Chapter 4
Part 1
—Boundary wall, stage area, foot of a hill. Art exhibition venue.
Let the time return back to dusk.
After Asuka had abandoned Kuro Usagi and Izayoi, she'd won the intense chasing competition with the faerie wearing the pointy hat. She then arrived at the base of the Boundary Wall. Having run in the opposite direction where Izayoi was passing through the red-windowed corridors, the huge chandelier hung at the foothills area was casting a huge shadow illuminated by the red lights.
Placing the exhausted faerie on her shoulders, she then started strolling down the huge street located at the foot of the Boundary Wall.
"It's not like I'm going to eat you, I just wanted to have a travelling companion."
".................Aguuh~"
The faerie laying on Asuka's shoulders started spreading out it's body to form a star before letting out a tired cry.
Asuka gave some of the biscuits that she had bought from a nearby store to the pointy-hatted faerie.
"Here, for you. To prove the worth of our friendship."
"—————!"
The pointy-hatted faerie immediately sat up, having been lured by the sweet smell.
The freshly-baked biscuits that exuded a dense fragrant smell filled with almond and grilled caramel were simply too appetizing for the faerie, having played the catching game until she became weary.
Finishing the biscuit that was nearly it's full height, the faerie let out a cute "Fuahhh♪", before climbing on to Asuka's head.
—— Asuka was silently thinking: "Looks like the usage of food to bribe her was a success!"
"Since we are friends, we should introduce ourselves. I'm called Kudou Asuka, can you say it?"
".......Asukaaa?"
"You stretched that out a tad too long, it sounds too spiritless. You should say it a bit more clearly."
".....Asukaaa?"
"Just a bit more, you can do it . The ending must sound simple."
The pointy-hatted faerie with a tone of a child tilted it's head from left to right a few times, before shouting out Asuka's name with determination.
"....Asuka?"
"Yes, it's exactly that, not too suspicious and must be spirited."
"....Asuka!"
"Hehe, Thanks. Then, could you tell me your name?"
The pointy-hatted faerie stood up from Asuka's head, then it spiritedly said.
"Rattenfänger ~!"
".....? Ratten.....?"
Asuka showed a surprised expression. She didn't know the meaning behind that name, but the fact that the cute faerie had this kind of name gave a solemn feeling.
She brought the pointy-hatted faerie down from her head, cupping it with her palms.
"Is that your name?"
"No~ Commu!"
"Commu.....A community's name? Then what is your name?"
"?"
The faerie tilted it's head like she did not understand the question.
Asuka suddenly remembered what Leticia had addressed the faerie as before....a [Flock faerie].
Then does she belongs to that race of faeries?
(It can't be that she does not have a name right ....?)
Since it had come down to that, it might be better to address her as [Rattenfänger], as it was supposedly her reply. However, Asuka still could not change the solemn feeling that the name was giving out. She continuously tapped on her cheeks with the finger as if thinking about something, then she suggested to the faerie.
"Since I've gotten the change, is it fine if I gave you a name?"
"?....No~ No! Rattenfänger~!"
"Yup, besides the name Rattenfänger ..."
"No~ No! [A'Court]!"
The pointed-hatted faerie that was on Asuka's palm was shaking her head in denial.
"Rattenfänger~! [A'Court]!"
" ...... Acourt? Is that your name?"
"No~ No~ Rattenfänger~!"
Asuka sighed, it was clearly hopeless trying to let the faerie grasp the main point. She gave up on trying to chase after her name for now, proceeding to look at the exhibits located in the cave.
The huge chandelier that was here was without a doubt the symbol for the town. Besides the candlesticks and lanterns displayed in the exhibit hall, there were also many painted glass varying in size.
In the exhibit venue located inside the Boundary Wall, Asuka was looking back and forth at the exhibits, murmuring admirably.
"The amount of exhibits here is quite shocking.......So there were that many communities that came here and showcased their talents."
The showcased products had signboards in front of them that showed the name and flag of the community that had created it. There was something that had caught Asuka's attention, it was a silver candlestick that had it's top engraved with a flag.
"Hehe, the work on this silver candlestick seems pretty sophisticated."
"Pretty~!"
The pointy-hatted faerie that had returned back to Asuka's shoulder exclaimed in a cute voice. Considering the fact that when Asuka met the faerie, she was looking at the vases with the flower carving, so she really did like pretty things.
