Last Embryo Vol 3 Chapter 6

Chapter 6

After taking down the 30th Stymphalian, Tokuteru clicked his tongue.

(...There’s just no end to them, huh.)

He observed his surroundings without releasing his Vajra.

Usually, he wouldn't go out of his way to summon Vajra and shower these kinds of opponents  with lightning. After all, with a War G.o.d like him as their opponent, fighting was simply out of the question, regardless of what kind of mythical monsters they were.

And the same could be said for Arjuna.

The two were taking down the monsters one after another without getting serious.

However, that was not their true goal.

While mowing down the Stymphalians with Vajra's handle, Tokuteru stood back to back with Arjuna.

"Hey now. It's a Game, so at least try to enjoy it, you stupid son."

"...Please don't joke. Even if it's a game, I'm not a battle junkie who enjoys fighting."

"That's not what I meant. This Game also has a purpose of entertainment. What are you gonna do if the audience isn't enjoying themselves? If that happens, our debt won't be repaid. Don't forget, you are the one who made it!"

"Kh......I understand that much!"

Arjuna drew his bow in a vexed manner, let the arrow fly out of frustration. If it was his usual self, it would’ve been unthinkable to even consider such an action. However, given how all of this started, his behavior couldn’t be helped.

In the Indian Pantheon where Arjuna belonged, there was a hierarchical society in the form of a  Caste system.

Brahmin (Monks Cla.s.s), the sacred position in charge of the rituals.

Kshatriya (Warriors Cla.s.s), where n.o.bles and warriors belonged.

Vaishya (Middle Cla.s.s), for the ordinary citizens.

Shudra (Workers Cla.s.s), who were forced into slavery and agriculture.

Arjuna was born in the age ruled by these four Caste systems, and had his name left in History as Kshatriya, the second cla.s.s on the list.

Kshatriya was a blessed cla.s.s indeed, having the right to command over war and politics...

However, when it came to Little Garden, which was ruled by Games, they were bound to one fatal rule.

Which was, 'if they were challenged to a dice game, they were not allowed to reject no matter what.’

Tokuteru sighed and smiled as if poking fun at him.

"Good grief... When I spoke with 'Avatara's' spy, I couldn't believe what I heard. Falling into a debt of 200,000 'Thousand Eyes' gold? Just what kind of crus.h.i.+ng defeat did you experience to build up such an amount, huh? Even my top bill only goes up to 190,000 gold."

"You are not much different than I Father!"

Arjuna couldn't endure it and yelled back. With the difference being so scant, that was one thing better left unsaid.

Like father like son. Perhaps they needed someone else to tell them off. Uesugi, who listened to their conversation from afar, almost went crazy from hearing such an unbelievable amount of money.

"B-Both of them have a total debt of 390,000...!!? Just what kind of loss made them squander so much money!!?"

"No, Tokuteru just said that was his top debt. If we were to add all his lifetime debts to that, I think that will multiple by a hundredfold."

Homura sharply pointed it out while holding a hand to his jaw. Hearing him, Tokuteru suddenly looked the other way, which meant that Homura had hit the mark.

Even if it's just a dice gambling, it shouldn't be taken too lightly.

This kind of game existed since ancient a.s.syria of 8th century BC, sometimes being used as a form of a ritual, and sometimes even used to overturn a final sentence during trials. It was such a rigid game.

There were n.o.bles who had bet their territories on a roll of the dice, and there were also kings who had bet their very kingdoms on it.

It was an ancient game on the same level as board games like 'Senet' of ancient Egypt and 'Nine Men's Morris' that spread in Rome.

But whatever the case, it still wouldn't change the fact that Uesugi couldn't understand any of it.

Arjuna, whom had everything exposed, looked at Homura with a truly apologetic face.

"...I'm sorry young man from the outer world. I was playing a Game against the previous winner with Sun Authorities as ante’s, but before I realized it, money became the replacement. When I was at a loss, not wanting to burden our comrades with the debt, my father offered to take over my debt... But never did I expect that he would be pus.h.i.+ng it off to you Players from the outer world."

"Neither did I! I didn't expect that I would be dragging a huge debt with me when I took my first step into this world! I never even imagine that!!!"

I'm truly ashamed, Arjuna dropped his shoulders.

But Uesugi raised her eyebrow as if she had finally understood something.

(...I see. Making him lose the dice game just like the legend says, and putting him in Homura's care after temporarily separating him from 'Avatara', huh? That might be too brilliant of a move, considering it's Tokuteru we are talking about.)

In Indian mythology, Arjuna did suffer a heavy defeat once in one of these unrefusable dice games, causing him and his siblings to be exiled from the country. Thus, Tokuteru must have thought that, given Arjuna's fair personality, he could separate his son from 'Avatara' based on that defeat.

"I suppose it can't be helped if that's how it is... All right, let's hear the details later. Speaking of which, Saigou Homura. Is it possible you can solve the puzzle? Actually, do you even know anything about Sun Authorities?"

"I studied them beforehand more or less. After all, studying is where I s.h.i.+ne the most."

"I see. Then, how should we deal with this?"

Homura stared at the Gift Game details that had been written on a parchment, Uesugi watching over him from behind. She, too, stared at him in an imposing stance with her arms folded.

Even though he rejected Tokuteru's request a while ago, it seemed that she still didn't leave Homura all by himself. Homura opened up the legend wiki app that he used before and asked to confirm a few things.

"First comes the principle. We have to start solving this game by deducing what the monster in question is, right?"

"Indeed. After all, though the text does say it's a 'monster', those who are called monsters are a dime a dozen in Little Garden. When it's written by its general name rather than its actual one, we must first deduce the individual name of the monster."

Deduce the individual name.

Based on that principle, Homura glanced down at the Gift Game's paper.

