The garden’s structure was like a maze. In the center was a wide open space, surrounded by a meter tall high wooden shrubs forming walls.

And around the edges of the garden, trees and grass grew abundantly.

It seemed best to hide as close to the edges as possible.

The prisoners seemed to have the same idea; as they entered one by one in order, they all rushed to the edges to hide themselves.

And Ravenne, who entered last…

“Didn’t they say the last one remaining wins the game?”

“Yes.”

“Then why is Ravenne doing that?”

Spinel asked, pointing at Ravenne who showed no intention of moving from the center of the garden.

“…Who knows.”

“Won’t she die first like that?”

“…Probably.”

Ilion, who had been silently watching Ravenne, nodded.

“I knew it, I should go kill those bastards!”

Spinel slammed the table and stood up.

“I said, be patient.”

“Would you be patient if you were in my place?”

Spinel, who looked ready to jump off the third-floor terrace at any moment, turned irritably to Ilion who was holding her back.

Ilion’s expression wasn’t much different from hers. He too seemed ready to dash out at any moment, his fists clenched tightly.

“Don’t stop me. This whole situation is your fault to begin with, isn’t it?”

Spinel snapped, hitting Ilion’s sore spot.

“Even so, not now. Let’s trust Ravenne a bit more for now.”

But Ilion showed no signs of backing down either. As they continued their battle of nerves at the terrace railing,

“Hello, everyone! I didn’t expect so many people to come and watch. I’m glad to see you all!”

Along with the drum sound signaling the start of the game, Ravenne’s cheerful voice filled the arena.

***

“M-Miss. What are you doing now?”

“Can’t you see? I’m greeting them.”

As I waved towards the terrace, Klaus’s brow slightly furrowed.

Yes, that’s what I wanted to see. This is a declaration of war.

Klaus must be puzzled right now. He probably never thought the person who retreated without saying a proper word would appear smiling like this.

I wonder how your expression will change when you realize it was all my act.

“Miss, this isn’t the time for greetings. We should hurry and hide too. The drum has already sounded.”

“Wait, Sergio. We’ve just started.”

“What?”

Sergio looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Even if we go now, all the good spots will already be taken by those who went ahead.”

Looking around, everyone was so well hidden that not even a hair could be seen.

From the start, letting people in according to the order they entered prison was already an unequal beginning. It was inevitably disadvantageous for me who stepped into the garden last.

“But isn’t it too dangerous to just wait here in the middle like we’re asking to be killed?”

Sergio asked in a lowered voice, still looking anxious.

“What do you think the hidden people are most worried about?”

“W-well…”

“The rules of the game are simple. Fight each other until only one person remains. In other words, no one knows when the game will end.”

The biggest problem with this game is that there’s no time limit. Of course, since there are many aggressive ones among the violent criminals, the game probably won’t last more than half a day, but even if their brains are full of muscles, if what’s on their shoulders isn’t just for decoration, they should know. The earlier you fight, the more disadvantageous it is.

“So don’t you think everyone wants to hide as much as possible to conserve energy? That’s how they can increase their chances of survival.”

“Then shouldn’t we hurry and hide too, instead of staying here?”

“No, we won’t hide. This is the safest place for us.”

Sergio tilted his head at my words.

“To attack us, they’d have to reveal themselves, and once you reveal yourself here, it’s hard to hide again, right? There’s no need for them to give away their position just to try and kill us.”

The early stages of the game will be a time of mutual reconnaissance. At the same time, everyone will be holding their breath to avoid revealing their position.

So unless they’re exceptionally stupid, no one would reveal themselves to attack us.

“Ah…!”

Sergio clapped his hands as if he had just had a great realization. Then he tilted his head again.

“I understand that, but does that really give us any advantage? I don’t think everyone will just keep watching us forever…”

Yes, that’s a very good question. Thank you for occasionally showing that you can think. It makes me not regret choosing you.

“You’re right. The reconnaissance phase will end soon.”

There were about 30 prisoners released into the garden. Although the garden was large, it wasn’t so big that it would be difficult to locate each other.

Those confident in combat might attempt an attack to secure a better position.

So this moment, not long after the drum sounded, was the most crucial time for us.

“So, let’s try to hit a home run in the meantime.”

I said, spinning the baseball bat Ilion had brought me, loosening my shoulders.

