"...Are you really here?"
After about three hours since the safe start of the "Trial of the Goddess," I switched from being Princess Alexia's escort and made my way to the spectator seats.
Even though the sky was completely dark, the atmosphere in the venue was still lively. It truly was the major event that only happened once a year.
In the midst of it all, the reason I came to the spectator seats was to meet the idiot with black hair sitting in front of me.
"Ah, Takumi. You're late. I've been waiting."
"...Sigh. I knew it would turn out like this."
Cid waved his hand at me with a silly grin. My mood took a nosedive at the appearance of a guy I definitely didn't want to meet. I let out a big sigh and sat down in the seat next to Cid.
"It's been a while."
"It hasn't even been a week."
"Well, that's true, but it's been a while since Takumi and I were separated like this."
"...It was a short holiday."
Seeing me slump my shoulders, Cid made disappointed remarks like, "Oh well." I don't know why, but I really wanted to punch him in the face. It's even more frustrating knowing that he'll easily dodge it.
"...Why are you in Lindblum?"
"Alpha invited me. Didn't you hear?"
"You wouldn't waste your time with something like that."
I couldn't exactly say that I was preoccupied during the date.
"Then how did you know I was here?"
"I heard it from Princess Alexia. She said she ran into Cid in the open-air bath this morning. Claire, who overheard it nearby, got all riled up, and we were both double despair since morning."
"Hahaha."
"Don't laugh."
When I heard that Cid was here from Princess Alexia, I was extremely deflated. Whether it was mixed bathing with a member of the opposite sex or being rejected by the Crimson Knights, I didn't care about those things.
The real problem was that... he showed up... where I am.
(...Something is definitely going to happen.)
Not only Alpha and the others being here, but Cid being called as well. I'm already tired of it. I can see trouble coming without even thinking about it.
Hurry up, hurry up. I had a feeling that I would be tossed around regardless of whether it was summer vacation or not. But it's only been a week since summer vacation started. Can't I have a little more rest?
"Come on, don't make that face. Here, I bought you a drink."
Cid lightly patted my shoulder and offered me a drink that he probably bought from the stall. His attitude didn't match the culprit responsible for my current state. In his case, he's intentionally acting that way because he knows.
"...Mm, thanks. How much was it?"
"It's fine, don't worry about it. But anyway, it seems it's Claire's turn next. I wonder if the ancient warriors will appear."
"I don't know. If they don't come out, I'll laugh later."
While taking a sip of the drink, I turned my gaze toward the coliseum. There, Claire, who had taken over my post as a guard, looked ready for battle. It seemed that Cid knew she was watching because she was in high spirits and her condition seemed good.
"Stop it. I'm the one who will be the punching bag."
"That goes without saying. I hope they don't come out."
The ancient warriors who appear in the "Trial of the Goddess" manifest their presence in response to the challengers' call. However, it's not guaranteed that they will appear. They won't respond to the call if the challengers themselves lack the strength.
Many challengers take on the trial each year, but it seems that only three at most can summon the ancient warriors. The rumors about how strict the trial is are true.
I had thought it would be funny if no one appeared in response to Claire's call, but my expectations were easily shattered.
"Oh, someone actually came out."
"...How boring."
In response to Claire's voice, a man jumped out. He had a grand appearance clad in armor, but his scalp was sadly exposed, reminding me of someone's father.
"...Have you thought something disrespectful about the pillar of our family?"
"Well, if you think so, then you must have thought about it too."
"Yeah, probably. I think Claire feels the same way."
"You're as merciless as ever. Poor Uncle."
Cid and Claire's father, Owen Kageno.
He is the head of the Kageno family and has a decent amount of skill as a magic swordsman. Although he has a gentle personality, for some reason, he receives harsh criticism from every member of his family. And he's bald.
"...It's starting."
"It's great, this spectacle."
With the appearance of the ancient warriors in front of Claire, a dome of light was generated, centered around the two of them. Within this dome became the stage for the warriors' battle and also served as a shield to protect the spectators from the aftermath of the attacks.
"Oh, Claire is making her move."
"Isn't her face scary?"
"She got fired up for the challenging trial, and a head like Dad's came out. I feel strong anger towards the sword."
"...Seriously, be kind to Uncle."
As I sympathized with the pitiful father, the trial was abruptly concluded by Claire's fierce attacks. I didn't think the ancient warrior's skills were low, but they couldn't react to Claire's attacks and were quickly defeated. Teenage daughters are scary when they get irritated like that.
"The winner is... Claire Kageno!!"
With the announcement from the announcer, the tension in the venue increased even more. Among the hundreds of challengers, only Claire and one other person were able to summon the ancient warriors. No wonder the tension is high.
"You won."
"Yeah, I expected it to turn out like this."
The opponent's warrior was quite strong, but it was immediately clear that Claire was superior. She has always been serious when it comes to the sword. She has improved her skills.
