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“I’m glad-glad you’re having fun, Eli-Eli!” said Wyne. She faced upwards and let out a roar. Her red scales glittered in the sun. It was a sight to behold. And then...

Bang!As Wyne drew closer to the peak of Dark Mountain, the sound of an explosion rang out.

“What?!” Everyone looked forward and peered out the gondola to see some projectile that had been fired from near the peak.

“What’s that?” Flio said. “It doesn’t seem to be heading in our direction, so I don’t think we’re in any danger...” In fact, whatever it was that had been launched from the mountain seemed to be heading straight up. Then, after a moment, there was another explosion, and a miasma of Malicium began spilling forth.

“Goodness...” Rys said, narrowing her eyes as she peered at the smoky cloud of malicium. “If I’m not mistaken, I think there are letters written in the smoke!”

She was right. Letters appeared from within the cloud reading: “WELCOME TO DARK PUDDING.”

“Is that supposed to be a welcome for us?” Sleip said, smirking at the words in the malicium.

“Perhaps,” Rys said, crossing her arms and frowning. “But I must say, it looks rather shabby, doesn’t it...?”

Wyne, meanwhile, brought the gondola to a stop atop the mountain peak and landed, changing back to her human form. “Is this Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park-Park?” she asked, looking all around with a wide grin on her face.

Tanya darted from her seat, holding the outfit Wyne had discarded earlier, quickly pulling the dress over a kicking and screaming, naked Wyne.

“Nooooo!” Wyne wailed. “I hate clothes! I hate ’em!”

“You must, young mistress!” said Tanya. “I am always telling you that a proper lady must not...”

As the two carried on, Flio and the rest made their way off the gondola. Before them was a stone wall with a castle-like gate.

“It looks like that’s the entrance to the park,” Flio said, pointing up at the sign atop the gate. It read, “Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park.”

“But it’s weird...” Garyl frowned, cocking his head to the side. “It doesn’t seem like anyone’s here at all...”

“I agree,” said Elinàsze, following suit. “Perhaps the park isn’t open yet?”

The rest of the party nodded and started looking around, when suddenly, a woman stepped up in front of the group. She was wearing a jacket that looked like part of a uniform, a tight skirt, and knee-high socks, all black. Her hair, in stark contrast, was a bluish-white, and her pale skin was almost translucent. Altogether, she looked like a very composed and serious woman.

“Welcome to Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park,” she said, bowing politely. “My name is Peguilla. I am the head of operations for this park.”

“Wow...” Sadjitta said, a perverted expression on his face as he ogled the gorgeous newcomer. “What a pretty lady...”

“Hmph,” said Salina. “Sothat’sthe kind of woman you prefer. I suppose the engagement’s off, then? I’ll tell papa when we return.”

“What?!” Sadjitta shot back. “Hold on a minute, Salina! This is one thing, but that’s another!”

Peguilla glanced at the pair from the corner of her eye but gave no further reaction.

Flio smiled dryly. “Excuse me, Miss Peguilla...” he said. “Is this park open for business? I don’t see any people here. I don’t suppose this is your day off?”

Peguilla smiled softly. “Not at all,” she said. “This park operates every day, year-round, without fail. Even if ithasbeen a long time since we’ve had a single guest...”

Flio smirked despite himself.I can’t suppose a lot of customerswouldcome, with things in this state...

Peguilla bowed again. “I must apologize for the absence of the skull dragons after you came all this way to visit our park, and for using malicium instead of fire in our welcoming fireworks display. I’m...rather bad at fire magic, I’m afraid...”

“So that was your spell?” Flio asked. “The ‘WELCOME TO DARK PUDDING’?”

“Yes, so it was.”

“Well, thank you very much for coming out to meet us personally, Miss Park Manager.”

“Oh, not at all...” A strange expression clouded Peguilla’s face. “There is no need to thank me for such a thing...” Flio puzzled over Peguilla’s behavior as she turned to address the rest of the group. “Well, everyone,” she continued. “Thank you so much for visiting Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park! I hope you’ll enjoy your visit to the fullest. I’ll do my best to have the skull dragons and fire magic ready next time you visit. I do hope you come again.”