『　─　Sun Authority War First Exhibition Match　─　

　・Game Overview

① Drive away the countless monsters that appear and defeat the monster related to the Sun Game. (Allowed to keep).

② The exhibition period is once per day. Twenty four times in total.

③ There is a time-limit. If you can't clear the exhibition within half an hour, it will carry over to the next day.

④ For as long as the Sun Authority War final selection is commencing, the exhibition can be held any number of times.

　・Winning Condition: Partic.i.p.ate every day in the Game, and the team that defeats all twenty-four monsters will be the first victor.

　・Reward Clause: You will receive a reward for every monster you defeat. Victor can make an advantageous transfer to the final selection once.

　・Partic.i.p.ating Condition: Everyone can partic.i.p.ate. You are welcomed to jump in and take part.

　・Obliged Partic.i.p.ants: Those with debts must partic.i.p.ate in the aforementioned Gift Game as one team to repay the debt.

Oath: We swear upon our glory and flag to Host the Game in accordance with the aforementioned rules.

Seal of 'Sun Authority War Steering Committee' 』

"Since it's being held every day, I guess it's a kind of daily special Game."

"That's how it seems. Don't think about Tokuteru's debt for now. You should just focus on clearing the Game. Especially if it gives you an advantage in the final selection."

Indeed, that was what he had to pay the biggest attention to.

If this Game was just to clear Tokuteru's debt, both of them would've probably given up on the spot. But that specific reward for this Game couldn't be disregarded.

"So the victor will have a single advantage in the finals, huh? While they haven't provided the specifics, it still can't be overlooked. It will be too late to regret it after some other Community s.n.a.t.c.hes it from us."

"Exactly. ...Now then, I'll lend you my a.s.sistance. Have a go at it, as you like."

Receiving her encouraging words, Homura nodded back.

He then opened the pamphlet that had been given to him along with the invitation.

"Since it's a sham battle of a Sun Authority War, it's should be a monster that is related to the Sun Authorities. But these bronze monster birds are not related to it, are they?"

"You mean the Stamphylians? ...No, you can't say that they are completely unrelated. If I'm not mistaken, didn't these birds appear in the 'Ten Labours' that the DemiG.o.d Heracles performed?"

"Ten? Weren't there twelve trials?"

"That's the official name, yes. I don't know the details myself, but was it not said that if ten trials were completed then that was enough?"

Without even thinking about it, Uesugi sent the oncoming Stamphylian flying with a backhand blow, its wings crushed as it crashed into the audience seats.

The way it crashed was less like an arrow and more like a cannonball, which made the audience flee in terror.

Seeing that, Homura checked the surroundings as if he suddenly remembered something.

"That reminds me, there doesn't seem to be any Players intruding on this Game. Does the reward not interest them? Or maybe they just don't want to display their cards here?"

"Quite possible it's the latter. There's no Player who wants to flaunt his true power before the finals. ...However, it's still strange indeed. The advantage in the finals should be an attractive reward. There should've been some intruders..."

Catching Homura's point, Uesugi looked towards the auditorium.

And at that moment, they suddenly heard Suzuka's voice from the Wagon's linked door.

"I...I thought we were goners...! Really, just what were those monsters! We really are inside the train right!!?"

"T-That seems to be the case. Perhaps it's because it entered the earth vein after the departure? Though it had become quite stagnant here compared to the average monster field..."

It seemed that Suzuka and Ayato had finally arrived at the pocket stage after going through the VIP wagon, completely out of breath. As the two stepped inside, the audience burst into loud cheers.

Just as they entered the audience seats, thin bronze feathers started fluttering down from above.

Homura approached them from the stage and yelled.

"Suzuka! Ayato! Are you okay!?"

They simultaneously turned towards the shouting voice.

Ayato still couldn't fully understand what was going on, but seeing that Homura and the others were at the centre of the stage, she bent forward from the seats and yelled back.

"That's what I should be asking, Senpai! Why are you there!?"

"Anyway, I'm glad you are fine, Brother! We'll be there in "

"No, tell me what you were saying just now! What's going on in the other wagons!?"

"I can't even fully describe it! There was a mountain place with an absurdly huge wild boar, and a perverted plant that persistently chased Aychan, there was also a forest with an unbelievably fast deer, and a riverside hut that smelled so bad it almost rot our noses! There has to be something wrong with this place if those are supposed to be VIP wagons!"

"T-That's true. Kasukabe-san opened a path for us, but it would've probably been very difficult to arrive here by ourselves. That tentacle plant, in particular, was a bit too much on the psychological side...."

Suzuka snarled in anger while Ayato scratched her cheek with a strained smile.

Understanding the situation, Homura and Uesugi clicked their tongues.

"We've been had...! So it turns out that the entire spirit train becomes a Game stage during this exhibition huh!?"

"So that's what it meant by a 30 minute, once-day event. It seems we'll be having an aggravating thirty minutes from now on as well."

It turned out that it was not just this stage wagon that had changed into different areas, but the VIP and all other wagons as well. Homura was made to walk through various rooms before by Queen's power.

If she, who could manipulate the boundaries, was cooperating with this Game, then they could've indeed prepared for such an exaggerated gimmick.

Just then, Kuro Usagi pointed towards the giant crystal hanging above the stage and announced.

"Now then, since all the Players have started to realize it, let's look here for a moment! Lapko III-san in charge of the rear VIP wagon, show the video if you please♪"

The crystal displayed a wagon that was just before the pocket stage wagon.

The rear wagon displayed in the spectating crystal had turned into an even bigger monster world than the stage wagon itself.

───In fact, there were mountains inside the wagon.

To say it bluntly, a boundless wilderness spread out inside there.

The wagon entrance looked extremely strange in the reflection, standing isolated in-between the wilderness and the mountains, causing clamor among the audience.

