103 102. West area first match, north area second match.txt (1/2)

As I watch Rowen win, I detect a fast-moving creature in the Dimension.

Since I was concentrating on the game, I was a little late in noticing it.

A huge blue wolf is approaching towards us, carrying a lone girl and using a small boat coming and going in the river as a foothold. Once across the river, the wolf jumped over to the fleet and ran over the roofs of the ship's structures, picking up more speed.

Finally, it took a big leap and even leaped over the walls of the West Area Arena.

Thus, the wolf appeared inside the arena, ignoring the main gate, and rushed through the audience like a gale, trying to jump into the fray.

While the wolf flies and stays in the air, the girl on his back jumps.

The girl jumped up against the clear white sun and landed in the center of the arena in a spectacular fashion.

The girl swings the cloak she was wrapped in to brush away the dancing dust.

Then she throws off the cloak and reveals herself.

A girl appears, her golden hair fluttering like a feather.

She is so beautiful that it is awe-inspiring to those who see her, and she is an alien being who repaints her surroundings from reality to illusion just by standing there.

She was the most noble and precious girl in this Confederation, Rastiara Hoozeyars.

Rustyala drew the sword at her waist in a fluid motion and split the air.

It was an appearance like a scene from a play.

The audience erupted with excitement at his bold appearance.

The host, who grasped the situation, sounded panicked.

''--Well, we're just in time!　There's no mistaking it!　The Celestial Princess of the Foozeyards, the present human god of the Levantine religion!　Enter Mr. Rastiara Hoozeyer's!

With the proclamation, the cheers in the audience reached their peak.

Rastiala smiled and waved to the cheers.

The attendants running the event immediately proceeded to prepare for the match.

They want to proceed with the 'Dancing Tournament' with this excitement. Hurriedly, his opponent emerged from the gate and took the form of facing Rustyala.

There are three men in their thirty to forty years.

They have a stern look on their faces and are dressed in black clothes that resemble military uniforms. They do not appear to be free adventurers or explorers, but rather people of some official agency.

He had many old wounds, and I could tell at a glance that he was a warrior of the past. However, it would still be tough to deal with Rastiara.

That's how different Lastiara is.

After confirming that both teams were ready, the MC began to proceed.

''--Then we will decide on the match format.

While looking at the materials at hand, I confirm the pre-match arrangements.

It seems that the fighting style of the tournament is different for each game. It says that a discussion between the two teams is the basis of the tournament, and then they will decide on a duel vow and what to bet on.

However, there is also a note that if the discussion goes on too long, the moderator will decide on the standard rules to be applied.

It would mean that the contestants are free to do whatever they want as long as it doesn't pose a problem to the proceedings.

One of the opponents steps forward and gives a deep bow to Rustyala.

''It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Rastiara-sama. I am the Shade of the Fare family who has been allowed to serve in the military in the mainland of Valt.''

His voice enters the nearby host's magic tool and travels throughout the hall.

Rustyala doesn't break into a smile and responds in a frank manner.

''It's nice to meet you, Shade. But it doesn't matter what your position is here, so take it easy.''

What a waste of words. ......

'Well, even so, there's nothing you can do about it: ....... So, how do you want to play the game?

''I wish to use the standard rules of the 'Ichinotsuki Allied General Knight's Seed Ball', 'Chest Blossom Drop' or 'Weapon Drop'.

I've never heard of this word before.

I hurriedly check the details of the rules from the handout.

It's better to decorate it with flowers, so let's do 'chest flower drop'. Moderator, give me the flowers.

'Chest Flower Drop'.

The documents describe it as a battle in which the contestants decorate their chests with flowers and scatter them about.

It's a classic rule I've heard of in my world.

Rastiara receives a dark-colored flower decoration, like a rose, from the host and puts it on his chest.

His opponent does the same.

'--and when we have won, we would like you to return to the Cathedral of the Hooziers.

'Yeah, okay. That's fine.

After preparing for the fight, his opponent proposed a reward for the duel.

Rustyala readily agreed to it, and on the contrary, the man was more confused.

