Boundary wall, Stage area. Festival operation headquarters, hall.
The company and the other participants came into the palace interior. In the case where the wounded were everywhere, Kuro Usagi and Jin immediately jumped in front of Izayoi after they spotted him while Kyo just walked with both his hands in his pockets.
"Izayoi-san, are you alright!"
"There is no problem here, what about the others?" He asked.
"It's regrettable, everyone is injured beside Kuro Usagi, Izayoi-san and Kyo-san. Asuka-san is still missing...I'm terribly sorry, if I had more vigor...!"
Jin lowered his head in remorse. Although he wasn't wrong, but he is placing the responsibilities on himself. At another side, Kasukabe and Leticia were both tired due to their engagement with the enemy, totally not in any position to resume their battle. After confirming the situation, Kuro Usagi opened her mouth with a pained tone.
"After receiving the words from Shiroyasha-sama, Kuro Usagi had immediately applied for
deliberations for a resolution...But it looks like it was too late."
"Hmmmm, what is the meaning of applying for deliberations?"
"Yeah, I was also wondering about that?" Kyo asked as well, never expecting Kuro Usagi has this kind of ability to stop a Gift Game, especially is from a Demon Lord.
"The [Trial Jurisdiction] is one of the privilege of a judgement controller, it is to confirm if the rules created by the [Host's permission] are imperfect."
"Imperfect rules?"
"YES. According to what Jin-bocchan said, the so-called [The winning conditions may not have been established correctly] and the [Participant] can discuss whether the rules are imperfect. And because you can forcefully interrupt the gift game, in another meaning, it is to tackle the strange jurisdiction of the Demon Lord."
"Whoa...? In simpler words it means a suspension right? If the game can restart without any condition, this is quite a powerful permission granted." Izayoi admirably said.
However with a bizarre expression, Kuro Usagi repeatedly shook her head.
"Huh, what's the catch?" Kyo asked noticing her expression which indicated something not right.
"No, It's not like that. Since the deliberations for a resolution to review the rules have already been sent, this is the game between [Host] and the [Participant]...Guuu, to say it in simpler words, it means that [There will be no grudge in this gift game] this kind of inviolability contract." Hearing what Kuro Usagi had said, Izayoi twitched his eyebrow.
"...In other words, if we lose, the other members of [Thousand Eyes] and [Salamandra] cannot instigate a gift game towards a Demon Lord because of revenge?"
"Which also means we are all our own now," Kyo said.
"YES. So if we lose, we will not receive any help, better be prepared."
"HA! If you have such a negative mindset, then how are we going to win!" Izayoi couldn't help but laugh it out.
This time, the hall's door opened, with Sandra and Mandra walking in. Keeping a nervous expression, Sandra announced to the participants.
"We will hold the deliberations for a resolution with the Demon Lord now. The [Highborn of Little Garden] Kuro Usagi, [Salamandra]'s Mandra. And others who are familiar with the [Piper of Hamelin, please come assist us with the negotiations. Are there any willing parties?"
The participants' side started a commotion. Kuro Usagi had once said before, people are limited with the child's stories, and even if they do, there wouldn't be too many people who know the clear details of the story.
In the situation where nobody stood up, Izayoi grabbed the back of Jin's gown.
"Regarding [The Piper of Hamelin, this Jin Russel knows it better than anyone else!"
"...Ah? Ehh? Wait...Wait a moment...Izayoi-san!" Hearing Izayoi's sudden words, Jin got startled.
Izayoi continued speaking with a half-serious half-joking tone.
"Very familiar! Ultra familiar! Definitely useful! Regarding this matter, contributions will be made towards [Salamandra, besides the leader of [No Name] Jin Russel, there is no one else!"
"Jin eh?"
Sandra looked surprised. Although she replied with a childish tone, she immediately regained her determined expression.
"If no one else is willing, then we'll be relying on Jin Russel of [No Name, is it possible?"
Sandra's decision widened the commotion.
"[No name]...?"
"From which community?"
"Is it trustworthy?"
"Is it the community that participated in that competition?"
"Wait isn't that where that person came from."
"This is just too exaggerative."
