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Chapter 1 

Part 1 

---[Underwood] Foot of the Mountain, Reception area for the Harvest Festival 

Shiroyasha only let Kuro Usagi go after keeping her for three more days. 

The Sun slowly sank in the western horizon and the view of the Great Tree City would soon be swallowed up by the color of night. 

At this point in time, Kuro Usagi faced her back to the sunset as she took a breather and stretched herself. 

"Hu……. Freedom at last." 

Her rabbit ears perked up in alertness before flopping down lifelessly. Since the moment Shiroyasha showed up to drag her along for the journey, Kuro Usagi had already mentally prepared herself, but she hadn't expected the reason for the kidnap to be so random. 

[Forget it…… Shiroyasha-sama may be trying to cover something up when she used that kind of joke as a perfunctory reason.] 

Being in the position of a [Floor Master], she wouldn't be able to tell her secrets that easily. 

……Maybe it's just me who cannot accept the fact that I was used as a decoration. No, no, no, how can that be…. 

Either way, Shiroyasha seemed to have achieved her aim. 

Shiroyasha kept muttering about wanting her to wear the transparent tight one piece dress till the very end and Kuro Usagi who managed to escape, albeit with much trouble, from the grasp of that demon can finally take a breather. 

Arriving at the reception area for the Harvest Festival, Kuro Usagi ran into the dryad Kirino. 

"I'm Kuro Usagi of [No Name]. Could I trouble you to show me the way to the guest rooms?" 

"Your registry is accepted…… Oh, but the members of [No Name] aren't in their rooms now." 

Kuro Usagi cocked her head in puzzlement. Kirino handed over to Kuro Usagi a map of the Harvest Festival grounds and the event timelines that were all drawn on goatskin parchments. 

"From what I know----- Sakamaki Izayoi-sama is reading in the underground library. Kudou Asuka-sama and Kasukabe Yō-sama are participating in the hunting event. Jin Russel-sama has brought his companions to meet up with the representative of [Six Scars]. Lily-chan…..Erhm…. Lily-sama and the senior group have gone to help out with the preparations for the opening event." 

"Wow, everyone is so dispersed throughout the city." 

Scratching her ears, Kuro Usagi gazed up at the Great Tree of [Underwood]. 

"Let's make it simple then. I will go look for Izayoi-san. Which is the route I should take to reach him?" 

"Nn…. There's only one way to get there, through the waterway, and you would need someone to ferry you. But with the preparations for the festival underway, we currently do not have the people to spare----" 

"Oh if it is like this, then may I do it?" 

"Eh?" Kuro Usagi and Kirino both turned their heads to look at the other end of the Reception area. The man that walked into the Reception area was of a tall stature, thin and long eyes with a lone eye patch across one of them. Not only was his smile very suspicious, as with his way of speech that seemed to be Kansai dialect but at the same time seemingly not. 

"Kouryuu-sama[11] …. Is this okay? You're the VIP guest of [Draco Greif] and needn't trouble yourself." 

"It's fine, it's fine. No worries. We can help each other out since you guys are shorthanded." 

The man who walked into the Reception area patted Kirino's head lightly. 

Kuro Usagi tilted her head. 

[Hmmm…… This person…..] 

---Strong. Even though the person wasn't showing any aggression towards them, Kuro Usagi's instincts had reflexively responded by placing her in high alert. 

His attitude was casual and chic, but his brisk footsteps and posture when standing didn't leave any weakness to be exploited. Evidently, he was mentally prepared to do battle at any given moment. At a glance, those firm muscles packed within his body would have told of unimaginable years of training. 

As for the most obvious thing that felt amiss------ was the fact that he lacked the Domineering aura that would usually surround such figures. 

[If he's hiding it in out of consideration for Kirino-san, it would be fairly impressive. For someone with such natural movements to be repressing his Aura to this extent is definitely a rare sight.] 

Prowess obtained from adhering to a strict regime of training tends to surround a person in the form of a Domineering Aura. Just from the regal airs given of from this person, it should have overwhelmed the female dryad with awe and fear without having to move an inch. 

However this man before them------ Kouryuu has completely hidden his Domineering Aura. 

"Hello, we meet for the first time, Miss 'Highborn of Little Garden'. My name is Kouryuu and I'm just one who wanders around Little Garden. I have no surname so I'm fine with any way that you call me by." He said while walking up to Kuro Usagi maintaining his hearty smile that looked suspicious on his face, before bowing. 

