83-083-Challenge to the Grand Champion!

128 years in the life of the Holy King, the 13th of the Yellow Moon

＜Magical City Emera City, Special Site for Archery Tournament

Oh...!

As a small sputtering sound resounded, a murmur rose from the audience.

The arrows released from the long bow shot through the center of the magic sphere (orb) beautifully, proving the high level of skill of the archers.

''Kya, Luke-sama~!

Steak!

The man called Luke smiled at the women who cheered him on as he brushed back his long blond hair, receiving yellow cheers.

You can find a lot of people who have a lot of experience in the field, but you can also find a lot of people who have a lot of experience in the field.

Because he's the grand champion, he's participating in the final super-seeded slot, and the other participants are participating in the tournament to get the right to challenge him.

In other words, the event being held here now was also a public performance (exhibition) to entertain the audience until the final.

This year, Master Luke has won again.

Hey!

The girls were right, Luke would get the honor of winning the championship for the seventh time this year.

Yes, everyone expected that.

--But!

What the hell was that thing?

I don't get it!

In the general hall where the other participants were gathered, there was a commotion that was unlike any other year.

The one that everyone was focusing on was not a skilled hunter but a small boy.

Unlike the special hall, the general hall's targets are lined up in the square with different color schemes, but the boy accurately shot the smallest and highest point among them.

"Ho-ho-ho, that's a spectacular sight, Lord Jupiter.

'So what's with your tone of voice but, well, unlike the beasts, you don't have to predict their movements and it's easy.

The girl with me - I said as it were in response to Satsuki's question, but that meant that his skills were "real", cultivated by real battles.

Isn't this girl capable of fighting the strongest grand champion on an equal footing?

There was such anticipation from the audience, and of course it reached Luke's ears.

'That's it!'

At the same time as the referee called out, the players lowered their bows and the final tournament tallying began to take place.

This year, however, it was clear who would be left in the final round without looking at the results.

The one who got the right to challenge for the Grand Champion in this year's archery tournament was, to my surprise, the first time participant, Hupiter!　

The audience cheered as the facilitator announced the event.

As Jupiter went to the final stage, looking a little embarrassed, Luke asked for a handshake.

'I was allowed to watch you earlier, but you're really great. Let's have a good match.'

"Uh-huh!

They finished shaking hands and moved to their respective standing positions and held their bows.

Then the facilitator went up on stage and began to make an announcement to the audience.

''Now the finals will now begin, but this competition is in cooperation with the school of magic, and the winner of the finals will be the one who successfully shoots the center of the fast moving orb!

Immediately afterwards, a light ball appeared on the Grand Champion Stage at an unnoticeable speed... or rather, a light ball so fast that it was difficult to even see it, and began to buzz around.

Although the crowd was excited, the facilitators and judges had some delicate expressions on their faces.

''........Um, excuse me. Isn't this different from the plan?

The female student of the magic school, who was spoken to by the troubled referee, thought she had been looking at the light ball snugly for a while, and then was hit on the back of the head by another female student.

''Ow!

You're using the wrong units in the speed control system!　There's no way an ordinary person could shoot that thing down, you're an idiot!

'Hi, I'm sorry~!

Hmmm, we're in trouble...

Apparently, the three female students looked apologetic as they had failed to use the magic to control the target for the final match.

Seeing this, Luke chuckled and uttered one suggestion.

It's not like they meant to do it out of spite, either. Besides, don't you think it would be more exciting this way?

The first thing that comes to mind is that it's not a good idea to have a good idea of what to do. Then, we'll continue like this.

The audience was once again in full swing as the two men made their declaration.

With both sides having agreed, the facilitator regained his composure and declared to the audience.

''With that, we will now begin the final match between Grand Champion Luke and Jupiter!

--a moment.

Wind Arrow!

Luke put his magic into the bow and fired a tremendous arrow with tremendous force!

Regrettably, it passed almost directly beside the orb and pierced the wall at the edge of the special stage.

''If the orb moves at an unconventional speed, it's only a matter of shooting through it faster than that!

As he declared this, he began to shoot arrows like a gale.

There is no limit to the number of arrows that can be used in the finals, so theoretically, the odds of winning are higher for early birders.

The women's fans' yellow cheers grew louder and louder as they watched his excellent bow performance.

