Volume 1 Chapter 9 (1/2)
Chapter 9
The branches of the Great Tree shook slightly fro wildly
The stor down Even so, the reason why the Bull monster didn't attack yet, was thanks to the existence of the absolute power holder who protected this Great Tree
Hoeways in the ay that was under the Aquatic City
He was told that If he advanced straight ahead in this cave, he would reach the other side of the great waterfall that flowed out fro the door beside it, he would arrive at the audience room
After walking down the drawn out road for about ten minutes, Hoh he heard that it was inside the Great Tree, it was just cheating hoas under the roots
”I' sun has already started to turn red”
He touched the door while giving a quick reh there was no tih There was no way he could blame it on their skills
”Do not disobey her if you want to return alive”, although Porol had said so, if he couldn't return to his forht For the ti her took top priority
Holowed conspicuously within the diht similar to that of the sun
”Huh”
Hoht That was by no means a metaphor Because that cave door, was connected to a place quite different from ”Underwood”
Exposed to the brilliant sunlight, he looked up at the sky
At that point, he came to a realization that this place ithin a castle covered by a thin canopy
The place he was brought to, was the courtyard of a castle hite walls, with the canopy opened widely on it
On all sides were neatly divided flower beds consisting of flowers of all seasons Theto the centre, was refined so beautifully that it ood to step down on it
Ignoring sos there, one would be honestly intoxicated by such beautiful
However, Saigou Homura was a little different It's not as if his youthful spirit was lost or anything, but in this caarden, his sense of caution came out superior
To speak figuratively, this whole garden itself was like a giant mousetrap
Or it ht be better to call it a Golden Devil's den If he strayed from the path just by a step out of sheer curiosity, he would momentarily be preyed upon by the monstersHe was overcome with such a fear
”─────”
Stepping carefully, he set his foot on theThereupon, the colors of flower petals underwent a coe
Perhaps this was arranged in order to surprise the visitors of the garden, however it instead cleared Homura's head
If they had planned to set a trap here, then so would've probably activated and appeared with the very first step However, the only thing changing were the colors of the petals, or perhaps the seasons simply shi+fted by one block
It was indeed beautiful, but nothing more
That's why, the owner of this courtyard certainly had no intention to harm the trespasser
Houessed that it was si more
However, while thatfroht ahead on the paving, he arrived at the center of the courtyard that was covered with a veil
Seasons rotating one by one by each step was indeed beautiful, but there was no danger Were it not the current circumstances, he would have obediently enjoyed it as a wonderful scenery without a doubt
As he touched the silk veil of a fine quality, Hoorously pushed it aside
As he did so, the door opened
Ahead of the delicate wooden door, was a warm fireplace, a bed for a bedroouests
It was probably because of a raging stor sounds In other words, this room was one of the rooms somewhere in ”Underwood”
As he got surprised and turned around───the place that was once the entrance had now become a simple wall
”Kh”
Finally after cooosebu he hadn't known
Ho ”where” the trap was
However, ”this place” was already a trap As their statuses were far too different, Ho by as many as six dimensions
The Queen who controls the world boundaries, ”Queen Halloween”
───He did certainly hear so like that
However, hearing it and actually experiencing it were two cos Suzuka's Apport & Asport seemed like a child's play in comparison This person, however, controlled the world boundaries as easily as turning a page of a picture book If she had thisof the whole world as her garden
Before him were two doors It appeared that the audience room was still up ahead
(The blue and red doorsWhich of them is correct!!?)
His heartbeat had become faster before he noticed It also was apparent that his breathing was becoher He was assaulted by the o on a search for an exit after appearing in a strange land every time he opened the door from now on
It appears she got quite angry because of hia any hints was quite unreasonable
Wondering whether there was a hint for solving it, he looked around in the fireplace rooaze towards the antique clock nearby
It goes without saying, but the agreed tiht also be her way of declaring that she had no intention toup on time for the audience
(? No, wait This antique clock looks strange)
He approached the antique clock while holding down his rapidly beating heart with his right hand Just as he thought, the clock wasn't counting time Moreover, the time hand was just three minutes past twelve o'clock
It was exactly as long as Homura was late
(───Kh, Namo Amitabha!)
