Halloween Party on the Water/Story

### Neraida's Secret Mission

With the Halloween party just around the corner, the city of Lotus Lake is a hive of activity. Meanwhile, some meaningful discussions were taking place at the Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida...

**Cardamine Lyrata:** It's almost Halloween... Fufufu♪ What kind of costumes will all the boys be wearing...?
Ufufufufu... I'm so excited...
**Sparaxis:** What's up, what kind of fun thing is happening? You're smiling from ear to ear and fidgeting.
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Sparaxis-san! Wouldn't you be surprised if I appeared suddenly?
**Sparaxis:** You didn't look like you were surprised though. As expected from the top of the Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida♪
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Grr...
**Sparaxis:** So, what are you thinking about?
**Cardamine Lyrata:** I was just thinking that it's almost Halloween. Are you excited about it too, Sparaxis-san?
**Sparaxis:** Of course♪ Spa-san loves fun things.
I've already prepared my costume! Ah, I've obviously got one for Cardamine Lyrata-san too♪
**Cardamine Lyrata:** I'd be happy if you didn't force a weird costume on me...
**Sparaxis:** Leave it to Spa-san♪ I've prepared a costume that will bring out Cardamine Lyrata-san's charm to the fullest!
**Cardamine Lyrata:** The more you say that, the more worried I get...
**Sparaxis:** It's not anxiety you have, but expectation♪
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Haa... Goodness.
--- Well, let's end this nonsense now.
**Sparaxis:** Yes... Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida's Sparaxis. Is at your command.
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Good work. We members of Neraida have a secret mission to carry out on Halloween.
Apparently we're going to have an “uninvited guest”.
**Sparaxis:** Where there is light, there is shadow. Neraida will dance behind the scenes of the festival.
As a member of Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida, I won't bring shame to the name.
**Cardamine Lyrata:** “Witch's Eye” and “Ghost Puppet”. You guys understand too, right?
**Squirrel Tail Grass:** Ummm... Oh, Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida's Squirrel Tail Grass. Codename “Witch's Eye”, awaiting your command.
No matter what happens, I won't overlook it!
**Papyrus Sedge:** Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida's Papyrus Sedge. Codename “Ghost Puppet” is here!
I'll beat the horror that's appropriate for Halloween into them♪
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Clove-san is currently working as Silk Tree-sama's bodyguard... Codenamed “Will of the Wisp” has been ordered to infiltrate the party.
**Sparaxis:** So we have surveillance all through the city. So there will be no problems if something happens.
**Papyrus Sedge:** We have a lot of personnel stationed outside the city too.
**Cardamine Lyrata:** So, go out and perform your duties, everyone. Also, don't draw attention to yourself from the general public...
Squad break!
**Squirrel Tail Grass & Papyrus Sedge:** [[Roger!]]
**Cardamine Lyrata:** ... With that, preparations complete. All that's left to do is wait for the day of the Halloween party.
**Sparaxis:** It would be great if we had a fun party♪
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Of course it will be. Because we're going to be operating.
**The two of them:** Fufufufu...

### A Slight Discomfort

It's Halloween. Shaga has come to the Floating City to attend the Halloween Party. Her eyes shine with all of the colourful sweets and costume parades. However, there's a disturbing presence that feels like the opposite of a fun Halloween party.

