Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

November came and went, leading to the first Sunday of December.

To no one’s surprise, the declaration of war arrived together with the exam season. All of the students wanted to avoid having to worry about anything outside of school for those days, so they set the date to be on the last Sunday before the first exam day… And soon the time to fight would come.

Tensions were high in the valley between the Dragonbone Desert and Fort Vargan, where Lua Cheia’s camp was set up. A palisade was erected to the east from there, to serve as their frontline, and sitting atop that barrier was Crim, looking at Schwertrot’s army on the other side.

“Ohh… So it was no exaggeration that we were outnumbered three to one. But I can clearly see who is ready to fight, and those who would rather be elsewhere.”

Her voice seemed unbothered as she spoke to those players, which numbered 450 in contrast to Crim’s 150. And yet that did not affect her at all, and it did not take long before a crowd of enemy players gathered to look at her.

“That’s her…”
“It’s Crim in the flesh…”
“She’s so small…so cute…”
“I want to lick her dangling feet…”

There were a lot of different reactions to seeing her. Those far away still watched warily, but the crowd near the palisade, while not friendly, had a rather distinct reaction.

Crim assumed that they were the leaders of the second server players that transferred over.

“Are you sure you can afford to play games instead of studying for your exams, young lady?”

Grinning, one of the men took a step forward, speaking with a mocking voice, but Crim puffed her chest like she had nothing to be ashamed of.

“Hah, but of course. Exams are only meant to test previously learned knowledge after all.”

Bringing out the most cheeky and irritating grin she could muster, Crim leaned forward to look down at him, placing a hand to her chest as she continued.

“It must be disappointing to learn that I’ve never neglected my studies, so I’ve never had to fret over exams… Ohh, I see how it is now…”

At that point, Crim’s eyes narrowed, acting like she had just come to an entertaining realization, covering her lips as she grinned.

“Didst thou truly believe that striking upon so momentous a date for students would trouble us? Only a lowly *pig*, one who never heeded a single lesson and then wailed over examinations, would harbor such a notion. Is that not so? Hm?”

Her words were addressed directly to the man from earlier, who stammered incoherently. Sadly for him, Crim had hit bullseye with her assumption.

Showing that Crim’s words hurt his emotions would only prove her right, so he gathered all the willpower he could muster to contain his anger and retreated, his face still red.

Many other players on the Holy Kingdom’s side, and even a decent number of the United Kingdoms players clasped their chests, looking down like they had just taken a heavy blow, but Crim pretended not to see anything.

“So tell me, where doth thine ruler now reside?”

That was a question other enemy players also had, finally voiced by Crim. Theodolite, the leader of the Holy Kingdom, was nowhere to be seen.

“There’s no need for him to be here.”
“Hmm… That’s a shame, I was hoping to finally see him.”

*…I see, so this is what he meant when he said he was propped up as a ruler.*

Crim finally understood what Suzaku had been trying to say before. Then again, there was such a stark difference in numbers that the other leaders had an excuse to keep him away, while secretly remaining in power themselves.

*…They have the perfect excuse here, but it can’t feel nice to be treated like a pawn.*

Aware of those thoughts popping in her head, Crim grinned again.

“Ah, I get it… He felt so insecure despite his numerous army that he just had to target our exam week. I’d also run away and hide in shame if I did that.”

She gestured like she was covering her face in shame while snickering, which began to rile up the Holy Kingdom players.

Holding out one arm to restrain them, one of their leaders, an elven man, admonished her.

“…One’s worth comes from their strength and charisma to build up allies. It’s obvious you’ve failed in that aspect, seeing your numbers, so can you really talk about shame?”
“Ohhh, well said. I wholly agree! *Being able to gather allies is certainly essential to build a strong nation.*”

Contrary to his expectations, Crim did not attempt to fight his claims. He was taken aback, but also appeared triumphant…until Crim shattered his smile.

“Heh, ahahah… thine words may no longer be taken back, and it shall not be long ere thou wishest they yet could.”

They felt like Crim’s intense stare was boring into their souls, as they took a few steps back and began to brandish their weapons.

*…The fight hasn’t even started, but they’ve become vulnerable enough that just a little pressure could send them into a frenzy.*

Seeing the disconcerted looks spreading through the Holy Kingdom’s army, Crim nodded satisfied with herself, and jumped off the palisade to return to her camp.

◇◇◇

“…I see you’re still a psychological menace out there.”

Those tired words greeted Crim as she entered her camp.

“Hm? Thou art the very last soul I had thought to hear such words from, Frey. Go, then, and bestow upon them a measure of thy encouragement as well.”

Crim retorted that Frey was far better suited for that role than she was, but he just shrugged in response to her accusatory stare, shaking his head as he replied.

“No, I’ve given up that life, I’d rather continue leeching off you. My name will just end up plastered all over the forum hate threads if I go out there to finish them off.”

While Frey looked disheartened by that reality, Crim could only wonder just what he had planned on saying.