The Supreme Court building, which had been turned into this world’s courthouse, looked imposing as usual.
The structure’s outer wall, said to be constructed with ten thousand tons of granite, was like a medieval fort.
At its front entrance, the glass doors had been left open. Not a single light was lit, and passing through the dark entrance, I felt a chill as if I had just entered into the mouth of a huge monster. The possibility that my own residence had fallen into the hands of the enemy only added to the chill.
To shake off my fear, I whispered, “Holy Flame,” and created a small fireball the size of a marble. This spell that I had learned from Laman the Hero was the same flame magic that had defeated the Demon King.
After the Hero’s Case was closed, I had been practicing the spell by myself every night. As someone who had always loved the idea of having fantasy powers, Holy Flame was the only thing I had unlocked so far that had that fantasy feel to it. But still, the spell was difficult to use, and I couldn’t create bigger flames or more than one at a time. My fireball was still at level one.
But with this, at least I wouldn’t get surprise-attacked in the darkness while fumbling around looking for a light switch.
With this light, I’ve got my eyes. Next…
I decided to try out my new skill All Ears. In my mind, I visualized my ears changing shape like Gobta’s had.
Wiggle…wiggle…flap!
I felt my ears make a gross flapping motion. It was suddenly easier to pick up all the sounds that caught my attention.
That’s kind of anticlimactic. But I guess it’s still pretty great to be able to use a new power.
Feeling satisfied with myself, I let out a creepy chuckle.
Wait, I hear something.
There were footsteps coming up the stairs. And there was something that sounded metallic.
It must be Shiro.
She was wearing her metallic-soled boots that doubled as weapons.
I went up the stairs and arrived at the large hall in front of the Grand Bench.
“I’ve been waiting for you…Akuto Satou.”
There, the Royal Watchdog had been lying in wait.
“I guess this is the end of the Master roleplay. That’s too bad.”
That was my attempt to lighten the mood.
No matter if I had known this was in the realm of possibility, the pressure I felt now having to face Shiro like this was too much.
The natural light of the stars, streaming in through the window in front of the Grand Bench, faintly illuminated her silver-white hair. In the darkness, her snow-white skin made her look like a doll. And that doll would stop at nothing to protect the royal family.
“Please stop the trial against Princess Ecstasia.”
Her voice was emotionless. My attempt to lighten the mood had had no effect on her whatsoever.
“If the request comes from you, Tsukasa Wagatsuma will surely stop the trial.”
Considering what I knew about Shiro, I wasn’t surprised that she had sniffed out the fact that Tsukasa would stop if I asked her to.
“What if I say no?”
“I will take you as hostage and use you to stop Tsukasa Wagatsuma.”
“That won’t work. I already told her not to stop the trial for any reason.”
In reality, I wasn’t sure what Tsukasa would do if my life was on the line.
“In that case, why don’t we decide this through a game—something you are familiar with?”
“What is this, all of a sudden?”
“The loser will do whatever the winner says.”
“Sorry, but I don’t think this is really the time for games.”
I mean, except for all that gaming I just did with Gobta.
“Please suggest a game you are good at.”
“Shiro, don’t tell me you allied with the high priest in order to protect the princess. Did you?”
Shiro kept her eyes fixed on the center of my body, and for a few seconds simply waited.
“In that case, please allow me to choose.”
She put her finger to her lips and pondered for a moment.
“…Tag. I have heard it is a popular game in otherworld Japan.”
She had no intention of answering me. All I could do was go along with it.
“I have played it with Princess Ecstasia before. It is a game where one must touch another player with their hand.”
“Yeah, I know. But a game of tag with only two people will be pretty damn boring.”
“I will take into account the disparity between our abilities. You win if you are able to touch my body even one time. I will win if I am able to touch you a hundred times and then restrain you.”
“That’s quite a handicap you’re giving me.”
The difference between our physical abilities was massive.
But I figured I must be able to tag her at least once out of her hundred.
“Let us begin.” I saw her eyes flash red. “Akuto Satou. I will ensnare you.”
She disappeared.
“Wha—? Wait…”
Where is she?
I looked to my left.
“Wrong. On your right,” she said.
“Urgh!”
I felt an impact against my behind, and staggered from her strong slap. I swung my right hand, but hit nothing. Next, I felt her palm slap against my back. She grabbed me by my staggering legs and threw me headfirst into a brown sofa. Against my rear, I felt—
Smack! Smack!
The sound of her slapping my sorry ass back and forth echoed throughout the room.
Ow, ouch! This is bad… She’s superhuman. I-I’m scared…
“…”
“I see you are feigning loss of consciousness. Ineffective.”
She came close again. I drew in the fireball I had left floating in the hall…
“Grah!”
…and pulled myself out of the sofa cushions to fly at her.
“I can sense the movement of the air with my tail.”