Prologue
Part 1
-Year 194X, 1st August, room 207 of the girl's dormitory-
The rainy season was over, sleeping was uncomfortable due to the high humidity, the half-awake birds immediately snapped out of their state as dawn approached.
Hearing a stiff yet light knocks on the door, she twitched her ears.
"Kudou-sama, are you awake? I'm here to fetch you, please get ready."
"........Fine, I got it."
Asuka slightly opened her eyes, what greeted her was the familiar ceiling, dark gray walls and windows.
Turning her body, she was surprised by the servant's strange voice. It was most likely a new servant that was recruited without her knowing. Everytime she hears the monotonous flat voice, Asuka would always be filled with whimsical thoughts, suspecting if the servant was actually an android.
"If it was like that, it would be interesting." She thought.
But evidently these wonderful fantasy settings do not casually happen that easily.
There wasn't anything special, only the excited roar of the warden's "Wake up! It's a nice morning". Even though there wasn't anything worth mentioning today, Asuka started tilting her head.
(....What is this? I felt like I had a very euphoric dream.)
It was true, Asuka did have a happy dream. A very, very, happy dream.
Spending 15 years of living with a tedious lifestyle, she probably had not felt that much joy in a while and had momentarily forgotten the contents of her dream.
"Ojou-sama? What happened?"
".....I'm fine, I know the procedure, wait for me while I change my clothes."
Asuka, in response to her urging voice, could not resist and started laughing.
(Hahaha, How could this be? I don't even have any happy memories, yet a blissful dream? This is like putting the cart before the horse!)
After she pulled back the curtains, she looked at the dawn-approaching sky. The unlit room was like a pit of darkness. The humidity level was high as when it was mid-summer so wearing the sweat-soaked night shirt was uncomfortable. Asuka proceeded to unbutton her shirt and readily put it aside.
Asuka remembered that she had to pay a visit back home. Being trapped in the dormitory for so long, she could look forward to escaping this hell hole.....
However she did not have to persuade her grandfather about the duties.
(Calling a little 15 year old girl to go back just to persuade her grandfather, it really does instill fear huh.)
Asuka listlessly sighed heavily. With regards to the matter about persuading her grandfather, it probably referred to the dissolution of the facilities of the consortium policy at the General Headquarters.
Of course, it also included one of the best financial groups in Japan. In order to avoid that ending, Grandfather had to secretly continue the lobbying actions, using antipathy as an effective method to influence the opposition.
In order to dispell the unnecessary death throes, Kudou Asuka - Who could manipulate people based on words alone was needed.
Putting on her uniform, Asuka, wearing a self-deprecating smile sighed heavily.
(......What an embarrassing situation.)
Although Asuka was not an energetic person, she believed that it was important to return back home. It was a good chance for her to escape her life as a caged bird.
(The plan that was forged long ago......It appears it holds some value now.)
Asuka smiled picturesquely.
Opening her bag, inside were tools needed for when it was time to escape.
However even if she was not prepared, as long as her heart yearned for it, leaving the house was nothing difficult.
"If I use the easy mode to leave this place, it would be a waste!"
These truthful words increased the difficulty of her escape.
"Okay, it's time to set out, Kudou Asuka! Persuade grandpa, then leave this cage!"
Asuka announced her declaration with prideful and noble words.
Cherishing her dream, hoping that she would be able to "Spread her wings and fly" brilliantly.
Part 2
-Residential Area, Outer Gate Number: 2105380, "No Name" Community. Asuka's room-
Time sure flew as it had already been a month. There were remnants of dew left on the windows and even the air was cold.
Morning arrived as the warm sunlight invited themselves into Asuka's room awakening her.
(How great, I can actually lay down and relax in bed instead of listening to the warden's roar.)
She turned her body and smiled, enjoying the privilege of having a room with a soft and fluffy bed.
The time outside was not as dark as Asuka perceived it to be. Although the sun had already risen, the air still brought a chilly feeling
For this Ojou-sama's 15 years in life, she had always been receiving severe education after the war. In addition to the strict dormitory lifestyle she was forced to live with, waking up at that time would be considered as late?
If it was the usual Asuka, she would change her clothes immediately after waking up, comb her messy hair in front of the dresser and adjust her outer appearance.
However, all that was not necessary from now on.
Even if she enjoyed all that blissful and luxurious morning in a half-awakened state, nobody would lecture her, right?
