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Part 3 

---In the skies above [Underwood]. The Ancient vampire Citadel, Throne of the Elliptical Path. 

A black robed female---the woman called Aura had claimed a space on the platform between the cornering in the stairway as she scried the movements of her enemy on the ground from a crystal ball before saying softly: 

“……Your Highness, [Underwood] has made their move.” 

“Really? Then it’s about time as well. Have you completed the preparations to meet their attack?” 

“Of course. I’ve already scattered tōchūkasōes on the corpses of the Vampires outside of the Outer Walls. Seeing how corpses are the best seedbed for them, I would bet that the whole Outer walls would be swarming with them now.” 

Aura covered her mouth as she giggled. His Highness had also nodded his head in acknowledgement. As for Rin who was standing behind him, she continued to pleat His Highness’s white hair while exclaiming in a surprised tone: 

“Really~ I thought that the Participants needed more time ~” 

“Hm? Why?” 

“Isn’t the ceasefire period for one week? It’s only been three days and they shouldn’t have to be so hurried in their actions. Moreover, there also seems to be quite a bit of casualties for their winged Eudemons. If I were them, I would have continued to focus on recuperating and saving strength up till the last moment……Hm and maybe around the fifth day, I would prepare the gathering of the main force that will scout the enemy’s fortress.” 

Rin’s words caused His Highness and Aura to fall into deep thought. 

They should be thinking that it had quite a bit of value to it even though this couldn’t be taken as an unbiased source. 

“……Sounds like Rin’s conjecture might be right too. According to the shikigami reports, their main force didn’t even reach the count of 50.” 

“Even if we add in the non-combatants, it should still be an addition of 5%......That kind of numbers to face the Titan tribe, it’s a little too small.” 

“Could it be that they are reserving their true strength or are calling for backup?” 

“No, that’s not a realistic plan. In the current situation where the [Floor Masters] are being pressured, only people like Bull Demon King would be willing to help out Communities that are being attacked by Demon Lords. And Bull Demon King had already gone to help the [Onihime] Alliance. So the current possibilities that I can think of now are narrowed to these two!” 

Rin raised her right hand into the air while pointing upwards with her fingers in the shape of a ‘two’. 

“One is that the Participants have fallen into a situation where they have met a problem in the solving of the riddle and they are unable to make head or tail of it and are unable to control the pieces in the game to their liking anymore. Hence they are being reckless to the point of being willing to sacrifice themselves to try invade the Community Grounds of the enemy even if this might just be a ploy to lure them into a trap.” 

Saying that, Rin curled her middle finger down. 

Just then, a mocking laugh came from the shadows of the cloister’s pillars. 

“……how boring. But anyways, those guys are only a crowd of low level Communities clumping together.” 

The ferocious and ominous voice was brimming with haughtiness. 

But Rin placed her hands on her hips in akimbo as she seemed to chide agitatedly: 

“Gra-Oji-san! Don’t be like that~! I feel that it won’t do oji-san any good to have that kind of haughty attitude! For only third-rate Players would boast and lose due to underestimating their enemies!” 

“……Hmph!” 

Getting chided by a little girl, Graiya gave a dissatisfied harrumph. 

But Rin continued to explain her conjectures with a composed face. 

“The first possibility doesn’t exist. Since Garol-dono had also arrived to attend this Harvest Festival and it would only be a matter of time before the riddle is solved. As for the Community who defeated Percher……No, it’s [Black Death Demon Lord], they are also here and it shouldn’t be making them fall into a troublesome situation as of yet. For if they could solve the riddle of [The PIED PIPER of HAMELIN], this game shouldn’t be much of a problem to them.” 

“But that’s only from your view right, Rin? So have you solved the riddle of [The PIED PIPER of HAMELIN]?” 

“Nn. For something that follows the standard format without Punishments, I only took around five days to solve it. That riddle just required a lot of different viewpoints of different worlds and eras to explain the [Piper of Hamelin] so it was a little challenging……Gra-Oji-san solved it yet?” 

Graiya remained silent after giving two more grunts. 

Sensing that she managed to out-argue the other, Rin lifted her finger once more to explain: 

“But, for the first possibility to exist, it would only mean that the difference between our levels is far too great and nothing to be feared. It isn’t tough to handle impatient and frustrated enemies---so the problem lies with the second possibility.” 

At this point, Rin’s face became more solemn, as the trace of mischief was wiped off her face and she squinted her eyes to study the surroundings. 


