Prestige☆Service
At the New Year's festival, word must have spread, as an unusually large crowd gathered at the theater.
Whew...
The one saving grace was that everything we could possibly prepare within the deadline had been done.
With Scarlet's help, we somehow managed to finish the costumes...
And to improve the props even a little, Lisette even got a mock-up of the Monolith Order's magic circle through Muriel.
All that remained was to finish the performance safely.
But then...
Where's Rosaria?!
Did I offend her without realizing it? Or did she lose interest because the script wasn't about a messy love drama?
Where did it all go wrong...?!
Haha. Still struggling right up to the end, Captain?
So you're back, you traitor!
...Traitor?
That was ages ago, Captain. Why bring it up now?
People might get the wrong idea if they hear you.
I was where things might have gone wrong.
Did the Orbital Search Team come to enjoy the festival too?
Strictly speaking, we're stationed here in case of a disaster.
Based on the results derived from an equation created by our trainee Naru—
It's the super genius Naru's neo Qliphoth equation!
...Anyway, according to the results, there is a verified probability of a disaster occurring on-site.
If it's dangerous, shouldn't the festival be postponed?
Well... Technically, it was only Naru's equation that pointed to that conclusion. There was no official disaster alert.
So basically, nothing's supposed to happen?
Haha. For now, the Council is concerned because unexpected disasters have been happening more often.
Since it's a crowded festival, Lady Alicia instructed us to be prepared just in case.
That makes sense.
Wait! Why does that convince you, but not my equation?!
Calm down, Naru. Like the Captain said, it's better for us if nothing happens.
We can't stay here forever, so we'll be heading out now.
Good luck with the play.
As Roberta and her team left, the show was announced to begin, followed by a burst of cheers.
At the host's signal, I made my way onto the stage.
...
As the lights went out and the theater fell silent in anticipation, I managed to regain my composure, if only briefly.
Hadn't it always been like this? This Journey with a Demon Lord was ordinary, and yet anything but.
All I have to do is trust her.
I just need to have faith in her. My Journey member.
Surely, once the lights come up and all eyes are on the stage...
Rosaria will be standing proudly on stage, as if nothing had happened...!
Isn't that right, Rosaria?!
...Where are you?!
H-huh?
When the Captain shouted... the ground suddenly started shaking!
As if triggered by my shout, a sudden light began spreading from the magic circle mock-up.
The light overwhelmed the stage, and the audience cheered, apparently mistaking it for part of the performance...
...No.
This light... It's not coming from the magic circle. It's coming from the sky...!
Grrk...
Kraaawr!
Damn it...!
Everyone, run!
Incredible...! NOA really hyped it up, but I didn't think they'd go this far!
B-but that Voidborn... It looks way too real to be a costume!
Don't be stupid. How could a Voidborn that big ever make it through the Divine Barrier?
Plus, it appeared right when the play started. Too unreal to be a coincidence.
This is amazing! Captain, you're incredible!!
This isn't part of the play...!!
The blade I swung in desperation bounced right off the Voidborn's exoskeleton.
The crowd roared. To them, the hero's crisis was just part of the drama.
Kraaawr!
H-huh...? It suddenly got dark.
I-is this really part of the play? Something feels wrong, doesn't it?
W-we should get outta here... But I can't see...!
Grrrr...
I'm... your opponent...!
Gripping my blade like a brush, I let the feeling in my hand replace my vision with the image it drew.
The stage wasn't far from the audience. If I failed to draw its attention...
Kraaawr!
No...!
I have to hold out until the Orbital Search Team arrives...!!
This is terrible! A sudden monster attack has put the Captain in danger!
A dire crisis! At this rate, even the citizens will be at risk!
...Huh?
The all-too-familiar voice began reciting lines I had read countless times before.
Those lines were unmistakably part of Rosaria's script.
...Ugh.
You really know how to scare people.
Ahaha! Honestly, you can't do anything without me, can you?
Did you forget that we need to work together to overcome the Journey's trial?
Of course. We can only overcome it together.
Help me, Star—!!
...Huh?
A magical girl?!
Why do you look so surprised? Someone might think it was our first encounter! ☆
Did you forget? We first met on the way to school...
I was running with toast in my mouth when I fate☆fully collided with you, the CEO who exploits his workers!
Oh right, you wouldn't remember! ☆ You went flying twenty meters and passed out on the spot!
Stop making things up on the fly!
And what's with the stars at the end of your lines?!
What are you talking about? ☆ The me you see now is the result of everyone's love united as one!
And in return for that love, I crossed space and time to come save you, by fate! ☆
...
Oops! No time for this! ☆ Let's put our strength together and defeat that monster!
Everyone! Please cheer for me with all your love! ☆
Thanks for the cheers! ☆ Then here comes my finishing move!
I have deigned to appear before you. Now curse your own ignorance and writhe in hell...!
Wrong line! That's the wrong line!!
Oopsie! ☆ Let's just call that a little improv, shall we?
All right, this time, together! ☆
Lyrical! Magical! I'll reduce you to ashes!
Sparkle! ☆
And so, thanks to the exploits of the Star Savior— I mean, Magical Girl Rosaria, the performance ended in great success.
With the Orbital Search Team's arrival soon after, the citizens returned home safely.