"...But still, only Claire and that person named Annerose have passed this far. It's unexpectedly tough."
"Opponents matching the challengers' abilities seem to be coming out fairly accurately. ...Claire won by a landslide, though."
"If Claire hadn't been furious, it might have been a closer match."
"Well, in any case, she passed. Congratulations."
With this, Claire's future seems secure. I heard before that she would become the head in the future, so the Kageno family might grow as well. It might not be just a dream to move up from a lower noble family to a higher one.
"As for my brother, he's a good-for-nothing."
"Huh? Suddenly insulting me?"
It's only natural to evaluate me that way. I'm not even working for the family, let alone aiming to become the "Shadow Mastermind." In that regard, Claire is much more reliable and responsible. I wish I could somehow push Cid onto her. I want him to be used to the point of death for the sake of the Kageno family's development.
"It looks like it's almost over."
"Yeah."
"By the way, Takumi, you didn't participate, did you?"
"There's no way I would. It's bothersome... Besides, as I mentioned earlier, opponents matching the challengers' abilities are coming out. It wouldn't be just a minor story if I appeared as a hero-class figure."
"Ah, that's true."
It might sound like self-praise, but I think if I were to participate, opponents of that level would appear. It would be fine if it were just a battle, but just the fact that such warriors were summoned would attract attention.
"I'm relieved that you didn't get carried away and participate."
"Of course. I have to stay in the shadows."
"A globally wanted criminal is saying something."
Though he talks about staying in the shadows and secretly manipulating things, what he says and what he does are completely opposite. He's just a skilled person, with a great idiot attached to his head.
"Well, what should we do now? It seems Alpha and the others aren't moving either."
"For now, I'm hungry. Let's grab something to eat—"
My words were drowned out by the voice of the host calling the next challenger.
"Next! From the Midgar Magic Swordsmanship Academy! Cid Kagenouuu!!"
With the voice echoing in the colosseum, the spectators started to stir. And of course, it's only natural. It's the name of someone with the same last name as Claire, who just cleared the "Goddess's Trial."
"Of course, the spectators must have thought, 'The next match is going to be interesting too.'"
"Haha, Cid Kageno, huh? It sounds like a mob character name."
"It's amazing that there are people with the same name in this world."
"Wait, wait, wait, that's not what I'm talking about. There's no other Cid Kageno enrolled in the Midgar Magic Swordsmanship Academy except for the guy sitting next to me. It's this guy, the one who just mentioned lurking in the shadows."
"...Cid. ...You."
"N-No way! There's no way I would do something like that!"
As I looked at Cid, who seemed a little disappointed, he hastily denied it.
"..."
"Hmm, I don't believe those eyes at all."
"It's something you would do."
"Haha, I understand."
He doesn't understand at all, this idiot.
"...But what's going on? It's a rule that you have to apply in advance to participate in the 'Goddess's Trial.' It's not something that just got decided."
"Yeah, you're right. If I didn't do it, then someone did it without permission... Ah!"
"What's wrong? Do you have any idea?"
With an unusual serious expression, Cid quietly mentioned the name of a person who is likely to be the culprit.
"...Senpai Rose, maybe."
"Huh? Why her?"
"Well, actually, she caught me on the train to Lindblum. Not only did we end up in the same room, but she persistently tried to recruit me for some religious group. I only half-listened to what she said, but I vaguely remember her mentioning something about the 'Goddess's Trial'..."
"I can't follow your story at all. ...So what do we do? They're calling your name multiple times, Cid Kageno-kun."
I remember Cid setting flags with President Rose, but I never expected it to lead to this situation. Attempted murder of Princess Alexia or a lovestruck princess—it's unexpected behavior.
For now, let's put the culprit on hold and think about resolving the situation. The spectators seem to be eagerly awaiting Cid's appearance. Although it's a large venue, I want to believe that it's just my imagination that I can hear Claire's shouting.
"...Option 1, participate in the match quietly."
"No, that's out. It will expose our abilities."
I can't walk the path of a mob character anymore. It doesn't matter to me, but it should be a matter of life and death for him. Let's stop him out of kindness.
"...Option 2, sneak away secretly."
"No, that's out. Claire will kill me."
There's no need for further explanation. Cid nodded in agreement.
"...Option 3, complain about feeling unwell."
"Wouldn't that be fine? Even though Claire might kill me."
"Aren't we doomed?"
"Maybe."
They say that the misfortunes of others are sweet, and it's quite true. I feel a sense of relief watching Cid's misfortune. It's so satisfying, the taste of a good drink.
"Takumi, isn't it cruel to be so indifferent since it's not happening to you?"
"Sigh, it's so troublesome. Just do what you usually do."
"What do you mean by 'what I usually do'?"
"It's your specialty, the art of deception."