Even though everything about this man made him look dubious,…….not a trace of ill will was felt from him. Only then did Kuro Usagi decide to trust this man. 

"YES, Please take care of me!" 

"Haha, really energetic. Then, let's go find the underground waterways." 

Having left the reception area together, they boarded one of the gondolas that would go to the underground library.[12] 

The gondola was a necessity since one would need to cross the waterway to reach the hollow that was a gap between the roots of the Great [Underwood] tree, on the other bank. Though it wasn't impossible to swim across, it was still out of personal safety since one might just swim off the edge of the waterfall at the end of the waterway and fall all the way down. 

Finally, the gondola reached the bank. Ventilation here was poor and within the river nearby, the air was saturated with moisture. And that made the site the worst possible place for a library. 

"Wh, Why would a library be built in this kind of place?" 

"About this, I had similar doubts when I first saw it too. Anyway, let's go in first." Under Kouryuu's urging, Kuro Usagi reached out to the big doors. 

Pushing open the doors of the Library, a blast of hot dry air hit them as it rushed out from within. 

(Wow…..) Dry air brushed pass her face. Kuro Usagi absentmindedly took a large breath of the dry air into her lungs and started to cough. Hurriedly, she closed the doors behind her. 

"So….So that's how it works. The roots of the Water Tree absorbs the moisture from the air and creates a natural drying chamber." 

"Yes that is how it is. I will wait on the gondola, go quickly and find your friend." Kouryuu waved his hand while lighting his pipe. 

Kuro Usagi walked briskly, deeper into the library, looking for Izayoi. She noted that the environment was quite stifling and would be detrimental for one's health if one stayed in here for a long duration. With that in mind, she swore to herself to bring Izayoi away with her as fast as she could. Scanning the shadows of the ancient book shelves, she finally made her way to the centre of the library. 

Upon seeing the flickering shadow of a person that was casted by the light of a gasoline lamp, Kuro Usagi called out: 

"….Izayoi-san?" 

"Eh? Oh! It's Kuro Usagi." Izayoi who seemed to be so engrossed, with his face buried within the pages of the book, didn't seem to notice Kuro Usagi's approaching. Though his voice sounded surprised, Kuro Usagi was more surprised than him. 

The reason was due to the accessory that she had never seen him wear on his face before------ 

"Wh, What's this? Tha….. That pair of spectacles." 

"Jack sold this to me. Setting aside the dry air conditions, this place is quite dark. According to him, the glass of these spectacles can adjust the refractive index of light and enable night vision." 

Saying so, he pushed to readjust the spectacles on his nose. 

The glasses with a thin outer frame gave Izayoi a learned look. When placed together with the knowledgeable Izayoi, this kind of appearance suited him more than his usual look. 

"Real, Really surprising. Izayoi-san looks very good with spectacles." 

"……Nn? Even if you say it out of courtesy, I don't have any presents for you." 

"No, it's true, Kuro Usagi really thinks that way! Compared to your normal look, you seem more matured…… and more knowledgeable, having a cool handsome look!" 

Kuro Usagi hurriedly gesticulated her arms as she said it. 

[Hmm?] Izayoi lifted his head from his book and shifted his gaze upwards. If it were the normal him, one or two retorts, three to four teasing or statements of over excessive self-consciousness taking the form of words, but it was such a pity that he was suffering from a sleep deprivation today. 

Under Izayoi's gaze, it was only then did Kuro Usagi realize how embarrassing her words must have sounded. Blushing red to the tips of her rabbit ears, she twitched her ears nervously. 

Lifting his sleepy head, Izayoi gave a yawn before getting up to stretch his body. 

"Well, if you praise me that much, how can I not feel happy?" 

"R….Really?" 

"Of course. Oh and would you happen to know what time it is outside?" 

"The sun has started to set a while ago." 

"Oh. Then, the hunting event should be ending about now. I will be finding Lily to talk about tonight's matters before meeting up with Oujosama and Kasukabe. That Chibi-sama will also be finalizing the Alliance creation." 

"Eh?" Kuro Usagi gave a gasp of surprise. Izayoi also looked at her in surprise. 

"What, you haven't heard of our prospective alliance with [Six Scars]?" 

"When, When was that!" 

"Around todays ago. Initially, I went to approach Uncle Garol[13] for a small talk, but my question was postponed. [Six Scars] was in the midst of a change of leadership, so he hoped that we would bring the request for an Alliance after the transfer of leadership is finalized and discuss our futures with the newly appointed leader." 

