Part 4
Izayoi, Asuka and Faceless walked to the center of the room and sat on the cushion.
Kuro Usagi sat next to Tokuteru, nervously pouring wine. Izayoi and Asuka talked about the important matter while looking at her.
“Speaking of which, it seems Aži Dakāha is the one that destroyed the hometown of 「Moon Rabbit」. He is defeated now, have you thought about taking this chance to rebuild it? I feel that Kuro Usagi also has the corresponding achievement.”
“Wa-Wait a minute, Izayoi-san!”
“Umu, after things reach a conclusion I do want to rebuilt it. But the Rabbit species has mostly dispersed to various lands. The ones I can grasp including this girl only amount to three.”
“Eeeh? Main God also don’t know the accurate location of his familiars?”
“Not like this, if hidden in barrier or other God Pantheon, then I also can’t do anything. On the other hand, if the situation is not like the above I can understand the rough location. Even if it’s the Outer World.”
Hearing Mikado Tokuteru’s words, Asuka’s eyes glittered and asked.
“This kind of thing, other Main Gods are the same?”
“Of course. This kind of thing definitely can understand… Ah ah, so that’s it.”
“Tokuteru showed an understanding expression and nodded, holding his chin.
“You want to bring the old 「 」 members back from the Outer World, so this is how it is… Umu, looking carefully, this little girl’s spirit status, indeed mixed with many acquaintances’ blood.”
Mikado Tokuteru sized up Asuka carefully while rubbing his chin. Asuka was nervous because her origin was seen through from a glance, but still continued the question just now.
“I am convinced of your wisdom. I have also heard about my origin from my servant Amal. Hence I want to leave the Community temporarily, tracing Kudō family’s lineage to save the comrades.”
Asuka’s suggestion shocked Tokuteru a little.
If she was going to leave the Community and journey to the Outer World, it would probably take up considerable number of years. In fact this would be no different from leaving the Community.
“...Asuka. Did you plan the trip after obtaining the understanding of your comrades?”
“Yes. Although I have not obtained everyone’s agreement… I understand that this will be a harsh journey. I, deeply felt the powerlessness from this battle. For the sake of training myself, I decided to leave the Community.”
Which meant it was a warrior’s training journey, something like that.
Asuka was definitely not weak, but her power could be greatly limited depending on situation. She felt that continuing like that would one day hinder her comrades.
“Kuro Usagi. Have you also agreed?”
“...YES. Of course I will feel lonely. But Kuro Usagi does not have the right to interfere with their paths. I wish to accept their own expectations, and support their backs.”
“That so. Then Izayoi?”
“Ojō-sama already said like that, even if I stop her she would still leave.”
“Ara, you sure are understanding.”
The two grinned lightly. Izayoi heard before, she planned on leaving her home even before the summon.
How to stop this kind of crazy girl?
“Speaking of which, you mentioned it in the past. About wanting to see Halloween after you leave your home.”
“Ei. That is a dream from little after all. I will visit 「Halloween Queen」 one day.”
“...Please wait. That, what is that about?”
At this moment, Faceless interrupted for some reason.
Asuka and Izayoi looked at her in astonishment.
“You mean… The matter about visiting the Queen? That is before coming here.”
“No. It’s even earlier. If you didn’t get summoned, didn’t you plan to go somewhere after leaving your home?”
Hering an unexpected question, Asuka blinked.
“You ask where… Just going outside to learn new things, see Halloween Festival only…”
Not understand why he asked that, Asuka showed a confused look. Faceless’ behavior was just that strange.
That appearance was completely different from the time in hot spring just now.
Displaying the shakened expression that could even be felt even with the mask, really unlike her.
She held her chin and entered a deep thought, bitterly muttered.
“...Is that so. Queen and Kudō family, is destined to have connection like this huh.”
“Faceless?”
“Nothing, excuse me. Back to main topic. How does Mikado-dono view that matter — going to Outer World to save comrades of 「No Name」?”
“Umu… Mah, if borrowing Queen’s power, resummoning the exiled is also not impossible. Just that we need to make use of many Paradox Game loopholes…”
Explaining was too complicated, very troublesome. Tokuteru threw Izayoi a glance with such meaning, hence Izayoi took over the topic like a bother.
“If Little Garden is really a realm that all possibilities exist, then 「Comrades that cannot return to Little Garden」 and 「Comrades that can return to Little Garden」 these two completely opposite truth existing together should be fine. There should not be any timing problem right?”
“Umu. The Paradox Game that would become a problem in this case is not 「Time Paradox」, but the saving side’s 「Liar Paradox」. Let’s skip the detailed explanation, the main point is that every time period only has one chance, if someone who observed the death of a comrade exists in Little Garden then it’s impossible to save that comrade you know?”
“Once is enough. How can I abandon them when there is a possibility?”
Wanting to let the children that had supported 「No Name」 reunite with their parents. Izayoi was not the only one who had thought that. She had always hoped that Lily and the elder children group’s sacrifice could be rewarded one day.
“If possible, I hope that Tokuteru-san can act as the middleman, let me get an audience with Queen…”
Uu, Tokuteru let out a sad cry.
“Queen… Queen ah. Sorry, I have never met 「Queen Halloween」.”
“Is that so?”
