Chapter 129: Arena and Idle
“Idle, it’s morning~”
“Mmm, Are-na? … Mmm, good morning~~♪”
“Yeah, good morning~”
It’s been a little over a week since we returned to Ladaria. It’s been nearly two weeks since Idle turned into a fairy child. Around noon today, she’ll return to ‘the original Idle.
Recently, Arena has been happily taking care of her in this state. You could say she’s been spoiling her. Since Idle is a fairy and a child, Arena doesn’t feel ‘lonely’ even if she becomes a fairy herself. Also, being a ‘fairy child’ has made playing much more fun. Specifically, they can now have back-and-forth battles in board games.
She loved the usual Idle, but she’s come to love this Idle too. However, since they are the same individual, she didn’t confuse them, and saw this Idle as one aspect of her, so she didn’t think her disappearing was a ‘farewell’.
“Mmm… (pat)”
“Oh?”
“…Yeah, good morning, Idle. What should we do today?”
“Stay with Arena~♪”
However, the thought that this might be the last time caused her heart to react differently. That’s why she used her ‘S.A.T’ mode. To make sure she had no regrets.
“Alright, let’s have a great day then~♪”
“Yeah~!”
“You two are energetic from the morning… yawn…”
Arena, with Idle on her shoulders, began walking aimlessly through Ladaria.
Today is another day off. In fact, it’s been off days until Idle returns, so La Veil has been casually going monster hunting with Quad to help him raise his rank. Meanwhile, Arena and the others have been visiting the orphanage, going to the hot spring town, or visiting various people.
Sometimes, they even invited La Veil and hold surprise live performances on a special stage to make some money.
They held board game tournaments and engaged in serious mental battles with Idle.
They participated in performances by the young beast group Eneku, and did all sorts of things.
But once that was all done, they started climbing the trees covering Ladaria and leisurely playing shogi while sunbathing.
Spending such peaceful moments together was something irreplaceable for the two of them.
“Alright, we’re here~”
“We’re here~♪”
And so, another game begins today, as they savor their candy.
The board and pieces that Arena and the others use were handmade by the two of them together. The board has legs, its surface is carefully finished, and the wood grain and luster are of the highest quality. They even used wood from trees that grew near the World Tree, making it incredibly sturdy. With the same material, they also crafted the piece stands and storage box.
Since it was something they made in the early days, they could probably create an even better one now. However, as this board is a cherished memento of their bond, the thought of replacing it never even crosses their minds.
As for the pieces, they were truly remarkable. Instead of using characters, each piece was intricately carved to represent what it stood for.
The king was depicted as a man wearing a robe and crown, pawns were sculpted as soldiers wielding swords or spears, and the rook took the form of a Chinese-style dragon. Every detail was meticulously crafted, making the pieces quite large. Naturally, the board was made larger to accommodate them.
Since the pieces couldn’t be flipped over, special pieces were crafted to represent their promoted forms. As a result, the storage box for the pieces became quite extravagant.
… Clack… clack…
During the match, the two of them didn’t exchange a single word. However, every now and then, their eyes would meet, and they would grin at each other. The atmosphere was warm and peaceful. Winning or losing didn’t matter—what felt good was simply sharing this time together.
Despite not using Synchronization or Multiple Thought Processing, they were completely in sync in their natural state.
… Clack… clack… “Ah.”
At a decisive moment in the match, a critical move was played, and both of them spoke at the same time.
Arena carefully examined the board, scratched her cheek with a slight scritch scritch sound, and made a face that said,
“Oops…”
“…Nothing left? Hmm—I’ve lost~♪”
“Ehehe~ I wooo~on♪”
And when the match was over, they would hug each other and burst into laughter like always. After yet another match had concluded, Idolly suddenly stood up and sat down on Arena’s lap.
“Hm? …What’s wrong, Idle…?”
“…Are you feeling lonely?”
“Ugh… well, yeah.”
Idle wasn’t using Fairy Eyes: Altered, yet she could still somehow understand what Arena was thinking. Lately, Arena had been activating her S.A.T Mode every time its cooldown ended, even though she usually only used it in emergencies. Idle instinctively realized that something was off with Arena—and that she herself was the cause. This feeling… it was similar to that time.
“When we go back… will you hate it?”
“No, I don’t hate it… It’s just that I fell for you too—that’s all. Maybe it’s because I’ve been seeing both Fairy Idle and Human Idle. It feels like I’ve gained another person to love.”
Idle turned to look at her, and Arena gently bumped their foreheads together.
“I had a feeling I was about to say something selfish… I just didn’t want to part with you. That’s why I became the version of me who used Limited Growth. Heh, even though it’s different for you, Idle. But I still have all my memories, so when you return, I’m sure you’ll remember everything too, right?”
