaucrats from whichever banquet she went to.

Raynesia knew that she was acting a role that suited her status in their frozen-like daily lives, but she could feel her body temperature dropping without end right now. Raynesia was unable to understand this.

Why were her emotions so unsteady, making her so unhappy?

This regret didn't come from Raynesia since she didn't care for such things. The unhappiness, regret, and remorse must be because of this carefree city…

"Evening!"

Raynesia who was looking at the luxurious carpet stiffly realized someone was standing before her because of the shadow dulling the color of the carpet. Her eyes sprang up to look at the back of someone wearing unfamiliar clothes.

The shirt made from soft cloth not seen by People of the Land before and a hooded vest. This was the young man who pushed Raynesia down a cliff with no means of returning on the day of the crucial speech for the battle of Sand Leaf, Shiroe.

"Shiroe… sama?"

"Who is this?"

"I apologize for my late introduction. I am the leader of Log Horizon, one of the 11 guilds that forms the Round Table Council, Shiroe."

"Shiroe… No family name? Hmmm…"

"That's right, because I am an Adventurer."

The young man in casual clothes in front of Raynesia maintained a leisurely attitude even though he was facing the grand noble of the west. Raynesia took half a step forward even though she was dumbstruck.

Adventurers were not familiar with the customs of the People of the Land, this might have serious repercussions. To prevent this, Raynesia decided to become the shield of Akiba.

But a hand was placed gently on Raynesia's shoulder, stopping her with uncompromising strength. This strong and big manly hand belonged to Krusty. Raynesia turned her head to look at Krusty who was stopping her from behind and Krusty said without looking at her.

"Don't worry."

His glasses reflected the light so she was unable to see his expression. But she could see a cruel smile on Krusty's face.

"Lord Marvis, welcome to Akiba. With the fairy-powered ship, your shipping industry is blooming and your name is renowned here."

Shiroe said with a smile, making Marvis stare with his eyes wide open. But his ironic smile remained as he replied "I'm flattered." According to the customs of the People of the Land, this attitude was akin to ridiculing others.

Considering the fact that Shiroe introduced himself as a member of the Round Table Council, he was obviously ridiculing Shiroe and Akiba's Round Table Council. His attitude frustrated Raynesia and made her cheeks grow hot.

But Shiroe didn't mind at all. In the end, he probably didn't understand the customs of the People of the Land.

"And so, what happened? Elissa-san? Where are you?"

"Here Shiroe-san… These are the details."

But Shiroe's words cooled down Raynesia's frustrated heart.

Raynesia could only give a blank expression as she stared at her maid showing Shiroe that document. She didn't know the two of them knew each other. Elissa wore a troubled face, but was still respectful towards this young man.

"Ahah, hmm… is that so? This is possible. I get the general picture… Hey! Michitaka-san!"

Shiroe saved time by shouting for the burly man in the hall instead of using telepathy. The man, who leisurely walked over after hearing his name, was the guild master of Oceanic Systems, Michitaka who was built like a bear. Michitaka greeted everyone as he walked over but was interrupted by Shiroe who cut straight to the chase.

"This is an oversight. Instead of an oversight, it is more like clumsiness and embarrassment… Michitakasan, due to the blunder of Princess Raynesia, we have some troubling issues."

"Oh I see, this is problematic indeed."

Saying this young man… Shiroe didn't understand social etiquette wasn't quite right, it was more like he was hasty and pragmatic by nature. Raynesia was not good at handling this young man since the first time they met. She was also bad with Krusty, but that was because Raynesia couldn't tell what Krusty was thinking about.

But she felt she was bad at handling this young man because 'Once he makes up his mind, he is willing to do anything no matter how ridiculous and will not compromise'. She feared Krusty because he was incomprehensible, while she was afraid of this young man because he was a hunter who would not hesitate about using Raynesia as bait.

"What are you up to? I am questioning the oversight of Raynesia-jou over here all right?"

Shiroe explained the situation to Michitaka briefly with a smile after Lord Marvis finished.

"This big man over here is Michitaka-san, boss of one of the 11 guilds that comprises the Round Table Council, Oceanic Systems… Lord Marvis requires a warehouse to store his shipment of cargo and has informed Raynesia-san in advance to prepare one for him. She seems to have forgotten about it or lost the document, leading to this failure."

Lord Marvis nodded smugly, agreeing with Shiroe.

"That is correct. The shipment this round consists of food and precious spices. If you leave it in the hot and humid cargo hold on-board, it will rot in a few days."

Raynesia wanted to rebuke him when she heard his words.

He was full of excuses… But it was useless to point this out now.

"Seems like you are using this opportunity to make a big business deal."

"I came personally this time, so I took the best ship in my company with me. You are Shiroe-kun right?"

The middle-aged nobleman who smelled like make-up laughed like an animal. Shiroe's attitude probably pleased him.

"The 'New Fairy Ship Egiru' that made her maiden voyage last month right? I heard the rumors, it is a beautiful ship that reminds people of swans."

"Oh, that news has reached Akiba? That is so… The cargo on this ship is going to be lost due to the oversight of Raynesia-jou. My dear Adventurers, don't you think this is a terrible betrayal?"

"It is indeed regrettable."

(Why is Shiroe-san taking the lord's side… Does he mean that Adventurers don't need to care about the People of the Land… ? This issue is obviously linked to the pride of Akiba right?)

"Anyway, I have some matters for Princess Raynesia too. Akatsuki, Henrietta-san."

"Ah?"

Raynesia was focused on Shiroe, so she didn't notice the two of them appearing without a sound. It was the competent lady wearing glasses and the petite girl with black hair that pushed her into the brink during the speech the other time.

"The princess expressed her willingness to make this festival a success, please help her change."

"Ah? Ah?"

The confused Raynesia looked at Elissa to her right.

Elissa shook her head and sighed softly.

Raynesia was disappointed at her unreliable friend and looked at Krusty behind her left shoulder. He just shrugged in reply.

At this moment, the serious young girl with black hair and the smiling glasses lady captured Raynesia.

Although their attitudes were respectful, they gave off an uncompromising aura. They reached for Raynesia's clothes without regard for the fact they were in the view of the public.

"Eh, what are you doing? Hmm? How can you change here… Hold up, that's not it, I have an important discussion with Lord Marvis, it is a crucial matter to protect Akiba. Krusty-sama! Please say something, aren't you my knight?"

"… Wasn't that just limited to the conference of the lords?"

"How can you take the oath of a knight so lightly! You want me, Raynesia, to think of it as a joke?"

The half-panicking Raynesia pleaded with Krusty in tears. She could see the villainous smile of the knight in glasses, but he was the only one who could save her.

"We will need to extend the contractual period."

"Please… think of something! I… I am willing to change my clothes! I will change obediently later, So let me clear things up with Lord Marvis!"

"Shiroe-kun… that's what the Princess that extended her contract with me said."

The smiling Henrietta and the serious Akatsuki grabbed Princess Raynesia's hand from either side. At some point of time, this commotion became the center of attention within the hall. Within the wall of people surrounding them, Krusty rushed Shiroe to move to the follow up phase.

"Roger that Krusty-san… we are done with preparations on our side."

"Lord Marvis, I understand the situation, the documents have already been sent to Akiba's Round Table Council."

Krusty who was hiding his expression behind his glasses said simply in a normal volume at this impressionable time. Marvis who heard this sentence all of a sudden gave a blank expression, but composed his emotions and responded in a loud voice.