“I heard that she is a beauty, so I also wanted to get closer, but I had been on bad terms with Sun God since the past. If there is a middleman I can still make a conversation… Ah ah, like that. So Queen’s Knight is here.”
Everyone’s attention directed to Faceless. Bringing her here should be to request her as a middleman. Kuro Usagi pleaded Mikado Tokuteru while pouring wine for him.
“I know this is a rude request. But even if the Queen is a Demon Lord, if Ind-”
“Nn?”
“Mi-Mikado Tokuteru-sama’s request should not be refused. For the sake of our comrades, can you grant your majesty to us…?”
Fumu, Mikado Tokuteru showed a thinking pose.
“Since it’s not others, but the request of the heroes. Accepting this kind of thing is also fine. Since Queen’s Knight can act as the middleman, conversation should not be a problem.”
“Thank...thank you very much! With that the return of comrades can finally be realized!”
Kuro Usagi straightened her usamimi in happiness. Although experiencing the long hardship, she could finally receive the reward. After that they just needed to retake their Community name, the Community three years ago could also revive.
But Faceless interrupted Kuro Usagi’s joy, suddenly stood up and said.
“—— No, please wait.”
“? Faceless-san?”
“Although I agreed to assist before coming here… Please let me correct myself. I cannot provide assistance now.”
Oh, Mikado Tokuteru let out a surprised voice. Lapko III and Croix that had disappeared also realized. Those three, saw through this masked girl’s true identity with a glance.
“It won’t be free, you did say that right, Queen’s Knight. Then what kind of compensation is needed for you to be the middleman?”
“No need for compensation… Actually, I planned to silently leave Little Garden. But since I discovered the method to clear the Game, then I cannot give up my objective.”
That voice contained a passion that could not be imagined from her icy aura in the past. The burning mask represented her emotion right now.
She put her hand on the mask, stared at Asuka with hostility.
“Kudō Asuka. I request a duel with you. If you can win me I will arrange for you to get an audience with Queen.”
“...Wha?”
“Please allow me to borrow the 「Adamantine Forge」 as the stage and rules. Luckily we both made it to the finals.”
“Wait, wait a moment! I did think about deciding a winner between us, but telling me that so suddenly…!!!”
Despite winning in the 「Hippocamp Rider」, she did not feel that it was a victory with her ability. Opponent was 「No Name」 with teamwork, with just her alone it was an obvious result. And she was saved many times by her, hence she hoped that one day she could decide a winner in a one to one duel.
But towards Asuka’s thoughts, Faceless replied with an uncontrolled laughter.
“I mentioned just now. The reason I saved you, is also because of my own reason. —— Now, I will tell you that reason.”
The voice filled with rage and grudge, caused everyone at the scene to take their stance.
The words just now contained obvious killing intent. The strong killing intent that she constantly let out seemed as if she could begin a massacre anytime, even if it would twist the space. Faceless took off her calm self along with the mask.
The real appearance beneath the mask, caused Asuka and Kuro Usagi to let out a cry.
“Wha…!?”
“...Liar.”
Karan, the sound of the mask falling onto the floor.
—— 「Face of the Dead」 (Faceless). Understanding the meaning of this knight title, Asuka looked at her with a deathly pale face —— No, her own mirror image.
“—— A very simple matter. If you were killed by someone before I defeat you, I will be troubled. Because if I don’t defeat you by myself… Kudō Ayato (Faceless), would not be born…!!!”
[1] Akashic records are said to be some records (compendium) of mostly events stored in the “astral plane”.
[2] Shāhnāmeh (شاهنامه, the Book of Kings) is the longest epic poem written by a single poet: Ferdowsî (فردوسی). It's the central work of the Persian culture. It tells the mythical and historical event of the Persian Empire. This work is also important because it was written in early Modern Persian, so all the Avestan names changed. Aži Dakāha changed in Zahhāk. Ferdowsî also change some of the Avestan histories (see next note).
[3] In the Shāhnāmeh, Zahhāk fought against the now-corrupted king Jamshīd (جمشید, in Avestan: Yima) hence the "Evil God used treachery to obtain the crown". When the Evil God, Ahriman (Av: Angra Mainyu) asked kissed Zahhāk on his two shoulders. "two black snakes grew out of Zahhāk's shoulders. They could not be surgically removed, for as soon as one snake-head had been cut off, another took its place.". Mind that snake are related to dragon, hence this change in Mondaiji.
[4] Fereydūn (Av: Θraētaona). See also my previous note. He imprisoned him in Harā Bərəzaitī or in the Alborz Mountains.
[5] Jibrīl (جبريل) is a famous angel in Abrahamic monotheism, he’s also called Gabriel in the Torah and the Bible. He’s an angel (or an archangel to be precise) who typically serves as a messenger sent from God to certain people. This didn’t happen either in the Shāhnāma.
[6] Mmmh, that’s not really exact. But globally the idea is the same. In Zoroastrianism and in Hinduism this time will be hard for the righteous, and the wickedness will be the “norm”. Look on Wikipedia: Frashokereti (frašō.kərəti) and Kali Yuga (कलियुग).
[7] 西郷 (Western Village) and 西業(Karma of the West) have the same pronunciation.
[8] Hitodzumacon:Hitodzuma (ひとづま, 人妻) means married woman. And “con” is for complex. So... married woman complex
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