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Part 2

Having borrowed the use of a VIP room, Kuro Usagi and Amalthea, who had finished their meal quickly, were seemingly out of breath as they downed their teas to continue their chat.

“But Kuro Usagi-dono and master were actually able to pull through that sort of dangerous situation. When the two of you were teleported by Maxwell, even I had my hopes crushed then. Or should I say that this was to be expected of the 「Aristocrat of Little Garden」.”

Amalthea was smiling as she offered her praises. However, Kuro Usagi was quick to shake her head.

“No, that’s not it. The fact that we were able to escape that sort of dangerous situation was really due to the endowment of protection from my patron god as well as the gamble that Asuka had taken to make that wish. This life was supposed to have been burnt away as according to the legends of the 「Moon Rabbit」.”

When bestowed with the Divinity of the War God*Indra, the body of the 「Moon Rabbit」, which had already been endowed with a strong body and strength, would then surely receive a power that could surpass any ordinary divine entities in strength.

However that would also be the enactment of the 「Moon Rabbit」’s accomplishment where one would exchange one’s life for a miraculous forbidden power.

Originally as the price for the miracle, Kuro Usagi should have paid her life.

“What had been bestowed wasn’t only the Gift. It was also my patron god’s past that was passed down to me in the form of a revelation. —— “Herald of the War God, please stand for your comrades”. To Kuro Usagi, that revelation is the true Gift.”

Placing both her hands before her chest with pride as the patron god of her race had displayed an act that was only to be expected from a resident of Little Garden, there was nothing that she could be more proud of.

Although recently she had been called 「Aristocrat of Little Garden(lol)」 and was taken to be a fool, the symbolic characteristic of self-sacrifice was the true face of the 「Moon Rabbit」s.

“…… is that so? I actually thought that Indra wouldn’t have much positive points besides that which was said in the legends. I guess I should re-evaluate my opinion of him.”

“Mh Hm? I won’t be letting that comment slide like that. Kuro Usagi heard that the elder god of the Greek faction is also quite playful, right? Especially with regards to his female relationships.”

“Aiya, wouldn’t that count as me slapping my own mouth? But the brave adventures of Indra is just as comparable to Zeus (that kiddo). Amongst them would be the story of being cursed after laying his hands on another’s wife. And I heard that the curse in revenge caused Indra to sprout many female parts all over his body,”

“Waaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! I don’t know, I don’t know, Kuro Usagi doesn’t know! Talking about that stuff is a big taboo for a herald!!!”[1]

Her usagimimi had completely reddened as she covered Amalthea’s mouth. Since it’s made a taboo, there should be some sort of punishment for it. Amalthea wished to continue the topic that sparked much happiness within her, but decided to stop on the account of seeing the frantic efforts on Kuro Usagi’s end.

—— Just conveniently mentioning on the side, that curse caused Indra to reach a whole new realm, but that is another thing altogether.

Revealing an elegant smile, Amalthea then sipped at her cup of tea before continuing to the main topic.

“Although it is rejected by many people, the system (origin) of the gods and human history is closely related. Because we are mutual observers who reside in separate universes, those who belong to the “gods most similar to humans” such as Indra and Zeus would then be easily affected by their human sides. Mah, among them are——- those who are born human but are supposed to have been born among the gods to rise as the leader of the gods.”

Hearing such words that had a meaning behind it, Kuro Usagi straightened her back and usagimimi.

Born human but becoming a leader of the gods. There could only be one person whom Amalthea referred to with that line.

“Could it be that, you are referring to …… Asuka-san?

“Mhm. Her talent far exceeds that of a human vessel. However, the existence of master is, how should I put it…… strange. Not balanced. Hard to believe. Religious factions for the gods that have a human as its core do exist such as the Japanese mythologies and the bible, but in her case, it can be said to be the real meaning of 「Unknown」.”

“……Indeed. But even though we are still unable to clearly see the origin of Asuka-san, the clues are still more than the other two.”

Sakamaki Izayoi and Kasukabe Yō were the exceptions outside the frame. Whereas, Asuka’s power was the exception within the frame. It was for certain that it would be counted as an unusual power, but it was still a power that was classified in a different direction from the other two.

“Moreover, we had heard from Garol-san of 「Six Scars」 that Asuka-san might be an 「Atavism」[2]. A phenomenon whereby a divine spirit has manifest its 「atavism」. A financial conglomerate that is in the top five tier of Japan…… Asuka-san’s bloodline, would be expected to have some sort of relationship to the Japanese royalty who bore a god in the form of a human,” 

“No, that’s not possible.”

Amalthea’s reply was immediate and Kuro Usagi quickly shut her mouth after being met with a reply in such a self-assured tone.

Amalthea placed aside her tea cup before continuing.

“I understand where Kuro Usagi-dono’s coming from. But the Japanese mythologies that have their origins tied to royal families have undergone the ritual that led them to forsaking their Divinity after the end of the second world war…… 「Universal Declaration of Human Rights」.”

“YES. Kuro Usagi’s usagimimi also heard that it is after that war that they undertook the ritual to descend their divine statuses and became ordinary humans. And Kuro Usagi thinks that it is those displaced Divinities which are now without a vessel are the ones to have chosen Asuka-san who may have some kind of bloodline relation…..?”

“Mah, ordinarily speaking, that thought would have sounded plausible, I guess. The Divinity that she possess is similar as well as it’s the closest to the cosmology of the Japanese religion. The strength of master would be the real manifestation of the Yōyorozu no kamigami 「Eight hundred thousand gods」. On that point, it’s not wrong at all.”

