Part 3
—Stage area in Outer Gate number 678900, Pumpkin Street
It is one of the few territories of [Will O’ Wisp]. After all, there exists multiple [FloorMaster]s in the North Side and hence most of the lands were directly under the charge of the [FloorMaster]’s territory.
Originally, [Will O’ Wisp] possessed the might to be active as a six digit [FloorMaster], but their territory only comprised of this stage area, the main building and the glass treatment work rooms. And because of the location of this Outer Gate being closer to the West of the North Side, the veil that blocks the cold is slightly weaker and the warmth from the autumn temperature inducing chandeliers is a far way off from here, leading to a cool breezy day throughout.
And the abandoned houses were also the result of the residents who shifted away for the same reason.
To join up with the realm of control that was exerted by the larger and stronger Alliances of [Salamandra] and [OniiHime].
[Will O’ Wisp] then renovated those abandoned houses into their stage area.
The buildings of the North Side were highly resistant brick houses, were not easily eroded and it was only natural to put them to good use.
The small Ghost town was lit with the azure glow of the candles which complemented the atmosphere of the game.
Walking to the location as stated in the invitation card, Asuka and Yō followed the other players to the doors of the game stage.
And it was then that the question floated up in their minds as they noted the characteristics of their rivals.
“A total of two hundred contestants. Although the player count is much more than I expected…… but they are mostly youths.”
“Rather than calling them youths, you might as well call them the young.“
Yes. The players averaged around the teenage population and there were even children who were younger than Yō, waiting to participate in the game. The oldest contestants were most probably only two to three years above the duo’s age.
Although there were many different species living in the world of Little Garden and it was not necessarily possible to determine the age based on appearances alone, it can be seen that the population that appeared to be youthful weren’t in the small numbers.
Asuka scrunched her eyebrows in suspicion but that soon melted away when Ayesha appeared atop the gate of Pumpkin Street.
Ayesha held a large stack of [Geass Rolls],
“Sorry for the wait everyone! We will be passing around the [Geass Roll] of [CandletheTown] now, please get a copy for yourselves!”
*Pashaa* Asuka and Yō who got a copy of the [Geass Roll] immediately focused their gazes at the contents.
“— Name of Gift Game: “CandletheTown”—
Requisites for Participation::
*Cost of participation is a bronze coin issued by the [ThousandEyes] mint. (Free for those below the age of 10.)
*Participants must be below the age of adulthood.
*Participants must possess an invitation card from [Will O’ Wisp].
Conditions for the players’ victory::
*Obtain a gem from the wandering lantern shikigamis in this Ghost town.
*Different Gifts will be rewarded in accordance to the type of gem. (One Gift per participant only.)
*The special Gift will be presented to the individual who obtains the gem from Jack O’ Lantern.
Conditions for the player’s defeat::
*Being unable to obtain a gem in the time limit of an hour.
Oath: Based on our glory and flag, and respecting the above content, [Will O’ Wisp] hosts this Gift Game.
“Stamp of [Will O' Wisp]"
Reading through it once, the duo blinked and exchanged a look.
“Erm, I guess we now know the reason for the large numbers of children…… but what is it referring to by the term lantern shikigamis?”
“It’s probably those bipedal walking candles or lanterns that we have seen during the Birth of the Fire Dragon Festival……?”
The duo tilted their heads in confusion.
And seeming in the attempt to dispel their confusion, Ayesha lifted up a lantern of the size of a head as she introduced it to the players.
“This is a common foot soldier of the bipedaled walking lanterns. There will be a gem placed within each of them and there’s a total of five different types. Basically, the bigger lantern heads will have better Gifts prepared for you, so try your best to catch them.”
“Lantern~?”
The kawaii lantern shikigami waved at the crowd and Ayesha fell silent.
After a short pause, Ayesha gave a pointed look at Asuka and Yō—
“— Just saying this in advance, regarding the individual who successfully get hold of the gem that is held in Jack O’ Lantern’s hand, he or she will be presented the highest Gift that we have prepared— the Gift with the flag of [Will O’ Wisp] carved upon it that has the capability of storing and providing fire.”
