Answer me.
Why did you need to call us here?
You and the others have Gifts
and we would like you to have a wonderful time,
as I've said before.
Is that really the reason?
I have a feeling that your community is either really weak,
or something happened and your team's on the decline.
Your silence says it all, Black Rabbit.
I don't believe I said you could sit here, Galdo Gasper.
I'm not here to talk to you.
I want to talk to these girls.
You want to talk to us?
Yes, that's correct.
Would all of you like to join my community
along with Black Rabbit and the rest?
You're right, Izayoi-san.
Our community is in dire straits.
The communities I mentioned to you before
Episode 2
Seems Like a Crazy Loli Clad in Japanese Clothing?
are kind of like countries,
whether those communities are big or small.
So in addition to a community's normal operations,
they must declare a formal name and banner with the Little Garden.
Formal name and banner?
So something like a country's flag, then?
Yes. Many use it to mark their territory.
Up until a few years ago, our banner had flown proudly
all the way to the ends of the East Side.
However, one day, we were targeted by an enemy
which we should have avoided at all costs, and then...
In one night, we were wiped out.
In other words, this individual is really only a leader in name.
A ghost from the past.
But can an organization so large really fall in a single night?
It would be simple to accomplish for certain inhabitants.
They are the greatest terror upon the Little Garden,
the Demon Lords.
Demon Lords?
When a Demon Lord challenges someone to a Gift Game,
they cannot refuse.
Jin Russell's community was forced to participate
in one of those Gift Games, and in the end
his community was destroyed.
The Demon Lord's strength was overwhelming.
Our community lost the Gift Game,
was stripped of its name and banner,
and became "the no-names."
The no-names, huh?
Yes.
At present, we no longer have any members
that could make up our core.
The only people we have who can participate
in Gift Games are the current leaders, Master Jin and myself.
The remaining almost one hundred twenty members
are children aged ten or younger.
Sounds pretty dire to me.
I know, right?
Still, everyone is trying their best to survive.
The children go to get water from a far-off river every day.
The only land that isn't infertile
and can support crops is the very land they live on.
If the situation is so bad, why not just
take down the organization and make another?
We can't do that!
Why?
We... We want to protect the homes of our friends.
And someday, we want to
get our name and banner back from the Demon Lord,
and rebuild our community.
That's why we have no other choice than to
depend on players with great powers like you and the others!
Please... Please help us!
If he turns us down now, we're going to be...
Trying to revive a community while challenging a Demon Lord, huh?
Sounds good.
Huh?
Don't "huh" me. I'm gonna help you.
Be happier.
B-But...
Taking back one's flag and honor from a Demon Lord...
Sounds romantic.
A perfect reason to help you guys out.
Expect wonders, Black Rabbit.
Thank you!
I see.
So you wish us to join your community instead of theirs,
as theirs has no benefits?
That's correct.
My community, Fores Garo, has always won
every single Gift Game where its banner was bet,
and now we control this area.
I needn't even explain in detail how
our community compares to Jin Russell and his no-names.
So I shall ask you again, ladies.
Please join our community along with Black Rabbit and—
No, thank you.
Huh?
What?
We won't join your community.
Jin-kun's community works for us.
Wh-Why?
Kasukabe-san, what would you like to do?
The only reason I came is to make friends.
Oh, I see.
Then would it be possible for you to consider me
candidate number one?
Sure.
How nice for you!
I'm so happy you found a human friend.
Could you please tell me how you came to such a decision?
You see, I, Kudou Asuka,
left behind my possessions, my family name,
my guaranteed future—all of it—and came to this world.
Do you really believe that I would be happy entering into
a privileged environment once again?
But ladi—
Be quiet.
You know, there is one thing I'm curious about.
Sit down and answer my questions.
Jin-kun...
Y-Yes?
Do these games where your banner, your organization brand name,
is bet happen quite often?
Unless it's unavoidable, I would say very rarely.
Those bets are basically equivalent to betting your community itself.
I thought as much.
That's why these Demon Lords are so feared.
And you're not a Demon Lord,
so how were you able to pull off all of these victories?
Tell me.
