Part 2
After finishing preparing for the fight, Kasukabe Yō had a meal and was now quietly waiting for the start in the waiting room. Having not taken anyone as a second, there was no one in the room aside from her.
As she quietly stared at the clear sky, she released a small sigh.
".........It's no good. So much has happened at once that my head is not working properly."
Yō hanged her head. Becoming the leader of 「No Name」 and Great Alliance was unbelievable talk alone, and yet, Asuka who she considered as one of the closest friends talked about leaving 「No Name」 and acting independently.
She said she'd return one day, but surely they would be parted for a very long time.
For Yō who was thinking of challenging Gift Games together every day from now on, after they overcame this death struggle that talk was out of her expectations.
After all, even if someone from the three decided to go on a journey, she surely thought that it would've been anyone but Asuka.
(I understood that matters concerning Izayoi were strange. Therefore, I thought that he might go for a little journey to gain combat skills.)
It was obvious that something happened in battle with Aži Dakāha.
Even Yō who was indifferent about others has realized that something happened. That's why, if by any chance Izayoi would decide to leave 「No Name」, she was determined to protect the community herself at that time. And yet, who would have thought that It would be Asuka who would leave for journey before him.
(.........Rather I also want to accompany her)
Journey in outside world, and what's more, between various parts of history. There would also be many dangers. And it would be better to have more comrades. The state of world also seems to have stabilized, so even without me alone, wouldn't 「No Name」 be safe....?
At the moment she was thinking that, there was a knock on the door of waiting room.
"Yō-san. Do you have a minute?"
"Kuro Usagi...? Yes, come in."
Kasukabe Yō got puzzled from the sudden visit.
Kuro Usagi entered the waiting room and asked about her condition with a slight smile.
"How are you? Your condition is perfect right?"
"Who knows. The body condition is good, but my head is spinning around."
Haahh, she released a sigh. She probably didn't think that she'd be worrying over this so much. Kuro Usagi also showed a strained smile.
"I’m worried in my heart. But Kuro Usagi recommended Yō-san as the leader because I truly think you are suited for it, you know?"
"........Why? Even if Asuka is going on a journey, Izayoi is staying right? Then, I think it would be good to entrust it to him."
"Of course not. From the three of you, Izayoi-san is the only person who is not cut out to be a leader."
She declared it with a smile. With this, even Yō was surprised.
"W-Why? There's no way Izayoi can't do what I can do......"
"That right. Ability wise, there's potential. Surely, after 10 years, Izayoi-san would undoubtedly be called a wise leader. ...However, having a potential and becoming one are two separate things. After all, Izayoi-san has the freest spirit among you problem children."
What supported 「No Name」 until now was solely Izayoi-san's kindness. If they depended on him even after this, then someday their paths might part.
"Truthfully speaking, even though he is the one who can live freely the most...... Izayoi-san has big troubles now. But if he speaks about them, then feels that he would end up hurting many people. Truly, after defeating Aži Dakāha, he seems to have screamed:
『I didn't want to win like this –!』"
".........?!"
Yō's eyes were dyed from surprise. She probably never thought that Izayoi was worried about that. It was a reason unthinkable for the usual Izayoi.
But it was not a simple matter for the person in question. Thanks to the fact that Kuro Usagi's usamimi, and along with it, her 「Authority of Judge Master」 also returned, she clearly understood what exactly happened inside the game. Hence she knew. That for Sakamaki Izayoi, that final attack was nothing but disgrace.
"Disgraceful victory… Isn't it? For example, Yō-san, you are aware of the great hero who obtained the sun armor and the spear of certain victory, right?"
"By sun armor you mean the Gift that Kuro Usagi has right?"
"YES. I heard that the great duel of Sun God's son Karṇa and Indra's son Arjuna was very similar to that."
Yes – Once, Indra granted a disgraceful victory to his own son. Oddly, the cause of it was the Divine Spear and Sun Armor that Kuro Usagi possessed.
It was the battle of two great heroes among the legends of India that boasted from its popularity.
That was the legend about the son of War God Arjuna[1] and the son of Sun God Karṇa[2].
"Indra stole the Sun Armor with trickery[3], but it would be fine it it was just that. Both Izayoi-san and Yō-san would find it unacceptable to hold back even if Aži Dakāha was not in perfect condition right?"
"...........Yes."
She assented with a small nod. Naturally, Indra himself regretted about the matter.
Because the from the overprotectiveness towards his son, the Divine Spirit disgraced a great hero.
Because that was the act unworthy for a War God, he was criticized for doing something so cowardly. But, if it was just that, then his son might not have ended up detesting him to that point.
But the reason he thought this victory was disgraceful, was the fact that it was a victory assured from the start as a result of the curses of his half-siblings and father Gods.
Arjuna who became aware of this after the fight, tightly held the head of his sibling Karṇa and shouted:
"───Indra! O Great Father of mine! Are you satisfied now that you protected your dignity?"
He roared towards the sky as he shed tears while embracing the freshly severed head of his sibling.
Undoubtedly, both of them hated each other. They shared all the honor and dishonor they had. And in their entire lives, they spirits burned for the sake of not losing only to each other.
