CHAPTER 2

HANDOVER

Nestled away within a corner of the island of Kannagari, capital of the Eastern Union, was the Chinkai Tandai District. And in its reception chamber…

A sinister, glittering apparition beyond description, which one might even call vaguely human-shaped. Ino Hatsuse and his ghastly fluorescent muscles loomed atop the balcony. He was now a specter who had dropped out of the game, a stranded soul who glimmered, swaying in the wind. If one were to avoid direct eye contact with this strange phenomenon and look into the distance, a giant landmass could be seen swirling in the heavens. And behind him—

“…For goodness’ sake! What in the world is happening…?”

“Eheee, Chlammyyy, your short stature must come from your temperrr.”

The black-haired Immanity Chlammy Zell clicking her tongue in annoyance, and Fiel Nirvalen the Elf goading her, apparently drunk. They had pounced on the Shrine Maiden’s absence to force a game on the Eastern Union, but now they were out of sorts.

“…What I want to know is how long this will go ooon. This is boooring,” grumbled the Dhampir girl—actually, a boy who looked like a girl—Plum Stoker. Thanks to his intrusion, even if the Eastern Union won, they would have to offer an Ixseed sacrifice. Win or lose, the game could not end without one—for both the challenger and the challenged. But they all looked up at the same sky and murmured much the same complaints—

!!! went another shock, a sound outside the range of hearing, spirits pulsating through heaven and earth. With it—

—Poof.

“Again?” Ino sighed.

The Chinkai Tandai District reception chamber had lost all light and fallen into darkness. No, not just the CTD—the whole city, all of Kannagari, was enshrouded in a blackout.

The land spiraling into the sky was the Old Deus’s game board. These shocks had been shaking the Eastern Union over and over for two days, beyond all normal reckoning. Under these conditions, it was no wonder their games wouldn’t work, as they relied on the power of the Shrine—the power of the Old Deus. Even streetlights and candles were extinguished by the massive spiritual disturbance. Fiel herself was disturbed as well.

“Ehhh-hehhh, I’m quite fiiine. Oh, how about I partake in some finger food? ”

“…Hey… Fi. I’m not sure what you’re trying to do, but…”

Fiel was holding Chlammy, grabbing her breasts. Chlammy continued in a slightly chilly tone.

“If you’re saying these are small enough to hold in your fingers, I’ll lose it!”

“…………Hic, Chlammy was mean to me! Hic, sniff!”

“Whaaa?! You’re seriously crying? Fi, Fi! You’re way too drunk—”

Fiel, not only an Elf, but moreover a hexcaster, had an overwhelming magical aptitude that in this case might have worked to her disadvantage. The roiling flood of spirits had made her drunk with spirit sickness. No, that didn’t even…

“Chla-Chlammy, hic…doesn’t, like me anymore, hic, eaaagh…”

“Th-that’s not true! I’m sorr— Wait, why must I apologize?!”

Then suddenly, whoosh, Fiel’s smile shone from the darkness:

“Ohhh, Chlammyyy, I know you love me! You needn’t speak! ”

“Someone! Someone do something about her! Is there a cure?!”

Now Fiel was rubbing her face against Chlammy’s. Nasty drunk.

“……”

What was happening was uncertain. But for Ino Hatsuse, it was a lifesaver. He considered silently as he looked up at the board presumably born of the Old Deus’s power.

Each time the heavens roared, all of Kannagari experienced a blackout before the lights were eventually restored. Whenever this occurred, these crooks couldn’t use the VR game they so desired. In fact, it must have been due to the flood of spirits blocking their rite. Neither Plum nor Fiel were in any hurry to start the game, so—

…I can only hope that this situation will continue…

Ino prayed for the Holy Shrine Maiden’s swift return. But—

“D-Diplomatic Commissioner Hatsuse! E-excuse me, but this is urgent!!”

A woman smashed through the door of the reception chamber. She was a Werebeast woman with a squirrel’s ears and tail, panting, out of breath…

“First-Class Secretary Chitose Kanae… I thought I gave notice that I must decline all inquiries for a time?”

…Ino had a guilty look on his face as he admired her heaving, bulging melons. Chlammy shot her a lethal glare, but Chitose pressed on:

“I—I am aware, sir! H-however, there is a guest who has insisted on being seen before you begin the game!”

.

“…Huff.”

At Chitose’s report, Ino let out one short breath, and then:

“Who the hell is it now, huh?! Which asshole’s betrayed us now?!!”

The fluorescent meathead’s booming voice was enough to send a tremor through the entire fifty-floor building. Chitose and Chlammy shrieked as Ino finally reached poltergeist status.

Oceand? Or Avant Heim?! Who cares? Why not just forget it all and kill them? was Ino’s immediate thought—but no…

“……Wha…?”

It wasn’t just Ino. It was Chlammy, the drunk Fiel…even Plum. They all gaped at the figure putting down a heavy pack; their thoughts froze. Water spilled from the pack as she emerged messily—

“Ta-daaaa! Where’s my daaarling?! His beloved Laila has come all the way from deep beneath the sea to see him! Pun intended, of course. ”

—the queen of Siren, Laila Lorelei. She ignored the dazed assemblage and took in her surroundings as she spoke.

“But just what is this? I’ve been in that knapsack for two days, and— Oh, I see, kinky.”

The blackout should have taken out the infrastructure. Yet Laila had arrived despite all forms of transit, even elevators, being repeatedly paralyzed and restored. The group was speechless; what was the queen of Siren doing here? No—never mind that—!! Ino screamed to himself, and he looked up—at the Old Deus’s game board.

“—Impossible… Then what is that?!”