“…What? A h-home run?”

Sergio asked, dumbfounded. His eyes seemed to ask what that meant.

“Come on. Remember what I taught you earlier? Throw it hard.”

In my childhood, I was so into baseball that I dreamed of hitting a home run in a stadium full of people. Well, somehow I ended up growing into a boring adult who says dreams are just dreams…

But to think I’d fulfill that dream I had kept only in my heart in this strange world.

It’s all thanks to you, Klaus. So, as a token of gratitude, I’ll send the first home run to you.

I hit the ball Sergio threw with all my might, sending it towards the terrace where Klaus was sitting. The ball, of course, hit the barrier and burst with a pop right in front of Klaus, scattering yellow powder in the air.

If there was any regret, it was that I couldn’t see Klaus’s face clearly because of the scattered powder.

“Come on, throw the next one quickly!”

Urging the hesitating Sergio, I sent the next ball to the right. Again, the ball hit the barrier and burst with a pop, spewing yellow powder.

“Next, next!”

Listening to the cheerful popping sounds, I continued to send balls in all directions.

“Miss, are these balls really effective? The barrier isn’t even cracking, let alone breaking.”

Sergio asked me, still doubtful, while diligently throwing the balls.

Oh my, when did I say I was going to break the barrier? I said I was confident I wouldn’t die.

“Sergio, do you know?”

“Know what?”

I continued my explanation while sending another ball he threw.

“They say that when you burn raph flower petals, it helps you sleep deeply, but if you inhale it directly, it becomes a strong sleeping agent.”

“What does that have to do with anything now?”

“So, what’s bursting now is…”

As I was about to kindly finish the explanation for the slow-witted Sergio, someone came running, calling for me desperately.

“Ravenne!”

Who’s looking for me when I’m so busy, seriously!

The person who suddenly appeared from the bushes was Gardner. It seemed the reconnaissance phase ended faster than expected. Or maybe he just wanted to kill me that badly, or he was just stupid.

“No matter how I think about it, I can’t let anyone else have you. I should be the one to take your head.”

Sure, sure, whatever you say.

I threw a ball I had set aside for such occasions towards Gardner, and he easily split it in half with the sword he was holding.

Unlike his appearance, his swordsmanship seemed quite skillful. Is that why he was so confident?

“Wow. To cut that in one go, your skills are impressive.”

As I applauded, admiring his ability, he sneered boastfully and muttered.

“As if you could do anything with just this ball…”

“Sergio, did you see? That yellow powder is the powder from raph flower petals.”

I finished my explanation to Sergio, pointing at Gardner. Unfortunately, Gardner fell asleep before hearing the end of my explanation. It seems he was just stupid after all.

“Miss. Does that mean if we inhale this powder…”

I said, hurriedly putting on the mask I had brought.

“Oh my, did I forget to tell you? That you need to wear a mask?”

Sergio, who had already inhaled enough air, finally fell asleep without finishing his sentence.

Sergio, you really do have a kind and somewhat stupid side. If I get out of here, I’ll look into ways to get you released.

After the situation in the open space was settled, I walked around the garden, which was hazy like a sky filled with yellow dust, examining the surroundings.

Here and there, I could see people who had fallen asleep sprawled on the ground.

“Oh, Julia. You were here too. And Jeff is over there.”

Recalling the memories of being kidnapped, I poked Jeff’s cheek repeatedly.

Seeing no response, it seemed he was definitely asleep.

Before coming up with the plan, in that short time, numerous thoughts and regrets flashed through my mind.

My vision had been completely blocked by the urgent feeling that Ilion might die at any moment. Obsessed with the idea that I had to solve everything alone, I made foolish decisions and ended up causing trouble for the people I care about.

I said I wanted everyone to be happy, but I failed to look around me properly.

Thinking about it now, there was no need to try to solve everything alone. Even now, I’m receiving help from everyone, aren’t I?

The baseball bat, the mask embroidered with lilies, the powder from Raph’s petals. They were all gifts prepared for me by the precious connections I had made here.

It took me too long a detour to realize this simple fact, but I had no intention of repeating the same mistake.

As the yellow powder that had spread like fog slowly settled, the scene on the terrace came into view.

I wonder what it looks like from up there looking down. Hoping that the sight would make their stomachs churn, I slowly bowed my head towards Klaus.