Part 3
*Ahem!* Kuro Usagi cleared her throat loudly before continuing to lead the discussion.
“Then let’s start by discussing the strategies on the Game. But before that, Sala-sama has a few words that she wants to say first.”
[What could it be?] Everyone in the room were tilting their head in puzzlement.
Sala stood up from her seat and swept her gaze around everyone in the room.
Sala gave a deep sigh as her face was clouded over with worry.
“……The words that I’m about to tell you guys, please keep it a secret confined to the people of this room. Please be mindful never to let a word of it spread around.”
“……Yes, I understand.”
Jin represented all the rest to give his reply first and the other people around had also nodded their heads silently though the solemnness of this speech Sala was giving, caused every one of them to furrow their brows skeptically.
Sala closed her eyes for a while in deliberation before opening her mouth again to say:
“Firstly I would like to say that when the [Golden Harp] was repossessed by the enemy, [The Death Eye of Balor] has also been stolen away.”
“Ba…[The Death Eye of Balor]?!”
“Is that for real?”
“Yes. Although it isn’t a Gift that any normal Titan can use……but with that, the Titan tribes would surely have gained a strong weapon on their side. We must also take into account of that and draw up strategies to deal with it. So everyone, please be mentally prepared.”
At this point, Sala paused for a while and the solemn expression was etched more deeply into her facial features.
“And the other matter I want to say is...Before the Game entered its ceasefire, I had received the urgent reports from the North and East Sides……According to the reports, it seems that Demon Lords have not appeared in [Underwood] only.”
“……what?”
“The North Side’s [Floor Master] [Salamandra] and [OniHime] Alliance, and [Floor Master] of the East whom you guys should be quite acquainted with, the [Thousand Eyes] cadre’s Shiroyasha-sama---All three of the above mentioned Communities have been hit by the violent invasion of Demon Lords simultaneously.”
The sounds of everyone sucking in their breath in surprise echoed in the Discussion Hall. Even Kuro Usagi who was in charge of the position as the host of the discussion was frozen and slack-jawed, evidently having heard it for the first time.
If this piece of news were to be true, it would mean that there were at least four Demon Lords who had descended upon Little Garden currently.
Even for Asuka and Izayoi who have only recently arrived and stayed in Little Garden for a short while, they were still able to immediately see the strangeness and the severity of the situation.
Asuka whispered to Izayoi who sat beside her:
“This shouldn’t be coincidental right? In an attempt to overthrow the [Floor Master]s, there’s a Strong Demon Lord that is leading several other Demon Lords into action…… that’s what it is right?”
“Yea no doubt about that……but I see it now. Since there’s such a situation, it would make sense and solves another question that I had.”
“What?”
Sala shot her question in reflex. It was the phrase of [make sense] and not [I understand] that minor difference in the word usage that caused her to be mindful.
Izayoi unfolded his arms and leaned forward as he asked:
“You’re Sala right? I heard that you were originally the successor of [Salamandra], is that true?”
“……That’s right. What’s with that?”
“Then have you heard of the Demon Lord that appeared at the [Birth of the Fire Dragon Festival] that [Salamandra] hosted last month?”
“Of course. Although I’ve left my hometown, but it’s still my former Community and my hometown that have been attacked.”
Sala frowned darkly. Perhaps she felt that Izayoi was looking down on her.
But Izayoi’s expression had sobered up considerably with solemnness as he swept his gaze over everyone gathered in the room.
“Then, let me ask you, the one who came from the North……Have you heard that the one who attracted the Demon Lord was [Salamandra] itself?”
“What did you say?!”
Asuka stood up as she interrupted the conversation with a shout. Her surprised expression had far exceeded the previous expression she wore and was completely incomparable.
But this was to be expected. For that would mean that the death match they had participated in was due to the invited trouble of the ones whom she thought of as comrades in arms. That thought had definitely not crossed Asuka’s mind.
The person who was on the receiving end of the question had clenched her teeth while her face had grown taut as she lightly shook her head.