Asuka picked up the candlestick to verify it's creator.
"Creator: [Will-O'-Wisp]? It's the community that created the walking candlesticks eh."
With such a sophisticated carving technique used for the pattern, it must probably be according to the flag's tone pattern.
(This candlestick has a pattern of a burning flame carved on it, is it trying to let the flame itself have some special powers?)
Asuka and the pointy-hatted faerie felt that it was like the warmth of a campfire, deeply attracting them into it.
(Whether or not it has a community flag, it would still be presented differently eh....)
Carrying brooding eyes, Asuka sighed. This was certainly true, if [No Name] participated in this art festival, it would face an overwhelming disadvantage than the others.
A community without a name nor a flag.
Once they had support that self-essential factor is only restricted in only the individual's name and art, the first impressions given to people would certainly be different.
(If I want to become an outstanding [Host], the flag is definitely needed.....No matter what, we must snatch back our flag from the [Demon Lord].)
Asuka slowly made a fist with her hands, having gained the determination to fight.
The two of them looked at the large amount of exhibits. The exhibition hall was dug out from the interior of the Boundary Wall to look like a cave, therefore no light could shine into it.
This might have been a plan to bring out the radiance of the exhibits. The huge amounts of candlesticks and lanterns that exuded the warmth of fire, the painted glass that shone beautifully by a light source, flickering out a beautiful and brilliant luster of light, much more appreciating than works outside of here.
After that, they continued walking into the exhibition venue, seemingly arriving at a huge empty place that seemed to be the center of the exhibition.
Although they came to such a huge place, Asuka could not notice the crowd or the surroundings, as she was fixating her eyes on an object placed in the center of the place.
"That is....!"
Because of the huge exhibit in front of her eyes, everything else seemed to disappear, as though an illusion. Compared to the other exhibits before, the object before her was something much stronger and more shocking.
" Red-colored ......Red-colored iron giant?"
"Biggggg!"
That's right, the object that was displayed in the center was a giant man made of red-colored iron, looking both magnificent and monstrous, Asuka and the faerie lifted their heads to look at the huge body, becoming speechless because of the view.
The matching red and gold colored decorations on it's monstrous body that was about 30 feet high. The depiction on it's armor used light as a fundamental idea for the abstract painting, making it look like it possessed an overwhelming courage.
To add on, those huge arms that were twice the size of a human body.
Looking at that mono-spaced head and body, it couldn't help but make people wonder how could they have moved it here through such a small entrance.
It also could be felt that the creator built it with extreme enthusiasm due to the delicate decorations on it's red armor.
"How........How wonderful, which community made this...?"
"Asuka! Rattenfänger!"
The pointy-hatted faerie jumped down from Asuka's shoulder with sparkling eyes.
The nameplate of the exhibit was written with: "Creator: Rattenfänger, Title: Deen."
Feeling extremely surprised, Asuka started asking:
"This thing was made by your community?"
"Hehe!" The pointy-hatted faerie puffed out her chest. Looks like it was the truth.
Asuka lifted her head up again to gaze at the iron doll with the name [Deen]. If the said monstrous sized iron doll was really made by these things called [Flock faeries], they must have spent an alarming amount of labor just to get it done.
"Is that so........ The community [Rattenfänger] must be very powerful."
The pointy-hatted faerie was shyly smiling, she must be very happy.
"After a closer observation, the other items displayed here in this place are all the main exhibits. After some comparison, I think that your community might be the one to win this gift game."
The pointy-hatted faerie was vivaciously bouncing while continuing to hum out: "Rattenfänger!"
A bit dumbfounded, Asuka picked the faerie up and placed her on her shoulders, intending to look at the other exhibits.
——It was at this time when a change happened.
"......Yaaaah.....!"
Whoosh~~ A gust of wind blew through the cave.
The gust of wind extinguished the flames illuminating the cave, Asuka couldn't help it but let out a soft yet sharp scream.
The other patrons also started exclaiming as the confusion spread out like a ripple of a wave.
"What happened ! Why was the flame extinguished?!"
"Be careful ! It might be the Rakshaha demons!"
"Quickly light up some of the nearby lanterns!"
The cave that had lost the light was plunged into darkness, only the people's strange screams echoed back and forth.