"What? The Round Table Council had been informed? How can that be… Wait, we are talking about a warehouse here right? Is that something you can prepare so easily? You don't understand, I didn't come in a wagon. Do you not follow our conversation so far?"

"'New Fairy Ship Egiru' right? I remember its maximum load is 500 tons and includes freezer compartments, a state-of-the-art vessel."

"You are right Adventurers. Where can you find a warehouse that can store so much goods and has temperature control? You must be dreaming to say you can prepare it right now."

Marvis said arrogantly as he made 'Tch' sounds with his tongue repeatedly, showing off his proud nature.

Raynesia could feel a cold wave coming over her.

Not because of Marvis' arrogance. But because of Marvis' ignorance of Adventurers.

Marvis was a People of the Land noble and was used to commanding people. The nobles of Eastal had the same arrogant nature, but they had no authority over Adventurers. Marvis might be cut down on the spot for his taunting attitude.

Nobles had strong authority in the society of the People of the Land, but they were not immortal. They would be burned to ashes in a tenth of a second if they faced the wrath of Adventurers.

Raynesia had no sympathy for Marvis, but this might spark off a war, inciting the Adventurers to destroy them in righteous fury…

(Ah, ahah, why must I worry about this white pig!)

"What? So you have informed the Round Table Council in advance? That's great. But I heard your rental warehouse is full of the cargo of traveling merchants. Even though you received the notice, but that's the woeful state you are in."

"I am sorry, for this incident, I, Raynesia, will…"

Marvis changed his target to the Adventurers and the Round Table Council. His brash way of putting it almost made Raynesia scream.

"Here are the documents Michitaka-san."

But Shiroe produced a piece of paper like a magician, making everyone freeze in the hall. Raynesia glanced at it for a moment, it seemed to be identical to the copy Marvis was waving around just now.

Although it was hard to say for sure, but the Round Table Council of Akiba seemed to have received the notice Raynesia didn't get.

Michitaka took the document, browsed through the contents and nodded.

"… Do you need wagons to ferry the goods?"

The hidden meaning behind Michitaka's word was that he agreed to this casually. He gave a manly grin and shrugged.

"Could it be…"

"Of course we have warehouses… 500 tons right? That's nothing. Oceanic Systems' guild warehouse is several times that of the warehouse opened for rental by the Adventurers for this event. You think we will be overloaded just handling the merchant caravans? Or you think Adventurers won't help People of the Land?"

"!"

Michitaka's speech made Raynesia clench her fist.

The Adventurers were covering for Raynesia's oversight. Michitaka was a tough guy who preached the glory of Adventurers in front of a roomful of People of the Land at the Ancient Palace of Eternal Ice.

Raynesia could not imagine him helping her so selflessly.

(No, he didn't do it for me…)

Raynesia peeked at the young man with his hand on her shoulder. She had to raise her head to see his expression since they were so close, but she couldn't tell even when she saw his face. But Raynesia knew this monster, who she couldn't read, with a smiling but seemingly unhappy face, asked Michitaka for aid on her behalf.

"Krusty-sama…"

"It was because of the perfect policing of the streets, to stop physical altercations, that it made us realize this issue so late."

Raynesia didn't comprehend what Krusty was whispering to her about.

"… Krusty-sama? About that, I am…"

"An important shield… Wrong, a princess."

Raynesia uttered a word of thanks reluctantly to Krusty who was not looking at her. The favors she owed this young man just kept on accumulating. Her feeling of guilt was growing like a ball of rolling snow, making her conscience and pride scream in pain. But Krusty said 'You should thank Shiroe-kun instead', these strange words when he heard her words of thanks.

Marvis' expression grew grim on the other hand.

After making a 'Tch' sound with his tongue, he glared at Shiroe. But Shiroe didn't care about Marvis' glare.

The grand noble of Westelande bid a few words of good bye before leaving the hall.

Raynesia felt her legs go numb and lose strength. Marvis left. His pride wounded, but he kept his life. And this side had also avoided clashing with Marvis and the entire west.

This unexpected ending made Raynesia so at ease she almost turned into foam.

"Okay, that's settled. I leave the rest to you two."

"Understood Shiroe-sama."

"By your order, my lord."

The two of them used Raynesia's mental lapse to drag her away. The knight who had extended his contract with her waved her farewell. But Raynesia only realized this when she was stripped to her underwear.

Part 3

Raynesia's dinner party was ruined.

But it was still a grandiose event.

The main doors of the Maihama consulate in Akiba was wide open, and the guests spilled out onto the central square. They mingled with the crowd enjoying the festival in the evening sun and food dishes were carried outside for all to enjoy.

The amount was not enough for the masses and the eateries facing the central square ran their kitchens at full capacity. Shiroe spread the word that all expenses would be covered by the Round Table Council, prompting the unending flow of food and drinks to the crowd 'till their stock ran out.

But this caused the standard of the feast to drop below Raynesia's expectations. Instead of a buffet-style dinner party, it felt more like a festival or a flower watching gathering. But such details didn't seem to matter to the Adventurers.

When Raynesia appeared in the central square escorted by Krusty, the crowd erupted into cheers. Ever since the expedition speech, Raynesia attended many public events, but this was the first time she made an appearance so directly in Akiba.

The princess let the knight lead her by the fingers as she gazed slightly downwards. Her blushing cheek made her look like a beautiful flower, mesmerizing many Adventurers. Her shy appearance was like a beautiful young lady you dreamed about.

The surprising thing was her dress.

Raynesia was wearing a long tight denim skirt, a light green top that matched the autumn season and a bolero short jacket. Her long skirt was elegant but casual, her long silver hair flowed over her back with a black ribbon on top.

Raynesia always wore gothic clothing that matched her People of the Land nobility status. No one in Akiba expected her to dress like this.

The atmosphere in the central square went wild. By the standard of the old world, this was a dress for a casual date for the Adventurers; for the People of the Land, these were fashionable clothes that gave off the modern feel of the Adventurers.

Raynesia walked to the south edge of the central square under the lead of Krusty with a stiff expression and sat on the cushion of an elegant chair that was crafted in a hurry. It was made through the in-game menu, the temporary pavilion was also built in just 15 minutes.

The sun had already set, and the square was full of torches. A Fairy Light near Raynesia illuminated her surrounding twice as brightly, probably conjured by a caring Summoner.

Black Sword Issac drew his trademark sword declaring that the princess would stay in this chair due to security concerns, but wanted to enjoy this festive night with everyone present. Also, anyone who wanted to may come to the pavilion to greet the princess. This announcement made the crowd go wilder.

Compared to Adventurers, the People of the Land were even more surprised. They, especially the spies that took part in the conspiracy, were caravan merchants that hailed from towns and villages around Akiba. They usually rode a horse or a wagon, making business between the villages. Someone like them wouldn't have the chance to see the princess so close in person. And not only did they have the chance to gaze from afar, they could even greet her in person, a stunning experience.

Even so, only a handful took up the offer without hesitation. A third of them were People of the Land while the rest were Japanese Adventurers with a cautious nature.

Even the orchestra Raynesia hired were playing classic Yamato pieces, everyone was holding back and being too reserved.

The one to lead the way was Michitaka.

He brought along about a dozen other guild masters to the elegant couch in the pavilion surrounded by screens and covered by parasols. He greeted Raynesia warmly as she breathed a sigh of relief. The other guilds also took action after seeing this.

With many Adventurers lining up to greet the princess, the maids working under Elissa started to move hurriedly.

