Part 2
---[Underwood] Harvest Festival Headquarters
After the commotion between Yō and Griffith, Izayoi, Asuka, Kuro Usagi and the leader of them all, Jin gathered in the Matsuri planning HQ.
The one that turned up to represent the [Two Wings] Community was the one in charge, their leader, Griffith. The guy who was beaten by Yō’s stunt had been warded in the hospital to have his severe wounds treated.
The atmosphere of the place was very tense. Though it was just a stare off between the two parties, with a table in between, the emotions were so high strung that a touch would be enough to set it off. Though the only one that has kept his calm is Ren, he was already drenched in cold sweat at that point.
A long sigh came from Sala as she finished reading the report and look up at both parties in turn---
“……I’ve understood the sequence of events that has led up to now. I won’t be pursuing the matter for both parties this time. However, if such offense is repeated, the ones involved will have to be sent out of the Harvest Festival grounds---That’s all.”
“What kind of joke are you trying to pull now?!”
Griffith howled loudly as he repeatedly slammed the table with his palm.
Successfully, he got all eyes in the room fixed onto him.
“Representative Sala! These guys have caused harm to my comrade! Yet, you choose to let them off this lightly?”
“Have you forgotten your share in this incident? The insults towards me…I can turn a blind eye…”
“What nonsense are you saying?! Isn’t that the most important matter?!”
Sala’s choice of words caused Asuka to erupt in anger and slammed the table with her palm.
“This is the first time that I’ve heard the news of your pending resignation. You’re the one who contributed the most in the defending of [Underwood], so why do you need to give up your position as the representative?!”
“This is the confidential matters of the Alliance, I’m not obliged to discuss them with you.”
“…what?!” Asuka’s exclamation came out more like a mumble as she couldn’t find anything else to retort to that.
Asuka didn’t expect Sala to openly reject her and could only clench her teeth, letting her words simmer in her belly. If the reason for Sala’s resignation was due to the act of breaking her horn, it wouldn’t be a far cry to say that Asuka had some responsibility to bear as well.
Sala seemed to feel bad about it as she averted her gaze and continued the main topic.
“…Anyways, Griffith. It is only right to challenge you to a duel for your indiscriminate spreading of slanders isn’t it?”
Sala’s words were sharp and reprimanding. However, Griffith wasn’t about to back off yet.
“Sure. If it were a duel and a casualty went down, I have no complains. But that little brat attacked and injured my comrade without a warning! This is just an act of violence!”
The veins on his face had become clearer and throbbed with Griffith’s anger. Even so, the reason for this anger wasn’t for his comrade, but just a pretext for his real reason, the embarrassment of his Community in front of the crowds. The root was still his selfish pride.
Though Sala had already seen through him, she avoided bringing that up and she stood to leave.
As Griffith was about to continue his badgering, someone else stopped him.
“---Just drop it. Can’t you see that Shasha-chan is feeling troubled?”
Having stood all these while watching the proceedings from a corner where he leaned against a wall, it was he who had broken off the conflict---One eyed Kouryuu. He smiled at Griffith with his lone eye squinting to form just a line.
Hearing her name being called as “Shasha-chan” in that seemingly yet seemingly not Kansai accent of his, Sala’s shoulders drooped lifelessly.
“Kouryuu-sama…. That…. I’m already two hundred years old, and you still call me “Shasha-chan”… Isn’t it a little…”
“Hahaha! You say the same words as my sister, Shasha-chan!”
Kouryuu said heartily in his fake Kansai accent while smiling in a way that didn’t seem to move the muscles that were supposed to be used for smiling. With that same insincere smile that made people wary of him plastered across his face, he shifted his gaze to Griffith.
“Anyways, by your reasoning, it is quite true as well. From the reports, the lady from [No Name] was a little too defensive.”
“Wh…What did you say?!”
Asuka’s anger caused her pitch to be upped an octave as she protested. Yet, it was clear that compared to Griffith that stood up to start spewing protests, she was much calmer.
“Moreover, just who are you? This is a problem between us, [No Name] and [Two Wings]! Any judgement should be left to the [Draco Greif] Alliance Sala.”
Asuka said with open animosity towards him.
“Wait, Asuka…Wait a moment! This person is a friend of Draco Greif and also the advisor of the Alliance! He definitely isn’t any suspicious character!” Sala quickly intervened.
“…Advisor? I’ve not heard of a person with such a title in our Alliance.”
Griffith frowned in surprise. Being a leader of [Two Wings] and as part of the Alliance, he had not heard of such a position, and that showed how fishy it was.