“……that’s the first time I’ve heard of it. But since Otou-sama is still around, that is something that sounds very much like him.”
“Otou-sama? You and Sandra’s father?”
“Yes. That person is one who wouldn’t care about the methods even if his comrades die. As long as it is something that is advantageous for the Community, he will do it…… Even if it may have caused the death of Sandra in the [Birth of the Fire Dragon Festival], he must have thought that he could still seat upon the position as leader once more to solve the problem.”
“But, But I heard that the former leader of [Salamandra] is bedridden due to illness……”
“Just a little pain from illness isn’t able to make that guy go down. Moreover, he most probably planned to use young Sandra as the shield while he continued to control things in the dark which would be safer for him.”
*Hng!* Sala harrumphed openly at that.
Kuro Usagi’s rabbit ears drooped as she seemed to ask dejectedly:
“Then……Then what could Sala-sama’s Otou-sama be trying to benefit from doing such a thing?”
“Who knows? But in the case where Otou-sama is really sick and bedridden……I would guess that it would be an attempt to let Sandra’s name be known throughout the lands that cause him to specially invite a Demon Lord……but regarding the secrets behind that matter, I would guess that the lad sitting over there would be more knowledgeable about it.”
Sala looked pointedly at Izayoi while he took on a bemused expression as he replied:
“I guess that’s more or less the case. Before hearing the situation from you, I’d thought that it would be that way too. Moreover, looking at the attitude of that Mandra guy, it would seem that he had also believed in that cause……but, it would seem that the situation isn’t that simple after all.”
“And your meaning is?”
“Kuro Usagi, let’s just think for a moment shall we? The one who attacked during the Festival of the [Birth of the Fire Dragon], [Black Death Demon Lord]---Percher’s aim wasn’t to target Sandra but was instead aiming for Shiroyasha right?”
Kuro Usagi drew her breath sharply at that. Hearing his words, it did seem to be that way.
[Black Death Demon Lord] wants to seek revenge on the Authority of the Sun. Moreover, she’s also possessed the very rare [Authority of Host Master] that had [The ability to seal Sun’s Star-class spirits].”
To defeat the strongest [Floor Master] Shiroyasha, it can be said that Percher was the best possible candidate for the task.
“The host for the [Birth of the Fire Dragon Festival] is Sandra. Shiroyasha is merely a guest of honour who visited without the entourage of the main force of [Thousand Eyes]……It might be possible that the Festival was a trap laid to defeat Shiroyasha.”
Izayoi’s conjecture caused Jin to be boggled into realization as he cried out:
“Oh…Right! I heard that during the same time when Shiroysasha-sama was under attack, the South Side’s [Floor Master] had also been attacked and defeated……If we were to link them up to a common mastermind behind all these incidents---!”
“That’s right. In other words, these guys—let’s just call them as a collective term of [Demon Lord Alliance] for now, plans to attack and put down all of the [Floor Masters] it drives them to launch their simultaneous attacks……And there should be some kind of organization behind them that helps them to connect and coordinate to allow the Demon Lords to battle in an advantageous condition.” Izayoi ended with casting his sharp gaze towards Sala.
The speech caused Sala to be alarmed. Although she didn’t see eye to eye with her father’s actions and had already left her homeland, but Sala did not want to believe that her family and homeland could have fallen to that despicable level. So she posed her question to confirm, albeit with unease.
“Lad. Are you hinting that……my father is the mastermind behind these incidents?”
“Nope, I’m unable to confirm that sort of detail at this point. So far, only half of what I’ve said are circumstantial evidence but the most important part of the motive behind such acts still remain unknown. And if we look at the root of the problem, what could be the purpose of getting rid of the other [Floor Master]s?”
Izayoi sank into deep thoughts and it did not look like an act.
Sala finally found a small respite for herself but Faceless seemed intent on giving it a follow-up attack as she added:
“……Sala-sama. Currently, the [Floor Masters] are [Salamandra], [OniHime] Alliance, Shiroyasha of [Thousand Eyes] and the one who’s still in hibernation [Laplace Demon] these four right?”
