Chapter 1: Code Unknow and unidentifiable Gift
"Jin-bocchan! I've brought new people~!"
While being deep in thought about the future of their Community, Jin Russell raised his head as he heard Kuro Usagi's voice.
"Welcome back Kuro Usagi. Those two fine ladies there?"
"Yes indeed! These four…"
Realizing that something was off, Kuro Usagi turned her head around and froze on the spot.
"Heh? Weren't there another two? A gentleman with evil eyes, really bad mouth and another one with just as bad attitude, both with 'we're problem children' aura emanating from their body?"
"Izayoi-kun and Burai-san?"
"Izayoi-kun said 'I'm gonna go and take a look at the end of the world real quick.' and Burai-san said 'End of the world? Sounds fun.' and tagged along. Toward that direction."
Where she pointed was where they saw the steep Cliffside while freefalling from 4000m up in the air.
Standing dumbfounded in the middle of the road, Kuro Usagi started questioning them with ruffled up ears.
"Why didn't you stop them?!"
"Because one guy said, 'Don't stop me.'"
"Then why didn't you tell Kuro Usagi about it?!"
"Because the other guy said, 'She's teasing material.'"
"What does that even mean?! And you two must be lying because you thought it would be too troublesome, right?!"
"Half of it was a lie, but for your question, correct." They both admitted without any remorse.
Kuro Usagi fell on her knees. Oh how she envied her past self from a few hours ago when she was still enthusiastic about the new talents' arrival.
To think that all of them were such problem children, there must be a limit to such harassment. No, maybe there is, it's just that the limit was brought to a whole new level by these problem children.
In contrast to Kuro Usagi, Jin turned pale and shouted.
"Thi-this is terrible! At the [Edge of the World] there are many Mythical Beasts roaming about for the sake of Gift games!"
"Mythical Beasts?"
"Ye-yes. This term is used for beasts that possessed Gifts, in particular there are a lot of Mythical Beasts possessing powerful Gifts near the [Edge of the World]. Meeting them is the worst end you can think of, no human can oppose them!"
"Oh, that is a shame. Then I guess it's Game Over for those two?"
"Game Over before even starting a game? Witty."
"This is not the time to be joking!"
Jin desperately trying to press the seriousness of the situation, but the two of them only shrugged after getting scolded.
"Haa…Jin-bocchan, I am terribly sorry, but could I entrust these two in your care?"
"I understand. What will you do, Kuro Usagi?"
"Kuro Usagi will catch those two problem children, and while I'm at it, I will make them regret that they looked down on the one called [Highborn of Little Garden]!"
Meanwhile in the opposite direction, Sakamaki Izayoi and Burai Kudoku were having a race to the [Edge of the World]. Moving through the thick forest at the speed that looked like a blur in the field of vision to naked eyes, without even one unnecessary movement.
"You're pretty good, lad!"
"Likewise!"
Sharply 5 minutes later, they have cleared the forest.
"So this really is a different world huh. Even the air smells different." Burai took in a deep breath of the air and exhaled excitedly.
"You don't seem to be surprised much about all this."
"Right back at you, lad. I have some, 'experience' with this whole 'different world' thing. But you don't seem to be the case."
"Hoh, you can tell?" Izayoi asked with a grin while giving a sideway glance.
"The nose knows. Or rather, it's a habit you naturally pick up after being alive for too long." Burai replied while pointing at his nose.
Now before them was the bank of a large river. Coming to a sudden stop, they scanned their eyes on the surrounding.
"You can feel it too right, lad?"
"Yeah, this place has some interesting folks."
And without even saying a word, they understood what the other had in mind.
"That Rabbit Ojou-chan said 'Gift game can be held by any manner of individuals' right?"
"She did. So, since our race ended with a draw…"
"Whoever won a Gift Game first have the final laugh!" a declaration of challenge. They both jolted off in different direction.
