“No, I just felt that you really fit the description that I’ve heard of you. A gorgeous woman……No, a bishoujo. So I just thought that I would just admire you as a way to soothe my eyes.”
Izayoi’s reply sounded really serious and Leticia gave a hearty laugh in reply.
Suppressing the rest of the urge to laugh, she gave an aristocratic air of sitting on the chair.
“Hehe, I see. So you are Izayoi? Just like how Shiroyasha had described, a guy who is outspoken. But if you want to admire, Kuro Usagi shouldn’t lose to me right? After all, she does possess a lovely appearance that is of a different type of charm.”
“But because I count her as a pet, compared to admiring, I would say that it’s more meaningful to tease it right?”
“Hm, I won’t disagree.”
“Please disagree with that, can you?!”
Just then, Kuro Usagi who had returned with a tray of red tea pouted her lips in annoyance.
Her expression when pouring the tea into the teacups, which were given the once over scalding with hot water, was still that of a sulking face.
“When compared to you, Leticia-sama, most females in the world would not possess the worthiness to be admired. It isn’t only Kuro Usagi who looks inferior.”
“Nope, you didn’t completely lose you know? I do not deny that you are a bishoujo who has a different charm from her but if you were to ask about my personal preference, you are definitely my type, Kuro Usagi.”
“……Is…Is that so?”
Hearing that sudden confession that came so unexpectedly, Kuro Usagi's couldn't help but blush on her cheeks and rabbit ears. And though to date, the number of praises and confessions of love to her had been as many as the stars in the skies, the words of Izayoi just seemed to be imprinted on her mind and it hovered at her ears to an unnatural extent.
“……Kuro Usagi, could I have perhaps interrupted something? Like for example you guys had been having a nice little tryst before I …”
“No, there’s no such thing! Well then, what is it that brings you here today?”
Kuro Usagi panicked and hastily veered the topic back on course. Leticia was now the possession of another. For her to come here without the orders of her master, she should also be taking on quite a risk.
Then, she shouldn’t be here just to meet with them. For if she did intend to do so, Leticia would have also gone to visit Jin. Although Kuro Usagi was betting that Leticia was here to discuss a topic that shouldn't be heard by Jin, Leticia had surprised her with a shake of her head and a bitter smile at her lips.
“Well, it isn't something important. My reason for coming here was just to see the standard of the power in the new Community. As for not meeting Jin, it’s because I do not have the face to meet him after all if one were to look at the results conclusively, it was I who had injured your comrades.”
Kuro Usagi was suddenly reminded of the observation she had noted earlier. Although she had already suspected it from the start, it would seem that those demonified trees were truly the work of Leticia.
Even amongst the Demon species, the pure-blood Vampires were the rarest in terms of their race and numbers. Their ecology did not differ too widely from Izayoi’s knowledge of Vampires. But if he had to point out the major difference, it would be how the different worlds viewed the Vampire Race.
Just like how the rabbit Heralds of the Little Garden’s creator were termed as [Highborn of Little Garden],
The vampires who could only walk around in the broad daylight of Little Garden were called [Knights of Little Garden].
The Gift that they brought along could waive the ritual process completely. With just the exchange of blood, they were able to induce a Demonification. The recipient of the Gift would soon be consumed by the desire to devour Humans, but this technique was only limited to the [Pure Bloods] and it wouldn't cause the Demonification if one were to be preyed upon by other normal Vampires.
Hence when a Vampire got an impulse to suck blood, the Vampire would host an individual Gift Game with the Participants’ blood as the bargaining chip. For in the cities of Little Garden, the respect and compliance with the Game rules was the only thing that allowed Vampires to live alongside the other Humans.
The cities of Little Garden enable the Vampires to enjoy and receive sunlight while leading a steady and glorious life. And in return, they have also defended and acted like Guardians for Little Garden, leading the pure blooded Vampires to be known as [Knights of Little Garden].