"Oi, is there anyone else who could—"
Although everyone's opinions were being counterparts, nobody was willing to volunteer for that role.
And if they allowed [No Name] to be a representative, they would feel uneasy as the decisions made in the conference would change their fates.
This time Kyo stood up this time making the crowd around him silence. Remembering his actions in the arena, they are not willing to go against with someone like him.
"If any of you have anything to say. Say it in front of me, if not, I suggest you all remained silence!" He threatened them with his own glare which the crowds immediately keeps their own thoughts to themselves.
Even with Kyo's help, Jin did not feel any better, he did not volunteer because he had sensed this kind of atmosphere, but Izayoi whispered to him with a cheeky yet sinister expression.
"Are you an idiot? What were the efforts you used every night in the stack room for? Of course you must put this opportunity to good use."
"But...But..."
Jin averted his gaze. The days he spent in the stack room was not just to introduce Izayoi to Little Garden. Because of a lack of capabilities and the desire to contribute to the community, Jin was extremely hardworking. And the convenient thing was, this was a game where knowledge could be applied.
"If you are concerned with the views from the people, yeah, it's considered a good thing. If not wanting to give other people trouble is your survival path, then I won't complain—But, you are our representative, so if you run away now, the same situation may occur in the future. Am I wrong?"
"Guuuuu."
Hearing Izayoi's speech, Jin looked up while clenching his teeth. At this moment, the gazes were concentrated on him.
Uneasy and unhappy. In the midst of all the negative views, only Kuro Usagi, Kyo and Sandra gave out expectant gazes.
"You don't want to be acknowledged as a parasite right? Didn't you say you want to change? So look onwards and show your vigor-filled performance and seize the initiative, Our [Leader]?"
"Yes...Yes!"
Being called a leader must've made Jin quite happy, who energetically replied.
Using the chance, Izayoi lifted Jin's shoulders and showed the surrounding people what he looked like.
"Okay, let's go, Chibi-Sama! If you get famous because of this, then we should print leaflets formally! What will be written on it will be: [If you are harassed by a Demon Lord, please contact Jin Russel]!"
Jin panicky shouted out.
"I... Didn't I say that I don't want it! And why must you write the name out?"
"Of course you must, didn't I say that you are our representative ... Nevermind, if Chibi-sama is not willing, then we'll change it to [If you are harassed by a Demon Lord, please contact Jin Russel]."
"Isn't that too weird right! What's the use of covering up something that doesn't need to be covered!"
The protesting Jin, and the troublemaker Izayoi. Then Kyo walked to them.
"He's right Izayoi, it does sound weird if you do something like that." Kyo defended Jin.
"Kyo-san." Jin was glad for him that he defended him from Izayoi's weird plans.
Soon that was shattered into million pieces, as Kyo pulled out a leaflet from his pocket which shows a drawing of Jin wearing a church robe holding a cross as he is purify or killing a demon as it was screaming in pain, there's a headline that said: If there's a Demon Lord in your front door, Jin Russel shall exorcist for you.
"It should be something sound much fancier like this, [If there's a Demon Lord in your front door, Jin Russel shall exorcist for you]. This will immediately attract more people." Kyo said with a confident aura. This cause Jin to jaw dropped while Kuro Usagi and Sandra to sweatdropped as it seems he was with Izayoi's plan.
"Not you too! And where did you get that poster from?!" Jin exclaimed.
"Hmm, it does sounds catchy but let just change the clothes into a black suit with sunglasses holding a gun." Izayoi said as he adds his own ideas to it.
"It does look better. Then how about…" the both of them continued to discuss their own ideas to put in the leaflet while ignoring Jin's protest.
Sandra and Kuro Usagi looked at each other, unable to resist but smile by the side lines.
Boundary wall, Stage area. Festival operation headquarters, VIP room.
"Then, let us start the discussion regarding the gift game [THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN]."
Announced Kuro Usagi in a serious tone. Sitting in front of Izayoi and company were the polka-dressed girl, with the military-uniformed Weser and the white-clothed Ratten right beside her.
'Whoa? The one at the side are [Ratten (Rat)] and [Weser river] right? And also, I've heard that Sandra fought against the giant called [Strom (Storm)] right? Then the one in the middle is...nevermind, I'll think about it later.'
