Seeing that, Asuka decided that passing Yō the [Geass roll] goatskin parchment would be the swiftest solution.
Rights of Participation:
*Eudemons that can travel on water and their rider. (flight is not allowed)
*Up to three other participants can be chosen to act as support, for the Rider and the Race horse, from the banks of the river.
*For those that rented a Hippocamp from the Headquarters, the female participants will be required to wear swimsuits.
Things that are prohibited:
*Any attacks aimed towards the Race horse are prohibited.
*Any contestant that falls into the water will be seen as falling from their steed and will be disqualified.
Winning Condition(s):
*Travel upstream from [Underwood] and collect a fruit from the Sea Tree;
*And pass all the others by to come in first at the end-point to win.
Oath: Participating Community, swear upon your glory and flag to respect the above stated content.
"[Draco Greif] Alliance" Seal
"Eh? From an individual match to a group match?"
"YES! Details of their reason for the changes will be told to us later."
"Oh. Okay." Yō replied offhandedly though she was already lost in deep thought.
Watching how Asuka was amusing herself by kicking at the water at the river bank, Yō suddenly spoke up: "…I think Asuka should participate as the rider."
"Eh? Kasukabe-san isn't going to ride?"
"According to the rules, there can only be one rider while the helpers are to stay on the banks of the river. If the Hippocamp travels at 70km/hr, would Asuka, you, be able to catch up?"
*Pak!* Asuka realized the truth in Yō's words as she clapped her hand once in understanding.
As Deen was still in the midst of repairs, Asuka did not have any means to move herself at that kind of speed. Even with her as a support, her influence would be very limited as well.
"Moreover, Asuka's Gift is better suited as a rider than as a support."
"Rea….Really? Since you put it that way, I will just give it a try."
Asuka handed over her straw hat to Kuro Usagi before hopping onto the saddle.
When she made sure that she had firmly grasped the reins in her hands, Asuka urged the Hippocamp to move without putting much thought to it.
"Then ---Let's go towards the plateaus at FULL SPEED!"
As her words fell, the Hippocamp gave off a fierce neighing roar as it charged forth out of the pastures. The water sprays caused by the movement were much fiercer than before, churning out a line of froth that marked their passing. Asuka who held the reins for dear life had already turned pale from the violent jostling of the Hippocamp's gallop.
"Eh? Wai…Wait a moment! Ahh!"
Those were the words that Asuka thought of saying but they never did make their way out since the jostling was so violent that they were caught in her throat. And since no command was given for it to slow, the Hippocamp continued to gallop and give its fierce neighing roar as it headed towards the distance. Yō and Kuro Usagi who were looking at them in admiration, waved goodbye to the fast fading dot that was Asuka.
"Impressive! At that speed, victory should be assured!" Kuro Usagi who watched the receding speck called Asuka, gave a little cheer.
However, Yō's face said otherwise.
"Unfortunately, speed alone isn't enough to assure our victory."
"Eh?"
"Because it seems that a certain someone over there will also be participating."
Following the direction Yō's finger was pointing towards, Kuro Usagi looked towards the opposite bank of the river. And appearing before her very eyes was a healthy looking, strong and sturdy Hippocamp and its rider, Faceless.
Noticing their gaze on her, Faceless used her reins to steer her Hippocamp towards them.
Seeming to hesitate for a moment after getting off her steed, she initiated the greetings.
"……It's been a while, [Highborn of Little Garden]. And the lady beside, I apologize for my rudeness the other time."
"Ah…No, I never took it to heart. But compared to that, your steed……looks really beautiful-----!"
Yō couldn't help but gaze upon Faceless's steed with eyes that shone with her admiration.
The steed had a sturdy looking blue body and the dorsal fin that acted like a mane, unique to its kind, was of a translucent green. Wet from the river's water and allowing sunlight to filter through its dorsal fin, the brilliant light that was refracted from it seemed to fill one's vision with its grandeur. The balanced proportions of its body parts was so perfect that it could almost be called an animated sculpture.
Placing aside the difference in species, it was the first time that Yō's eyes have set upon such a beautiful steed.
"Really Beautiful…… But this child isn't a rental Hippocamp right?"
"You're right. This is one of the steeds that's given to me by my Queen." Faceless had replied in a plain tone.
Though it might be a trick of the eye, it just seemed that the corners of her lips seemed to have raised slightly, seeming to be happy about her steed being praised by others.
Kuro Usagi also came over to the Hippocamp's side, pondering over it in fascination.
"As expected of the favored one of [Queen Halloween], to be able to receive such a good steed."
"My Queen's the most powerful summoner. Though I'm given many other Eudemon steeds, when it comes to 'steeds that can gallop on water', it's still this child that fits the job."[4]
She stroked the back of her steed gently as she said that. And the steed seemed to enjoy it as it leaned towards its master. Just by that sight, one could already tell how deep their trust was in each other.
Feeling a little threatened, Yō took a step forward. "……But, we will not lose. Since we lost out on the Hunting Event, it's time for us to make a come-back this time."
This was an open challenge to Faceless and she seemed to be surprise at the sudden turn of events for just a moment. But it was just for a moment only as her expression seemed to resume its normal composure and she replied in a calming tone as usual:
"I understand. I will accept your challenge seriously……But is it the right thing to do? I heard that you have a match with [Two Wings] to settle right?"
"Who would lose to those kind of people?" Yō answered simply while pouting unhappily.
Mulling over something for a while, Faceless decided to speak her mind.
"……Have you guys heard of the bet between the [Draco Greif] Alliance?"
Looking at each other in confirmation, Yō and Kuro Usagi both tilted their heads in puzzlement. Apparently, this was the first time they heard of such a matter. Having walked to their side and seemingly conscious about the others around them, Faceless lowered her volume as she whispered to them.
"I've heard it from others…. And it seems that if the victory goes to [Two Wings] in the Game of [Rider of Hippocamp], Griffith would be elected as the next [Floor Master] of the South."