大剣、鎧、巨躯、そして凄みを湛えた迫力のある双眸。
傭兵アルベルトが小さな少女を引き連れ、大歓声の中で俺達の前に立つ。
こうして相対すると威圧感が半端じゃない。
意外なことに、先にあちらの方から俺達に声を掛けてきた。
「久しぶりだな、ハインド」
「あ、憶えていてくれたんですか」
「忘れはしない。俺が今も使っているこの剣は、お前達に譲ってもらったものだ」
彼はそう言うと、鞘の無い大剣の腹を前にして突き出して見せた。
譲ったというか、売ったんだけどね。
どうせ通常戦闘では誰にも扱えないから、無用の長物だったし。
「お前達から譲り受けたこの剣で、お前達を倒す......悪く思うな。俺は二度も負ける気はないぞ」
演技なのか素なのかは分からないが、獰猛な笑みを浮かべて笑う。
おお、こわいこわい。
「戦う前に一つ訊いてもいいか? アルベルト」
「なんだ? ユーミル」
「その、さっきから一言も喋らない......フィリア、だったか? アルベルトとは、どういう関係なのだ? 失礼だとは思うのだが、気になって気になって」
そういや掲示板では身内説を唱えている人が居たな。
否定的な意見も多く、正直その人が言っていた目元以外は余り......。
そんなユーミルの質問に対して、アルベルトはあっさりとこう答えた。
「娘だ」
うわぁ、似てねぇぇぇ......と思ったのは、きっと俺もユーミルも同じで。
どうやったらこのゴツイ男からこれだけ可憐なお嬢さんが生まれてくるのか、ついつい二人の顔を見比べてしまう。
これを親子だと見事に看破した人には、拍手を送りたい気分だ。
「お前達の言いたいことは分かる」
「え、あの......は、はは......」
笑って誤魔化すことしか出来ねえ。
アルベルトは俺達のようなリアクションは慣れているらしかった。
しかし子連れ傭兵か。新しい――のか?
「容姿が嫁に似たのは良いんだが、幼い頃の俺に似て無口でな。フィリア、ご挨拶しなさい」
「......よろしく」
その子の一切媚びを売る気の無い愛想0の表情は、見ていて却って清々しくすらある。
が、その少女を見て俺も気になったことが一つ。
――現在の時刻は午後十時前。
子供が起きているには、少々遅い時間だと思うのだが。
「こんなに遅い時間までゲームをさせていて構わないんですか? 娘さん、小学生なんじゃ......」
「私......中学生。小学生じゃない」
「え? あ、ゴメンゴメン! 悪かった!」
「別に怒ってない。背が低いのは事実」
そうなのか?
むっつりしたまま表情が変わらないから、てっきり怒らせてしまったのかと思った。
このくらいの年の子って、子供扱いされるのを嫌がる場合もあるだろうから。
俺の話を受けて、アルベルトがフィリアの頭に手を置きつつフォローする様にこう言った。
「俺は高校時代に急激に背が伸びた。この子もきっと同じ――晩熟タイプということなのだろう。だから、それほど心配していない」
「なるほど。俺の知り合いにも一人居ますよ。バスケ部員なんですけど、高校に上がって少ししたらポジションがガードからセンターになってました。嬉しいけど、成長痛が酷いとか何とかって」
『あー、そろそろよいか? その“ばすけ”とやらの話はそんなに大事であるか? 余は早く、お前達の試合が見たいのであるが。観客も同じ気持ちであろう?』
観客達からは、今か今かという微妙な空気が漂っていた。
ちょっと話し込み過ぎてしまったか。
「おっと、失礼しました。始めて下さい」
これじゃリヒト達と同じになってしまう。
話なら戦いが終わった後にいくらでも可能だ。
皇帝陛下が寛大なものだから、ついつい試合前に相手と話をしてしまう。
「うむ。始めてくれ!」
「こちらも問題ない」
「......」
全員が準備完了の意を告げ、皇帝陛下が大きく頷く。
幸いにも、話している内に緊張は解れた。
泣いても笑ってもこれで最後、ここまで来たら俺達の全力をぶつけるのみ。
『――では、帝国主催・武闘大会決勝! ベリ連邦所属、傭兵アルベルト・フィリア対サーラ王国所属、ユーミル・ハインド......始めぃっ!』