Izayoi who sat beside Jin paused his train of thoughts.
While Kyo just looked at them with a critical look, trying to understand them. He has the same thoughts as Izayoi but what bothering him is he's not here.
'Seems like he's not here.' He sensed the entire room but his presence is not in the room but this doesn't mean he should let his guard down.
When their eyes meet, the polka-dressed girl widen her eyes for only a second then returned to her monotone look. This allows him to deduce that they she didn't expect him to be here at all or something else.
The room everyone was currently in was the luxuriously decorated interior of a VIP room. The supposed invited guests were not in the game, so they were not present. For negotiations to take place about the game, naturally they couldn't do it in the hall, before finally deciding to use the VIP room.
"For the [Host] side, regarding this game..."
"There is nothing missing." The polka-dotted girl interrupted Kuro Usagi's speech and replied with disdain.
"This game does not have anything missing or anything unusual, it is a game that has satisfactory rules before the commencement, there is no reason to accept a deliberation."
Her eyes were calm and she spoke in an emphatic tone.
"...So it's already dealt with? Kuro Usagi's ears are connected to the Little Garden central network, it will immediately spot it if you lie."
"Yeah. And also, I like to suggest something now. We are now suffering unjustified accusations and as a result the game was interrupted, in other words, you are making lame interferences against a sacred game—Know what I mean right?"
The young lady looked at Sandra with leisurely eyes, resigning Sandra to biting her teeth.
"Meaning that if there weren't any unusual ways...then the game will restart with the same conditions as stated before?"
"That's right, so we should now start the negotiation regarding the addition of new rules."
"...I understand, Kuro Usagi."
"Yes...Yes."
The slightly wavered Kuro Usagi nodded her head. She probably did not anticipate that the opponent would show such a firm attitude. Kuro Usagi looked at the sky, slightly shaking her rabbit ears.
Using the chance, Izayoi whispered to Mandra who was behind him, while Kyo listened to their conversations.
"In what circumstance is a game unfair?"
"...You dare come with us when you don't even know these things?" Mandra angrily spat those words out.
"You should know, there isn't something wrong if the participant's capabilities and knowledge are inadequate. So if the orders are to kill an undead or to fly, it is the participants' own problem. In the long run, even if we need the knowledge regarding the legend of [Piper of Hamelin] to solve this game, which means [The fault lies with the participants who don't know]."
"Whoa? That's quite unreasonable." Kyo said.
"If there is something missing in this game, then firstly it must be the seal on Shiroyasha. Although the Geass roll stated that she can [Participate, but she is unable to [Fight]. This point cannot be ignored, which should be expressly mentioned as a main reason."
"And also the contents which only rate [Shatter the false legend, making the true legend known]." The both of them interrupted the conversation.
After having a deep thought—Kuro Usagi embarrassingly lowered her head.
"...Kuro Usagi has received a reply from Little Garden. There isn't anything missing or unusual in this game. The seal on Shiroyasha-sama was cast under legal ways."
The sound of people biting their teeth could be heard in the VIP room, this time the participants were the underdogs.
"That is a natural result. Then, the rules will stay the same, the problem is when the game will restart."
"Date? Must it be tomorrow?" Sandra felt very unprepared, so did the surrounding people.
Because this was to give the obviously disadvantaged participants time, the reaction was natural.
After all, in the current situation, even if the opponents want the match to start immediately, it wouldn't be weird.
"Let me ask something to the judge master, when is the latest time the game can resume."
"The...The latest right? Guu...Let me see...About one month?"
"Then, let's use one month—"
"Wait!"
"Please wait a moment." Izayoi and Jin both let out their voices at the same time, with their tone being tense.
"...What? Is the given time not satisfactory?"
"No, I'm very grateful for that, but it's according to the situation...I can wait, Chibi-sama you can talk first."
"Okay. Then let me ask the host. The lady and man beside you are [Ratten] and [Weser, and also another member called [Strom]. Then your name...Is it [Black Death (Pest)]?"
"Did you just say black death?"
