Part 10
—[Underwood], Large crevice in the earth.
Lily was in the midst of opening the door when the same blinding radiance filtered out to strike her eyes.
There were countless indescribably elegant decorations and antiques placed upon the glass display shelves. Draped across the display cabinets, which were lined with ruby and gold rings, was an iridescent piece of tapestry that seemed to be a work produced with the finest techniques of craftsmanship.
A veil that emitted a fine radiance, which would not lose if it were to be compared to other precious metals, was unmistakably the work of a famous craftsman of some unknown lands.
Just a little distance away, in the forefront of the slightly too exquisite carpet, there stood a finely crafted antique made with the most detailed of techniques.
The entire room was efficiently utilized to display the items that ranged from large clothing racks, longcase clocks, and miniature models of water wheels that are powered by the principle of buoyancy, tumblers that do not stop rocking and many other items of unknown uses. The space was clearly larger than what it appeared to be on the outside.
“—Aye……?”
Lily’s voice echoed in the shop which had no one else. However, that sound was not an amazed gasp from the sight of the amazing workpieces which lay before her.
What lay before her eyes were still the same gorgeous and luxuriously designed shop interior.
And it did not have any damages, when compared to the last visit.
“—.”
Yes—Not a bit of damage at all.
“No …. No way……?!”
Lily’s low moan was closer to the feelings of horror. But that is to be expected.
Previously in this shop last night, the interior had been clearly destroyed and smashed up when Izayoi and the others escaped. The accessories that were the display of refined skills of craftsmen had been smashed while the closets were destroyed and the tapestry torn.
Even so, the current decorations of the interior were no different from the last.
Seeing the restored decorations just like the developing of photos from a film roll, Lily’s kitsunemimi drooped down timidly.
(This is…… a real Gift Game……! )
The radiance in the shop was no longer able to hide that strange atmosphere.
This was the Golden Demon mirror[45]. The stomach of the monster that is famed for swallowing its prey whole with the lure of fame and riches.
Even though her young heart had felt that sort of malicious intent, Lily continued to cheer herself on to push forward into the shop.
Just as she had expected, the brilliantly lighted shop was devoid of human presence. And at the very depths of the shop was the azure blue eyed doll that sat on the shop keeper’s stool, holding the [Geass Roll] like before.
Beside the shop keeper’s stool, a table was displaying the item that Lily wanted.
“Found it! …… But just as I thought, I really can’t buy it right?”
Mhm~, she thought about it while wagging her two tails.
Not long after, someone struck up a conversation from behind.
“—what an intriguing customer. It isn’t gold and jewels that capture your fancy, but you would like that wooden craved brooch?”
Eeeya!? Giving a startled cry, she turned her head. Behind her was a doll which had an atmosphere that was completely different from before.
Those eyes were filled with the glow of a will, the skin was flushed like the coloration of blood vessels under the skin. Her steps were light and graceful, and her posture was the impeccable appearance of a maiden.
Even though she was startled by the doll that suddenly came to life, Lily continued with a timid question.
“May I ask…….Are you the Host of this Game?”
“You are mistaken. I’m the emcee for the Game and at the same time, I double up as the shop keeper of this shop house. My name is Coppelia. For the purpose of serving customer, I’m here to await orders. …… And, please kindly be quiet in this store.”
Lightly touch her index finger to her lovely lips, she advised Lily to be quiet.
*Pi* Knowing that the doll called Coppelia did not have any animosity towards her, Lily’s kitsunemimi perked up as she gave a small nod.
“…… Ningyo-san?”[46]
“That’s right. Just like that, young fox.”
After Coppelia nodded her head in reply, Lily leaned forward with sparkles in her eyes.
“Wuah……! It’s my first time seeing such a beautiful ningyo-san!”
*Pi!* Lily’s kitsunemimi perked up as she clasped her hands together.
Coppelia, who possessed eyes which could only be described as innocent-looking, accepted the forthcoming praise. Although there wasn’t a change in her expression, but in between the increased blinks of the eyes, she lifted her skirt slightly to perform a curtsy.
“I appreciate your praise, young fox. Your kitsunemimi are also quite attractive.”
“Is, Is that, right?”
“Yes. Just looking at those innocent and yet bold- looking kitsunemimi, it kind of gives me the impulsive idea to place my hands on my head.”
Hearing Coppelia’s confession, Lily giggled shyly. Although it was not known if it were to be an insult or praise, it seems that the duo had matching personalities.
Lily and Coppelia, who finished their self-introductions, then sat on the chair and started the conversation on the situation surrounding this shop.
“Coppe-chan, may, may I ask.”
“Coppe-chan?”
“Aye? Ah, Mhm. Is Coppe-chan the owner of this shop?”
