Margaret’s Perfect Spin

As the sun had just begun to rise, we gathered together.

Everyone, that is, except for Margaret.

Margaret, surprisingly, had been carried over by Elizabeth while still fast asleep.

Yet, considering it was Margaret, it suddenly felt perfectly normal.

Still, Elizabeth possessing such strength was quite unexpected.

After waking the little black seaweed, we quickly prepared breakfast using the leftover ingredients from the previous night.

Though the Horned Rabbit was a magical beast, its taste was surprisingly good.

Initially, I was quite resistant. After all, I couldn’t just eat a magical beast simply because someone told me to; what if it was poisonous?

However, Margaret, as a specialist in magical beasts, vouched for it: “Horned Rabbit meat is non-toxic and edible. Enhanced by magic, it not only has a superior texture but also boasts higher nutritional value than ordinary rabbits.”

When asked how she knew, she replied with an air of absolute certainty:

“Of course, I knew because I’d eaten it before.”

So she had personal experience… While it seemed absurd, it was Margaret, after all.

Yet, her words carried significant weight. Initially, the Young Miss, Luomei, and I were all quite reluctant. However, watching Margaret devour it with such relish, our resolve began to waver.

Ultimately, none of us could resist the temptation.

At first, it was just a hesitant taste, but that single bite was enough to make us crave more.

Mmm… truly delicious!

Ahem… I’ve strayed too far off-topic.

Once we were all prepared, we once again stood before the ‘Paradise’.

“…You actually didn’t flee. That shows some backbone.”

“Hehehe~”

Upon hearing the Young Miss’s remark, Grinning Darby—or rather, his projection—reappeared before us.

“…I did mention it, didn’t I? The ‘Paradise’ is a fantastical place meant to bring joy to all of you, and its gates are always open~ Ah, except during closing hours, of course.”

Alright, let’s get straight to the point.

Hehehe~ What impatient guests you are~ But still~

*Snap!

Again, a snap of fingers, followed by the familiar sense of disorientation.

When we opened our eyes once more, we found ourselves back beneath the Ferris wheel.

The signboard adorned with ‘Joyful Stickers’ still stood before us, exactly as it had yesterday.

[Are you all ready to undertake the ‘Challenge’? Hmm, it seems there’s no need to ask again~]

After lightly adjusting his mask, Grinning Darby spread one hand, guiding our gaze towards the sticker board.

[Upon successfully collecting all ‘Joyful Stickers’, volunteers simply need to press their hand against the sticker board to participate in the ‘Challenge’~]

After exchanging glances, we collectively pressed our hands onto the sticker board.

Our minds reeled with another wave of disorientation… and the scene shifted once more.

This time, we arrived in a world of pure white.

Indeed, everything around us was blank, utterly devoid of features; even the floor stretched out in a vast, white expanse.

[The ‘Challenge’ consists of five rounds. Only one person may participate in each round, and each person may only participate in one round. You only need to win three matches to succeed~]

[Additionally, before each round begins, please select a representative.]

“Then let me go first!”

Unexpectedly, Margaret, who typically showed no interest in such matters, volunteered herself to go first.

“Elizabeth and I are both liabilities anyway. Instead of dragging it out and letting us bear the pressure at the very end, it’s easier to just get it over with at the start~”

So that was her intention…

Yet, her reasoning was sound. With six of us, if we failed to secure three victories beforehand, either she or Elizabeth would inevitably have to compete.

If the situation truly devolved into that, it would undoubtedly be an overwhelming burden for them, given their comparatively lower combat prowess…

The others, realizing this, silently assented to Margaret’s request.

[Have you all decided on your first challenger? Then, may the first challenger step forward!]

“Well then, I’m off!”

Margaret, feigning an air of ease, walked to the spot designated by Grinning Darby.

“Now then… welcome to the first ‘Challenge’!

No sooner had Grinning Darby finished speaking than the venue transformed.

Between the human and the magical being, a platform slowly ascended, upon which rested a small, hemispherical arena.

In addition, various small components were laid out… Why did they look so much like parts of a spinning top?

“You have thirty minutes. If you can assemble a spinning top from the provided parts and either collide with mine to stop it, or knock it out of the arena, you win~”

Could it really be spinning tops…?

Oh, well, never mind. Given how strange this amusement park already is, a game of spinning tops isn’t really surprising.

“This simple?”

Even Margaret was taken aback.

It was called a ‘Challenge’, yet in reality, it felt more like child’s play.

“What’s wrong? Could it be that our esteemed guest lacks the confidence to defeat me?”

Even the challenge itself felt like child’s play…

“Hmph… What nonsense. I am a genius at assembly. Other challenges might be debatable, but when it comes to putting things together, I never lose.”

“Hehehe~ Then, the timer begins now~”

Without anyone noticing, a new hourglass suddenly appeared in the room.

Margaret, however, didn’t spare the hourglass a glance. She pulled out her tools from her small pouch and began examining the spinning tops.

The fine grains of sand flowing through the narrow opening marked the passage of time…

However… before even a quarter of the sand had fallen, Margaret called a halt.

“I’ve assembled it. Let’s begin.”

“Huh? That fast?”

This time, it was Grinning Darby who looked dumbfounded.

“Yes, it’s ready. How much time could assembling a spinning top possibly take?”

“While that’s true… shouldn’t you consider it more, perhaps make some adjustments?”

“No need. It’s already in perfect condition; no further modifications are required. Let’s start quickly.”

“You only get one chance, you know? If you lose…”

“Enough. Quickly, begin.”

Margaret interrupted Grinning Darby, enunciating each word.

“Very well.”

Grinning Darby said no more.

With a sweep of his wide sleeve, all the remaining materials vanished in an instant.

He actually cleared the entire arena just for a spinning top match…

“Challenger, please prepare…”

Without him needing to say another word, Margaret had already assembled her spinning top.

Upon closer inspection, the spinning top was even painted black, perfectly matching Margaret’s preference.

Grinning Darby, meanwhile, produced a spinning top with three mixed colors.

Did this fellow always have to choose three-colored items?

“Then, three, two, one, begin!”

At the command, both spinning tops entered the arena simultaneously!

Initially, they circled the periphery, like predatory lions surveying their territory.

As time elapsed, the distance between the two spinning tops gradually narrowed, and our hearts climbed into our throats.

Everyone anticipated what kind of sparks their collision would produce.

However, something entirely unexpected occurred.

When only a few centimeters separated the two spinning tops, the black one suddenly accelerated, charging directly at its opponent like a hunting dog.

*Clang!

A crisp collision echoed, and before everyone’s astonished eyes, the three-colored spinning top flew out of the hemispherical arena.

“Huh?”

At that, not only Grinning Darby, but everyone present was left dumbfounded…

We had expected a fierce clash to determine the victor, but who would have thought it would end in a single strike?

Unlike our astonished reactions, Margaret seemed to have anticipated it all. She folded her arms, her expression smug as she declared:

“Didn’t I tell you? What I assemble is always perfect!”