Everyone's face was distorted due to their surprise, staring at the polka-dotted in disarrayment except for Kyo who closed his eyes.
This of course was the natural reaction.
Black death, It happened in the 14th century after the mini ice age, the most serious plague that ever happened in human history. This disease would cause sepsis in the blood, with black spots appearing on the infected before dying.
The clown that appeared in Grimm's child story [Piper of Hamelin] was wearing a black-spotted uniform.
And the clown could manipulate the biggest cause for the black death, rats.
In accordance to the two points described, there were speculations that [The death of the 130 children was because of black death].
"Pest...Is it, so your gift name is [Demon Lord of Black Death]!"
"Yes, that's right. He's correct. Right Demon Lord-sama?"
"...Yes, that's right." The calmly smiling young girl known as Pest nodded her head.
"Not bad, anonymous gentleman. If it's convenient, can I request you and your community's name?"
"...I am [No Name] Jin Russel" Hearing the name of the community, Pest widened her eyes in surprise while Kyo just smiled for his confidence.
"Is that so, I'll remember...But the chance for you to confirm it is already too late. We've already acquired the permission, the permission for the game to restart. Of course, I've already put a bit of the disease on every participant's body. Which means that anything besides Rock Eater, inorganic things or demon related, had already contracted the illness."
"Guu..."
This was a devastating situation. If she cursed and spread the plague, the shortest time would only be 2 days.
If it was after a month, then the weaker races would die. They decided that they would win without fighting.
"I...I would like to suggest something to the judge master! They are suspected of deliberately concealing the game! Please have another deliberation..."
"That won't do! Sandra-sama! Even if the game had been interrupted before they even spread the plague, the host do not have the responsibility to say it. Having another deliberation will give them another reason to force us to give them more favourable win conditions...!"
Sandra swallowed her words back down.
Pest looked at the remorseful Sandra while smiling gleefully, before giving a suggestion to the participants.
"Can I confirm that the people present here are the participant's main strength?"
"..."
"Master, I think this is a correct inference." Answering as a representative for the participants was Weser.
"Then this is a good proposal, I say everyone, If everyone here as well as Shiroyasha joins our community [Grimm Grimoire Hamelin, we can let off the other communities!"
"What!"
"I have seen you in a new light, after all, Sandra is very cute and Jin is very smart."
"Master, the red-clothed girl I caught is quite awesome too" Ratten fawned over those words, everyone from [No Name] changed their expression.
"Then we'll include that girl as well. But you won't be in it," she pointed at Kyo with the rest look at him with shocked and confusion and they turned back to Pest for an explanation.
"Oh and why's that? You've seen my strength surely it would have benefit your community?" Kyo asked as he already knew the reason for not including him to their community, it seems it is related to Greed.
"It true your strength is… abnormal. However you are being target by them, the [Seven Demons]."
Somehow her words dropped like a bomb which cause the people in the room that does not include Izayoi, Kyo and [Grimm Grimoire Hamelin]'s members to be shocked as they started to panic.
"WHAT! It can't be!" Kuro Usagi exclaimed in panic.
By her tone, the [Seven Demons] are no joke, Kyo decided to look for more information for it later but first he wants to get his answers.
"Really, but I thought you have formed an alliance with them, especially the one with the who called himself Greed."
The rest were shocked except for Izayoi, he haven't told them his encounter with Greed due to they got their hands full for other problems.
"Indeed we do, but sadly our alliance just expire moments ago and now we are just being back to strangers. But know this when the [Seven Demons] have their eyes on something, they willing to get it regardless from an enemy, friend, weak or strong. They will get what they want, so I don't want you to be cause for our community downfall."
Pest said as she literally means it, but if listened closely there's a hint of fear in her tone.
"But why do th-," before Jin could asked Kyo raised his hand to stopped him from asking.
"Is best we focus our current situation then mine," Kyo said in a matter of fact which makes everyone agreed with him.
"Yes, as I was saying, the game can be stopped then. Since you can exchange with all the participants lives, it should be a very cheap substitution right?" Pest smiled sweetly, cutely tilting her head.
But there was a different meaning hidden under that smile. This girl had already previously announced, [If you don't serve me everyone will die].