Running along the riverbank, Burai was looking from side to side while sniffing the air as if he was following a trace of something. But what his nose was tracing wasn't just any ordinary smell. It was the smell of what he referred as "the smell of a good fight".
"Over there." with a sharp turn, Burai made a big leap from this side to the other side of the river, which recorded width was 2800m. But he only made it to ¾ of the river's width.
"Not this time." As he said that, a black purple-ish mist the formed under his feet and solidified. Using that as foothold, he successfully made it to the other side of the river. Now instead of going by foot on the ground, he used the same method like just now to cross the river.
Air-dashing or so he called, for another 15 minutes, Burai could finally see the [Edge of the World]. A giant waterfall where water ran over the [Edge of the World] and fell down to the endless sky beneath.
"The smell stopped here."
He landed on the ground and looked around. But beside water, water, more water and surprise, more water, there was nothing else. But Burai trusted his nose more than any mean of detection in the world, so it could only mean one thing.
"Down there?"
He stood at the edge and peeked down. There was still nothing down there but an endless, empty sky and the giant stream of water.
"What the eyes see can be deceiving. This just get better and better."
With that, he jumped off the [Edge of the World].
Even after falling for a while, there was still nothing but the stream of water from the waterfall above as his companion.
"Any faster and it may be hard to stop."
He said to himself and landed on a black platform of solidified mist. Then the scenery around him changed suddenly, just like when he was summoned. Luckily this time he didn't get wet.
"This world sure loves its sudden scenery changing trick." He laughed and looked at the new scenery around him. Water, as far as the eye can see, again.
Looking up, the sky was decorated with millions of stars and a full moon. But there was no sign of the stream of water falling from above anywhere.
"Just now it was still early noon. And the smell of the water…" Burai kneeled down. With a small touch of his hand, the strangely still water surface was disturbed.
Noticing movement and the presence of an intruder, beneath that still, mirror-like water surface, a giant shadow started moving.
"Sea water." He came to the conclusion.
"A large difference in both time and space. So this place must be a pocket dimension." He started walking using the black platform under his feet.
Walking for a while, he could see something like landscape, an island in the distant. And before him, a scroll of paper was floating in mid-air. A [Geass Roll].
"What's this?" Burai took the paper scroll into his hand to read the content.
Gift Game Name: "The Eleventh Labour"
Trial of Knowledge
Clearing Condition(s):
Find the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
Oath: respecting the above, under the pride, banner and Host Master's name, the Gift Game shall commence.
"Garden of the Hesperides...This place?" the [Geass Scroll] then shone brightly and disappeared, leaving Burai a bit dumbfounded.
"Guess that's mean condition met." Just as he finished the sentence, another [Geass Scroll] appeared.
Gift Game Name: "The Eleventh Labour"
Trial of Valour
Clearing Condition(s):
Slay the Guardian of the Western Sea.
Defeat Condition(s):
Forfeiting or the Player does not fulfill the above victory condition.
Being slain in the progress of the Game counts as forfeiting.
Oath: respecting the above, under the pride, banner and the Host Master's name, the Gift Game shall commence.
"Kill or be killed huh. Now that just make thing much simpler." Burai grinned widely at the content of the [Geass Roll]. At that moment, the still water surface shook violently. Even while standing on the black platform separated from the water, Burai could still feel the change in the atmosphere. Then,
One hundred serpent heads erupted from below and surrounded Burai.
Each long neck covered in scales that make the strongest of armor pale in comparison, the fang sharper than the best sword of a master swordsmith, and the scene of them erupting as if intended to swallow the sky above. A menacing existence that even a god would not want to confront.
Then, 100 pairs of eyes all focused toward its soon to be midnight snack.
Burai stood silently while crossing his arms, then burst into a hysterical laugh.
"To be looked down by not only one but a hundred."
With a stomp of his foot, the air got distorted and the sea shook even more violently. It was as if the entire space was screaming to the presence named "Burai Kudoku".