“I hope you come again,” she says... Flio mused, unable to quiet his anxiety.But we just got here...

◇Meanwhile, With Hero Gold-Hair...◇

As Flio and the rest were arriving at Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park, Hero Gold-Hair was struggling for breath as he made his way along the narrow path up the cliff. “Hey, Keats!” he called as he stepped from one narrow plank to another, no handrail in sight. “Why are we doing this, anyway?!”

“I must admit, it’s strange...” said Aryun Keats as she inched along behind, taking great care not to fall. “Last time I came, there was a skull dragon gondola that took you straight to the park entrance...”

“W-Well then!” said Valentine, who was walking along in the middle of the group. “In that case, why don’t I reinforce the path?” She released dark threads from her fingertips, forming a bridge for Hero Gold-Hair and the rest of the party to walk on.

“Valentine!” Gold-Hair snapped. “If you could do that this whole time, why didn’t you do it sooner?!” Despite his words, he patted Valentine gently on the head.

“Your praise honors me,” Valentine said. “But I’m afraid there are a number of problems with this approach.”

“Problems?” asked Hero Gold-Hair. “What do you mean by that?” But before Valentine could answer, a tremendous gurgling sound issued forth from her stomach.

“Aaahhh!” she cried, pressing her hands to her cheeks as her face turned bright red. “I’m so embarrassed!”

“I see...” said Hero Gold-Hair, deducing everything from the sound Valentine’s stomach had made. “Food, is it...”

Valentine was a djinn from the Realm of Evil. It took large amounts of energy to sustain her body in the world of Klyrode. To that end, she could absorb power from magic gems, suck the magic out of a living person, or else eat vast quantities of food to convert into energy to fuel her daily activities.

“Let’s get moving!” Hero Gold-Hair declared. “The sooner we reach this Dark Mountain Whatever-It-Was, the sooner we can get food!”

“Yes sir!” replied the rest of the party.

Jeeeeez...Tsuya thought, shedding a tear of worry for their declining stockpile of money.Everyone eats sooo much... And now it’s not just Lady Valentine—but Lady Keats too! Oooh, my poor wallet...

◇Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park—Flio’s Party◇

Flio paid the admissions fee to Peguilla, and the party proceeded into the park itself.

“I know it’s a bit early,” said Rys, carrying a large bag towards the grassy field right past the park gates. “But shall we have a bit of lunch before we play?” She had already made sure with Peguilla that it was okay to bring their own food into the park.

“I’ll help you, mama,” volunteered Elinàsze.

“Mistress Rys, Young Mistress Elinàsze, please allow me to assist you,” said Tanya.

Garyl looked around the area as Elinàsze and Tanya followed after Rys. “Oh!” he said. “There are food stalls over by the field!” Indeed, on one corner of the round grassy area stood a number of stalls. “I’m gonna go take a look!”

“I’ll come too, big brother Garyl!” said Folmina.

“I-If big sis Folmina’s going, I will too...” said Ghoro.

Garyl headed off towards one of the stalls with Folmina and Ghoro, only to come to a sudden stop when he got close. “H-Huh?”

The vending area of the stall was posted over with a large paper sign. It read, “If you wish to make a purchase, please contact Peguilla, head of operations.”

“Wha...?” Garyl frowned. “Are they closed?”

No sooner had the words left his mouth, though, than Peguilla came running as fast as she could. Her shirt sleeves were rolled up and she had a bright smile on her face. “I’m terribly sorry, sir!” she said. “Unfortunately, the people responsible for staffing the food stalls are unavailable today. However, you can rest assured that I, Peguilla, will do my best to meet your every request!”

“O-Oh...” responded Garyl. “I think I’ll see about the food mom made first.” He and the other two bowed apologetically and hurried back to where Rys and the others were setting up for lunch.

“Oh?” said Rys when she saw him return. “What’s wrong, Garyl? I gave you some spending money, didn’t I? Wasn’t there anything you wanted?”

“Well...” Garyl said. “I dunno. Things seemed a little off over there. It doesn’t look like there’s anyone manning the stalls.”

