Part 2
---Beach of SeaTree Cluster.
On the beach where the sea wind continued to blast at them, four people were eyeing their opponents warily.
Izayoi had shifted much of his attention to Saurian Demon King who was smiling in a relaxed manner. That total confidence in his smile was like a poisonous snake without a trace of the sheepskin disguise that he once had. Izayoi's instincts told him that if he acted rashly, a bite from that snake would instantly put him to eternal sleep.[79]
[…What a surprise. When compared to the him of yesterday, it's as though he's a totally different person.]
Though he might want to have a go at Saurian Demon King at least once, he did not expect the day to come so soon. If it were another game, he would have gone on ahead to confront him directly by now, with or without plans.
For Izayoi, helping Sala was just a convenient task that was in line with his plans since he wanted the Gift that Shiroyasha would be giving as a prize no matter what. Hence, he would never let that goal go to waste.
[……Though I may think that way, I guess staring at each other isn't much of a plan either.]
Izayoi steeled his resolution as he moved to stand in front of Asuka as he whispered:
"Ojou-sama, this guy still needs to get the fruit. I will be here to delay him as much as I can. Just take the chance now to run back as fast as you can."
"…O-Okay. Got. It."
Asuka answered reluctantly as her emotions were in a jumble.
And that was only normal. Izayoi's words was the same as calling her to leave the most dangerous place once more. Though Asuka knew that it was a reasonable request since the rider could not afford to fall off their steeds, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Perhaps he could guess her deepest thoughts, Izayoi used a stern tone to lecture Asuka:
"Hey. You better straighten up your thoughts. Oujo-sama. You still have to deal with that Rider-sama alone."
Asuka immediately lifted her head and took a deep breath. Just a little thinking would have told her that was an obvious result.
If Izayoi confronted Saurian Demon King, the balance on the field will immediately be broken. Her opponent will never be that lenient to let go of the opportunity. Asuka would immediately taste defeat if she let up her wariness for even a moment.
"Oujo-sama, I will entrust it to you. That rider-sama is undoubtedly the strongest opponent you have ever faced thus far. For things to progress to this stage, even I will not be able to guess how things would go on from here. Oujo-sama's choice will be one that decides the fate of the result. You should recognize that fact for yourself more than others."
To be conscious about oneself and take on the responsibility---that was what Izayoi meant.
This was the first time ever that he had entrusted Asuka with a task.
"……Got it. Izayoi-san, do your best too."
Tightening her grip on the reins, Asuka readjusted her position on the saddle to prepare for departure at a short notice.
Izayoi also set his heart and prepared for a jump.
However at this moment, Kouryuu broke them off.
"I'm sorry to say this when you two were taking your time to discuss. But the time you had wasted was far too long and it allowed me to make my preparations."
"What?"
That sudden speech caused Izayoi to hit an obstacle in his planning. It may have been a type of speech to throw the opponent off but the timing was too perfect.
Kouryuu raised his right hand and immediately an explosive sound that was of a bigger magnitude than before rumbled towards them.
And the next moment, they would soon come to realize that the name ----[Great Sage who Devastate Seas] isn't just in name only.
"Could that be… a tsunami!?"
"Too high! No, this is bad! Run now, Ojou-sama! If this continues, the game would surely end!"
Izayoi quickly shouted as he remembered the game rules.
In the section of Forbidden Actions, it's said that any contestant that fell into the water would be seen as falling from their steeds and would be disqualified. And even if it were the sea, falling in would still be a disqualification.
Faceless seemed to have realized this bleak situation and was galloping towards the water fall.
Leaning her head against her favorite steed, she asked: "… Can you jump?"
Her steed only gave a short neigh in reply and whinnied as it leapt off the waterfall, descending rapidly from a height of hundred meters.
"Goodness gracious……even if I survive that, falling into the water in the plunge pool would still be an end game."
"But there's no other way already! Ojou-sama should also run towards the waterfall!"
Don't ask for the impossible! That was what Asuka would have liked to say but her pride would not allow her to say it.
Kudou Asuka's physical body was no different from a normal person. Surely this height would be more than enough to claim her life.
Yet it would be spelling out the word surrender if she said it. Gift games have never been normal games for normal people from the start. Those who couldn't believe in winning would never win as well. That was what Asuka had also learnt and understood well.
Moreover---This was the first time that Izayoi had entrusted her with a battle.
If she ran away now, she would never be able to ask for equality nor could she expect Izayoi entrust her with future tasks to handle.
"…..Wu~…ahhhhhh! This is infuriating! If I don't make it, remember to search for my remains!"
"Okay! Leave it to me!"
Waving her whip, she sped off on her steed.
The water spray kicked up by the gallop of the Hippocamp caused a wall of water to be churned up on both sides, seemingly like a miniature waterfall that dispersed soon after their passing. Such was the need to escape that he didn't really care about his control of the water tension and water pressure anymore since the speed he was going at forbid such nuances in technique.
Asuka turned back to take a look at the Tsunami behind her that was catching up while screaming in her heart in self-despair:
[Anything would be fine now! Baka----!]
When they leapt from the edge of the waterfall, they were airborne and momentarily hung in mid-air before their free fall began.
Asuka started her mental preparations for her death.
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