Chapter 216 Where Is My Opponent?
At the edge of the Imperial Palace grounds, there exists a place known as the ‘Nest of Heroes,’ each sectioned into separate spaces.
Nad as such because it is a place where heroes are born, its size alone was as large as combining three or four noble estates.
It felt almost impossible to fill it with people, but finally, it was realized. Currently, there wasn’t a single inch of space due to the people gathered here to watch the match.
“Excuse . This is a passageway for people to move, so you need to relocate to another place.”
“What? I spent the night here just to watch the match…. Are you saying this isn’t a seating area?”
“There’s no other way. To manage the large crowd, this has to be used as a passageway. Please move to another seat.”
People were bustling around to watch the desired match, others trying to secure good seats, and so just hoping to find any place to sit….
The spectators were so densely packed that it was hard to see ahead or even find a place to step. Despite the best efforts of the Imperial Family, it was a struggle.
It wasn’t that this situation wasn’t anticipated. However, even with both prediction and preparation, it was still a level that was difficult to handle.
“No, wow, so many people…. Wow….”
Becky muttered, her mouth agape. The girl couldn’t keep her head still, constantly looking around.
“It’s a good thing they provided a special viewing area for participants. If it weren’t for this, we would be pushed around everywhere too.”
“That’s true.”
Trixie agreed with her from the side. Becky found this fact rather awkward.
“What’s up, Trixie? Why are you agreeing so easily?”
Trixie didn’t bother to reply. Well, it wasn’t worth pointing out, considering the sheer number of people gathered here.
Becky pointed her index finger towards the arena ahead.
Although luxurious with the royal emblem and statues at each end, it didn’t stray from the conventional image of an ‘arena.’
“But, is the match going to take place in that arena?”
“You’re stating the obvious.”
“No, it’s not obvious. The terrain described on the cards included cliffs, jungles…. But no matter how you look at it, that’s just an ordinary arena, isn’t it?”
At this, Trixie sighed deeply.
“Becky.”
“What?”
“There isn’t just one arena.”
“Hmm….”
Trixie wasn’t wrong.
The arenas, identical in size, were lined up like a chessboard. From this far and scenic spot, it was easy to see them clearly.
However, Becky’s curiosity wasn’t completely satisfied.
“But even those look pretty ordinary.”
“Becky.”
“Yeah?”
“Just watch. Please.”
The mont Trixie said that.
Rumble─
Each arena began to change its terrain and appearance. Forests, plains, cliffs…. The terrains were as diverse as the cards described, and the audience cheered just at that sight.
“Oh, so that’s how it works.”
Becky scratched her head.
“But are they going to use all those arenas at once? With so many people gathered, I thought they’d do a bit more, but it looks like they’re trying to finish as quickly as possible.”
“Even if they use all those arenas, it won’t end quickly.”
“Really? Why?”
At that, Trixie turned her head to look at Becky.
As if to say, “How could you not know that?”
“Thanks to the invitation Flan received, we are officially participating in the match. Right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“But actually, today’s event isn’t just for those who were formally invited.”
“Really? I honestly didn’t know that.”
“Think about it a bit.”
Trixie let out a deep sigh.
“There are so many masters out there. If they didn’t receive an invitation, they might not accept the results. They’d wonder why they weren’t invited when they could do better than soone who was.”
“Ah…. I get what you an.”
Becky nodded.
“There are people who can only be convinced by direct confrontation. Actually, there are a lot of such people. Most of them, really.”
“Exactly. Heroes are incredible, and so are their deeds.”
Trixie continued slowly.
“Such busy heroes…. They can’t prove themselves every ti they encounter soone with doubts. So, instead, they let everyone participate. To let them abandon all doubts and hopes here.”
“They’re making them feel the wall. But then, does that an those who didn’t get invitations compete against each other?”
“That’s how it’s supposed to be….”
Trixie crossed her arms.
“As you know, a match requires two people. If the numbers don’t match up evenly, then soone with an invitation has to step in to even things out.”
“Then the person with the invitation is….”
“Who else but Flan. Among the invited participants, Flan had the fewest votes in favor.”
“Ah.”
Becky finally understood how organized this place was. On the other hand, she thought it was actually quite convenient.
If many people had various tasks, there would be plenty of ti left. She felt relieved, thinking she would have ti to train.