“Really? You don’t say...” Rys frowned and tilted her head, puzzled.

Flio, who had been listening, took a quick glance around the park.Wh-What’s with this place?he thought, feeling a bit faint as he watched Peguilla scurry around.I have a bad feeling about this...

It didn’t take long for Rys to notice that her husband was acting strangely. “Is something the matter, my lord husband?”

“N-No,” Flio replied, uncertain. “Everything’s fine...” He sat down on the cloth Rys had laid out for the picnic. “By the way, Rys, I wanted to ask... How do you know about this place?”

Rys’s cheeks turned faintly pink at Flio’s question. She leaned in to whisper her response in his ear. “Well...” she began. “Would you promise to keep this a secret from Ghozal and Uliminas?”

“O-Okay...” said Flio.

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“You see...” whispered Rys, clearly embarrassed. “As a lupine, my childhood was spent focused on nonstop intense combat training. One day, I heard a rumor that the young children of other demons would sometimes go with their parents to a fun place called Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park. At the time, I felt nothing but contempt for their lack of dedication, but since becoming my lord husband’s wife and having children of my own, I believe I have come to somewhat understand those parents. I suppose I just wanted to create some happy memories with our Elinàsze and Garyl and Wyne...”

Flio gave her his usual easygoing smile. “I see,” he said. “In that case, let’s have the best day we can.” He pulled Rys into his arms and patted her gently on the head.

“My lord husband...” Rys said, burrowing her face into her husband’s chest.

“A—hem!”Suddenly, they were interrupted by Sleip loudly clearing his throat. “We’re very well aware of how much you two love each other, but perhaps you could restrain yourself for the time being? There are rather a number of children around, you know...” he said, a smirk on his face. Flio and Rys hastily looked around to see the children they had brought along all sitting on the cloth, staring intently at the two of them.

“Mom and dad get along really well, don’t they?” said Garyl.

“Yes!” said Elinàsze. “Isn’t it lovely?”

“One day, Lord Garyl will hold me like that...” Salina sighed.

“No, he’ll hold Irystiel!” protested Irystiel’s plush cat.

Flio and Rys’s faces turned bright red. They quickly pulled away. “W-Well, everyone!” said Rys. “Let’s all eat our fill and go enjoy the park!”

“Yes!” agreed Flio. “What shall we do first?”

The two had smiles on their faces as they addressed the group, but their voices sounded unnatural and forced, to no one’s surprise.

Peguilla clasped her hands together as she watched the group from the food stall.This is the worst possible situation for the park...she thought.But I will do my utmost to ensure they all have a wonderful time!

After finishing their lunch, Flio and his party set out to explore Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park. However, it soon became clear that all was not well...

◇At the Unicorn Ride...◇

The group wandered up to a large round building. “Oh ho!” exclaimed Sleip. “Do you suppose we can ride unicorns here?”

“It looks like it,” said Flio, glancing through the guidebook. “It says you can ride on a unicorn and fly around inside this building.”

“I see...” Rys sighed. “If they truly are unicorns, I’m afraid I cannot join...”

Wyne cocked her head. “Really? Why not? Why not?”

“O-Oh, Wyne, you know...” Rys explained. “It’s just that unicorns don’t like to be ridden by anyone other than a chaste maiden...”

“Huh?” Wyne was baffled. “You need to be chased by something?”

“N-No, Wyne...” said Rys. “That isn’t what chaste means...”

“Then what? What?” Wyne persisted, but Rys found herself incoherent, unable to offer a proper explanation.

Tanya crossed her arms as she watched. “Young Mistress Wyne is nearly an adult,” she said. “Perhaps it would be best to give her some education about such matters...”

“A-Ah...” Flio winced. “Y-Yes, I suppose we should...”

“Hey,” ventured Rislei, who had been peering inside the building as the others were talking. “Where are the unicorns? I don’t see any sign of them, and I can’t sense their presence anywhere.”

“Hmm...” Sleip looked over. “I don’t see any either...”

Suddenly, from behind, they heard Peguilla’s voice. “I apologize for the wait!” The group wheeled around as one. Then their eyes went wide. Before them stood Peguilla wearing a white bodysuit, with a single horn atop her nose, seemingly conjured by magic.

