Chapter 6
Part 1
---[Underwood] Pastures by the river.
The next morning, Asuka, Yō and Kuro Usagi had gone together to choose the saddle and swimwear for the Hippocamp event.
The placement of the swimsuit displays were strategically placed next to the pastures for the convenience of the contestants.
Under the azure blue skies that had nary a cloud in sight for miles, Asuka and Kuro Usagi sighed together.
" ……so depressing…"
" ……Kuro Usagi[52] also feels the same…"
"Haiz……" Both of them sighed as they chose their swimsuits. Though Asuka had been quite enthusiastic at the start before they left together, the sight of the amount of cloth used to make the South's swimsuits quickly painted the enthusiasm out of her face with a bright red blush that left her speechless.
Kudou Asuka who came from the Showa period is a lady through and through.
For Asuka who had grown in the period where it was the "preposterous are those who wear dresses that do not cover the knees" social expectation for girls, these swimsuits that only covered the chest and the important nether region was totally unacceptable.
"Just how are these any different from undergarments!!"
"But, these aren't anything special in the South…"
"I'm okay with seeing others wear such things! But when it's to be worn on me, of course it would be a problem!" Asuka flipped through the displays as reluctantly relented while still fuming.
On a side note, Kuro Usagi's swimsuit had already been chosen by Shiroyasha.
[A swimsuit prepared by Shiroyasha-sama……How minuscule would it be?]
Her bunny ears could not stop quivering.
Even so, it was too late for regrets. Her only frustration was directed at herself for having lost the opportunity to decide on it first.
"Might as well give up on it…No, No way! I must get back the part that we lost during the Hunting Event!" Asuka gave herself some self-encouragement.
Kuro Usagi also straightened up at that as she replied in a lively manner:
"YES! ♪ Asuka-san needs to save up for Gift cards! While Yō-san needs to find a replacement for the headphones! Both of you will have to give your best!"
*Swish* Kuro Usagi's ears stood up straight.
However, Asuka merely smiled as she shook her head.
" …But, I'm not only striving for that reason alone."
"Eh?"
"Hehe, it's currently a secret. Right! We need to go choose the swimsuits for Lily and Percher too."
Asuka grinned as she said those words that had a much deeper meaning as she walked towards the children's swimsuit section.
Kuro Usagi hurriedly tried to catch up.
"Wait, Wait a moment! Setting aside Percher for now, why does Lily also need a swimsuit?"
"Oh? You haven't heard of it? It's said that those that were requested to help out in the event will also have to wear swimsuits……"
"Who…Who's the felon that came up with the request? As their caretaker, I object to that kind of request!"
"Don't be like that…. The kids also want to have a part to play in the event."
Asuka had her usual teasing smile on her face as she told off Kuro Usagi. Kuro Usagi only tilted her head, still unable to fully accept it but to continue her task as the caretaker, she decided to follow Asuka to the children's swimsuit section.
Having easily chosen a swimsuit without much stress, Yō gave a sidelong glance at the other two before racing happily to ride on a Hippocamp.
"Giddyap!"
Yō straddled the saddle with her legs and lightly waved her whip.
---There were webbed fin like feet instead of hooves while it was a dorsal fin for the mane of the Hippocamp.
Born with the Gift to run on water and in water, sprays erupted around them as they propelled themselves forward with their feet. And that may be just a side effect of their Gift.
Yō patted the neck of the Hippocamp as she commented:
"Quite an unusual feeling……The ride is much bumpier than on a horse."
"My lady, you must be joking! The water surface isn't that calm as stable ground. After all, it's by the control of all of our four limbs balance of the water surface tension as well as the water pressure that causes the moment of our propulsion to be very sudden and jerky."
"Oh… so that's the reason …. Okay."
Releasing her hold on the reins, Yō stood up on the saddle.
Though Yō's leather boots were soaking wet when she leapt off into the river, she only sank into the water just enough for it to wet her knees. Instead of sinking further down into the water, Yō had begun to float up to the water surface.
Watching this, the Hippocamp couldn't help but give a little gasp of surprise.
"Wow, that's really impressive! It has never crossed my mind that humans could wield a similar Gift as my kind!"
"Nn….. But this seems to be much more difficult than what I expected."
Yō took her first step with her right foot to step upon the water surface.
Only to obtain the same result as before…. Her foot sank into the water surface till it reached her knee.