Shiroe watched this scene from the sky bridge that overlooked the central square, pouring tea into a glass.

In the joyous occasion below, Princess Raynesia chatted happily with the Adventurers. Other People of the Land and Adventurers were also mingling together, which was the best proof the Libra Festival was a success.

The People of the Land noble Raynesia dressed in the fashion of the old world made an appearance at the central square. This action sent a strong message to all those present in this festival.

It was a message of peace and friendship. Their unity could ward off the attack this round.

Shiroe thought that Akiba was victorious in fending off the attack.

The origin of the attack should be the Westelande nobleman Marvis who took his leave at Raynesia's party.

(But from his brash style, it is hard to see him as the mastermind behind this.)

Shiroe thought he was just one of the core players in this attack.

It was still too early to judge whether the attack was over. The festival was still under high alert, the security detail under the command of Krusty and Issac was stationed near the entrance, deterring any physical alterations.

It was the same with the girls working with Soujirou who warded off the arguments between merchants with their feminine charms while patrolling.

Shiroe who was nominated as the tactician received periodic telepathy reports and queries on how to handle certain situations.

One of the reasons he was staying at this place overlooking the central square was for the convenience of going anywhere that needed him quickly.

But Shiroe was not too worried about it.

The attack against the trust and handling speed of the Round Table Council had had the main aim of putting them into disarray. For this tactic to work, it needed to use the element of surprise as support. With the

Round Table Council prepared for it, it would have limited effectiveness.

Worse case scenarios did exist, but it was pointless to brood over them. You couldn't use all your best moves in some battles and were forced to react to your opponent's moves. Maintaining high alert till the end of the festival was the best option right now.

… But the attack will come sooner or later. Shiroe sighed as he thought about this, as the activities in the plaza below continued to flow. The crowds around Raynesia and the eateries were the same, but there were new people and music joining the fray. Soujirou's personal guards cleared a pathway to the guild building, standing on either side of the pavement.

The one leading the way was Maryele.

Her curly green hair and bright shining smile. Maryele's alluring, bouncing breasts were covered by a stylishly-tailored jacket as she moved with energetic steps.

This was not at the level of supermodels yet, but she turned and waved both hands at the crowd after reaching the end of the makeshift catwalk, acting just like one.

(That's really great Mary-nee. I can't stay moody even if I want to.)

Maryele's appearance made Shiroe feel motivated and hurt his head at the same time. Next up was Henrietta and Akatsuki.

Henrietta and Akatsuki always wore secretary attire and black shinobi costumes respectively like uniforms. But they changed their styles just for today. The two of them were wearing the attire promoted by Crescent Moon Alliance which looked native and casual. Their clothing differed slightly, making them look like sisters.

… Because of the height difference, they looked like sisters with a wide age gap, but it was best not to say this out loud. Henrietta was hyperactive, hugging Akatsuki, rubbing her face on hers and twirling around elegantly. Watching them, Shiroe made a decision with a smile.

Unaware of the stares from the crowd (a fortunate thing for Akatsuki), the two of them played around before meeting up with Maryele and walking to the central square. Maryele ignored the stunned crowd, going directly to Raynesia and pulled her up by the hand. This was just like Maryele's bold nature.

Akatsuki whispered to Raynesia from behind. Seeing how Raynesia's face was turning green, she was being intimidated once again. Maryele led Raynesia to the central square just like this, forming a circle and turning around along with Henrietta and Akatsuki.

Instead of holding a fashion show indoors, they would have wider exposure doing it this way. The 'Firebird' and 'Lightning Phoenix' resting at the top of the guild building shone over everyone. Waves of applause went back and fro through the crowd.

The lively music playing was from a memorable pop song of the old world. The slightly aged melody was recreated using the classical Middle Ages instruments in this world.

Raynesia didn't know what to do as she looked around with a perplexed expression. But pretty girls had it good in this type of situation. Even in a common dress of the old world, it matched her perfectly if she gave a shy smile.

"Shiroe… san."

"Thanks for the hard work Minori."

This polite greeting made Shiroe lift his gaze from the plaza. Minori walked from the guild building towards the connected sky bridge. She wore a complicated expression of pride, joy, and humility on her face.

Shiroe didn't know what his petite companion was thinking about, but he knew what she had accomplished on this chaotic day. She completed the primary administrative work alongside Charasin.

The responsibility was equivalent to leading a hundred-man raid.

"Take a seat."

"Eh, but…"

Minori was hesitant, Shiroe gestured to the side of the wooden bench he was sitting on. Shiroe took a glass from his bag and wiped it clean. He then poured the same fruit tea he was drinking into it and offered it to the panicky Minori.

"Erm.."

"Thank you, and you did great."

"Eh, yes!"

Minori with her voice a few octaves higher and her back straightened looked so cute, it made Shiroe smile. He didn't know whether Minori realized the value of the work she had done.

Minori held the glass with both hands,

Their view was illuminated with the light of many torches and conjured shining creatures like Bug Light Lamp. They could see the lively festival below thanks to them.

A part of this festive atmosphere was protected through Minori's efforts.

Shiroe thought her hands were small.

But these tiny hands of a middle school student held the determination to stay at her post.

When Minori reported her intention to stay and help at the Production Guild Liaison Committee, Shiroe surprisingly sensed acknowledgement. After all the time Shiroe and Minori spent together, he could feel her hardworking nature that could not be suppressed within her heart.

Her twin Tohya also had the passion to improve himself, but he was already set earlier on to focus on fighting and physical strength. In comparison, Minori was hesitant on which route to take. But she would definitely find her path to follow one day.

Minori achieved a victory Shiroe didn't expect, in a place of her own choosing.

(She is much more dependable than me…)

Shiroe jeered at himself and sighed. He recollected his miserable middle school days.

Minori's display of her strong will was nothing like Shiroe's old days. Shiroe remembered being a typical overly self conscious delusional middle schooler. He used to think of himself as being special and different, but failed to realize that his 'uniqueness' was the same as others.

It was so embarrassing just thinking back.

"Shiroe-san, may I ask…"

"What is it?"

"Aren't you going to greet her? Among the guilds that make up the Round Table Council, only Log Horizon hasn't done so right?"

Shiroe shrugged and replied vaguely.

"We met not too long ago."

Their conversation on the sky bridge was drowned out by the cheers down below. Probably because of a new set set of clothes from some guild making its fashion debut? Shiroe listened to his telepathy messages and gave short replies every now and then. After some time, Minori raised a new question.

"You… Did this on purpose right?"

"Yeah."

"… I'm sorry Shiroe-san."

Minori hung her head in shame.

"No need to apologize, it's not something I want to make known to the world."

"I butted in needlessly, wanting to take Shiroe-san to the dinner party… But thinking about it carefully, there is no need to do that. There is no way Shiroe-san of the 11 founding guilds will fail to secure an invitation right? So you wanted Princess Raynesia to detest you right from the start correct?"

This was not questioning, but seeking confirmation.

(What an incredibly brilliant girl.)

This tactic was not hard to see through, several members of the Round Table had already realized this.

This strategy can only work if his comrades understood it to some extent.

"Because Krusty-san is close to the princess, and having someone she clearly hates and clearly likes will make it easier to push her along. It will be the same for the future too."

"The princess is in a precarious position. Her beauty, straightforward nature, and honesty holds the sympathy of the masses, but it won't last forever. Although she likes Akiba now, there is no telling if she will continue to do so. She has improved the relations between the People of the Land and Adventurers, but it's hard to gauge how long this will last. There will be plenty of instances in the future that require us to adopt a tough stance. Crises that will make this attack look insignificant are sure to follow, so we need to divide the roles to play ahead of time."