“M-Miss Peguilla...” Flio stammered. “What in the world...?”

“Unfortunately, I’m afraid that the unicorns are unavailable today,” Peguilla said. “However, if you will accept the substitution, I, Peguilla, will be happy to perform their duties in their absence.” Suddenly, her body split into multiple copies. “Come along, everyone!” the copies said. “No need to hesitate! Get on our backs!”

Flio’s group was just as taken aback by the offer as one might expect. They stared, speechless.There’s no way... was the single thought on everyone’s mind.There’s just no way...

◇At the Giant Centipede Coaster...◇

“This one’s the Giant Centipede Coaster,” Reptor read from the guidebook. “It says you ride a giant centipede over a twisty course at super high speeds.”

“I-It won’t turn out to be Miss Peguilla this time, will it?” worried Leina Raina, glancing all around. Everyone else followed suit, checking every which way for the director of operations.

She appeared behind them, with a bright smile on her face. “No need to worry!” she said. “Catanbu the old giant centipede is standing by!” She bowed her head, and a huge and clearly ancient centipede magic beast poked his upper body out of the ride’s entrance. He was wearing dark glasses, seeming to imply that his eyes no longer worked.

“Hah hah hah!” the old centipede laughed. “I’m getting a bit too old for this line of work, you see. This is the last time I’m coming back! Now, if our lovely guests would please climb on board...” Every segment of his body was equipped with a chair and a seat belt for safety.

“All right, everyone,” Peguilla urged them on. “All aboard!”

The party obliged and took their seats on Catanbu’s back. “Is everyone buckled in?” the centipede asked. “Then let’s away!” Cheerfully, he started down the course. “When I was a young centipede, I could zoom down these rails!” he told them. “The guests would always shriek and scream so loudly...”

“I-I see...” said Sleip, who was sitting in the seat furthest back. He sounded anxious. “But Mister Catanbu... Are you certain you’re up to this? You’re awfully wobbly...” From Sleip’s position, it was clear that the centipede’s body was swaying right and left to a worrying degree with every step he took.

“Oh ho ho! Never mind that! I’ve just gotten a bit up in years, is all. Besides, a little sway to your step is attractive, isn’t it?”

“M-Maybe...” Sleip said, his worries unassuaged. “But this is going a bit beyonda little...”

Catanbu continued on down the track, not paying the least bit of mind to Sleip’s concerns. He tottered along, slow and unsteady on his feet, his joints weak with age. Eventually, the track lifted up off the ground, past the log path up the Dark Mountain’s sheer cliff. Catanbu just kept plodding along at his slow pace.

Suddenly, there was a scream. “O-Oh, no!” It was Salina. “I’m going to fall! Lord Garyl, save me!!!”

Irystiel blanched, clutching her plush cat tight to her chest. “Irystielsaidshe wanted to go to the flower garden instead!” the cat cried.

“W-Wait!” said Reptor, tightening his seat belt for safety. “Are we in trouble?!”

“How come we stopped?!” Sadjitta wailed, messy tears in his eyes. “We’re right above a cliff!”

“Awawah...” Leina Raina moaned, too dizzy from vertigo to form coherent words. “N-No way...”

“I thought this one would be fun...” said Rislei, cold sweat running down her brow.

Garyl, at least, seemed to be enjoying himself. “Th-This is incredible!” he said. “It’swayscarier than just going fast!”

“H-How can you be so calm?” asked Elinàsze, who had manifested wings on her back, in case she needed to start flying at a moment’s notice.

In the midst of all that chatter, Wyne was jumping up and down in her seat. “Ah ha ha! This is fun-fun!” she exclaimed. Her seat belt was still buckled tight, so every time she moved, she caused Catanbu to waver this way and that.

“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...!” the ancient centipede cried.

“Eeeeeek!!!” screamed the children.

They were perfectly safe, however. The whole time, Flio had been busy using his spell Gravitation to ensure that Catanbu didn’t fall from the track as he held on for dear life.

