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Nanana’s Buried Treasure Volume 7 Chapter 4.3

Thus, Ikusaba boasted an undefeated record in the first stage. Regardless of how capable the Nanana collection an opponent had or how favorable the battle area they chose, Ikusaba trapped them with the 《whisper of the grim reaper》, always securing a complete victory.

Of course the success of Ikusaba’s strategy of utilizing the 《whisper of the grim reaper》 was not a coincidence. It was something he had anticipated beforehand based on the experiences and situations from the previous 《game》.

And Ikusaba’s strategic eye remains unchanged in the second stage.

The exposure of the boots being fake and the reveal of the 《whisper of the grim reaper》 were already calculated. Even if the 《whisper of the grim reaper》 became useless during this second stage, it was not a problem.

He had already secured a more potent Nanana collection.

Having a capable partner like Ikkyū Tensai was also a stroke of luck.

Ikusaba certainly has no blind spots.

That’s why the only thing Ikusaba needs to consider at the moment is what moves will organizer M make in this second stage?

4

– Great Detective Team (Blue Spades), Great Detective & Phantom Thief, Coins: 90

– Sakura Team (Yellow Diamonds), Yamato Nadeshiko & Military Uniform, Coins: 10

– Lady Team (Green Clubs), Lady & Servant A & Servant B, Coins: 24

– Cat Ear Team (Red Hearts), Masked Cat Ear & Cat Ear-chan, Coins: 35

Classifying the situation displayed on the monitor, one might think:

「Wow, one team is completely dominating.」

Muttering to myself, I got hit in the back of my head with a fan by Lady Ageha.

「Whose fault is it? It’s your fault, isn’t it? Making a big bet like ten coins on your own initiative. If you feel even a little sorry, do something amusing.」

So, to appease her for the time being, I approach Lady Ageha with a funny face and shaking my head from side to side, saying 「Sorry!」

With a snort, Lady Ageha says, 「Well, I’ll forgive you.」

Yep, Lady Ageha is fairly easy to crack up, isn’t she?

「Don’t worry about it. In the second stage, ten coins isn’t much.」

「? What do you mean?」

I just silently look at the monitor.

There, the door of room number 5 shows Nishi-san, representing the Cat Ear Team.

《Sugoroku de Pon》, the first turn. The only action remaining is what the Cat Ear Team will do as they approach room number 5.

Greeting Cat Ear-chan at the door are two bankers. Wearing the same uniform and masks as the ones at the Sugoroku board and in the robbery room, they’re unmistakably Taisei Amagi and that peculiar girl known as Kuroko, with her unusually long bangs.

By the way, Nishi-san in her cat ears uniform seems shy in front of these two bankers as she glancing downward. Taisei is smitten by her and stands gawking, while Kuroko-san complains, 「Dang it, I don’t have my phone to snap a picture!」

Yeah, everyone in Nishi-san’s community is certainly like that.

Gathering himself, bank employee Taisei starts the explanation.

「The challenge for room number 5 is a ‘number pattern quiz.’ Identify the pattern in the sequence of numbers provided and fill in the blank. You have one minute.」

Problem

(2, 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, ___)

「If you succeed, you win twenty coins, hehe.」

As Taisei lays out the terms, Lady Ageha’s eyes widen in surprise.

「Eh, what do you mean? Win twenty coins for success?」

It makes sense for Lady Ageha to be shocked.

During the first stage, they were desperately fighting over just a few coins. Now that we’re in the second stage, the inflation is striking.

「You knew this, Juugo?」

Tetsu-kun also looks surprised, and I nod.

「Originally, M was expected to have a tremendous lead by the end of the first stage. But unexpectedly, Ikusaba-san turned it around, creating a difference of double the score with thirty-five coins. In this situation, M (who can alter the rules) couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. I figured they’d play a card to even the odds.」

「Indeed, if you can gain coins in such large quantities, the coin difference carried over from the first stage becomes insignificant.」

That’s the point. Conversely, if M had been leading as initially projected, then the opposite could occur: coin deflation. The quiz Nishi-san is doing now would have only added two coins for success.

「So if M had continued to lead, that’s what might have happened, huh? I see. It’s not impossible.」

「That’s why the ten coins we lost just now were a cheap price for the chance to practice the 《trade》 process and to draw out Nishi-san’s strategies.」

But Lady, will this explanation be enough to appease your anger? I glance her way.

「Hmmm.」

Lady Ageha looks intrigued and continues to stare at me intently.

***************************************************************

In room number 5, as the game begins, Nishi-san writes 「18」 in the answer field.

「Correct.」

A ding announces the correct answer. There is then an explanation that 「you add the two previous numbers」, the Cat Ear Team claims twenty coins and finishes up.

As Nishi-san leaves to head back to the great hall, someone calls out 「Nishi-san.」 as soon as she steps into a corridor free of cameras. Turning, she sees Taisei Amagi prostrating on the carpeted floor.

「I’m sorry for all my big talk and then coming to this. I truly apologize.」

「Taisei .」

Someone steps firmly on the back of Taisei ’s head as he kneels.

「Hey, don’t mess around, you blond yankee. You think a simple apology will get you forgiven? That’s naive thinking.」

After being showered with insults, it turns out the culprit isn’t Nishi-san but Kuroko.

