NOVEL WEB Chapter 14
Episode 14: Beautiful Girls Have the Right to Turn the Tables
Suddenly, let me tell you what I know about Sakura Rikka.
She is a character from the original story of the mobile game “Lutra of the Mirror World.”
That’s all!
“Strong!?”
[Breaking News] Rikka is ridiculously strong.
I’m barely dodging her spear with the power of my red armband, but her attacks leave no openings.
She might be at Rokuhara’s level!?
“Mizuki Senpai, can you give me a moment to retrieve my dagger?”
“Leave it to me.”
I dodge the thrust spear and leap back, swapping positions with Mizuki Senpai.
Mizuki Senpai slides into the open space and fires bullets at Sakura Rikka without hesitation.
“Hahaha, it’s useless. Your attacks are meaningless. It takes all three of Mizuki, Miroku, and Toa giving their all just to match me.”
The bullets bounce off her spear.
Normally, flames and water shouldn’t be repelled like that. However, for her, brushing them aside seems effortless as she smiles at Mizuki Senpai.
“Stop mimicking me so creepily.”
“That’s harsh. This is the real me. Remember the day Mizuki first cleared a dungeon? I was surprised to see her get so emotional and cry. I panicked.”
“Shut up.”
Bullets interrupt her words.
“Oh dear!”
In a playful manner, Sakura Rikka dodges the bullets.
Seizing the moment, I pull out my dagger from the ceiling and swing it down at her.
A makeshift combination timed to her temporary rigidity after dodging.
It perfectly aligns and heads toward Sakura Rikka.
But, however…
“Heh. That won’t work on me.”
“What!?”
As if she could see it coming, she avoids the dagger, grabs my wrist, and throws me against the wall.
What am I supposed to do?
“Oof!”
“Kei!?”
“You can’t look away. You care too much about your friends, which will eventually be used against you.”
“—”
The moment I was distracted, Mizuki Senpai’s spear comes down.
She tried to dodge, but failed and dropped the gun in her left hand.
“First point. Hmm, guns aren’t really my forte… so I’ll let you keep yours.”
The gun falls to the ground, and Sakura Rikka kicks it away, laughing.
…Isn’t this person too strong?
With complete meta-knowledge about Mizuki Senpai,
she’s fighting better than even Rokuhara.
Plus, her intent to kill is genuine.
She embodies the murderous intent of a dungeon master while retaining her own personality and skills.
Mizuki Senpai probably doesn’t want to fight.
I could tell from her expression the moment Sakura Rikka began imitating her.
“Mizuki, snap out of it. I’ll skewer you if you don’t.”
“Grrr”
Mizuki Senpai struggles desperately to evade.
Her attack pattern mirrors Sakura Rikka’s exactly.
While Mizuki Senpai isn’t landing any decisive blows, she also hasn’t suffered any fatal injuries.
But this can’t go on forever.
A monster imitating a person versus a human with limited stamina – obviously the latter is at a disadvantage.
The only one who can change this situation is me…
…No, Solciera!
‘■■■■■！！！！’
Not you, sit down.
When I say Solciera, I mean my cross-dressed form!
‘■?’
She seems really pissed off.
But right now, that doesn’t matter!
I push myself off the wall and stand up,
then charge toward Sakura Rikka.
“Yaaaaah!!!”
“Oh dear, going all out?”
Without changing her expression, Sakura Rikka thrusts her spear.
…You fell for it, idiot!
I place the flat side of my dagger against the tip of the spear.
This prevents the spear from piercing me while I absorb the impact.
“Uwaaaahhhh!”
“Kei!?”
Blown back by the spear, I crash through the operating room wall.
Then I jump backward, breaking through several more walls.
“Are you alright!? Respond!”
“I’m fine, cough, I’m fine!”
I shout loudly in response to the worried voice from the dust cloud.
There’s nothing in the dusty room, and no one is there.
No drone cameras either. Good!
“Senpai, I’m coming now…!”
With determination, I stand up and take off my uniform.
Then I retrieve Something from the expansion area of my dive gear.
It’s meant for storing relics found in dungeons, but I think it should hold something more useful…
Like cross-dressing accessories!