Inside the wagon with mountains, there was a big wild boar with a giant plant on its back fighting against Kasukabe You.

Chills ran down Kuro Usagi's spine when she saw that plant, rather than the boar itself.

"E-Ehh...? That tentacle plant, could it be the Black★Rabbit Eater MK II!?"

"B-Black★Rabbit Eater MK II, you say!?"

"What's up with that tentacle plant that's obviously there to attack Kuro Usagi!"

Ayato and Suzuka responded to Kuro Usagi's report. Kuro Usagi's usammi twitched as she replied to them.

"YES! That was originally a plant that a certain idiot made to tease Kuro Usagi... but now that it had been revised, it had gained a nature to attack not just Kuro Usagi, but any voluptuous girls!!!"

"That's a truly ridiculous plant weapon!"

"So that's why Aychan was attacked!"

"Moreover, the big boar itself aims towards the girls with modest chests♪"

"It's truly a ridiculous big boar!!!"

"So that's why Kasukabe-san was attacked!!"

Even stupidity had its limits. The audience was divided into the girls that threw complaints with their firsts raised, and the foolish guys that got excited and wanted to watch the a.s.sault instead.

You, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to what was going on in the neighbouring wagon. While nimbly dodging the tentacles, she was inspecting the surroundings as she fought the giant boar. She didn't display even a bit of what could be considered her Gift, and was dealing with the boar with just her own physical prowess.

If she became serious, both the giant boar and the plant weapon would be no match for her, but she somehow sensed that she was being observed and decided to not display her power.

She was hindered by the feeling of wanting to hide her true power at any cost before the finals came.

(...There are too many eyes on me. Are there spies hiding here, or is it a farsight Gift? Whichever it might be, I want to avoid showing my power to other Players.)

She turned her back towards the observers and wondered how to handle the situation.

Truth was, it was just the lewd stares of the foolish male audience that she was receiving from the spectating crystal, but since she didn't know the circ.u.mstances, it was natural for her to misunderstand.

Unable to bear that, the mini-sized farsight Demon, Lapko III, appeared on top of her shoulder.

"Kasukabe You-san. The reflection of this battle is being shown across the Spirit Train."

"Ah, so that's how it was. Then I'll just quickly deal with it bare-handed."

"No, let's go flashy instead!"

You bent her head in wonder. She couldn't accept that request, and Lapko wasn’t one to suggest something like that usually in the first place.

"...Why? Are you troubled over something?"

"It's not like that... But the Players with debts have been cutting corners too much in the Game and we weren't able to take any good recordings. If it goes on like this, the excitement will die down. So, we have to rouse up the stage with your flashy Gift Kasukabe-san."

"Eh, don't wanna."

Came an immediate reply.

".... Then let's do this. If you show me a flashy finish here, then I will give you the egg of a Basilisk, which is among the big five delicacies that are legendary even in this Little-"

"Okay, I'll give it my all!"

An immediate reply, again!

You grasped a wooden pendant on her chest and faced the giant boar. The beast was rumoured to be as big as a mountain in legends, but in reality, it wasn't that big. For her who had experience fighting against Giants, it wasn't an opponent to be afraid of.

Transforming her unique Gift, 'Genome Tree' she donned a s.h.i.+ning armour of steel.

The released light converged into a pair of s.h.i.+ning wings and lifted her body up.

However, she didn't fly in order to flee. While rotating and accelerating herself, You drew an arc and flew above the big boar's head, and then swooped down on it with all her acc.u.mulated force.

"Heave... ho!!"

Raising a slightly out of sync shout, clad in a s.h.i.+ning wind, she rushed towards the boar.

The plant monster - Black★Rabbit Eater MK II that was parasitizing the big boar's back, compromised and extended its tentacle towards You's modest chest. However, that wasn’t a problem for her.

The s.h.i.+ning gale that imitated the Gift of 'Pegasus' had decimated the plant weapon, leaving no traces of it, as well as blown the giant boar off to the distant ends of the wilderness.

By skillfully manipulating the sparkling winds, You drew a banner in the sky, and then turned towards Lapko III and raised a big victory shout.

"...Victory!"

And took a victory pose while making a V-sign.

The audience raised loud cheers because she won in a flamboyant manner as requested, save for one part of the male audience, who became depressed that the tentacles' attack never came.

Suzuka, who watched the same battle from across the crystal, widened her eyes in surprise.

"Woow! Kasukabe-san is so strong. She ended it with one blow!"

"Indeed. But I believe even you can defeat something of that level by yourself, Suzuka."

"Hmm... Well, yeah, but let's leave that aside. If Kasukabe-san defeated it for us, there's nothing better than that."

Suzuka said with her finger raised. Although, since they could advance favourably in the finals if they acc.u.mulated achievements, it should've been quite severe to have a victory stolen by someone else.

Suzuka wondered if that was really ok, but since the person in question had no desire to fight, it was something that couldn't be helped.

Kuro Usagi happily resumed her reporting from the stage.

"As expected of 'No Names' winning candidate, Kasukabe You! She got the point from exterminating the big boar! We 'No Names' have achieved the first point of the exhibition matches!"

Kuro Usagi puffed her chest in pride with her usamimi perking up.

With that announcement, Homura finally saw the big picture.

"She got a winning point when she defeated a big boar... I see now! So the target beasts are the monsters from the 'Ten Labors' that are related to the 'Twelve Ecliptic Constellations' and 'Twelve Chén of the Equator', huh!"

Within the 'Twelve Ecliptic Constellations', the twelve Celestial Beasts were: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

And within the 'Twelve Chén of the Equator' there was: Mouse, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Those that matched with these twenty-four Celestial Beasts that exist on the Equator, and also appeared in the 'Ten Labours' were: Lion, Sea Bull, Dragon, Crab and Boar.