Taisei, looking up with a disgruntled face, calmly asks,

「What are you trying to do, Kuroko?」

「Obviously I’m speaking on behalf of the class president, you useless guy.」

「You, Kuroko. Later you’ll really cry.」

「If I cry, I’ll tell the class president.」

「You’re seriously the worst.」

「The fact that you won’t lay a finger on women is well known. That’s why I’m so bold.」

「You’re a devil.」

Frozen, Taisei is intimidated. Nishi-san lightly taps the head of Kuroko, who was looking down on Taisei .

「Don’t bully Taisei too much, Kuroko-kun.」

「But, President…」

「And if Taisei is useless, wouldn’t that make you the same?」

Shocked by Nishi-san’s point, Kuroko staggers as if hit by a blow.

「The president called me useless…」

「It’s a joke, don’t be so downcast. I didn’t intend to blame either of you.」

「But my conscience won’t let it go if that’s all…」

「We’ll take it from here.」

Smiling gently, Nishi-san assuages the concerns of Taisei and Kuroko.

「Still, we’re here to help.」

「Please rely on us, class President. Actually, we…」

Kuroko tries to say something, but Nishi-san gestures for her to be quiet.

「Don’t say anymore. And I’ll say it once more; leave the rest to me.」

Taisei closes his mouth, understanding. Nishi-san sees their attempt at help as against the rules and disapproves.

「Got it. Do as you please.」

Taisei steps back easily, prompting a frustrated, 「Ah geez Taisei!」 from Kuroko. But pushing her objections aside, Taisei nods.

「I won’t interfere, but I’m rooting for you. After all, our goal is to win.」

Hearing this, Nishi-san smiles in appreciation.

「Thank you.」

Forced to witness this exchange, Kuroko eventually remains silent.

Then Nishi-san reports back to her place.

「Taisei, turns out it was Tsujimi-kun after all.」

Even with that news, Taisei could only respond nonchalantly with 「Oh, okay.」

When Nishi-san leaves the scene, the two bankers are left behind.

「What’s wrong, ‘useless’? Why the gloomy look?」

「It’s nothing.」

Upon returning to the great hall, Nishi-san returns to their base.

「Welcome back.」

M greets her with just a slight nod, and Nishi-san takes a seat. Her expression is devoid of a smile.

Hovering nearby, M keeps sneaking glances at Nishi-san.

「Is there something wrong?」

「No, nothing at all!」

「You’ve been doing that a while now. Is there something you want to ask me?」

「No, not at all!」

Watching M’s flustered state deepens Nishi-san’s confusion.

M occasionally shows this side – a shaky, girlish demeanor.

Yet other times, she’s a ruthless organizer, entangling the participants with calculated moves.

Which is the true face?

Above all, what was most troubling was what M said after the team division, back in the waiting room.

「Don’t worry. There is no way we will be eliminated here.」

When asked why, M wouldn’t divulge the reason. Despite being on the same team. She only said, 「Just enjoy the second stage as normal.」

M and Nishi-san hadn’t done anything team-like since discussing their roles.

A mere team in name only. For Nishi-san, it was an uncomfortably artificial arrangement.

Nishi-san lifts her gaze and looks at the monitor displaying the various teams’ statuses.

Standing of teams at the end of the first turn:

– Great Detective Team (Blue Spades), Great Detective & Phantom Thief, Coins: 90

– Sakura Team (Yellow Diamonds), Yamato Nadeshiko & Military Uniform, Coins: 10

– Lady Team (Green Clubs), Lady & Servant A & Servant B, Coins: 24

– Cat Ear Team (Red Hearts), Masked Cat Ear & Cat Ear-chan, Coins: 55

Considering the number of dice tickets, this second stage will be decided in forty turns… if nothing unexpected happens.

Hence, Nishi-san’s thought:

When will M make a move?

********************************************************************

Elsewhere, stationed outside the venue of the 《game》 (Sevens Land) is the security team led by Shiki Maboro, the Nanaejima General Security’s 2nd Special Unit.

After a skirmish with Sansa Kurosu’s Three Skulls, resulting in significant damage to their mobile base and the kidnapping of their captain, Kiyomi Honami, they have somehow managed to reorganize.

Shiki and her team, settled inside the 20 trailer mobile base, were watching the live broadcast.

Yuu Ibara was entranced beside them saying, 「Even President Yuiga in a mask is charming♡.」

Seated on a couch lazily watching the live broadcast was Shiki, with the ever-vigilant Nonomiya Himeko inquiring,

「What could be Leprechaun’s intention in broadcasting this 《game》 on TV?」

「Who knows. Maybe there’s someone out there they want to show it to?」

「?? What does that mean……?」

「More importantly, has there been any contact from the reconnaissance squad we sent out to search for Sansa and the others?」

「No, it seems they haven’t discovered the enemy’s base yet.」

「Any changes at the entrance to Sevens Land?」

「None. It’s quiet.」

「Well, with the live TV broadcast happening, even Sansa can’t make a move recklessly. We might have to wait for a while. Ugh I want a beer. Enough to bathe in it… ………by the way, Ibara-chan, has there been any contact from that ninja-kun?」

It was at that moment that a melody flowed from her cell phone.

「I just got an email. He’s infiltrated the castle.」