—‘Kamikakushi’ is quite a simple term but in the world of Little Garden where many gods reside, the types of ‘Kamikakushi’ would also be of a diverse range. Abduction and disappearing are common acts and nothing more needs to be said about those. It also included the assassinations of individuals just for keeping their secret organizations hidden from the world. These were the sort of stuff that the Communities in the rural areas coined as ‘Kamikakushi’ as well. Hence the type of cases where ‘People suddenly disappear’ would be generally termed as ‘Kamikakushi’ in Little Garden.
Izayoi digested Kuro Usagi’s words before giving an evil laugh,
“In other words, this commotion—is a case of ‘Kamikakushi’ that even the experts are incapable of solving?”
Izayoi asked rhetorically with much interest in the matter. That look from his eyes were just like that of a bratty child having found a new toy. Kuro Usagi gave a sigh as she guessed his next move then.
“Hai, Kuro Usagi will not stop you but please be back by evening, okay?”
“Deal. If I’m not back by tonight—-Just take it that I’ve been ‘Kamikakushi’ed as well.”
Izayoi gave a loud hearty laugh while he sped off happily, towards the scene.
Part 5[แก้ไข]
Jin massaged his chest as he gave a sigh of relief when he had seen Kuro Usagi’s arrival.
“What a relief. With Kuro Usagi around, there wouldn’t be anything to worry even if she were to be up against a hundred of them all by herself.”
“…….I don’t mind you feeling relieved. But wouldn’t it be better to learn how to depend on your own strength to solve the problems?”
Percher who had returned from her task made a dig at Jin.
Jin’s expression turned fearful for a second before straightening up.
“You are right. I can’t always rely on Kuro Usagi……I will have to work harder.”
“……Yep. You can take your revenge after a hundred years and rest in peace then.”
The unbridled way of speech caused Jin to smile weakly as he slumped his shoulders.
“Let’s go, we should also make a move.”
“Where to?”
“To give our greetings, of course. The Communities that will be arriving for the Convention will not only be of the Masters. There are also many Communities that have come hither for the latest information concerning the Masters’ decision, so we must use this opportunity to build some reputation for ourselves.”
“Oh, I see.”
Percher having understood the significance, walked with Jin towards the Territory of [Salamandra]—where the towering Palace stood.
— Little Garden, Outer Gate Number 54545, [Kouen, City of Brilliant Flames] was surrounded by three Outer walls and that was the method utilized to divide the Residential areas.
The Outer wall was where the elite squads comprised of the lesser dragons set up their encampments.
The Second wall held the residential area, stage area and also the workroom districts.
While the third wall held the dormitories to house important guests as well as the hotel facilities.
And within the inner wall stood the Palace of the Community to which an endless mountain range could be seen in the distant backdrop.
The number of people who held special talents in [Salamandra] were few but they were a clan that managed to increase their cohesiveness and strength through the maintaining of the lesser dragon bloodlines.
The main force that holds the power of flight—Lesser Dragons of the Winged type numbered to a rough count of four thousand.
The count of Salamander humanoid dragons easily exceeded that by ten times. Whether it was in terms of the scale and the strength of the personnel, [Draco Greif] Alliance that were similar in standing as [Floor Master], would not be able to be compared to them.
Normally the personnel would have been deployed to various sectors to act as a defensive measure against Demon Lords but with the upcoming Convention of the [Floor Master]s, a total of two thousand four hundred Winged Dragons were lined along the two inner walls.
The warriors of the Winged Dragon squadron possessed vermillion scales that were comparable to the strength of steel and their large bodies did not lose to the large type Eudemons in size.
Their focus on unity and numbers formed the extreme end of the spectrum when compared to the [No Name]s that focused on a few elites.
Jin looked from the corner of his eyes to take in those Winged dragons’ appearances while giving them a sharp and stern eye.
(They did have this level of firepower in their possession after all. But yet only a few of them had appeared in the [Rise of the Fire Dragon] festival. Of course, it can be understandable that they might have been a little careless due to the presence of Shiroyasha-sama to grace the event……)
But, it was more believable that [Salamandra] had contacted the Demon Lord Alliance for that would make the puzzle fit.
It’s only that… this was a hard to accept truth for Jin.
(As I thought, I should try to get Sandra and Percher to discuss—)
“Jin, look up.”
“Eh?” Hearing Percher’s voice, Jin looked up.
A figure whose face was hidden by a hood was falling towards Jin’s head from the palace courtyard.
“Hey…Wait…What’s happeni….!?”
Jin was squashed onto the pavement of the Palace without any sort of explanation.
*Ka Cha!* The neck seemed to have given off a fatal dull cracking sound. And Percher walked over leisurely to look down upon Jin.
“……Tch!”
“Clicking your tongue?! Why did you click your tongue?!”
“Clicking my tongue to express a curse upon seeing my master’s safety, isn’t that the normal thing to do?”
Percher answered, not even the least bit perturbed by his question.
Although Jin wanted to retort to that, the person who had fallen on him interrupted his thoughts.
“……Jin?! I’m …I’m really sorry! Are you hurt?!”
The fellow that was wrapped up by the hooded cloak had pounced onto Jin. The impact caused the shaft on the back of Jin’s head to hit onto the sharpest cobble on the walkway, but he didn’t have the time to care about that now.
Clutching the back of his head in pain, Jin shouted:
“San…Sandra! You…Why are you in this get-up?”
“I’m off to investigate something and had to take on a disguise to get out of the palace. Jin, want to come?”
Sandra’s beautiful red hair swayed as she tilted her head as she asked while looking at him with irises that were pure and innocent.
Jin couldn’t help but continue to clutch his head.
“I…I say, Sandra. You are the North Side’s [Floor Master], you shouldn’t be going out simply without telling others. Moreover, the Convention for the Masters will be hosted soon, you know?”
“Nn. That’s why the three of us have decided to solve the matter before the start of the Convention.”
“No, that’s not what I meant……”
—three of you? Jin tilted his head as he closed his mouth abruptly.
Now that he recalled about it, there had indeed been the sounds of three landings. Jin’s attention shifted away from Sandra to accost the two others who had remained silent behind Sandra.
“Are you guys members of [Salamandra]?”
“……”
The duo who wore linen hooded robes remained silent. Their height was just a little taller than Jin.
(Children….around our age too?)
Jin appraised the duo with surprise.
Sandra frantically moved to stand before them.
“These… These two aren’t suspicious characters! We have known each other for a year……Well, I would also like to introduce them to Jin……!”
Sandra waved her arms wildly as she tried to explain.