“Alright, wig. And this on—”
My desire to transform into a beautiful girl reaches its peak, and I complete the transformation in less than ten seconds.
Finally, I place the gas mask over my mouth.
Since I didn’t apply makeup, I want to conceal at least my mouth.
‘■■■■■’
The moment I finish changing, information rings directly in my mind.
Yeah, yeah, I get it.
“Star Reader’s Staff”
From the red armband appears a large scythe.
The trademark scythe with the Gothic Lolita outfit.
Perfect.
“Shall we go?”
I’ve fully adjusted my throat to produce a girl’s voice.
Now, it’s time to go all out with Perlin Noise.
Premise: Sakura Rikka is dead.
For Teruue Mizuki, this was common knowledge.
She died.
Though Mizuki hadn’t seen the body,
all the information pointed to her death.
So then, what is this thing in front of her now?
“That boy was weaker than I thought. He doesn’t suit Mizuki at all.”
“Nonsense.”
She keeps the remaining gun in her hand ready.
But it’s easily deflected.
As expected.
Next, she quickly closes the distance with Sakura Rikka and fires at extremely close range, ignoring the gun’s advantages.
The surprise attack should have hit, but Sakura Rikka simply tilts her head to dodge.
As expected.
“You’re too focused on killing. Your aim is too straightforward and predictable.”
As she says this, behind her the bullet transforms into a massive flame and explodes.
A completely unexpected explosion from behind.
However, without turning around, Sakura Rikka swings her spear to disperse it.
Also as expected.
As expected, Mizuki could see no future where she could defeat Sakura Rikka.
“Have you forgotten my abilities?”
“Manipulating wind, right?”
“Yeah. So I can create armor of wind and extend my spear’s reach.”
Mizuki knows.
Teruue Mizuki knows everything.
But knowing was all she could do.
“Since that boy is still alive, should I kill him first?”
“Do you think I’ll let you?”
“You can’t stop me. Besides, you’re distracted by concern for that boy.”
Spinning her spear, Sakura Rikka laughs.
A sun-like smile. A smile that has no place in this deadly battle.
“Well, the order of death doesn’t matter. Might as well start with you.”
With a light step, Sakura Rikka moves forward.
No, she simply took a single step.
Accelerating to top speed with that one step, she thrusts her spear. The target: Teruue Mizuki’s head.
(Dodging… won’t be in time. Intercepting… impossible)
She understood everything.
Like watching a movie knowing it would end badly, an utterly terrible feeling.
Understanding everything, yet unable to do anything.
Nothing reaching its mark.
A nightmare-like reality filled with helplessness.
“Haha, got you.”
Her innocent smile remains unchanged from those days.
Only now, that killing intent is directed at her.
(The end…)
The moment that spear reaches her, everything will end.
No, if she dies here, next will be Na Takikai, and then Factom General Academy will collapse.
It will end.
Everything because of this mere imitation.
Such an unavoidable tragedy.
Such a hopeless story.
Such, such, such—such nonsense.
(There’s no way I can accept that!)
Her fighting spirit hasn’t disappeared.
Mizuki immediately points the gun at herself.
A position where the bullet will pierce her faster than the spear.
And a position where she can explode along with Sakura Rikka.
(This is the best I can do)
She understands there won’t be a happy ending where everyone is saved.
Therefore, this is the only and best option left for Teruue Mizuki.
“My loss, and yours. Impostor.”
Her finger pulls the trigger.
Just as this life-risking conclusion was about to happen,
“—Rather entertaining, isn’t it?”
The wind blows.
Quietly, like a peaceful night, yet undeniably present, pure and solitary.
It suddenly appeared between Mizuki and Sakura Rikka.
The black frills flutter gracefully, the silver-blue hair sways.
It intercepts the spear aimed at Mizuki with a black scythe, redirecting its path.
The spear passes just above Mizuki’s head and embeds itself in the wall.
“…Oh my, a new challenger?”
Surprised for the first time as her spear’s trajectory is deflected,
“From here on, let’s play together.”
“Hmm, sounds good. You seem strong. What’s your name?”
In response to Sakura Rikka’s question, the girl strokes her scythe with her fingertips and answers:
“—Solciera. That’s my name.”