"So that's how it is." Kuro Usagi nodded uneasily. 

---After the previous battle with the huge dragon, [No Name] has obtained the rights to move up to the sixth level and have their lands and facilities returned to them. However, the conditions to rise up to the sixth level required the [emblem] to be hung from the door of the Community's perimeter. And this condition could not be cleared at the present moment since [No Name]'s emblem and "Name" were stolen by the Demon Lord." 

Hence, they thought of creating an "Alliance Flag"------the proof of a Community being part of an Alliance to fill up the current inadequacy. 

"Having heard stories of our long standing relations with the Community of [Six Scars], I would think that it would go well. As long as Chibi-sama doesn't screw up, it won't be a problem." 


"Rea, Really?" 

Her rabbit ears drooped in unease. If it were [Six Scars]'s Garol, half the negotiations would be in the bag without any outrageous demands from the other party. But to let a Community without name to meet with a newly appointed leader that have none of the past relations and a stranger to them, who knows whether the person would try to pick on them? 

Izayoi only gave a tired yawn in response. 

"No worries. Unless you do not have any confidence in Chibi-sama?" 

"No. That's not it! But for them to choose this time to hand the leadership to the next generation….. it would mean that the negotiations would be the biggest job for the new leader. If the new leader is one who wants to build a name for themselves fast, the other party might try to resort to any means necessary." 

"Nn. Your words sound reasonable too." 

"So, Izayoi-san should go and help Jin-sama come up with some strategies….." 

---*Pak! * Kuro Usagi's head was flicked once. 

Though the strength wasn't much, the suddenness of the action caused Kuro Usagi to rub her forehead and stop talking. 

Izayoi squinted at her with a sleepy face. "Kuro Usagi, relax and don't worry. Chibi-sama's negotiation will------Will Definitely Be A Success." He concluded with life returning to his eyes that seemed so trance-like earlier. 

His conviction was that strong that it sounded like the declaration of a fact. Seeing that confidence, Kuro Usagi couldn't help but swallow the words that came to the edge of her mouth. 

Whenever Izayoi used that kind of tone, it meant that he already arrived at a definite answer in his heart. His words were credible…. But the thought of the target of trust being Jin, Kuro Usagi felt uneasy. 

Izayoi was getting tired of her lack of confidence, but he smiled in understanding. Reaching out his hand, he flicked twice more. 

"Actually, I'm not unable to follow Kuro Usagi's sense of worry. After all, to believe in the one that you have always seen to be a little brother is definitely going to be quite a bother." 

*Pak! Pak! * 

"However, you should place your confidence in him for this once. This may be the first biggest task for the other party, but the same can be said for our Chibi-sama. Under the same circumstances, wouldn't it be an unnecessary worry?" 

"Y… Yeah." 

*Pak! Pak! Pak! * 

"Moreover, I've already looked through Chibi-sama's negotiation strategy. Since he has prepared that "Trump Card", there's no way that he will lose. You just have to leave it to him." 

*Pak, Pak, Pak, PakPakPakPakPak!* 

"I… I got it, I got it already! So---- stop it! Quick, stop it, Izayoi-san!" 

---*Pak!* The total number of times that Kuro Usagi's forehead got flicked was fifteen. 

Drawing a sharp intake of breath after unleashing the fifteenth attack, Izayoi stared at Kuro Usagi with a face full of amazement. Following that, his eyes lit up with a glow that seemed to have found enlightenment as he said: 

"…… 'Highborn of Little Garden [Deko]'."[14] 

"Annoying---------!" 

*Whoosh!* A satisfying sound echoed in the library of [Underwood]. 

Hearing the sound of Kuro Usagi's smack that blew Izayoi away, Kouryuu hurriedly shouted 

"Hey, what happened? That sounded like an explosion just now." 

"It… It's nothing!" 

Kuro Usagi quickly hid her favorite paper fan. 

Izayoi tilted his head towards the voice and asked in a softer voice. 

"Who's that? I don't seem to recognize this voice." 

"He's a guest of the [Draco Greif] Alliance, Kouryuu-san. He's still waiting for us on the gondola. We should hurry up and go now." 

As soon as she finished her words, she grabbed his collar. And just like that, Izayoi was dragged out of the library where he scrunched his brows upon seeing Kouryuu. 