“Hm? Yep, that should be correct.”
“If the first three were to be destroyed, all of the [Floor Master]s will lose their ability to function and it will require someone to ascend the position to take command as the [Overall Floor Master]. Could the enemy’s goal be that?”
“What?” Came the same reply though from the different mouths of everyone at the same time.
Sala, Jin and Kuro Usagi also seemed to be unclear of the situation as they tilted their heads, baffled.
“I’ve heard [Queen Halloween] bringing it up before in the past. If the [Floor Master]s were to be incapacitated, or if it were to be left with only one person, it would tentatively open up a position within the four digit Outer Gates and a Gift that befits the position---One of the Authorities of the Sun and also the Authority of choosing the next batch of [Floor Master]s in the North South East and West Sides.”
“Sun…A Sun Authority and a tentative position in the four digits?!”
“So …So there’s also such a system?!”
Kuro Usagi and Sala questioned in alarm.
---An Authority over the Sun’s trajectory in Little Garden.
In Little Garden where many demigods, gods and Buddhas lived, there exists the control over the many different Stars and Planets and that’s called the Authority.
The demonic star, Algol that [Perseus] had was one such example. As long as one held the Authority over the Stars, they would be given the power to summon and command the Star class spirits or Deities that possessed a huge amount of power.
As for the Sun’s Authority that represents the most number of Gods and Buddhas, it is divided into twenty-four parts by means of the constellations.
The twelve constellations recorded within the [Ecliptic path of the Twelve Zodiacs]: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.
The twelve time sectors(Chén) recorded within the [Ecliptic path of the Twelve Chén][19]: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu Wei, Shen, You, Xu and Hai.[20]
According to these two types of Celestial divisions, the Sun Authorities can be divided into twenty-four parts.
“Even I do not know of the Authority that will be given. But according to my Queen, there had only been two predecessors who have sat upon that position as [Overall Floor Master] and they are Shiroyasha and the First generation [Floor Master]---Leticia Draculea.”
“Le…Leticia-sama is a [Overall Floor Master]……?!”
Due to her surprise, Kuro Usagi’s voice had risen considerably in volume. However, that only caused Faceless to be surprised as well.
“……As a [Highborn of Little Garden], you actually do not know of the story behind the [Knights of Little Garden]?”
“Ku…Kuro Usagi’s the youngest generation of her race and can be considered to be very young, so she doesn’t know much about the histories……”
Kuro Usagi’s rabbit ears drooped as she turned her face away.
Izayoi sighed as he shook his head before extending a helping hand to Kuro Usagi:
“Forget it……It’s nobody’s fault that Kuro Usagi here is actually [Highborn of Little Garden(lol)].”
“Please do not attempt to make that nickname be set into stone!”
Kuro Usagi had perked her rabbit ears in anger.
Faceless used her hand to rub her chin as she pondered for a moment.
“……I see. So she’s [Highborn of Little Garden(lol)] huh?”
“May I ask of you not to use such a serious face to join into that topic?!”
Seeing how Faceless had joined in after catching on quickly, Asuka expressed her dissent unhappily:
“You are just an outsider that has appeared not too long ago, don’t talk as if you know Kuro Usagi very well. And from how it progressed just now, she should be called [(Shameful)Highborn of Little Garden] to follow the flow right?”
“Wait…”
“That’s it! Good one!”
“What’s ‘That’s it! Good one!’ eh? You BakAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaas!”
*PakPak!* Kuro Usagi used her favorite paper fan that had been a while since its last use to show its power.
Faceless observed the three of them having their happy exchange of squabbling and suddenly blurted out the words:
“……[(Shameful)Highborn of Little Garden].”
“If this continues to be the topic, then there’s no way that we can resume our serious atmosphere anymore, so just take it that I’m pleading for you guys to stop it!”
*Pak!* Kuro Usagi seemed weary as she lifted her paper fan to slap another time.