The lion was the 'Nemean Lion' with impervious skin, on which the Leo constellation was based on.

The Sea Bull was the 'Poseidon's Sea Bull' from the legend of the Minotaur.

Dragon and Boar were the Celestial Beasts of the equator and unrelated, but since this was an exhibition match they were probably loose with rules. The Crab appeared to be from Heracles' Hydra extermination, when he crushed it underfoot.

Now that You had defeated the big boar, that only left four remaining.

Although the mystery had been solved, there was regretfully almost no time remaining. They might have been able to defeat the Crab, but they didn't know which of the wagons it was in.

Arjuna lowered his Divine Bow and said with a bitter expression.

"...With this, we have no more reason to be in this wagon. There is also little time left. Maybe this is a good place to stop today."

"Stop being all depressing there! You are the one who made that debt with s.h.i.+royasha!!! And you were told to at least hunt one beast per game as a quota to repay the debt, weren't you?!"

Arjuna ignored Tokuteru's intimidation and looked the other way.

While they were just rolled up in his debt, if they couldn't even defeat a single beast like this, its effects would even involve Homura's side. He wanted to avoid that at all costs.

However, as heartless as it was, Kuro Usagi announced the news of clearing the Games one after another.

"Oops, I have received another clearing report from the powerhouse chief engineer Lapko-san! It seems that the shadow of Nemean Lion that was lying in wait had been attacked! The subjugator is a self-alleged representative of Germanic Pantheon, Vidar! With this, only the Dragon, Bull and crab are─eh, the Hydra and Crab had been exterminated too? Player Vidar defeated all three of them, you say? Wow, that's amazing, but this is unexpected! There's only Bull left! Debt team, please hurry!"

Kuro Usagi gave a supportive shout towards Tokuteru and others with the pole of the gong in hand. She might've known what was going on, but she couldn't do anything for them as she was the judge.

Meanwhile, Homura confirmed the time in a fl.u.s.tered manner. There was less than two minutes left!

"s.h.i.+t, there's no time! Is there nothing we can do!? I don't want my first step to living in another world starting with a huge debt! And not even my own debt at that!!! BUT SOMEONE ELSE'S!!!"

Homura yelled loudly. Hearing that, Arjuna dropped his shoulders with even more guilt.

Tokuteru finished exterminating all the Stymphalians in the stage and looked up in wonder if this was it.

"Can't be helped...! Homura, we are using our trump card!"

"Trump Card!? You mean, like, selling Tokuteru's organs!?"

"s.h.i.+t, you have no faith left in me! Just summon 'Proto Keraunos' from your Gift Card already! If you knock down that guy who will get summoned alongside it, we should win!"

Homura was in chaos, unable to understand what he meant... But in the next moment, the meaning behind his words became clear.

Homura didn't understand why he was left in the outer world, but now that it had come to this, everything had clicked together.

"Y...You really are the lowest of the low...!"

Homura understood what Tokuteru planned, but his response was weak due to the feelings of guilt tormenting him. Indeed, if he had summoned that boy and defeated him, he might have cleared the winning condition. While he wasn't the actual monster in question, he was said to be the son of the Water Bull. In fact, that perfectly matched the legends.

───However, was that really fine?

He was currently supposed to be in the outer world's French restaurant 'Don Bruno', where he spent his days in peace. Thinking about it timewise, there was a chance that he was now helping them with the dinnertime rush hour. He hasn't lived more than 15 years, but this was undoubtedly the calmest and gentlest time for him in his entire life. Would it really be fine to suddenly summon him, and on top of that, beat him down? Would that really be a rightful thing to do as a human? Would there be any justice in that action? Not to mention, the shop manager, Don, was really strict when it came to obligations. It seemed he had been feared as one of the elite mafia members when he was in Europe, and even now when he had been betrayed and abandoned by his comrades, he still had that scar from when he had made an oath of blood. Because of that, there were even rumours going around that he was making blood oaths when he was employing the workers. And if he was made to play hooky at the store of someone as uptight as him, the outcome would be quite scary. Above all, the boy was poor. It was far too unreasonable to forcefully summon him to an unfamiliar place on top of forcing him to skip work, and even have his master beat him up. Even the black companies didn't go so far. In the end, he just couldn’t to that...

"Just do it, Homura!!! If we can't clear this, the debt will double, you know!!? Are you still fine with that!!?"

"Ugh......Just drop dead, Tokuteru...!!!"

Saigou Homura fell down into an evil path.

As he raised his Gift Card high up, the son of stars and lighting───Asterius materialized.

He had been happily eating a freshly-baked pumpkin quiche with his ap.r.o.n still on, and the sudden summoning caused him to raise a strange voice.

"WhWhat in the...!?"

"Uesugi-san, if you will!"

"What a sc.u.mmy settlement!"

She said and boorishly raised her sheathed katana aloft.

And Asterius was blown off to distant ends with her monstrous strength.

And the next moment, the final gong of the Game had rung.

Chapter 6.

After taking down the 30th Stymphalian, Tokuteru clicked his tongue..

 .

(...There’s just no end to them, huh.).

 .

He observed his surroundings without releasing his Vajra..

 .

Usually, he wouldn't go out of his way to summon Vajra and shower these kinds of opponents  with lightning. After all, with a War G.o.d like him as their opponent, fighting was simply out of the question, regardless of what kind of mythical monsters they were..

.

And the same could be said for Arjuna..

 .

The two were taking down the monsters one after another without getting serious..

 .

However, that was not their true goal..

 .

While mowing down the Stymphalians with Vajra's handle, Tokuteru stood back to back with Arjuna..

 .

"Hey now. It's a Game, so at least try to enjoy it, you stupid son.".

 .