''It's fine, isn't it ......?

'I don't mind. I'm in for it.

'Are you prepared to be deported immediately if you lose? ....... That's a very good resolve. Then, when Lady Lastiara wins--

Blessings on our new beginnings then.

In contrast, Rastiala's request was vague.

'I don't need your cooperation or support. You just need to pray for me.''

Prayer request.

In return, it would equal zero.

But that's what Rastiala wanted.

'...... I understand.'

You can decide the style of play, too. I don't mind if you want to play three against one at once.

'No, let's decide everything one-on-one with me, our representative. It's the leanest way to go.

Okay. You want to have this one?

With that, the two men distance themselves from each other once and for all.

The rules were settled more easily than I thought. All that's left is to fight.

The moderator confirms that the discussion is over and lets the whole group know the details in plain English.

'I was too afraid to interrupt, but ......, it seems that the fighting system has been decided!　It's a duel between representatives, plain and simple!　And the bet was placed on the extradition of Lady Lastiara Fuzzyards to the Cathedral!　If Lord Fare wins here, the Nativity debacle will be resolved at that point!

The crowd's cheers echoed like a torrent as the MC spoke up.

The crowd's excitement is nothing compared to Rowen's match.

Rastiala is a celebrity in this world. If it were my world, it might be like having a top idol in the Olympics.

''-- Well then, the first match of the West Area of the 'Ichino Moon United General Knight's Seed Ball' will begin!

As soon as the MC announced the start, the distance between Rastiara and the soldier became zero. At the same time, the swords are tied together and a high-pitched metallic sound is heard.

In a hurry, the MC retreats to the outside of the battlefield.

The two clash their swords together in the center of the arena, and they take their distance to be played.

The military man has an astonished expression on his face, but it quickly changes to a stern expression and starts chanting. In response, Rustyala smiles and walks over to close the distance.

At this point, I could see the flow to the end of the match.

In the first place, it was impossible for both of them to go ballistic by clashing swords with that Rustyala. In front of her overwhelming physical strength, it would have to be a more one-sided result.

I understood that Rustyala was staging an even match for the audience.

''-- 'Slit!'　Alto Zeer!

The soldier unleashed a wind magic.

Rastiara took a good look at how well the magic worked, then spun around like a solitary musician and slashed away the magical wind.

He could have dodged it, but he decided that a four-scattering wind would look better. He went out of his way to prevent it.

The soldier was rushing along with the magic wind.

However, since the magic wind was so easily blocked, it was no longer just a rush.

Rastiara leisurely intercepted the military man.

The military man's dynamic sword-fight, Rastiara brilliantly deals with it.

The competition between the stiffness and the softness of the sword makes the audience go wild.

However, from my point of view, it's nothing more than horseshit. Rastiara's sword skills are a mess. In fact, it's not soft or anything else. It's something else that looks soft.

I know this because Rowen taught me the basics of the sword. Rather, the military man's sword technique is a more logical soft sword.

Rastiara's sword skills are the exact opposite.

It's secondary to reason, he just wields his sword to look good.

Even so, it's still a battle because Rastiara's dynamic vision and reflexes are monstrous.

Most importantly, the speed of his sword is much faster. No matter how futile Rustyala's movements are, he can make up for that delay with his speed alone.

I feel sorry for the soldier.

Soon after, Rastiara muttered.

''Good taijishi, the power is perfect--''

He is clearly dressed up.

It's as deliberate as a play, and he lets his cool voice echo through the place.

Then he steps in with the voice.

'But I'm not sure I'm ready to get on stage (or stage) yet.

The soldier's sword was flung away by Rastiara's relentless flash.

At the same time, the chest flowers were also scattered, and silver swords and white flowers danced in the sky of the arena.

Fluffily, Rustyala's hair danced. The dust that danced when she stepped in was like the edge of a painting.

Seeing this fantastically beautiful scene, the audience let out the biggest cheer of the day.

Through the explosive cheers, the MC announced the end of the game.

''--Lastia Fouzeyers, you've satisfied the victory condition!　That's a win, and we're in the second round!