Saigou Hoht, and turned back the time of the antique clock little by little
One minute, two minutes, three minutes back───
As he did so, it gave a clicking sound
”───Welcoou Homura”
An indication of a person suddenly appeared on the table behind As Homura pinned down his heart that was about to juorously turned around
The one sitting there───was undoubtedly an incarnation of the sun
Dazzling golden hair that re down, they were spread out so tenderly that it looked like the grain heads that swayed to the bright golden wind Her eyes, shi+ning just like jewels reen colors, were looking directly at Homura
Despite being an outsider, Homura unconsciously understood it
──────This young lady before his eyes was not a Divine Spirit
She was definitely not a Divine Spirit born from the faith of mankind
Homura heard that she was the one deified at the Sun Festival of the Celtic Pantheon, but that was no ave her so that they could perceive her in a material world
Part of the Little Garden's third strongest kind, governing the noon and night, life and death, the four seasons, stars and their boundaries
Celestial Spirit of the Sun ”Queen Halloween”
That Golden Queen, silently gazed at Saigou Homura
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Holared at Queen The saying 'A frog under a snake's glare' would fit this situation Before this young, yet beautiful Queen, even War Gods would be overpowered
Ho
As if she couldn't bear to watch that────The Golden Queen gently waved her golden hair, and touched Homura's cheek
” I' to harm you”
”!?”
She wrapped Homura's cheeks with both hands Homura tensed up from her sudden actions
Lovely eyes looked into Homura from below
Then, She───The girl referred to as the Queen, slightly bend her head and told him
”It's alright no take a slow and deep breath, and fix your breathing”
”Haa”
”Your heartbeat It has calht?”
The golden girl turned around and stepped away from him in a rondo
Hoht hand that was on his chest He felt his heartbeat was still somewhat fast, but it slowly returned to the normal rate
His respiration that was on the verge of overbreathing wasn't so rough now either
As he asked as going on with his eyes, Queen explained a bit sullenly
”I indicated to you that ”I am harmless” From time to time, people who just have to trouble others like this also come by If you had candies on you, I would've just ended it with a ”Trick or Treat!!” agreement”
”So that's hoas Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty”
”Stop it with such formal speech I wish you at least called me just Queen”
Queen sharpened her lovely lips As she did that, she looked just like a nor with her indication, she also eased her power
Breathing a long sigh, Homura raised his face and introduced himself
”Once again, nice tolate, Queen”
”Indeed Including you, there are just three people who have broken the agreed ti I'd like you to be careful next tio ahead I permit you to sit with me”
She said so To her, this was probably quite a considerate way of speaking, however to Ho but an act of showing force
Houard, however he was offered a seat so he settled down for now Even though he wanted to start the conversation, the earlier experience was still stuck to his body and wouldn't go away
Both of them sat and silently stared at each other for a short while He wondered whether tily, it was the Queen's side who unexpectedly started talking
”Would it be better if I talked perhaps?”
”Yes, well To say it frankly, I don't understand what in the world is happening right noould like if you explained everything from the start, if possible”
”I see Then let us make it a question format I don't kno much you want to know after all ───Also, honorifics aren't necessary I hate formality”
”Understood Then I'll do just that”
While he replied, Homura felt a bit confused
He could certainly feel the lack of leniency
The words from before weren't a threat either, but simply the words of advice She was a monster ould cut down a person who ca
By all rights, Hoh it wasn't et aith just that level of retribution
As if choosing his words carefully, Homura started with the most important question
”Then, I'll do as you ask, so the first question───it's about the current Gift Game If we clear the Game, would we be able to return to our former world?”
That question appeared to be unexpected
Queen's beautiful and lovely eyes beca surprised with the question
”That's obvious Just like vampires from last time, you have a special participation limit It would be possible to return once the Ga if you didn't return when the Game was over”
”I-Is that so!”
From the unexpected reply, Homura stroked his chest out of relief
Just now, rather than ”You would be returned” the Queen said ”It would be troubling if you weren't returned” In other words, by whateverto cooperate to return him to his former world
With just this single fact clarified, Hoo
Hoo, and started to sort the questions he had so far in one go
”OkayThen, next question About the War Gods of this world of Little Garden, it would be fine to think of theht?”