"Know your place, fool."
His eyes stared with killing intent at the serpent. Some heads instinctively moved back, while some realized the level of the threat it's facing and went for the first strike.
One head struck down from above. Naturally, one would think of dodging if something was to charge at them. But not Burai. He leaned back slightly and threw a skyward kick.
His kick and the serpent head collided, with the force so great that it released a shockwave to the surrounding.
And the winner of the first strike was decided.
The serpent head then loosened all of its neck muscle and fell into the water, spraying water everywhere.
"Tch, got wet again." Burai said irritatedly and pushed his bang back.
"Fine then. Take a good long look, Guardian of the Western Sea! Burn this image into all those hundred eyes of yours!"
Black mist emerged and enveloped Burai's body. His kimono then transformed into a black armor, with vein of purple, flickering flame-like energy tracing all over it. A large black piece of cloth dangling on his left waist, with a crest embroidered on it.
The skull of a beast looking from the side, wearing a crown - the symbol of the King. Even when only a skull was all that is left, one could still feel its vigor, hear its roar when looking at that crest. Yes, the crest of the most prideful warrior tribe, the Yajuu.
"For this is the image, of your worst nightmare!"
The armor then completed with a black mask covering Burai's face. The eyes of the mask glowed purple with flickering flame-like energy gives off a sinister vibe.
With another stomp of his foot, Burai got into his fighting stance.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" the serpents head let out a loud screech and charged at him from all direction.
Burai leapt off from his spot and also charged at the serpent heads, clenching his fists.
"Look down on this!"
He threw an uppercut at the serpent head in front of him and sent it flying. Even the scales on the serpent body that it was proud of got smashed with one hit. Two heads then came at him from both sides with their jaws wide open.
Stepping on a black platform, he changed his posture to dodge the two assaulting heads, making them bit into each other.
"Well, you two certainly look cute together…NOT!" still having the momentum from the dodge just now, Burai delivered a bicycle kick at the two "kissing" heads. In such a short moment, four heads already got taken down. But the serpent 100 heads weren't just for show. Take one down, two more will come, beat two down, four more will take their places.
"Hahahahaha! Come, have at thee!"
"Ooooh!"
"So, how is it? This is the Great Waterfall of Tritonis, there probably wasn't a waterfall like this in Izayoi-san's world right?"
"Aah. It's honestly amazing. So it's around two times the width of Niagara. What is it like below this [Edge of the World]?"
As Izayoi stuck his head out happily over the cliff expecting to find a huge turtle, he saw a silhouette running up the waterfall. There are Salmons that swim up a waterfall, but running up? That's a first.
"Haah! Now that's a good workout!"
The silhouette was Burai. The black armor had already reverted back to his usual nontraditional kimono, now with the right sleeve left hanging, revealing a sleeveless black shirt and part of his well-toned body.
"Oh, you're here lad. And the Rabbit Ojou-chan."
"What, it's just you?" Izayoi said with a mocking tone.
"Disappointed because I'm not a huge turtle?"
"I am."
"Hahaha! Not even trying to deny it!"
Standing on the side while the two exchanging a few lines of mockery, was a frozen Kuro Usagi.
"B-Burai-san, was it? D-did you jumped off the [Edge of the World]?" she asked with stuttering tone.
"Hoh. Anything interesting down there? A huge turtle maybe?" then Izayoi asked, still going on about a huge turtle.
"Yes, yes and no. Found a Gift Game down there, and went fishing with a giant serpent. But no turtle."
Izayoi then clicked his tongue, expressing that he is clearly disappointed at the answer he just got.
"So, what did you get on your part?" he asked.
"About that, it seemed my Gift Game is multi-phased. No spoil of war yet, but I got my fill of fun for today."
"Then it's my win." Feeling somewhat less disappointed at the fact that there is no huge turtle, Izayoi laughed while pointing at the large water tree sapling.
