「投擲......確かトビ先輩とハインド先輩が出品していらっしゃいましたよね?」
「そうでござるよ。設計が拙者で、作製はほぼハインド殿でござるが」
サイネリアちゃんの言葉にトビが答える。
数日前、二人で作業中に偶然ヒナ鳥三人が俺達の作業を見学に来たのだ。
その会話を聞いたセレーネさんが、あることに気付いて申し訳なさそうにこちらを見る。
「もしかして、街の鍛冶場で? ごめんね、私がホームの鍛冶場をずっと使っていたから......」
「気にしないで下さい。街の鍛冶場で充分な程度の作業量だったので」
「その分、セレーネ殿の結果には期待しているでござるよぉ。フフフ」
「まぁ、そういうことです。どんな物を出したのかも聞いてないので、楽しみにしていますよ」
冗談めかしつつも、半分以上は紛れもなく俺達の本心である。
セレーネさんもそれが分かっているのか、控えめに微笑み返す。
「うわぁ、プレッシャーだなぁ......でも、任せておいて。自信を持てる位の手応えはあったから」
「おお、セッちゃんいつになく強気だな!」
「順番的にも装備は最後の方でしょうけど......。ただ、どんな結果であれセッちゃんに対する私達の信頼度は変わりませんから安心して――何です? みんなでこっちを見て」
際限なく上がり続けるハードルとセレーネさんの心情を考慮してか、リィズが気遣いの言葉を発した。
こういうところがあるから、普段の言動が皮肉っぽくても付き合いの長い相手にリィズが決定的に嫌われることは少ない。
付き合いの浅いヒナ鳥達三人は、意外そうな顔でそんな我が妹を見ているわけだが。
「ありがとう、リィズちゃん」
「別に、私は何も......」
セレーネさんの率直なお礼の言葉に、リィズははにかんでうつむいた。
談話室がほっこりした空気に包まれた直後、女王の言葉が割り込んでくる。
『もう流れは分かっておろうな? まずは100位までの品物、ドーン! じゃ』
「急に紹介の仕方が適当になったな......」
「型通りにするのが嫌いなのでござろう......」
「我儘な女王だな!」
「その辺りは、最初に会った時の印象から何も変わっていませんけどね......」
隣に立つ、アルボルと呼ばれた魔導士の老人も女王の態度にやれやれと顔を横に振っている。
先程と同じように女王の言葉に呼応して、アイテムの山が登場した。
このカテゴリに出品したのは俺とトビが共作した『特殊苦無』のセットである。
内容は毒苦無・痺れ苦無・睡眠苦無の三種であり、オークションに出す際は各50本ずつのセットで販売される。
このような消費型アイテムは出品時に個数を指定することが可能だ。
本数によって審査の評価には影響しないとのことで、オークションに出す予定が無いプレイヤーは一本ないし一個で登録しているのだそうな。
「お、あったでござるよ! 拙者達の苦無セット!」
「ああ。ケースが特徴的でデカいから見つけやすいわな」
「期待が高まるね。どうなるかな......」
苦無は薬品の付いた刃の部分に触らないように、革のカバーに入れた上で和風の木製ケースに詰め込んだ。
それが三つあるのだから、アイテムの山にあっても非常に見つけやすかった。
これでまずは100位以内は確定。問題は10位以内に入れるかどうかだ。
『10位のアイテムは――』
最初のカテゴリよりもスムーズにアイテムが発表されていき、残りは1位のみとなった。
そして発表された1位のアイテムは、女王が複製品をその場で使用してみせるという演出付きである。
「......画面が真っ白で何も見えないな......」
「でも、闘技大会決勝でハインド殿にシャイニングされた兄貴はこんな感じだったのでは?」
「案外先輩の戦いを見て着想を得たのかもしれませんよ? 結構インパクトありましたし」
「そんなもんかね? シャイニングと違って、モンスター全般にまで効くのなら最高だけどね」
1位は閃光玉という投擲武器で、女王がその場で使ったところ画面内は驚きの白さへと変わった。
残念ながら苦無セットは選外、思ったよりも10位の壁は高いようだ。
『アッハハハハハ! 愉快愉快! 以上で、アイテム・投擲部門の発表は終いじゃ。アルボル・ミレス両名の視力が回復次第、次の発表に移る。来訪者諸君は暫し待つが良いぞ!』
『陛下、さすがにお戯れが過ぎますぞ! む? 気配が......ミレス! ミレス! 追うのじゃ!』
『も、申し訳ございませんアルボル殿! 私めも不覚を――陛下! 女王陛下ーっ! どちらへおいでですかぁ! くそっ、何も見えんぞ!』
まともに光を見たらしい腹心二人が右往左往しているのを残し、一度映像が途切れた。
図らずも、対人兵器として素晴らしい性能であることを実証した形だ。
ただ、これが1位になった理由は恐らく女王が発した「派手だから」という一言に尽きると思う。
そしてメニュー画面に100位までの結果が載った通知が送られてきた。
「苦無......苦無......あった。52位だな、残念。我が国には無い美しき形状の武器なれど、些か地味ぞ――だってよ。褒められてはいるけど、女王の趣味に合わないって感じか」
「焙烙玉ならもっと上を狙えたでござろうか?」
「1位の結果を見る限り、苦無よりは可能性あったかな。まあ、後はオークションで高く売れるのを期待しようぜ」
「むー、残念ですねぇ......ハインド先輩とトビ先輩の作った苦無、格好いいのに」
トビと結果についてそんな話をし、みんなからも「惜しかったね」などという慰めの言葉をもらう。
リコリスちゃんなどは一緒になって本気で悔しがってくれており、おかげで俺達はそれほど落ち込まなくて済んでいる。素直で良い子だ、本当に。
そしてシエスタちゃんも珍しく、俺達に対する慰めの言葉を口にする。
「100位以内に連続でねじ込んでいるだけでも、充分立派だと思うんですけどねー」
「一応俺とユーミル、トビ、セレーネさんは初日組だしね。リィズだって三日目からだし、他のプレイヤーより有利な面もあるさ」
「でも渡り鳥さんって、ハインド先輩が居なかった場合――」
「サイネリア殿、それ以上いけない」
「あ、はい。そうですよね......」
サイネリアちゃんはトビに言い掛けた言葉を飲み込むと、椅子を立って俺の傍に来て背中をポンポンと叩いた。
あ、うん、ありがとう......確かに今回はちょっとハードだった。
でも、君も二人のフォローに奔走しているから似たようなものだよね?
そんな俺の視線に、サイネリアちゃんは一つ頷くとリコリスちゃんとシエスタちゃんを順番に見た。
――そうですけど、苦労よりも二人と一緒に居る楽しさが勝っているので平気です。
