Part 4
––-What Izayoi had recalled as he recounted were his younger days when he had travelled with Canaria.
“Izayoi-chan, I shall take the opportunity to say this: Fun and fascinating stuff will not come to you by themselves. So you will have to go in search for them.”
Canaria, whose Konpeitō-like[25] hair swayed as she moved, had only puffed up her chest while saying lots of things that were nice to hear as she brought Izayoi out of Japan from that day onwards to tour the world.
……In retrospect, it sure is a memory of a journey that was totally random. At that time, the choice of destinations had been based on a whim and they would just journey to the country without a plan.
However, the initial destinations of the journey seemed to be a decision made by Canaria.
The first stop was at the South American continent. Moving along uncharted paths, the destination was to be the huge river which could serve as a national border.
Known to be the large in scale, the world’s three biggest waterfalls.
Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls and Iguazu Falls were collectively referred to as the world’s three biggest waterfalls. And amongst them, the Iguazu Falls was known to be the largest in scale with a large waterfall prized for its magnificent view which is also known as the “Iguazu Devil”.
The Great waterfall, which has several tonnes of water volume flowing down per second, was a power unfathomable to be shouldered by Man in addition to its fearsome form. Moreover, within the Iguazu Fall’s plunge pool which is impossible to survive upon entering, Man have also found a mysterious existence which is termed in fearful reverence as ––- the devil.
Part 5
“……That devil, is on par with [Underwood]?”
“No, that’s not possible. It really is a grandiose sight but regarding this point, the Great Tree would still be in the lead. Moreover, I’ve leapt into the plunge pool to see for myself……but there wasn’t anything that could even faintly resemble a devil.”
Regarding Asuka’s question, Izayoi squinted in disappointment as he continued his story.
Part 6
––-The “Iguazu Devil” had been Izayoi’s first magical moment of witnessing a mystery of the stars after the meeting with Canaria. And that day’s experience was surely be one that would be remembered for all his life.
The vastness of the world and the insignificance of his existence in comparison.
The sight that turned the tables for his haughty pride.
But what came into the sight of that young lad were the emerald shadows that flittered along the aquamarine river banks and the huge volume of water flow that seemed like the life source of the Stars that ran through the arterial channels. Its mystical value was a huge impact for Izayoi who had always grown up in the little garden known as Japan.
Even though he possessed a superhuman strength, Izayoi of that time was still just a ten year old lad.
Izayoi who still possessed the narrow and naïve perspective at that time, had experienced the magnificent and mysterious atmosphere surrounding the Iguazu Falls and that awoke a desire and hope within him.
Carrying the hope that there might be a possibility of an existence, a monster , whom he could fight on par with––- a “devil”.
But that first expectation carried by that young soul was completely shattered in the next moment.
Part 7
Within the deep abyss that was unmarred by the presence of Man, it was just a normal waterfall plunge pool even after the unwrapping of its mysterious cover.
The existence of the “devil” hidden within the Great falls had only taken a moment––-to leave Izayoi disappointed.
“……Huh? Could it be that my misfortune with water had started from that time onwards?”
“Eh?”
“Aahh, no. Nothing.”
If he were to continue thinking in that direction, it might be possible that the memories of having his misfortunes with water would only come to the fore front of his mind and it was important for him to give priority to the topic of the party for now.
Part 8
Izayoi had leapt spiritedly into the pool but the feeling of disappointment was just as great. After surfacing from the waterfall, he did not even consider getting up to the river bank but allowed the Iguazu’s flow to carry him downstream.
Floating like a withered drift wood carried by the flow of the river, Izayoi had floated all the way to the bank of the Paraná River’s confluence[26]. Seeming to have foreseen this outcome, Canaria was seen to be sitting on a blue cloth in wait for his arrival.
Canaria tried to dry out the hair of the thoroughly soaked Izayoi with a towel from her bag while asking about his thoughts.
“How was it? Have you met the “Iguazu Devil”?”
……Aahh. The truth was really boring to the maximum.
“Ahaha—so it’s just as I thought—how could the devil or something similar exist there right––?” Just after his irritated complain, the smelly obaa-san had cheerfully rubbed salt to his wounds.
Although Izayoi was still young, he wasn’t a child who would daydream about fantasies. The sacredness felt by humans were only just illusions with a dab of cosmetics. That was something that he already knew from the beginning.
For Izayoi who possessed congenital talents gifted to him, he was more familiar about mysteries than anyone else.
“…………”
Or maybe –– it was precisely because of that that he aspired towards it. In any case, the “Devil” was proven to be non-existent. And just when he thought that “there’s no more reason for me to be in this place anymore”, and faced his back to the river ––
“Then, let’s go see the real mystery.”
––what? Izayoi immediately let out that sound in surprise.
What came next was the main event and Canaria pulled Izayoi’s hand to start on the journey after saying those words.