This tactic was dependent on 'Krusty being considerate of the Princess' feelings' as a prerequisite. Krusty who was aware of this strategy was grumpy about it, but it couldn't be helped since these were the assigned roles. Krusty was the senate leader of the Round Table Council after all, it would be troubling if he was unwilling to play this part.

From what Shiroe saw, Krusty was just as unhappy about being manipulated by Shiroe. But if left alone, Shiroe was sure Krusty would help the Princess in the end anyway.

Also…

Following his flowing thoughts, Shiroe focused on the limits of the future he could forecast. In the combination of blurry predictions, he could see a vague future.

The Princess with a bad personality needed Krusty.

And Krusty also needed the Princess… Hopefully.

"Shiroe-san… Is this really what you hope for?"

"Why do you ask?"

A part of Shiroe's consciousness heard Minori talking to him and stopped his train of thought. Shiroe's companion showed a troubled and pained expression.

"Because…"

Minori talked in bits and pieces, Shiroe waited patiently for her continuation that didn't come.

"If it is about the troubles Log Horizon will be facing… Regarding this, at some point in time, I planned to have Chief Nyanta take everyone to visit Princess Raynesia, maybe at a dinner party. Minori would need to doll up for that event too, the sky blue dress you wore that time looks cute on you."

Shiroe's speech made Minori even more depressed.

Is that a bad way to reply? Shiroe scratched his head. Seemed like this did not satisfy her, or he was going about this the wrong way.

"Won't you feel sad Shiroe-san?"

"…"

Ah, so that's how someone watching from the side might see it. This was beyond Shiroe's calculations.

Since this was such a normal sensibility, Shiroe did not even think about it.

"No such thing, this is normal."

"…"

Seemed like Minori had a hard time accepting this explanation.

This was just one of the parts they needed to play, and Shiroe just happened to be suitable for this role.

Minori with her lips tightly closed looked really prim and proper. Her big eyes looked like they were going to tear up, her cheeks were tense and red. Minori's brows furrowed in anger showing her unwillingness to back down.

"Minori has been a big help in aiding the Production Guild Liaison Committee. The things you did are more worthwhile than 10 staff helping on site. You did great Minori."

Shiroe's praise made Minori blink her eyes.

"It's the same rationale Minori, the things that need to be done are right in front of me, I can do it and others hold that expectation of me as well. This is a good thing, something that we should be proud of.

Since doing so is helpful, I think it is just fine."

Minori showed a troubled face.

This couldn't be helped. Shiroe didn't say this because he understood this rationale. The Shiroe who had avoided guilds thinking it was a bother had no right to say this. This was a speech only experienced guild leader like Michitaka or Krusty could make.

But after Shiroe founded his guild with his comrades, he finally understood something. He was just a wandering soul, even if he got stronger alone, it would be a hollow strength that wouldn't be channeled anywhere. It was a power others wouldn't be able to feel and appreciate.

It was still strength even if he achieved it alone, but Shiroe thought comrades were necessary to use this strength. And you needed the world for your comrades to reach their full potential. Although it was still vague and blurry now, Shiroe felt that Log Horizon was an important place to make this theory come true.

"I will work just as hard as you Minori."

Minori nodded with an expression that was a mixture of confusion, anger and sadness. What Shiroe could do was reflect on his actions. In the end, he could only respond to the hardworking middle schooler Minori in this unsightly manner.

He felt he was being encouraged and lectured by her.

… This couldn't be avoided.

This petite girl deserved a reward tonight. A member of Log Horizon being an valuable asset this day made Shiroe happy. To have guided Minori at one point also gave him a warm feeling in his heart. Shiroe was not sad even though he was seen as an elder or teacher by Minori.

Shiroe gave an awkward smile and nodded his head.

"I will work hard so Minori will not be troubled."

Part 4

Akatsuki suppressed her rapid breathing, stopping in her tracks after rushing up the grey stairs. It was fine for her to walk up to him as usual, but Akatsuki couldn't make herself to do it because she didn't want Shiroe to see her out of breath.

She was still wearing the frilly clothes Henrietta forced on her. With laces sewed at its ends, it looked cute but was too light. Akatsuki, who had grown accustomed to the battle suits in this world, felt naked and defenseless walking the streets in this.

Also, it was hard to hide herself and sneak up on Shiroe in this.

Akatsuki hid under the shade of the ancient tree that pierced through the sky bridge to calm her breathing.

She didn't want Shiroe to know she rushed all the way here.

Akatsuki felt she had grown closer to Shiroe over the past few days. She even managed to touch Shiroe's hair on the balcony of their guild house last night. It was colder than she imagined and different from hers, the hair of a man. Strong and smooth, flowing through Akatsuki's fingers.

It was an experience that made Akatsuki happy with minimal physical contact. She intentionally pulled a long face, telling Shiroe she was happy, which subsequently confused Shiroe, making him ask her to, again, confirm her feelings.

Those were happy times.

But her decision to catch her breath gave her the opportunity to overhear this conversation.

Shiroe leaned on the railings of the sky bridge, looking down at the central square illuminated by bonfires.

There was a young lady beside him… Minori, a companion of Akatsuki from Log Horizon.

Shiroe and Minori's words were carried by the wind that blew throughout Akiba towards Akatsuki who caught pieces of it.

"You… Did this on purpose right?"

"Yeah."

"… I'm sorry Shiroe-san."

In the beginning, Akatsuki didn't understand what they were talking about.

"No need to apologize, it's not something I want to make known to the world."

"I butted in needlessly, wanting to take Shiroe-san to the dinner party… But thinking about it carefully, there is no need to do that. There is no way Shiroe-san of the 11 founding guilds would fail to secure an invitation right? So you wanted Raynesia to detest you right from the start correct?"

Akatsuki almost made a sound when she heard this.

… Shiroe… Planned to be detested?

This was a perspective Akatsuki never thought of.

The unexpected interaction between the two made Akatsuki forget to call out to Shiroe, she could only listen intently to them. Their dialogue could be heard in bits and pieces through the disruption of the autumn wind.

Akatsuki tried to think about Minori's 'planned to be detested' words. But a chill went down her spine as she began to understand its meaning. Akatsuki heard about an unknown source finding trouble with Akiba from Shiroe before.

Although she didn't comprehend the meaning, she knew that Shiroe had successfully defended Akiba.

But she didn't think about it the way Minori did.

Unlike Minori, she didn't consider how everyone else would think about Shiroe.

Unlike Minori, she didn't think about how Log Horizon's position would be affected by all this.

Unlike Minori, she didn't split up with Shiroe and fight for his sake on another front.

… Unlike Minori, she didn't help Shiroe with his trouble.

Akatsuki's heart started to race in her modest chest.

The Shiroe that felt so close last night was gradually growing further away from her? This gave her a pure sense of terror.

Just like the fear of a child abandoned in the darkness, she moaned soundlessly in her chest.

Shiroe was going so far away.

No, he was far away from the beginning.

Him being by Akatsuki's side was just an illusion.

Ever since the day Shiroe saved Akatsuki, she had stayed by his side. Addressing Shiroe as lord, becoming his shadow, wielding her blade for him all this while. She could also feel Shiroe protecting her at the same time, which made her very comfortable.

Maybe only Akatsuki thought they were protecting each other.

(At the very least, I don't understand my lord to that extent…)

It was hard to acknowledge this.

