Part 3[แก้ไข]
48 hours after the game has ended.
In addition to the victory celebration and the rebirth festival, there was still a banquet to be held in conjunction on the last day. Sandra, who had obtained victory over the Demon Lord, and also [No Name] who had contributed with significant achievements, greatly heated up the lively atmosphere. In the game where thousands of people were trapped in the Demon Lord game, the small amount of sacrifices in the end led to victory. Everyone also generously praised [Salamandra] and [No Name]. After the participation in the game, no one would despise them anymore. Because Izayoi's strategy and tactics ultimately lead to success.
—The other side, back of the stage.
Mandra's personal guards were allowed to attend the banquet and rest. This was a rarely goodwill act that surprised the guards, but now they were all enjoying the banquet outside. During this period of time, Mandra was the only person inside the palace office, reading a black envelope stamped by [Thousand Eyes].
".........."
No other person was present and the doors and windows were tightly closed. The office was empty.
Having read all the contents of the letter placed on the desk, Mandra sighed and said to himself:
"『The festival that ran smoothly and the successful repelling of the Demon Lord, we celebrate the meaning of the expression. We also hope to expect great things from the future Northern Floor Master of [Salamandra]. Note: The godly jade Iron from the Stellar Sea Dragon King has been sent to those bait already.』Eh?..............As expected from 『Thousand Eyes』, everything was in their control? We really cannot afford to be doing bad things."
"What bad things?"
Mandra suddenly stood up.
There was no one around, but he had some impression on this voice.
"The Brat from [No Name].....! Where are you!"
"Hiding in the ceilings!"
'Pong!' Izayoi broke apart the ceiling and appeared.
There was no clue as to how he got in, but Izayoi was currently hanging his body on the cobwebs. It was obvious that his right hand was still bandaged and not yet recovered, which made it really troublesome to sneak in.
Patting away the dust on his body, he spoke with a disdainful smile:
"Well, what bad things does it relate to? It is not about the matter where [Salamandra] lured the Demon Lord into the festival right?"
"......What!"
"Oh? How is this surprising? It could be inferred as normal thinking right? Those guys appeared from the exhibits that were showcased. And there were 130 pieces of stained glass in total that portrayed the Piper. Unless the organizer intentionally did it, it will certainly make people feel suspicious right?"
'Am I wrong?' Izayoi asked while tilting his head.
With cold sweat trickling down his back, Mandra grabbed the hilt of his sword that was hanging on his waist.
Thinking that this problem has gone rather downright, Izayoi scratched his head and sat down on the desk.
"Whoa, don't do that, I am not here because of that reason. The reason why I came here was, erm, how to say it? It should be the so-called [Curiosity]."
"What......!"
"Although this is my personal opinion, but you don't wish to kill Sandra or inherit the big position, right? But you hope..........that Sandra would cheer up and take up shouldering [Salamandra]. There is only one conclusion for this speculation. Do you have a sister complex?"
"......."
"Haha, I am just joking. I tried to think of the reason a bit..........and thought about the mission of the [Floor Masters]. In simple times, if this festival was attacked, it should be some sort of initiation ritual right?"
[Floor Master] must be able to have a bulwark against a Demon Lord's attack. In other words, if you can crack a Demon Lord's game, then the surrounding communities will acknowledge that they can work independently.
That way, Izayoi was able to point out that this incident was the initiation ceremony.
Mandra, who was accused, started sweating on the palms. Izayoi ignored that reaction and continued:
"New Demon Lord vs New Floor Master? Aiyah Aiyah, saying it is a coincidence is just too lucky! If you want to base it on Sandra's accumulated experience, there is no better opponent. This time Sandra will be able to work independently and be recognized as the Northern Floor Master! Oh really! The future of [Salamandra] has calmed down now!"
".........Gu......"
Mandra gritted his teeth. Mentioning it to here, Izayoi suddenly put on sharp eyes.
".........Oi, say something! While I am feeling good please say something that has more guarantee! When we had to face the Demon Lord, what happened to your advocate order giving attitude!"
Mandra simply grabbed tightly onto the hilt of his sword.
Turning his upper body backwards, Izayoi ridiculed Mandra's response.
"There were only 5 people who were dead? Ah, this is great, so fortunate that everyone who died was from [Salamandra]! If something had happened to my companions, not only you—I will even eradicate Sandra."
