Volume 4 Chapter 17 - The old man begins to move. (1/2)

TL: Long note at the end.

The Inheritance Ceremony has finally begun as we headed to the specially prepared seats at the coliseum. Even though the colosseum was large, the event appears to be extremely popular as the general seats were completely filled with people who were looking towards the arena expectedly.

[Yuuya, will Lutra win?] (Luna)

[In direct combat, she wouldn’t lose. Although Prince Aleck is a first-class warrior, he is still directly inferior to Lutra. Princess Aure has received combat training too, although she was only ordinary in that aspect. I haven’t met Prince Atla however I’ve heard that he was objectively better than Princess Aure as well.] (Yuuya)

Note: Atla (Previously Atra) is the third legitimate child of the queen.

Based on just their physical capabilities, this would be their ranking.

Officially, if their rankings were just based on their physical capabilities, Princess Aure would had have to end the battle before the ceremony began as she would be in a bind during the battle.

[Uhn. Then we’re safe.] (Luna)

[You can’t be sure of that… We can’t be sure that everything will be proceed as it is when Princess Aure is likely preparing something for her comeback.] (Yuuya)

Rather than suspect, I was sure of it.

Approaching the young Lutra and manipulating the information given to her for her own benefits, preventing any information from reaching Lutra while slowly and surely feeding negative news about Prince Aleck. It was something that required immense patience, quick decision-making and most importantly, the ability to main it for years.

This was something that was easier said than done. For a human to be capable of doing such a thing, it’s practically impossible for her to give up just because her assassination attempt had failed.

[I agree with that sentiment…. I think that the best time to execute her plans would be right before the succession ceremony begins.] (Phil)

Princess Aure possessed a powerful trump card which was her evolving monsters. As a result, her previous combat piece, Lutra became redundant and was deemed an obstacle which was immediately disposed of. However, for the inheritance ceremony, she wouldn’t be able to utilise her monsters since it was a one versus one battle.

Somewhere and somehow, Phil and I were ready for battle, expecting Princess Aure to launch an attacking with her evolving monsters

[If anything happens, we’ll jump out immediately.] (Yuuya)

[Yes, Lutra-chan is our friend after all.] (Phil)

Even if she wasn’t going to be with us once everything is over, I intend to do everything I can for my friend.

[But, our weapons were seized earlier you know. Even our magic bags.] (Til)

For the spectator seats, magic bags and dangerous objects were not allowed. For our VIP seats, such objects were to be confiscated instead.

[Well even without a sword, a Magic Knight is still strong barehanded.] (Yuuya)

[In my case, I do have a bow though?] (Phil)

[Ahh, Yuuya-niisan and oneechan are cheaters. Wait a minute, how did you even bring one in!?] (Til)

[It’s a secret.] (Phil)

No matter how you see it, Phil had neither her weapon nor her magic bag. However, there were many ways for you to hide and carry your weapon with you at all times. Til continued to pester her heavily as her curiosity was piqued by Phil. Meanwhile, Luna began to murmur with a satisfied look as she sat on my lap while waving her tail back and forth.

[Truth is Luna has her dagger too. It’s hidden in her tail. When she finds a bad guy she will assassin!] (Luna)

I let out a smile as it was definitely possible for her to hide a short dagger in her fluffy tail since tails were left out from the body checks.

[Looks like it’s about to begin.] (Yuuya)

The inheritance ceremony was about to begin. Firstly, the king entered the ring of the coliseum as he initiated the opening ceremony while explaining the rules of the tournament. Using an amplification magic tool in the ring, his words rang throughout the coliseum using several loudspeakers. Despite portraying himself with dignity, the king’s body still looked frail. This was probably going to be his final event as the king.

It was the typical one-on-one tournament battle system with the final victor succeeding the throne without any restrictions on weapons and tools present. The victory conditions were to knock your opponent out of the ring, rendering them unable to battle, death, surrendering as well as the referee’s decision. Surrounding the ring were several healers and doctors who were capable of casting healing magic, making it possible to rescue the contestants so long as they weren’t dead.

After the opening ceremony, it was finally time for the contestants to enter the stage as the first one to appear was Prince Aleck. The moment he appeared onto the stage, the entire crowd let out a passionate cheer, especially the female crowd. The military personnel in the ring were also cheering although they were supposed to be impartial to the tournament. Since the military judged everybody by their physical capabilities and talents, this showed how recognized he was for his ability and personality.

Next was Prince Atla who wasn’t very popular as he merely received a light applause. He himself appeared timid as if he didn’t intend to win. In fact it was a miracle that he refused to back out of the tournament…. It’s probably that.

Since he wasn’t going to defeat Prince Aleck, he was probably a pawn for Princess Aure who wanted to save her strength in her battle against Prince Aleck. This was the most probable outcome.