Seeing is believing – a proverb meaning you have to actually see it before you can accept that it really exists or occurs. But even after seeing, and hearing it from the one in question, Kuro Usagi still couldn't believe the event that just unfold before her.
"To think that there's someone who dared to jump off the [Edge of the World], and come back to tell the tale. Maybe, maybe the revival of our Community is not a far-fetched dream anymore!"
The Tritonis Fall basking in the light of sunset was dyed crimson, the violent spraying water created a myriad of rainbow. It was about time to go back.
"Garden of the Hesperides…I'll be sure to come back, and claim my prize." Burai took one last glance at the Tritonis Fall, at the place far off the [Edge of the World] then walked away with Kuro Usagi and Sakamaki Izayoi.
They met with the other three, Kudou Asuka, Kasukabe Yo and JIn Russel at the water fountain plaza as the sun was going down and, having heard that they will be participating in a Gift Game against the leader of Fores Garo, Galdo Gasper while she was away, Kuro Usagi's rabbit ears were standing on end as usual in her anger.
"We pissed him off. We're currently reflecting on our action."
"Silence!"
She raged at the clearly coordinated beforehand answer, possibly under someone's suggestion.
"It should be fine. It's not like they are indiscriminately picking a fight, so forgive them." Izayoi who was watching that with a smirk, delivered the finisher.
"Calling one savage, then picking a fight with another, all on your first meeting! You sure know how to make a lasting first impression, Ojou-chan!" then came Burai with a little extra.
"Why, thank you."
"This is not a situation to give compliment! And Izayoi-san, you may be thinking it's fine as long as it's interesting, but the only thing we get from this Game is self-satisfaction, you know? Look at this [Geass Roll]!"
Should the Player win, the Host shall admit to all the crimes referred to by the Player and, after abiding to the judgement of Little Garden's law, the Community shall be disbanded.
And the wager of Asuka's group was Toleration of the Crimes.
"I also don't want to let Galdo run. A villain like him must not be allowed to roam free."
Jin showed that he shared the same opinion, and Kuro Usagi nodded, having conceded.
"Haaaiz~…you all just can't be helped. Well, fine. I also agree that he's irritating. For something of Fores Garo's level, just Izayoi-san alone guarantee an easy win."
"What are you saying? I won't be going you know."
"Of course. I won't let you participate."
"Th-that's no good! You're comrades from the same Community, so you have to cooperate with each other!"
"That's not it, Kuro Usagi."
"Listen well. They were the one who picked the fight, and the other guy accepted it. It would be bad mannered for me to interfere."
"Oh my, you understand it quite well."
"Ah, jeez, do as you wish…"
Having been toyed with for the entire day, by now Kuro Usagi was already tired and lacked the energy to retort.
"Well, it's just a game that we won't lose anything if lost so it's fine whatever happens." She muttered with drooping shoulder.
"Jin-bocchan, please return to the Community ground ahead of us. The game is tomorrow so I'd like to get everyone's Gift appraised by Thousand Eyes. There's also the matter of this water tree."
"Thousand Eyes?"
"Ah yes. Thousand Eyes is an aggregation of Communities that each possessed a special kind of Eye. It is a massive mercantile Community that is well-informed about every corner of Little Garden. Both upper Echelons and lower levels. Fortunately, there is a branch store nearby."
"And this appraisal of Gifts?"
"Of course, that is about their hidden power and origin. If you have a correct understanding of your ability, you can further draw out its capability. You all are curious about your Gift, right?"
They all showed a complex expression in response Kuro Usagi who was seeking agreement. Each had their own thought but none voiced their objections, so Kuro Usagi, Sakamaki Izayoi, Burai Kudoku, Kudou Asuka and Kasukabe Yo headed to the Thousand Eyes.
On the way, Izayoi, Burai, Asuka and Yo gazed upon the townscape with great interest.
Pelibebd Road, which led to the shop, was made of stone and the trees lined along the road were scattering pink flowers as buds and new leaves were beginning to grow.