"...Please don't joke. Even if it's a game, I'm not a battle junkie who enjoys fighting.".

 .

"That's not what I meant. This Game also has a purpose of entertainment. What are you gonna do if the audience isn't enjoying themselves? If that happens, our debt won't be repaid. Don't forget, you are the one who made it!".

 .

"Kh......I understand that much!".

 .

Arjuna drew his bow in a vexed manner, let the arrow fly out of frustration. If it was his usual self, it would’ve been unthinkable to even consider such an action. However, given how all of this started, his behavior couldn’t be helped..

 .

In the Indian Pantheon where Arjuna belonged, there was a hierarchical society in the form of a  Caste system..

 .

Brahmin (Monks Cla.s.s), the sacred position in charge of the rituals..

 .

Kshatriya (Warriors Cla.s.s), where n.o.bles and warriors belonged..

 .

Vaishya (Middle Cla.s.s), for the ordinary citizens..

 .

Shudra (Workers Cla.s.s), who were forced into slavery and agriculture..

 .

Arjuna was born in the age ruled by these four Caste systems, and had his name left in History as Kshatriya, the second cla.s.s on the list..

 .

Kshatriya was a blessed cla.s.s indeed, having the right to command over war and politics....

 .

However, when it came to Little Garden, which was ruled by Games, they were bound to one fatal rule..

 .

Which was, 'if they were challenged to a dice game, they were not allowed to reject no matter what.’.

 .

Tokuteru sighed and smiled as if poking fun at him..

 .

"Good grief... When I spoke with 'Avatara's' spy, I couldn't believe what I heard. Falling into a debt of 200,000 'Thousand Eyes' gold? Just what kind of crus.h.i.+ng defeat did you experience to build up such an amount, huh? Even my top bill only goes up to 190,000 gold.".

 .

"You are not much different than I Father!".

 .

Arjuna couldn't endure it and yelled back. With the difference being so scant, that was one thing better left unsaid..

 .

Like father like son. Perhaps they needed someone else to tell them off. Uesugi, who listened to their conversation from afar, almost went crazy from hearing such an unbelievable amount of money..

 .

"B-Both of them have a total debt of 390,000...!!? Just what kind of loss made them squander so much money!!?".

 .

"No, Tokuteru just said that was his top debt. If we were to add all his lifetime debts to that, I think that will multiple by a hundredfold.".

 .

Homura sharply pointed it out while holding a hand to his jaw. Hearing him, Tokuteru suddenly looked the other way, which meant that Homura had hit the mark..

 .

Even if it's just a dice gambling, it shouldn't be taken too lightly..

 .

This kind of game existed since ancient a.s.syria of 8th century BC, sometimes being used as a form of a ritual, and sometimes even used to overturn a final sentence during trials. It was such a rigid game..

 .

There were n.o.bles who had bet their territories on a roll of the dice, and there were also kings who had bet their very kingdoms on it..

 .

It was an ancient game on the same level as board games like 'Senet' of ancient Egypt and 'Nine Men's Morris' that spread in Rome..

 .

But whatever the case, it still wouldn't change the fact that Uesugi couldn't understand any of it..

 .

Arjuna, whom had everything exposed, looked at Homura with a truly apologetic face..

 .

"...I'm sorry young man from the outer world. I was playing a Game against the previous winner with Sun Authorities as ante’s, but before I realized it, money became the replacement. When I was at a loss, not wanting to burden our comrades with the debt, my father offered to take over my debt... But never did I expect that he would be pus.h.i.+ng it off to you Players from the outer world.".

 .

"Neither did I! I didn't expect that I would be dragging a huge debt with me when I took my first step into this world! I never even imagine that!!!".

 .

I'm truly ashamed, Arjuna dropped his shoulders..

 .

But Uesugi raised her eyebrow as if she had finally understood something..

 .

(...I see. Making him lose the dice game just like the legend says, and putting him in Homura's care after temporarily separating him from 'Avatara', huh? That might be too brilliant of a move, considering it's Tokuteru we are talking about.).

 .

In Indian mythology, Arjuna did suffer a heavy defeat once in one of these unrefusable dice games, causing him and his siblings to be exiled from the country. Thus, Tokuteru must have thought that, given Arjuna's fair personality, he could separate his son from 'Avatara' based on that defeat..

 .

"I suppose it can't be helped if that's how it is... All right, let's hear the details later. Speaking of which, Saigou Homura. Is it possible you can solve the puzzle? Actually, do you even know anything about Sun Authorities?".

 .

"I studied them beforehand more or less. After all, studying is where I s.h.i.+ne the most.".

 .

"I see. Then, how should we deal with this?".

 .

Homura stared at the Gift Game details that had been written on a parchment, Uesugi watching over him from behind. She, too, stared at him in an imposing stance with her arms folded..

 .

Even though he rejected Tokuteru's request a while ago, it seemed that she still didn't leave Homura all by himself. Homura opened up the legend wiki app that he used before and asked to confirm a few things..

 .

"First comes the principle. We have to start solving this game by deducing what the monster in question is, right?".

 .

"Indeed. After all, though the text does say it's a 'monster', those who are called monsters are a dime a dozen in Little Garden. When it's written by its general name rather than its actual one, we must first deduce the individual name of the monster.".

 .

Deduce the individual name..

 .

Based on that principle, Homura glanced down at the Gift Game's paper..

.  .

『　─　Sun Authority War First Exhibition Match　─　.

 .

　・Game Overview.

 .

① Drive away the countless monsters that appear and defeat the monster related to the Sun Game. (Allowed to keep)..

 .

② The exhibition period is once per day. Twenty four times in total..

 .

③ There is a time-limit. If you can't clear the exhibition within half an hour, it will carry over to the next day..

 .

④ For as long as the Sun Authority War final selection is commencing, the exhibition can be held any number of times..

