Part 3
---- Underground city of [Underwood], Harvest Festival Vendors' Street.
After that incident, Asuka, Yō and Garol had gone to drop off their game at the collection point before proceeding to the [Underwood Underground City].
All those houses that were damaged beyond repairs have been demolished, while the entire city was being filled up by exhibitions and stalls. The remainder of the houses were at best hastily built shelters that would help shelter them from the winds and rain.
'Won't the nights here be quite tough?' Asuka cocked her head to one side as she spoke her mind.
Garol laughed heartily. "How is it so? This is common for the South. Anyways, when the Harvest Festival is in full swing, most of the people will party throughout the night and day, drinking their fill. No one will be bothered by such small details anymore."
" ……Really?" Displeasure crept into Asuka's icy voice.
Garol having felt the start of cold sweat beading his back quickly tried to change the topic to the hunting event's results.
"Oh…. Right, the performance by you girls for the hunting was quite good. [Six Scars] has also gotten into the top few, gaining us quite a bit of fame and honour."
Garol laughed happily as he bought Yakitori from the Street-side stall and handing them a stick each.
Asuka and Yō looked at each other. Unhappiness showing in their eyes.
"But……We still didn't get First Place."
Both of them pouted their lips sulkily.
In the end, [Will-O’-Wisp] had won as expected with an overwhelming difference in the scores compared to all the rest.
Ayesha had also participated in the hunting event. However, it would seem that ninety-nine percent of the points were accumulated by the game that Faceless brought back. Going about with that unenthusiastic attitude and yet continuing to obtain that score. She's truly the embodiment of a fearsome opponent.
Garol finished his stick of Yakitori before nodding his head in with a complex look on his face.
"The Favored servant of the 'Halloween Queen'…… If I remember correctly, her name is Faceless? Actually…. There's nothing for you to mope about. You guys have done your best and scored well. It's only that she's of a different existence."
"No. If only Garol-san hadn't imposed those restrictions upon us, we would definitely be victorious."
Yō retorted in a rarely used firm tone. And there was sufficient reason for her anger.
As a matter of fact, with the abilities of these two combined, bringing down dozens of Perytons and other aggressive eudemons would be a simple feat.
Even without using that kind of roundabout manner to herd and seal the movements, they would definitely be able to eliminate every single one of their targets. And the real reason for this disappointing result was due to the fact that they had extra restrictions from Garol binding their freedom aside from the game rules.
"Kasukabe-san can only utilize the Gift of the Griffons while I can only work with Mel. I know that Deen is in the midst of repairs and it would be pushing it to use him….. but even so, our total catch should be many times more than what we had obtained just now."
Asuka stared at Garol, displeasure evidently showing in her eyes.
After the battle with the huge dragon, both of them had asked Garol for guidance in regards to their newly obtained Gifts and abilities. Initially it was only Yō who asked for his help but Asuka had also followed her stead.
Garol's former appointment was that of [Floor Master] Draco Gleif's strategist. Having heard of him being a well of knowledge, both of them had approached him to be their mentor. It is no wonder they felt unhappy since they could not see the results of their hard work paying off.
Even so, Garol continued to chew the yakitori in his mouth while looking at them indifferently.
"Listen up oujo-samas. The main force of a Community should never display their hand of cards. If at any point in time the opponents have seen the full extent of your capabilities, they will be sure to come up with a counter-plan. And when that time comes, it will be your Community's loss. The defense for your Community's home-ground would also be exposed. Don't you think my words sound reasonable?"
"……but------"
"Firstly, those who give their all for any kind of Game event are third rate players. Place your capabilities and Gifts on the Balance to measure them out before going into battles is what first class players would do. Especially for this hunting festival which is more of a charity work than an actual battle, you guys being the main force should complete the task with only two to three percent of your actual strength."
Both of them were sullen. They understood the reasoning even though they didn't want to accept it.
Patting them on their shoulders, Garol consoled them:
"Listen up. The Game that's most important to you guys is 'Hippocamp Rider'. Anything before that, you guys will have to rein in your full potential, or risk having nothing to compete with that Masked Rider."