Against such dreadful and powerful opponent, they could only clash after betting their lives on the line.
The fated siblings clearly understood this.
Loading numerous resentments, respects in the duel that they held, they understood each other better and better with every clash. And sadly, perhaps both of them understood in which way the scales of victory was inclining.
Because the abilities of Sun God's son Karṇa exceeded that of War God's son Arjuna's.
Therefore, it was strange that at the end, it was not Arjuna's head that was severed. Heaven did not allow such absurdity. It couldn't afford to allow it. The duel of those two great heroes that was observed by millions of warriors ─ In the end, was stained by the Gods.
Although the result of the duel was determined, Arjuna didn't raise the shouts of victory. Instead he quietly hugged the head of his half-brother, and glared towards the sky with ghastly expression.
"......I wanted to kill him. Even if it was not allowed. Certainly, I swore to raise his severed head, however, I never! Never wanted to win like this!!!"
After the end of the death match, he who was one of the greatest hero from the Indian legends, cried for the half-brother who he should have detested. Throughout the battle, he was well aware of the curses that Karṇa received for his various deeds.
From the beautiful brightness of his sword, spear and bow, he clearly understood Karṇa's true character.
And exactly because of that purity of his soul, he discarded the Sun Armor, and used the Divine Spear that could only be used once because of some stranger.
Despite the fact that if not for his curses, he surely was a nice guy, just like a sun.
Perhaps, he could even share the same glory while standing shoulder to shoulder with the similar comrades.
But that future was the one thing that was not destined for the siblings that were dragged into the war of the Gods[4].
"Izayoi-san knew. .......He knew that Izayoi Sakamaki was no match for Aži Dakāha. Yes, even though he was no match for him, he ended up killing him. Surely, that act brought sadness."
At the time of final attack against Aži Dakāha – The Divine Spear couldn't pierce Izayoi thanks to the Gift of Leo that was bestowed to him by His Highness. But Izayoi was determined to follow the same strategy regardless of existence of that Gift. He probably thought that this great Demon Lord had to be taken down by the hands of a true hero.
Use every power.
Use up your resourcefulness.
Show me your courage, and become a bright sword that would pierce my heart.
Pierce the heart with a blow that had all the courage and wisdom put into it. He embraced the conviction that he became a hero worthy for taking down this great Demon Lord.
And Aži Dakāha himself should have been holding to that wish. If he didn't, he wouldn't not have told such oracle in his dying moments.
『.........There is no need to be ashamed. If you don't know, then learn it now. That trembling is called fear』
Putting his life on the line, he caught the spear thrown by the comrade and attacked the Demon Lord. If he attained that victory with unmeasured bravery, than at that time, that fear itself would've been a reward.
— But, for Izayoi, it was different.
『That is so. And do not forget. Even while shivering with fear, the leg moves forward. — That is called courage!』
— It's wrong………!!!
............It's wrong, Aži Dakāha............!!!
Believing he was defeated by a true hero, the Demon Lord vanished satisfied. But the real reason Izayoi was shaking was not that. It was not fear that made him shiver.
No matter how much he thought about that battle, Izayoi was supposed to die from that spear throw.
He couldn't remember just how many times he saw his figure in mind, scattering apart after accepting that challenge with his body. Because in truth, Izayoi who challenged him with brute courage was supposed to lose to the Demon Lord and die.
At that time, His Highness lend him the strength. And Jack created a change for victory while betting his life.
These factors didn't exist in the make-up of the game that Izayoi assumed.
All of that was nothing but interruptions from the wheel of fate for the sake of making Izayoi attain victory.
Hence, that shivering… was from shame. Izayoi shivered from the shame that he bore after gaining victory against the true Demon Lord with underhanded methods.
And he cried out of frustration. The guilt towards the allies and enemy was intolerable.
If there were heroes worthy to be called victors there, they were no other than the ones who put their lives on the line, and changed the gears of fate creating that situation.
It was Kudō Asuka, Kasukabe Yō, Saurian Demon King, Roc Demon King, Jack, Mandra and many comrades who lost their lives – They were the true heroes.
Izayoi Sakamaki...was just an outsider. He was just a thief that stole the achievement from the safety zone in that final decisive battle.
He was just a spectator, witnessing the shouts of victory that resounded far across the distance.
The one who killed the Demon Lord was Izayoi, but… The one who was defeated by the Demon Lord was Izayoi alone.
"......In order for Izayoi-san to win, something has changed. Because of that extraordinarily powerful will, he was made to be a hero. Izayoi-san himself understands that, albeit unconsciously."
"..............."
"He needs time to think about it. Whether he lives as a hero he was made out to be, or chooses a different path from the legend that was imposed on him. Kuro Usagi thinks that this problem is surely not something that would be solved by him staying with the 「No Name」. I wish for him to experience the vast world that is Little Garden, to better understand his troubles and his own self, and then turn all his regrets into the source of encouragement... But for that, it's necessary to do a ceremony. And the one who can do it, is no one but Yō-san."
"No one but me?"
Kuro Usagi looked at Kasukabe Yō with earnest eyes.
Taking her hand, Kuro Usagi began to tell her the details that were loaded with all her anxiety and expectations.
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