◇At Dakwun’s Dance Stage...◇

“Old man Catanbu’s centipede coaster turned out to be pretty fun after all!” said Garyl, a cheerful grin on his face.

Elinàsze sighed. “Well, I suppose...” she said. “Although I don’t think most of those screams were joyful, exactly...”

“Lord Garyl...” Salina cried, clinging to the boy’s arm. “I was so scared...”

“Irystiel was scared too!” said Irystiel’s plush cat as Irystiel herself clung to Garyl’s other arm. The two girls really seemed to have been frightened by their experience. Their legs were shaking, their faces pale.

“It’ll be okay, you two,” said Garyl, giving them each a reassuring grin as he wrapped his arms around their shoulders in a gentle hug. “You’re safe now. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Lord Garyl... Salina thought, looking up at him with an expression of pure adoration.

He’s such a gentleman!thought Irystiel as she glanced up at Garyl from the other side.I can’t handle this!

Flio, meanwhile, was speaking with Sleip as the group walked through the park grounds. “It really does seem like most of the attractions are out of service...”

“It does, doesn’t it...?” agreed Sleip. “The only one that’s actually running is that old centipede’s ride...”

Since they had parted ways with Catanbu at the Giant Centipede Coaster, the party had stopped by all sorts of park attractions, only to be disappointed again and again. The cyclops who spun the Ferris wheel had quit, leaving the wheel out of order. The haunted house was closed because there were no ghosts to frighten the guests. The pirate ship cruise wasn’t available because the demons who played the pirates hadn’t come to work that day. In fact, the vast majority of the attractions in the park seemed to be unavailable.

I wonder how the park ended up in this state, Flio thought as they walked along.

Rislei and Wyne were walking along ahead of Flio. “According to the guidebooks Peguilla gave us,” said Rislei, her nose buried in the pamphlet, “someone named Dakwun does a show on that stage twice a day.”

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“Dakwun?!” asked Wyne, staring eagerly over Rislei’s shoulders to try to get a glimpse. “What’s that? What’s that? Can you eat it?”

“Ah ha ha! No, big sis Wyne. I don’t think they’re for eating,” Rislei said with a smile. “If we go now, we should make it just in time for the second performance. What do you think, everyone?”

“Let’s go!” came the unanimous cry of approval.

Flio’s party made their way to the stage in the middle of the park. “Oh!” said Elinàsze, running ahead and beckoning for the others to follow. “It looks like they’re just starting!” Before their eyes, a person dressed in a comical mascot suit stepped onto the stage.

“Doesn’t that kinda look like uncle Ghozal?” said Garyl.

Elinàsze nodded seriously. “You know, now that you mention it, it does...”

“According to the pamphlet, it looks like they used him as a model,” Rislei reported as she read along.

“I see!” nodded Garyl and Elinàsze.

“Uncle Ghozal...?” Salina whispered behind them. “Isn’t that Folmina’s papa?”

“B-But the pamphlet says the character was based on the former Dark One, Gholl!” objected Irystiel’s cat, just as quietly.

“Huh?” whispered Reptor. “Wh-What doesthatmean?!”

The three exchanged a confused look, not knowing that the Ghozal who lived at Flio’s house was none other than the former Dark One himself.

“Ah ha ha!” Wyne laughed. “Dakwun’s a cutie-cutie!”

“Isn’t he?!” agreed Folmina.

“I-If you say so, big sis Folmina, I think so too...” said Ghoro.

But Wyne, Folmina, and Ghoro seemed like the only ones who were really enjoying the show.

Ten minutes later, Dakwun finished their show and removed their head with a heavy gesture, revealing Peguilla’s face, drenched in sweat. “Well? How was it? Did you all enjoy yourselves?” she asked, giving the group a great big smile.

“It was super-duper fun-fun!” said Wyne, running up to the stage.

“I had fun too!” Folmina added, running up as well.

“I-If big sis Folmina had fun, so did I...” said Ghoro, following along behind.

“Yeah,” said Garyl from behind the trio. “It wasn’t bad.” He and Elinàsze were smiling cheerfully.

“Yes, I enjoyed myself as well,” said Elinàsze.