This was very creepy, the child-like beautiful smile that made everyone speechless.
However Izayoi, Kyo and Jin calmly analysed the situation.
"...This is a report from Shiroyasha-sama, [Grimm Grimoire Hamelin] is a newly formed community right?"
"We are not obliged to answer that." Immediately replying back was Pest, whose reaction was extremely unnatural.
Izayoi immediately realized this point and continued chasing.
"So that's how it is, a new community, that's why the desire for excellent people is strong."
"..."
"Hey, this kind of silence will mean that you don't deny it, is that alright, Demon Lord-sama?" Izayoi who exposed them let out a provocative smile. Pest kept her smile and stared at Izayoi while frowning.
"...So what? This reason is not enough for us to take back what we said."
"No, it is a reason. Because you want to get us in a situation where nobody gets hurt. If we ignore the participants for one month, we will all die...Is that right, Sandra?"
"Eh? Ah...Yeah." With a sudden question being imposed on herself, Sandra replied back on reflex.
Although she panickingly tried to revise her answer, Jin did not listen to her and continued to speak.
"That's right, if we all die then you won't get any human talent so you chose to negotiate right at this moment. Because you cannot bear with all the talented people dying after 30 days." Jin categorically said it out. Although the reason was only limited to this, he held absolute confidence in his reasoning.
Even so, Pest responded out disapprovingly.
"I will say it once more, so what? We have the rights to decide the date for the game to restart. Even if it's not 1 month...20 days, 20 days are only needed to kill all the participants..."
"Then we will just kill the participants who have symptoms showing." Everyone was startled by that, turning back to look at Mandra. His eyes were indeed serious.
"No exceptions, even if it's Sandra or the [Highborn of Little Garden]...or even me will all suffer the same fate. All the comrades from Floor Master [Salamandra] will absolutely not show any weakness to any Demon Lord!"
Everyone was stunned. Even if it was a lie, this was still an overly aggressive announcement.
A virtual light bulb appeared on Izayoi's head, who picked out the next step after Mandra's speech.
"Kuro Usagi, can the rules still be changed now?"
"Eh...Ah, YES!" Kuro Usagi also seemed to have realised something, whose rabbit ears were on ends.
"Let's negotiate, [Black Percher]. We will agree to add in a rule of [No killing or suicidal deaths] if we begin the game 3 days later."
"Rejected, 2 weeks." The opposition fired back a rejection, but 2 weeks was still too long.
With all the pieces fitted together like a puzzle, the most ideal time would be one week. Izayoi let his gaze wander around to find something negotiable, at the time when his gaze met Kuro Usagi's.
"In the current game, what's your standing, Kuro Usagi?"
"Even though Kuro Usagi is the festival's participant, but as a referee I cannot participate in games within 15 days...But if I had the host's permission then it's a different matter."
"Okay, then we will use that! Demon Lord-sama, Kuro Usagi isn't a participant so you can't recruit her during the game. But if you let Kuro Usagi be a participant then it will be a good opportunity. How about this condition?"
"...10 days, I won't push any further."
"Wait...Wait a moment, Master ! You can't give the [Highborn of Little Garden] participant
rights...!"
"I really want that rabbit."
Pest casually replied to the anxious Ratten.
10 days, still a little bit more, just a little bit more for the situation to be 50-50. But he had already ran out of negotiable topics. When everyone started thinking with their fastest speed. Jin seemed to have decided on something and opened his mouth.
"We agree to let this game...have a longer deadline."
"What did you say?!"
"The game will resume one week later, and the ending time ...will be [24 hours later]. Therefore, [When the game has ended, the winner privilege will go to the hosts]."
The VIP room was resounded with Sandra and Kuro Usagi's swallowing of their saliva's.
"...Are you serious? Meaning that you are already prepared to let the host side to win the game?"
"Yes. Bottom line is, to prevent any casualties, 1 week is required. Taking into account that in the near future there will be symptoms and panic, which is the limit that their mental and physical strength can hold on. And any time longer than that we will also not hold on. So all the communities will accept this unconditional loss."
"——..." Pest placed her fingers on her lips to consider. This was indeed a useful proposal for both sides.