Looking at the tree-lined street lit by dusk and the city's lamps, Asuka murmured in amazement.
"Cherry blossom…or not? Their petals are different and they shouldn't be blooming in midsummer."
"No, it's still early summer. It's not strange that there are some lively cherry blossoms left."
"…? I thought it was autumn."
"Heh?" the three who were out of sync exchanged their glance and titled their heads. Except for Burai who didn't seem to be very confused. For your information, the time axis of his world was mid autumn. Kuro Usagi smiled and explained.
"Each of you was summoned from a separated world. Outside of your original time axis, history, culture, ecosystem as well as some other things will be different."
"You mean parallel worlds?"
"That's close. But if I were to explain the true term it would take several days so we'll leave that for another opportunity."
Coming to face them, it seemed that they had arrived. On the shop's banner depicting two goddesses facing each other on the blue cloth, that was probably the Thousand Eyes banner.
"Wai-"
"Waiting won't happen, dear customer. We don't do after hour business."
Kuro Usagi tried to stop the female shop clerk who was taking down the signboard at the end of the day, but she couldn't voice her attempt to stop her. They truly were an economic giant. There was no flaw in their refusal of pushy customers.
"You may head elsewhere if you have any complaints. You are hereby forbidden from associating with us."
Wha- to be issuing a ban over something like this, aren't you treating your customers with too much contempt?!"
The shop clerk dealt with Kuro Usagi who was raising a commotion with scornful voice and cold eyes.
"I see. Flat out refusing a rabbit who is a [Highborn of Little Garden] is rude. I will ask for authorization inside so could I have the name of your Community?"
"Guuuh…"
Seeing that something was off, Burai glanced over to Izayoi.
"Oy lad, could it be…"
"Yup. Every Community need a [Name] and [Banner]. Thi- Our Community's [Name] and [Banner] were robbed off. With all their core member no longer here, they don't have the necessary power to take back the [Name] and [Banner]."
"That explains it."
Answering Burai's question, Izayoi then stepped forward.
"We are a [No Name] Community."
He gave the name without hesitation.
"Oho. Then which [No Name]-sama could it be? Could you let me confirm your banner?"
"Tch, I kinda expected it but she's good." He stopped speaking. The risk of a Community without a [Name] or [Banner]. Because they're a powerful shop, they choose their customers. They wouldn't assume the risk that dealing with an untrustworthy customer would bring.
Everyone's gaze focused on Kuro Usagi. Her face showed that she was frustrated from the bottom of her heart and muttered in a small voice.
"That'…um…we don't have a bann-"
Then at that moment, their savior arrived.
"Kuro Usagi! It's been a while!"
"I am Shiroyasha-sama, one of the leader of Thousand Eyes. If it's job-related, I'll take care of it for one touch of them comparatively well-developed chest."
"Owner. We won't profit like that. The boss will get angry."
The female shop clerk with her ever-calm voice drove in a nail.
"Well, that's fine. If you have something to ask then I'll hear about it in the shop."
"Owner. The regulations."
"I apologized for this ill-mannered clerk who asked for your name whilst knowing that you're No Name. If you're glared at by the boss, I'll take responsibility."
Passing under the shop curtain while glaring at the female shop clerk, the six entered an unnaturally wide courtyard.
"Unfortunately, the shop is now closed. Sorry for conducting this in my own room."
The six advanced across the Japanese-style courtyard and stopped at the open corridor.
Behind the sliding paper doors, the room the five were invited to had the smell of incense burning carried on the wind.
"Let me introduce myself again. I am Shiroyasha, leader of Thousand Eyes which is based at the Fourth Gate, number 3345. I have some history with your Kuro Usagi. You can think of me as a beautiful girl who has been helping her frequently since the collapse of her Community."
"Yes, yes, we have truly been in your care."
"Um, what is that gate thing?"