“H-Hey!” Irystiel protested through her plush cat, moving its mouth and using ventriloquism as always. “You’re not supposed to take off your costume onstage!”

Peguilla bowed her head apologetically. “I’m afraid that the person who usually performs the role of Dakwun suddenly quit just the other day... I apologize for my inexperience.” She replaced the costume’s head, but accidentally put it on backwards, the eye-holes facing the completely wrong direction. “Wh-What’s this?” Peguilla said. “I can’t seem to see anything!” Confused and panicked, she wandered this way and that until she finally teetered close to the edge of the stage and fell.

“Watch out!” Flio cried, quickly casting Fly on the plummeting head of operations. Thanks to his timely intervention, the show ended without anyone breaking their neck.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Th-Thank you...” said Peguilla, lying on her back on the cloth Rys had set up in front of the stage.

“It’s quite all right,” said Flio. “Are you hurt at all?”It’s hard to tell, what with how pale her skin is...he thought.But from up close, she seems unwell...He quietly cast a healing spell on her just to be safe.

Peguilla’s ragged breaths gradually steadied. She sighed deeply. “I really do owe you an apology. You came all this way, but all my attempts to entertain you have been absolutely dismal,” she said, bowing deeply. “I wanted to make things work with the people we had left, but nothing’s been going at all how I planned...” she muttered lonesomely, half to herself.

“Excuse me,” ventured Flio. “May I ask what happened to this park?”

Peguilla hemmed and hawed indistinctly for a while before answering, clearly self-conscious before the gaze of Flio and the rest of the group. “You see...” she began. “Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park was set up in partnership with Dark Citadel Shopping Town. We had a good number of customers at first, but without the funds to expand the park or update the attractions, it slowly began to dwindle. And then the other day, just as we were starting to run out of funds to pay our staff’s monthly salaries, Dark Citadel Shopping Town cut off our support completely, saying that they couldn’t afford such an unprofitable venture... We weren’t able to pay the staff, and most of them quit on the spot.” She was doing her best to sound unaffected, but it was obvious that Peguilla was still passionate about the park.

I see...Flio thought, nodding in understanding.So Dark Citadel Shopping Town cut off their support. I suppose that’s why it didn’t appear on the Enchanted Frigate’s map...He thought back to that morning, when they had been heading to the park. Back then, he had been perplexed to see the map window display Dark Mountain’s older name—Mount Nankholi.

As Peguilla finished her speech, Garyl took a step forward. “But you know,” he said, grinning widely. “I had a pretty good time today, at least. Catanbu’s Giant Centipede Coaster was crazy scary!”

“I agree,” said Elinàsze, smiling wryly. “It isn’t often one gets to have an experience like this. Although, I can’t say I was as much a fan of the centipede coaster as my brother...” The other children also started chatting cheerfully about the events of the day.

Flio, meanwhile, gave Peguilla a searching look. “I’m sorry if this is rude to ask...” he said. “But what are you planning to do going forward?”

Peguilla gave a small sad smile. “Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park has a long history,” she said. “If I can, I’d like to find some way that we can stay in operation. But without the support of Dark Citadel Shopping Town, and with hardly any employees, I’m not sure what I can do...”

That’s understandable, Flio thought, staring intently at Peguilla.There was hardly anyone in the park aside from us. Without guests, it’ll be pretty hard to keep this place operational. Using normal means, at least...

◇Meanwhile, with Hero Gold-Hair...◇

At long last, Hero Gold-Hair and crew reached the entrance to Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park. Valentine and Aryun Keats were rubbing their bellies with an air of satisfaction.

“I really can’t believe there wasn’t asinglespot to buy refreshments on the trail up here...” Valentine said. “Thank goodness for that flock of magic birds that happened by the cliff! We would have been in real trouble if not for them.”

“And I would have been in real trouble if not foryou, Madame Valentine,” said Keats.

The group had luckily had the fortune to happen upon a flock of edible bird-type magic beasts as they made their way up the narrow log path. Valentine had captured them all with her dark thread.

Haaah...Tsuya sighed to herself.I’m just glad it didn’t cost us any moooney...

