二戦目、ヒポポタマス(グラド帝国)・ファルケ(グラド帝国)対出涸らし緑茶(マール共和国)・乾燥しいたけ(マール共和国)の試合は、ヒポポタマスコンビが勝利。
続く三戦目、リヒト(ルスト王国)・ローゼ(ルスト王国)対ずっと蛹(グラド帝国)・未完の大器(グラド帝国)の試合は、現在リヒト・ローゼコンビが優勢。
俺達はの試合はと言うと、またも最終戦になってしまった。
組み合わせはランダムのはずなんだが、結局両トーナメント共に端っこに名前がある形に収まっている。
「白熱してるな......さすが決勝ブロック。実力伯仲」
「おかしいのは初戦だけだったでござるな」
「もっと言うと、おかしいのはアルベルト一人だけなんだがね」
ミツヨシさんの言う通り、コンビの片割れであるフィリアちゃんは重戦士として充分に優秀な動きではあったものの、常識の範囲内。
アルベルトの兄貴だけはグループ戦当初からずっと異次元で、彼だけ一対二で戦うくらいで丁度いいのでは? という声すら上がる始末である。
「しかし、この黄色い声援......誠に以って耳障りでござるなぁ! かぁーっ!」
トビが嫌そうな顔をする原因となっている女性プレイヤー達の歓声は、全てあのリヒトという騎士に向けられたものだ。
動画で見た感じ、確かにモテそうな端正な顔立ちをしていた。
良く見ると、トビ以外にも同じように「けっ」という声が聞こえてきそうな顔をした男性陣が割と多く見受けられる。
女性人気に反し、どうやら男からは随分と嫌われているらしい。
「羨ましいなら羨ましいって素直に言えばいいのに」
「そそそそ、そんなことはござらん!」
「分かり易い反応どうも」
「トビ君も、脇が甘いところさえ直せばモテるだろうに。もったいねえな」
「ちくしょおおおおおお!」
トビが悔し気に椅子から降りてうずくまった。
ちょっと弄り過ぎたかな......俺はミツヨシさんと顔を見合わせて苦笑した。
二人でトビを両側から抱え起こし、椅子に座り直させる。
トビは暫く顔を覆って呻いていたが、ややあって一つ深呼吸。
「ふぅ、落ち着いた。けれどああも男女で剣技の連続攻撃をバシバシ決められると、嫉妬心が湧いてくるのを抑えきれぬのでござるが」
「アルベルトコンビの両前衛と違って、あの二人は連携してるもんな」
「言われてみればあれはタイマンを二つ作っているだけ、という感じか。それでどうだい、ハインド君。君の目から見て、あの二人の連携の練度は?」
ミツヨシさんの言葉の直後、相手の前衛である軽戦士が二人の挟撃を受けて戦闘不能になった。
この試合も、これで趨勢が決したということになるだろうな。
うーん、ここまで見たあの騎士コンビの連携か......。
「おほっ、さすが。連携の鬼は言うことが違うね」
「拙者達は身を以て体験済みでござるからな。期待しているでござるよぉ」
「......そんな露骨にヨイショしなくても。それ以前に、まずは目の前の試合に勝たないと次なんて無いんだからさ。気が早いと思うよ、そんな話をするのは」
そう言って俺は席から立ち上がった。
勝ち上がれば次は彼等と戦うことになるが、ひとまずは意識の外へ。
それよりも、もう次戦に向けて移動を開始しておかないと直前になって慌てることになってしまう。
「ユーミル、そろそろ行こうぜ」
「モゴ?」
モグモグとマフィンを頬張ったユーミルに呼び掛け、準備するように促す。
女性陣が先程からやけに静かだったのはこのせいだ。
男性陣は早々に食べ終わったのだが、彼女達は試合そっちのけで時間を掛けてゆっくりとお菓子を味わっている。
たまに聞こえてくる会話も、試合に関してではなくお菓子談義ばかりだったり。
『......そこまでっ! ルストの二騎士よ、見事! 敵の勝機を悉く摘み取りし戦いぶり、誠に天晴れである! 勝者、リヒト・ローゼコンビ!』
そうこうしている内に、眼下の舞台では決着がついたようである。
準々決勝第三試合もこれで終了、結局敗者側のアローレインは不発に終わった。
これでいよいよ、次は俺達の出番だな。
「では、行ってくる!」
「行ってきます」
口々に声援を送ってくれる皆に見送られ、俺とユーミルは舞台へと足を運んだ。
皇帝陛下が見守る中、ヘルシャ・ワルターの二人と向かい合う。
ワルターは以前と変わらない執事服。
しかし、恐らく素材は防御力の高い物に一新されているのだろう。
ヘルシャに関しては前より更に豪華なドレスへと変わっていた。
どちらも普通のプレイヤーではまず見かけない服装なので、二人ともかなりの目立ちっぷりである。
ヘルシャに掲示板で「お嬢様」という呼び名が定着していたのもこのためであろう。
「ハインド......貴方とは、決勝でお会いしたかったものですわ」
「掲示板で魔法職両方を応援してくれていた人達はがっかりだろうな......まさかのっけから潰し合いになるとは」
「で、でも、どちらかは準決勝に残るってことですから! ボク、負けたら師匠のことを応援しますっ!」
「負ける前提で話すんじゃありませんわよワルター! ――ハインド! 私達が勝ったら、貴方も必ずこちらを応援するのですわよ!」
「はっ、私達がそう簡単に負ける筈がなかろう!」
そんなユーミルの言葉に対し、ヘルシャが鋭い目で睨み返す。
ワルターがはらはらした様子で、皇帝陛下は戦前から火花を散らす二人を楽しそうに見守っている。
どうやら会話が一段落するまで、開始の合図を待ってくれているようだ。
「......貴方のパートナー、随分と生意気な口を利きますわね? しっかり躾けておかないと駄目じゃありませんの」
