CH94: Martial Arts Competition (1) Opening
Nice to meet you! My name is Nell Plant and I’ll be your host and play-by-play announcer for this event. Now! The long-awaited martial arts tournament [for advanced searchers] is about to begin!
The audience who heard the woman’s voice which was echoed throughout the arena by the loudspeaker magic tool were excitedly raising their voices to their heart’s content.
It’s so loud…
It’s so exciting.
“Yes. This tournament seems to attract more attention than the annual magic show.”
I mumbled my thoughts, and Sophie added, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what to do.
I was currently sitting in the bleachers of the arena that had been prepared for the Night Sky Silver Rabbit.
I’m going to be here at first to watch the tournament with you guys, since I’ll be the last one to play, starting with the tournament in the mountains with Will and Oliver.
“It’s not necessarily going to be the fierce battle the people are expecting. In fact, there’s even a chance that the martial arts competition in the first half will be more exciting.”
“Hmm? Why? Because it’s a battle of top-class explorers. Isn’t it going to be great?”
Carol’s gonna ask me some questions about what I said.
“You’ll understand if you think about it yourself. First of all, magic is forbidden this time and there are no buffs. Then you’ll be a lot weaker than when you usually fight in the labyrinth search.
“I’m sure.”
“Secondly, we’re dealing with demonic beasts. There are some humanoid monsters, but they rarely have the chance to fight against humans. If we follow the regulations of the martial arts tournament, who do you think has the advantage, the explorers who usually expect to fight against monsters or the soldiers who usually expect to fight against people?”
You’re a soldier, aren’t you?
“That’s what I meant. In fact, the winners of the first half of the martial arts tournament were soldiers.”
“But all the participants in this tournament are advanced seekers. If that’s the case, then there’s no one who’s expecting to fight against others, as Master said, so there’s no advantage or disadvantage, right?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t make it any more exciting than the first half of the tournament. If they had at least buffed the party’s grantors, we might have seen some of the fights that the people are expecting.”
Well, I’m glad they’re weakening me.
“Orn, you can analyze all you want, but this is a festival, so I think you should just have fun, right?”
Mr. Lane, who was sitting in front of me, pays attention.
“… I think you’re right. I think Rain’s right. I think the thought of being made a spectacle of makes me think things are a little crazy. I’m sorry for interrupting your excitement.”
“No. I didn’t mean it like that. But Orn and Will have the Clan’s colors on their backs, and it was hard for them to have fun. I’m sorry too.”
“Well, first of all, I would like to hear a greeting from Marquis Forgas, the Lord of Tutrail, who has organized this tournament. Marquis Forgas, please.
The people in the audience, who had been noisy earlier, become quiet after hearing the moderator’s comments.
“The annual martial arts tournament has been a great success and I’m sure you’ve all wondered. “How strong are these advanced explorers who now support this country’s economy? I’m one of them. Whenever I read about their exploits in the newspapers I’ve often wondered how they would fight. And now, today, we get to witness the battle of the advanced explorers! I would like to thank the sixteen explorers who have pledged their participation. There will be a prize for the winner. I hope you’ll do your best to win. That’s all.”
The crowd gets even more excited when they hear what the Marquis de Forgas has to say.
“Thank you, Marquis Forgas. Let’s get started! The first match of the first round will be the leader and ace of the Brave party, Oliver Cardiff! His opponent is Bertram South of A rank party <Crimson Fire>!”
The two men appear in the arena.
The audience was getting more and more excited by the appearance of the two.
If I’m this excited from the very beginning, I’m sure everyone will be exhausted by the time my game starts.
Well, I don’t mind that. I can concentrate better when it’s quiet.
“So the A-ranker’s weapon is a spear! I’ll have to steal it if I find a good move!”
Bertram is probably one of the best spearmen among the explorers in the Great Southern Labyrinth.
He’s been in the newspapers many times. I believe his party made it to the 83rd level.
I would have told you to watch and learn his moves like Log said.
But I don’t think there’s anything we can learn from this game.
“Both fighters are ready. Let’s begin the first match of the first round!
Following the MC’s words, the sound of the drum started and the battle began.
Oliver runs headfirst into it right off the bat.
Naturally, Bertram attacks out of Oliver’s range, but just before the attack hits, Oliver moves one step faster.
We’re in the audience, so we have a bird’s eye view, but Bertram must feel like Oliver’s suddenly disappeared.
Oliver flanks Bertram and cleaves to the side with the long sword in his right hand.
Bertram reacts just in time to block the slash with the hilt of his spear, but there is no way he can catch Oliver’s heavy slash from such an unstable position, and he is further knocked off his feet.
A flash of light from Oliver! Bertram tries to keep his distance… Bertram tries to keep his distance… but he can’t get out of the way! Bertram is outmuscled by Oliver! Bertram is in trouble now!
Bertram is trying to keep his distance but it’s not going to do any good against Oliver, who is anticipating his opponent’s every move.
Bertram’s spear was finally blown away by Oliver’s heavy slash, and the next moment the tip of Oliver’s sword was right in front of Bertram’s eyes.