それは俺も同じだよ――と、そんなやり取りを口に出さずに行った俺達は......。
がっしりと握手を交わすと、互いの肩を叩き合った。
魔王ちゃんの側近、サマエルに抱いたものに近い共感の念が湧いてくる。
「さ、サイちゃん何? 今の」
「リコがユーミル先輩に向けている感情と似たようなものだよ」
「......なるほど!」
リコリスちゃんは手を叩いて納得したようだったが、それで通じるのも凄いと思う。
[Throwable...if I remember correctly, there was an article made by Tobi-senpai and Hind-senpai here right?] (Cineraria)
[That's right. Though I only made the design for it, it was mostly made by Hind-dono.] (Tobi)
Tobi was the one that replied to Cineraria-chan's question.
A few days ago, the members of Baby Bird came to watch our work while we were working together on it.
Selene-san, who noticed our conversation, looked at us apologetically.
[Could it be that you used the town's blacksmith workshop? Sorry, it must have been because I was using the home one all the time...] (Selene)
[Don't worry about it. The one in town was more than good enough for the work.] (Hind)
[In return, I'm expecting great results from you, Selene-dono. Fufufu.] (Tobi)
[Well, that's how it is. I haven't heard what it was, so I'm looking forward to it.] (Hind)
While I did mix some jokes in there, most of it were my honest thoughts.
Selene-san probably understood it so she returned a smile.
[Uwah, you sure are putting some pressure on me...but well, leave it to me. I'm quite confident in what I submitted after all.] (Selene)
[Oohh, Secchan sure is confident right now!] (Yumir)
[Though given the order, equipment should be last...that being said, regardless of the result, our opinion of Secchan's skills won't change so be reassured...what is it? Why is everyone looking at me.] (Riizu)
Since the hurdle kept being raised, taking into consideration Selene-san's feelings, Riizu said some considerate words to her.
It's because of things like this, that few people that have known Riizu for long come to hate her despite her usual remarks being filled with sarcasm.
Though, the members of Baby Bird were looking at my sister as if they were watching something unusual since they haven't known her for long.
[Thank you, Riizu-chan.] (Selene)
[I didn't do anything...] (Riizu)
Riizu looked down bashfully because of Selene-san's honest words of gratitude.
Immediately after the atmosphere in the lounge turned warm, the Queen's words cut in.
{I take you already know how this is going to go? First off, the items that have made it into the top 100. Bang!} (Queen)
[She's suddenly introducing as she pleases...] (Hind)
[She probably hates being all formal...] (Tobi)
[Quite the selfish Queen!] (Yumir)
[That part, hasn't changed at all from the first time we've seen her...] (Riizu)
Next to her, the old mage called Arbol was also shaking his head because of the Queen's attitude.
The same way as last time, as if being called by the Queen's words, a mountain of items appeared.
