On the morning of the last day of the Six Kings Festival, I was waiting for Shiro-san at the Central Plaza. The meeting was exactly 10:00 am. I had arrived early though, so I had about 20 minutes to spare.
Then again... Why in the world do people like Kuro and Shiro-san want meeting up? I guess having that cliché date meet-up is important huh.
I'm sure Shiro-san will show up at exactly 10:00 am, so I decided to take it easy and wait while looking at the empty Central Plaza.
Incidentally, this unnatural absence of people in the Central Plaza... Well, I'm sure that this is the deed of the Gods.
As I was thinking about this, a group of Gods appeared in the Central Plaza, their footsteps echoing in unbroken regularity. Leading them was the trio of Chronois-san, Fate-san and Life-san, with no sign of Shiro-san anywhere.
...Isn't this that? I feel like I've seen this military-like security group before...
[Everyone, listen up! The detailed layout is as I informed you the day before, but I'll tell you about a few more things you all need to look out for aside from that!]
Lining up a few distance away from where I am, Chronois-san began to speak what to pay attention to in a sharp voice.
[First of all, as I'm sure everyone knows, the situation is different from last time. In this Six Kings Festival, there are a lot of world's top-ranking powerhouses gathered, including the Six Kings, so if we use force to eliminate them, there is a huge risk of causing damage to the surroundings.]
[That's why, whether you should ignore a Peerage-holder or not, you should ask for instructions from us Supreme Gods... Don't just act on your own accord.]
Following Chronois-san, Fate-san also had a serious expression on her face, completely different from how she usually looks.
[As for the Demons and Humans other than the Peerage-holders, please follow the instructions of each platoon leader. I'm sure everyone already knows this, but failure is not an option.]
Life-san is still talking about disturbing things as usual. I mean, each platoon, she said... It's almost like this group really is an army...
[Ahh, also... I don't think anyone would get involved with the Six Kings, but make sure that all of you stays away from "Phantasmal King No Face". They are a bundle of trouble and annoyingness. No matter how things turn out, it's going to be nothing but trouble. Remember to "basically ignore them", but "if you have no choice but to get involved with them, end your conversation with them as soon as possible". A single disruption in coordination can lead to a fatal situation. Proceed with extreme caution.]
With a somewhat astounded look on her face, Chronois-san conveyed such a warning. Yeah, well, I'm not sure how many times she had been caught up in troublesome things regarding Alice, but this pattern... She even went out of her way to call her out.]
[...Hey, you've been called out.]
[Kacchiiiiin! Well now, even if Alice-chan is incredibly merciful, even I would lose my temper. I will not hesitate to sue her!
[You're going to lose in that lawsuit, so you better stop it.]
[...U- Ummm? Kaito-san, I'm your lover, remember? Isn't this the part where you follow your cute, little girlfriend, or where you directly talk to them and change their evaluation regarding this cute Alice-chan?]
I mean, what Chronois-san said was completely right. I can predict that if Chronois-san and the others were to get involved with Alice, things will definitely take a troublesome turn.
Especially when Fate-san and Alice are involved in something together, the chaos would drive Chronois-san to her wit's end.
[...Unfortunately, changing their evaluation towards you is too difficult. It's impossible for me.]
[Don't you think you gave up too easily!? No, no, you can do it! If you work hard, you can achieve anything!]
[...Well then, Alice. Help me improve my board game skills.]
[...There are also things... that I can't do.]
[Oi, don't look away and say that straight to my eyes...]
...I know it's too late to say this now, but am I really that devastatingly weak? Even Alice, someone who seems like she can do anything, is saying that it's impossible!?
[...Hey, Alice.]
[What is it?]
[I'm hoping you'll answer in a fairly conservative and offhanded way... Am I really that weak?]
[...No, well, each person had their own strengths and weaknesses, and with a certain amount of practice, your skills will naturally improve.]
[...And without the offhanded way of speaking?]
[It's catastrophic. It's the first time in my long life that I've experienced "intentionally trying to lose against someone, and still win". Seriously, it's so bad that I want to cry.]
[I'm that bad!?]
Incidentally, Alice and I often play various games together, but we don't place board games except those with luck factors.
However, it doesn't mean that I've lost all of my games against Alice. I've also beaten her at shogi and other board games... Though it's while "Alice has 10 pieces removed and I can play two moves in a row", a handicap that could fundamentally upset the gameplay...
[...Oops, it's almost time. As expected, Shallow Vernal would easily find out even when I hide nearby, so I'll just guard you from a distance.]
[Eh? Ah, unnn. Thank you for always being there.]
[No, no, see ya~~]
Saluting as if she was a royal guard acting in a play, Alice left. How should I say this... She's a really reliable person. It's because I know that Alice is guarding me that I'm able to go out without worries... I'll treat her to something sometime.
As I moved my gaze while thinking about this, I saw that the Gods had also disappeared before I knew it, and it was already a minute before our meeting time.
At that moment, something strange happened in the Central Plaza. A number of faint lights appeared on the ground of the Central Plaza, before those lights formed a huge magic circle.
When the huge magic circle that covered the Central Plaza was completed, a huge, divine light poured down from the heavens... and from behind that light appeared Shiro-san.
[Thank you for waiting.]
[Doesn't the vibe seem like a boss battle is about to happen!?]
[I'm just slightly excited.]
[...I- Is that so...]
I don't know if I should say that it's to be expected from Shiro-san or not, but she was astounding right from the very beginning... Rather, Shiro-san's entrance becomes even more flamboyant when she's excited?
Dear Mom, Dad————– Seeing the difference in status between us the moment Shiro-san made her entrance, I was involuntarily dumbfounded. Rather, I wonder what this is? This sudden uneasiness I'm feeling... Errr, for the time being———– It seems like Shiro-san is excited.