Perhaps the atmosphere wasn’t high enough for Faceless rekindled her spirit---
“……[(Shameful)Highborn of Little Garden].”
“Didn’t I say to stop it? BAKAAAAAAAaaaaa!”
*Swish!*Kuro Usagi swung her paper fan with a loud sound that wasn’t heard off before to launch her strongest strike.
After that, Faceless took on an attitude like as though nothing had happened as she continued the topic.
“……As a [Highborn of Little Garden], you actually do not know of the story behind the [Knights of Little Garden]?”
“Start…Starting from that same place again sure causes Kuro Usagi to not know how to respond…… Though it’s really embarrassing, it is the first time that these rabbit ears of Kuro Usagi have heard of such a thing. Because of how it might give some leads on the current game and the mastermind behind the plot, please tell us all the details you know without holding back any reports.”
Kuro Usagi controlled her urge to give her normal tsukomi[21] as she seriously pushed for the continuation of the previous topic.
It would also seem that Faceless had her fill of fun and she replied solemnly:
“What I do know isn’t very detailed. So I will just be skipping the details…I’ve heard that Leticia Draculea who had ascended to the [Overall Floor Master] had wanted to use the Authority and the special rights to launch a war against the upper echelons of demigods, gods and Buddhas.”
“Le…Leticia-sama wanting to start a war……?”
The [No Name]s had all looked at each other. That sort of violent description made it difficult to link it to the docile temperament Leticia who was like a big sister character in the Community.
“That war…… caused her to become a Demon Lord?”
“That, I’m not too sure either. I’ve only heard that to stop this war from happening, the vampires of the same race had started a revolution and from there, they slowly headed for destruction due to the infighting that hacked away at each other’s lives.”
“Killing…Killing each other within the same race…… Leticia-sama?”
“Yes. This was told to me by my Queen who knew of the situation then, so I’m quite sure that it won’t be wrong.”
*Uu…* Kuro Usagi gave a little sound, clearly frightened and robbed of her courage.
Killing each other within their own species---In other words, it was the killings between the comrades of the same Community. Being a part of [No Name], they knew Leticia’s character very well and hence it was very difficult to believe that to be true. But Sala who was silently listening to the conversation all this while took out the Geass Roll and seemed to nod in understanding.
“I see……The fourth condition to win:[ Following the proper procedure and using the zodiacs that have been restored to the throne as a guide, strike the heart of the revolutionist who is bounded in chains.] Meaning that we have to find and kill the leader of the Revolution of that time right?”
“Is…Is that so?”
“Otherwise, how else can we make head or tail of it? Compared to the terms of [Zodiac] and [broken fragments of the constellations] that are so abstract, these words are much easier to understand. The Vampires of that time were really pushed into a corner due to the punishments met out to them and hence decided to hunt down for the leader of the revolution---”
“---but in the end, the game was still left without being cleared. In other words, the [Leader of the Revolution] may just be a misleading clue left to bait us in the wrong direction.”
*Uu* Though Sala made that small sound, she stared at Izayoi as she retorted:
“No, that’s difficult to say. That Leader of the Revolution might still be living in Little Garden somewhere. The Vampire species have quite a long lifespan and it is said that the purebloods of their race will never grow old or die---”
“Then you mean to find that fellow and kill him? In this exaggeratingly big Little Garden, how much time would we waste to find a Vampire that we don’t even know if it exists?”
Sala shut her mouth mournfully.
Seeming to say that it was the end of the discussion, Izayoi stood up.
“No matter how you look at it, we can’t deny the fact that we do not have enough information. So I’ve a proposal. Form a defense squad that will stay in this place to defend [Underwood] from the Titan invasion attempts and a squad that will infiltrate the Citadel of the enemy with the purpose to clear the game. There should be many winged Eudemons in [Draco Greif] Alliance right?”
Izayoi gave Jin a pointed look on the sly when he ended his barrage.
And Jin frantically chimed in:
“And the safety of those people who have been taken away is also quite worrying. I’ve also heard that the important figure in the Alliance, Garol-sama of [Six Scars] had also been captured while protecting his comrades. Let’s send out a search party and when they return with their report, let’s arrange for another discussion shall we?”
