Standing up, the Black Rabbit cleared her throat and spread her arms wide with renewed energy.
"First of all, welcome to this world of gods and demons, the wondrous realm of Little Garden! A gathering place for the unimaginable! We've granted the four of you the qualifications to participate in the 'Gift Games,' which only those blessed with exceptional gifts are allowed to enter — and that's why you've been summoned here!"
"Gift Games? What's that?" Izayoi asked.
"In your own worlds, none of you are ordinary people, right? Those special abilities you possess are 'Gifts' bestowed by various gods, demons, spirits, or stars. The 'Gift Games' are competitions held to use and contend with those Gifts. It's a stage created so those living in Little Garden with powerful Gifts can enjoy life in a fun and twisted way!"
As she explained, the Black Rabbit spread her arms as if to embrace the entire realm.
"Gods… and demons…?"
Yoru muttered with a slight frown. That term reminded him of the Labyrinth City Orario. But clearly, this place wasn't Orario — he'd never heard of anything called a Gift Game before.
"That's right! This world is full of gods and demons, so don't be too surprised. Now, Black Rabbit will continue the explanation. In order to participate in the Gift Games here in Little Garden, you have to join a community and compete under its name!"
"I refuse," Izayoi said flatly with his eyes closed.
"You have to join one!" Black Rabbit jumped up in protest.
(As expected… she's still just a rabbit, huh…)
Asuka Kudou and Yō Kasukabe both thought the same as they looked on silently.
"That's why Black Rabbit is inviting you all to join our community. Let's work together for a better tomorrow!" she said, her eyes sparkling with hope.
"No way!" Asuka flipped her long hair.
"Not interested," Izayoi replied without even opening his eyes.
"Forget it," Yō said without even lifting her head.
"W-Wait! Don't reject me all at once like that!" Black Rabbit cried, leaping into the air again.
"Um, excuse me, sir… would you be willing to join our community? Oh, right — I still don't know your name."
Because of their initial introductions, Black Rabbit already knew the names of Izayoi and the others, but she still had no clue about Yoru.
"My name, huh… just call me Yoru," he replied. "Black Rabbit, I want to ask you something. Have you ever heard of a place called Orario?"
"Eh? Black Rabbit hasn't heard of that place. Is it your hometown, Yoru-san?"
"Hometown… maybe."
Yoru murmured to himself. To Orario, he was nothing more than a passerby. Where did he truly belong?
…Right.
That place of howling winds and drifting snow, of icy ruins and frost-covered remnants…
"If you can summon us here from another world, then you must know how to leave this world and go to another one, right?"
Yoru suddenly asked, his eyes filled with hope as he stared at Black Rabbit.
If he could master that method, maybe he could return to the Einzbern Castle… return to Orario…
Irisviel… I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. But at the very least, I'll protect our daughter.
As that thought crossed his mind, Yoru gently touched his chest.
The Holy Grail had indeed granted his wish — to never be separated from Irisviel.
But that wish was fulfilled in the cruelest way possible.
Her soul had merged with Yoru's body, becoming one with him.
Still… Irisviel wasn't truly gone.
As long as her soul remained, Yoru believed there had to be a way to bring her back.
"I'm really sorry," Black Rabbit said, bowing her head in disappointment. "The cross-world magic Black Rabbit used was only possible by borrowing the power of Little Garden. If you want to leave freely and travel to another world… you'll need an extremely powerful Gift. So powerful that Black Rabbit's never even seen one like that before…"
She lowered her head further, assuming that after saying this, Yoru would no longer be willing to join their community.
But to her surprise, Yoru gave a completely unexpected answer.
"Fine… I'll join you."
Black Rabbit froze for a second — then jumped up in joy.
"R-Really?! I'm so happy I could burst!"
She leaped with excitement and gave Yoru a big hug.
Her soft body and sweet scent pressed against him, and Yoru couldn't help but react physically.
Damn it… Is it the curse of All the World's Evils again?
Yoru felt helpless and frustrated. He had worked hard to suppress the malice and desires of the world's sins using his own powers, but his ice was far from pure.
That frost… was impure.
He didn't know what would happen if he kept suppressing All the World's Evils with such impure ice.
If both powers exploded at once, what would he even become?
For now… all he could do was take it one step at a time.
He smiled bitterly at the thought.
Meanwhile, Black Rabbit, sensing something, quickly jumped away, her face bright red.
"T-That said! While I'm super thankful for you joining us, Yoru-san, Black Rabbit doesn't provide that kind of special service, okay?! I'm a pure bunny girl!"
She said in a flustered voice, her tone teasing yet bashful.
Damn it… what the hell am I even thinking?
Annoyed at himself, Yoru knocked on his head and forced the inappropriate thoughts out of his mind, trying not to look at Black Rabbit.
Seemingly unaware of his internal conflict, Black Rabbit turned back toward Izayoi and the others, her hopeful gaze returning.
"What about you three? Won't you reconsider? If you participate in the Gift Games, you could win unimaginably valuable prizes offered by the 'Hosts'!"
"…And who exactly are these 'Hosts'?" Izayoi asked.
"There are many," Black Rabbit replied. "Some Gift Games are hosted by gods or demons, who use them as trials to test humanity. Others are organized independently by powerful communities. The former type is open to everyone, but since gods and demons are the hosts, they tend to be extremely dangerous — sometimes even life-threatening. Of course, the rewards are also much greater. Depending on the host, it's not a dream to win powerful new Gifts. As for the latter, those require a wager. If you lose, your bet is considered a donation and goes to the community of the hosting party."
"That… actually sounds kind of fun," Izayoi said with interest.
Yoru's eyes also lit up.
Battling gods and demons in their own games to win Gifts — maybe, just maybe, one of those Gifts could allow him to travel across worlds…
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