On reflex, Asuka grabbed the candlestick besides her body and lit the candle up with matches that were prepared.
It was at this time when a strange spot appeared deep in the cave.
"Found it......I've finally found it ....!"
A strange tone mixed with deep resentment and strong dedication echoed throughout the cave. Although Asuka was aware of the dangers, she searched all four directions, trying to find the hidden person that produced the sound.
The echoed voice made it hard to narrow down the right place. As a last resort, Asuka gave a powerful shout.
"You despicable thing! Stop hiding and come out!"
The powerful shout echoed deep into the cave but the culprit did not give a reply.
Instead, the sound of a flute being played echoed through the cave, stimulating the senses and shocking the place with a weird tone.
"——Haha, found it......The daring impostor that dares to use the name [Rattenfänger]!!!"
After the loud roar that shook the whole cave, came a moment of silence. Just when everyone was looking at each other——Thousands of red-eyed objects started climbing out of the cave's gaps, forming groups and attacking the crowd.
Immediately someone let out a frantic cry.
"This............are ra......are rats! They are all rats!"
The things that filled up the cave and were creating a disturbance were indeed rats.
The rats that covered the floor started forming waves and were advancing. This scenario sent chills down Asuka's spine.
"Al........Although I did call you to come out, this is far too many already!"
"Ah~!" The pointy-hatted faerie gave a horrible shriek.
Asuka turned her back away from the waves of rats, swiftly sprinting away with the faerie hanging on. The others also did the same, running away in the narrow cave, just like a panic attack.
If this continued there would be a serious tragedy. Realizing this point, Asuka turned her back and faced the rat army.
"This.....This is enough! Stop this and go back to your nest!"
Asuka shouted. But the rats continued advancing, showing no intention to stop at all.
Unable to manipulate the rats, Asuka started feeling anxious. At this time a group of rats jumped towards her, making her take her gift card out on reflex, summoning the silver cross sword that was used during the [Fores Garo] fight.
"Damn.....Damn it.....!"
She raised the sword to her eye level, then slashing laterally with it.
Although the silver sword had the power to break the evil force, it did not have any effect when facing ordinary rats. Asuka could only hack some of them at best, and it was nearly impossible to calculate how many thousands of them were left. The rats that ran along the ceiling were already in front of her.
Asuka decided to ignore the rats and continue moving forward, but it was much trickier to avoid thousands of small animals forming groups than a large beast.
They were a devilish group that could probably finish eating a whole forest within a night.
The rats kept jumping down from the ceiling to attack the shivering pointy-hatted faerie that was on Asuka's shoulders.
"Ah!"
"Danger!"
Asuka was forced to jump towards the back. Since she couldn't order the rats, she could only retreat. And due to the confusion, the people that were at the entrance were in a state of wanting to leave but couldn't leave, shrieking and forcefully pushing one another, scrambling to escape.
"Get out fast!" "Arghhh!" "What is happening here!" "Let.....let me out first! Stop blocking the road!" "Stop pushing! Get out fast!" "No use! They already caught up, we can't...."
"Everyone listen to me and run together!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The vexed Asuka started shouting loudly. The chaos instantly died down, everyone was neatly saluting to Asuka.
After that everyone started to run towards the cave's exit in an orderly manner, showing quite a fantastical scene.
Asuka, who was escaping from the grand march of the rats by following the rear-most of the group, started feeling suspicious towards the enemy's true colors.
(The gift to manipulate hadn't disappeared yet....! So what is going on.....?)
The rats were still focusing their chase on Asuka.
Even if she had the power of manipulation, she was still an ordinary human, so she was slower in terms of speed compared to beasts. Not long after, the rats began to attack Asuka, having reached their target range.
Undaunted by the blade that was swung by Asuka, the rats continued to attack her.
Their method of attacking seemed to let Asuka realize something.
(It can't be......Their target is this child...?)
Asuka looked at the immature faerie that was tightly grasping on to her shoulder.
The pointy-hatted faerie was tightly grabbing onto Asuka, showing a face as if she was going to cry. To the faerie that was nearly the size of a human palm, the rats were definitely huge monsters in her eyes.
"...........................Guuuuu~!"
Since the target was the immature faerie, Asuka would be able to escape from the situation once she threw the faerie off her shoulders.
However, Asuka's pride did not allow her to abandon a trembling young figure that was scared.