"…. Hmph….. I know that."
Asuka turned away her face unhappily.
Garol shrugged his shoulders before turning away from them. "I still have some stuff to prepare before the opening ceremony, so I will be taking my leave…… Whatever you may say, you guys really did do your best in the hunting event. Remember to drop by [Six Scars]' stall later and I will try to compensate to you guys, so forgive me."
Garol gave a bitter smile as he left.
"…. Actually, I can grasp where Garol-san is coming from. After all if I use my full strength, I will be breaking more Gifts."
"Ah, Nn. Asuka's situation is special. And you rejected the offer to have a constant free supply of Gifts."
A depressed Asuka nodded her head. On her right hand was an antique looking hand-guard that was prepared by [Six Scars]. It was of a simple appearance but studded with many gems.
Lifting up her right hand to block out the skies, she sighed once more.
"To finally obtain a power that would help me get to Kasukabe-san and Izayoi-san's level with much difficulty……only to find out that it needs a large investment of funds to maintain the battle strength. It's the peak of irony." Cupping her downcast face in her hands, she muttered.
Several dozen types of Gifts have already been broken by her under the justification of [Forging the best Gift].
Being a Community that ranks around the first place in terms of commerce in the lower levels, [Six Scars] had offered to provide simple Gifts for free. Yet these Gifts were broken one after another, being unable to withstand her power. Feeling bad for having broken that many Gifts with her power, Asuka had decided to make the gift on her hand her last and politely declined the offer of a continuous supply of Gifts.
------"Cast aside your family, your friends, your possessions, your world and come to our Little Garden."
Having second thoughts about having cast away her wealth now, it felt like the most ironic thing ever!
"Though it's my responsibility alone, I still feel a little left out……From now on, I shall plan wisely before joining Gift games so as to prevent any unnecessary expenditures. After all, a set of Flame gemstones can even cost up to one copper."
"Nn. Yep. Tonight will mark the first step of your conservation plans……. Let's go! Let's walk while eating, shall we?"
"Eh?" Asuka's surprise escaped from her mouth when she registered the detail of that question.
God knows when she bought it but there were 2 freshly baked Apple Pies held in Yō's hands. Taking a large bite into the apple pie and spilling it's aroma into the surrounding air, a look of bliss came over Yō's face.
Asuka smiled wryly as she stretched out her hand. "Oh well, at least you were thoughtful today. So I will have one."
"Eh?"
"Hmmm?"
"Nn? I won't give it to you."
Stuffing her second apple pie into her mouth, Yō's face was one of bliss again.
Mustering her hot flushed cheeks, Asuka strode over to the stall and ordered three peach pies on an impulse. Though keeping her temper in check, she began to feast upon the pies in self-abandonment. Not caring about the upkeep of looks.
Relishing the remarkable harmony of the sour and sweet taste of peach that seemed to wrap around her tongue with each bite, Asuka felt her temple appeased when she remembered something.
"Oh right, Kasukabe-san, have you returned the headphones?"
Yō immediately started to cough as she choked on her food.
Asuka frowned as she understood the reason behind this over reaction.
"You haven't given it to him right?"
"…. Nn."
"About the matter of having broken his headphones?"
"That case is closed. He had forgiven me when I apologized. So quick was his reply that I almost couldn't believe my ears…… but….." Yō halted her words.
To replace the spoilt headphones, Yō had originally planned to summon her father's headphones to return to Izayoi. Though she lost it before, it was fortunate that she managed to find it once more on top of the rubble.
The replacement had the same flame logo that was seen on Izayoi's headphones. Hence Yō thought that she could use it to atone and be forgiven. Only that……
"I heard that his headphones wasn't a product that can be bought…. But a handmade item crafted by his friend…."
"……Is it so?"
At this point, Asuka realized the cause of her woes.
A handmade item when compared to a commercial product would often carry a different weight of feelings. If a replacement is simply acquired and given, it might get taken badly as an insult to Izayoi's friend.
