Interlude 2[แก้ไข]
Part 1[แก้ไข]
---[Underwood] Harvest Festival Headquarters.
When day broke on the second day, Izayoi and the others had already left for the Alliance Discussion Hall that was situated within the belly of the Huge tree’s Hollow. And the Communities that had gathered here were four in total:
Leader of [One Horn] and also the representative for the [Draco Greif] Alliance, Sala Doltrake.
Stand-in Leader of [Six Scars], Carol Gundark.
The stand-in strategist of [Will-O'-Wisp], Faceless.
Leader of [No Name], Jin Russel with Sakamaki Izayoi and Kudou Asuka.
Kuro Usagi who was acting as the Host for the Discussion, stood at the front as she placed the Power of Attorneys[1] onto the long table before her to start the ball rolling.
“Well then, the following shall be a discussion held for the combat strategies to be used for the Gift Game [SUN SYNCHRONOUS ORBIT in VAMPIRE KING]! The direction that the other Communities will be taking have already been suggested in the form of the Power of Attorneys in front of me, here. I would also like to remind the other representatives who similarly hold Power of Attorneys, Sala-sama and Carol-sama to be mindful of that fact. And may we speak with the thought of the responsibilities that we carry.”
“Got it.”
“Yep Yep!”
Sala had given a sincere reply and Carol had similarly given hers while waving her nicely bent tail.
Izayoi who was standing at the back was surprised as he observed Carol’s nicely bent tail that seemed to be her unique trait.
“Could you…Could you be the neko onna who works as a waitress at the café of Outergate number 2105380?’
“Yep, that’s right, Okyakusan[2]. Thank you for the frequent patronage♪”
“She’s the twenty-fourth daughter of [Six Scars] leader, Garol Gundark-dono. It’s said that she had opened a branch of the café at the East Side under the orders of Garol-dono.”
“Hehe. It can be counted as a small scale information gathering activity. Regarding the tales of my frequent customers, I’ve also told all of them as accurately and completely to my father too!”
*Oh!* Izayoi and Asuka replied in a grudgingly respectful manner. For when they gave it more thought, her news had really been very informative since Day one of their first encounter, but never did they entertain a thought of Carol being the spy sent from the South Side.
Exchanging a glance and a knowing smile with each other, Izayoi and Asuka seemed to have arrived at the idea of a new prank.
“I see. So the reason of a mere waitress at the café being invited to the South Side’s Harvest Festival is due to such a matter……But since your little secret has been exposed, we won’t be stepping into that café from now on right, Ojou-sama?”
“Yep, you’re right. Even all the battle strategies that we have mulled over in that café have been completely leaked by now right? That’s really scary…I won’t dare to step in there ever again.”
“Looks like we can only do our part as the [Region Master] of Outergate number 2105380 to propagate the warning to all the fellow Communities in the region. For example:[There’s a spy hiding under the flag of [Six Scars]!]”
Izayoi and Asuka were energetically discussing about the future measures with the intention of letting everyone around hear of their talk.
A flustered Carol had immediately perked her nekomimi and her bent tail.
“EH…Wait, Hey, Please wait for a moment! If you guys really did that, the café would surely be unable to continue anymore!”
“Oh my…But that so doesn’t concern us. We have a duty to ensure the development and security of the region. How can we close an eye to the café that is indiscreetly carrying out its spying activities?”
“If you really want us to close an eye to your activities…… you should at least have what they call a [Befitting Attitude] right?”
The two problem children revealed their evil grins as they plotted maliciously to pressure Carol into a corner. That scene was like a businessman, who was surrounded by the evil and corrupt government officials, trying to seek for protection with bribery.
Carol was pressured to the edge of crying as she turned her head away while twiddling her fingers as she said in a sorrowful tone:
“From…From today onwards, only limited to the members of [No Name], my café shall be providing you guys a privilege price of 90% on all purchases---”
“Nope 70%.”
“Meouuuuuwwww! Sa…Sala-sama~!”
“Aw, be obedient now. Just remember not to have such rash talks that expose your identity and mission again.”
Sala was gently stroking Carol’s head and nekomimi but her words were quite sharp too.
Sakamaki Izayoi and Kudou Asuka lightly gave each other a Hi-five.
Kuro Usagi and Jin couldn’t help but blush red to their [rabbit] ears upon seeing the underhanded methods of their comrades.
Faceless who was quietly watching the situation playing out before her without interrupting finally raised her hand slowly.
“---Can we get back on topic?”
“……Ah, Ye…Yes!”
Kuro Usagi hurriedly straightened her back as she resumed her proper posture.