Story Reader / Collab / Blazing Simulacrum / Story
The specks of light on the inverted virtual castle slowly begin to move, showing that the "game" has begun.
She's made her first move.
Long story short, this is some kind of board game, right?
Yeah, my sister thought chess was too boring, so we modified chess and came up with this.
The rules are somewhat similar to "Ludo" or "Monopoly" in that random events are triggered when you land on certain squares, and that you need to battle through dice rolls when you come across one of your opponent's pieces.
The goal is to get as many pieces to the finish line as possible, with the winner determined by the points of the pieces... Ah, these examples might be a bit hard to grasp—
No, I totally get what you're saying.
Ludo... that's the board game where pieces fly from the base to the finish, right? I've heard of it.
So you know what it is?
Why? Is that a surprise to you?
No, it's not that. It's just that I don't know you that well yet...
I know what "macarons" are, too.
Too sweet and sticky for my taste.
Oh? Is that so?
But what does that have to do with what we're doing here...
...
Something is coming. Get yourself ready.
Led by instinct, BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER draws out her sword and raises it at the room's entrance.
A moment later, the room's door slowly opens, and a girl in a black dress steps in with light footsteps.
...!
Been a while, huh? Well, I guess it hasn't actually been all that long.
She greets them cheerfully, with a bright smile.
DEAD MASTER... Thought I'd see you here.
BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER puts on a defeated look, which she rarely does.
Try to look like you're enjoying this if you did.
Why the sour face when you look so nice with a smile?
So you know each other... I knew it.
That'd be correct. She and I are fated rivals. Not even death shall do us part.
Guess we're meant to train our weapons at each other no matter where we go or what happens.
Isn't there something quite romantic about a bond that nothing can sever?
Uh...
She's just someone I've known for a long time.
You sure are cold...
Wait, so you're not a Mental Image that the "King" came up with?
If that's the case, why are you fighting us, then?
By the logic of interest, you should take our side.
Interests? That's too complicated for me. I'd rather not bother.
To put it simply, my stance is the opposite of hers. If she chooses to side with the "King", then I might consider standing with you.
Uhh...
That's just how she is. There is no talking sense into her.
Not that we need to overthink this anyway.
Since this is a "game," we'll just see each other as an opponent.
Is this where the battle begins?
This time won't be like the last, or the time before that, or the time before that time. I'm giving you no chance to sneak attack me.
Do you always get sneak attacked...?
Alright—I can hardly wait!
Though I'd love to echo your enthusiasm, now's not the time. We gotta wait a little longer.
The dice before DEAD MASTER glows faintly, indicating she hasn't moved to the square yet that she's supposed to be at.
Under her feet, a symbol identical to BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER's starts flashing, indicating that she's been assigned the role of the white "Queen".
Well then, I'm headed straight to the finish line now.
She walks straight past Lucia and BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER, leaving the room.
I still remember her from when we first met... I have to say she really does as she pleases.
I'm pretty much used to that now.
So, she's the white "Queen", huh...
From my experience fighting her, I can say she's not someone we want to take lightly.
Right. I guess I know that better than anyone else.
Right then, one of the dice around BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER glows up.
The dice spins in mid-air, finally settling on the number "11".
It's our turn now.
11... Commandant is pretty lucky!
The "Queen" possesses greater mobility than any other piece, making it the easiest to reach the goal.
It also scores the highest. Generally, even at the expense of other pieces, the "Queen" should be prioritized to reach the goal first.
Lucia, one of the creators of this chessboard game, remembers her time spent playing it with her sister, even if the memory is somewhat distant.
...See you around.
Okay.
Parting ways with Lucia, BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER moves to her next square following the points shown on the dice.