[The surface tension, buoyancy and the control of water pressure…. *Waa* This is really difficult to control.]
The complexity of the stunt caused Yō to knit her brows together.
Though the ability to run on water was based on the theory of Fluid Mechanics, Hippocampus wouldn't have to rely on the theory but by their bloodlines and personal experience. And that could be seen as a work of Nature's wonders.
Actually, the Gift of the Gryphons also had its mechanics and theories behind it. However, the difference was that the varying input of energy only affected the speed of flight and was much simpler to control.
"Nn. Though I intended to travel on the river with you for sightseeing, it would seem that I won't be able to accomplish that today."
"No worries, you are already quite impressive already. Even for my kind, it would take at least half a year before a young one learns to run on the water surface. Just being able to stand on the water surface is quite a remarkable feat."
"Really?" Yō rubbed the back of her head as she smiled after her reply.
"Well then, let's head back. My friend is also here to choose her ride for the competition."
"Nn, Let's do our best for tomorrow then."
Holding the reins while the Hippocamp turned back, Yō and the Hippocamp headed back to the location where they had first met, in a flurry of water spray that marked their passing.
Arriving at the pastures for the Hippocamp, Yō noticed Asuka who have chosen a swimsuit standing beside the river waiting for her.
"Asuka! Have you found a swimsuit that you like?"
"……Kasukabe-san." Asuka who came to welcome Yō back on the river bank wore a woven straw hat.
She wore a red bikini with a pareo[53] of the same shade of red.
Though it was quite revealing, but it exuded a sense of elegance as a whole. And that could only be attributed to the good upbringing instilled in her life.
Kuro Usagi who stood nearby, grabbed Asuka's shoulders from behind.
"Hehe, how is it? The theme is [The 'girl from Purdah''s[54] first experience at water games] ♪!"
"Nn, sounds befitting. GOOD JOB, Kuro Usagi!"Both of them looked at each other while giving a thumbs up.
Whereas Asuka turned her blushing face aside. "Com,Compared to that! Have you decided on your partner?"
"Nn. That would be him over here, Zipopo Tamama-san."
"Sipu……?"
*Si~* Zipopo Tamama snorted in greeting. Asuka and Kuro Usagi had to do their best to stifle the urge to laugh as they bowed politely.
"Plea, Pleased to meet you. Zipopo……Zipopo Tamama-san."
"Nn, he says pleased to meet you too. Have you chosen your partner yet, Asuka?"
"No. Kasukabe-san, could it be that you haven't heard of the change in rules yesterday?" Asuka asked in surprise.
But Yō only responded by tilting her head to one side.
Seeing that, Asuka decided that passing Yō the [Geass roll] goatskin parchment would be the swiftest solution.
<<GIFT GAME NAME: "Rider of Hippocamp">>
Rights of Participation:
*Eudemons that can travel on water and their rider. (flight is not allowed)
*Up to three other participants can be chosen to act as support, for the Rider and the Race horse, from the banks of the river.
*For those that rented a Hippocamp from the Headquarters, the female participants will be required to wear swimsuits.
Things that are prohibited:
*Any attacks aimed towards the Race horse are prohibited.
*Any contestant that falls into the water will be seen as falling from their steed and will be disqualified.
Winning Condition(s):
*Travel upstream from [Underwood] and collect a fruit from the Sea Tree;
*And pass all the others by to come in first at the end-point to win.
Oath: Participating Community, swear upon your glory and flag to respect the above stated content.
"[Draco Greif] Alliance" Seal
"Eh? From an individual match to a group match?"
"YES! Details of their reason for the changes will be told to us later."
"Oh. Okay." Yō replied offhandedly though she was already lost in deep thought.
Watching how Asuka was amusing herself by kicking at the water at the river bank, Yō suddenly spoke up: "…I think Asuka should participate as the rider."
"Eh? Kasukabe-san isn't going to ride?"
"According to the rules, there can only be one rider while the helpers are to stay on the banks of the river. If the Hippocamp travels at 70km/hr, would Asuka, you, be able to catch up?"
*Pak!* Asuka realized the truth in Yō's words as she clapped her hand once in understanding.
As Deen was still in the midst of repairs, Asuka did not have any means to move herself at that kind of speed. Even with her as a support, her influence would be very limited as well.
"Moreover, Asuka's Gift is better suited as a rider than as a support."
