Chapter 2
Part 1
[Kouen, City of Brilliant Flames], Processing Workroom District—Number 88th workroom.
Asuka gazed at the yellow colored pillar of smoke that rose from the brick chimney on the roof with appreciative admiration reflected in her eyes. Perhaps it was the intriguing beauty that didn’t seem to match the environment of the industrial workrooms that caught her eye.
The ‘Rare Sacred Iron’ Soldier[25]—Deen had already been transported to the biggest warehouse in the workroom district.
During the battle with the Huge Dragon in [Underwood], Deen had been wrecked up badly and had been handed over to [Will-O'-Wisp] for the repairs.
Seeing Deen being fully repaired to his original state, Asuka gave a cheer in delight.
“Deen…… You’re fixed! It’s good to see you……!”
“DeN”
The single eye of Deen lit up as he responded to his master’s voice. His body frame should have been strapped down firmly earlier on but probably due to being notified on Asuka’s arrival, they have released those restrictions on him.
“He had been in quite a wrecked up state……so I’m taking it that this is the gift that Izayoi’s been talking about?”
“Yahohohohoho! Of course it’s not just that!”
A blaze started to pour out of a candle that sat on one of the candle holders built in the wall.
“It’s been some time, good to see you[26], Asuka-san! Kuro Usagi-san!”
“YES! It’s good to see that you are still your usual self, Jack san!”
“Nn, that’s right. Hearing your cheerful voice puts me in cheerful mood too.”
Asuka and Kuro Usagi, who had cocked her rabbit-ears to the side, gave their greetings together.
Sweeping their gazes around the room, the two murmured admiringly.
“Come to think about it, is it really okay for us to borrow such a large workroom? It looks replete[27] with all sorts of equipment……the price couldn’t have come cheap right?”
“Yahoho! Actually, this place was loaned to us with Sala-sama’s introduction! This is also the studio[28] of Sala-sama while she was still a member of [Salamandra] then!”
The original studio of Sala——hearing Jack’s words, Asuka took another look around the warehouse.
Handcrafted candlesticks could be seen lining the walls, giving the studio a uniquely playful atmosphere. The scattered equipment looked worn at their handles, giving the feel of being used quite often in their master’s projects and the sense of nostalgia left behind by their owner. And at the same time, the room was filled with a very feminine and yet authoritative style of decoration which fitted the description of Sala perfectly.
After taking in the room’s layout with her eyes,
“Well then, Jack what’s that Gift you spoke of?” Asuka suddenly stopped her pacing as she looked to Jack with anticipation shining in her eyes.
The flames in Jack’s pumpkin head had also taken on a sharper intensity as he replied:
“Hoho……We have called you over today for the fulfillment of one of the Alliance conditions—the refining process and ritual for endowing the Gift properties to the [Diamond Iron Ore] has just completed.”
“Is that for real?”
“Yes. And besides the new equipment that have been created according to the list placed in the orders, we have also prepared two new Gifts for Asuka-san……Having said that, we’re still not officially in an Alliance as of yet and we do not have the right to procure a cache of [Diamond Iron Ore] either. So we could only use what little that remained of the ores kept in the treasury of [No Name].”
A serious flame burnt in the depths of the hollowed out eye holes of the pumpkin head.
The ores that he spoke of most probably referred to the [Diamond Iron Ore] that was brought to [Six Scars].
“It’s just that these ores were too little in this sort of urgent situation. So after obtaining the permission from Izayoi-san and Kasukabe-san, I’ve prioritized the creation of Gifts for Asuka-san.”
“That….Wouldn’t that mean ……you are giving me three Gifts?”
“Amazing! With this, it will certainly give a great boost to your combat prowess!”
Kuro Usagi started to wave her arms in joy.
The unexpected Gifts caused Asuka to be surprised to the point of being disconcerted in her thoughts.
At the same time, she started to feel uneasy with the arrangement. Kudou Asuka’s body was just that of an ordinary girl and this had been proven many times in her fights. No matter how strong the equipment may be, it might just be a waste of effort. That was something that she learnt in her fight with Percher and she had kept that lesson well in mind.
