Part 6
In the middle of the blizzard came the crisp sounds of three azure blue gems shattering as they struck the ground.
Those were the empty shells of the Gift falling out of the hands of Asuka after freezing the Purgatory Flames,.
(Uu……Even though the Gems of Freezing are much more expensive compared to the Gems of Flame……)
Asuka was full of regrets in her heart as she lamented over her lavish usage of the Gifts.
However, being the Ojou-sama of a financial powerhouse, she could not allow such feelings to show on the surface.
—Just to mention it on the side, though it’s might be a little off-topic.
The reason for the Gems of Freezing being more expensive is definitely not due to the difference in practicality.
The real reason is because such Gifts are able to cause a reversal in the kinetic energy of an object and that defies the second law of thermodynamics; a blessing that is impossible for Mankind to replicate. If this sort of phenomenon were easily replicated, Mankind would be able to craft a Perpetual Motion Machine with ease. Hence, even if it were the world of Little Garden, the only existence that could defy these laws of Physics is only that sole Demon.
And this sort of expensive Gift could already fetch up to the ransom-like price of a Gold coin for a gem!
—Okay, end of the off-topic gossips.
Asuka had magnified the might of the chilly winds to create the large scale “Frozen phenomenon” that was before them.
It was a Gift that was on the opposite end of the spectrum from the Purgatory Flames that was supposed to be able to reduce all existence to ash. Even amongst the Nordic Gods, there’s only one God who can control such a large scale blizzard.
The clash between the two had caused the Game stage to melt into the ground, leaving not a shadow behind. But if one were to strain their eyes to look closely, the faint traces of its existence could be seen and moving out of that ring would be an immediate disqualification.
As Asuka was reaffirming the circumference of the battle zone, Yō dropped down beside her.
Cloaked in the ‘Fire Rat’ leather lamellar armor, Yō dabbed at her cold sweat as she approached Asuka with a smile.
“Asuka, that was great! But how did you make that flame……”
“Hoho, that’s a secret……Although that’s what I want to say, but our opponent doesn’t seem to be a simple one for me to joke around at this time”, Asuka cast her sharp gaze at Willa.
Not bothering to hide her hostility, Asuka went straight for the kill:
“It’s my pleasure to meet you for the first time, Willa-san. Your name is also famous in the East Side where I belong to.”
“……”
“But, I really didn’t expect for you to try kill the potential candidate for your Alliance. I hereby demand an answer from you, the leader of [Will-O'-Wisp]. Please explain your motives.”
Asuka stood with her arms akimbo as she used a threatening tone to question Willa.
Yō also had the same thoughts as the [Duel of Creators] hosted by the Master would surely prohibit the killing of other opponents. It was a well-known rule that needn’t be written down on the [Geass Roll].
Having seen Willa’s release of that fatal strike, it was almost safe for others to assume that she did not want to play by the rules of the Game and or even lacked the basic common sense.
“Please give your answer. Why did you summon such a dangerous flame? Depending on your answer, we might have to reconsider our Alliance agreements.”
“……?”
Willa was stumped for a moment.
Tilting that face that could only be said to be sweeter than candy, she revealed a slightly troubled look as she asked:
“……dangerous?”
“Huh?”
“What. Is. So. Dangerous. About. That. Level. Of. Flame?”
—Kachi, the both of them stiffened at the same time.
Their thoughts and bodies were unconsciously bounded as if cursed.
Needless to say, Willa’s answer had shredded their pride into bits. That sort of emotionless reply could be better described as ‘Shredding their existence to bits”.
Never did they expect that her unsealing of the furnace of Hell would be described by her to be only at “That. Level.” For the tone of her words already implied that she had already been holding back.
Asuka reined in her anger while forcing a smile as she looked at Willa.
“Is…Is that so? Well, you’re right. That sort of flame is nothing to us.”
“Of…Of course. There’s totally no problem with that sort of flame.”
Asuka and Yō responded with a stammer. …… Those stiff sounding words were definitely not due to a problem with her hearing.