His reaction only succeeded in making others deepen their suspicions.
Kouryuu smiled slightly while rubbing his hair with a hand looking troubled. Seemingly like a last resort, he took out a deep sea blue Gift card from his sleeve.
Seeing the Gift name that was recorded on the card, their faces turned pale.
The words written on the Sea-blue Gift Card was---[Great Sage who Devastate Seas].
“Great….[Great Sage who Devastate Seas] Saurian Demon King?”
“Sau, Kouryuu-san is actually one of the Seven Great Demon Kings?!”
Kuro Usagi also exclaimed in surprise though slower than Griffith by half a beat.
Kouryuu sighed and rubbed his head with his hand awkwardly.
“Draco Greif and Garol had taken care of me in the past so I’ve decided to stay here for a while to return the favor.”
Kouryuu laughed heartily.
There was not a trace of malice in his smile.
But Kuro Usagi’s emotions were in a turmoil. She had seen his sworn sister a few days ago when Shiroyasha was dragging her around.
[Could it be that Shiroyasha-sama’s reason for coming to [Underwood]’s Harvest Festival…. Was for this?]
The one she had met before, [Great Sage Who Leaves Heaven in Disarray] Roc Demon King was ranked number four in the Seven Demon Kings.
In other words, his power would be equalling to that of Guaruda’s royal lineage or even higher.
[Unbelievable…. For such a big shot to be wandering in the lower levels…With that kind of strength, he would be at least a level five Demon Lord calibre.]
Although Kuro Usagi had known that Kouryuu was by no means an ordinary person right from the start, this was a level higher than what she had expected. Everyone acknowledges his power but he does not wish to improve by having a goal.
Seeming to notice Kuro Usagi’s gaze, he smiled at her. But after knowing that he was a Demon Lord, that smile became more suspicious.
“Hmph… In the end, it’s just a lazy bum that freeloads off us! You didn’t even participate in the battle of the huge dragon and you still dare show your face here claiming to be an advisor. What rights do you have to intervene in our fight?”
“Yes you are right. Regarding the matter about the huge dragon, I will not defend myself on that… But this is a different matter. This time I had to intervene at all costs.”
“What?” Griffith stared at him with eyes filled with animosity.
The closed eye opened slightly as Kouryuu said in a chilly tone: “Oh my, do you know who you were asking for the debt to be paid, furry haired young lad?”
“…Isn’t that a rhetorical question at this point in time? Of course it’s the [No Name]s.”
“Aho. These kids aren’t the main problem. Shasha-chan neither. The most scary problem is….. your insult on Shiroyasha’s comrades.”
Though words were about to come out from his mouth, Griffith gulped nervously as he turned pale and his red eyes widen in understanding. The scene was like that of a snake staring till the frog was stupefied. Continuing the attack, Kouryuu added:
“The gryphon mentioned is a member of [Thousand Eyes]. If word got out that you had slandered about her comrades and tarnished their reputation---- [Two Wings] might not hold out for two days and be obliterated won’t it?”
“Hu….!”
“Shiroyasha who is known to be the strongest [Floor Master], is also a Celestial Being of the White Night. What’s scarier is that she has the authority over fourteen different Suns. To go straight to the point---- Were you trying to pick a fight with Fourteen Huge Dragons?”
When those words fell, the people who felt the chills wasn’t only limited to Griffith but everyone in the room.
---The previous huge dragon that attacked was one that was summoned using the ‘Ophiuchus’ authority. And that was the power of just one Sun authority.
Known as a holder of Sun authorities, Shiroyasha held 14 of them, more than half of all the Sun authorities.
“…And that is the reason why I had to intervene. To go up against a Celestial being or Buddha, isn’t a laughing matter. Because it will only land you in a state of devastation and needless to say, your flag will not be able to exist. Haiz…. That kind of thing is even worse than what you can imagine. To tell the truth… don’t try to see the sunset when you are still so young.” Kouryuu’s words contained much self-pity as he patted Griffith’s shoulder.
It was a tone that carried the understanding and regrets of having made many enemies out of the Shura Buddhas.
Though Griffith’s dissatisfaction could be seen from his eyes, he kept silent. After all, Griffith knew that Kouryuu had spoken the truth and did not have any more grounds to protest.
Clicking his tongue once, Griffith strode to the doors and reached for the handle, planning to leave.
However, behind him a person shouted to stop him, being unable to agree with this ending.