She couldn't measure up to this middle-schooler from the same guild.

Accepting that she couldn't hold a candle to Minori. This bitterness and pain gave her a sensation of falling, as if the ground around her feet was being frozen and came crumbling down.

Akatsuki grabbed her blade subconsciously with trembling hands. Akatsuki could feel it vaguely.

She noticed her limits and what it meant.

Assassins have the strongest attack among all 12 classes. For the sake of her pride, Akatsuki had worked in the art of fighting. Her attack power or individual battle power should be in the top tier among the Adventurers. But among the top tier, she ranked in the middle of the pile.

Akatsuki didn't have experience in major raids.

This could not be helped. Akatsuki was a solo player, living a solitary lifestyle free of any guilds. For solo players to participate in major raids, they could only wait for big guilds looking to fill a raid vacancy or by forming a temporary a temporary raid alliance. Joining a group like Debauchery Tea Party was another way, but that was a rare instance. Gathering Adventurers to form a group that had nothing to do with guilds took a lot of effort, even forming a new guild was easier to gain fame and members.

In the end, major raids needed teamwork and training, a hard gaming mode to pull off. If you didn't do it with fixed members, the success rate would drop. Big guilds equating to major raids were an accepted fact.

Shiroe, Nyanta, and Naotsugu were all solo players or members of small guilds, but they were experienced top-notch Adventurers within the whole server in their group the Debauchery Tea Party.

In comparison, Akatsuki was the finest amongst solo players, but in terms of equipment, knowledge, and familiarity with teamwork battles, it was not at the top notch level.

(Am I… just a fake…)

She hugged herself and shook slightly.

The skills she relied upon so far, which she claimed could protect Shiroe, were not at top notch level.

Confirming this once again shattered Akatsuki's pride completely.

But that's not all. Major raids were a high difficulty playing mode and there were plenty of Adventurers who didn't have experience with this.

But a low-level Kannagi reached Shiroe's side in a way Akatsuki never thought of. Akatsuki who prided herself in her battle techniques and lived all this time in the alternate world believing in this, was doubly hurt by this.

"… The things you did are more worthwhile than 10 staff helping on site. You did great Minori."

Shiroe's voice echoed in Akatsuki's ears.

Not only did this girl Minori see through Shiroe's thinking, she also fought hard in her own battles to lessen Shiroe's burden. She was less than half Akatsuki's level, but this middle school girl used her talents to the fullest and reached a higher plane of achievement than Akatsuki. And Minori was concerned with Shiroe all this time too.

Akatsuki never tried to empathize with Shiroe.

Empathize with the loneliness of Shiroe which she never thought existed before.

This fact overwhelmed Akatsuki. The acceptance of this fact stabbed Akatsuki's heart like shattered glass, taking away the words Akatsuki wanted to tell Shiroe.

Part 5

The dinner party naturally evolved into a banquet in the city square and the citizens had high praise for this. Raynesia, who had used all her stamina, lay exhausted on her chair. But the scenery of the princess waving weakly looked cute and won rave reviews, pretty girls had it good for anything they did.

On the other hand, Shiroe enjoyed this banquet on the sky bridge. But Shiroe still played the role of tactician and talked to others through telepathy most of the time, only conversing with Minori occasionally.

The sky grew bright as the festival entered its 3rd day.

Shiroe gathered all the members of Log Horizon to visit the flea market on this last day of the festival.

The flea market was different from the autumn clothing expo and was mainly selling weapons. A variety of items like furniture, guild facilities, decorations, books, scrolls, food and monster drop items were sold here.

There were many People of the Land and their merchant caravans that had traveled all this way just for this flea market.

Nyanta and Shiroe felt a sense of nostalgia, searching for the merchandise of the village they visited on their trip back from Susukino, but they didn't find any. But Nyanta did find some fine salted pork ribs.

With such a wide array of goods, the members released their reservations and went on a shopping spree.

Tohya brought a new 'red intimidation star' helmet, while Naotsugu bought potions in bulk.

Shiroe accepted Minori and Nyanta's proposal and bought several carpets and a communal water tank with their guild funds. They needed all sorts of things for the winter, and with so many items available for sale, their eyes glittered like a kids in a candy store.

After the banquet ended, Akatsuki resumed wearing her black clothes. On this 3rd day, she wore her usual expression that was so dignified that it looked sullen, protecting Shiroe without a word. Shiroe thought there was no need to be dressed so uptight for the festival, but Akatsuki was stubborn in her own ways.

Akatsuki who looked a bit tired in the morning, regained her lively mood in the afternoon after being teased by Naotsugu. Akatsuki calling Naotsugu stupid and kneeing him in the face was becoming a common scene which Shiroe could only watch with a bitter smile.

As Shiroe expected, the attacks against the Round Table Council were totally gone. These types of attacks were hard to carry out when defensive measures were set in place. Since they anticipated this, Shiroe's group enjoyed this rare holiday happily.

When the sun set on this 3rd day, Akiba went into an after party phase. Continuing the banquet last night, it was a full fledged banquet this round. Since the Round Table Council were the organizers, many barrels of wine were put in front of the guild building, becoming a lively and popular spot for all participants.

The Round Table Council wanted to use this opportunity to implement some projects to aid the small guilds, one of them was to help them recruit solo players without guilds, as well as the possibility of letting the departments within large guilds gain independence. The young Adventurers continued to debate about this even after getting dizzy from all the alcohol.

In this after party, illuminated by bonfires, Raynesia probably would attend in her beautiful dress. The pillars of the Round Table Council, Michitaka, Krusty, Issac, Charasin, Rodrick, Maryele, and others, would also drink to the reunion of old friends and the meeting of new ones.

Although many incidents happened in Akiba's Libra Festival, it still ended in success. The comrades of Log Horizon also praised each others' work in the festival and recuperated their energy for tomorrow.

The Libra Festival which marked the turning point in Akiba's history ended without many people knowing the storm behind the scene.

Interlude

But…

On the last day of the Libra Festival, Shiroe left his guild members behind and moved alone under the dark night sky.

These were ruins in the south of Akiba. Between the metal shutter buried in debris, the wet stairs extended endlessly. This building should be a water tank or boiler room during ancient times, as countless pipes could be seen on the exposed cement wall.

Shiroe visited here for a reason.

Shiroe came here to pay his old friend Ooshima a visit. Shiroe asked Ooshima to search for information regarding the Holy Empire Westelande, and to prepare for the worse case scenario, they cut down on the number of times they communicated by telepathy. Also, he needed to retrieve something, so Shiroe wanted to exchange intelligence with him face-to-face. But he felt uneasy about this.

In the suffocating silent darkness, Shiroe called forth a weak magic light and moved cautiously. He opened a door labeled 'Control Room' and saw a space more habitable than outside.

"…"

"Are you Shiroe-sama? I am Dariella, a People of the Land traveling writer…"

But the person in the room waiting for Shiroe was not who he expected.

Her wavy black hair, red lips and obsidian eyes shone from her white oval face. The robe that formed intrinsic patterns with red and blue threads covered her soft and well-filled-out body. She was sitting there, but it felt like she was moving slowly.

She was a beauty that attracted one's attention at a glance.

The definition of beauty was broad; Akatsuki was also a beauty, and the woman in front of him had a charm that rivaled Akatsuki, but was of a different nature.

Even Shiroe who didn't normally care about the looks of women felt a little light-headed seeing her alluring face, he could feel his cheeks heating up.