Cid smiled as if he understood those words. In a sense, it will make him stand out, but I can't think of any better way to turn the situation around. Let's invite the walking nuclear weapon to overturn the entire situation.
"Takumi, do your best."
"...Mm, understood."
I formed a magical light bullet in my palm and shot it into the sky at super high speed. In an instant, the night sky lit up brightly in silver, capturing the attention of everyone except me and Cid.
And the moment the light disappeared, a man descended into the colosseum.
He was dressed in jet-black robes, with crimson eyes hidden beneath a hood. Standing with his arms crossed in a fierce stance, his presence instilled a primal fear in those who laid eyes on him.
"...Good luck."
I couldn't help but feel a little sympathy.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
From the moment Cid joined as a Shadow in the "Trial of the Goddess," it had only been a few minutes. I couldn't help but admire the woman who appeared as his opponent, sincerely appreciating her skills.
Her movements, swaying her black hair that reached her feet, were delicate, as if she were dancing. Although her attacks against the Shadow were ruthless.
The other spectators watching were also unable to take their eyes off the intense battle, showing a frozen state as if forgetting to breathe. They probably no longer had Cid in mind. It seemed that the plan to deceive them with a more impactful entrance had succeeded.
(Magic... No, blood?)
Attacking the Shadow, freely manipulated within the dome of light, were red objects that seemed capable of impaling him. I thought they were altering magic, but it seemed more likely that they were infusing their blood with magic. Blood conducts magic more easily than water-like liquid, and I've heard of such feats being possible. It should be a technique that vampires excel at, not easily controlled by humans.
(Well, she's not just a normal human.)
Since she responded to the Shadow's call and appeared, that woman must be an extraordinary individual who would go down in history. Both the quantity and quality of her magic were incomparable to the two ancient warriors who had appeared before. If most mage knights faced her, the match would undoubtedly be decided in an instant.
(...But, it's a shame, Shadow.)
I took my eyes off the Shadow, who had a slight smile of enjoyment on his face, and stood up, beginning to walk away.
Oh, there he is, that useless guy.
This is just speculation, but that witch probably can't unleash even a tenth of her true power. There's a significant difference between the magic one can sense and the attacks she's executing. If she has been weakened to that extent, she won't be a match for the Shadow.
As I pondered over such matters, a voice resembling a scream emerged from the arena. It seemed that the match had been decided by the Shadow's single strike. Surprisingly, he seemed to have enjoyed it, but he must also be disappointed. It was an incomplete combustion, so I'll accompany him for a little while later.
Shadow, who had emerged victorious against the nameless witch, was released from the dome of light and swiftly flew away from the colosseum, with his dark cloak fluttering in the wind.
(Hah, should I follow?)
Climbing to the top of the colosseum, trying not to attract attention, I confirmed the direction in which Shadow had flown. It's troublesome, but I can't let it go. Just as I was about to jump and follow, a figure appeared right next to me.
"Light-sama. You came."
"...Alpha, is that you?"
Alpha, with her golden hair that shone even at night, had a gentle smile on her face. Clad in a jet-black Takumi suit, it was certain that she was operating as part of Shadow Garden.
And another figure appeared besides Alpha. That child wagged her tail and jumped onto me with all her might.
"Light-samaー! Long time no see!"
"Hey, Delta! Don't jump on me like that!"
Delta, the brawny combat girl, the fourth seat of the Seven Shadows, was an expert in close combat and among the top-ranked fighters within the organization. Her only weakness was her low intelligence.
"So, you guys being here means..."
"Yes, we're about to take action. Shadow has opened the 'door.' It seems you already know everything."
"Boss and Light-sama are amazing!"
...Huh? What?
"We're about to join Epsilon and the others. Can you help us?"
"Well, um, about that..."
"You're counting on us, aren't you?"
It must be about the words I said during the light day. Alpha looked at me with eyes full of hope and trust. Cute. Her somewhat childlike expression was also adorable.
(-...No way. What is she talking about with the 'door'? I have no idea...)
I was completely perplexed by the situation, and my head was spinning. At that moment, a red light of unknown origin emanated from the direction of the arena. Reflexively, I glanced sideways and there, a large structure composed of red light, resembling a door, had appeared. There was no doubt that it was the door Alpha was referring to.
"Hehe, it's reassuring to have you here."
"Yay! I'm with Light!"
While I wanted to pursue Shadow as his right-hand man, I couldn't ignore Alpha and the others. Above all, Alpha's attack of "you guys know everything" was harsh. I'm sorry, but I don't understand anything.
(Cid... I'm sorry.)
After apologizing to Cid in my heart for his departure, I turned my body quietly towards Alpha.
"Now, let's go."
Alpha extended her hand with an enchanting face.
I already know what my response to her will be. Even if I don't understand the circumstances, even if I can't grasp the situation, and even if I don't know what to do.
All I can do is respond with the best smile possible.
"──Sure, let's go."
I stopped thinking.