「貴様こそ、一々ハインドを挟まないと会話できんのか? あ? 言いたいことがあるなら私に直接言ったらどうだ? この腑抜けが!」
売り言葉に買い言葉。
「無礼な! 貴女の不遜な態度、許し難いですわ!」
「上等だ! さっさと掛かってくるがいい!」
いやー、前から思っていたんだけど......この二人、気質がそっくり。
ワルターはどう思う? とのんびり訊くと、困った顔で俺を見返してくる。
「大丈夫大丈夫。戦闘後の二人の態度をお楽しみに、ってとこだな」
「師匠がそう言うなら......えと、あの......む、胸をお借りします! 宜しくお願いします!」
「おう。俺も全力を尽くすよ」
俺はユーミルのやや後方に、ワルターがヘルシャを守るように立つと皇帝陛下が一歩前に出る。
こうして話が終わるまで待っていてくれた、粋な陛下に感謝だ。
2nd battle, Hippopotamus (Grado Empire)*Falke (Grado Empire) vs Insipid Green Tea (Mahl Republic)*Dry Shiitake Mushroom (Mahl Republic), it ended with the Hippopotamus duo winning.
Followed by the 3rd match, Richt (Rust Kingdom)*Rose (Rust Kingdom) vs Forever a Chrysalis (Grado Empire)*Incomplete Container (Grado Empire), the Richt*Rose duo was currently at an advantage.
Speaking of our match, it seems like it ended up being the last one.
It seems like the pairings were supposed to be random, but in the end, we both ended up being at the end of the tournament bracket.
[It's reaching the climax...as expected of the finals block. They are evenly matched.] (Hind)
[The only weird match was that first one.]  (Tobi)
[In other words, you could say that the only weird one is that Albert.]  (Mitsuyoshi)
Like Mitsuyoshi-san said, Philia-chan's movements were really good as a Heavy Warrior, but those were still within the realm of common sense.
Only Albert aniki was in another completely different dimension since the group battles, wouldn't he be fine going 1 vs 2? There were people that voiced that opinion.
[However, these high pitched cheers...sure are hard on the ears!! Kah!]  (Tobi)
The source of Tobi's unpleasant face were the cheers of the female players, they were all directed towards the Knight Richt.
From what I saw from the videos, he did seem like a handsome guy that would be popular.
If I looked more closely, aside from Tobi, I could see a lot of male players looking rather displeased.
In contrast to being loved by females, he seems to be quite hated by the male player base.
[If you are jealous, you could just be honest and say so.]  (Hind)
[I-I-It's not like that!!]  (Tobi)
[Thanks for the easy to understand reaction.]  (Hind)
[If Tobi-kun fixed the parts where he's lacking, he would be popular too. Such a waste.]  (Mitsuyoshi)
[God damn iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!]  (Tobi)
In an act of frustration, Tobi got off his seat and crouched down.