"It is the gate on the outer wall that exists to indicate the level of Little Garden. The lower the number, the higher the strength of those living there."
"So…and extremely large onion?"
"No, wouldn't it be an extremely large Baumkuchen?
"True. It would be a Baumkuchen."
"Hmm, Baumkuchen."
The four nodded in agreement. Kuro Usagi's shoulder sunk in response to their blunt thought while Shiroyasha was roaring with laughter.
"Fufu, that's a good comparison. While we're at it, just outside the eastern gate is a place overlooking the [Edge of the World]. Those living there don't belong to any Community and are possessor of powerful Gifts. Like the owner of that water tree."
Shiroyasha laughed lightly while looking at the water tree sapling that Kuro Usagi was holding.
"Shiroyasha-sama, were you acquainted with that snake god?"
"Not just an acquaintance, the one who granted him Divinity was me. Though that a story of some hundred years ago."
Puffing out her small chest, Shiroyasha laughed heartily.
Hearing that, Izayoi eyes flashed dangerously as he posed the question.
"Hoh, so you're saying you are stronger than that snake?"
"Of course! I am the eastern Floor Master, and the strongest Host!"
Strongest Host. These words made the eyes of Izayoi, Burai, Asuka and Yo sparkled simultaneously.
"I see…fufu. So if we are to clear your game, our Community would become the strongest of the east?"
"Of course. That's what it means."
"Sounds great. Saves us time."
The three looked at Shiroyasha with their fighting spirit bared. Seeming to realized, Shiroyasha gave a high-pitched laugh.
"What shrewd children. While making a request, they also challenge me to a Gift Game?"
"Hahaha! Youngsters these days sure are impatient!" the only one who remained calm was Burai.
"Eh? W-wait, you three! Burai-san, shouldn't you stop them?!"
"Let them be, Rabbit Ojou-chan. Kids grow up fighting."
"It's fine, Kuro Usagi. I've also been thirsting for someone to play with."
"You're quick on the uptake. I like that."
"Fufu, I see. However, there is one thing I'd like to confirm before the Game."
"What is it?"
Shiroyasha drew out from her kimono's sleeve the Thousand Eyes banner emblem and said one thing with a fierce and gallant smile.
"Is what you seek a Challenge, or a Duel?"
In that instant, an explosive changed unlike any other, even in this world of Little Garden, happened before their vision.
A swaying field of golden grains, a white hill peeking out from the horizon, a forest's lake shore. The place they were thrown into had a snowy field and a frozen lake – a place where the sun revolves around horizontally.
"Greenhorn always love, to make a name for themselves. Reckless, hot-headed, impatient, always forge their way forward. That is, until they come to face with an unmovable object."
Standing next to Kuro Usagi, Burai spoke from his experience.
"It will serve as an example, for them to learn from their mistakes, and grow up to who they want to be. Those are what make the youngsters youngster. That is what it's like, to be young."
Shiroyasha then asked once again to the three who were rooted in the spot in blank amazement.
"I will rename myself and ask once again. I, am the Demon Lord of the White Night – celestial spirit of the sun and white night, Shiroyasha. Is what you desired to Challenge a trial? Or an equal-footed Duel?"
Demon Lord Shiroyasha. The three gulped once again at the ghastliness that was unthinkable of a girl's smile.
"This white night's lake shore and snowy field. The sun that forever casts twilight over this land, they are but one of my Game Boards."
Shiroyasha spread her hands and the sea of clouds at the distant horizon split in the blink of an eye, revealing the twilight sun.
"This vast land is just a Game Board?!"
"Indeed. So, what will your reply be? A Challenge, I will play around at the entertainment level. But a Duel, is a different story. Against a Demon Lord, there is no other way but to go all out."
Asuka, Yo, even the confident Izayoi, hesitated and didn't give an immediate reply. After the short-lived silence, seeming like he'd given up, Izayoi smiled and raised his hands slowly.
"I give. It's a surrender, Shiroyasha."