(Well, I apparently dreamt of something meaningless..... Nevermind. Probably 'cause of boredom that I could not remember the contents of the dream.)
Asuka was in a good mood today. Although she knew that she would always be moody after she woke up, that feeling was not present today.
When she was thinking of trying the rumoured "falling asleep after waking up", it was at this time when...
*Knock*Knock*
"Uhh, Kasukabe here. Are you awake Asuka? I'm here to deliver breakfast with the kids."
"......"
(Ugh, what a headache) Asuka huddled her body.
Already deciding to go back to sleep, waking up would be a painful choice. However, dismissing her cute and adorable friend who specially delivered food to her would be terrible of her.
(....Please, just five more minutes. Let me return back to dreamland for once.)
*Knock*Knock*Knock*
"Asuka?.... Are you still sleeping?"
The overcautious knocking was tormenting Asuka and there were lonely sounds that echoed within her consciousness.
Even if it was like this, the act of wanting to sleep again won her over. Asuka covered her head with the blanket.
The overcautious knocking still continued to resound.
*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*
Every knock was subsequently louder.
Asuka felt apologetic, letting her consciousness fade into idleness and the greed to sleep and just when she was about to fall into bliss...
*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock* *Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*Knock*
"Sorry, it was my fault for being lazy."
In the end, the winner for the 4th round was Kasukabe. Asuka obediently adjusted her appearance.
Part 3
"I'm finished, please come in."
"Sorry for intruding."
"Sorr.... Sorry for intruding."
Beside Kasukabe's voice, there was another young yet vibrant voice, probably the orphan kids senior.
Wearing a Japanese style apron suitable for her short appearance with fox ears as a trait, the young lady pushed the trolley into the room.
"Sorry to bother you, Asuka. I felt it would be a waste if the specially prepared breakfast went cold."
"It's...... It's not a problem at all, Kasukabe."
Looking at Kasukabe who scratched her head embarrassingly trying to explain herself, Asuka whose feelings were distorted managed to squeeze out a smile.
At the same time, Kasukabe gently nudged the girl with the fox ears. The girl exposed a nervous expression as she pushed away the trolley containing the breakfast and bowing to Asuka with a stiff expression.
"I'm ..... I'm......I'm called Lily!"
"Eh?"
"Lily, calm down."
Kasukabe with a bitter smile gently pat Lily's back.
The girl, who was restlessly moving her ears and her two tails, was the senior of the orphanage.
"Hmm, you were the one who brought the biscuits to us back then right? Is the hot tea and breakfast also prepared by you?"
"Ye.... Yes! I heard that Asuka-san likes herbal tea, so I prepared the necessary ingredients from our garden. I have also prepared food that can reduce drowsiness, I.... Hope you will enjoy it."
"Does the [No Name] have a vegetable garden as well?"
"Ye... Yes! Although it's a bit small, everyone worked hard together to put this garden together. If the land did not lose it's vitality, we could raise some cattle, or like in the past, when we had the vast and huge garden..."
"In the past?"
Lily pointed out the window and replied,
"Yes! Returning to the place where we store the water, beside the main road, there was a very very wide land for agriculture. There was also a ranch and every year when the season changes, we always had a celebration. Although now the land has completely lost its vitality..... However, in the past we had a special garden that grew herbs and medicines. We also had many many good plantations."
"Really? To have possessed such a large and extensive land."
Asuka slowly nodded her head, understanding that in the past there were many plantations.
Part 4
Their companions, The [No Name] community had a large land, although it was destroyed by a Demon Lord, they had continued living in such a district. In the past, the population of this district could rival a metropolis, to accommodate that much people, naturally the agriculture aspects were heavily relied on.
Kasukabe bit down the fragrant bread that just came out of the stove, in a soft voice speaking the obvious.
"Plantation.... This plantation, is there a way to rebuild it?"
"Yup, if we had our own plantation, we would not be wasting our time by participating in useless Gift Games."
Holding the tea cup close to her mouth, Asuka also nodded her head in agreement.
[Gift Game] —— In this Little Garden, obtaining strong [Gifts] from godly games.
However, this game had another different aspect to it which is the duel between the [Host] and the [Challenger].
Communities would put bargaining chips and prizes at stake in order to obtain wealth, land, fame, people... Using the miraculous [Gifts] to carry out the battles.
This was the [Gift Game].
Of course, to obtain stronger gifts from the gift game, naturally the game would be more dangerous.