As a sign, Rastiara puts away her sword and holds out her hand to the soldier. The soldier, who was taken aback, also holds out his hand with a bitter smile and shakes it.

Thank you very much, Mr. Shade.

'That was brilliant, Lady Rastiara. I didn't expect you to be so out of touch: ......

No, no, no, no, it was a good game, okay?

Rustyala laughed and praised the soldier's good fight.

It was true that as long as the evenly matched sword fights had been going on for a long time, it would have looked like a 'good match' in the eyes of the audience.

However, the relative soldier could see that this was Rastiala's direction. Hence, he could only respond by laughing.

Thus, Lastiara's first game was over.

In order for the next game to begin, Rustyala walked to the gate where the waiting room would be in the back. He never forgets to smile, remembering to give fan service to the end.

The distance between that gate and the audience is close.

Seeing my chance, I weave my way out to the front row between the crowd.

Then, as many people's voices come and go, I call out to Rustyala.

'Hey, Rustyala!'

But the voices are not heard.

I am crushed by the voices around me.

I have no choice but to deploy 《Dimensional Winter (Di Winter)》 and call out to Rustiala with cold air.

'Rastiara--!

Raising my voice, I call Rustyala's name.

Rastiara reacts to the cold air and voice and scurries around to find me

Hmm. Is that Kanami?　Were you cheering me on?

And he talked back to me as if he had found an old friend.

The response warms my heart.

However, it's hard to hear with the voices around me. It's enough that I can manage to hear it because of the 《Dimension》.

''Rastiara!　Do we have time to talk after this!

Anyway, I'll just tell them what I want.

”What?　Umm, hmm. I've got a second game on the first day, so I guess I can handle it after that?

Having spoken so far, people around me notice that there is someone talking to Rustyala. A lot of strange looks are given to me, wondering who is the one who is talking to that Rustyala Foozeyers in a friendly manner.

I decide to quickly cut the conversation short to avoid standing out.

'Alright. I guess after the second round!

'Yeah. Kanami was winning the race, too!

Rastiara smiles and looks away at me.

I shake off the curious eyes around me and run away from the arena in the west area.

◆◆◆◆◆ ...

After watching the Las Tiaras game, I had come to a certain shipboard restaurant.

We were free until the second game in the afternoon, so we were getting a bite to eat.

However, I don't feel like I'm eating on board because of the endless string of ships. I can only see a beautiful blue color on the far distant horizon.

After filling my stomach with a reasonably good view, I head to my room.

If I wait in my room, an attendant will give me information about the second game.

I'm in the midst of a jam-packed situation, but as a guild master, I have no intention of running away - yet. I waited for the attendant in my room while reading the materials for the ”Dance Tournament”.

The sun has completely risen and it's noon when the announcement for the second game arrives.

I went to the arena in the north area and entered the waiting room.

The waiting room is a private room as a matter of course. A private room for lodging is a good example of how much money is spent on the contestants of the tournament.

From that, you can see that quite a bit of money is being spent on this main competition.

--my first match is about to begin in a few minutes.

I sat down on a chair in a private room and deployed Dimension.

I decided to figure out who my opponent was beforehand.

I expand my senses and find the name of my supposed opponent.

Then, I 'watch' in order to obtain that detailed information.

[Status]

Name: Agnes Krooner HP143/147 MP156/156 Class: Wizard

Level 15.

Strength 3.31 Strength 3.15 Skill 1.89 Speed 1.26 Wisdom 6.23 Magic 8.23 Element 1.42

The leader's name was Agnes. It seems that the wizard girls centered around that girl are my opponents.

I could tell from the girls' uniforms and the content of their conversations that they were students of the academy in the northwest country of Eltralieu.

The girls were earnestly confirming their battle plan until the last hour.

''-- Okay?　My opponent is that 'Epic Seeker' guild master. Don't let your guard down, I'll go all out from the beginning.

'Yeah, I know. I heard he's good at freezing magic, so I'm focusing on fire magic.

”I'm going to be the first one in line to keep firing fire magic--