"Ooshima-san who was suppose to wait for Shiroe-sama is not able to move freely right now… So I came on his behalf to pass the message in his stead."

That's right, Shiroe planned to meet with the Adventurer Ooshima here, a tiny and agile dwarf youth, not a black-haired beauty.

Dariella/ 2nd class citizen/ level 10.

Shiroe looked at her status screen, obtaining information to confirm her words. Because of this, Shiroe's mind who was dazzled by her sweetness squeezed out these words:

"… I have never heard of such magic. Nureha-san, what is that disguise?"

A dark underground control room.

In this small room, a heavy silence fell between the female on the couch and Shiroe. The beauty laughed and twisted her beauty at the tense Shiroe, drawing a small sigil in the air with her finger.

Countless small pigeons took flight from her beautiful black hair, as if they were sucking away Shiroe's light source. The effects of black birds flying and merging with the air should be an unknown type of spell.

The alluring beauty had the same face, but was now wearing a black gothic dress made from the feathers of crows. She had animal ears and a tail which was white at the tip.

"Fufu, fufufu… How did Shiro-sama know? Information about 'Overlay' shouldn't have spread here yet."

"It's my gut feeling."

Shiroe adopted a strong tone.

The lady in the basement just now was definitely a level 10 People of the Land, named Dariella. Shiroe confirmed this using the status screen. According to the common sense of Elder Tales, this was an established fact, there were no two ways about it. The only reason Shiroe doubted this was because of his instinct and intelligence that came from another channel other than Ooshima.

Shiroe was certain that Nureha was somewhere in Akiba at this moment. He didn't expect Nureha to appear in front of him, but it was more believable for the source of the trouble to turn up instead of a beautiful 'People of the Land writer'.

"Intuition… But you knew my name right?"

The beauty facing him, Nureha, gave a charming smile. Even though Shiroe knew her identity, he couldn't help himself from looking at her.

"… Please take a seat okay?"

Nureha looked at Shiroe with watery eyes. Shiroe could see Nureha's white and defenseless throat from this angle, making him close his mouth tightly. If he didn't do this, Shiroe was afraid he would keep on staring.

"Don't put your guard up. Look… I didn't even bring my magic bag and am unarmed. I came alone to meet Shiro-sama."

Nureha said when Shiroe cautiously sat on an office chair near the door.

"Isn't that rather careless for the leader of the west?"

"I am not the leader of anything."

Nureha smiled.

Her pose, putting her index finger on her lips, made her look cute and young. She seemed about the same age as Shiroe, but she could change the atmosphere with different actions using her beautiful looks. She might seem like a bewitching lady, but you could see her pure and naive side too.

Shiroe felt her charm was terrifying.

Like a white flower blooming proudly in the darkness, a sweetness that could numb your senses.

This lady was the guild master of 'Plant hwyaden' after all.

A renowned gigantic guild that remained a mystery, 'Plant hwyaden'. The beauty at the top of the guild, 'Councillor of the West' Nureha.

The beginning of all this happened at the time Shiroe was plotting the formation of the Round Table Council.

Shiroe back then was planning to revitalize and bring order to the chaotic Akiba with a depressed atmosphere after the Catastrophe.

Coincidentally, the same thing was happening to the players in Minami, a city in the west. There was chaos, depression, and security deteriorated. But a certain Adventurer attempted to change this just like Shiroe.

That person was the defenseless beauty sitting in front of Shiroe, Nureha.

But Nureha's plan for the future and means of achieving it was totally different from Shiroe's.

Nureha approached the Itsuki clan, whom inherited the bloodline of the rulers of ancient Yamato, Westelande dynasty, ranking first among the clans in Yamato nobility society. Unlike the east which was ruled by the League of Freedom Towns Eastal, the Holy Empire Westelande was ruled centrally by the Itsuki Dukedom in Kyoto.

This governance applied only to People of the Land, and had nothing to do with Adventurers. The Adventurers didn't care for the People of the Land and their nobles even after the Catastrophe.

But Nureha was different. She approached and won the affection of the nobles and the Itsuki clan.

Although her intentions were unknown, Nureha used her charms to win over the People of the Land, planting her poisonous seeds.

When Shiroe went towards Susukino, Minami's city guards had become Nureha's personal army, and she used the wealth of the People of the Land to purchase the cathedral zone.

A powerful army and control over life and death. With these 2 weapons, Nureha continued to stay behind the scenes and plotted calmly and adequately in secret. She founded Plant hwyaden and slowly gathered supporters which reached a colossal scale in no time. The members consisted mainly of the elite players of the west.

But one day, Nureha made an official announcement.

… All Adventurers residing in Minami must join Plant hwyaden.

"Ruling with a single guild, a city with no discrimination based on guilds."

This was the style of governance proposed by Nureha.

"Pardon me for being blunt, but even if you leave running of the operations to Inticus, Misuha, and

Zerudus, you are still the Councillor of the West."

"I didn't leave it to them, all right? Everyone is just doing it the way they want to. I didn't plan to bind everybody, just give them a home to live in… And being protected by everyone. This is my only wish."

Her fluent speech was like the song of a siren, the sweet sound tempting men to listen forever.

"… Please tell me why you have come."

"You are so hasty Shiro-sama."

"You were the one deceiving me in the first place."

"… Fufufu, I get it. Since Shiro-sama says so, I will cooperate with you. Actually I…"

Nureha continued after being pushed by Shiroe.

"I came here to invite you. Shiro-sama, please join Plant hwyaden, come to my side. I wish to work besides you, I want you to protect me."

"Why?"

"I mean it literally, I want you Shiro-sama… It is embarrassing, but I have known about Shiro-sama for a long time."

That was nothing surprising.

Both Shiroe and Nureha were Enchanters. Enchanters were an unpopular class in Elder Tales, their numbers were only about half the average of the other classes.

When Elder Tales was just a game, the Japanese server had about 80,000 players, but as far as Shiroe knew, only 2,000 were level 90 Enchanters.

In MMORPGs, the Adventurers of the same class would take note of each other.

What were their equipment? How were they building their character? How were they fighting? Since it was a game, the best research subjects for building your character and using techniques were players in similar positions. It might sound greedy, but you could learn more from players who were better than you.

This was a common perspective when playing a game.

The Adventurers who joined major guilds to find excellent equipment after completing raids as well as Adventurers who researched battle tactics only made up a small number. If you limited this to Enchanters, the number was about a 100. Since it was only a 100, it was possible to know all their names.

Shiroe knew about all the high level enchanters in Japan's server, so he was aware of Nureha.

Nureha was similar to Shiroe, an Enchanter who chose not to join any guilds. Enchanters who took part in major raids despite not being in any large guilds were rarer than the Iriomote cat that was on the brink of extinction. They must have met 2 or 3 times before, an industry of 100 was small for a veteran player like Shiroe.

"I know what Shiro-sama is thinking about, but that's not it. I didn't know about Shiroe-sama because you are an Enchanter. And I didn't want to recruit you because of your Enchanter class."

"So what is this about?"

Nureha did not look away.

She looked at Shiroe with dreamy eyes, as if she wanted to inject something into him. She continued weaving her words that were as sharp as knives.

"Didn't you develop a new concept of magic in Sand Leaf? I don't know the details, but it was modification magic on a grand scale… Shiro-sama is special, so I knew you would do such great deeds."

"It's the same for you Nureha-san right? I am ignorant of the specifics, but you managed to restart the intercity transport gate, although its use is still limited."

