“I guess it’s enough. Let it all end, Algol.”
The Gift of Petrification was released.
Accompanying the discordant notes that started to fill the air once more, the Celestial Spirit Algol emitted a brownish ray.
And that was the main reason for Algol’s ascension to the Demon Lord’s throne. To use the brownish light to cover everything in the Heavens and the Earth and to change it with the Celestial spirit’s power of the Grey Star.
Izayoi who was bathed in the brown light went straight from the front to hold those eyes with his hands—
“——……Pui![7] As a Game leader, you are still trying to use such a despicable move!”
Next, he crushed the brown rays with his foot.
……this isn’t a metaphor and there’s no other way to describe that act of his. The brown rays that were emitted by Algol from her eyes had shattered like a glasswork upon the impact of Izayoi’s foot and showered into the air before disappearing.
“How……How is that possible!”
Laius gave a loud shout but in fact, that was the kind of action to be expected.
Even Jin and Kuro Usagi who had been watching the battle from downstairs couldn’t help but cry in surprise as well.
“Negating the Gift of a [Celestial Spirit]—No, destroying it?”
“Impossible! Possessing such an insane physical power and to actually have the power to destroy Gifts too?”
This was what Shiroyasha had meant by concluding his existence being one that is ‘impossible’. These two Gifts were supposed to be mutual opposites. Just like the explanations previously, in this world of Little Garden that gathered many different Gods, Gifts that could negate other Gifts weren’t rare to say the least. However, these were only limited to items that came in the shape of weapons or those that could be materialized.
Just one look from his Gift card would have told anyone that Izayoi did not possess any other [Gift]s.
The problem lay in the fact that there was now a situation where a [Gift that shattered Heaven and Earth] had existed alongside a [Power to shatter other Gifts] simultaneously.
However, this sort of Soul wasn’t supposed to exist in the first place.
“Well then Game leader, let’s carry on. The power of a [Celestial Spirit] shouldn’t be only up to that extent right?”
Izayoi gave a frivolous taunt. However Laius’s will to fight had almost withered to nothingness.
Putting aside the [Highborn of Little Garden] for now, even the [Demon Lord of the White Night][8] wasn’t able to find out the origin, effects of the Gift, name of the Gift and all the other conditions that were needed to identify it, hence resulting in the overall term of [Unknown].
Possessing a miracle within him that could also destroy miracles. A Gift that contradicted itself.[9]
Facing such an impossible existence before him, Laius had already lost himself in a daze. And Kuro Usagi decided to cut in with a sigh at that point:
“It’s regrettable, but Kuro Usagi thinks there shouldn’t be any new tricks up his sleeve.”
“What?”
“When Algol had appeared in that restrained and locked state, Kuro Usagi should already have guessed……Wanting to dominate over a Celestial spirit, Laius-sama’s ability is still too low and not fully developed yet.”
“Huff!”
Laius’s eyes had reignited its flames of anger. Although his gaze was fierce enough to kill……he did not deny her words for Kuro Usagi was right about that.
However, who could have predicted this sort of tragic situation? Having many Gifts at their disposal and also the Demon Star Celestial spirit that could even petrify the world itself to do Laius’s bidding, to actually lose to the [No Name]…… this is something that no one could have predicted.
“—Hmph! In the end, it’s all dependent on your father’s and forefathers before him and the former Demon Lord-sama? Once your advantage has been proven ineffective, you are left with no other strategies to counter?”
Izayoi disdainfully expressed his disappointment. Just as Kuro Usagi was about to announce the outcome of the Game, Izayoi gave an extremely evil grin as he pushed Laius to the last straw.
“Oh, right. If you lose the Game like this…… you should know what will happen to your Community’s Flag right?”
“Eh? What?”
Laius exclaimed as he could not understand what Izayoi was getting at and it was also understandable for him to be that way.
He had always thought that Izayoi and the others were aiming for [Perseus]' Flag as a piece to negotiate for Leticia’s freedom.
“Well that sort of thing can be done after getting the Flag as well right? As long as we have the Flag on the line for the bet, we can immediately request for another Game—Right, this time let’s collect your Name.”
Laius’s face had instantly lost its color.
And that was when he noticed the tragic situation around him for the first time. The crumbling Palace and the petrified comrades before him.
However, Izayoi continued to keep that merciless evil grin on his face as he continued:
“After obtaining those two items, I will completely and continuously trample over your Name and Flag to cause [Perseus] to forever be unable to revive its activities within Little Garden. No matter how much you guys can cry, beg, shout or be angry about it, I will still accomplish it beautifully. Completely till the request of allowing the Community to be spared becomes a dream that will also be shattered in turn……that’s right… completely destroyed…I heard that even if it were to be so, those who continue to struggle and grab onto that dream are those that are called Communities right? But since that is so, it makes trampling over a Community much more meaningful right?”
“No…Stop it……”
If he were to lose in this Game, the Flag would be taken away. And in that case, [Perseus] wouldn’t be able to reject the request for another duel. To reduel in such a torn up condition would be even more impossible.
Laius……had only realized at this point.
That his Community was facing a crisis of being on the verge of collapse.
“Is that so? You are unwilling? Then there should only be one option left to you right?”
Izayoi’s evil expression suddenly disappeared, to be replaced by one that was smiling happily.
He curled the fingers on his outstretched hand in a provocation extended to Laius.
“Bring it on, Laius. Bet your life—and let me enjoy my time!”
The fierce hedonist stretched his arms as he gave the last nudge to the continuation of the Game. He had not played enough and was thirsting for more. Laius also faced the crisis that loomed over the Community that he led while steeling his resolution to give a shout:
“I will not lose…… cannot lose…… How can I lose?! Beat him down! ALGOL!”
The pair of shimmering wings and grey wings started to beat together. For the Community, the duo who held the determination to win sped forward.