*- Many people in costumes are enjoying the party in Lotus Lake's City, which has been decorated for Halloween.*
**Shaga:** Waa, amazing! It's Halloween all over!
We had Halloween in my village, but it was never this wonderful.
Haa, could it be... Blood Iris-sama and Rabbit-Ear Iris-sama are also here!?
It could be possible with a party that big. Even if I just see them from afar, I'd be happy to see them... Hm?
What's this strange feeling...? There's some people with a strange presence that's the opposite of a fun atmosphere...
**Sparaxis:** Ara, is that Shaga over there?
**Shaga:** Sparaxis-san...!?
**Sparaxis:** So Shaga's also come to this party! How is it? Are you having fun?
**Shaga:** Y-yes! Um, your costume really suits you, Sparaxis-san.
**Sparaxis:** Fufu, thanks!
Have you already got some candy, Shaga?
**Shaga:** N-no, not yet. I just got here, so I've just been looking around.
**Sparaxis:** Is that so. Then that means I'm going to be your first♪
**Shaga:** Eh?
**Sparaxis:** Hey, it's Halloween so there's something you need to say, right?
**Shaga:** Umm, trick or treat...?
**Sparaxis:** Yes yes, here's your candy! When it comes to Halloween, you have to do this♪
**Shaga:** ......
**Sparaxis:** Arya, have I been a little too familiar?
**Shaga:** Ah, no, it's not that, I just got a little nervous...
**Sparaxis:** I'm sorry. I've heard a lot about you from Blood Iris and Rabbit-Ear Iris, so I felt like we were friends already, Shaga.
**Shaga:** Eh, from Blood Iris-sama and Rabbit-Ear Iris-sama!?
**Sparaxis:** That you're a really hard worker, and a really cute junior that looks up to them♪
**Shaga:** Awawawa... So scary...!
**Sparaxis:** It feels like fate that we met in this place, so if anything comes up, feel free to come and speak to me about it! Spa-san will solve it straight away♪
**Shaga:** ...!!
**Sparaxis:** Hm? Could it be something has already happened?
**Shaga:** Has it happened, or is it about to happen...?
**Sparaxis:** .........?
Ah, I'm sorry, I need to get moving! Is it alright if we talk about this later?
**Shaga:** Ah, no, it's nothing big, so it's fine! I'm sorry for distracting you.
**Sparaxis:** Really? Well is something happens, tell me. Well, enjoy the Halloween party!
**Shaga:** ......... Fuu.
I never thought I'd ever meet Blood Iris-sama and Rabbit-Ear Iris-sama's older cousin, Sparaxis-san... I was so nervous...
Haa, if Sparaxis-san is here, then the possibility that the other two are here too is high, right!?
..................
Well, either way... I really do have a strange feeling.
I probably should go and speak with Sparaxis-san...
But she's enjoying Halloween enough to join in the costume parade, so I don't want to bother her.
Yeah... It's possible that I'm making a mistake with this feeling. It would be better to look around by myself.
Now that's decided, I'll start by exploring all of the suspicious places.

### Their First Meeting!

Shaga felt that there was something off that didn't suit the party, so started investigating by herself, but couldn't find the cause. Just then, she saw a suspicious figure duck into an alley. Chasing after them while not being discovered, what she finds is...

**Shaga:** Hmmm... I can definitely feel something wrong, but I can't find the cause at all...
But this feeling is a sign that there's some kind of injustice, even while I'm doing this...!
Someone who's acting suspiciously...
Ah!!
No matter how you look at things, it's always suspicious to enter an alley while looking around you. I have no other choice but to follow!
............ There's nobody here.
But I definitely saw someone suspicious come in here. Is there some hidden door or side road somewhere...?
Ah!!
S-someone's there!?
A-a cat... Don't scare me like that... Haa, it looks like nothing's here.
**???:** Hey, are you the suspicious person?
**Shaga:** !!??
**???:** But you have a different feeling about you than that strange one at the party...
**Shaga:** Ca...
**???:** Ca?
**Shaga:** The cat just spoke!?
**???:** ............
**Shaga:** Are modern cats talking now? Or could it be this one's special!?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Cats only ever say meow you know. I'm the Flower Knight Tacca Chantrieri. Please call me Tacca.
**Shaga:** Hya!?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** I'm sorry for surprising you. I was sitting here until you came here...
**Shaga:** I-I never noticed... So I thought the cat was speaking...
**Tacca Chantrieri:** But cats only ever say meow.
**Shaga:** I know. I was following after a suspicious figure, so it's easy to believe anything strange could happen.
**Tacca Chantrieri:** ... Could it be that you also noticed the strange feeling at the party?
**Shaga:** You t... Tacca-san too? Come to think of it, she said that she was looking for a suspicious person and had a bad feeling.
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Yeah, I felt a strange presence in the middle of all the people who are enjoying Halloween. It seemed interesting, so I thought I'd take a look around.
**Shaga:** So it wasn't just my gut feeling!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Yeah, it's not just a gut feeling. Because the fun party air was mixed with a tense atmosphere.
**Shaga:** But, no matter how much I look, I can't find the cause... Have you found anything Tacca-san?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** No, nothing. But because of that, I might know something.
**Shaga:** What do you mean?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Don't you know about the rumoured “Halloween Ghosts”?
**Shaga:** That's... They say that there are real “ghosts” who mix in with the costume parades. It's a fairy story told to children, right?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Right, evil spirits come and mix in with everyone in the costume parade on Halloween night and scare the children...
**Shaga:** Is this related to that strange feeling?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Even after searching this much, we can't find the identity of this strange feeling. So there's only one thought that comes to mind.
It's because the real identity behind this strange feeling isn't the work of a living person.
**Shaga:** Don't tell me...!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Yes, everything's the work of an evil spirit.
**Shaga:** ... I won't forgive that. It don't know whether it's an evil spirit or not, but to meddle with a fun festival...!
Tacca-san!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** What?
**Shaga:** In order to protect this Halloween party, let's solve this mystery and cast out these evil spirits!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** .....................
Fine, it sounds interesting after all. With you... Ah, ummm...
**Shaga:** That's right, I haven't given you my name yet.
I'm the Flower Knight Shaga. Pleased to meet you, Tacca-san!