"…… What an insincere smile." 

" Oi!" 

"Keke. That's how people use to describe me all the time. Even my sister would use the words 'suspicious and or something's fishy' to poke fun at me."[15] 

Kouryuu hugged his sides as he laughed out loud. Looks like he already knew of this problem and was treating it like nothing as he rowed the oars of the gondola. 

Watching the carefree Kouryuu who was smoking his pipe while rowing the boat, Izayoi asked out of curiosity: 

" ……You aren't allowed to join the Games of the Harvest Festival?" 

"Of course not. I'm just a wanderer. Just one who flows with the waves as I wander aimlessly around the Little Garden."[16] 

"Oh really? Then that's too bad. Judging by your strength, there should be quite a number of people trying to recruit you to their side right?" 

[Eh?] Kuro Usagi couldn't help but let out that sound when she heard her thoughts being voiced out by Izayoi's words. However, Kouryuu only gave a wry smile while shaking his head. 

"Haha. You are really overstating my worth. There's no Community that would want to have me, a guy who couldn't even protect his own home emblem."[17] 

Kouryuu laughed it off and took a breath from his pipe. 

Izayoi frowned while Kuro Usagi hurriedly covered her mouth in reflex. 

" …. So it's like that. My bad." 

"No problem. Garol even said that I'm a 'floating withered log', right in my face too." 

"Well said. Seeing that you lack the domineering aura, that kind of description fits you." 

Izayoi laughed loudly while Kouryuu only showed a wry smile. 

Though Kuro Usagi felt troubled, but she cast her eyes down in understanding. 

[So it was true…… He wasn't hiding his domineering aura but it was because he didn't have the domineering aura……] 

'Floating withered log' refers to how one having his dreams shattered or stripped away from his essence, decides to wander around the world aimlessly. How Kouryuu had lost his Community was not known to her, but she could see that the emotional scar was one that would not be easily healed. 

Izayoi tried to change the topic by asking Kuro Usagi: 

"Oh right! Kuro Usagi, where were you dragged to this time?" 

"Ah……It's a long story. We went to the South, headquarters of "Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven"------" 

---*KUWANGpank!* The gondola started to rock violently. 

"Wa Ya…….!" 

The sudden rocking of the gondola caused Kuro Usagi to lose her balance and fall right onto Izayoi. 

"Ah, My bad! Are you two alright?" 

Kouryuu frantically adjusted the rudder. 

Though Izayoi was also surprised, his reactions were much faster. 

[OH? This is indeed a blessing.] 

The feel of Kuro Usagi's curvaceous and bountiful body pressing against him, following the rocking of the gondola was definitely nice. Setting aside her soft supple and bountiful bosom, those hands of hers that were covered in a skin so smooth that it seemed like silk would cause people to sink in a sweet feeling of being blessed upon a touch. If it were any normal man, just coming into contact with her thigh would cause them to lose their senses and force themselves on her, setting their hands upon those tender skin that seemed like first snow. 

---No wonder they were called the plaything of the gods. Even without the Gift of Seduction, contact was more than enough to unleash lust. 

"Ah…. Ya… S…..Sorry!" 

Kuro Usagi couldn't help but start blushing, with the color of her blush rising all the way to the tips of her ears and hair, dying them red. She hurriedly distanced herself from Izayoi. For the innocent and pure Kuro Usagi, that accident must have left quite an impact on her. 

[Aiyo…… To have that kind of sexy appearance and yet being able to develop that type of character.] 

Izayoi sighed while nodding his head, seemingly feeling a sense of respect for such a development. 

Although it was only for less than ten seconds, this kind of stimulation was enough to drive away Izayoi's sleepiness. Izayoi attributed the blessing to be----- a result of his karma accumulation from everyday deeds. 

He then realized that his conversation with Kuro Usagi hadn't finished yet. "….Oh right, por Kuro Usagi." 

"Wait a moment. You just said 'por' right? You are trying to say 'por' something along those lines, right?!" 

"….Oh right, porno Kuro Usagi." 

"Who called you to say out the full term, you Baka!" 

*Swhoosh!* With a wave of the paper fan, Izayoi frowned. 

"……Highborn of Little Garden [por……]" 

"Stop it you big Bakaaaaaaaaaa!" 

*Swhoosh------------!* Kuro Usagi swung her fan with all her might. 

Rocking more violently this time, Kuro Usagi once again lost her balance and right into Izayoi's chest.



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