Those words had really stumped him and he conceded to allow Canaria to pull him along.
Following the frothing river’s bank as they proceed, they walked upstream from the confluence.
During that time, the duo were repetitively praising the scenery’s beauty or commenting on the occasional wild bird that they had not seen before and similar dialogues that had no nutritional value to it, while making their way towards the destination.
As the street lights began to come on one after another, Canaria pointed to them while posing a question.
“Izayoi-chan, what do you think about these street lights and those lights in the city?”
…………?
“At first, I’ve disliked those very lights you know? These lights have hidden the atmosphere of the night time and blocked out the radiance of the stars. It has also defeated the fundamental unease that is supposed to come with the darkness. It’s almost like a proclamation to all that colors only exist in the human communities.”
“…………”
Artificial light that flooded the world.
It wasn’t a metaphor nor was it referring to anything else. As long as human history continues to be written, the radiance emitted from this planet would always be controlled by the humans. And that was incontestable. To which Izayoi agreed by nodding his head.
“Fufu. But that seems to be my shallow perspective. Even though I had intended to accumulate various experiences, but my thoughts are still too shallow. ……Mhm. Humans sure are great.”
Canaria then cheerfully strode forth, while bobbling her Konpeitō-like head.
Canaria, who was elegantly dressed in her coat, led Izayoi to a place approximately thirty kilometers away from the Iguazu Falls— the Itaipu power plant.
Approximately eight kilometres along the Paraná River, the hydroelectric dam stored up several tonnes of water flow before a controlled release that led to the large amount of spray and mist emitted from the foot of the dam.
Canaria overlooked the dam from the shore and pointed towards the man-made gargantuan wall while letting out a laugh.
“Wuah! It’s really big and wide! Izayoi-chan, the top of this power station is a gargantuan wall that can’t be seen!” Acting like an excited kid, she pointed towards the power station.
Gazing up at the huge man-made dam, Izayoi suddenly looked at his own two hands.
— The hands of humans, can actually construct such a huge object? “The Heavens cannot create another that stands above me”, Izayoi had used that sarcasm. But this structure had been constructed by that sort of humans had caused him to feel an unexpected lift in his heart that moved him to his core, which was much different than the feelings of seeing the Iguazu Falls and he couldn’t help clenching his fists.
This sort of technical expertise in technology was something that would not be obtainable from a sudden evolution in an “individual”. That was a testament of an accomplishment that was only possible from a “species”, Humans, who have exhausted the evolutions in the Phylogenetic Tree.
“Mhm. It’s much grander and satisfying than I imagined it to be. It really is purely astounding. To be able to create the radiance of civilization in this sort of place, there’s no harm giving them the acknowledgment right? Harvesting the fresh flow of the river and converting it into the radiance of the stars. Doesn’t it feel poetic?”
“…………,”
The streetlights that were still visible from here.
The radiance that resided within the city streets.
The addition of all those where what Canaria described to be the radiance of the stars.
—The energy produced by the gargantuan wall, which looks like a towering cliff, is equivalent to ten times the amount produced by a nuclear plant. Converting thousands and millions of flowing water’s kinetic energy into a massive amount of power. If one were to convert the powers flowing within the natural world into lights for the city’s street lamps, and thus the radiance of the stars—
“—Izayoi-chan. This is the wind that blows in your current era, the modern age alchemy……!”[27]
Canaria was gazing at the man-made gargantuan wall while giving a narrative that seemed to portray her pride. Facing her back to the dazzling water scenery that danced in the backdrop, Canaria gave a smile that seemed to be a silent blessing for the advancements of human kind.
Part 9
After completing his story, he clapped his hands once to signify the end.
“And as I’ve mentioned above, that is our Human’s milestone of prosperity that does not lose to [Underwood]. ……So how is that? Even if it is just a rough description of it, it should already give the impression of being on par with this Great Tree water arena right?”
“……Uu, Mhm, Mhm.”
Contrary to Izayoi’s posture of raising his head while puffing up his chest, Asuka had given a muffled reply. It must have been the shock and disbelief that something like that would actually be constructed in the later eras.
Yō, who sat cross legged on the floor, had nodded her head meaningfully while muttering in a soft voice that couldn’t be heard by the others.
“Is that so…… in Izayoi’s era, the Itaipu relics were still operating.”
“Mhm? Did you say something?”
“No, nothing. But come to think about it, Izayoi’s foster mother seems to be quite a really spirited individual. It kind of make me want to meet her.”
“I guess so. If it weren’t for her, I would have been bored to death a long time ago.”
“Is that so……? That really makes others envious of you. If I had been picked up by her, maybe I would have become like Izayoi-san and learnt about various stuff.”
Asuka pouted her lips, seemingly in a little tantrum.
On the other hand, Izayoi only laughed loudly in reply.
— On a side note, the story mentioned earlier also has a continuation to it.
