Part 6[แก้ไข]
As though to announce the end of the Game, all trees disappeared at once.
Upon hearing the sound of the abandoned houses collapse due to the sudden disappearance of their tree supports, Izayoi and Kuro Usagi started to sprint forth into the [Fores Garo] Community Grounds.
"Oi?! Is there a need to be so hurried?"
"Yes it's more than a need! It's an emergency! If Kuro Usagi didn't hear it wrong, Yō's situation should be quite critical......!"
"Kuro Usagi! Over here! Yō-san's in danger!"
The two who ran swifter than the wind had covered the distance rapidly from where they had waited during the Game to reach somewhere near Jin and the others within a blink of an eye. And Jin who had hidden in one of the abandoned houses had to shout out to them to halt their sprint.
Upon seeing Yō's situation, Kuro Usagi couldn't help but draw a sharp intake of breath.
"Yō-san needs to be immediately sent to the workroom of our Community for it's only at that place that we have the full medical facilities. As for you two, please meet up with Asuka-san before returning together." Kuro Usagi said while carrying Yō into her arms.
"Got...Got it"
Just as his answer left his lips, Kuro Usagi had twisted around to face the direction of their Community grounds to start off at full throttle. The ground that she had stepped upon as she ran sank down to form depressions that looked as if a small meteor chunk had showered upon the ground in a straight path and the silhouette of Kuro Usagi rapidly faded into the dust clouds that were left in her wake.
And seemingly slower by a beat, the surroundings along the trajectory that she ran past seemed to sway to the sides as the strong gust of wind from the pressure of her charge pushed them aside.
Izayoi gave a fierce smile as he saw them off with a critical and analytical eye fixed on Kuro Usagi.
"Oi, ochibi-sama. Does Kuro Usagi have the Gifts needed to save Kasukabe?"
"No but there's Gifts installed in one of the Community's workroom that can be used for medical treatments. But due to its complexity, they are all gadgets that can only be operated by her."
In other words, it would mean that only Kuro Usagi's capable of saving Kasukabe.
Reaching this conclusion, Izayoi seemed to have a satisfied smile as he muttered to himself:
"As I'd thought. That fellow sure is the most interesting of all. Still a far way off from reaching my level, but clearly of a different caliber in the [No Name]."
Compared to the rest of the Community and the other two from his world, Izayoi's interest was mainly focused upon Kuro Usagi.
The whole reason for him to have the level of interest enough to stay in [No Name] with the attitude of [Lending a hand might not be a bad idea], was mainly due to the curiosity about Kuro Usagi's altruism and dedication to the Community.
The rabbits that were sung by bards as the [Highborns of Little Garden]. They were fundamentally strong in will and with charming appearances. In Little Garden which amassed a horde of Demigods, Gods and Buddhas, they were born to the world as one of the upper echelons and should have obtained the doting favour of millions. But why would such a Kuro Usagi sacrifice so much for the [No Name] that were almost as weak as a worm in the ground?
Izayoi really wanted to know the reason behind it.
(If it was out of love or something along those lines, it would have been much easier to figure it out......the problem is that the leader in question is like this......)
He gave a sidelong glance at Jin. And as their gazes met, Jin bowed his head seemingly guilty.
"Hm? What are you bowing to me for?"
"Because...Because it had all ended with me doing nothing to help."
"Oh, so that's the case? But it's a fact that you guys won right?"
Izayoi's tone wasn't sarcastic nor was it mocking, much less a praise and not even words of consolation.
Unable to pick up the meaning behind those words, Jin lifted his head to peer at Izayoi who continued to clarify his words:
"You guys have won. Then ochibi-sama must have played a major role right? At least Kasukabe's survival must have been due to your timely decisions and proper critical interventions right?"
"Ye...Yes."
"Isn't that good enough? What I'd like to ask instead would be about the Game. It's ochibi-sama's first time participating in a Gift Game right? Was it fun?"
"...No."
Jin shook his head with a troubled expression. Even if they had obtained victory, the many dangers and emergencies that kept popping up one after another were a far cry from the glorified victory that he had envisioned. Partially also due to his young age, but even if that were to be put aside, Jin still felt very disappointed at his powerless and hapless self during the Game.
"The strategy that you proposed last night......the one with promoting my name, is it really going to work?"
"I would say that there's no other way. If ochibi-sama isn't willing, would you want to give up now?"
Izayoi said the honorific term in a mocking manner.
Jin was silent for a moment before shaking his head to reply.
"No, it's something I must do after all. If it is my name that is being promoted, perhaps in case of an emergency, it might still be able to alleviate the harm that might be brought to others. For perhaps even I can serve as a shield for everyone to some degree."
"......Is that so?"
Izayoi was mildly surprised. In other words Jin had chosen to do this due to the lack of other methods to rebuild the Community. He had also willingly took on the role to propagate his name as the Community that aimed to defeat Demon Lords. And Jin had just brazenly expressed that he would be content with allowing all the threats that may come in the future to target himself.
This is really such an interesting place that I've come to.......Izayoi struggled to suppress the desire to give a loud hearty laugh.