Part 3[แก้ไข]
---- Underground city of [Underwood], Harvest Festival Vendors' Street.
After that incident, Asuka, Yō and Garol had gone to drop off their game at the collection point before proceeding to the [Underwood Underground City].
All those houses that were damaged beyond repairs have been demolished, while the entire city was being filled up by exhibitions and stalls. The remainder of the houses were at best hastily built shelters that would help shelter them from the winds and rain.
'Won't the nights here be quite tough?' Asuka cocked her head to one side as she spoke her mind.
Garol laughed heartily. "How is it so? This is common for the South. Anyways, when the Harvest Festival is in full swing, most of the people will party throughout the night and day, drinking their fill. No one will be bothered by such small details anymore."
" ……Really?" Displeasure crept into Asuka's icy voice.
Garol having felt the start of cold sweat beading his back quickly tried to change the topic to the hunting event's results.
"Oh…. Right, the performance by you girls for the hunting was quite good. [Six Scars] has also gotten into the top few, gaining us quite a bit of fame and honour."
Garol laughed happily as he bought Yakitori from the Street-side stall and handing them a stick each.
Asuka and Yō looked at each other. Unhappiness showing in their eyes.
"But……We still didn't get First Place."
Both of them pouted their lips sulkily.
In the end, [Will-O’-Wisp] had won as expected with an overwhelming difference in the scores compared to all the rest.
Ayesha had also participated in the hunting event. However, it would seem that ninety-nine percent of the points were accumulated by the game that Faceless brought back. Going about with that unenthusiastic attitude and yet continuing to obtain that score. She's truly the embodiment of a fearsome opponent.
Garol finished his stick of Yakitori before nodding his head in with a complex look on his face.
"The Favored servant of [Queen Halloween]…… If I remember correctly, her name is Faceless? Actually…. There's nothing for you to mope about. You guys have done your best and scored well. It's only that she's of a different existence."
"No. If only Garol-san hadn't imposed those restrictions upon us, we would definitely be victorious."
Yō retorted in a rarely used firm tone. And there was sufficient reason for her anger.
As a matter of fact, with the abilities of these two combined, bringing down dozens of Perytons and other aggressive eudemons would be a simple feat.
Even without using that kind of roundabout manner to herd and seal the movements, they would definitely be able to eliminate every single one of their targets. And the real reason for this disappointing result was due to the fact that they had extra restrictions from Garol binding their freedom aside from the game rules.
"Kasukabe-san can only utilize the Gift of the Griffons while I can only work with Mel. I know that Deen is in the midst of repairs and it would be pushing it to use him….. but even so, our total catch should be many times more than what we had obtained just now."
Asuka stared at Garol, displeasure evidently showing in her eyes.
After the battle with the huge dragon, both of them had asked Garol for guidance in regards to their newly obtained Gifts and abilities. Initially it was only Yō who asked for his help but Asuka had also followed her stead.
Garol's former appointment was that of [Floor Master] Draco Greif's strategist. Having heard of him being a well of knowledge, both of them had approached him to be their mentor. It is no wonder they felt unhappy since they could not see the results of their hard work paying off.
Even so, Garol continued to chew the yakitori in his mouth while looking at them indifferently.
"Listen up oujo-samas. The main force of a Community should never display their hand of cards. If at any point in time the opponents have seen the full extent of your capabilities, they will be sure to come up with a counter-plan. And when that time comes, it will be your Community's loss. The defense for your Community's home-ground would also be exposed. Don't you think my words sound reasonable?"
"……but------"
"Firstly, those who give their all for any kind of Game event are third rate players. Place your capabilities and Gifts on the Balance to measure them out before going into battles is what first class players would do. Especially for this hunting festival which is more of a charity work than an actual battle, you guys being the main force should complete the task with only two to three percent of your actual strength."
Both of them were sullen. They understood the reasoning even though they didn't want to accept it.
Patting them on their shoulders, Garol consoled them:
"Listen up. The Game that's most important to you guys is [Hippocamp Rider]. Anything before that, you guys will have to rein in your full potential, or risk having nothing to compete with that Masked Rider."
"…. Hmph….. I know that."
Asuka turned away her face unhappily.
Garol shrugged his shoulders before turning away from them. "I still have some stuff to prepare before the opening ceremony, so I will be taking my leave…… Whatever you may say, you guys really did do your best in the hunting event. Remember to drop by [Six Scars]' stall later and I will try to compensate to you guys, so forgive me."
Garol gave a bitter smile as he left.
"…. Actually, I can grasp where Garol-san is coming from. After all if I use my full strength, I will be breaking more Gifts."
"Ah, Nn. Asuka's situation is special. And you rejected the offer to have a constant supply of free Gifts."
A depressed Asuka nodded her head. On her right hand was an antique looking hand-guard that was prepared by [Six Scars]. It was of a simple appearance but studded with many gems.
Lifting up her right hand to block out the skies, she sighed once more.
"To finally obtain a power that would help me get to Kasukabe-san and Izayoi-san's level with much difficulty……only to find out that it needs a large investment of funds to maintain the battle strength. It's the peak of irony." Cupping her downcast face in her hands, she muttered.
Several dozen types of Gifts have already been broken by her under the justification of [Forging the best Gift].
Being a Community that ranks around the first place in terms of commerce in the lower levels, [Six Scars] had offered to provide simple Gifts for free. Yet these Gifts were broken one after another, being unable to withstand her power. Feeling bad for having broken that many Gifts with her power, Asuka had decided to make the gift on her hand her last and politely declined the offer of a continuous supply of Gifts.