"Rea….Really? Since you put it that way, I will just give it a try."
Asuka handed over her straw hat to Kuro Usagi before hopping onto the saddle.
When she made sure that she had firmly grasped the reins in her hands, Asuka urged the Hippocamp to move without putting much thought to it.
"Then ---Let's go towards the plateaus at FULL SPEED!"
As her words fell, the Hippocamp gave off a fierce neighing roar as it charged forth out of the pastures. The water sprays caused by the movement were much fiercer than before, churning out a line of froth that marked their passing. Asuka who held the reins for dear life had already turned pale from the violent jostling of the Hippocamp's gallop.
"Eh? Wai…Wait a moment! Ahh!"
Those were the words that Asuka thought of saying but they never did make their way out since the jostling was so violent that they were caught in her throat. And since no command was given for it to slow, the Hippocamp continued to gallop and give its fierce neighing roar as it headed towards the distance. Yō and Kuro Usagi who were looking at them in admiration, waved goodbye to the fast fading dot that was Asuka.
"Impressive! At that speed, victory should be assured!" Kuro Usagi who watched the receding speck called Asuka, gave a little cheer.
However, Yō's face said otherwise.
"Unfortunately, speed alone isn't enough to assure our victory."
"Eh?"
"Because it seems that a certain someone over there will also be participating."
Following the direction Yō's finger was pointing towards, Kuro Usagi looked towards the opposite bank of the river. And appearing before her very eyes was a healthy looking, strong and sturdy Hippocamp and its rider, Faceless.
Noticing their gaze on her, Faceless used her reins to steer her Hippocamp towards them.
Seeming to hesitate for a moment after getting off her steed, she initiated the greetings.
"……It's been a while, [Highborn of Little Garden]. And the lady beside, I apologize for my rudeness the other time."
"Ah…No, I never took it to heart. But compared to that, your steed……looks really beautiful-----!"
Yō couldn't help but gaze upon Faceless's steed with eyes that shone with her admiration.
The steed had a sturdy looking blue body and the dorsal fin that acted like a mane, unique to its kind, was of a translucent green. Wet from the river's water and allowing sunlight to filter through its dorsal fin, the brilliant light that was refracted from it seemed to fill one's vision with its grandeur. The balanced proportions of its body parts was so perfect that it could almost be called an animated sculpture.
Placing aside the difference in species, it was the first time that Yō's eyes have set upon such a beautiful steed.
"Really Beautiful…… But this child isn't a rental Hippocamp right?"
"You're right. This is one of the steeds that's given to me by my Queen." Faceless had replied in a plain tone.
Though it might be a trick of the eye, it just seemed that the corners of her lips seemed to have raised slightly, seeming to be happy about her steed being praised by others.
Kuro Usagi also came over to the Hippocamp's side, pondering over it in fascination.
"As expected of the favored one of the 'Halloween Queen', to be able to receive such a good steed."
"My Queen's the most powerful summoner. Though I'm given many other Eudemon steeds, when it comes to 'steeds that can gallop on water', it's still this child that fits the job."[55]
She stroked the back of her steed gently as she said that. And the steed seemed to enjoy it as it leaned towards its master. Just by that sight, one could already tell how deep their trust was in each other.
Feeling a little threatened, Yō took a step forward. "……But, we will not lose. Since we lost out on the Hunting Event, it's time for us to make a come-back this time."
This was an open challenge to Faceless and she seemed to be surprise at the sudden turn of events for just a moment. But it was just for a moment only as her expression seemed to resume its normal composure and she replied in a calming tone as usual:
"I understand. I will accept your challenge seriously……But is it the right thing to do? I heard that you have a match with [Two Wings] to settle right?"
"Who would lose to those kind of people?" Yō answered simply while pouting unhappily.
Mulling over something for a while, Faceless decided to speak her mind.
"……Have you guys heard of the bet between the [Draco Greif] Alliance?"
Looking at each other in confirmation, Yō and Kuro Usagi both tilted their heads in puzzlement. Apparently, this was the first time they heard of such a matter. Having walked to their side and seemingly conscious about the others around them, Faceless lowered her volume as she whispered to them.
"I've heard it from others…. And it seems that if the victory goes to [Two Wings] in the Game of [Rider of Hippocamp], Griffith would be elected as the next [Floor Master] of the South."
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