[It’s finally Lutra’s turn to appear.] (Yuuya)

[Uhn. Luna will be looking for her.] (Luna)

[I’ll have to be louder than everyone else!] (Til)

Lutra entered the stage as Luna and Til began cheering at the top of their voices however it was still drowned out by the immense volume of the crowd. As the second coming of the legendary Renoir, her popularity was through the roof. Conversely, the reactions from the nobles were cold as they were either supporting Prince Aleck or Princess Aure. The military personnel’s reactions weren’t as vibrant to her as they were to Prince Aleck as well. They looked like their impression of Lutra was merely a girl who happened to take over the looks of the battle princess Renoir.

[Now then, it’s time for Princess Aure to appear.] (Yuuya)

After sending Lutra off to the dungeon, Princess Aure had yet to appear in the castle. If she chose not to appear at this moment, then it would be decided that she has withdrawn from the tournament. The king asked.

[Umu, has Aure withdrawn? In that case, it’ll be decided.] (King)

Just as the king declared, Princess Aure appeared along with glowing particles.

[No. I’m participating as well, and I will be the ruler.] (Aure)

Said Aure in a confident tone as all of the audience sprang up from their seats. It appears to be a play for her to raise her popularity. She had displayed Teleportation that none of them have seen before. It was a skill that allowed it’s user to move to another location within ten metres.

It was a skill that wasn’t attainable by humans, however it was possible to use the skill through magic items. It was a rare item with limited uses that was so rare that even in the game, I hadn’t managed to obtain an item capable of using it…

I highly doubt that she would use such an item just to garner popularity for herself. It feels like it could be a hint for something, however I couldn’t come up with anything.

Just as this happened, the majority of the nobles began to cheer as her faction seemed to outnumber Prince Aleck’s.

[Aure. I’m impressed that you managed to make it at the very last minute. Now then, we’ll begin the tournament with this four participants. Each of you will wear this hat one at a time.] (King)

The king handed out something that looked like a Top hat

… Is it still being passed down? That was something that I saw during the event in the game.

Firstly, Prince aleck put on the hat as the hat opened up, releasing a spring as well as a stuffed pigeon.

[Red lion, red lion!]

The pigeon from the hat began shouting a red lion. From my point of view, it looked extremely comical however the audience including the nobles seemed to look at it with serious expressions. Above all, the princes and princesses looked like they were in pain. Was it an item that was that divine? The only thing I felt from that was it’s creator’s bad taste.

Afterwards, the pigeon announced Blue Dragon for both Lutra and Prince Atla while Princess Aure was a red lion. Although it looked quite special, it was just a normal lot-drawing device. The first battle was between Prince Aleck and Princess Aure while Lutra would be battling Prince Atla.

According to the schedule, the blue dragon contestants would be battling first. Lutra and Prince Atra would be fighting in the first round while Prince Aleck and Princess Aure would be fighting in the second round. The final winner between the two victors would be the ultimate victor of the tournament.

This was the best outcome for Lutra who would be able to reserve her strength for the final battle with an easier first battle while getting a longer break before the finals.

[The match-ups have been decided. Looks like Lutra and Prince Atla’s battle will begin in fifteen minutes.] (Yuuya)

The princes and princesses bowed their heads as Prince Aleck seemed to ask the King for permission. Surprisingly the King allowed it as it was something the Prince wanted to tell the public and his siblings. He walked to the center of the ring as he faced the audience.

[I will make the Laluzulu Kingdom stronger. Not only it’s military power but also it’s economy as well as manpower by placing emphasis on nurturing our children. The first step is for me to prove that I’ll be a strong king in this inheritance ceremony… And to my beloved siblings. For the ideal Laluzulu Kingdom, you are required as well. If I became the ruler, I wish that Aure would lend me your wisdom while Lutra would lend me your shield and aspirations as well.] (Prince Aleck)

As expected of the number one candidate. He possessed the qualities of a ruler as he quickly grabbed the hearts of his people with a much more open mind than I thought as he publicly acknowledged the abilities of his fellow siblings.

Princess Aure then walked beside him.

[In that case, I shall declare something as well. My dream is the exact same as my older brother. However for that to happen, an even greater king is needed. That king isn’t my elder brother but me. Frankly speaking direct battling isn’t my forte, however I’ll show that I surpass my brother even in my weak points.] (Aure)

She sounded full of confidence that made me wonder, just what kind of trump card did she bring to a battle where she couldn’t bring her monsters along?

Lutra walked up beside them. This was a good move as she wouldn’t be acknowledged if remained silent here.

[I simply wish the best for my country and the people in it. Which is why I will win the ceremony to choose the best candidate for succession. Which is why, aniue. If I win, I hope to borrow your power as well. However there are conditions to this.Let’s make a bet. If I win, you will lend me your power in the future. ] (Lutra)