And pondering over what could have gotten into these two people, Willa cocked her head to the left and right like a small animal in confusion while her twin tails swayed with the movement. Then seeming to have come upon something, she lifted her head.
“—You guys, are strong.”
“Eh?”
“You guys have underestimated yourself by quite a bit. My words are definitely not in sarcasm. When up against you two, the Purgatory Flames of Hell are not even worth mentioning. Not even close to something that you guys have to fear about.”
“……”
*Hu.* Asuka had unconsciously relaxed her tensed atmosphere that was close to drawing her sword in that emotionally charged situation.
The Violent storm of Purgatory Flames were really scary, or at least that was the case in the memories of Asuka and Yō. But after experiencing it first-hand, the both of them were still unscathed.
Every time Yō escaped the icy grasps of Death, she would become stronger.
Although Asuka was troubled by her talent, it would seem that she had finally obtained suitable Gifts.
Ever since the day that they had arrived in Little Garden, the both of them had been accumulating an ever-increasing amount of accomplishments and karma, causing their talents to bloom at an unexpectedly rapid pace. Those were the words that Willa was trying to say.
“Especially Asuka. I’ve heard about your situation from Faceless.”
“Did you? From her?”
“Mhm. Hearing it from her, I’d then created your Gift—[Almathea’s Fortress].”
Willa stretched out her finger.
Pointing exactly at the majestic-looking Mountain goat Divine Beast.
“[Almathea’s Fortress] is by me and Jack……and Lulu working together—”
“Lulu? Who’s that? Could it be that you are referring to that young Master?”
“Keho[90], What was just said is not counted.”
Willa started all over again, TAKE 2.[91]
“[Almathea’s Fortress] is by me and Jack……and Laius working together to create a masterpiece. The current you, can now be on par with FeiFei[92]…Keho, Face.Less. So you should have more confidence.”
Willa tried her best to make her face taut with seriousness.
Although she did put in a lot of effort to lecture the both of them, the ending was still far from perfect, having made some slips in her act.
But it would seem that she wanted to continue with that serious act to the end as she spread her arms in a gesture to welcome the both of them.
“……I do not like to do battle nor participate in Games. But for the both of you to realize your true potentials— I’ve now participated in this competition as the North Side’s strongest Player. And I will put my best to make this a token of gratitude to you guys.”
“Token of gratitude?”
“Jack and Ayesha have been rescued twice from the hands of Demon Lords by you guys. This token of gratitude is for that”, the strongest girl of the North Side smiled.
Asuka and Yō looked at each other before shrugging their shoulders while feeling a little troubled.
“……How should I say it, I think the ones who felt that they were being helped were us.”
“Mhm. And we have never returned the favor too.”
Nodding their heads, the both of them took on a battle stance to prepare for the battle.
The both of them had finally decided on enjoying the [Duel of Creators] to the fullest.
She of the North Side’s strongest player to spread her arms in acceptance of the challenge, how could they suppress that feeling? The problem children of the East Side have never felt this happy and excited before.
“Although it might be tough on Willa-san, we will apologize in advance for doing it two-on-one.”
“No problem. I will also show my full powers in the subsequent fight. If you do not do it in a team battle, it would probably be dangerous.”
Saying that, Willa started to release Azure winds from her hands.
Although it was of a small scale, contact with [Ignis Fatuus] would undoubtedly cause a fatal injury.
Firstly, they would need to break through that Azure wind. And though the ‘Fire Rat’ leather lamellar armor might be able to defend, it was unable to launch an attack. Moreover, if they did not have a method to counter that instantaneous teleportation, everything else would be futile.
Yō was racking her brains over a plan to make an attack when Asuka leaned over to whisper softly.
“Kasukabe-san. I’ve a plan……What’s your take?”
“……What’s the risks?”
“It’s only possible to get high profits with high risks right?”
Asuka smiled mischievously. For Asuka to even mention a plan, it would already mean that there was a possibility of it going through. Understanding that part about her, Yō gave a nod in consent.
“Got it. Tell me about that plan of yours then.”
In the instant that Asuka nodded her head—
The situation had a dramatic transformation.
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