We would kidnap the women and
children of the enemy's community,
then blackmail that community
so that they would have to participate in our game.
Well, that's quite savage.
So I assume that's why all of the communities
you've absorbed work under you so obediently.
We've taken several children
from each community hostage for that purpose.
So where are those children now?
I killed them.
They started crying the first day I brought them in,
and I killed them without even realizing it.
Ever since then, I've killed all of the children
the same day we bring them in.
But if anyone found out about this,
it would disrupt the cohesion of my organization.
So that's why I take the corpses of the children,
and to ensure that no evidence is left behind, I—
Enough!
I'm impressed.
You don't often meet someone that matches the definition of scum,
Mr. Fake Gentleman.
How dare you, girl?!
No fighting.
Now then, Galdo-san.
You have two choices before you.
The first is to try to kill everyone here to keep them quiet.
The other is to run so far
that no one will be able to bring justice to you.
However, scum like you should always meet their just end,
reflecting upon their sins while being torn to shreds.
So I have an idea instead.
How about you play a Gift Game with us?
We shall bet whether or not Fores Garo,
as well as our no-names, will continue to be.
Y-You're going to play a game with Fores Garo?!
How did things get so serious so quickly?!
We were mad, so we picked a fight with him
without thinking about the consequences.
We regret nothing.
You two dummies!
But why did things turn out this way?
Sorry... I couldn't forgive what he did, either.
I... I understand how you feel, but...
Well, whatever.
Izayoi-san alone could beat Fores Garo.
I won't be participating.
What?
How are you confused?
They're the ones who picked a fight with him.
It'd be quite tasteless of me to try get a piece of the pie.
Oh? So you understand.
Just do whatever you want, then.
So where are we going?
The game is tomorrow.
I was thinking of getting Thousand Eyes to appraise your gifts.
Thousand Eyes?
Yes! It's an extremely large trade community
that knows everything about the Little Garden,
from east to west, north to south, low and high.
Cherry blossoms?
It must be spring in this world.
It was midsummer where I came from.
It was fall where I was.
I summoned you all from different worlds.
Aside from your timelines,
there should be differences between your histories and cultures, as well.
Parallel worlds, huh?
More specifically, it's the "Parallel World Intersection Theory."
Is that it?
Yes, that's Thousand Eyes'...
It's been a while, Black Rabbit!
Black Rabbit just feels right.
Is this it? Is this where it feels the best?
Shiroyasha-sama?
Why did you knock me down here?
Actually, get away from me!
Who do you think you are, kicking a beautiful young girl
flying at you the first time you meet her?!
Izayoi-sama, Japanese-clad loli.
Nice to meet you.
I never thought I'd get all wet...
Hello there.
I am a senior official here at Thousand Eyes. My name is Shiroyasha.
Our headquarters is located in 4-digit gate number #3345.
I know Black Rabbit from some stuff that happened
and I've been helping her out every now and then.
As you can see, I'm a very laid-back and beautiful girl.
What's a gate?
One of the openings that can be found in the walls
that divide the different layers of the Little Garden.
The smaller the number, the closer to the center.
Little Garden "No-Names" Headquarters
And the stronger you are, the closer you live to the center.
For example, our community is closest to the outer edge,
a 7-digit gate number.
Any 4-digit or lower gate number, like where I am,
is part of the Upper Levels.
I'm also the one who gave divinity to that
white serpent you got that Water Tree from.
So you're stronger than that serpent, huh?
Of course.
I'm the Floor Master on the East Side.
There are no other four-or-lower-digit communities
that come close to our power on the East Side.
I'm the strongest host there is.
The strongest host... That's fun.
Indeed. I'd like to face you.
W-Wait, you guys!
It's fine, Black Rabbit.
I've been lacking in playmates.
That's quite the coincidence.
I'm in the same situation.
Play with us a little, Ms. Strongest Host.
Very well.
But I'd like to check one thing first.
Are you looking for a challenge?
Or perhaps a duel?
This is...
There's nothing to be afraid of.
This is one of my game boards.
All of this is just a game board?!
I am the Demon Lord of the White Night,
the spirit of the sun and white night, Shiroyasha.