Asuka dismissed the fragile thoughts in her mind, daringly pulled her chest clothing and squeezed the faerie inside.
"Wuahh?"
"Hide inside! Don't fall off!"
Asuka, having decided what she must do, used her full power to sprint ahead on the rat-infested floor.
The current motive was to get to the exit. Although the red dress protected Asuka from being harmed by the rats, the parts of the body that weren't covered suffered a different fate.
Getting bitten by the rats' sharp teeth, Asuka's hands and legs started bleeding.
Even so, the option to [Abandon the young faerie] still did not appear in Asuka's heart.
(The exit is not too far away from here....!)
The one who kept on running was Asuka and the one who wouldn't give up on the chase was the devilish group.
However, at the next moment, countless blades of shadow appeared, with a silhouette of a person nearby.
"——How dare you, mere rats, bare your fangs at my compatriots!"
The high-speed razor blades of shadow, like a tornado, started making a stirrer-like action inside the narrow cave, mincing and absorbing the rats in just a matter of seconds.
Not even having a chance to blink, the action was already completed, exterminating the enemy without breaking any of the exhibits.
Asuka held down her hair that was blown by the wind, with a surprised action, she exclaimed.
"Th.......The shadow......In such a short time just finished all those rats....?"
Asuka turned her head to look, and was surprised again.
According to the voice earlier, Asuka determined that it was Leticia who came to her rescue. But Leticia's appearance was totally different, leaving Asuka stunned.
Leticia's appearance did not match the usual look of the young maid.
The cute young girl transformed into a lady that exudes out a flirtatious temperament, the ribbon on the beautiful blonde hair was taken off, flashing out a dazzling brilliance.
The maid uniform changed into a dark red leather jacket, with an intriguing skirt that seemed to have restraints on it. People who looked at the dramatic transfiguration couldn't think that it was the usually gentle Leticia.
Because of anger, Leticia's beautiful face was distorted, she let out a ferocious roar, revealing her vampiric fangs.
"Where is the manipulator! Come out now! You dare to attack in a public place, you should be prepared for the consequences! I shall bare my fangs and claws and let you taste the power of my community's flag! Come out and give me your name and community!"
Leticia's indignant roar echoed in the cave, but there wasn't any response from the opposition. The originally ginormous group of scary rats started pulling back in retreat.
The cave was filled with utter silence, it appears that the perpetrator had also escaped.
Looking from the side, Asuka breathed out in relief, although she didn't know what to say, it was still better to ask the transfigured Leticia:
"Are........Are you Leticia?"
"Yup. Okay, Asuka, what exactly happened? Although the number is larger, for the rats to gain the upper hand, it's not like the usual you, right?"
The tone of Leticia was the same as before. Although she changed into an adult, her expression was still as gentle as always, but Asuka who was hit hard by her true strength murmured.
"......So you were this impressive."
"Ah?"
Leticia tilted her head. After she had understood Asuka's praise, she replied with an unhappy tone;
"Th......That, master. I'm happy for you to praise me, but it's a little bit rude to me. Although I look like that, I was once a [Demon Lord], a pureblood vampire! The proud [Knight of Little Garden]! Even though I've lost my divinity, I can defeat millions of those things without breaking a sweat!"
Leticia pouted her lips unhappily. Without a doubt, this reaction was exactly the same as when she was cute, but the look in Asuka's eyes was a different matter. Probably having deprecating thoughts about herself.
Asuka lowered her head, letting out a complicated tone of voice.
"But, I..."
"Asuka!"
Suddenly, the pointy-hatted faerie probed out of Asuka's chest.
Although her face was full of tears, she still happily called out her name and hugged her neck.
"Asuka! Asuka....!"
"Wait.....Wait a moment ....."
The faerie tightly hugged Asuka, letting out a voice that sounded like she wanted to cry or laugh, maybe it was their method of expressing gratitude. Leticia innocently looked at the current scene unfolding.
"Aiyaya, she is completely stuck to you. We should take her back with us, it's dangerous now that the sun has set."
"That's .....right."
A bit hesitant, but Asuka still nodded in agreement, as it was still not guaranteed that there wouldn't be any more attacks. Both of them and the faerie started walking down the streets illuminated by the red-coloured lights, heading back to the [Thousand Eyes] branch shop.
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