Part 4
---[Underwood] Harvest Festival Headquarters.
Kuro Usagi and Jin had been requested to meet up with Sala after the invasion attempt on Underwood. During the invasion of the Titans, Jin who had already been asked for and had been at the Headquarters was hidden away in the interior of the Great Tree.
Though he was really embarrassed about himself being unable to join in the battle, he knew that it wasn’t the time to be worried about that sort of thing currently.
Jin and the [Will-O'-Wisp] members who were summoned to the Headquarters like the [No Name], posed their question to Sala.
“Sala-sama, what’s happening now? Wasn’t the Demon Lord that invaded [Underwood] 10 years ago already destroyed? “
Hearing Jin’s question, Sala leaned back on her chair and tilted her chin upwards in a backward stretch with her head facing the ceiling.
“……Sorry. I’d actually thought of telling you of the details tonight. But I really didn’t expect those guys to act up that fast. In fact, I have another reason for inviting your Communities to come to [Underwood] ……Would you be willing to hear me out?”
“Yes.”
“Yahoho……Nn. If it is just hearing you out, there’s no need for us to decline.”
Jin had given his reply immediately while Jack smiled in an evasive manner.
Sala leaned her body forward as she started her explanation.
“I guess you would have heard that [Underwood] was previously attacked by a Demon Lord right?”
“Yes. I heard that it was something that happened ten years back.”
“That’s right. Though we managed to defeat the Demon Lord successfully, we were left with serious wounds. Moreover, the Remnant Group of the Demon Lord seems bent on getting their revenge on [Underwood].”
“……the Remnant Group that you have mentioned were the Titan tribe earlier?”
“That’s right. However, it might not be only the Titan tribe. Having inspected the grounds before this, the situation of the surroundings were very strange as I had feared. Even those Perytons who are the lead Man killers of the Eudemons have also started to gather. To be unresponsive to the intimidation of the Gryphons, it could very well be a certain type of spell that controls them.”
“I see……But the Titan tribe of before was from which tribe? Kuro Usagi seems to have no recollection of seeing that kind of mask.”
Sala responded with a “Nn” before lapsing into a short silence. Seemingly finding trouble with expressing her thoughts into words, she continued albeit slowly:
“Those remnants of the Demon Lord group ……are the descendants of the Titans who have fled into Little Garden and are of mixed ancestry.“
“So that’s how it is.” Kuro Usagi nodded her head.
“Many of the titan tribes in Little Garden are the remnant armies running from the other worlds after losing their battles. One of the most significant would be the Fomorians of the Celtic Myths, there are even those that come from the Nordic lands.[74] And since they have had the experience of suffering defeat and escaping, their characters are much more peaceful now, not thirsting for battle but a tribe that specializes in crafting……However, there was a sub-faction that got their hands on a Grimoire called <The Book of Invasions> fifty years ago and started to use the [Authority of a Host Master] to dominate the Titan tribe. And that was the origin of it all.”
Kuro Usagi ‘s rabbit ears drooped down seemingly in thought.
“<The Book of Invasions>? Was the game called ‘Labor Gabala’?”[75]
“Do you know what it’s about?”
“Yes. Though I can’t really say that I know it fully but I’ve previously heard of its information briefly. I heard that this [Authority of Host Master] was obtained from a different book called <Erin Grimoire>[76] and it can forcefully start up a Game that places the land as the bet.”
“That’s right. Amongst all of the [Authority of Host Master]s, this could be said to be a very normal ability. And it was with that ability that these guys were able to slowly expand and develop their Community to become stronger.”
---However, the Demon Lord group was defeated in the battle.
The titan tribes had then returned to a group of disorganized mob of the losing army.
And since Sala had described them to be a peaceful race, then why would they continue their attacks on [Underwood]?
At this moment, Sala stood up from her chair and rolled up the Alliance flag that hung on the wall.
Taking a stone that was about the size of a human skull from the secret treasury behind the flag, she presented it before the others.
“This ‘eye’ is their target.”
“…… ‘eye’? You mean that piece of rock?”
“Nn. Though it is currently sealed……but if it were to be unsealed, it is said to be able to wipe out a hundred Divine Spirits within a breath.”
The VIP room was suddenly filled with the sound of the others drawing their breaths loudly.
Kuro Usagi and the others had just fought with Demon Lords of the Divine spirit levels a month ago and they understood the might of a Divine spirit. However, Sala was now holding an item that was said to hold a power which could easily wipe out a hundred of those with Divine Spirit level. Kuro Usagi felt the chills that ran down her spine as she asked gingerly:
“What in the world is that Gift?”
“…… This is ‘The Death Eye of Balor’.”
*Peng!*[77] Jin and Kuro Usagi stood up in shock.
“Ba…Ba…Balor’s Death Eye!”
“You…You are joking right?! Talking about [The Death Eye of Balor], it’s the strongest and scariest of all Death eyes in the Celtic myths! It’s a Demon Lord eye that can kill just by one look of the Gift!”
Kuro Usagi’s face had turned pale and her gestures were much more exaggerated. However, seeing how brutal that item was, her reaction was very much a normal one that one would have expected.