“But you know,” said Hero Gold-Hair, folding his arms. “It looks like most of the attractions at this park are out of service. Well, at least there’s this one...”

The old centipede Catanbu reared up and waved cheerfully at Hero Gold-Hair’s words. “It’s been a very good day for me!” he said. “It’s been so long since I’ve had two entire groups of guests come to ride on my back!”

“Oh?” said Hero Gold-Hair. “I thought the park was empty aside from us! There was another group?”

“Indeed there was!” answered the centipede.

“Hm,” Gold-Hair mused. “Well, I’m glad to hear it, I suppose. Now, let’s see what you can do!”

“Right away!” Catanbu cheered as he started along the track, his body wobbling violently to the left and right as he tottered along. “Just you wait and see! Centipede leaving the station!!!”

“W-Wait!” cried Hero Gold-Hair. “Is something wrong?! Your body’s rocking rather a lot!”

“Awaaah!” shrieked Tsuya. “I-I’m scaaared!”

Eventually, the track lifted up off the ground and proceeded on towards the sheer cliff. Wuha Gappoli and Aryun Keats’s eyes went wide at once.

“Wait, wait, wait, hold on!” interjected Wuha. “Isn’t this kinda dangerous?!”

“Th-There’s nothing below us!” exclaimed Keats. “What if we fall?!”

“Oh ho ho!” the old centipede laughed. “No need to worry! Why, I got the last group of customers back safe and sound!”

“I-I see...” said Hero Gold-Hair. “Well, I suppose I’m glad to hear it...” Nonetheless, there was a cold sweat forming on his brow.

Alas, Catanbu had no idea that last time he had taken a group of guests for a ride, Flio had used his Gravitation spell to ensure that nobody fell off. It was only a matter of minutes before Hero Gold-Hair’s party took the plunge, their screams filling the air as they fell...

◇That Night—Flio’s House◇

Flio and the rest of his group made their way home from Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park on the Enchanted Frigate. They ate dinner in the living room and put the children to bed, leaving just the adults awake.

“So,” Flio began. “We went to Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park today...” He proceeded to recap the events of the day to the rest of the house.

As Flio finished his explanation, Uliminas heaved a heavy sigh. “Dark Mountain Pudding Pudding Park’s been around since before Ghozal was Dark Meown, mew know,” she said. “It mewsed to be the most popular tourist spot in all the Dark Army’s territory. They were raking in cash paw over fist. But it’s been a long time since then, and now the new Dark Meown’s been opening up the Dark Citadel and doing all kinds of construction. I guess they’ve been in the red meowre often than not lately...”

“Hrm...” said Ghozal, folding his arms and nodding. “Thinking about it now, the park management was a bit unreasonable back in those days. They kept expanding without any rhyme or reason. It cost the Dark Army quite a bit.”

“And yet,” added Sleip, “they were able to keep up their operations, back then.”

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“They had the apurroval of demon children everywhere,” said Uliminas. “They grow up with fond memories of the park, and when they have their meown kids, they take ’em there themselves. It’s not a bad business model. Mew’d think they’d have lots of guests...but...”

“But?” asked Sleip.

“When the meowney started to dry up, they took out a big loan from Dark Citadel Shopping Town. Suddenly, they couldn’t afford to keep the rides in working meowrder or build any new ones. And customeowr satisfaction fell off a cliff...”

Sleip folded his arms and lowered his head in thought. “That fits with what we saw,” he said. “There was only a single working attraction. It sounds like Dark Citadel Shopping Town just cut off their support too. I suppose they’ll have to rethink things going forward.”

“Well, you know,” said Calsi’im, “I myself have a number of childhood memories there. It would make me terribly sad to see them shutter the gates for good.”

“I quite agree,” said Tia, nuzzling close to the skeleton. “I should very much like to take my children with Calsi’im one of these days...”

“Oh!” Calsi’im exclaimed. “W-Well! I-I suppose that would make me very happy!”

“Tee hee hee!” Tia giggled. “I’m afraid you won’t be getting much sleep tonight, dear!” The rest of the house was right there, but the two didn’t seem to pay any mind. They were off in their own little world.