 .

　・Winning Condition: Partic.i.p.ate every day in the Game, and the team that defeats all twenty-four monsters will be the first victor..

 .

　・Reward Clause: You will receive a reward for every monster you defeat. Victor can make an advantageous transfer to the final selection once..

 .

　・Partic.i.p.ating Condition: Everyone can partic.i.p.ate. You are welcomed to jump in and take part..

 .

　・Obliged Partic.i.p.ants: Those with debts must partic.i.p.ate in the aforementioned Gift Game as one team to repay the debt..

 .

Oath: We swear upon our glory and flag to Host the Game in accordance with the aforementioned rules..

 .

Seal of 'Sun Authority War Steering Committee' 』.

.  .

"Since it's being held every day, I guess it's a kind of daily special Game.".

 .

"That's how it seems. Don't think about Tokuteru's debt for now. You should just focus on clearing the Game. Especially if it gives you an advantage in the final selection.".

 .

Indeed, that was what he had to pay the biggest attention to..

 .

If this Game was just to clear Tokuteru's debt, both of them would've probably given up on the spot. But that specific reward for this Game couldn't be disregarded..

 .

"So the victor will have a single advantage in the finals, huh? While they haven't provided the specifics, it still can't be overlooked. It will be too late to regret it after some other Community s.n.a.t.c.hes it from us.".

 .

"Exactly..Now then, I'll lend you my a.s.sistance. Have a go at it, as you like.".

 .

Receiving her encouraging words, Homura nodded back..

 .

He then opened the pamphlet that had been given to him along with the invitation..

 .

"Since it's a sham battle of a Sun Authority War, it's should be a monster that is related to the Sun Authorities. But these bronze monster birds are not related to it, are they?".

 .

"You mean the Stamphylians? ...No, you can't say that they are completely unrelated. If I'm not mistaken, didn't these birds appear in the 'Ten Labours' that the DemiG.o.d Heracles performed?".

 .

"Ten? Weren't there twelve trials?".

 .

"That's the official name, yes. I don't know the details myself, but was it not said that if ten trials were completed then that was enough?".

 .

Without even thinking about it, Uesugi sent the oncoming Stamphylian flying with a backhand blow, its wings crushed as it crashed into the audience seats..

 .

The way it crashed was less like an arrow and more like a cannonball, which made the audience flee in terror..

 .

Seeing that, Homura checked the surroundings as if he suddenly remembered something..

 .

"That reminds me, there doesn't seem to be any Players intruding on this Game. Does the reward not interest them? Or maybe they just don't want to display their cards here?".

 .

"Quite possible it's the latter. There's no Player who wants to flaunt his true power before the finals..However, it's still strange indeed. The advantage in the finals should be an attractive reward. There should've been some intruders...".

 .

Catching Homura's point, Uesugi looked towards the auditorium..

 .

And at that moment, they suddenly heard Suzuka's voice from the Wagon's linked door..

 .

"I...I thought we were goners...! Really, just what were those monsters! We really are inside the train right!!?".

 .

"T-That seems to be the case. Perhaps it's because it entered the earth vein after the departure? Though it had become quite stagnant here compared to the average monster field...".

 .

It seemed that Suzuka and Ayato had finally arrived at the pocket stage after going through the VIP wagon, completely out of breath. As the two stepped inside, the audience burst into loud cheers..

 .

Just as they entered the audience seats, thin bronze feathers started fluttering down from above..

 .

Homura approached them from the stage and yelled..

 .

"Suzuka! Ayato! Are you okay!?".

 .

They simultaneously turned towards the shouting voice..

 .

Ayato still couldn't fully understand what was going on, but seeing that Homura and the others were at the centre of the stage, she bent forward from the seats and yelled back..

 .

"That's what I should be asking, Senpai! Why are you there!?".

 .

"Anyway, I'm glad you are fine, Brother! We'll be there in ".

 .

"No, tell me what you were saying just now! What's going on in the other wagons!?".

 .

"I can't even fully describe it! There was a mountain place with an absurdly huge wild boar, and a perverted plant that persistently chased Aychan, there was also a forest with an unbelievably fast deer, and a riverside hut that smelled so bad it almost rot our noses! There has to be something wrong with this place if those are supposed to be VIP wagons!".

 .

"T-That's true. Kasukabe-san opened a path for us, but it would've probably been very difficult to arrive here by ourselves. That tentacle plant, in particular, was a bit too much on the psychological side....".

 .

Suzuka snarled in anger while Ayato scratched her cheek with a strained smile..

 .

Understanding the situation, Homura and Uesugi clicked their tongues..

 .

"We've been had...! So it turns out that the entire spirit train becomes a Game stage during this exhibition huh!?".

 .

"So that's what it meant by a 30 minute, once-day event. It seems we'll be having an aggravating thirty minutes from now on as well.".

 .

It turned out that it was not just this stage wagon that had changed into different areas, but the VIP and all other wagons as well. Homura was made to walk through various rooms before by Queen's power..

 .

If she, who could manipulate the boundaries, was cooperating with this Game, then they could've indeed prepared for such an exaggerated gimmick..

 .

Just then, Kuro Usagi pointed towards the giant crystal hanging above the stage and announced..

 .

"Now then, since all the Players have started to realize it, let's look here for a moment! Lapko III-san in charge of the rear VIP wagon, show the video if you please♪".

 .

The crystal displayed a wagon that was just before the pocket stage wagon..

 .

The rear wagon displayed in the spectating crystal had turned into an even bigger monster world than the stage wagon itself..

 .

───In fact, there were mountains inside the wagon..

 .

To say it bluntly, a boundless wilderness spread out inside there..

 .

The wagon entrance looked extremely strange in the reflection, standing isolated in-between the wilderness and the mountains, causing clamor among the audience..