The slightly worried Lily placed both her hands on her chest, replying to both people:
"But ..... But... Kuro Usagi-nee said... That... The large scale gift game needed to revive the land.... Is very dangerous..."
"Hmm? Isn't that interesting? Anyway we have been idle until we are going to lose one's head!"
Asuka placed the cup onto the table and leaked out a provoking smile.
With [Perseus'] gift game over, they had already tried fighting hand-to-hand with other [2105280 Outer Gate] communities, but it still did not stimulate the expectation that Asuka was looking forward to.
[Throw away your family, friends, wealth, everything in your world, and come to the Little Garden.]
They accepted the intriguing yet mysterious and wonderful invitation, precisely because they looked forward to coming here, to experience life brimming with excitement. However, they were now gradually living a lazy lifestyle, which was not ideal.
Asuka nodded.
"Okay, so we put [Reviving the land] as our main motive now. We need to discuss this with Kuro Usagi."
When the conversation was about to end, a letter flew into the room from outside the window.
"Hmm?"
That strangely familiar letter made Asuka and Kasukabe continuously blink their eyes.
The seal had two goddesses facing each other, also referring to the flag of [Thousand Eyes].
Lily breathed in the air, then spoke loudly.
"How....HOW WONDERFUL! This is the first time I have seen a letter with the [Thousand Eyes] stamp! This is personally stamped by Shiroyasha herself inviting players to participate in a gift game!"
"Shiroyasha sent this?"
"The superior allocater?"
Asuka and Kasukabe stared at the letter with their eyes filled with excitement.
The former Demon Lord, probably the strongest floor master, Shiroyasha.
Since it was her who sent out the Gift Game letters, it made it more valuable to attend.
Asuka and Kasukabe exchanged eye contact with each other, happily tearing open the gift game letter.
Part 5
-Former old plantation site, Residential Area, Outer Gate Number: 2105380, Little Garden-
The rustling of sand could be heard.
Kuro Usagi and Leticia were standing on the white ground that had now fallen into disuse.
Leticia who was wearing the maid uniform with a specially created ribbon that is tied onto her beautiful blonde hair, shook her head with sorrow and was crouching down on the once beautiful ground.
"...... How miserable, and to think that this was once called the plantation district. Now there's only rock and gravel."
The fertile soil from 3 years ago was non-existent now.
Both Leticia and Kuro Usagi sullenly lowered their heads.
"Kuro Usagi is very sorry. We only managed to solve the problem with the water supply, even the children are slowly tending it."
"Eh? Ahhh, that's not it, I'm not scolding you. After all this problem can't be resolved that easily by humans."
Leticia panickingly waved both her hands. She then picked up some of the soil by her side confirming the situation.
"This can't be helped, the land has already lost all vitality. Even if there's water, animals would not want to stay here. If we want to focus on bringing back the land, we will have to waste a lot of time."
".... Yeah."
Both of them started sighing.
They knew what the land was like when it was fertile, it was definitely unbearable to see this sight happening to the land that lost it's vitality. The land that once bore colourful and bright fruits, surrounded by a swaying sea of gold coloured rice, had already ceased to exist. A burst of injury channeled through their hearts.
The worst kind of tragedy the communities of Little Garden would face was -- [Demon Lord]. The scars created would be huge, not only does it take away companions and pride the community might have, even their future was also stripped away.
Leticia stood up, patting away the gravel left on her maid uniform, she grimly said:
"... What a tremendous power. I have been living for quite a long time, to meet Demon Lords that had this much power, would only be a handful of times."
With a serious expression, Kuro Usagi and Leticia started evaluating the Demon Lords' power.
No matter the district area or countryside, both sides had met with ruins of their own, experiencing this for a long time.
Since it's like that, the reason was as clear as day.
Kuro Usagi, with a worried face, reached a conclusion:
"For this land to be perished in such a short period of time, and with such huge destruction, the only capable ones are the [Star-Class] and above, it can even dominate the celestial body to some degree, right?"
"If a star-class demon were to have this much power, it would only be Shiroyasha..... Or the Golden Demon Lord Star-class monster."
Both of them revealed bitter expressions. The heavy silence highlighted the undeniable dangerous power of the Demon Lord.
"Soooo... It's the work of the [Strongest Class] Demon Lord right?"
"It can only be that..... What a poor joke."
Kuro Usagi and Leticia looked at each other, managing a powerless laughter.