### The True Mastermind

Just like Shaga, Tacca Chantrieri also felt something strange at the party and was investigating it out of curiosity. The two join forces and resume their investigation to discover the truth. While enjoying the party and investigating the venue, the two pick up on an interesting conversation...

*-Shaga and Tacca Chantrieri have teamed up and are investigating the party venue from corner to corner. However...*
**Shaga:** Forget the reason, we can't even find a single clue... Even if it's the work of a ghost, you would think there would be some kind of trace...
**Tacca Chantrieri:** \*Chew chew\*... There's been nothing so far... \*Chew chew\*... On the other hand, someone might have their hand in this... \*Chew chew\*...
**Shaga:** ... What are you eating Tacca-san?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Halloween candy. I was given it earlier.
**Shaga:** So suddenly...
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Hey, I'll go get some for Shaga-san too. You just need to say “trick or treat” and you get some around this place.
**Shaga:** I've already got some. Look, it's really cute candy!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** ... Trick or treat.
**Shaga:** Eh!?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** That candy... Give it to me or get tricked?
**Shaga:** Y-you can't have this candy! It's special candy that I got from Sparaxis-san!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** A shame...
**Shaga:** Grr...
**Tacca Chantrieri:** If you're not going to give me candy, then I'll have to trick you.
**Shaga:** W-wait! Why are you coming closer!?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** So I can find Shaga-san's weak points.
**Shaga:** Don't you try to tickle me!?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Fufufu...♪
**Shaga:** Grr... It's all fine to enjoy Halloween, but don't forget our objective.
**Tacca Chantrieri:** You say that, but we don't have any clues. How are we going to find the “culprit”...?
**Shaga:** Everywhere you look, everyone is in costume, so they all look suspicious.
**Tacca Chantrieri:** We can't go around checking in on each and every person.
**Shaga:** Well, it would be great if the party went on like this and ended without incident...
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Shh...!
**Shaga:** Eh...
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Can you hear the conversation between those two over there? I've got a weird feeling about it...
**Cardamine Lyrata:** That's the report from “Witch's Eye”...
**Sparaxis:** No... “Will of the Wisp” said...
**Cardamine Lyrata:** In that case, instruct “Ghost Puppet” to...
**Shaga:** That's... Sparaxis-san...!?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Wisp, Witch, and Ghost... I couldn't hear all of the details, but what is all of this?
**Shaga:** D-don't tell me, the mastermind is Neraida...!?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Neraida... Lotus Lake's secret service?
**Shaga:** It's the Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida. I don't really know much about the details of their activity though...
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Either way, if we talk to those two, then we'll find out the truth. We need to talk to them before they disappear somewhere...
**Shaga:** Wait, someone's coming!
**Clove:** Master, the report from “Witch's Eye” is...
**Cardamine Lyrata:** It seems the time has come.
**Sparaxis:** Well, shall we start?
**Shaga:** Ah, they left!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Let's chase them...!

### One Thing To Do

The mastermind is the Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida!? After overhearing a strange conversation between Cardamine Lyrata and Sparaxis, Shaga and Tacca Chantrieri chase after them. What on earth is Neraida planning? Just as they're getting close to the truth, an unexpected situation befalls the city...