 .

Inside the wagon with mountains, there was a big wild boar with a giant plant on its back fighting against Kasukabe You..

 .

Chills ran down Kuro Usagi's spine when she saw that plant, rather than the boar itself..

 .

"E-Ehh...? That tentacle plant, could it be the Black★Rabbit Eater MK II!?".

 .

"B-Black★Rabbit Eater MK II, you say!?".

 .

"What's up with that tentacle plant that's obviously there to attack Kuro Usagi!".

 .

Ayato and Suzuka responded to Kuro Usagi's report. Kuro Usagi's usammi twitched as she replied to them..

 .

"YES! That was originally a plant that a certain idiot made to tease Kuro Usagi... but now that it had been revised, it had gained a nature to attack not just Kuro Usagi, but any voluptuous girls!!!".

 .

"That's a truly ridiculous plant weapon!".

 .

"So that's why Aychan was attacked!".

 .

.

 .

 .

"Moreover, the big boar itself aims towards the girls with modest chests♪".

 .

"It's truly a ridiculous big boar!!!".

 .

"So that's why Kasukabe-san was attacked!!".

 .

Even stupidity had its limits. The audience was divided into the girls that threw complaints with their firsts raised, and the foolish guys that got excited and wanted to watch the a.s.sault instead..

 .

You, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to what was going on in the neighbouring wagon. While nimbly dodging the tentacles, she was inspecting the surroundings as she fought the giant boar. She didn't display even a bit of what could be considered her Gift, and was dealing with the boar with just her own physical prowess..

 .

If she became serious, both the giant boar and the plant weapon would be no match for her, but she somehow sensed that she was being observed and decided to not display her power..

 .

She was hindered by the feeling of wanting to hide her true power at any cost before the finals came..

 .

(...There are too many eyes on me. Are there spies hiding here, or is it a farsight Gift? Whichever it might be, I want to avoid showing my power to other Players.).

 .

She turned her back towards the observers and wondered how to handle the situation..

 .

Truth was, it was just the lewd stares of the foolish male audience that she was receiving from the spectating crystal, but since she didn't know the circ.u.mstances, it was natural for her to misunderstand..

 .

Unable to bear that, the mini-sized farsight Demon, Lapko III, appeared on top of her shoulder..

 .

"Kasukabe You-san. The reflection of this battle is being shown across the Spirit Train.".

 .

"Ah, so that's how it was. Then I'll just quickly deal with it bare-handed.".

 .

"No, let's go flashy instead!".

 .

You bent her head in wonder. She couldn't accept that request, and Lapko wasn’t one to suggest something like that usually in the first place..

 .

"...Why? Are you troubled over something?".

 .

"It's not like that... But the Players with debts have been cutting corners too much in the Game and we weren't able to take any good recordings. If it goes on like this, the excitement will die down. So, we have to rouse up the stage with your flashy Gift Kasukabe-san.".

 .

"Eh, don't wanna.".

 .

Came an immediate reply..

 .

".... Then let's do this. If you show me a flashy finish here, then I will give you the egg of a Basilisk, which is among the big five delicacies that are legendary even in this Little-".

 .

"Okay, I'll give it my all!".

 .

An immediate reply, again!.

.  .

You grasped a wooden pendant on her chest and faced the giant boar. The beast was rumoured to be as big as a mountain in legends, but in reality, it wasn't that big. For her who had experience fighting against Giants, it wasn't an opponent to be afraid of..

 .

Transforming her unique Gift, 'Genome Tree' she donned a s.h.i.+ning armour of steel..

 .

The released light converged into a pair of s.h.i.+ning wings and lifted her body up..

 .

However, she didn't fly in order to flee. While rotating and accelerating herself, You drew an arc and flew above the big boar's head, and then swooped down on it with all her acc.u.mulated force..

 .

"Heave... ho!!".

 .

Raising a slightly out of sync shout, clad in a s.h.i.+ning wind, she rushed towards the boar..

 .

The plant monster - Black★Rabbit Eater MK II that was parasitizing the big boar's back, compromised and extended its tentacle towards You's modest chest. However, that wasn’t a problem for her..

 .

The s.h.i.+ning gale that imitated the Gift of 'Pegasus' had decimated the plant weapon, leaving no traces of it, as well as blown the giant boar off to the distant ends of the wilderness..

 .

By skillfully manipulating the sparkling winds, You drew a banner in the sky, and then turned towards Lapko III and raised a big victory shout..

 .

"...Victory!".

 .

And took a victory pose while making a V-sign..

 .

The audience raised loud cheers because she won in a flamboyant manner as requested, save for one part of the male audience, who became depressed that the tentacles' attack never came..

 .

Suzuka, who watched the same battle from across the crystal, widened her eyes in surprise..

 .

"Woow! Kasukabe-san is so strong. She ended it with one blow!".

 .

"Indeed. But I believe even you can defeat something of that level by yourself, Suzuka.".

 .

"Hmm... Well, yeah, but let's leave that aside. If Kasukabe-san defeated it for us, there's nothing better than that.".

 .

Suzuka said with her finger raised. Although, since they could advance favourably in the finals if they acc.u.mulated achievements, it should've been quite severe to have a victory stolen by someone else..

 .

Suzuka wondered if that was really ok, but since the person in question had no desire to fight, it was something that couldn't be helped..

 .

Kuro Usagi happily resumed her reporting from the stage..

 .

"As expected of 'No Names' winning candidate, Kasukabe You! She got the point from exterminating the big boar! We 'No Names' have achieved the first point of the exhibition matches!".

 .

Kuro Usagi puffed her chest in pride with her usamimi perking up..

 .

With that announcement, Homura finally saw the big picture..

 .