Izayoi who was greatly excited after that had his interest stimulated and blew apart the huge wall of the dam that was similar to a citadel. Obviously, that caused the power station to stop functioning and led to a power stoppage for a large portion of the country. The duo who have been termed as terrorists had quickly escaped the national borders and things up to here would be the completion of the story. But it would seem that this was omitted for this time.
“Lastly, we have finally come to the person of the future, Kasukabe to speak.”
“Mhm. But it’s quite late already.”
“I guess that’s true. We will also need to wake up early tomorrow, so let’s end it at this for today.”
Although it isn’t visible from the VIP quarters, the moon had already risen to the zenith of the night sky.
It was also common sense that it wasn’t good for two ladies to stay in a guy’s room too late into the night.
“Come to think about it, what have you girls been up to?”
“Well, it isn’t a big assignment. Although it is the acceptance of the request to go over to the construction, we are also unable to help out much at the place. So our main activity has been to act as lookouts for the Titans.”
“Mhm. I usually scout at the region of sea trees, helping to harvest the fruits. After all there are still some remnants of Perytons and Demonic beasts and it seems quite dangerous.”
Asuka and Yō had crossed their arms, hugging their chests, while looking troubled.
“Although Sala is still clearly in the process of recuperating, she continues to work without rest. Saying “There’s still a threat even if the Demon Lord’s game has ended, so how can I, as the representative lie here and rest?!” when she just got up.”
“Even the Demonic beasts are a menace, acting similar to the time with Percher as well. Although the curse of Black Death has been release, we had found a sizeable quantity of rats that can allow the disease to incubate in their bodies, right?”
Hueh*, Izayoi gave a direct expression of surprise.
Thinking back about the matter, the old grudge of the Titans could also be counted as the aftershocks after the previous Demon Lord’s game. To be on the guard for the second or third wave of disasters would also be the responsibilities of the [Floor master].
“Come to think about it, the circus Community that we have fought in the past. Was that also another legacy left behind by the Demon Lord?”
“According to Shiroyasha, it would seem to be so. Similar to the grimoire of Hamelin, it was a stage that continues to function even after the defeat of the Demon Lord.”
“But that mobile circus was quite interesting as well.”
— It was roughly before the Harvest Festival.
Without a fixed Community territory and with just a mobile tent, the circus Community toured the lands of Little Garden and arrived in the East Side. And with its arrival in the East Side that lacked entertainment, the circus troop had struck up a commotion.
In actual fact, it as a circular mobile arena that was used to draw audiences into participating in games.
“It would seem that that’s the only one that is still operational. If only all remnants were like that, it wouldn’t get boring.”
“If those victims were to hear of it, they would definitely be in a rage. But I guess, I won’t deny that.”
Yō and Izayoi suppressed their urge to laugh as they nodded to each other.
Asuka gave a big yawn and covered her mouth in embarrassment. After her work in the day, it was about time for her drowsiness overtake her senses as well.
Drooping her shoulders as it was a pity to be ending so soon, she initiated the last topic.
“Then to wrap things up for tonight, let’s have Kasukabe-san talk on this topic. Please tell me a type of “trend in Kasukabe-san’s era”.”
“……trend? Does it refer to clothes and such?”
“Although anything is fine, but it would be best if you could name a trend that would best give the imagery of Kasukabe as a person of the future.”
Izayoi gave her one of his frivolous smiling gazes. It was a really mean move that embodied the notion of doubt on Yō’s word to be from the future due to the lack of evidence.
Yō hugged herself as she thought carefully.
— A short and succinct trend that would be able to distinguish her era from the get go.
The difficulty of the topic was high but Yō’s mind was clear tonight.
“……I got it. Then, would it be okay to be an accessory?”
“Of course.”
Asuka gave her approval.
Izayoi had also given a surprised nod.
“Good. Then,….I shall introduce you to the headphones that are all the rage in my era.”
Hah? Izayoi couldn’t help but allow a cry to escape from his mouth.
That reaction clearly indicated the doubt about headphones being able to become a trend, but Yō did not mind as she placed her hands above her ears—
“In my era—Usagimimi Headphones, is a trend throughout the world.”
*Bishi*! The hands were made to represent rabbit ears.
The eyes of the other two were as round as saucers—and it wasn’t long before there was an uncontrollable laughter filling the room.
Within the minds of those two, who were laughing to the point of having stitches on their sides, the same image was brought forth.
The same image was that of a world with plenty of people looking similar to Kuro Usagi, the symbol of dedication[28].
The other part was that regardless of the truth in Yō’s words, if it were true that Usagimimi headphones ever became the trend of the era…
Then that would be a peaceful era and one that would be filled with laughter even if a chopstick were to fall off the table. That sort of ironic praise was also embodied within their hilarious outburst of laughter.
The laughter of Sakamaki Izayoi and Kudou Asuka resounded in the night from the Great Tree as the surface of the river continued to ripple.
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