*- They chase after Cardamine Lyrata and the others and leave the party, heading outside of the city.*
**Tacca Chantrieri:** I wonder what's happening outside the city?
**Shaga:** I wonder if they're planning to do something here... If so, we need to stop them fast!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** That's... Hey, doesn't that person who ran in just now look strange to you? It seems like they've come from outside of the city...
**Shaga:** You're right, they look like they've got quite a pale face... Could it be that Neraida has done something...!?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Shh, it looks like they're going to say something.
**Guest Who Just Ran In:** B-bad news! A pest swarm is heading towards the city to invade!!
**Shaga:** What did they say...!?
Ah, not good, the people of the city...! ... Wa-wait up, don't push!!
Everyone, calm down! If you evacuate calmly, all will be fine...!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** They can't hear you over the panic. At this rate, the damage will be...!
**Shaga:** That can't happen, we need to protect the people no matter what!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** But I can't move around in this chaos...!
**Clove:** Everyone!!
**Shaga, Tacca:** Ah!!
**Clove:** Calm down and listen to me! The pests won't get inside the city!
Flower Knights are stationed outside! Everyone, please evacuate calmly!
Those with their hands raised will safely guide you, please follow their instructions! Children should absolutely not be split up from their guardians!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** She's the person we saw before, isn't she?
**Shaga:** She was speaking to Sparaxis-san, so she's probably a member of Neraida.
**Squirrel Tail Grass:** Clove-san... Ah, no, “Will of the Wisp”-san! I've come to help!
**Clove:** “Witch's Eye”, how is outside?
**Squirrel Tail Grass:** Squi-chan has completed her mission as “Witch's Eye” outside the city, so I was ordered to help with the evacuation!
**Clove:** Then let's split up and evacuate everyone so as to not get in the way of our masters' battle.
**Squirrel Tail Grass:** Yes!
**Shaga:** Amazing... All the people in the city have been calmed down because of her words.
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Apparently, Neraida and many other Flower Knights have been mixed in with this festival. They're taking charge of a smooth evacuation.
**Shaga:** Could it be... That they expected a pest invasion? Otherwise they wouldn't have been able to respond so quickly... Then what was the disturbing presence that we felt...?
Aaah grr! There's too much I don't understand!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** But, there's one thing we do understand.
**Shaga:** ... You're right, we should forget about all the small stuff for now and do the only thing we need to do as a Flower Knight!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Ah...! That sound, the battle against the pests seems to have started.
**Shaga:** Let's leave the city to those girls and head outside to reinforce them!

### Halloween Party on the Water

A swarm of pests have suddenly appeared outside the city. Apparently, the Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida is fighting against the pests. In order to protect the city and to protect the Halloween party, Shaga and Tacca Chantrieri head out to exterminate the pests.

**Pest Swarm:** [[[KishaaaaaAAAAAAAAAA!!!!]]]
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Following the signal from Sparaxis-san and Papyrus Sedge-san in the centre, the rearguard will provide them support! The vanguard will corral the pests from the sides into the centre!
Giving pursuit is prohibited. If you get injured, switch out with the rearguard!
**Sparaxis:** OK, well then, I'll head out! You ready?
**Papyrus Sedge:** I can go any time!
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Everyone, to positions! We're counting on you two!
**Sparaxis:** Let's go, haa!!
**Papyrus Sedge:** Teya---!
**Shaga:** That's the Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida... The one next to Sparaxis-san was the leader.
**Tacca Chantrieri:** What amazing control. I feel like she knows how the whole organisation works.
They're not going to let them get any further so that they won't damage the city. Hmmm... Fighting as teams is quite interesting.
**Shaga:** If that's the case, this'll be over in no time.
**Tacca Chantrieri:** ... It doesn't look like it will.
**Shaga:** Eh?
**Pest Swarm:** [[[KishaAA! KishaaaaAAAAA!!]]]
**Sparaxis:** There are a lot more pests than we thought. We're going to have to break some bones if we're going to take the centre...
**Cardamine Lyrata:** There's more than expected...
But that doesn't mean we're going to let them head towards the city! I'll join the fray!
**Papyrus Sedge:** Lyrata-chan! Roger!
**Sparaxis:** Of course, we have no intention to let them get to the city. Well, considering things, we probably should have assigned more personnel to this...
**Shaga:** We'll also join in!
**Cardamine Lyrata:** And you are...?
**Shaga:** Flower Knight Shaga! I've come to help!
**Sparaxis:** Shaga! You came!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Tacca will also help. I'm a Flower Knight too, so count on me.
**Sparaxis:** Phew, you're lifesavers♪
**Shaga:** Defeating pests is a Flower Knight's duty. Even if you say you don't need us, we'll still help!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** The plan is to pincer the pests from the sides in and wipe them out in the centre, right? Leave it to me, I'll match your movements.
**Shaga:** Me too, I'll go and pay them a special visit!
**Sparaxis:** It's good that you're quick to understand. Cardamine Lyrata, let's absolutely suppress them here!
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Is this a gift from the heavens?
**Sparaxis:** It could be our daily bread♪
**Papyrus Sedge:** Lyrata-chan, let's take them all down at once!
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Yes... Everyone, just one last step! We will definitely protect the city!

### Epilogue

The pests were safely subjugated and the city regained it's Halloween bustle, so Shaga asks Neraida about the truth. It turned out that the strange conversation was all about the security plans for the party. Shaga reflects on doubting Neraida. The group can once again enjoy the party.