Exhibited in this category, was a set of {Special Kunais}  made by Tobi and me.
Within the set there were: Poison Kunai, Paralysis Kunai and Sleep Kunai. For the auction, we plan to sell fifty sets.
When it comes down to consumable items like this one, you are able to designate the quantity.
Since the number of items doesn't really influence the review, if a player doesn't have any interest in having the item in the auction, they would probably only submit a single one.
[I-I found it! It's our Kunai Set!] (Tobi)
[Yeah. Since the case for it is huge, it was pretty easy to find.] (Hind)
[That sure raises our expectations. I wonder how it'll go...] (Selene)
In order to protect people from the chemical laced blade, we used leather covers for the kunais and on top of that, we put them inside a wooden japanese style box.
Since there were three of them, it was quite easy to find them within the mountain of items.
With this, top 100 is a given. The problem is if they had gotten into the top 10 or not.
{In 10th place...} (Queen)
The announcement of the items went by more smoothly than the first category, the only one left was 1st place.
As for the item in 1st place, the Queen said that she would use a copy of the item right there.
[...The screen is completely white and you can't see anything...] (Hind)
[However, wouldn't this be how it Aniki would have felt when he was hit by Hind-dono's Shining during the tournament?] (Tobi)
[Surprisingly, the person might have gotten the idea from watching senpai fight? It had quite the impact after all.] (Siesta)
[Is that so? Though unlike Shining, it would be great if it affected all the monsters.] (Hind)
1st place was a throwable weapon called Flash Sphere, since the Queen had used it there, the screen had turned completely white.
Unfortunately, the Kunai Set wasn't mentioned, it seems like it's harder to get into the top 10 than I thought.
{Ahahahaha! Amusing, so amusing! With this, the announcement for the item*throwable category is now over. We'll proceed to the next one once Arbol and Miles' eyesight recovers. It's fine for you, the visitors to go and wait for a little while!} (Queen)
{Your majesty, you are going too far with your games! Muh? Her presence...Miles! Miles! After her!} (Arbol)
{I-I'm very sorry, Arbol-dono! Such negligence from my part...your majesty! Your Majesty! Where are you!? Damn it, I can't see anything!} (Miles)
Both retainers seem to have taken a direct hit from the light so they were left confused and the image from the screen was interrupted.
By chance, it has been proved that this item can be useful as an anti personnel weapon.
It's just that, I believe the reason this item got 1st place is most likely because of the comment the Queen left [Because it was flashy] .
Then the results up to the 100th place appeared on the screen.
[Kunai...Kunai...there they are. They are in 52nd place, such a shame. Though they are weapons with a beautiful shape that can't be found in our country, they are quite plain...or so she says. She is complimenting them, but it seems like they didn't match her tastes.] (Hind)
[Could we had aimed higher if we had gone with the bo-hiya?] (Tobi)
[Looking at the results, it might have been better than the kunais. Well, let's just hope they sell for a high price later in the auction.] (Hind)
[Muh, such a shame...even though the kunais that Hind-senpai and Tobi-senpai made are so cool.] (Lycoris)
Due to the conversation I was having with Tobi, everyone tried to comfort us by saying things like [It was unfortunate] .
Since Lycoris-chan was feeling genuinely frustrated as if she had made them with us, we didn't feel that down about it. She's really such a nice girl.
Unexpectedly, Siesta-chan also tried to comfort us.
[I believe that even just placing within the top 100 twice in a row is more than impressive enough.] (Siesta)
[Well, I did team up with Yumir, Tobi and Selene-san from the first day. I was with Riizu from the third day onwards, so I guess we were in a more advantageous position that other players.] (Hind)
[But even us, if we Hind-senpai wasn't there-] (Cineraria)
[Cineraria-dono, you shouldn't say more.] (Tobi)
[Ah, yes. You are right...] (Cineraria)
Cineraria-chan abstained herself from saying more, she then stood up from her seat, came next to me and started caressing my back.
Ah, yes, thank you...it's true that it might have been a bit too hard on me this time.
However, this should be something like what you do when you go around following up after those two right?
Seeing my gaze, Cineraria-chan gave me a nod and then looked at Lycoris-chan and Siesta-chan.
...That might be true, but I think the fun I have with those two beats the hardships I have to go through.
That goes for me too...there, we were having such a back and forth without muttering a single word...
We exchanged handshakes and patted each other's backs.
I had this feeling of sympathy that was pretty close to what I felt towards Samael, a close aide of Maou=chan.
[S-Sai-chan, what happened just now?] (Lycoris)
[It's something like the sort of feelings you have towards Yumir-senpai.] (Cineraria)
[...I see!] (Lycoris)
Lycoris-chan hit her hand in understanding, I think it's impressive how she understood that.
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