“A vampire huh? I see. Is that why it’s set to be a beautiful person?”
“Eh?”
“Oh, don’t mind me. Please continue.” Izayoi waved his hand for them to continue.
“Actually when I had heard that Kuro Usagi and the others had announced to reconstruct the Community as [No Name], I had felt indignant about it……Fuming over why you guys had chosen such a stupid choice. For I knew that you guys had understood that this choice would be a very tough and obstacle filled path.”
“……”
“Just when I had obtained the chance to get in contact with you guys, to talk you guys out of it, albeit with much difficulty… I heard of a news that I just couldn't ignore…. It’s said that there’s a Possessor of Divinity who has joined your Community as your comrade.”
Kuro Usagi’s gaze shifted to Izayoi reflexively. Leticia should have heard about it from Shiroyasha.
The reason for Shiroyasha, the [Floor Master] who had a Community Headquarter in the four digit Outer Gate to specially come to the lowest Outer Gate of the seven digits would then be a small favor to smuggle Leticia over.
“So I wanted to use this time to conduct a small test to see if the new members possess the power enough to save the Community.”
“And your conclusion is?” Kuro Usagi asked with a serious look in her eyes but Leticia only gave a bitter smile as she shook her head.
“It’s unfortunate but Galdo wasn't even much of a tester with his meager power. Both girls who participated in the Game are just budding talents and it’s difficult to make a judgement now…… I did successfully make it here on the sly, but what should I say to you guys?” Finding herself struggling with her thoughts that she did not seem to understand, Leticia could only smile wryly once more.
It was then that Izayoi took on a dismissive attitude to rectify Leticia’s words.
“To pay a special visit to your old home to say something? It can’t be that, right? Shouldn’t it be more of a desire to find relief from the sight of one’s old Community being able to progress and develop once more?”
“……Hm. That may be true.”
Leticia concurred with Izayoi's point but if that were so, it would mean that everything was about to end without having accomplished her aim. In terms of Human strength, Asuka and Yō should already be Humans who possessed extraordinary talents. However those were similar to unrefined ores that didn't give Leticia the peace of mind to entrust the fate of her previous comrades to. But even if it’s the case, she had already lost her chance to talk Kuro Usagi and the others to disband and create a new Community. Since the situation that occurred after the defeat of [Fores Garo] had already made this a futile attempt.
Although Leticia had risked herself to return to her old home, her aim was now stuck in a tight spot as she couldn't make any progress or retreat. Seeing how Leticia kept that wry smile in self-mockery on her face, Izayoi made a suggestion in a frivolous tone:
“Well if you are that insecure about it, there’s only one way to get rid of it then.”
“What?”
“Actually it’s quite simple. Since you worry about whether [No Name] possesses or lacks the ability to go up against Demon Lords, you just have to use your own power to test it out—How’s that? Former Demon Lord-sama?”
Izayoi stood up abruptly. Understanding Izayoi’s intention, Leticia was momentarily stumped for words, but she soon broke out into laughter. Leticia who gave that exaggerated laugh also stood up, having laughed to the point where tears had formed at the edges of her eyes.
“Hehe……I see, that’s something that I didn’t think of. It’s definitely a simple and effective way. If I had known, I would have done this straight from the start and not played some kind of inferior plotting behind the shadows.”
“Please…Please wait a moment, both of you?”
“What do we do about the Game rules?”
“Since it’s a test of strength anyway, let’s not make it too complicated. We will just strike each other and see the reaction of our opponents.”
“The last man standing wins? Is that so? Okay, that’s what we call ‘simple is the best’ right?”
The both of them smiled at each other before jumping to the courtyard by exiting through the window at the same time.
The windows that were left open from earlier didn’t pose an obstacle for the both of them as they successfully passed through the frame. And as they faced each other in the courtyard that measured around 10 jo[2], their positions were separated like Heaven and Earth.