[Eh? If…… If it's like this, something seems amiss. How would a handmade item carry the same logo found on a commercial product?] Asuka felt puzzled as she thought to herself.
Yō didn't seem to notice her concerns as she clenched her fists.
"And so I decided to keep the headphones as a keepsake of my father's possession and use something else to repay him. I already promised Izayoi that I will give him all the prizes that I gather from the Harvest Festival."
"Oh….like this…?"
"That's why I really wanted to get the first place for the Hunting event. That Garol-san just don't know how to be considerate of others." Yō stuffed more of her apple pie into her mouth as she sulked.
All of a sudden, her hand stopped moving. With a half-eaten apple pie held midway to the mouth, she widened her eyes as she fixed her eyed on something beside the stall.
Perplexed by her companion's strange actions, Asuka cocked her head to one side.
"Kasukabe-san? Is something the matter?"
"…….Asuka, what's that?"
Yō pointed before her with her free hand and Asuka's eyes followed the direction that Yō pointed……
*Puck!* went the sound of the collision between Asuka's forehead and something that was roughly the size of a fist.
"Aya!"
"Wua!"
"Ah, Asuka!"
Throwing aside her unfinished pie, Yō rushed to Asuka's side.
Fortunately it wasn't anything serious. Asuka only doubled over due to the surprise and force of the collision. Pressing the point swelling and angry looking bump on her forehead, she lifted up her head to look at the culprit that made that voice in a strange pitch.
The thing that collided with Asuka------ was a fist sized, faerie that was now seeing lots of stars.[21]
"This…. This child's a faerie?"
"Seems smaller than Mel. It looks bite-sized."
"Right…. Want to eat?"
"I want to eat!"
"No you can't!"
Feeling the imminent threat to its life, the faerie quickly scrambled to its feet and brushed the dust off its Margenta silken outfit. Feeling a wave of déjà vu, Asuka gave a wry smile-----
*Puck, Puck!* A second and third collision went straight to her forehead.
"Yahahah!"
"Wuahah!"
"Waahah!"
"Serve your right♪"
*Swish!* The last one sent out a flying kick while shouting out maliciously. Asuka finally fell backwards with her back on the floor.
"Four? There's four of the same faerie?" Yō couldn't grasp the situation but she counted the number of those floating faeries.
There were a total of four faeries wearing the same Magenta High Grade silk one piece dresses. Looking like Mel, they seemed to be a type of group faerie. Floating around while squabbling amongst themselves, they flew away as though nothing had happened.
Yō with her mouth agape was too stunned to react as she watched them leave. At this moment, a familiar voice could be heard from over the crowd------it was the shop assistant of "Thousand Eyes" 's voice. Jostling against the crowd, she jogged over when she saw Yō and Asuka.
"Hah….Hah…. Y.You, the [No Name] people! Have you seen a five member group of faeries pass by her? They are small female faeries that wear Magenta one piece dresses!"
"Eh…. Nn…. Er, I did see them. Were they 'Thousand Eyes' 's faeries?"
"No. They aren't faeries……Ah, That's not the point! Quick! Tell me where they have flown to!"
"They…. They have flown down that cliff towards the plaza below." Yō pointed at the huge plaza under the cliff.
The shop assistant stared to the bottom of the cliff with an angry glint in her eyes. At the same time, she grabbed Yō's sleeve.
"You can fly can't you? Fly me over to catch them!"
"Wa… Wait a moment----"
"Kasukabe-san."
A hand grabbed Yō's shoulder from behind.
Yō quivered involuntarily as she turned back to face Asuka who was giving off a scary vibe with her eyes that denied any negotiations.
"A…Asuka?"
"…. We'll catch them, to the very last of them."
Asuka, whose forehead was an angry patch of red, put her words down determinedly in a tone more serious than usual. For Asuka who had a strong self-esteem, she definitely wouldn't be able to swallow this disgrace of being hit on the forehead consecutively.
Understanding that there's no more room for discussion, Yō relented and grabbed their hands before taking a leap off the cliff together.
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