"This had nothing to do with Sandra!"
Mandra roared while pulling the saber from his waist.
Izayoi who sat on the desk changed to a dismissive attitude to appease Mandra.
"I say.........I will repeat it one more time. I do not intend to expose this matter. Because of what order, at best is to protect the things that are in contaminated conditions."
"Why do you have an attitude of someone who seemingly knows everything....."
"That's right, I did not pretend to understand. So I don't care even if others help out in your unruly ways. In fact, I am no better. I don't mind conspiracies or even doing crimes. You, who could willingly kill people, only — You better have the heart to do these acts!"
"Gu.....!"
"I base on my own principles to judge what I see as the smell of good or evil but this example is simply rubbish. I have no intention to be dragged in..........but since you want to play, I have nothing to say. I advise you'd better get to know one thing, you definitely have no chance of even swinging that sword towards me."
Izayoi slowly got up from the desk.
His eyes were clearly filled with contempt and anger.
"You say Sandra isn't involved? Because of your planning and what ghostly ritual that had gotten your companions killed. You think you can pretend to look like you don't know anything and just let it get past you? What gives you the big rights to say that to the participants during the victory celebration?
Let's applaud our comrades who had fought honorably?|
Give prayers to those who gave a honorary sacrifice?
Ha! This is really killing me! These kind of words, only someone who had hidden secrets before would—"
"—Indeed know."
'What?' Izayoi's sentence was cut off.
On a closer look, Mandra's hand which held onto the sword was quivering.
"I say........they were indeed informed. Except Sandra, every member in [Salamandra] knew, that the events that led up to the attack on [Salamandra] was orchestrated.....! They understood everything and lost their lives! In the case where they understood everything...........shamelessly lost their lives."
"............"
Was Mandra trembling because of anger? Or shame?
Revealing an expression that defined he had reached a dead end, Mandra started back at Izayoi.
"How would someone like you who is not from Little Garden know.........! Protect the community's flag! Name! Honorary sense! Betrayed by the most powerful successor, with the leader confined in bed.......! In order to support this community that is on the verge of collapse, we have to bet on our own lives! How would someone from outside Little Garden, a mere human boy, understand it all!"
It was true that Izayoi was an outsider to Little Garden.
Bearing such sharp criticism, Izayoi could only look away and fiercely clicked his tongue.
Mandra who trembled with agitation closed his eyes and sheathed back the saber.
"......However, I don't think I can win against you alone. I'm only an Lesser Dragon who couldn't develop to the expectations of my people. The talent that I have cannot even hold a candle to that of my younger sister who hasn't even reached a hundred in age."
He unbuckled his sword belt and placed his weapon on the floor.
"Do it then, your anger is justified. But, hopefully you can just write off this incident ............with just this life of mine."
".................hai."
Izayoi let out a sigh that seemed to be the deflation of his anger.
"What good will that bring? I honestly think that this doesn't really matter. Ahh~ What? Betrayed by the strongest candidate for the heir? Is it that? Was it Sala, the eldest sibling that Shiroyasha had mentioned before?"
"........Yes. It was originally supposed to be Nee-sama to inherit [Salamandra] due to her matured power. But if Otou-sama hadn't fallen sick, the 11 year old Sandra would not have to sit on the Floor Master seat......."
'Ah, is that so?' Appearing to have lost interest, Izayoi turned his back to once again face Mandra.
Yes, supposed to inherit, but did not happen.
Then the result would mean everything right now. Izayoi had no interest to the reason why she left, or also dig into it.
"Well, what's done is done, this is not a matter I should intervene in. If you count in the cost of the damaged town, the one who ended up with the most losses are still you guys, and the one with the most benefit would be us. There is no special need to break things up."
"......Sorry."
Izayoi who had planned to leave stopped his movements because of the apology, probably because of Mandra's bowing behavior that made him unhappy. He turned back and made an offer with a vicious smile:
"No, oh yeah, I should take this chance to sign a contract."
".....Gu...."
Mandra revealed a nervous expression.
Because Izayoi had mentioned that many unreasonable problems, he has no right to refuse in his current position.
Lifting up his forefinger, Izayoi gave a very malicious smile.
"This is what yo