In the basement where the air was so tense you could cut it with a knife, Shiroe and Nureha stared at each other.

Shiroe didn't think news of his contractual magic would leak, but he managed to get news of techniques from the west as well. Shiroe replied with his sharp words, glaring at Nureha.

"Shiro-sama is special indeed, you know everything… Just knowing that everything I hid behind the scenes has been seen through by you makes my cheeks burn hot."

"No need for formalities… The one who instructed the classification of all information from the west was you wasn't it?"

Plant hwyaden was a strictly controlled singular guild, divided into many detailed department and was tightly organized.

Shiroe understood the policy Nureha was pushing.

Wiping out the discrimination big guilds had towards small ones, recovering the security in Minami, uniting them and coordinating their efforts to return home. Using a well-organized singular guild was the most effective way of achieving their goal, that's the truth behind the governance of Minami and Shiroe agreed that it had its strong points.

Plant hwyaden which was founded with this righteous goal in mind, became a highly united and easy to control organization.

And so they wereso they were very united against outsiders and was a group that would not leak intelligence easily.

The Round Table Council used the liberal self-governance of the guilds, so they needed to be open about the topics of their conference. Disclosure of information was the basis of the council, so outsiders would be able to see their movements and trend in open view.

On the other hand, the one guild governance of Plant hwyaden was operated by the central executive committee, no other person would know the real situation of the central committee. Shiroe was one of the few very information savvy people in Akiba, but Plant hwyaden was like a face in the fog to him. Even more so for the Adventurers in Akiba, they only knew it was a strange place dominated by a single guild.

Shiroe's purpose of meeting with Ooshima was to find out news about Minami and to fetch some items.

"No, I already said it right? I adopted a free reign policy. Sealing off the spread of information was a decision made by Misuha."

"So the saturation attack on the administrative powers of the Round Table Council in Akiba was the same?"

"That's right. That's the shallow thinking of the house of lords and Marvis going out of control,"

Shiroe didn't believe this, even if she didn't come up with it, she did nothing to stop it. When Shiroe was about to speak, Nureha put a finger to his lips as if to disrupt him.

Shiroe brushed off Nureha's hand. He didn't notice Nureha getting so close.

"I came here to invite Shiro-sama. Are you willing to come to my side?"

"Tell this kind of wish to Soujirou, this is not my area of expertise."

"Soujirou-san…"

Nureha showed a faint look of danger, but it was replaced with a troubled expression the next moment.

"Compared to Soujirou-san, I want Shiro-sama more. Compared to Soujirou-san, I think Shiro-sama is more special. I came all the way to this city just to invite Shiro-sama, to ask for Shiro-sama's companionship."

Her speech made Shiroe's vision go white.

Shiroe was unable to feel any sincerity from the woman in front of him.

Shiroe could feel from his instinct that this lady was sculpted from lies and sins. But even though he understood, this temptation still made him dizzy. Shiroe felt that his immunity towards women was too low.

(No one has said I was more special than Soujirou before… how shameful.)

"Can't you… ?"

"Because this is not the truth."

"… I see."

Nureha gazed downwards and replied softly.

The feelings of being entwined faded away from Shiroe, replaced by a fragile and brittle feeling.

"Then, if I tell you the truth, would you be willing to come to me?"

"I need to hear it before judging."

"The truth is nothing fantastic right?"

Nureha maintained her fragile expression like old earthenware, letting out a hoarse laugh.

"… All right. Because you are Shiro-sama, because you are special, because you are unique, I need to display the appropriate determination. Yes, I understand, because I have been waiting for this all the while…"

Nureha continued like chanting a curse.

"Shiro-sama, I… am an ugly girl."

"Ah… ?"

"I am honored to surprise you. Anyway, my eyes are scarily big, I'm petite in size and have no figure… an ugly child who only knows how to look around greedily."

It was only natural for Shiroe to be surprised. The beauty in front of him had overly strong eyes, but she had a face anyone would describe as alluring.

But the topic was going in a direction Shiroe did not expect.

"I was really skinny in elementary school. Not only my ribs, even the bones in my limbs were visible. My hair was a mess, my clothes were full of stains, I was closer to a dirty girl than an ugly girl."

"I grew taller in middle school, but my weight did not increase, I was still skinny to the bone. I think I was a disgusting girl who looked at her surroundings from behind her fringe."

"I remember starting to change from my 2nd year of middle school. Because of some reasons, I gained some financial support and started to have proper meals. Although my body didn't get used to it in the beginning, my body weight still increased gradually… but I was still skinny and frail. Barely improving from a disgusting body with visible bones to a skinny body."

This…

Is this some sort of child abuse? Shiroe thought.

Also, he was doubting the truth behind her words.

Even though Nureha announced she would say the truth from now on, Shiroe remained skeptical. Because Ooshima was not here. Nureha somehow found out from Ooshima about his meeting with Shiroe and came here before him, this fact remained unchanged.

Even if this lady was speaking in such a demure tone, she was still the guild master of the one guild, Plant hwyaden, ruling Minami.

But Shiroe wouldn't believe her if she said these were all lies. If liars could only lie, they would be on the same level as honest people.

Liars might tell the truth sometimes.

"I learned how to groom myself, but I was still a pathetic woman you can see on the streets anywhere. My flat chest, skinny limbs, and plain face, only my eyes were unnecessarily big. The comment I heard most often was that I was a 'girl who brings misfortune'. Fufufu, probably not only my appearance, it can't be helped if some parts inside me… But even so, there were still those who had demands from me just because I was young and a middle-school girl. I won't give an excuse, that it was necessary for survival.

As I was happy someone praised me and became arrogant."

A blunt sense of unhappiness washed over Shiroe because of the contents of her words.

Is this the truth?

If it was, he was unhappy such things happened near him.

Is this a lie?

If it was so, he was still not happy a woman said such things intentionally to him.

"Shiro-sama?"

When he snapped out of his thoughts, Nureha's eyes were so close it made him jump. Nureha looked into Shiroe's eyes and smiled dimly.

"See, wasn't that boring? In the end, this world is not reality. This body and the skills it possesses are all an illusion. In this world, reality has no value at all. Shiro-sama, I will be your lover if you are willing to come to my side. Don't you want to? I have this body now, the body everyone praised to be warm and pure. Are you unwilling to accept a girl like me?"

Shiroe tasted salt in his mouth before he realized he was biting his lips.

His temperature rose and his cheeks were burning hot.

Her white cleavage showed through her dark dress. Her alluring fingers that were moving gently. Her flighty expression. Her voice that seemed to melt away. The poisonous cake so fragrant you wanted to take a bite anyway.

"My unappealing body won't be able to please men, so I have practiced hard… I am good at lying. If Shiro-sama doesn't mind the lies, I will be able to convince you. That's right, until you are satisfied. Be it sunset or sunrise, I will be by your side till the end of the world."

"Why?"

"… Do I need a reason?"

"You need to convince me that this is the truth, or else there is no point!"

"I already told you to just accept these lies… Everything is made up anyway."

Her peach pink lips injected sweet honeyed words into Shiroe. Shiroe could see the pleading and playful mysterious smile of Nureha and her gently wagging tail.

"… It's all made up?"

"Yup, it's all made up, a work of fiction… It's the experience of my friend's sister… That lady came into contact with Elder Tales one day. This form of entertainment is far off from the world she lives in. But even so, she grew addicted to it. Do you know why?"

Shiroe didn't know.

He was unable to answer.

