Part 2
Little Garden, Outer Gate number: 2105380, Inner Wall
The four of them, Jin, Asuka, Yō and the calico cat arrived on the other side underneath the veil after passing through a passageway made of stone.
In that moment, the four of them were engulfed in radiant light.
They saw enormous buildings as far as the eye could see and the veil covering the city.
"O-Ojou! Even though we should've entered a shrouded city, we can see the sun!"
"...Seems like it. But we didn't see into Little Garden from the outside."
From high up in the air they could not see the streets and buildings below the cover of the city.
Nonetheless now the sun is apparent on the sky of the city.
Looking at the city with buildings reaching for the sky, they tilted their head in confusion.
"The shroud covering Little Garden becomes see-through from the inside. It was originally placed there for the protection of species that can't take sunlight directly."
While gazing at the blue sky, Asuka raised an eyebrow and remarked with an ironic tone.
"That is a very interesting story. Could vampires be living in this city?"
"Well..., they do."
"...I see..."
Asuka put on a mixed expression.
She didn't know what kind of lives those real vampires led, but she didn't think they would live in the same city with everyone.
The calico cat slid down from Yō's arms and started admiring the view of the Fountain Plaza.
"Still though... The air really feels different here than in other human settlements I know. It's as clear as the air deep in the mountains after the morning fog clears up. Look! That sculpture in the fountain is really well made! If Ojou's father could see it, he would be delighted for sure."
"Yeah, I agree."
"Oh, did you say something?"
"....Nothing."
Yō replied with a tone very different from the gentle way she spoke with the calico cat.
Asuka didn't pursue her strange behaviour further, rather she turned her gaze towards the crowded Fountain Plaza.
Near the fountain there were a number of elegant and stylish sidewalk cafes.
"Is there one you recommend?"
"I-I'm sorry. I left the arrangements to Kuro Usagi... Please choose any one you like."
"That is quite generous of you."
Finally they sat down at a cafe bearing the flag of 'Six Scars'. From inside the shop, a cat-eared young girl quickly appeared to take their orders.
"Welcome! What can I get you?"
"Let me see...Two black tea and a cup of green tea. As for a light meal...this... and that."
"And a nekomanma!"
"Yes yes. So three tea sets and a nekomanma."
Hm...? Asuka and Jin tilted their heads in confusion. But the one who was even more surprised was Kasukabe Yō. With eyes like she was experiencing something beyond belief, she asked the waitress.
"You can understand what calico cat is saying?"
"Of course I do~, I belong to the feline race. This gentleman has very charming fur for his age, so I'll give you a bit of an extra service~."
"Your ears are pretty too and have nicely bent tail, Nee-chan. The next chance I get, I will come again for a bite."
"Oh mister, you're such a sweet talker♪"
The cat-eared young girl returned to the shop, swinging her tail back and forth on the way.
After watching her go back inside the shop, Yō started to pat the calico cat with a happy smile.
"...Little Garden is an amazing place, isn't it calico cat? There is someone else who can understand what you say other than me."
"I'm happy for you, Ojou."
"Wai-Wait a second. Perhaps you can converse with cats?" Asked Asuka with an unusually flustered voice.
In response, Yō nodded a little.
Jin was also fascinated and started asking questions.
"Can you also communicate with other species, not just cats?"
"Yeah. If it's alive, then I can talk with it."
"That sounds wonderful. Then you can even talk with those wild birds flying around?"
"Yeah, I probably ... can. The only birds I spoke with were sparrow, heron and cuckoo..., but I could talk with a penguin so it should be no problem."
"Penguin!?"
"U-Un. I've met one at the Aquarium. I'm also friends with dolphins."
As if interrupting Yō, Asuka and Jin raised their voice. Both of them were surprised by the same thing.
There should be plenty of chances for one to meet wild birds, but to think she had the opportunity to talk to a penguin!
"Bu-But if it's really possible for you to talk with every kind of species, then it's a very reassuring Gift to have. Here in Little Garden, the gap in understanding with Mythical Beasts is very wide."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Some of the feline race and those who belong to a deity's household, like rabbits, are given an ability to communicate with other races, but Mythical Beasts are a whole independent species. It's common knowledge that if you are not of the same species or possess a suitable Gift, then it is very difficult to reach an understanding. Even Kuro Usagi who is the part of the household of Little Garden's Creator should not be able to communicate with every species."
"I see...Kasukabe-san has a wonderful ability, I am a bit jealous."
Once smiled upon, Yō scratched her face nervously. In contrast Asuka whispered with a melancholic voice and expression. Yō and Asuka only met a few hours ago for the first time, but Yō could already tell that Asuka's current expression doesn't seem like her.
"Kudou-san--"
"Just call me Asuka. Nice to meet you once again."
"Ah, ok. What kind of ability do you have, Asuka?"
"Mine? My power is ... well, just terrible. Because--"
"Oyaa? Isn't it the leader of that insignificant 'John Doe' Community from the East Block, Jin-kun himself. Kuro Usagi isn't here to babysit you today?"
A disrespectful and prudish voice called to Jin.
Behind his back was a strange man, over 2m tall and dressed in a colorful tuxedo. Unfortunately, really unfortunately, that strange man was someone Jin was familiar with.
Jin replied with a frown on his face.
"Our Community is called 'No Name', Galdo Gasper from 'Fores Garo'."
"Shut up you nameless. I heard you summoned new talents. It's shocking how you were able to keep your Community together in such a hideous state with its pride lost along with its [Name] and [Emblem].... Don't you think so, ladies?"