“Then,”

“But, if that were the case, it would cause 「Kudou Asuka」 to become an existence quintessential for the country of Japan. However, according to the history of humankind when I last checked, that sort of turning point and scenario—— the 「Paradigm Shift」 did not exist.”

It was stated as simply as that. However, it was indeed the case.


If Kudou Asuka were to be an existence born to replace the core of the Japanese mythological god faction, it would then lead to the creation of a turning point, 「Paradigm Shift」, and cause a huge impact on the timeline of history.

However, that did not happen.

Besides, in Izayoi’s flow of time, the financial conglomerate of the Kudou family did not exist.

Amalthea propped her chin on one hand as she started to outline her conjectures.

“The 「Kudou Financial Conglomerate」 that should not exist. This organisation was erased from history when it was dissolved by the departure of Master. We can then assume that the changing of the twisted history would be the command of master. But even if that were to be case, the powers obtained from the stars would be far too immense.”

“Mhm, indeed. If this is the case, Asuka-san’s power would just be as we initially mistook it to be. It would only be at the level of controlling the hearts of people.”

It is true that Kudou Asuka possessed an immense power, but its existence in her body was completely disproportionate. Perhaps given some time, Kuro Usagi might be able to think up of a reason for the obtaining of such power, but even so, none of the proposed ideas would give the feeling of having hit the bull’s eye.

Kuro Usagi’s usagimimi were bent downwards as she racked her brains over the problem. However, the answer would not come to her that easily.

Amalthea watched Kuro Usagi with a quiet gaze before she spoke hesitantly.

“Kuro Usagi-dono. I have arrived at an answer that I feel is the closest in possibility regarding the spiritual attainment of master. However…… that answer, might cause you to feel pained in your heart.”

“Aie?”

Kuro Usagi straightened her back upon hearing such a warning.

There was a tensed feeling in Amalthea’s gaze that wasn’t present in their conversation before and she leaned forward before speaking again to Kuro Usagi.

“I heard from master that Kuro Usagi-dono, about your sacrifices for the sake of the Community’s continuity. For the sake of saving the fallen organization, you must have worked to your bones. And I could guess that the source of the strength in your heart is for the sake of reclaiming your lost Flag and Name …… and your previous comrades.”

“……Yes. I believe that together with Izayoi-san, Asuka-san, and Yō-san, we will surely get them back some day.

“Then what if the existence of Asuka were to become the one thing that shatters your dream?”

Caught by such a sudden question, Kuro Usagi widened her eyes.

The directness in her words were unthinkable to have come from the lips of Amalthea who continued to have that quiet gaze in her eyes. However, there was no animosity in the gaze and it was somewhat closer to testing and probing for something. Although the question was sudden and rude, Kuro Usagi remained calm as she digested those words.

Amalthea did not seem to have approached her to start a discussion on Asuka’s birth.

It was more likely that what she wanted to discuss with Kuro Usagi was a bigger and more foundational problem.

The space between them was filled with an atmosphere of silence. However, it was also apparent that the bustle within the castle had already subsided. That would mean the period of collecting and tending to the injured had come to a close.

If one would listen closely, one could hear the slight wind hitting the windows and doors in the castle and the unbearable silence that filled the entire room.

Their gazes had never left the other.

Even then, Kuro Usagi’s words that broke the silence, were beyond the expectations of Amalthea.

“……that matter, does it concern the case of our comrades being thrown into the Outer World’s time stream?”

“……!?”

“Croix-sama once mentioned that he returned from the Outer World’s time stream and thus gives credence to the possibility of our other comrades being thrown in there as well. Moreover, the possibility of them returning alive to our Community is low. In a way, I’ve already prepared for the worst with regards to that matter.”

Kuro Usagi’s calm voice was completely unlike her past self. One could easily hear the determination in her voice and it wasn't the kind of a temporary determination that lasts for a day or two.

If the possibility wasn’t considered from the day when it all started…… three years ago and given a fair share of acceptance for being a viable possibility, one would unlikely remain this calm. Her miscalculation of Kuro Usagi’s determination caused Amalthea to turn her gaze downward in awkwardness and she apologized sheepishly.

“I said all that with a slight intention of testing your resolve and I’m truly sorry. I had been using the frail Kuro Usagi-dono as my model of expectations.”

“No, it’s fine. It is also surprising to Kuro Usagi that I’m able to take this thing all so calmly. If it were the Kuro Usagi of a slight while before, she might have made a huge ruckus about this conjecture. Perhaps, this is also a side effect of obtaining Indra’s gift.”

Kuro Usagi rubbed the back of her usagimimi while giving a feeble smile. It was impossible for one to be unshaken by such an impact, but the current Kuro Usagi was just strong enough to accept these stuff.

Amalthea closed her eyes as she continued.

“……is that so? As part of the endowment of Indra’s Divinity, the lotus of Buddhahood might have bloomed within your spirit and it is possible that you have gotten some revelation along the process as well. That might explain the quality of this calmness Kuro Usagi-dono’s exuding which feels as calm as a summer sea.”

“That, That’s exaggerating the praises for me. If I hadn’t heard of Croix-sama’s experience earlier, Kuro Usagi might have made a scene as per usual.”

“Hoho, I will just leave it as that then. ——-Then, what do you think? If my conjecture were to be correct…… no, I would rate my confidence level in my hypothesis to be 80 to 90% accurate for it needs to be that high for me to actually broach this subject with you. Will you then be able to bear the uncertainties of the fate of your comrades who were thrown to the other world?”

The hesitant probing gaze was once more reflected in those eyes of Amalthea.

And Kuro Usagi returned a nod with a tranquil gaze of her own.



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