"Does that mean you choose a Challenge but not a Duel?"
"Yeah. Since you can pull off something crazy like this, you sure have the capabilities. Fine, I'll stay silent this time and let you test me."
"Kuku, how about you two children?"
"Yes. It's fine if you test me."
"Same as her."
The two answered with a sour expression. Shiroyasha then glanced at Burai and he made a gesture saying "Sure. Why not?". She then let out a sound of satisfaction.
Kuro Usagi who was watching from the side heaved a sigh of relief.
"Jeez! All of you, please choose your opponents better! Newcomers selling a fight and Floor Master who is buying that fight, it's too terrible even for a joke! And Shiroyasha-sama being a Demon Lord is something from thousand years ago."
"Wait, then I'm a former Demon Lord?"
Upon hearing it, Burai who was deep in thought suddenly spoke up.
"Loli Obaa-chan Demon Lord. How's that?"
He just said something really incredible, and stupid at the same time. But Shiroyasha just burst into laughter while hugging her stomach.
Gift Game Name: "Gryphon Reins"
List of Participant(s):
Sakamaki Izayoi
Burai Kudoku
Kudou Asuka
Kusakabe Yo
Clearing Conditio(s):
Circle the lake shore astride the gryphon
Clearing Method(s):
Gain the gryphon's approval in Power, Wisdom and Courage.
Defeat Condition(s):
Forfeiting or Player does not fulfill the above victory condition.
Oath: respecting the above, under the pride, banner and Host Master's name, the Gift Game shall commence.
"Thousand Eyes" seal.
The Challenge they got was to ride on the back of the gryphon to circle the entire lake shore, without falling off and, to obtain his approval in Power, Wisdom and Courage.
Kasukabe Yo was the one who accepted the challenge, and she emerged victorious.
It seemed Shiroyasha was greatly interested in the wood carving that she wears on her neck. To the point that she would pay even the craziest of price for it, but was outright rejected. Down as a kid whose favorite toy was confiscated.
"Let's see…Hmm…Hmmm…I know you four are well-educated. But that says nothing for this. How much do each of you know about your Gift?"
"Corporate secret."
"Same as to the right."
"Same as them."
"What they said."
"Oy! I understand that telling someone that had been your opponent is scary, but the conversation can't continue like this."
"There's no need for an appraisal. I don't have a hobby of attaching values to people."
"One power isn't something you can just simply put a tag on it."
The other two nodded in agreement to Izayoi and Burai's comment.
Shiroyasha who was scratching her head in worry, suddenly had an ingenious idea and smirked.
"Hoho. At any rate, as a Host and celestial spirit, I must bestow you with a Gift. It's a bit excessive, but it works just fine as a celebration before the revival of your Community."
Shiroyasha clapped her hand. Four shining cards then appeared before the four of them.
Their respective names were written upon them as well as the Gift that dwelled within.
The cobalt blue card: Sakamaki Izayoi - Gift Name [Code Unknown] (another possible translation [Error 404 Not Found])
The dark purple card: Burai Kudoku – Gift Name [******].
The wine red card: Kudou Asuka – Gift Name [Authority]
The pearl emerald card: Kasukabe Yo – Gift Name [Genome Tree] [ No Former]
Kuro Usagi peeked at the four's card with a shocked and excited expression.
"Gift Cards!"
"A Bon gift?"
"A Year End gift?"
"New Year's gift?"
"Challenge letter?"
"Wrong! R-rather, why are the four of you so in sync?! Gift Card is of the greatest value card that can store the manifestation of your Gift! It can even store Yo-san's [Genome Tree] for use whenever she pleases!"
"So I guess you can call it as a really wonderful item?"
"Why are you ignoring it so half-heartedly?!"
"Normally, it would have the emblem of your Community as well, but you're all No Name. It's become a slightly messy image, but if you have complaints please direct them to Kuro Usagi."
