Family heirloom, then turned into a demon girl

Chapter 303 Mission: 02-4 The Eve of the Storm

"Well, everyone, let's discuss the first meeting on how to make Kuro Rabbit's referee uniform more sexy and cute."

"Don't start."

"start!"

“Don’t start!!!”

In the center of the meeting room of [Salamanda], Shiroyasha put his hands on the table and made a proposal that made Black Rabbit blush, while Izayoi responded to Shiroyasha, as always, singing a different tune from Black Rabbit.

Faced with strong opposition, Baiyasha stopped teasing Black Rabbit and started the real topic: "Okay, then let's put the costume issue aside for now."

She had come to invite Black Rabbit to referee the grand game being held during the Fire Dragon Birth Festival. Since Black Rabbit had already made her public appearance, it was only natural that the audience would anticipate her appearance as referee. After all, the Moon Rabbit Clan, from which Black Rabbit descended, was known as the "Hakeniwa Nobles" because they could act as referees and record the game records within the core of the Little Garden.

"By the way, Shiroyasha, which communities are participating in this game?"

Yao looked up and asked. The game Shiroyasha wanted Kuroto to host was called "Duel of Creators," a game limited to the use of manufactured Gifts—also known as "Creative Gifts"—in competition. It seemed that the Gifts possessed by everyone other than Yao among the Nameless were innate, making them ineligible for participation in this game.

Therefore, Bai Yasha found Yao alone and asked her to participate in this game.

"Even if you say so, the preliminary rounds haven't even started yet."

Bai Yasha simply spread out the game documents on the table, so that Yao, who was about to participate in the game, and Hei Tu, who was about to explain the game, knew the rules of the game in advance.

"[Duel of the Creators]?"

"Yes, it seems that the Rat Catchers' community will also appear."

Weisi nodded and looked at Pest who asked the question: "Master, can we start in advance?"

"We should really act quickly," Nero agreed. "Many people already know that the community behind me is called Hamel. Since the name Rat Catchers easily connects people to the Pied Piper, it also easily connects people to the Pied Piper of Hamel. Once that connection is established, they'll immediately know we're the Demon King's community."

The general logic of this thinking is: the name "Hamel" doesn't necessarily correspond to "The Pied Piper," and the name "Ratcatcher" doesn't necessarily correspond to "The Pied Piper." But when these two names appear together, then it must be the Pied Piper. It's well known that the Pied Piper from Grimm's fairy tales is a member of the Grimm's Magic Book Group.

However, this was also because Nero had unfortunately been recognized by several old acquaintances today, and they knew she was there. If Nero didn't participate in any of the games when the festival began tomorrow, it would inevitably arouse some suspicion. If this were to happen, then [Salamanda] and Shiroyasha would know the Demon King's true name in advance, which might lead to faster solving of the game's puzzles.

"Then let's do it." Pest made the decision calmly.

Although the number of "Shutroms" is not large, it is enough.

"But you said you encountered 'a group of unlucky guys' and 'a strange thing.'" Nero turned his head and looked at Weser again, feeling concerned. "The unlucky ones are the Rat Catchers, so what is the strange thing?"

Weisi pressed his forehead and recalled a moment: "A guy who looks like a young man, gave me a very strange feeling... He didn't look like a living person, nor did he look like a spirit. But if he could be said to be a walking corpse, he was obviously not a ghost..."

"What do you mean?"

"He had a heartbeat and body temperature, but he wasn't 'alive,'" Weser said. "He was between life and death."

"As long as it doesn't get in our way, there's no problem."

Peste jumped down from the puppet and walked over. "If he's going to get in our way, then subdue him as well." Weser frowned and shook his head slightly. "If only it were that easy. Master, you intend to subdue the community participating in this festival, but the only means are through threats and negotiations. And that guy... he's not even afraid of death. I can't imagine him giving in."

In a hidden corner of the cave where Weser was before, the mysterious man he called "strange thing" raised his head and greeted the glittering elves.

"Hello." He bowed, his movements a little lazy.

"Greetings, ancient pioneer."

The group of elves spoke, and countless tiny voices combined together and echoed in the cracks of the rocks, childish yet light.

They are the collective "Rat Catchers" who created the exhibited work - and also the fighting puppet "Dean" that will appear in "Duel of Creators".

"Rather than a pioneer, I'm just a wanderer who can't stop," the man chuckled. "But in that respect, perhaps we have something in common?"

"We know what you want," the elves replied, "but we cannot help you."

"Of course, of course. I'm a wandering soul that neither heaven nor hell wants to accept, so there's nothing you can do."

The man leaned on his cane, made a quick cross with his fingers, and sighed, "Oh God, when will I ever stop?"

The elves flickered silently, illuminating his pale face.

After the prayer, the man raised his head and smiled faintly. "Okay, I'll leave my story for now. Now let's talk about you. I had this thought when I smelled the scent before. Now I see that you are really lucky. No wonder you are envied by your partner."

"envy?"

The man nodded. "That demon is jealous of your luck. You are lucky, you have the 'happy ending' in fairy tales. So, as the one with the bad ending, he is jealous of you."

"not understand.

“I don’t understand.

"He's much better than us."

The elves answered in unison, their voices a little chaotic for a moment.

"Okay, okay. It's okay if you don't understand." The man laughed. "But anyway, let me help you. Jealousy is poisonous, and I don't want to see others sink into it. I will help you defeat him."

"help?
“We don’t want to beat anybody.

"We just want things to get back to normal."

"Haha." The man chuckled and sat down in the dark cave.

"The meaning of this sentence is the same as defeating them," he said.

　Sorry I overslept today.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)