Coppelia had returned a question due to her surprise from receiving such an intimate nickname out of nowhere but Lily did not pay it any mind and continued with her question. Coppelia’s poker expression relaxed for an instant before recovering on her doll-like expression once more to answer the question.
“Yes. My role is to deal with all the activities concerning the sales in this shop. Although it only requires money to seal the trade deal.”
“Is that for real?! Then, can this brooch be sold to me ne……!”
*Pi!*<nowiki> With her Kitsunemimi perked up and eyes shining with excitement, she took out the brooch to show Coppelia. Coppelia silently accepted the brooch and looked down with a slightly troubled expression. “……this, isn’t a product to be sold in the shop.” “Aye?” “It is just a little carving that I’ve made to pass time. Hence it has no value what so ever to it. If you want it, you may take it, young fox.” Lightly placing it back onto Lily’s hands. But the two tails of Lily started to wag with a higher intensity as her gaze sparkled even more. “Coppe, this brooch was made by you?!” “Yes. But it is an inferior piece of work that is an eyesore……” “That’s, That’s not true! It’s a really kawaii brooch!” <nowiki>*Pi!* The kitsunemimi perked up as she gave her praise.
Her innocent eyes showed that there was no underlying intentions or crafty calculations to her words. Feeling touched by the frankness, Coppelia seemed a little troubled as her cheeks were flushed.
While looking at happily at the brooch, Lily suddenly remembered the other thing she had wanted to ask.
“…… Coppe-chan, why are you alone in this shop?”
Asking about the most obvious suspicious thing. But it was something that is supposed to be secret, right? Coppelia’s blushing face turned pale and hugged her slender man-made body, causing it to emit a sound.
While suppressing her intense feelings that were straining against her will, Coppelia calmly answered.
“Because….. I was abandoned. It is not by any other, but my father who had planned to create me.”
“……Aye?”
—Abandoned by a family member.
Those words struck a chord in Lily’s heart.
“Abandoned……by your father……?”
“…… Yes. My raison d’être[47] is my father’s love. But that love has been long lost. The fathers who have gathered by my side are only interested in my value. But I’ve mistakenly taken it as a desire of Mankind for my existence and continuously wait for the person who can complete me. When such a fated person— clearly won’t come for me……!!”
Coppelia broke into tears.
The pain of losing her father’s love.
Unable to bear the pain of the degradation of her raison d’être, large droplets of tears flowed from her eyes.
(Abandoned by her father….. in this shop, alone……!! )
Although Lily did not know the full story and the reasons, the pain of such a deep loss was one that she understood fully.
Three years ago—when she had to part with her mother.
Lily still remembered how painful the parting had been. The pain of being abandoned by her family would likely to be a deeper and more intense one.
Lily timidly reached over to touch Coppelia’s hair, stroking her head to console her.
“It’s alright you know? My oka-sama has said it before. No matter how far we are, parents will always think of their children.”
“……That is just a fantasy, young fox. This shop is the place where all the abandoned are gathered. If you go further into the shop, you will find that the abandoned are full to the brim.”
“So…So it is like that, Mhm.”
In a sudden flash—that particular thing appeared in her mind, and Lily was struggling to focus on Coppelia’s words.
“Then, the [Geass Roll] that Coppe is holding is,”
“…… That is something prepared to search for the one who can complete me. But that game is—“
Ku! She unnaturally shut her mouth. Lily was unsure what that movement meant. But she understood that she should not let this doll be and ignore the situation.
Holding the hand of Coppelia, who had a sorrowful look in her eyes, Lily pointed to the exit.
“Coppe-chan, let’s leave this place. Even if you stay in this sort of place, there is no way for you to meet your new father.”
“……I can’t do that. If I were to escape…… That will attack……!!”
“No, No problem! If it is the muscled dolls, Izayoi-san will beat them down,”
“No, it’s not that……!! This shop is being guarded by a much more terrifying existence……!!!”
*Ka Chi Ka Chi* The slender body of Coppelia was shaking.
Soon after—*Saa* a dark grey wind blew between the two of them.
Lily tilted her head at the sight of that unnatural and visible wind.
But Coppelia’s reaction became more intense.
“Please, Please run away now, young fox!”
“Aye……?”
“That guy…… ‘End Emptiness’ is coming—!!!”
In an instant, the golden yellow shop house was surrounded by a dark grey wind.
The dark grey winds weathered away everything that made up the luxurious interior, seeming to rampage in its desire to swallow anything that has radiance. The violent winds that were capable of gluttony had immediately engulfed the duo.
—But who would have known.
This Wind is the strongest god killing Demon that is capable of wiping out hundreds of gods and demigods.
The formless Demon Lord called ‘End Emptiness’.
The spreading ‘natural disaster’ in Little Garden has also taken the world as its enemy.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login