Looking toward the huge candle lamp that Ayesha pointed out to them, the crowd of contestants erupted into a roar of cheers. Asuka and Yō were also starting at the lamp with sparkling eyes.
“That is a lamp capable of storing fire……!”
The lad who stood beside the huge candle holder placed the firewood in upon receiving the cue to do so and a blaze was soon burning away in the candle holder.
The region that was supposed to be a little chilly was simultaneously warmed up by the blaze of the candle.
Although the heat was incomparable to the chandelier of the enormous Veil boundary, but it was evidently able to store a comparatively good amount of heat. Asuka clasped her hands together as she stared at the candle holder like a predator who had spotted its prey.
“Not only is it able to store, but if it is able to provide as well…… that will be a much needed source of heat for the Community. It will be enough if we can get even one of those.”
“Mhm. This Gift is surely the best pick for our competition of war trophies."
Yō clenched her fists tightly and Asuka was growing more surprised by the moment at the range of unusual emotions displayed by Yō. But, Asuka assumed that it was because of Yō’s growing enthusiasm about the event.
Ayesha who leapt down from the frame of the gates turned to look up at the thin crescent moon in the sky[1] as she counted the time for the start of the event. And perhaps as the time was getting closer, Ayesha broke away from the crowd of contestants to walk into the Ghost town where she raised her right hand.
“—Okay, the time is now, Jack-san! Let’s run with all our might from the contestants tonight!”
And that was the announcement to flag off the event while a huge fire ball had simultaneously appeared from a previously empty space.
The spherical inferno narrowed at the front like a spinning top and pulled Ayesha’s hand, helping her to scramble to the top of the ball of fire. Following a dispersion of fiery particles, a loudly laughing pumpkin appeared from within.
“—Yahohohohohoho! Welcome everyone to the Community Decreed festival[2] of [Will O’ Wisp] tonight! The kids can chase after the small lanterns while the other contestants are invited to chase after the larger lanterns and me, this pumpkin head!”
“Mah, just that it will be very difficult for you guys to catch me!”
The tattered cloth around Jack’s body flapped in the wind as Ayesha stuck out her tongue to taunt the others.
Soon after the taunt, they surrounded themselves with flames and disappeared instantly without a trace.
Realizing that this was the signal for the start of the game, the contestants started to sound the alert to set off with their shouts.
“Don’t bother with the small lanterns! Those will only give sweets to pacify the children!”
“The target is the biggest lanterns! As long as they are of a diameter of 10 feet and above, it will be well worth our efforts already!”
“Targeting the Jack will be a waste of time and energy! Just look for the slowest moving lanterns!”
The participants were hollering an exuberant start and if Jack is honest about it being a Community decreed event, it would mean that there would be veterans who have participated in this challenge in the previous times that it was hosted too. And in the chilly North Side, the Gifts that Jack created would be highly enticing. But this was also true for the [No Name]s as well.
Having the upper hand in mobility, Yō whipped up a whirlwind to leave Asuka behind.
“Sorry, I will make a move first!”
“Ara, that’s fine by me! Because, I will be catching up very soon!”
Asuka raised her wine red Gift Card as she summoned the Gift that she possessed— The red sacred iron giant.
And the red metal doll, summoned from the magic circle without runic symbols, gave a majestic roar .
“————DEEEEEeeeeeEEEEEEN!!!”
“We will only be targeting Jack! Let’s go, Deen!”
Following its master’s orders, Deen broke through the gates as it moved into the playing field. And the other contestants were frantically running to give space to this red metal doll that scared them with its sudden appearance.
Asuka was having cold sweat as she prayed for the carefulness of Deen’s step to not crush any children by accident but having Yō gain a head start on herself, there was no reason for Asuka to dally any longer. With Asuka giving constant command to the doll to pay attention to its footing, they charged into the Ghost town.
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