The participants side that want time to prepare and solve the puzzle. The host side that wants to get good talents without harming anyone. 1 week 1 day could be said to the most ideal timing, which was the case.
'...I won't give up like this.' Pest felt rather unpleasant with this. At first glance it was reasonable to conduct the negotiations, but in the end everything was going according to the participants' side. This point made her quite unhappy.
Indeed, she herself was still a new person. Although acknowledged as a Demon Lord, at the same time she was still a rookie. Not able to arbitrarily control the current status of the game, in another perspective, maybe it was a helpless ending, but the most dissatisfying thing for Pest was.
"I say, Jin. If you're able to save a life within a week...do you think you can defeat a Demon Lord?"
"I can."
As straight as a spine, he reflexively answered. Because Jin did not think before answering, cold sweat could be seen on his body.
Even so, Jin believed that his comrades will inevitably be victorious.
"...Is that so, I understand."
Switching her unhappy expression, Pest smiled sweetly. And with a smile that was comparable to flowers in full bloom, she parted her lips to make the announcement.
"I hereby declare that I will definitely make YOU be my toy."
Fierce anger emerged out of her eyes. A burst of strong dark wind swept past, with the participants having to cover their face. And the host [Black Percher] had disappeared without a trace, only leaving behind a black [Geass roll].
GIFT GAME NAME:
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
List of Participant(s):
*Pariticipants、hosts、communities currently in the Outer Gate of 3999999 and 4000000.(Including 『Highborn of Little Garden』).
Competitors side、Host of the game:
*Spirit of the sun and white night, Star class—Shiroyasha. (Being unable to attend the fight, no contacts are made during the interruption.)
Prohibitions on Participant side:
*Suicides or the killing of comrades.
*Not to leave the game area during interlude (Stage area)
*Freedom of movement during suspension period, is limited to a 500 meter radius with the festival headquarters as the center.
Winning conditions for the host master:
*Rein or kill all participants
*Eight days later after the time limit is over, unconditional win.
Winning conditions for participants:
1) Kill the host master.
2) Shatter the false legend, making the true legend known.
Suspension period:
*No form of aggression between both sides for one week.
Oath:
Respecting the described content, the community that host this Gift game based on their glory and flag.
"Grimm Grimoire Hamelin" Seal
With that they were glad for the change but now their attention turned to Kyo who just looked at them aspecting them for questions they have.
Before anyone could ask any questions, Kyo was the first to talk. "We'll talk about this matter till we settle the problems in our hands."
As he stood up he was met with a sword pointed at his neck and a pair of furious eyes glaring him with the intention of killing. However, Kyo wasn't even fazed about it as he stare back those eyes with a bored look.
"Nii-sama!" Sandra cried out as she and the rest except for Izayoi was surprised the actions of Mandra.
"How can we trust him?! You just heard what she said! He's the target of the [Seven Demons]! What would've happen if he's going to make things even more complicated!? Why don't we just kill you so it will solve one of our problems!" Mandra argued.
"As if that would be simple," Kyo grabbed the tip of his sword, directed it away from his neck.
"Killing me, won't solve one of our problems, instead it'll just add another pressure to it. I should know, after all I've seen through his eyes, whatever they are planning, they needed me alive… for now."
Kyo stood up and look up at Mandra's eyes making the person to feel uncomfortable from his gaze. His grip on his sword started to shaken as the more he gaze at Kyo's eyes, he felt like the abyss was staring at him.
"So let me ask you again. Do you really think killing me would be that simple." Kyo glared back unknowing his eyes glowed which increase his intimidation.
The tension in the room was high as none of the rest willing to make a single sound as they were afraid and worried something might have happen except for Izayoi as he was looking at them with no hint of worry.
"Fine. I won't kill you… for now that is,"Mandra brought his sword down and keep it back to its sheath, making the release their breaths which they unconsciously hold while Izayoi just smirked.
Kyo walked towards the door, just as he was about to leave, "What if the [Seven Demons] decided to show up that time? What will you do?" He questioned him.
Kyo glanced back and give him a response.
"If they show up. I'll handle them. Alone." Then he left the room.