”Yes You have already met a few of them, haven't you? While they aren't exactly the same, it would be fine if you just think of thes”
”Then, are there interchanging relations of some sort between this Little Garden and our world?”
Ho
Although this Little Garden was another world with strange laws of physics, only the s as in Homura's world across it
”Moon Rabbit” from Buddhist Tales
”shi+rayuki-hime” from ”Yasha-Ga-Ike”
”Halloween” which was the festival of Celtic Mythology
Hoical systems of different civilizations could coexist in the say froinal and was reproduced like a manuscript
Even Queen avoided a quick answer to this and pondered for a while
”Let's see There is indeed a deep connection Might I hear your thoughts about it beforehand?”
Nodding, he retrieved the written invitation from the phone's email box
『 ─ The Second Sun Authority War Invitation ─
Dear Saigō Homura-sama
You have qualifications to participate in the ”Second Sun Authority War” being held in the world of Little Garden For gaining the qualifications to enter the final selection, please enslave at least one Celestial Beast belonging to the ”Twelve Ecliptic Constellations” or ”Twelve Chén of the Equator” first
Celestial Beasts required to subjugate: ”Taurus”
Winning Condition: ① Subjugation of Avatar of ”Taurus”
Winning Condition: ② Erase the lightning, and return the star to its original form
※ Rule Summary/Duration Period
Due to this being a preliame, the duration period would be seven years After seven years, you would autoates the beast, it will be counted to Saigō Homura, so please, feel free to cooperate
※ Important Points ※
This frame of participation is a special fraō Homura could participate in the Second Sun Authority War If you abstain/abandon/ignore the participation or are eliminated in the preliminary round, the special participation fraō Hoive us
Furtherame period, you cannot leave the Little Garden so please be careful Prolonging the game can be considered but please try to coiven time
Yours Sincerely,
Second Sun Authority War Facilitators ”Laplace Demons”』
”When I read this invitation, there was one thing that botheredAnd it was about why I was chosen as a special participant At first I thought I was chosen because of the latest Nanomachine device that Iof a reason to be invited to the so called greatest Gift Game”
”I see Continue”
”At that point, I pondered a bit The current Typhoon 24 dariculture is likewise large Thein the crops rather than the one spread through human contact Naturally when that happens, it's likely that a lot of dead people froe and famine caused by the disease Wheat, flour and corn prices started to skyrocket already If things go bad, there's also a possibility of war breaking out”
”That's right Hus that can't survive with sweets alone ───And so?”
Queen urged him to continue in a monotonous voice Those eyes of hers appeared as if they saw through everything and were a bit frightening But Homura couldn't falter here He stared back into her eyes and held a deep breath
”Then, if, for argu for seven years” also applied to the blight and faain achieve the world?”
”Yes That's hoould be But don't end was sis of the past with the Spiritual Status of the present The root of the problem doesn't lay there”
Homura became puzzled from Queen's words
As expected, he didn't understand her current words in any way
”The end? What does that mean?”
” Before I explain that, it seeuest had arrived”
Suddenly, the Queen traced a horizontal line with her finger in the sky The
Hoave out a simple PIPIPI tone The caller’s nanetic waves that weren't supposed to connect, more and more, Homura couldn't allow himself to be careless around her
Despite his apparent suspicious frown, he still faithfully answered the phone
As he did so, an unexpected person’s voice was heard
『Yo It's been a while, Homura』
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───Katsushi+ka, shi+bamata Taishakuten - Main Temple
Izayoi and the two quickly and soundlessly sneaked into its grounds
There were quite a bit of guards, but with their skill, they safely reached the courtyard Mikado Tokuteru who snuck inside the main temple, touched the divine seal that was hidden in the floorboard The moment he did that, the inside of the teht
Mikado Tokuteru, as if catching his breath, breathed a deep sigh
”I didn't open a gate like ”Touriten”, however this et in touch with Queen's close associate, so wait a bit”
”Gotcha”
Izayoi sat cross-legged inside of the temple