Maybe we went a bit too far with the jokes...I locked eyes with Mitsuyoshi-san and we both smiled wryly.
We picked Tobi up from both sides and got him back onto his seat.
For a while, Tobi covered his face while groaning and he finally took a deep breath after a while.
[Fuh, I calmed down. But I can't stop this feeling of envy when I see a pair of man and woman finishing someone off smoothly with continuous sword skills.]  (Tobi)
[Unlike the pair of Albert, these two are quite coordinated after all.]  (Hind)
[What do you think, Hind-kun? From your point of view, what do you think about their coordination?]  (Mitsuyoshi)
Right after those words from Mitsuyoshi-san, their opponent's Light Warrior, who acted as the vanguard, was finished off by their pincer attack.
With the way it's going, this match should have been decided.
Well, from what I've seen so far, the coordination between those Knights...
[If the demon of coordination says so, it must be true.]  (Mitsuyoshi)
[We experience that first hand with our bodies after all. I have high expectations of you!]  (Tobi)
[Before that, we first have to pass through the fight in front of us or there will be nothing after. I believe you guys are getting ahead of yourselves here.]  (Hind)
After saying that, I stood up from my seat.
If we win, we'll face them in the next round, but for the time being let's put that away from our minds.
More importantly, if we don't start moving before the next match, we'll end up having to go there in a hurry.
[Yumir, we should get going.]  (Hind)
[Mogo?]  (Yumir)
I called Yumir, who was stuffing her mouth with muffins and urged her to start preparing.
The reason why the female seats were really quiet was because of this.
Though the guys did eat them really fast, the girls ignored the match and took their time to enjoy the sweets.
The conversations I heard from time to time had nothing to do with the match and were all related to discussing the sweets.
{...That's enough! Well done, Knights of Rust! The way you completely plucked your opponent's chances of winning was splendid! The winners are the Richt*Rose duo!}  (Emperor)
Meanwhile, it seems like the match was decided.
With this, the 3rd match of the quarter finals is over too, in the end it ended because of a misfire of Arrow Rain.
With this it's finally our turn next.
[Well then, we are going!]  (Yumir)
[We'll be on our way.]  (Hind)
After receiving words of encouragement and being sent off by everyone, Yumir and I moved to the stage.
While being watched by the Emperor, we faced Hersschaft and Walter.
Walter was wearing the same butler outfit as before.
However, it was probably a new one made with materials with high defense.
In Herrschaft's case, she was wearing a far more gorgeous dress than before.
Since they were both wearing outfits that you didn't usually see players wearing, they were standing out quite a bit.
The reason Herrscha has the nickname of [Ojou-sama]  in the BBS is probably also because of this fact.
[Hind...I wanted to face you in the finals.]  (Herrscha)
[The people in the BBS supporting the two duos with a magic class job in them are probably quite disappointed...to think that we would have to beat each other right from the bat.]  (Hind)
[B-But, one of us will go to the semifinals! I, if we lose, I'll cheer for master!]  (Walter)
[Don't talk as if it's decided that we are going to lose, Walter!...Hind! If we win, you will have to cheer for us!]  (Herrscha)
[Hah, there's no way we would lose that easily!]  (Yumir)
Towards those words coming from Yumir, Herrscha glared at her sharply.
Walter looked quite nervous and the Emperor looked like he was having fun watching sparks fly off before the match.
It seems like until they are done talking, he will wait to give the signal for the battle to start.
[...Your partner sure has quite the impertinent mouth. Shouldn't you teach her some manners?]  (Herrscha)
[Look who's talking. Can't you hold a conversation without adding Hind into it? Ah? If you have something to say, how about you say it straight to me? You coward!]  (Yumir)
They countered sharp words with sharp words.
[So rude! I can't forgive your insolent attitude!]  (Herrscha)
[Just what I was asking for! Come at me already!]  (Yumir)
Well, I already thought this before but...these two, their natures are identical.
[What do you think, Walter?]  When I asked him that carefreely, he replied with a troubled expression.
[Don't worry. You should look forward to their attitude after the battle.]  (Hind)
[If you say so, master...eh, well...I'll put my heart into it! Let's have a good battle!]  (Walter)
[Sure. I'll do my best too.]  (Hind)
I stood quite far behind Yumir and Walter stood as if to protect Herrscha. When we were in position, the Emperor took a step forward.
I'm grateful that the Emperor had waited until we finished talking.
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