"Because she could get the ideal body in this game. That way she would be protected, wooed, given gifts, and receive the happiness she could only wish for. She obtained a beautiful face and alluring body in this world but… It is just a game, so isn't it laughable to act this way?"

Shiroe's tongue was stuck in his mouth, as Nureha continued.

"She… doesn't have luck with men. Even with her heavenly looks and figure, she still hasn't got what she wanted. Because this is an MMO, you will be treated kindly and warmly if you are a girl, but she still didn't get what she hoped for. The man she is after, the man she desires ignored her for unknown reasons.

Why? Some girls look plainer than her but are more popular. They are loved by others just because they are cheerful and naive. There are such girls out there."

Nureha's eyes were like dark pits, devouring Shiroe.

"Don't look at the way I am now, I put in a lot of effort okay… I learned a graceful demeanour and words in order to please men, researched which actions will attract guys spending lots of time on my hair and clothes. It might sound ridiculous, but I even doll up for offline meetings. That was so shameful fufufu…

But I failed anyway… No, don't look so sad, my effort wasn't in vain. Thanks to these skills, I can serve Shiro-sama properly… Sounds good right?"

This was a sweet, fragrant, pleasing to the ears and beautiful temptation… But the words were rotten.

Shiroe was confused by these symptoms.

Even though Nureha's invitation was twisted in some ways, it still had a dazzling charm to it, magical enough to captivate Shiroe's soul.

"But she… one day, fell into the abyss of despair, then someone said this to her. 'You are strong'… 'Even though you play solo, you have my respect'… Another Enchanter told her this. How about it Shiro-sama?

Is this work of fiction acceptable to you?"

"Is this…"

Is this true? Shiroe couldn't bring himself to say it. Shiroe didn't remember saying this, and couldn't conclude whether she was lying. Although he only recalled after meeting her again, Shiroe and Nureha partied together several times in the past.

With his fame he built up in the Tea Party, Shiroe fought in many major raids as a reinforcement from outside the guild. It should be the same with Nureha. Enchanters were not necessary in normal adventures, but in the long battles of major raids, their MP recovery abilities were very useful.

Shiroe was unable to say for certain he did not utter these words in the past.

Assuming he did say them, he probably didn't do so out of ill-will. It was not Shiroe's nature to do such things to get on the good side of women, and he was not skilled at this anyway. Because of this, he could have mentioned his true feelings without much thought.

Shiroe was unable to question her about the legitimacy of this.

He thought forgetting was a form of cruel betrayal.

"Shiro-sama, please come to my side. I will prepare a position for Shiro-sama in Plant hwyaden. I have already prepared the title of 'Royal Secretary' in the Itsuki family to be bestowed on Shiro-sama. The

Itsuki clan listens to all my biddings anyway… Shiro-sama already has made some headway already right?

Regarding this drastic change and a way back into our old world."

Her words made Shiroe gasp.

"Ah ah, a reaction… Shiro-sama is a special person indeed. I know too… I know a way back."

There was no way to tell just how much Nureha had seen through Shiroe as she licked her red lips after saying this. Shiroe averted his eyes from her tempting movements, making her laugh cheekily like a teenage girl.

"I discovered a way to return to our old world."

"It's still too early to prove it as a means to return… Since there is no evidence, it is just deleting the body from this world."

"If Shiro-sama is willing to help, we can avoid such uncertain results right."

To be honest, Shiroe almost agreed to join Nureha at this point.

Not because of the temptation from Nureha.

Shiroe was interested in the skills Nureha had gained. Staying in the west dominated by Nureha would open up more information channels than staying in Akiba. Be it gathering data or developing new techniques, it would be much easier to get the things he wanted using the influence of Nureha's colossal guild. Considering the goal of returning to the old world, this was the most efficient path. It could be described as the best path to take for the good of all Adventurers.

No, this theory was just an excuse.

The terms Nureha offered were too good.

This was not referring to Nureha's beauty and body. But the one who called Shiroe special made him awaken the loneliness in his heart that he had forgotten about. Shiroe was weak in declining the requests of others, which caused Shiroe to visit many guilds and get hurt in the process.

It was obvious that Nureha was wild and dangerous. But that was the reason why Shiroe almost gave in to her invitation. No matter how true her words were, could Shiroe be the only mind who could stop her? It was a dangerous sensation, a sweet temptation eating at Shiroe's heart.

Shiroe felt obligated.

Even though he was not the cause of this, the feeling of guilt churned like a torrent in his heart. It was an emotion that stemmed from his sense of responsibility, a feeling of guilt despite not being guilty. The worse thing was Nureha understood this point.

"… In the end, Shiro-sama is not being rational right?"

"Rational?"

Shiroe answered the feverish Nureha who only had Shiroe in her eyes.

"Yes, rational. Shiro-sama… is an irrational person right? You do not have any reason to side with Akiba, and no cause to side with the People of the Land correct? It's just a vague sense of ethics right? No, it doesn't matter, this has nothing to do with my desire to be with get Shiroe-sama, but I think Shiroe-sama will feel bad about this, so…"

Nureha moved her lips so close to Shiroe's ears that it was almost touching, a distance where you could feel each other's body warmth.

"Please Shiro-sama, use me, Nureha, as an excuse. Please use me as your reason… This way, Shiro-sama will be able to release your full potential right? You can get rid of limitations and boundaries, allowing you to use your intellect to the fullest correct? I only wish for Shiro-sama, so Shiro-sama can use Nureha as your reason, as an excuse, and do anything you want with me, okay?"

The decisive words of temptation marked the point they went their separate ways.

Being able to use his intellect to its limit was a very tempting deal for Shiroe. He woke up one day to find himself in an alternate world, caught in the deteriorating security and conflicts, making him go through horrifying and dangerous crises. After going through this, Shiroe's desire to wield his power was as strong as his wish to kiss the beauty in front of him.

It was not Shiroe's fault they fell into this alternate world.

Wanting to blame the world was what all Adventurers invited into this world wanted to scream from their very soul. They wanted to know the reason for this and a purpose for them to fight for. It was the same for all Adventurers, their soul must be burning with anger at this unreasonable reality.

Nureha was correct.

And it was tempting because she was right.

But Shiroe was unable to use reasons as an excuse. This would definitely diminish the fruits of all their actions so far.

The touching fingertips, grateful smile, the banquet that lasted until dawn, the dessert that came from both ends, going on an adventure on the vast plains with everyone… all this would be diminished.

If he liked Nureha even a little bit, or felt an emotion that was close to love, Shiroe would never use her as an excuse.

Because he had Log Horizon now, Shiroe was able to assert this with conviction.

"Ah…"

Nureha looked at Shiroe who pushed her away, her fox ears squirming confusedly on top of her black hair.

"I have decided to treat all of your works of fiction as the truth… but I can't go with you."

Nureha was rooted to the ground, looking at Shiroe unwilling to give him up. She seemed to be pleading even after the rejection and asked with trembling lips: "Why?"

"Instead of being your companion, it is better to stay your enemy, your wish would more likely be fulfilled this way."

Shiroe looked at Nureha with his own will for the first time, speaking each sentence clearly as if to confirm his own conviction. His words stabbed Nureha's heart like a sword. Shiroe could feel her pain as he touched Nureha's cool face.

"I decided to continue being your enemy, so you can find a reason in the future."

Shiroe's words became the invisible chains that connected Nureha and Shiroe together.

This chain would guide Akiba and Minami to the 'Sky Labyrinth of Inburiumu' and onward to the 'Sea of Nectar'.

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