---[The Death Eye of Balor][78] is a Godly Eye Gift that can confer death upon others.
It could also be traced back to the Celtic Myths of fifth Century BC, the Mystic Eye that was recorded to be owned by King Balor of the Titan race. Legend had it that if the eye is open, It would shine as bright as the Sun and confer death at the same time.
If wind was the medium that conferred death for the [Black Death Demon Lord]---
Then, the magical eye [The Death Eye of Balor] that was accompanied with light would be able to forcefully confer death.
“But [The Death Eye of Balor] should have vanished together with Balor’s death. Why would it still be……”
“There isn’t anything strange about this. After some research, I learnt that the Celtic gods are mostly those that have acquired Divine spirits. In other words, it also means that they have built up spirit levels that would allow them to rise to the level of Divine Spirits. And since it is so, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see a day when a second Balor appears.”
---It was as Sala said. By accumulating accomplishments, it was true that one could acquire the amount needed to rise to a Divine spirit level.
A very good example would be [Black Death Demon Lord].
Besides the 80 million souls, she had also absorbed the respect and fear caused by the [Piper of Hamelin], and rose to the Divine Spirit level with that.
The ascension to a Divine Spirit is by overcoming the test to [accumulate more than a certain number of devotees] to receive that Gift.
“Nu…Now that you mention it, it’s true ……More than half of the Celtic gods were able to obtain their devotees from their country’s might. It’s said that the reason behind it is due to the belief of the Druid kind who possess their own power, devoting themselves to the idolizing of their ancestors and nature as the mainstream belief……”
“That’s right. As long as there is a large congregation of beliefs from Mankind, one will become a god. The Celtic myths are a clear example of that. And precisely because it is in Little Garden, the number of Titans who happen to awaken to [The Death Eye of Balor] isn’t that rare. Another way to explain it would be the effect of <The Book of Invasion> leading to the replications.”
As her words ended, Sala shifted her gaze down.
Looking upon the eye that was imbued with the power of a Demon Lord.
“I guess those guys would want to retrieve this godly eye even if they have to use unscrupulous means. Though its true power cannot be released without a suitable element affinity, it’s still a very strong Gift. I think they will continue to use the chance when we are busy hosting the Harvest Festival and are unable to divert our attentions to launch their next attack.”
“Yahoho……So, you mean for us to provide support and protect the City from being destroyed?”
Jack and Ayesha didn’t even bother to hide their disgusted expressions. Though the both of them might possess combat abilities, their Community [Will-O'-Wisp] wasn’t oriented towards combat for no matter how you see them, they are still a Community that focused on Crafting.
If it were similar to the previous situation where they were forcefully dragged in, that would have been a different matter. But to be on the side that initiates the act of war would be pushing their motto a little too far off.
Swaying her twintails, Ayesha’s expression was troubled.
“It’s true that Willa Onee-san is strong, but her character is totally unsuitable for combat. Hence, unless there’s a very special situation that crops up, she wouldn’t even be willing to participate in normal Gift Games. Moreover for this kind of matter, shouldn’t it be the correct procedure to first find the [Floor Master] to discuss? The other party is a Community that doesn’t even follow the rules of Gift Games and ignore the laws completely isn’t it?”
Hearing Ayesha’s accusation, Sala continued to keep her silence for the blame wasn’t wrong.
Regarding the punishments that are supposed to be imposed on the criminals who broke the law this time, it’s originally the task of the [Floor Master]. Needless to say, those guys were an unlawful group that didn’t even possess the [Authority of Host Master]. Even if it were a one-sided massacre towards them, they would have no right to voice their protest.
However, Sala only showed a very troubled gaze as she shook her head.
“Unfortunately……There’s no [Floor Master] for South Side currently.”
“……what?”
“This was something that happened a month ago, around the time that [Black Death Demon Lord] had appeared. A Demon Lord who lived in 7000000 Outer Gate had beaten the [Floor Master] and his safety and or whereabouts are currently unknown. And I heard that the real identity of the Demon Lord is also a mystery.”
“WHAT?!”
The surprising revelation caused Ayesha to gape and be tongue tied. The others were also similar. All of them didn’t expect the position of [Floor Master] to be in a state of vacancy.
Sala closed her eyes and lifted her head as she started on the details of the situation in South Side.
“The Titans had started becoming active since that incident. My comrades of [One Horn]---the herd of unicorns who were supposed to migrate over to [Underwood] had also been attacked by the Titans and suffered serious casualties that almost wiped them out. We haven’t been able to get in contact since.”
“How…How can it be……”
Kuro Usagi’s face was pale. If this were the case, the unicorn that she met before near the Tritonis Waterfall would be very unlikely to remain safe.
“I’m waiting to ask Shiroyasha-sama to take on the task of my position and hopefully choose the new [Floor Master] for South Side as well. However, it isn’t an easy task for any Community to take on the position as [Floor Master] for they would be in charge of maintaining the peace of the region. Hence Shiroyasha-sama had suggested……forming the Alliance of [Draco Greif] to rise up to the five digit level before she can appoint us as the [Floor Master].”