Asuka clenched her fists as she muttered in a rarely seen polite tone.
“To prepare these many Gifts at one go……When I’m already struggling with Deen. Wouldn’t it have been better to create Gifts for Izayoi[29] or Kasukabe-san……”
“But Asuka-san. There’s no doubt that you will die if you continue fighting Demon Lords with just your current get-up, you know?”
“Wha……!” Asuka swallowed the rest of her question.
Perhaps that half of a shout was due to her surprise from hearing such blunt words coming from the gentlemanly Jack which was quite unthinkable in itself. But regarding that straightforward comment that didn’t have a scrape of reservation, Asuka was clear about that fact as well. Unable to come up with a retort, Asuka could only droop her shoulders in a dejected manner. And Jack only smiled as he started to bobble his pumpkin head while continuing:
“Asuka-san, the three of you hold a different talent respectively. And amongst them, your talent could be said to be the rarest—another way to put describe it would be to liken it as a cherry blossom that is late to bloom.”
“I’m…..a cheery blossom that is late to bloom?”
“That’s right. In order to allow the new petals to fully unfurl in its full glory, I’ll present you with these Gifts—The masterpieces that [Will-O'-Wisp] created through the pooling of our resources and strengths! After obtaining these Gifts, the fog of Asuka-san’s worries will disperse like dew with the coming of a new dawn!”
So we hope that you will believe in yourself.
The fiery will and words of motivation seemed to flow deep into Asuka’s heart. The Pumpkin gentleman held Asuka’s hands as he returned the wine red Gift Card to its rightful owner once more. As the Gift card had been left in his care all these while.
Seeming to have been affected by Jack’s contagious cheerful smile, Asuka’s taut face started to relax.
“Thank you Jack. The Gift you’ve made for me……I will use it well.”
“Yahoho, please use it well then! For I’m sure that would really make those two happy as well!”
……Mhm? Asuka tilted her head.
One would be Ayesha and the other would be referring to whom?
But before she could ask the question, Jack had already happily continued with his words.
“Come on, now let’s proceed to the Stadium of the Game Stage area!”
“Game…Game Stage?”
“That’s right! Though I’ve seen Asuka-san’s battle all these while……what you need the most is to be more comfortable with using the Gifts! And that means to accumulate as much battle experience as possible! Then the battle tactics of Garol would also be put to practical use right?! Yahohoho!” Jack’s pumpkin head revolved in the air as he laughed.
Feeling a sense of dread, Asuka and Kuro Usagi exchanged a surprised glance at each other.
“Could… Could it be that ……you want me to join the Game? For real?”
“That’s~~~ OF COURSE! As part of the commemoration for the first ever hosting of the Convention, we will not be collecting any Participating fee you know?! Please use this chance—And pluck the crown in the Game of <Duel of Creators> in just a breath.”
“Wha……”The both of them opened their mouths in a half exclaim before getting stumped. The reason didn’t need to be said.
Yō would also be participating in the Game. The both of them had just wanted to voice out their protests when there came the sound of heavy footsteps moving in what seemed to be a bad temper and a familiar voice that interrupted their words.
“HAAAAAAAAAAH? The ones who are here to retrieve Deen and ‘Fortress’ is actually the [No Name]s? What’s this all about? I’ve not heard about this, you know?
“Please…Please wait a moment! It’s better to leave this place to Jack-sama to……”
“Quit your nagging! The one who repaired those two items is none other than my great self! All of you better shut your traps!”
“Don’t …Laius-sama!”
“Eh?” the sound escaped the lips of Asuka and Kuro Usagi in surprise as they looked at each other.
“……Kuro Usagi, I’m not dreaming right? I seemed to have heard a familiar despicable name being mentioned.”
“Des…Despicable, Kuro Usagi will leave that aside for now but that name of Laius, could it be……”
In the next moment, the door that led to the back was kicked open.
And appearing from the billowing dust cloud was a man who had a [Medusa Head] Flag engraved before his chest.
Previously defeated by the [No Name]s a few months earlier—Laius of [Perseus] was staring at them in rage.
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