“---And this is one of the worst possibility: The Participants on the ground have already solved the riddle and the current situation forces them to make an early strike. For example---an important person by some accident had been brought up into the Enemy’s citadel or something.” 

“……!” 

In a flash, everyone in their group had heightened their level of alertness. 

The four of them had also released their murderous intents that seemed to press down thickly upon the castle to intimidate any lurkers that might have infiltrated inside. 

The ancient castle that was crafted out of stone was giving out creaking noises but it would seem that there weren’t any enemy presences. 

At least, there shouldn’t be any other people inside the Castle keeps. For no one would have been able to keep their composure or not react to this wave of killing intent. 

Rin lowered her voice as she said to His Highness: 

“……If anyone finds out about me, Aura-san or Gra-Ojisan, it’s not a big deal for it’s still within our calculations. But if Your Highness were to be found out by the enemy, it would be troublesome for you, Your Highness, is our trump card. We cannot allow you to have your identity revealed in this kind of game so as a precaution, I hope that Your Highness will go down to the ground to hide.” 

His Highness nodded in agreement as he turned to Aura who was maintaining her level of alertness as she sighed. 

“Aura, do you know the current statuses of the tōchūkasōes?” 

“The tōchūkasōes aren’t shikigamis……So even if they were to be defeated, I wouldn’t know when or who they are.” 

“What about the shikigamis for surveillance?” 

“Um, very sorry about that. I’ve sent them all to the ground below. For I thought to gather as much information from the place that seemed bustling with activities……” 

His Highness gave a sigh before scratching his head. But this could only be said as an oversight of theirs. Recomposing his thoughts, His Highness instructed Rin and Aura: 

“I understand your concern, Rin. If the Participants were to infiltrate in here, things would be problematic. I will leave things here to Gra-Oji-chan while you two should meet up with the Titan tribes quickly to prepare them well for the attack on [Underwood].” 

“Yes sir!” 

“Mhn. Please take care, Your Highness. Don’t let anyone notice your identity.” 

“Who do you think you're fretting about? Even if you do not say it, I will also enjoy this show before the end of the game…… but on the other hand, Rin, you better not trip up the plan due to negligence.” 

Rin and Aura waved their hands in farewell as they disappeared into the darkness of the cloisters. 

Seemingly tired, His Highness sat at the stairway while a wry smile floated to his lips. 

“…… That person’s technique in creating Games is getting much stronger.” 

“Yeah. And in addition to the Gift that she possess, Rin will surely become a dependable Game creator. The day that I will fall from my position as strategist will be soon.” 

“Why do you think that……But, oh well, it’s not impossible either. Rin’s Gift can be called the ultimate Gift in a sense for there’s no way to counter it even if it were to be seen through by opponents.” 

“Yep. Leaving the Ground to them would be enough. The castle keep will be guarded by me so may Your Highness go into hiding.” 

“I got it……Oh, right.” 

Seeming to have thought of something, His Highness turned back to smile at Graiya. 

“About the person who holds that [Genome Tree], it’s possible that the person might have unsuspectingly infiltrated into this Ancient Citadel.” 

“…… How can that be?” 

“My guess is without grounds but I felt that it would be very interesting if it were to be true…… Don’t you think so too? Graiya Greif.” 

His Highness walked around the back of the pillar. And appearing in the shadows was---A Jet black Gryphon that had a huge single horn on his head while a similar [Genome Tree] carving hung before his chest that depicted the Phylogenetic Tree. 

“So how is it? The man who defeated your brother Draco Greif and the one who holds that same gift now becoming your opponent…... Do you have any thoughts on it?” 

“It’s impossible. The Phylogenetic Tree that he had created has already been carved on my chest. Even if the opponent uses a similar Gift, he or she wouldn’t be able to match up to me.” 

Graiya proudly displayed the [Genome Tree] carved upon his chest as he stated it plainly. Hearing that, His Highness seemed to have lost all interest and showed a bored expression but he managed to squeeze out a fearless smile. 

“Ah forget it. Anyways, as I’ve already mentioned to Rin and Aura, if the current possessor of the [Genome Tree] appears, I will allow you guys to drop whatever plans we had to make the securing of that Gift the biggest priority.” 

“Yes, Your Highness.” 

And with that, His Highness silently melted into the shadows while Graiya unfurled his jet black wings, which seem unthinkable to belong to a Gryphon, as he flew away from the cloisters that led to the throne room.



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