Part 2[แก้ไข]
—Outer Gate Number 26745, [Perseus] Base.
After [Perseus] having welcomed the group of [No Name], who knocked upon their wide white palace doors, both parties had sat facing each other in the audience hall.
Laius who had turned up for the negotiations had a smug smile on his face as he kept casting hot and passionate longing looks at Kuro Usagi. However, Kuro Usagi ignored that as she cut to the chase:
“We of [No Name] request to have a duel with [Perseus].”
“What?”
Laius’s expression changed immediately and the words that were out of his expectations caused him to furrow his brows. But Kuro Usagi continued on:
“Regarding the style of the battle, even if you use the most difficult level of Gameplay possessed by [Perseus], we will also accept it without complaining.”
“Huh? WHAT? Did you come to talk about this kind of stupid stuff? I did say that I didn’t want to duel, right?”
Laius seemed disappointed by the direction of the discussion. Although he was confident that even if they did duel, his side would never lose, since the opponent was a [Highborn of Little Garden] and the rabbit that possessed Indra’s equipment would be one of the opponents, it would stand to reason that he should not accept the Game simply, for it would be risky.
Moreover, to duel with a [No Name] Community? That in itself would already be a type of humiliation.
Laius waved them away, clearly rejecting their request for a duel.
“If that’s all that you want to say, then get lost. Ah~what a pain. Although it’s not my taste, I will just take that Vampire to vent all this suppressed agitation. After all it’s already going to be sold to that lecherous fat pig that won’t mind inferior goods—“
—*Bam!* Kuro Usagi cut into his words as she slammed and started to unwrap the huge bundle before Laius.
Rolling out from the bundle were two precious stones that depicted the symbol of [Gorgon’s head][4], a red and a blue precious stone.
Upon seeing the two precious stones, all the Men of [Perseus], who had stood at attention at the side, gave a surprised cry.
“That… That’s the!”
“The Gift that represents the Authority to challenge [Perseus]……? Could it be that a mere no name Community has defeated the sea monster Kraken and Graeae trio of sisters?”[5]
The members of [Perseus] were thrown into confusion. In a normal situation, if there was a Community which appeared to have obtained an Authority of challenge, the Base would be notified by mail. But it would seem that they did not learn of it.
But that was also to be expected since the documents piled upon Laius’s desk had already formed a small mountain.
“Oh, that Giant Tako[6] and old crone? It was quite interesting, but I guess the snake was a nicer warm-up.”
Izayoi cracked his neck to the sides. These precious stones were Gifts that could only be obtained after defeating the monsters which had appeared in the legend.
This Game was a trial that was always open to the weakest and lowest level Communities. When it is being challenged, the Game would also offer the replicas of Perseus’s equipment. It was a Gift Game that was quite complete in its structure and considerations.
As for the reason behind offering the Authority of challenging [Perseus] as the prize, it was to re-enact the legend of Perseus while helping to nurture the desire to progress in the lower levels.
But Laius held no such noble belief as he gave a harsh click of his tongue while looking at the precious stones before him.
(Tch! I had thought that it would just be an easy time dealing with the lower level Communities and had just left it be…)
It was only recently that Laius had thought of dismissing the system that was initiated by the Niidaime[7], and his situation just had to appear now.
Laius’s displeasure had reached its peak.
“Hmph……okay, then I will just play with you guys. Originally this Game’s aim is to let Communities who overestimate their abilities know their place. To make sure that you guys will never have that idea to stand against me, I swear that I will completely… annihilate you all!”
Laius' toss swept his impressive coat back as he advocated angrily.
Kuro Usagi evenly returned his stare while declaring war:
“After trampling on our Community with many a rude behavior, there isn’t a need to talk any further is there? We of [No Name] will settle it out with [Perseus] in the Gift Game!”