"The Gift Card formal name is [Piece of Laplace], a fragment of omniscience. The Gift Name written there is the name of the Gift entwined with your soul. Even without appraisal, you can understand most of your Gift's identity by looking at it."
"Ooh? Then I guess I'm a rare case?"
"If there's something even the omniscience doesn't know, guess it's not really all that omniscience huh?"
Hmm? Shiroyasha peeked at Izayoi's and Burai's Gift Card. The words [Code Unknown] were certainly inscribed there and Burai's Gift was just blurred, incomprehensible letters.
"No, not possible..." Contrast to Izayoi who was laughing and Burai who was smirking, Shiroyasha's expression changed dramatically.
"[Code Unknown] and a Gift that can't be identified… Impossible, there shouldn't be any error in the omniscience [Piece of Laplace]."
"At any rate, that means it couldn't be appraised. I like it better this way."
"An unidentified price means shady business, but it could also mean the price can go higher true to its worth."
They took back the Gift Card from Shiroyasha. But Shiroyasha stared at the two with a puzzled expression like she couldn't understand it. There shouldn't be anything that would elicit a [Code Unknown] and an unidentifiable Gift.
"Could it be…the Gift was cancelled or it's something that exceeded even the understanding of Laplace? No, that's even more unbelievable."
After finishing the Gift Game and leaving Shiroyasha's shop, they walked for thirty minutes past the water fountain plaza before arriving at the gate to the No Name's residential area. Something that looked like a vestiges of a hoisted banner could be seen.
"This is our Community. But we still have to walk further from the entrance to reach the base, so please pardon that. There are still traces of the battle around here…"
Kuro Usagi opened the gate hesitantly. In doing so, a dry wind blew toward them. The four shielded their face from the sand clouds. One side of the ruins of a building came into sight
"This is…!"
Asuka and Yo gasped upon seeing the scars engraved into the townscape. Izayoi narrowed his eyes while Burai showed a slightly surprised expression.
Izayoi approached the wooden town and took a small piece of the wreckage into his hand.
Gripping it a little, the piece of wood gave a dry sound and crumbled.
"Oy Kuro Usagi…the Gift Game with the Demon Lord, how many hundred years ago was it?"
"It was a mere three years ago."
"This town scape was weathered down to this state, in the span of mere three years?"
The white avenue was covered in sand and the wooden houses were decaying and falling apart. The iron bars and wires that were used as key points had been eaten away by rust and warped, the trees on the roadside were neglected and withered to a pale white like stone monument.
Burai kneeled down to examine the soil. His eyes widened when his finger touched it. Taking a bit of those soil into his hand, he brought it closer to his nose and his expression got even more shocked.
"Not even a glimpse of life force was left in the soil. Make you wonder though, what kind of hellish battle took place here."
"A tea set is still out on the veranda's table. It's like the people living here just…disappeared."
"There's absolutely no presence of living creatures. To think that even beasts wouldn't come to a human settlement that isn't well-maintained."
Kuro Usagi averted her gaze from the dilapidated houses and continued down the deteriorated avenue.
"The Demon Lord's Game was that much that of an otherworldly. Them not taking away this land was to show off their power and a warning. Playfully challenging human and crush them to point of not being able to oppose them a second time, that is a Demon Lord."
If Community and Demon Lord fought, ugly scars would be left behind. That is why there was a need for game board for large scale Gift Games. Asuka and Yo also continued along with complex expression.
But there were two who were smiling. Izayoi with his eyes ablaze and Burai cracking his fists.
"Demon Lord huh. Good, this is really good. It's much more interesting than I imagined!"
"All this destruction, yet it was only at the level of playing around? The smell of a 'good fight' flow strong in this one!"
Shiraga: and there you have it for the second chapter. I will be separating one volume of the original story into two part, one chapter for each part. So expecting some over 20 chapters.
And you must have realized it, that I will be skipping the part that Burai doesn't play a major role.
Later folks