In truth, there was also a bit of anxiety.
‘Everyone looks incredibly strong….’
Just as Becky endured harsh training to finally reach this spot, it seed that no one here had co with a light heart.
This ti, Louis spoke up.
“In fact…. In this situation, match luck is important too.”
“Match luck?”
“Yeah.”
Louis nodded.
“To avoid burdening Flan and to elevate the prestige of the Magic Departnt, we need to aim as high as possible.”
“Right.”
“But if our match luck is bad and we face the winner early on and get knocked out….”
“…we’d be eliminated right away. Oh.”
Becky’s face grew slightly troubled.
People generally don’t have much affection for the Magic Departnt. Which ans, even if they lost to the eventual winner, no one would care about the details.
Like ingredients in a dish, the facts would be chopped up. All that would be left is the mockery of an early elimination.
Sothing riding on Flan’s back. Chasing all the way here just to be humiliated…. She didn’t want to end up like that.
“Let’s not worry about that.”
At that mont, Maiev spoke up.
All the representatives’ gazes turned towards Maiev.
“It doesn’t matter if we win or lose. Flan brought us here because he believes in us, and we haven’t wasted a single day. We just need to do our best. And….”
Maiev’s gaze shifted to the other competitors.
The hidden masters. Even if they weren’t affiliated with any organization, they had honed themselves and earned their reputations. They were now warming up one by one.
“…I’m not afraid of them at all.”
The representatives were lost in thought for a mont.
It was definitely a different feeling from before.
In the past, they might have looked at such people and wondered when they could reach such heights, feeling scared. But now….
“That’s true.”
“We’ve co a long way ourselves. Training felt like it would kill us….”
Flan had once said he would make them believe in themselves.
…Maybe this is what he ant.
Becky, with a slightly different expression than before, asked,
“Alright. Now I feel more relaxed. Anyway…. What about Flan’s match? We have to watch Flan’s match, no matter what.”
None of the representatives answered.
But Becky didn’t need to hear the answer. Flan was starting to walk out from afar.
A swordsman covered in scars appeared in the arena. Then, a mber of the royal family appeared. The royal representative spoke first.
“In the na of the Imperial Palace, the match will proceed fairly. Now, let’s begin the main event.”
The scarred swordsman asked,
“Where is my opponent?”
“Well…. It’s Flan. Flan?”
The royal representative looked around for Flan. It was only when he called Flan’s na again that Flan slowly revealed himself.
The swordsman grumbled.
“Isn’t it too arrogant to be this late?”
“I arrived on ti.”
“You always have sothing to say.”
The swordsman sneered and drew his sword.
“Let’s see if you’re unbeatable in this match as well.”
“….”
Then Flan looked at the royal representative without a word. After a mont, as if he didn’t understand, he added,
“I heard there was just a guide.”
“Ah, it seems the ssage wasn’t fully conveyed. Since you had the fewest votes, you have to participate in a match.”
“Ha.”
Flan let out a laugh, as if it were ridiculous.
Of course, it was natural that the swordsman’s expression hardened as he listened to the conversation. He trembled with anger and interrupted.
“You didn’t know this was a match? What do you take for?”
“Stay still.”
Flan silenced the swordsman. In the end, unable to contain his anger, the swordsman pressured the royal representative.
“Start the match imdiately.”
“Ah, understood.”
As soon as the match began, the swordsman drew his sword. He had intended to take the match seriously from the start, but now he was also fueled by rage.
“I’ve been hearing a lot about you lately, but I didn’t know you were this arrogant. You brat.”
Flan didn’t respond.
Bang─!
Then the swordsman felt it. Suddenly, Flan seed to shrink. Was he really this insignificant…?
“Huh?”
But he soon realized that Flan hadn’t actually shrunk. The sound of the air being split roared in his ears. He was being pushed back endlessly.
Crash─!
The swordsman rolled out of the arena. His clumsy movents didn’t stop until he hit the stands, and the spectators’ voices reached his ears.
“Unbelievable!”
“As expected, Flan is Flan.”
Hearing such words, the swordsman lost consciousness.
“….”
Flan, silently trying to leave, added,
“Advise my opponents to forfeit once. We both detest wasting ti, don’t we?”
He was, as always, himself.
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