各員、開始の合図と共に一斉に武器を構えて動き出した。
それから数十秒後、やはりというか一対一を作ってこようとする相手に俺達は密集隊形で対抗。
しかしそれほど戦況は芳しいわけもなく......。
目の前で重たい金属音がし、ユーミルが苦悶の表情を浮かべる。
「ぬうあああっ! これはキツイ!」
「無理に打ち合うな! 回避優先、丁寧にカウンターを狙っていけ!」
どちらの武器も重量級だ。力比べではこちらの分が悪い。
まともに受けると、防ぎきれずにダメージをもらうことになる。
連携もへったくれもない力任せの二人の攻撃を、回避しながらチマチマとMPをチャージしていく。
一瞬でも気を抜くと持っていかれる。
俺の方はフィリアちゃんが、アルベルトはユーミルを主に狙ってくる。
互いにフォローすることで瞬殺こそ免れているが、そろそろユーミルの限界が近い。
動くのに必要な最低限のMP......よし、ギリギリ足りる! 詠唱開始、仕掛ける!
「ユーミル、スイッチ!」
「――! 応、任せる!」
位置を入れ替えて俺がアルベルトの前に躍り出る。
それを見た彼は一瞬だけ訝しむような顔になったものの――
「死にに来たか! ハインドッ!」
そのまま俺への攻撃を選択。
落ち着け......いくら攻撃が苦手とはいえ、これを外すわけにはいかない。
胸と腕の筋肉が力強く盛り上がり、あの大重量の剣が身の毛もよだつ速度で横薙ぎに迫ってくる。
大丈夫、良く見えている......狙いはそこだっ! 『シャイニング』発動!
「!!?!??」
魔法の発動直後、軌道が下に大きく逸れた大剣をバックステップで躱して距離を取る。
どうだ......?
「ぐああああっ!!」
アルベルトが目を抑えて苦しそうに呻いている。
成功に喜ぶ間も無く、それを見た瞬間に俺は叫んだ。
ユーミルが『捨て身』を発動してフィリアちゃんに襲い掛かる。
猛然とラッシュをかけ、瞬く間にHPを奪い取っていく。
前に目に砂が入った時に色々と検証したのだが、プレイヤーの目へのダメージはかなり回復に時間が掛かることが判明。
自然回復は一応するのだが、特にこの『シャイニング』......自分に撃ってみたところ、軽く十秒強は視界が白く染まったまま周囲を見ることが不可能になる。
これを見越した低威力だったのかは分からないが、ともかくこのスキルは対人戦限定でデバフの一種として使えることを事前に発見済みだった。
掲示板や攻略サイトを見ても一切記述がなかったことから、誰にも話さずに今日まで温存しておいたとっておきの手だ。
「! ユーミル、急げ!」
「フィリア、無事か!? フィリア!」
よろよろと、恐らくだが音を頼りにアルベルトがユーミルの方へ向かって剣を振り回しながら近付いてくる。
俺は今の内に距離を離してMPチャージ、そしてユーミルに『アタックアップ』を発動。
斧で必死に防御するフィリアちゃんだったが体格差・動きのキレ・そして集中力と、全て今のユーミルが上回っている。
そして遂に――
「終わりだっ!」
ユーミルの『ヘビースラッシュ』が小さな体を捉え、地面へと叩きつけられた。
HPバーが点滅、一気に減ってそのまま動かなくなる。
真っ赤に血走った目で、闘技場中に響く大声でアルベルトが叫んだ。
上手く行った......が、ここからが本番だ。
A giant sword, armour, huge body and a pair of eyes filled with an intimidating aura.
Mercenary Albert stood up in front of us amidst the immense amount of cheers accompanied by a small girl.
When standing facing him like this, the intimidating aura is nothing to scoff at.
Surprisingly, the first ones to address the other party were them.