I am one of the many Demon Lords in the Little Garden.
A-A Demon Lord?
I ask you here.
Do you desire a challenge?
Or a fair duel?
Oh well. You got me, Shiroyasha.
Huh?
You showed me all of this.
I'll be quiet and let you test me.
Very well.
Shall we proceed to the game, then?
I'll have you take on one of those.
That's...
A griffin!
Indeed.
He is the the king of the birds as well as the beasts.
The mythical beast that represents the Gift Games.
I will test your power, wisdom, and courage with this griffin.
The victory conditions are to ride on the griffin's back
and to travel once around the lake.
Who will do it?
I'll do it.
Um...
Nice to meet you. My name is Kasukabe You.
So she intends to talk to the griffin?
I would lose my honor if I was unable to shake a
young girl such as you off of me.
What will you bet in exchange for my pride?
I will bet my life.
If I fall from you and still live, you can have me for dinner.
Will that suffice?
What are you saying?!
Are you serious, Kasukabe-san?!
Step back, you two.
I'll be fine.
Very well.
Test that courage of yours with the stride of a lion-eagle.
The lower body of a lion, and the upper body of an eagle.
Just like my father said.
Are you ready?
Ready...
Go!
Wow! He's running through the air!
Will Kasukabe-san be okay?
Who knows?
But with that speed and the draft from the mountains,
the wind chill should put the temperature a little below freezing.
She went behind the mountain!
The rest is up to her.
My father said that when you deal with a griffin,
you have to deal with him with all your might.
My father would always tell me fun stories
when I was in the hospital, and I'm sure he wouldn't...
If you think about other things,
you're just going to become my meal.
I won't lose!
Over there!
You-san!
It seems her ability isn't just to talk to animals.
If she moves around that violently,
then the of g-forces should be equally violent.
A normal person would have passed out a long time ago.
Father...
What my father gave me
so that I could walk outside
on my own two feet...
I won't lose!
I will win this game, and become friends with you!
Interesting.
In that case, overcome this trial of mine!
There she is!
You-san!
She's starting to lose consciousness!
You can do it, Kasukabe-san!
Just a little bit further...
Well done!
You have won this match—
Kasukabe-san!
Miss!
Calico Cat...
I knew it...
Your Gift is to take the abilities of other creatures
and make them your own.
No, this is proof that we've become friends.
Excellent work, Friend.
I want you to use the gift you received
as a reminder that you defeated me.
Yes, I will treasure it.
You're really something.
By the way, that Gift of yours, is it something you were born with?
No, the wooden carving that my father
gave me granted me this power.
Wooden carving?
This.
A circular phylogenetic tree, huh?
Could I have you appraise them?
What? Appraise them?
That's completely out of my field, but...
Oh, wait...
Very well!
Let us celebrate your return in advance! Take this!
Are those... Gift Cards?
What's this? A post card?
A Christmas card?
A birthday card?
No! It has the capability to store your Gifts,
as well as name the Gifts that you have.
It's an extremely valuable gift.
Then I guess mine's a rare case.
What?
Unknown?
The Gift Card, a Fragment of Laplace, can't even read him...
Interesting...
However, I wonder how long you'll be able to keep that
smug attitude after seeing what the Demon Lord has left behind.
This is the destroyed land of the no-names.
The soil's infertile...
Hey, Black Rabbit, how many hundreds of years ago
was the Gift Game with the Demon Lord?
It was only three years ago.
That's quite bizarre.
Just taking a quick look around,
it looks like about two hundred years has passed.
But if you consider the power of a Demon Lord, it's understandable.
A Demon Lord, huh?
Sounds good. Real good.
Good, I say!
This looks like it'll be more fun than I thought.
Don't worry.
I gave you the gift of the beast.
How you use it is up to you.
Now, what move will the new no-names make?
So what's this "Parallel World Intersection Theory," anyway?
It's when the lines from different timelines and dimensions overlap, and...
Well, basically, if I were to show you with Black Rabbit's ears...
Next Time
Sounds Like We're Doing All Sorts of Stuff in the Bath Together?
Ouch ouch ouch!
H-Hey, what are you doing?!
Art by mebae