As for Jupiter, on the other hand....

Hey boy, keep up the good work~!

What are you waiting for?

With his bow at the ready, he stared at the air.

The arrows that I drew on my shortbow have not yet been fired, and they are stationary with their sights set on a point.

It was so motionless that even the audience began to yell at him.

However, without paying attention to that, Jupiter turned straight to the back of the room and asked the question.

"Satsuki-chan.

What?

"Yesterday, you were telling me to be the best guy in the world, but where do you stand now?

The question troubled Satsuki as she crossed her arms and oohed and aahed at the question.

After a while, she came up with an answer and popped her hand.

''If I'm in the middle here, I'll take first place provisionally.

"That's light. And it's only temporary..............

Jupiter blurted out a bit of frustration, but something about it made his mouth form a smile in a slightly satisfied way--

I win.

!

With a declaration, the arrow shot out of the shortbow and beautifully shot through the center of the orb, scattering rainbow-colored light in the air.

''........''

The audience was silent for a moment, then they cheered loudly!

Luke's victory record finally came to an end with his sixth consecutive victory, and this was the moment when a new winner was born.

''Satsuki-chan's provisional first place, I'll take it, just in case.

Hehehe, you're good at it~...what do you mean, just in case!

I'm dying!　Don't do that indirect technique all of a sudden!

The audience erupted in laughter as Jupiter continued to writhe in agony as he was put in an armlock.

Then Luke slowly comes up to him and shakes his hand again.

'Totally defeated.

'Yes. I couldn't see much either, but sometimes a sphere would pass in front of the wizard lady over there. I think it's probably because of the magic supply, but...

Luke's eyes widened in surprise at Jupiter's words, and he smacked his little shoulder with a bashful laugh.

'Wahaha, you're a totally great guy!

........And then an unexpected thing happened.

By no means did Luke have malicious intentions, but by chance, his right hand hit Jupiter's bandana, and it came untied and fell to the ground.

And the hall was once again filled with silence........

-- no, this is not silence, this is raptures.

The ears of the boy who broke the rook were sharply pointed to the side, and he looked different from the people in this city.

The only thing it showed was.

'Are you ... an ... elf ...?'

!

Without answering Luke's question, Jupiter hurriedly picks up the bandana that fell under his feet and runs away, hiding his head...!

But because I was running without looking around, I lost my balance and ended up hugging Satsuki.

''Say, Satsuki-chan, I'm sorry!

It's fine. But this might not be a good idea.

The eyes turned on him from the audience are those of an odd sight.

After all, the country has just finally made its "reconciliation with the forest dragon" and the majority of the people have never seen an elf before.

Then, when the audience finally understood the situation, they asked, "Isn't this an injustice? Voices began to leak out, "If you're an elf with a good bow, you deserve to win," and "If you're against elves, it's no wonder you can't win.

But--!

You're kidding me!

Furious words of anger echoed through the crowd, as if to counteract the audience's words.

The one who raised his voice was none other than Luke himself, the one who had been defeated by Jupiter.

''You think it's no wonder he couldn't win because he's an elf...?　Correct me!　That's the biggest insult to me ... or even to him!

The female fans, who had been cheering him on, were horrified by the sight of him, as he raged like a raging fire, with a fresh smile that belied his strikingly beautiful features.

"I apologize on behalf of everyone for the rudeness of my people. I am very sorry.

"Oh, come on!　You don't have to bow to me!　It's my fault that I was a silent participant in the first place!

To Jupiter, who replied hurriedly, Luke shook his head, smiling gently.

''I lost to you because of my years of indulging in the title of champion... that's all. Your power was very impressive, no matter what your race was.

"Nee-chan....

I never thought a little boy like this would realize what's important.

Then Luke handed the winner's certificate (a coin) into Jupiter's hand and got off the stage with his beloved bow.

I think I'm going to start my training journey now. And I'll see you here again in a year's time!　Next time I will win!

The crowd cheered again at Luke's bravery as he declared to the audience.

Satsuki and Jupiter were just taken aback by the sight.

''This is what it means to win a game and lose a match...''

If only Jupiter had that much charisma, he'd be irresistible.

"I don't have to be irresistible...

Haha, I was sure you'd say that~

Satsuki said and gently stroked Jupiter's dark green hair.