[It's been a while, Hind.]  (Albert)
[Yeah, you still remember me?]  (Hind)
[I wouldn't forget. The sword I'm currently wielding was handed over to me by both of you after all.]  (Albert)
As he said that, he wielded the greatsword without a scabbard at the height of his abdomen to let me see.
Rather than handing it over, we did sell it to him though.
I mean, none of us would be able to wield it normally in a fight and it's stupidly long after all.
[With this sword that you handed to me, I'll defeat you...please don't think badly of me. I don't feel like losing for a second time.]  (Albert)
I wonder if it was just him acting or his real nature, but he gave off a menacing smile while saying that.
Ooh, scary scary.
[Can I ask you something first before we get into the fight? Albert]  (Yumir)
[What is it? Yumir]  (Albert)
[Well, the one that hasn't been talking at all...was she called Philia? What's your relationship with her? I'm aware that it might be impolite of me to ask this but...I've been really curious about it.]  (Yumir)
Now that she mentions it, there was someone in the BBS saying that they were relatives.
The people that disagreed with him were many, honestly, other than him there were not that many that...
Towards that question asked by Yumir, Albert readily replied.
[She's my daughter.]  (Albert)
Whoa, they don't look alike at all...that kind of reaction was probably what Yumir and I had at the same time.
How do you even manage to give birth to such a lovable girl with such a big and rough looking man? I couldn't help but start comparing their faces.
If there's someone that is able to make out that they are parent and child out there, I feel like he would deserve some praise.
[I know what you want to say.]  (Albert)
[Eh, well...ha-hahaha....]  (Hind)
I could do nothing but try to dodge the topic by laughing.
It seems like Albert was used to people having that reaction.
But...a mercenary that brings his child along, huh? Is that...something new?
[The fact that she looks more like my wife is nice and all, but has never been that talkative just like me. Philia, go greet them.]  (Albert)
[...Nice to meet you.]  (Philia)
You could say that this girl's lack of pleasantries and 0 friendliness was something refreshing.
However, there was something that bothered me when looking at this girl.
...Right now it was close to 10pm.
I believe it's a bit late for such a child to still be up.
[You don't mind letting her play a game at such a late time? Isn't your daughter an elementary schooler...]  (Hind)
[I...I'm a middle schooler, not an elementary schooler.]  (Philia)
[Eh? Ah, I'm so sorry! My bad!]  (Hind)
[I'm not mad. The fact that I'm short is the truth.]  (Philia)
Is that so?
Since she was silent and her expression didn't change at all, I thought that she got mad.
For kids her age, they usually tend to get mad when you treat them as a child after all.
Having heard my words, Albert said this as a follow up while placing his hand on top of Philia's head.
[I had a growth spurt suddenly during high school. I'm pretty sure this child...will also be one of the late bloomer types. That's why, you shouldn't mind it that much.]  (Albert)
[I see. There's someone like that among the people I know. Though that person is in the basketball club, once that person grew up in high school their position switched from guard to center.]  (Hind)
{Hey, can we start already? Is that "basketball" thing you are talking about that important? I'd like to watch the match between you as soon as possible. I believe the audience would want that too?}  (Emperor)
There was this feeling of impatience coming from the audience.
Guess we got too absorbed into our talk.
[Whoops. I apologize. Please start the match.]  (Hind)
At this rate it'll be a repeat of the Licht fight.
If it's just talking, we can do it as much as we want after the fight.
Since the Emperor is quite lenient, we couldn't help but start talking to our opponents before the match.
[Umu. Make it start!]  (Yumir)
[We are ready over here too.]  (Albert)
[...]  (Philia)
Once everyone had reported that they were ready, the Emperor gave a big nod.
Luckily, all my nervousness went away while we were talking.
No matter what happens now, this is the last one, we can only give it our best having gotten this far.
{...In that case, last match of the martial arts tournament sponsored by the Empire! Beli Confederation's Mercenary Albert and Philia vs Sala Kingdom's Yumir and Hind...start!!}  (Emperor)
At the same time the signal was given, all of us started moving while wielding our weapons.
