Chapter 7[edit]
Part 1[edit]
—Boundary wall, Stage area. Festival operation headquarters, hall.
The company and the other participants came into the palace interior. In the case where the wounded were everywhere, Kuro Usagi and Jin immediately jumped in front of Izayoi after they spotted him.
"Izayoi-san, are you alright!"
"There is no problem here, what about the others?"
"It's regrettable, everyone is injured beside Kuro Usagi and Izayoi-san. Asuka-san is still missing......I'm terribly sorry, if I had more vigor....!"
Jin lowered his head in remorse. Although he wasn't wrong, but he is placing the responsibilities on himself. At another side, Kasukabe and Leticia were both tired due to their engagement with the enemy, totally not in any position to resume their battle. After confirming the situation, Kuro Usagi opened her mouth with a pained tone:
"After receiving the words from Shiroyasha-sama, Kuro Usagi had immediately applied for deliberations for a resolution.....But it looks like it was too late."
"Hmmmm, what is the meaning of applying for deliberations?"
"The [Trial Jurisdiction] is one of the privilege of a judgement controller, it is to confirm if the rules created by the [Host's permission] are imperfect."
"Imperfect rules?"
"YES. According to what Jin-bocchan said, the so-called [The winning conditions may not have been established correctly] and the [Participant] can discuss whether the rules are imperfect. And because you can forcefully interrupt the gift game, in another meaning, it is to tackle the strange jurisdiction of the Demon Lord."
"Whoa.....? In simpler words it means a suspension right? If the game can restart without any condition, this is quite a powerful permission granted."
Izayoi admirably said.
However with a bizarre expression, Kuro Usagi repeatedly shook her head.
"No, It's not like that. Since the deliberations for a resolution to review the rules have already been sent, this is the game between [Host] and the [Participant].......Guuu, to say it in simpler words, it means that [There will be no grudge in this gift game] this kind of inviolability contract."
Hearing what Kuro Usagi had said, Izayoi twitched his eyebrow.
".....In other words, if we lose, the other members of [Thousand Eyes] and [Salamandra] cannot instigate a gift game towards a Demon Lord because of revenge?"
"YES. So if we lose, we will not receive any help, better be prepared."
"HA! If you have such a negative mindset, then how are we going to win!"
Izayoi couldn't help but laugh it out. This time, the hall's door opened, with Sandra and Mandra walking in. Keeping a nervous expression, Sandra announced to the participants:
"We will hold the deliberations for a resolution with the Demon Lord now. The [Highborn of Little Garden] Kuro Usagi, [Salamandra]'s Mandra. And others who are familiar with the [Piper of Hamelin], please come assist us with the negotiations. Are there any willing parties?"
The participants' side started a commotion. Kuro Usagi had once said before, people are limited with the child's stories, and even if they do, there wouldn't be too many people who know the clear details of the story.
In the situation where nobody stood up, Izayoi grabbed the back of Jin's gown.
"Regarding [The Piper of Hamelin], this Jin Russel knows it better than anyone else!"
"......Ah? Ehh? Wait....Wait a moment......Izayoi-san!"
Hearing Izayoi's sudden words, Jin got startled.
Izayoi continued speaking with a half-serious half-joking tone:
"Very familiar! Ultra familiar! Definitely useful! Regarding this matter, contributions will be made towards [Salamandra], besides the leader of [No Name] Jin Russel, there is no one else!"
"Jin eh?"
Sandra looked surprised. Although she replied with a childish tone, she immediately regained her determined expression.
"If no one else is willing, then we'll be relying on Jin Russel of [No Name], is it possible?"
Sandra's decision widened the commotion.
"[No name]......?" "From which community?" "Is it trustworthy?" "Is it the community that participated in that competition?" "This is just too exaggerative." "Oi, is there anyone else who could—"
Although everyone's opinions were being counterparts, nobody was willing to volunteer for that role.
And if they allowed [No Name] to be a representative, they would feel uneasy as the decisions made in the conference would change their fates. Jin did not volunteer because he had sensed this kind of atmosphere, but Izayoi whispered to him with a cheeky yet sinister expression:
"Are you an idiot? What were the efforts you used every night in the stack room for? Of course you must put this opportunity to good use."
"But....But...."
Jin averted his gaze. The days he spent in the stack room was not just to introduce Izayoi to Little Garden. Because of a lack of capabilities and the desire to contribute to the community, Jin was extremely hardworking. And the convenient thing was, this was a game where knowledge could be applied.
"If you are concerned with the views from the people, yeah, it's considered a good thing. If not wanting to give other people trouble is your survival path, then I won't complain—But, you are our representative, so if you run away now, the same situation may occur in the future. Am I wrong?"
"Guuuuu."
Hearing Izayoi's speech, Jin looked up while clenching his teeth. At this moment, the gazes were concentrated on him.
Uneasy and unhappy. In the midst of all the negative views, only Kuro Usagi and Sandra gave out expectant gazes.
"You don't want to be acknowledged as a parasite right? Didn't you say you want to change? So look onwards and show your vigor-filled performance and seize the initiative, Our [Leader]?"
"Yes....Yes!"
Being called a leader must've made Jin quite happy, who energetically replied.
Using the chance, Izayoi lifted Jin's shoulders and showed the surrounding people what he looked like.
"Okay, let's go, Chibi-Sama! If you get famous because of this, then we should print leaflets formally! What will be written on it will be: [If you are harassed by a Demon Lord, please contact Jin Russel]!"
Jin panicky shouted out:
"I...... Didn't I say that I don't want it! And why must you write the name out?"
"Of course you must, didn't I say that you are our representative ...... Nevermind, if Chibi-sama is not willing, then we'll change it to [If you are harassed by a Demon Lord, please contact Jin Russel]."
"Isn't that tooo weird right! What's the use of covering up something that doesn't need to be covered!"
The protesting Jin, and the troublemaker Izayoi.
Sandra and Kuro Usagi looked at each other, unable to resist but smile by the sidelines.