"She got a winning point when she defeated a big boar... I see now! So the target beasts are the monsters from the 'Ten Labors' that are related to the 'Twelve Ecliptic Constellations' and 'Twelve Chén of the Equator', huh!".

 .

Within the 'Twelve Ecliptic Constellations', the twelve Celestial Beasts were: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces..

 .

And within the 'Twelve Chén of the Equator' there was: Mouse, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig..

 .

Those that matched with these twenty-four Celestial Beasts that exist on the Equator, and also appeared in the 'Ten Labours' were: Lion, Sea Bull, Dragon, Crab and Boar..

 .

The lion was the 'Nemean Lion' with impervious skin, on which the Leo constellation was based on..

 .

The Sea Bull was the 'Poseidon's Sea Bull' from the legend of the Minotaur..

 .

Dragon and Boar were the Celestial Beasts of the equator and unrelated, but since this was an exhibition match they were probably loose with rules. The Crab appeared to be from Heracles' Hydra extermination, when he crushed it underfoot..

 .

Now that You had defeated the big boar, that only left four remaining..

 .

Although the mystery had been solved, there was regretfully almost no time remaining. They might have been able to defeat the Crab, but they didn't know which of the wagons it was in..

 .

Arjuna lowered his Divine Bow and said with a bitter expression..

 .

"...With this, we have no more reason to be in this wagon. There is also little time left. Maybe this is a good place to stop today.".

 .

"Stop being all depressing there! You are the one who made that debt with s.h.i.+royasha!!! And you were told to at least hunt one beast per game as a quota to repay the debt, weren't you?!".

 .

Arjuna ignored Tokuteru's intimidation and looked the other way..

 .

While they were just rolled up in his debt, if they couldn't even defeat a single beast like this, its effects would even involve Homura's side. He wanted to avoid that at all costs..

 .

However, as heartless as it was, Kuro Usagi announced the news of clearing the Games one after another..

 .

"Oops, I have received another clearing report from the powerhouse chief engineer Lapko-san! It seems that the shadow of Nemean Lion that was lying in wait had been attacked! The subjugator is a self-alleged representative of Germanic Pantheon, Vidar! With this, only the Dragon, Bull and crab are─eh, the Hydra and Crab had been exterminated too? Player Vidar defeated all three of them, you say? Wow, that's amazing, but this is unexpected! There's only Bull left! Debt team, please hurry!".

 .

Kuro Usagi gave a supportive shout towards Tokuteru and others with the pole of the gong in hand. She might've known what was going on, but she couldn't do anything for them as she was the judge..

 .

Meanwhile, Homura confirmed the time in a fl.u.s.tered manner. There was less than two minutes left!.

 .

"s.h.i.+t, there's no time! Is there nothing we can do!? I don't want my first step to living in another world starting with a huge debt! And not even my own debt at that!!! BUT SOMEONE ELSE'S!!!".

 .

Homura yelled loudly. Hearing that, Arjuna dropped his shoulders with even more guilt..

 .

Tokuteru finished exterminating all the Stymphalians in the stage and looked up in wonder if this was it..

 .

"Can't be helped...! Homura, we are using our trump card!".

 .

"Trump Card!? You mean, like, selling Tokuteru's organs!?".

 .

"s.h.i.+t, you have no faith left in me! Just summon 'Proto Keraunos' from your Gift Card already! If you knock down that guy who will get summoned alongside it, we should win!".

 .

Homura was in chaos, unable to understand what he meant... But in the next moment, the meaning behind his words became clear..

 .

Homura didn't understand why he was left in the outer world, but now that it had come to this, everything had clicked together..

 .

"Y...You really are the lowest of the low...!".

 .

Homura understood what Tokuteru planned, but his response was weak due to the feelings of guilt tormenting him. Indeed, if he had summoned that boy and defeated him, he might have cleared the winning condition. While he wasn't the actual monster in question, he was said to be the son of the Water Bull. In fact, that perfectly matched the legends..

 .

───However, was that really fine?.

 .

He was currently supposed to be in the outer world's French restaurant 'Don Bruno', where he spent his days in peace. Thinking about it timewise, there was a chance that he was now helping them with the dinnertime rush hour. He hasn't lived more than 15 years, but this was undoubtedly the calmest and gentlest time for him in his entire life. Would it really be fine to suddenly summon him, and on top of that, beat him down? Would that really be a rightful thing to do as a human? Would there be any justice in that action? Not to mention, the shop manager, Don, was really strict when it came to obligations. It seemed he had been feared as one of the elite mafia members when he was in Europe, and even now when he had been betrayed and abandoned by his comrades, he still had that scar from when he had made an oath of blood. Because of that, there were even rumours going around that he was making blood oaths when he was employing the workers. And if he was made to play hooky at the store of someone as uptight as him, the outcome would be quite scary. Above all, the boy was poor. It was far too unreasonable to forcefully summon him to an unfamiliar place on top of forcing him to skip work, and even have his master beat him up. Even the black companies didn't go so far. In the end, he just couldn’t to that....

.  .

"Just do it, Homura!!! If we can't clear this, the debt will double, you know!!? Are you still fine with that!!?".

.  .

"Ugh......Just drop dead, Tokuteru...!!!".

.  .

Saigou Homura fell down into an evil path..

 .

As he raised his Gift Card high up, the son of stars and lighting───Asterius materialized..

 .

He had been happily eating a freshly-baked pumpkin quiche with his ap.r.o.n still on, and the sudden summoning caused him to raise a strange voice..

 .

"WhWhat in the...!?".

 .

"Uesugi-san, if you will!".

 .

"What a sc.u.mmy settlement!".

 .

She said and boorishly raised her sheathed katana aloft..

 .

And Asterius was blown off to distant ends with her monstrous strength..

 .

And the next moment, the final gong of the Game had rung..