Jin naturally pushed the topic towards the aim of saving Yō, moreover the content of his proposal was also quite reasonable.
Sala did not reject the proposal but had instead, agreed readily to it.
“I got it. Well, I will choose my elites to form the squads by two nights after. When that time comes, I will be requiring the strength of your Communities[looking at the two Communities in turn], so we will be in your care……And another thing , though it is just a small gesture of goodwill, I’ve already prepared the best top classed Guest rooms for your Communities, so please be well rested.”
Under her gesture, all of them stood to leave.
The first day of the meeting that the Participants hosted had come to a close at that.
To get to the [Underwood] Main guest quarters, the group of [No Name]s had taken the water powered elevator to make their gradual descent from the Great Tree’s Tree branch. On the way down, Izayoi abruptly asked in a low voice.
“……Ojou-sama, what do you think?”
“Eh?”
“I meant about the legend that Leticia became a Demon Lord who massacred her comrades.”
The sudden topic of the conversation caused Asuka to freeze momentarily.
Even so, she said it clear and succinctly:
“I don’t know how Leticia was in the past……but she’s our Blond maid currently isn’t she? Then how can we stand by and let someone else snatch her away.”
“……Right. We sure cannot let it pass like that.”
Seeing how Asuka was answering with such a fired up attitude, Izayoi smiled wryly.
---Just saying on the side, Izayoi had not asked that question for that kind of answer……But seeing how her answer was that dependable, he decided to take the optimistic approach and accept his comrade’s energetic response as he gazed up upon the skies.
The swirling dark ominous clouds were still giving off low roars of thunder until now and they continued to surround the Ancient Citadel that floated in the skies.
Just when Izayoi was just thinking whether there’s a chance for the two comrades, who had been caught to that place, to be safe at this moment in time---Asuka seemed like she was trying to lighten up their spirits as she stood with arms akimbo to suggest to Kuro Usagi and the others:
“When we get back to our rooms, let’s get started on solving the mystery. To save Kasukabe and Leticia, we must unravel the mystery during the time of our ceasefire.”
“YES! Although it is a tough one, but as the saying goes, two heads are better than one! With us four together to work on it, we will surely be able to figure it out!”
“Nn. To save Kasukabe-san and Leticia, we must get the mystery…”
“---No. If it’s the part about the mystery, I’ve already solved it.”
“……what?!”The elevator echoed with the same query that came from four different mouths.
Whether it was Asuka, Kuro Usagi who was beside her, Jin who stood in front or even Carol who was responsible for leading the way for them, question marks were visibly floating above their heads as they looked at Izayoi doubtfully.
“……Eh, Okyakusan? Then why did you tell Sala-sama just now something along the lines of ‘Because of the lack in information, we must send a squad into the enemy’s Citadel’?”
“Hm? Why would you understand it in that way? My meaning was [Although the information isn’t much, but the riddle has been solved, so let’s go clear the game!] and conveniently creating a squad to rescue the others as a side task.”
And he did say [a squad that will infiltrate the Citadel of the enemy with the purpose to clear the game], but never did the rest expect that he meant it literally.
“But since you guys here have also mistaken it, then all is well too. If there’s someone who suddenly appears and tries to enslave our fair haired maid without any prior knowledge, I will have to start a brawl with that fella. ~Oh my~ Fortune sure is on my side!”
Izayoi feinted ignorance as he turned his head away.
Carol blinked her eyes before becoming solemn.
“……That’s unfortunate for I need to report to Sala-sama about this.”
“50% off for all products?! You sure are generous aren’t ya?”
“Oi, don’t be like that ne~ Why would I betray you guys right? ♪”
Izayoi’s threat caused Carol to break into cold sweat as she smiled and gave her reply quickly.
On one hand, Kuro Usagi and the others were seeing the true evilness in Izayoi but they also felt that he was very dependable and they could only look at each other while giving a wry laugh.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login