“The curtain has risen on the battle. Now, let us play a celestial symphony fitting for this stage!”
Art, who was about to begin playing in a rather dangerous pose, leaning out from the Holy stake’s loading entrance, was none other than Art himself. He, who shone brightly and physically, seemed to be in top form today as well.
“…”
Rukil, who had business at the loading entrance rather than with Art, looked at Art, who was shouting incomprehensible lines at the top of his lungs, with an indescribable expression. No words were spoken. It was a protest conveyed solely through facial expressions.
“Oh, Rukil, do you also wish to participate in my special concert? I see, you are most welcome! Let us play a wonderful duet and add flowers to this battlefield!”
“…No, I think I’ll pass.”
“What a shame!”
Art, pulling out another instrument from who-knows-where, offered it to Rukil, but she immediately refused. The instrument retreated back into his pocket.
“Then, why are you here? Is the operation of the Holy stake no longer necessary?”
“Yes, the movement to a location far from each battlefield and unlikely to be damaged has been completed. From now on, I intend to move on to actions to help Melfina understand the Ten Authorities.”
“I see, you mean proselytizing, don’t you? Alright, I permit you to spread the word about how beautiful I am and how I am fitting as a world heritage!”
“…Huh?”
“I bear the crucial mission of delivering acoustic art to everyone here. That is why, regrettably, I cannot show myself before the Ten Authorities. This is extremely unfortunate for the Ten Authorities. They cannot engrave the world’s greatest beauty in their minds. It is not surprising if riots break out due to such tragedy! Their hearts may become hardened, and negotiations may break down! Therefore, therefore! At the very least, with your words! I want you to express my beauty! Then, they will open their hearts. Ah, my beauty is truly a sin…”
“Uh, uh huh…?”
Rukil, who had been arbitrarily assigned the honorable (or perhaps not) task of promotional ambassador, could only nod in silence. Art’s momentum was so overwhelming that she couldn’t even find the will to argue back on any point.
“To, to, to begin with, I will be leaving the Holy stake. I have set it to stealth mode, so I don’t expect to be discovered at all, but please handle any potential defense in case of an emergency.”
“Ah, leave it to me. My ‘Paper-thin Margin’ applies to the Holy stake, no, to this entire live venue. I will evade all attacks that come our way.”
“…There are no functions like spotlights, so please don’t tamper with the control panel, okay?”
“Of course not. I am a teacher, you know, so I promise not to engage in any immoral behavior.”
“…Is that so? Then…”
“Now, the hero departs! Let us send her off with a grand farewell!”
As if cheering Rukil off as she leaped from the Holy stake, Art delivered his heartfelt music to her. It was a courageous and bright song, as if depicting the departure of a hero on a journey. Just hearing it filled one with courage and made the world seem like a wonderful place. However, it apparently didn’t suit Rukil’s tastes, and she vanished into the distance at breakneck speed, as if trying to escape from the song.
“Hmph, it seems my music is already taking effect. Truly, my talent is frightening. …By the way, Shin, are you there?”
“Fwah, aww… Ah, I was so bored I was about to fall asleep. I managed to hold on just barely thanks to this dissonance.”
“Hahaha, I recommend you clean your ears soon.”
Shin, who was supposed to have departed from the Holy stake, appeared from behind Art. Seeing him yawn without any pretense of hiding, it seemed he had been lurking inside the Holy stake for quite some time, waiting for this moment.
“Still, that was a magnificent stealth. No one noticed. Honestly, even with our Kachua, without prior information, it would be difficult to detect. Were you always this good at stealth?”
“Hm? Ah, I “borrowed” the device that controls the stealth function of this Holy stake. I modified it to apply the effect to myself. My, my, relics from the age of myths are truly amazing. The spot where I pulled it out was sparking, but well, I figured as long as the Holy stake itself doesn’t crash, it’s all good. Ah, it reminds me of those nostalgic days when I used to snatch various things from Zildra’s laboratory. Kufufu!”
“…Didn’t Rukil-kun just say something about not tampering with the control panel?”
“I don’t know. It seems you were told, but unfortunately, I wasn’t. Besides, I “borrowed” it before I was told, so it’s safe.”
“No, no, that’s out… *Sigh*, so this is the Boss of the great Adventurer Guild.”
Art let out a big, big sigh. He seemed somewhat shocked to have already broken his promise with Rukil.
“This is why you’re the Boss of Adventurers. More importantly, don’t stop playing. Someone might get suspicious.”
“I don’t need you to tell me. I pour my soul into this performance for me to shine as myself!”
“Oh, is that so? So, how was it? You should have had enough time to talk with that person. You must have probed them thoroughly, right?”
“Mmm… She was quite stubborn, I’d say. It was a shame because, even towards me, who boasts such beauty, she wouldn’t open up at all. Truly, I was shocked. My heart was only slightly wounded…”
“Your wounded heart is irrelevant. Absolutely irrelevant. Yes, eat dirt.”
“Hmph, you’re overdoing it even as a reminder.”
Art’s heart was wounded again.
“Well, enough of our usual bickering… As expected, I can’t trust that Fallen Angel. Kelvin seems to be letting her play along, but if left unchecked, she’s clearly a dangerous creature. I feel like she’s hiding something from us, something that could lead to a fatal situation… Yes, yes, okay, I’ve decided! It would be safest to deal with her secretly, without anyone knowing!”
“Whoa, that’s quite a grim suggestion. Is that your intuition? Or is it based on experience?”
“Hah, you know the answer even as you ask, don’t you? Of course, it’s both. Honestly, as I get older, I become more worried about everything.”
“I personally think it would be better to observe the situation a bit longer. After all, you said things like you’re a teacher and wouldn’t do immoral things.”
“That’s something you blurted out on your own, isn’t it? Eliminating a world threat unbeknownst to others can be seen as an act of moral justice, depending on how you look at it. Even if it’s not… Well, let’s just accept that elders have to take on the role of the villain.”
Shaking his head with a sigh, Shin began to move past the loading entrance.
“Just to confirm, do you need my backup?”
“That question is too foolish to even warrant an answer, but I’ll say it anyway: No, it would only destabilize things.
“I figured. Then, do as you please over there. I will show you my pride.”
“Alright, do that. Later!”
The next moment, Shin’s figure completely vanished. Even Art, who had been conversing with him just moments before, could no longer sense his presence.
“…If they’re close by, I might have a chance, but at a distance, I’m helpless. To deceive even me, who possesses S-Rank detection skills… Wait, hmm? Could it be that this Holy stake is no longer in stealth mode?”
If Shin removed the device, that would naturally be the case.
“…Hmph, I see. Well, that’s fine. That just means I can shine even brighter! Now, gaze upon my true self! Be captivated by my music! The audience is here, and the stage is set!”
Strumming his partner, the ‘Spirit King’s String Instrument,’ more intensely, Art’s radiance transformed into something even more blindingly obnoxious.
The teaser PV for the anime adaptation of “Black Summoner” has been released. Details can be found in the Activity Report.