“Hmm… you think so…? If that’s true, I’d be happy~♪”
“Yeah, I’d be happy too… I love you, Idle.”
“I love you too, Arena~♪”
As time slowly passed, the two of them gazed up at the vast, clear blue sky, waiting for that moment to come…
“I’m back, Arena…”
“…Welcome home, Idle.”
… Sigh.
“Why are you sighing first thing after waking up?”
“No, it’s just… witnessing an angel job-change into a goddess was so overwhelming that I fell into self-loathing.”
“You’re saying weird things right from the start, huh, Idle?”
No, but really… I remembered everything, just like Arena said. Every detail of what happened is still in my head. Even if I as an individual consciousness ceased to exist, my memories remained intact. That was a relief, sure, but now I feel like dying from embarrassment over everything I did. Also, the speed at which Arena and my fairy-girl self bonded was way too fast… I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be jealous of myself.
“Seriously, Arena—once you’re back, I’m going to spoil you to death, you hear?”
“Ahaha, I’ll be looking forward to it… But more importantly, is your Demonization skill okay?”
“Huh? Oh… now that you mention it, I don’t feel anything strange. Let’s check it out.”
Idle (3) Lv.1340
Unique Race: Dimensional Fairy (Awakened+)
HP: 30,665,998 / 30,665,998
MP: 63,600,023 / 63,600,023
AK (Attack): 342,803,900
DF (Defense): 311,009,010
MAK (Magic Attack): 54,226,999,044,400
MDF (Magic Defense): 52,308,770,340,000
INT (Intelligence): 7,100
SPD (Speed): 20,122,690,550,000
【Unique Skills】
- Fairy Magic
- Fairy Eyes
- Spatial Magic
- Manifestation Dependence
- Conceptual Resistance
- Holy Sword (Stage 2)
- True Holy Armor (Dormant)
- Limited Loli
- Demonization (Sealed)
【Skills】
- Singing (S)
- Swordsmanship (EX)
- Humanization (S+)
- Four-Element Magic (EX)
- Restraint (S+)
- Concealment (S+)
- Familiar Contract (―)
- Parallel Thought Processing (S)
【Titles】
- Dragon Killer
- Master of Ancient Dragons
- Rebel
- Battle Master
- ●・●●
- Dungeon Ruler
Demonization
Destroys rationality, trapping the user in an impulse of destruction and slaughter. Grants a 1,000x multiplier to all stats. Currently sealed and unavailable for use.
“…It says ‘sealed’.”
“Oh, that’s great♪”
Thanks to ‘Fairy Magic – Modified,’ the skill was properly sealed, so no issues there. I can’t even imagine what would happen if I underwent ‘Demonization’ in my fairy body. Even a hero ended up like that, so if it were me, it would probably be a complete disaster.
Like, ‘Devil Idle-chan Mode’ or something… No, wait, if that’s the case, I should just have Arena dress up as a little devil instead. Calm down, me. I must not imagine it. I must not—
“Arena, can you try acting a little devilish?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about~~”
“Aghhh!”
And now she’s squishing my cheeks. Okay, I’m sorry. Oh, looks like Quad is coming from the sky.
“Arena… Oh? It seems Lady Idle has returned. It has been two weeks.”
“Yeah, thanks. What’s up, Quad? Weren’t you out hunting monsters with La Veil?”
“Indeed, but I heard that Lady Forna has been looking for the two of you, so La Veil and I have been searching for you.”
“I see. Well then, let’s contact La Veil.”
It’s been a while since I used ‘Synchronization.’ I wonder if La Veil will be surprised?
『La Veil?』
『Hm? O-Ohhh!! Master, you’re back!!』
『Y-Yeah, long time no see. Thanks for leading everyone while I was gone. I really appreciate it.』
『Oh, don’t mention it. More importantly, Quad should be there by now, right? Forna is calling for you. She’s waiting at the castle.』
『Got it. I’ll head there right away.』
『Understood!!』
Rather than being surprised, she sounded happy. Yeah, I kind of feel happy too… or maybe just a little embarrassed. Did La Veil feel a bit lonely too? Though she seemed to be having fun with my younger fairy self. Maybe she was just feeling unmotivated without me around.
Oh well, I guess I’ll have to give her plenty of opportunities to tease me again.
“Alright, let’s go, Arena, Quad.”
“Yeah!”
“Understood.”
I’ve had enough rest. Time to get back to work—for my friends.
“I’ve been meaning to ask—what exactly is the relationship between you two at this point?”
“A beloved best friend!”
“A best friend whose love knows no bounds!”
(…To my eyes, they already seem like a married couple, but well, fairies are just like that, I suppose.)
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