Chapter 524: An Orchestra For You, Part 6
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Accessing the Main Server "Leviathan". Referencing the log data of Player: Sunraku.
Measuring the hidden parameter "Veteran Value". Loading monster data that meets the standard criteria.
While the player was running around facing the three monsters summoned in this manner, "Orchestra" continued its calculations.
───Measuring combat results up to this point.
───Calculating a score exceeding the average value.
───Judging there is no issue with using the "The Urtext" program via WM authority.
───MS1 Application... Approved.
───MS2 Application... Approved.
───MS3 Application... Approved.
───SS1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7... Resolution Application.
───Deny, Approve, Approve, Deny, Approve, Approve.
───Conclusion: Executing the "Canon" program.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Orchestra, having received the "Oracle", began rewriting its own program.
A trial for the Hero. To you, who has overcome the Fourth Movement, the Final Movement: True is offered.
The one you must overcome is not a formidable foe.
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There are an endless number of gimmicks in this world where the difficulty plummets the moment you figure out the trick.
For example, that Unique scenario where what looked like a post-mortem marital spat between a penalty enemy and a rare enemy turned out to be a fresh new take on tag that fused American football and basketball.
"Once you know it's coming, you can deal with it."
I snatch Dullahan's head from the Evil Spirit Princess of the Ruined Kingdom and overhead-smash it right back into Dullahan. Guided to his head by some mysterious power, the formerly headless general, now reunited with his neck and torso, engaged in a romantic love story with his strong wife... Ahhh, do we have any cola and popcorn? Salted, please. The atmosphere is so sweet I'm going to get heartburn.
"Alright, what's next? Lycaon? Siegwurm? Or are you gonna expand the stage and toss a Centipede at me?"
I really hope it's not the Centipede, though. My chances of winning a solo 1v1 against that thing are practically zero.
The moment the reproduced monsters vanish, the orchestra's performance also comes to an abrupt halt.
With the uproariously loud ensemble of instruments suddenly falling silent, it feels as though time itself within the theater has stopped.
『【The Tale Spun by Sunraku】......... Final Movement』
"Is this the last one?"
That feels weirdly anti-climactic. Or maybe the other Uniques were just way too complicated... Hmm? No, first I need to deal with the enemy right in front of me.
The "Diva", now surrounded by a group of humanoid figures easily numbering in the dozens, smoothly takes a step forward.
『La───』
The mere "voice" released from her lips, devoid even of lyrics, played a beautiful melody, as if declaring that fundamental music requires no words.
『La-la, la───』
"Hm."
Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Just now... no, wait, it's not a trick of the light. The humanoid figures forming the orchestra definitely just vanished.
From there, they disappeared at a speed impossible to mistake. The one holding the flute vanishes, the trumpet player vanishes, the cymbal player vanishes, vanishing, vanishing... What's going on? It's the Final Movement. The orchestra is shrinking... Did I trigger a bad flag? Or is this just preparation?
Before I knew it, only a handful of the orchestra remained. The cello player vanishes, the clarinet player vanishes, leaving five, four, three, two... one............
『───We are observers.』
"What?"
Did she speak? No, wait, is this a line from the lyrics?
『───I sing, I sing. I question, I question. The melody spun is the spiral of life, the screaming singing voice is a grand inquiry, the spoken words become a hero.』
I can understand the words, but a singing voice whose meaning completely escapes me echoes through the theater, which at some point had become occupied solely by the "Diva."
"No... that's not right."
The orchestra isn't just the "Diva". There's one person left. Standing quietly behind the "Diva" is a single violinist.
What's happening? I know something is happening, but at this current moment, I have absolutely no idea what it is.
『───We are watching you.』
A chill runs down my spine. I hurriedly look around, but the theater remains full of empty seats with not a single member in the audience. And yet, why do I feel such an intense gaze?
『───Questions reach conclusions through comparison. Therefore, therefore.........!』
Light gathers in the right hand of the "Diva," thrust forward as if she were pleading for something. I braced myself thinking it was an attack, but something is definitely off.
As the light converges into a single point, its shape begins to warp and shift. I can't really tell from a distance... it's not a weapon, that's...
『───Far, far away, a rootless traveler. Countless eyes gazing upon countless worlds. Then you must be a "Migratory Bird".........』
That's a mask. A bird mask with a beak like a plague doctor's, but what the heck is that?
"Are those... eyes inside the fire?"
Normally, from a distance, all you should be able to see is that the mask is a slightly tasteless gold and that it's on fire.
But within the flickering of the flames, never retaining the same shape for even a second, I could definitely see "eyes".
And the situation progresses even further. I can't directly interfere with the "Diva"—I've tried multiple times—so all I can do is watch the spectacle unfold.
『…………』
Only the violin vanishes from the hands of the sole remaining violinist. Without showing any signs of regret, the humanoid figure slowly begins to walk... and kneels before the "Diva" holding the mask.
『───Rise, my Hero. And, in place of me, who can do nothing but sing...』
───Question him.
It was as if a knight were being bestowed a sword by a king. Or a king receiving authority from a god.
As if an absolute superior were granting power to their kin, the humanoid figure reverently received the golden, flaming bird mask the "Diva" had produced and slowly put it on. Immediately after, an abnormality occurred within the humanoid figure.
Its vague, blurry outline formed into a distinct shape. Its physique shifted from something featureless to a slender, tall build.
I couldn't see its face because of the mask, but the humanoid figure, whose very hairstyle had changed from completely bald... firmly grasped two golden swords in both hands, danced out into the Coliseum, and aimed the right sword at me, taking a stance.
"You've gotta be kidding me."
『…………』
Because we've stepped onto the same stage, I can see it clearly. I can see the golden mask widening its eyes, and the clearly more than two "eyes" with multi-colored pupils staring down at me, and me alone.
"A player copy...!?"
【The Tale Spun by Sunraku】 Final Movement...
『─────"The Urtext: A Melody Dedicated to You"』
Author's Afterword
It feels less like it was added, and more like it returned to its original form.
How long has it been since he puked in Inventoria... That's right, it's "that."
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