**Shaga:** ...............
**Sparaxis:** You have a conflicted look on your face, Shaga? We safely defeated all the pests, so you should be happy!
**Shaga:** ... When I got back to town, everyone was thanking and praising me.
But the ones who did all the work were the people of Neraida. Did you anticipate a pest invasion with your preliminary survey?
The evacuation, and the subjugation, Neraida prepared for everything. No wonder if you didn't even need to tell the townsfolk about it...
**Tacca Chantrieri:** We should definitely tell them of our results.
**Cardamine Lyrata:** You don't need to do that.
**Tacca Chantrieri:** Why?
**Cardamine Lyrata:** We don't act in order to get admiration.
The Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida works in the shadows to protect Lotus Lake. If you can protect everyone, then that result is fine.
**Sparaxis:** Yeah yeah, as long as everyone's smiling, then we're all happy!
**Shaga:** ... I doubted those people.
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Doubt...?
**Shaga:** I'm sorry!!
**Sparaxis:** Eh, what, what's this so suddenly?
**Tacca Chantrieri:** To tell the truth, we had been feeling that something's off all through the party. I feel a sense of tension in the fun atmosphere.
So we searched for suspicious people or something like that...
**Sparaxis:** Ah... So was it us who were suspicious?
**Shaga:** Because of “Ghost” and “Witch”... And “Wisp” were mentioned...
If you unfairly interfered with the Halloween party, then we wouldn't have stopped...
**Sparaxis:** Is that so? When you put it like that, it did sound pretty strange.
**Tacca Chantrieri:** So, what exactly were those “Will of the Wisps” and “Witch's Eyes”?
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Those were our codenames.
**Shaga:** Codenames?
**Cardamine Lyrata:** In order to not to dampen then atmosphere, we decided to call each other codenames that would be suitable for Halloween.
**Sparaxis:** Also, we had a lot of things to do such as security, evacuation support and exterminating pests.
So that's why we assigned each others codenames to match our abilities and define our roles!
**Cardamine Lyrata:** “Will of the Wisp” was Clove, who was doing security in the city. “Witch's Eye” was Squirrel Tail Grass who was monitoring the pests.
Then, “Ghost Puppet” was Papyrus Sedge who was in charge of pest control.
**Sparaxis:** See, it's easy to understand♪
Well, apart from the miscalculation that it made us seem even more suspicious.
**Shaga:** An organisation that protects the city from the shadows... That's the Royal Holy Lake Organisation Neraida...
**Tacca Chantrieri:** It seems like Tacca has made a rather misguided suspicion. The “real ghosts” never existed.
**Sparaxis:** You two are Flower Knights, so you must have been sensitive to your surroundings. No, we should reflect on things because you did notice!
**Cardamine Lyrata:** We still have a lot to learn. Let's make it our mission to not be noticed next time.
**Sparaxis:** I feel like there's some doubt around us because we're a shadow organisation♪
**Cardamine Lyrata:** Even so, it would be a problem if it gets in the way of our mission.
**Shaga:** Ah, um!
Thank you for saving Lotus Lake! Please let me thank you in the place of the townsfolk who can't express their appreciation!
**Tacca Chantrieri:** That was some exceptional leadership. It was like you were moving as a single swarm...
I never knew about Neraida, but now I'm really curious after this.
**Cardamine Lyrata:** ...............
**Shaga:** Umm...?
**Cardamine Lyrata:** No, excuse me. I'm not that used to being told these things in such a direct manner...
**Sparaxis:** Well, even so, Shaga and Tacca were strong. I'll need to tell Blood Iris and Rabbit-Ear Iris about this♪
**Shaga:** B-Blood Iris-sama and Rabbit-Ear Iris-sama!?
**Sparaxis:** Yeah, I need to tell them fully about what we do♪ Well, I think they also hear all the rumours from the townspeople too!
**Shaga:** Hawawawa...
**Sparaxis:** All right, it's still Halloween you know! The party has restarted, so let's have some fun♪
We still have the children's costume contest coming up! Why don't we go and take a look at all the smiles we protected♪
**Cardamine Lyrata:** The children's costume contest...
**Sparaxis:** Ah.
**Cardamine Lyrata:** All the boys in their shorts... Or even in adorable costumes...
**Sparaxis:** Ca-Cardamine Lyrata... Calm down...
**Cardamine Lyrata:** I can't handle this! We have to go quickly!
**Sparaxis:** Wai-, Cardamine Lyrata!?
**Shaga:** She's running with amazing passion...
**Tacca Chantrieri:** She said something about boys in shorts. ... Could it be that Cardamine Lyrata-san is...
**Sparaxis:** Ahaha... If it wasn't for that, she's be a perfect leader. Well, that's what's cute about her♪

*-... And so, the city of Lotus Lake was protected by Neraida and the two Flower Knights, and the Halloween party ended with smiles.*