“….Hey Horse Meat wait up! Who said that you can leave just like that?”
“What?” Griffith turned back in bewilderment.
This reaction was perfectly normal. It would seem that never in his life did anyone dare call him, leader of [Two Wings], a horse meat. However, Izayoi couldn’t care less as he slowly rose to his feet before shooting an angry and arrogant glare at Griffith’s direction.
“Don’t try to escape. Shiroyasha’s business with you wouldn’t be our problem. Why would we need to give in for that?”
“Iz,…. Izayoi-san…”
Kuro Usagi couldn’t help but feel anxious.
Even though she was also furious about the matter, she didn’t want it to be a needless bloodshed. Destruction of the community might be a bit too far-fetched but Shiroyasha would definitely be planning some revenge. Though Shiroyasha may clown around on normal days, she would be sure to act when such things arise and let it off. If she knew that someone had dared to insult her comrade, she would definitely transform into a Shura Buddha that can defeat thousands and make a ruckus.
Kouryuu was also surprised by Izayoi’s outburst as he pressed on his shoulder. “I say let’s cool it for a while young one. I understand your feelings but the person who waved the fist first was from your side. In normal circumstances, it wouldn’t be too surprising for you guys to be punished as well.”
“Ha! What joke are you trying to crack?! Are you trying to tell me that using verbal abuse to hurt others is a forgivable act? Though verbal abuse isn’t with the use of a physical blade and will not leave any visible wounds that bleed, it has the power to hurt the soul of the victim, causing the other party to tear without other’s being able to see it on the outside…. In my opinion, this kind of underhand method can only be done by someone despicable and rotten, a scum that is worse than trash itself! Do I need to say how much hurt it would have been on a ten year old girl?!”
He turned his angry glare towards Kouryuu.
Seeing how worked up Izayoi was at this point, it gave the other [No Name] members a shock. They never expected to see Izayoi who always seemed to have a smile hanging at his lips to be ticked off to this extent for the sake of his comrades.
“If Shiroyasha decides to rampage, the reason would stem from the same idea…Am I right?”
Under Izayoi’s glare, Kouryuu gave it some thought.
“……When you say it like this, it does actually make sense.”
“Oi! What?!”
“Even though I did say so, seeing how the Harvest Festival is still ongoing and that other participants are still enjoying themselves,….. let’s just settle it in the usual way of Little Garden. Use the Gift game to fight it out. What do you think?”
Kouryuu smiled as he gave the suggestion.
This compromise suggestion was quite good as well. Izayoi immediately nodded in assent and turned his stare back to Griffith.
“In the Harvest Festival’s biggest Gift game event, the ‘Riders of Hippocamp’ two days from now. We will use that to trash it out. The losers will have to kneel and apologize to the winners—Any problem with that?”
“……Hmph. Then start your preparations to be thoroughly humiliated.”
“Those are the exact same words I have for you. Remember it Horse Meat. The sword that you just unsheathed is a double edged sword. You may ridicule Gry’s wounds but that was the cost for my hands and legs which I will use to clear the debt on you.”
Though Izayoi was giving out a frightening pressure due to his anger, Griffith clicked his tongue again as he left the Headquarters.
Sending off the back with his eyes, Kouryuu let out a long sigh.
“Sorry young lad. Your decision is very reasonable indeed. Thank you for being able to control yourself to that extent.”
“It’s nothing. It wasn’t done for you anyways.”
Izayoi re-seated himself on his seat with a harumph[45].
However, his temper didn’t last long as he suddenly smiled, seeming to have thought of something as he turned to Kouryuu.
“… Come to think of it, it’s really quite shocking. Though I knew that you were strong, but never did I expect that you were the one recorded in << Journey to the West>>, Saurian Demon King. There wasn’t much recorded about you and so I have always hoped to have a good chat with you one day.”
“Nn, me too! I would like to know the extent of truth recorded within the famous story <Journey to the West>”
“YES! ♪Kuro Usagi would also like to know about it too!”
The group of [No Name]s were looking at him with eyes full of excitement and wonder.
Kouryuu’s smile faltered as he backed away.
“Ah, No. There’s no need for it. What’s there to know about an old man’s…”
“We have prepared many delicious cuisines.”
“There’s also lots of tasty side dishes.”
“And quality wine….. but we will be drinking juice instead. So let’s go!”
Good. All prepared--- The two problem kids and their supposed caretaker made their point clear.
Realizing how futile it was to try to escape, Saurian Demon King could only smile wryly as he sank back onto a seat.
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