In the Little Garden, where gods and others gather, there were the 3 strongest classes.
---Natural gods were [Divine] Class
---Ghosts or spirits, monsters or others that had the largest position was [Star] Class
---—The Eudemons that stems from the original dragon seed [Pureblood] Class。
Known throughout the Little Garden as the strongest class, it was nearly suicidal to be their opponents.
These classes that had the most powerful class, even the outside world did not even have a chance to glimpse upon them. To change the perspective, if a community had been observed by those monsters, could it be counted as honourable? Even when Leticia was being referred as a Demon Lord, she would keep her distance from these classes.
Leticia who flung her ribbon, looked at the wilderness, suddenly thinking of something.
"Hmmm, to get things right, since the opposition had this much power, at least the community's name was heard of, right?"
"Even if we consult Shiroyasha-sama, we would only know that it was not a community from the north side."
"Hmmm, since Shiroyasha said so, it must be true."
Leticia leaked out a bitter smile while slightly shivering due the unknown assailant of this place.
Even when facing such a dire threat, Kuro Usagi, who did not lose her will to fight, merely produced a strong-willed smile.
"Plea... Please don't be too worried! Be.. Because in our community, we have 3 strong gift users! If everyone starts cooperating, Kuro Usagi believes that restoring this land would not be a difficult task!"
Kuro Usagi held up her fist, and even Leticia started nodding while smiling.
"Unn, If it's them, they could solve this predicament while laughing."
From a place away from the Little Garden came 3 new members.
They managed to save the captive Leticia from the Demon Lord, and they also fought for the community. If it was them, no matter what kind of challenge, they would overcome them right?
They were no longer the community that could not do anything in the past.
In this Little Garden where divine beings gather, if they want to have a miracle, they would have to win it themselves.
Kuro Usagi raised her finger, busily moving her rabbit eats, continued saying,
"The most ideal condition for us is, we must establish a life hoop in this community. If we manage to do this, we can be capable of accumulating food reserves, and increase our organization's strength!"
"Unn! The urgent priority is to allow the land to be reborn, the Southern District Harvest Festival is our immediate goal."
"YES! Now is the time everyone must work together to bring back our land!"
"However, what are you going to do about the festival in the Northern district? There's still some time before it happens. If they knew about it, they would be very happy right?"
Kuro Usagi suddenly made an "Ugh" sound, changing to an embarrassed expression, she did not say anything else.
"What is it? You didn't tell them? That is the largest festival sponsored by the Northern and Eastern floor masters right? Even if the 7 digit is the lowest gate, it would still be a gorgeous festival. Master should be able to obtain good results...."
"No... It is... We are lacking in travel fees. In our current state, we don't have much money we can use to travel through the dimensional gate. No matter how much we struggle and struggle, one trip will be our limit...."
Hearing Kuro Usagi's apologetic speech, Leticia was also speechless, sighing while managing a bitter smile.
"Lacking in money sure is tough, eh?"
"How... However we just need to be patient for a little longer. Kuro Usagi believes that Izayoi-san and the rest will get good gifts during the Southern District Harvest Festival!"
"Kuro..... Kuro Usagi-nee~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~! Not.... Not good ~ ~ ~ ~ ~!"
They turned to face the direction it was coming from, wearing a Japanese style apron, the young fox girl called Lily appeared, carrying an expression like she was going to cry.
"Lily? What happened?"
"Asu... Asuka-san brought Izayoi-san and Yō-san....Ah, thi....This! The letter she left behind!"
Lily, who was frantically flinging her two fox tails around, passed the letter to Kuro Usagi.
"To Kuro-Usagi:
We are going to participate in the festival held by the Northern District 4000000 Outer Gate and Eastern District 3999999 Outer Gate.
You must also come. Also, Leticia-san has to come as well.
As the punishment for you concealing the contents of the letter from us, if you are unable to catch us by today, the three of us will leave the community. Better start running to find us, we will give you our utmost support!
p.s. We also took Jin as our tour guide."
"..........."
"..........?"
"...........!"
The silence continued until 30 seconds has passed.
Kuro Usagi started trembling while holding the letter and issued a wail like cry,
"Whuh...... WHAT ARE THOSE PROBLEMATIC CHILDREN SAYING!! AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The shrill cry emitted by Kuro Usagi resounded. [Leaving] was no small statement.
Because she expected too much, Kuro Usagi forgot something important.
The three new members with great strength----Were actually their world's most problematic children.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login