The bulky man named Galdo dressed in a colorful tuxedo, boldly sat down on the free chair at their table. Asuka and Yō smiled at him from courtesy, but at the same time they responded to his rude manner with a cold attitude.
"I am sorry, but if you wish to sit among us, would you care to introduce yourself before you start a conversation, as etiquette dictates."
"Oops, I'm sorry. I'm affiliated with a Community called '666 Beasts' that resides in the Upper Echelons of Little Garden."
"A disorderly mob."
"I'm the leader of -- Hey, wait a minute!! What disorderly mob, you brat!!!"
After hearing Jin's remark, Galdo raised his voice, and at the same time his face changed greatly. His mouth ripped open till the base of his ears, and predator like fangs and wide open eyes were directed at Jin with intense hate.
"Watch your mouth, kid. I'm known as a gentleman, but there are things even I can't pretend not to hear."
"In your times as the guardian of the forest, you would have taken a proper attitude towards us. Now you only look like a beast that lays waste to this neighborhood of Outer Gate number 2105380."
"Ha-, you are no different from a ghost clinging to the glorious past yourself. Do you even understand what kind of situation your Community is in?"
"There. Wait just a moment."
Asuka raised her hand to interrupt the bickering two.
"I do not understand the situation, but I clearly see that you two are on bad terms with each other. I would like to ask a few questions with that in mind."
Asuka sent an icy stare. However the target of her gaze was not Galdo Gasper, but--
"Ne, Jin-kun. Would you like to explain to us what Galdo-san might mean by pointing out our Community's current situation?"
"Tha-That is..."
Jin was at a loss for words. That time, he realized he made a huge mistake. It was about what he and Kuro Usagi wanted to hide.
Asuka did not miss his troubled expression, and pressed for answers.
"You introduced yourself as the leader of this Community. In that case, like Kuro Usagi, it should be your duty to explain to your newly summoned comrades what Communities are. Am I mistaken?"
Her asking voice was quiet, but her questions were assaulting Jin like a sharp knife.
Watching this scene, Galdo Gasper returned his beast-like face to its human form, then he said in a subdued tone and smile with hidden meaning.
"Lady, it's just as you said. Explaining the rules of the world of Little Garden to newly summoned comrades is his natural duty. But of course he doesn't want to. If you allow me, the leader of 'Fores Garo', I will objectively explain the importance of Communities and the situation of the Community 'No Name', this brat-- I mean Jin Russel is leading."
Asuka once again looked at Jin with a suspicious expression. He was still sitting there with his eyes cast down in silence.
"Might as well. Please do so."
"I certainly will. Firstly, Community is a general term, used for organizations founded by a number of individuals. Its form is different among different species. Humans use words as Family, Organization and Country in reference to them while Mythical Beasts call it [Horde]."
"I know that much."
"Yes, just making sure. For a Community to be active within Little Garden it needs to have a [Name] and an [Emblem]. Particularly important is the [Emblem] that is used to indicate the territory of a Community. This shop has a large flag too, floating up there. That one is also that."
Galdo pointed out the flag depicting the emblem of 'Six Scars' hanging from the roof of the sidewalk cafe.
"That emblem, made up of six scar marks, indicates that this shop is within the territory of the Community that manages it. If you wish to expand your Community, then you can bet that [Emblem] against another Community in a [Gift Game] you both agreed to. In fact, I expanded my Community using this exact method."
Galdo Gasper boastingly points to his [Emblem] engraved on his colorful tuxedo.
His emblem was made with a tiger stripe pattern. Yō and Asuka looking around the plaza saw stores and buildings decorated with the same pattern.
"If that pattern indicates the territory of a Community... Then is it correct to assume you are almost entirely in control of this neighborhood?"
"Indeed. Sadly the headquarters of the Community managing this shop is situated in the South Block so we can't make a move, but the rest of the active mid-class Communities around Outer Gate number 2105380 are all under my rule. The rest are roughly those with headquarters in different Blocks or higher Levels, ... And those that aren't even worth the effort to take over.", laughed Galdo sarcastically.
Jin was still grasping his robe tightly with eyes cast down.
"Now then, from now on are the problems with your Community, Ladies. To tell the truth ... the Community you now belong to was the greatest Community in this East Block until a few years ago."
"Hoh, how unexpected."
"Even though the leader was different then. It seems he was an excellent man, much superior to this Jin-kun now. Their scores with Gift Games were the best among humanity, they were the most powerful Community here in the East Block, they say."
After that Galdo suddenly started speaking in a bored tone. The one with the greatest Community right now was him, so this story must have been of no concern to him at all.
"In this Little Garden that is divided into West, East, North and South Blocks, beside the East Block he had deep relations with the core Communities of the North and South Block. Really, I'm telling the truth, ... Even though I detest Jin, that was really something. He earned the approval of the Mythical Beasts of the South and the Man-eating Monsters of the North, and even had connections with the Upper Echelons of Little Garden. So impressive I could almost even admire him.... Well, the previous leader anyway."
"..."
"The Community achieved grandeur unheard of among the Communities founded by humans, but ...! They caught the attention of someone you don't want to make an enemy of. In the end they were forced to participate in a Gift Game and were annihilated in a single night, by the worst calamity in this world of Little Garden that is governed by Gift Games."
"Calamity?"
Asuka and Yō asked back in unison.
It sounded very unreal that an organization that extensive could be destroyed by a simple natural disaster.
"This is not a metaphor, Ladies. They are the single biggest and worst disaster in Little Garden. ...The ones commonly called a [Demon Lord]"
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