Chapter 361: Penacony Arc 『 Part Fifty-six 』, Masquerade Duet Part 7
〜Sword Art Online World〜
"Ugh… surely her dance partner isn't Acheron? That's a one-way ticket to hell…"
Asuna murmured, her brow furrowing slightly.
Kirito sat beside her, his black trench coat draped casually over the back of his chair. He watched the faint, enigmatic smile playing on Black Swan's lips and shook his head gently.
"It wasn't quite that terrifying, was it? Miss Acheron's demeanor was actually rather cordial. If I had to make a comparison… she's like a relatively friendly but overwhelmingly powerful NPC. That whole dance only went south because Black Swan took the initiative to peer into Acheron's memories; otherwise, nothing would have happened."
"I suppose that's true…"
Asuna mused, reflecting on the scene. During that dance, Acheron truly hadn't displayed any proactive malice. Had she shown even a flicker of intent… Black Swan likely wouldn't be collaborating with the Express Crew in such high spirits now.
Black Swan being crushed within Acheron's memories felt more like a gamer accidentally stepping into a high-level Boss's domain, only to be effortlessly dispatched by a passive environmental trap.
"Still, what's happening now must have happened before the alliance with Trailblazer was formed. Black Swan should have already established contact with Himeko. Her partner… I suspect it's the Astral Express."
Kirito chuckled.
"Compared to the straightforward nature of the Express Crew, the dealings of these Masked Fools are far too murky. If it were me, I don't think I'd have the nerve to cooperate with someone like Sparkle. I think I've started to figure out her style… If she claims she's going on stage to perform, I suspect she'd find a way to kick me into the spotlight while she hides in the shadows. Then, once I've drawn enough of the audience's attention, she'd set off a bomb to send us all back to reality."
—
「 The Reverie Hotel—
The amber glow of the lounge lights cast a hazy hue over Sparkle's dissatisfied face. She sat at the bar, swinging her legs and clutching a glass of classic-flavored SoulGlad. She let out a long, dramatic sigh. "Sigh… honestly, it's not like I was actually going to do anything to her."
"Forget about that Memokeeper. Let's talk about my business. I've helped where I was needed, and according to our deal—" Sampo paused, his voice dropping an octave. "It's time you gave me back my Mask, isn't it?"
Sparkle adopted a look of profound contemplation. "Since when did the Masked Fools start following through on their promises?"
Sampo froze, momentarily speechless.
Seeing his stunned expression, Sparkle burst into a fit of giggles. Her laughter sounded like a jar of glass marbles spilling onto the floor, clinking and dancing across the hazy bar counter.
"—Haha, just kidding! I just love that look on your face. Here, take it. The key to the tavern cellar is in the third barrel on the left. Just don't tell anyone it came from me."
But then, she tilted her head curiously. "But really, Sampo… after all this time, why the sudden urge to take back the mask? This doesn't sound like the guy I know…"
"Let me guess—a great catastrophe is coming to Jarilo-VI, isn't it?"
Sampo rested a hand on his hip and shook his head slightly. "Well, that's strictly off the record. However, I've always liked that saying of yours—'The show is about to begin; those who can't make it to the stage can only retreat backstage.' It makes a lot of sense."
"Every now and then, old Sampo wants to get on stage and make a bit of a fool of himself."
Sparkle turned away. "If you run out of options, remember to call me. I'm a girl who values friendship, you know."
"I'll pass. If you stay far away from Belobog, that'll be help enough. After all, the kind of 『 Elation 』 Miss Sparkle pursues… is a bit too rich for Sampo's blood." With that, Sampo gave a casual wave. "I'm off. Give my regards to Giovanni."
"I know, I know. I was just talking. Don't take it so seriously. Everyone's the same…"
"—Why so serious?" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Harry Potter World〜
The soil of the Forbidden Forest gave off a damp, earthy musk after the rain. Harry stumbled along behind Hagrid, his boots making a rhythmic 'squelch' as they sank into the mire. Hagrid's moleskin coat was equally caked in mud, but he strode forward unbothered, occasionally leaning down to inspect the bioluminescent mushrooms sprouting by the path.
"Hagrid, these Masked Fools might still have a trump card! The masks themselves!"
Harry panted as he leaped over a fallen log, eagerly sharing his theories about the figures appearing in the sky.
"I'm telling you… They must have some kind of power sealed inside those masks! And that Acheron—she's incredible! She actually countered a Memokeeper trying to pry into her mind and wiped out the Ever-Flame Mansion all by herself! It's just—"
Harry suddenly realized Hagrid hadn't said a word. He lowered his voice instinctively. "…Hagrid?
Are you listening?"
"Sorry, Harry, I haven't been paying much mind to all that."
Hagrid pushed aside a thicket of vines without looking back.
"I'm not much for those Pathstriders and their constant bickering and battling. I'm far more interested in those lovely little creatures out there in the cosmos."
"Little creatures?"
Harry thought back to the animals Hagrid usually kept and felt a sudden wave of dread.
"You don't mean the True Stings, do you—"
"Give me some credit, Harry!"
The two finally reached the hut. Hagrid pushed open the door, which was reinforced with dragon teeth.
"Come in and have a seat."
The moment the door opened, Harry realized exactly what 'little creatures' Hagrid meant.
Aside from the usual cluttered furniture, the most striking sight was a collection of plush toys tucked into a corner. It was hard to imagine the giant Hagrid having an affection for such things—there was Pam, several Wubbaboos, and even a few Heliobi.
Harry's eyes lit up when he saw the Pam plush.
"Fascinating, isn't it? That… rabbit?"
Mentioning his beloved magical beasts finally sparked some life in Hagrid.
"I've never seen such a perfect creature! Long-lived! Intelligence that rivals a human's! And so cute to boot! I suspect Pam is some kind of crossbreed of an extraterrestrial rabbit, but it's a shame we can only watch through the sky. But this one is the real prize."
Hagrid pulled out a Wubbaboo plush the size of a basketball.
"These things are selling like mad in Diagon Alley. I had a right struggle getting my hands on one; all the ladies seem to love them. It's a pity we can't get a message to Herta Space Station. If we could, I'd be the first in line to apply for a permit to adopt a real one."
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