Bertram surrenders and it’s settled! <The hero is strong! He won the battle without letting his opponent do anything!
… You’re so strong!
… Hey! Who said Oliver was weak?
… Is this guy stronger than that guy who won yesterday?
… Wow, I should have bet on Oliver…!
I can hear the feedback from the crowd watching Oliver fight.
Recently the nobles including the sponsor of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky have been trying to ruin the reputation of the heroes’ party. Mainly through the newspapers.
The people who believed that would have been shocked to see what they’re fighting for.
“That spear man just now, he’s even better than me when I was fighting Master…”
Logs was talking about what he felt in the current battle, but he seemed to think that it was a bad idea, so he muddled through the last part.
“I agree. I think Log would have put up a better fight against Oliver than Bertram.”
Are you sure?
Log’s eyes light up with joy when he hears what I’ve said.
“Yeah, Log’s used to getting up close and personal with me in simulations. But don’t get me wrong. Log is better at close combat than Bertram is at spearmanship as a whole. Though I don’t think Log has anything to offer you in this battle.”
“I know. I know firsthand there are a lot of people stronger than me.”
The game continued and the result was what I expected.
Will also made it through the first round without any difficulty.
***
I’m going to go to the waiting room now.
I get up from my seat and tell the others as all the games in the other mountain are over.
“Good luck, Mr. Orn!”
“Shishou, you must win!”
“Let everyone here know that Master is the best!”
He leaves the auditorium, receiving cheers from the audience.
The staff showed me to the waiting room, where other participants were also there.
There’s only two anterooms.
The back of this room is connected to the game room.
huh? You’re just a little explorer. I’d be ashamed to go to all this trouble just to show off! I’m surprised you decided to join us.
(I’m in the same waiting room as a pain in the ass. It’s a little depressing.)
“It’s been a long time, Derrick. That’s a hell of a thing to say so soon after meeting you, isn’t it?”
“What? I’m just telling you the truth.”
You should think about what’s going on around you.
I mean… I mean, was he this bad?
He was an emotionally driven man, but he wasn’t the kind of man who would make a fuss in a place like this.
I’ve been feeling a similar discomfort lately… Oh, yeah, that’s Pascal.
What Pascal and Derrick have in common is that there is too much discrepancy between the impression I remember and the impression I actually saw ・・・・・.
And they’re both related to the heroes’ party.
What’s going on with the heroes’ party?
“Hey! Don’t ignore me! You’re so rude!
I’m thinking, and Derrick keeps coming at me.
“Oh, sorry. So, why am I in a martial arts tournament? Because the Marquis of Forgath asked me to.
“By that old man? He’s just a fish in a barrel.”
I don’t know. I don’t know.”
I’m getting tired of dealing with this guy, so I cut him off and sit down away from Derrick.
This book is published by the Duchy of Hytia, a great magical power, and contains the theory of magic.
Most of the contents were familiar to me, but some of them were new to me.
I am most excited when I am exposed to new knowledge.
(I see. Then, if we apply this theory…)
“Hey! What are you reading? You’re not fit to read!
While I was reading, the noisy one got involved again.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, Derrick is about to randomly touch the book, so I activate the [Reflective Barrier Reflective Wall] between the book and Derrick’s hand.
Derrick’s hand played as he touched that wall.
What the fuck? What the fuck are you doing?
“That’s my line. This book is a precious gift from my students. Don’t try to touch it.
This guy can’t even wait quietly…
“Disciple”? You got a disciple? Ha ha ha! I doubt his character if he’s going to study under a mook like you! And I’m sure he’s not a good judge of character either!
… Why do they have to go to these lengths?
“… Shut up already.”
“What? What did you say, you little explorer?”
I said shut your noisy mouth. Insult them again and I’ll make sure you never speak lightly again.”
I’m going to tell him to kill you.
It quieted him down last time, it’ll shut him up this time.
… I thought..,
“Hey!!! I’ll tell you again and again! Your disciples are a bunch of misguided trash!”
He slams his fist into Derrick’s face, who’s caught off guard by the talking.
At the moment of contact, a low-powered [Instantaneous Ability Increase Impact] was also activated.
Derrick lay on the ground, his fist still in the air.
Derrick falls to the ground, a dumb look on his face as if he doesn’t understand what’s happened.
I go over to Derrick as he’s lying there and check on him.
He’s conscious for the moment. He’s gonna be okay. His nose is bleeding, but he doesn’t look like he’s broken any bones.
You tell Derrick while activating [Heal Heal].
“You can mock me all you want. I’ll even let you laugh at their lack of ability. Because right now… you’re stronger. But… You can’t deny them that. Now, you stay away from me. I don’t like it.”
Yeah, I feel better.
I don’t know what the fuss is about.
The participants around him look like they’ve done well, so Derrick will just end up making a lot of noise.
I’m leaving the waiting room after Derrick’s treatment.
If you stay in there, you’re gonna get yourself in trouble with the people around you, so… I feel like I already have…