Kuro Usagi and Jin drew their breaths sharply as they realized what it all meant.
“Then……Then this Harvest Festival is the test for [Draco Greif] Alliance to see if it possess the qualifications to rise up to the five digit level and to take on the responsibility of [Floor Master] through the use of Games?”
“That’s right. As long as we succeed in becoming a [Floor Master], we would be able to obtain the [Authority of Host Master] and a stronger Gift. To destroy the Titan tribe for good, we can only hope to rely on a Gift Game hosted with the [Authority of Host Master] to declare war on them. For the sake of the South Side, we must pull through the hosting of the Harvest Festival no matter what.”
Sala announced it with her resolute determination. Hearing the truth for the first time, the others were momentarily speechless but at the same time, Kuro Usagi could understand the feeling.
---The [Draco Greif] Alliance was an Alliance that ranked within the top few in terms of the lower levels and in influence.
Even in the far off Outer Gates where the [No Name] were at, there’s also a branch of [Six Scars]. Similar to their scale in influence, they too have a long history of their activities.
For such an Alliance with a well-known name, the responsibility of the representative just happens to be held by the newcomer, Sala Doltrake. Even if the residents of South Side were very open and friendly, it would be unthinkable for them to simply give up the position of the representative that was as significant as the leader of the herd. Especially for those Eudemons who are very territorial in nature, it would hold much more significance for them.
However, Sala was originally the successor of [Salamandra]’s [Floor Master].
It may have been due to the valuing of her experience in that region that they nominated her to the position of representative in a short span of three years.
[Sala-sama should have been learning the job scope of the [Floor Master] from her father’s side. Considering the future of the [Draco Greif] Alliance, it would make sense to nominate her as the representative.]
Kuro Usagi might not be too clear on the matters surrounding Sala. But [Salamandra] was a Community that was once in Alliance with them. And precisely because Sala was the successor of [Salamandra], she had heard of some of the rumors about her being a very capable and talented person. There were even those rumors that speculated on Sala being able to bring [Salamandra] to greater heights if she were to inherit the DragonKing of the Stars and Seas’ Horn.
However, Sala herself was now touching her red hair that seemed to be a habit when she’s troubled and was wearing a wry smile on her face.
“Abandoning my position as the successor to the [Floor Master], the current me in [Draco Greif] Alliance currently plans to become the [Floor Master] for South Side… I guess that will look as quite a joke to all…However, it isn’t the time for me to pick on such details now. For the sake of maintaining the peace of the South Side, would your Communities please lend us your strength?”
“Though you might say like this……”
Even after knowing the whole story, Jack was still quite reluctant.
However, Sala wasn’t going to give up as well. Placing [The Death Eye of Balor] within her palm, she spoke up:
“Of course, it is not without a reward. I intend to give this [The Death Eye of Balor] to the Community that makes the most contribution in the war.”
“Ah?”
“I heard that Willa the Ignis Fatuus possess the power to pass through the portals between death and life, and this item [The Death Eye of Balor] would be very much compatible with her power, am I right? Rather than letting such an item gather dust in our hands, it would be much more beneficial if it were to be given to her to use it to its full potential……how about that, Jack?”
“About that…..yea, I guess it is as you said it. Willa’s elemental affinity would be much compatible with [The Death Eye of Balor]. But what happens if it gets into the hands of Communities other than mine? I think people besides Willa who can use [The Death Eye of Balor] to its full potential in the lower levels…shouldn’t exist right?”
---Jack looked at Kuro Usagi and the others.
Though he said that, he must have felt that the [No Name] were another matter altogether.
Sala had also noticed the look from Jack and nodded in reply:
“Please be at ease. I intend to limit the rights of obtaining [The Death Eye of Balor] to only one of you from [Will-O'-Wisp] or [No Name].
“We…We’re also a candidate for that?”
“Bu…But Sala-sama. There shouldn’t be any comrades from our side that have the elemental affinity for it, right?”
Seeing how troubled they looked, it was Sala’s turn to be surprised. Then she seemed to have suddenly remembered another topic.
“Oh, my bad, sorry for having forgotten it. Actually, Shiroyasha-sama had left with me a new Gift that she wanted to gift to [No Name].”
“Eh?”
“I guess you would have heard of it right? It’s the reward for having solved [THE PIED PIPER of HAMELIN]. And with that item, I guess you guys will be able to utilize [The Death Eye of Balor] to its full potential too.”
*PakPak!* Sala clapped her hands to summon a servant.
A servant then brought in a small box cupped within both hands that had a lid carved with the emblem of [Two goddesses who faced each other].
Accepting the small box that was carved with the seal of [Thousand Eyes] flag, Jin seemed a little flustered.
“Is this the new ‘Gift’?”
“That’s right. Facing the Game [The PIED PIPER of HAMELIN] that was hosted by [Black Death Demon Lord], you have met all the winning conditions. This item is the special reward for that game. You can open it to have a look.”
Jin solemnly nodded his head as he unsealed the little box.
Nested within the little box was a ring that was carved with a clown who blew a flute---The ring with [Grim Grimoire Hamelin]’s flag.
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