A few seconds after the match started, we decided to stick close together because our opponents would want to try to take us one on one.
However, the fight wasn't really going in our favor...
Heavy sounds of metal clashing came from in front of me and Yumir's face was filled with anguish.
[Nuaaaah!! This is tough!]  (Yumir)
[Don't exchange blows forcefully! Dodging takes priority, try to aim for some counters!]  (Hind)
Both of them have heavy class weapons. We are at a disadvantage in a contest of strength.
If we were to take a hit directly, we wouldn't be able to endure the damage they would deal.
Their attacks were filled with strength and devoid of any strategy, I charged up my MP slowly while evading them.
I won't be able to survive if I get distracted for even a split second.
The one aiming for me was Philia-chan, Albert was mainly aiming for Yumir.
We've been able to avoid an instant defeat by supporting each other until now, however, Yumir should be close to her limit.
Just have to get the minimum amount of MP to get it work...alright, it should be barely enough for it! Time to start casting!
[Yumir, switch with me!]  (Hind)
[...!! OK, I'll leave it to you!]  (Yumir)
Having switched places with her, I leaped in front of Albert.
Seeing this situation, Albert was filled with doubt for a moment, however...
[Have you come to die? Hindo!]  (Albert)
He decided to attack me right away.
Calm down...no matter how bad I'm at attacking, this is something I can't afford to miss.
His chest and arms bulging with strength, he mowed down with the heavy sword at a speed that would make your hair stand on end.
It's alright, I'm seeing it clearly...that's the spot! Time to activate {Shining} !
[!!??]  (Albert)
Right after finishing casting, I backstepped to take some distance from the greatsword that missed its mark.
How did it go?
[Gaaaaaaaaah!!]  (Albert)
Albert groaned in anguish as he covered his eyes.
Without having any time to celebrate, I shouted at the same time as I saw that happening.
Yumir activated {Act of Desperation}  and rushed towards Philia-chan.
With a ferocious rush of attacks, her HP was being shaved off in an instant.
Since that previous event with the sand, I was able to ascertain certain things, it seems like if a player's eyes are damaged, it'll take quite a while for them to recover.
They'll eventually heal naturally given some time, but this {Shining}  in particular...when I tested it out on myself, my field of view turned pure white and I was unable to look at my surroundings for about 10 seconds easily.
I have no way if it'll have less effect than anticipated, but I found out that this skill can be used as a sort of debuff that's limited to PvP.
Since I saw no mention of it in the BBS and walkthrough sites, this is something I haven't told anyone yet and saved up as a trump card.
[!! Yumir, hurry up!!]  (Hind)
[Philia, are you alright!? Philia!!]  (Albert)
While staggering, probably relying on sound, Albert headed towards Yumir while brandishing his sword.
I had taken the chance to take some distance and charge my MP and I cast {Attack Up}  on Yumir.
Philia-chan was giving it her all by defending herself with her Axe, however, Yumir was currently overwhelming her with her physical build, the way she moved and her concentration.
And finally...
[This is the end!!]  (Yumir)
Yumir's {Heavy Slash}  landed on her petite body and she slammed violently against the floor.
Her HP flickered and disappeared, then she stopped moving.
With bloodshot eyes, Albert gave a shout that resounded throughout the entire arena.
It went well...however, this is where things get real.
VRMMO no Shien Shokunin ～Top Player no Shikakenin～
ＶＲＭＭＯの支援職人　～トッププレイヤーの仕掛人～
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/vrmmo-no-shien-shokunin-%ef%bd%9etop-player-no-shikakenin%ef%bd%9e/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Slice of Life
Adventurers Beautiful Female Lead Blacksmith Brother Complex Calm Protagonist Childhood Friends Clan Building Cooking Crafting Curious Protagonist Dense Protagonist Elemental Magic Fantasy Creatures Game Ranking System Gamers Hard-Working Protagonist Healers Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Love Rivals Male Protagonist Misunderstandings MMORPG Ninjas Possessive Characters Priests Siblings Siblings Not Related by Blood Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Younger Love Interests Younger Sisters
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4014ds/
二階堂風都