Chapter 397 Bacchus-san, Run Away!

The crowd cheered at the announcement of the festival’s opening, and after waiting for the cheers to subside, Kuro spoke again.

[……The Six Kings Festival lasts for seven days. For the first six days, each of the Six Kings has planned their own festivals for everyone to enjoy. The order is…… War King, World King, Death King, Dragon King, Phantasmal King and then mine. In other words, a festival planned by the War King Megiddo will be held today.]

Here, Kuro announced the order of the festivals…… However, I already knew the order of the festivals in advance, as it was written on the invitation.

It didn’t really matter much for people like me who would attend all seven days, but for people like Dr. Vier, who had difficulty attending all seven days, they would have to look into the schedule and choose the days they would attend.

[……Incidentally, this order was drawn by lottery.]

[I see.]

……The Six Kings really were close friends.

As I nodded in assent upon Alice’s additional information, Kuro stepped back on the stage and Megiddo-san came forward.

[Alright. Let me take over the explaining here.]

Since today’s festival was planned by Megiddo-san, it was quite natural that Megiddo-san would be the one giving the explanation. However, hmmm…… The festival that Megiddo-san planned, no matter how I thought about it, I can only see it as something battle-related, so I’m quite anxious about it……

[The theme of my festival, well, as everyone had guessed, is “battle”!]

I knew it. Rather, if that wasn’t the theme of his festival, I would be more surprised instead.

[Well, though I say battle, that doesn’t mean you need to put yourself on guard. This day was basically a festival. It’s a day where everyone should have fun!]

Hmmm. Well, despite his appearance, Megiddo-san was a pretty considerate person, so I don’t think the festival he prepared would be that violent.

[It’s a bit of a hassle to explain all the details, so I’ll keep it simple. I’ve prepared a variety of attractions throughout the city. Each attraction has one of my subordinates in it. If you clear the conditions they give you, you can get a stamp…… As for the stamp card, it will be given to you at the first attraction you visit.]

Hmmm. I’ve never been there, so it’s just a guess but…… could it be that it’s like a stamp rally at amusement parks? It would still depend on what the attractions they have here, but I think this festival would be pretty fun.

[Ahh, don’t worry. The attractions aren’t all about physical combat. There are also quizzes and sports. They’re designed so that even kids can enjoy the festival. The stamps you collect can be exchanged for prizes at the exchange point in this plaza. You can certainly exchange one stamp for something, but obviously, the more stamps you collect, the better the prize. Do you understand? Not like I would explain everything again though.]

What should I do? This sounds like something I can enjoy normally…… Collecting stamps from sports and quizzes, then getting prizes accordingly. Unnn, if I just ignore the physical combat…… then even I can enjoy this festival.

[Ahh, the fact that my subordinates are in charge of the attractions…… That obviously means that it includes the “War King’s Five Generals”. The attractions of my Five Generals are “combat only”, but of course, there will be handicaps depending on the strength of the participants. If you win against any of the Generals, you will receive an extra-large stamp. Collect all five of these stamps…… Well, that is to say, if you win against all of my five Generals, come to the central tower! For you will receive the right to “battle against me”!]

[………………..]

There were wild cheers from everywhere, but well, it didn’t really matter to me. I mean, I’m not exactly the type that could fight against others. According to Megiddo-san himself, I’m only as strong as a slime.

That’s why, this has nothing to do with me at all……

[Ohh, I almost forgot! Oi, “Kaito”! You especially, have to defeat them all and come fight me, okay!? Today will be my revenge match!]

Oooiiiiii!? Why the heck are you pointing me out by name, you stupid gorilla!!! I’m getting a lot of attention now, you know!? No, even more than that…… What kind of unreasonable thing are you saying!? Are you telling this slime-like me to defeat all your confidants!?

[Go to Bacchus’ place first! I’ve already talked to him about it. You understand, Kaito? You definitely have to come!]

[……………….]

[Whoa there, I got off track. Well, that’s about it. Other than the attractions, there will obviously be stalls. Have fun to your heart’s content!!!]

Hearing Megiddo-san’s words, the people around me were filled with loud cheers once again but…… I wasn’t even thinking about it anymore. With my mind still shocked, I just stood there in a daze.

After Megiddo-san’s explanation, each of the Six Kings explained their plans in turn, and the Opening Ceremony was over.

Then, Lilia-san and I met up with the others but……

[……As expected of Miyama-sama. To be directly called out by War King-sama, how envious.]

[……In that case, I will gladly swap roles with you, so you can have it, Lunamaria-san.]

[Hahaha, surely you jest.]

She was really lively today, this useless maid…… You really think that my misery is funny……

[Kaito-senpai, good luck! Aoi-senpai and I are going to play in the normal sports area.]

[I pray for your safety, Kaito-san.]

[……I see that both of your faces have been thicker huh.]

My own compatriots immediately cut themselves away from troublesome matters…… The growth of my two kouhais brings tears to Older brother’s eyes.

[Errr, according to Phantasmal King-sama’s guidebook…… The place where Bacchus-sama should be…… is up north of this plaza.]

[Well then, why don’t we all go over there for the moment?]

Sieg-san informed us while looking at Alice’s guidebook, to which Lilia-san suggested that we all head there.

I was almost relieved that we could all go there together, but things didn’t work out that way.

When Fia-san and Rei-san peered into the guidebook from behind Sieg-san, they looked as if they had noticed something.

[Wait a moment, Sieg-chan. There’s a warning written here……]

[Let me see…… “Only those who have collected at least 10 stamps can challenge War King’s Five Generals. However, those with a black rank invitation can unconditionally challenge them.” or so it said.]

[…………………]

They placed a restriction!? Moreover, they’ve thoroughly exempted me from that rule!?

[……Hmmm. Well then, how about we just go around and collect some stamps?]

[……My Lady. This is just a suggestion, but why don’t “Miyama-sama check out Bacchus-sama’s place first”?]

[Luna?]

[Since War King-sama went to the trouble of designating Bacchus-sama first, I think he must have some explanation or message to give him. It would be rude to keep him waiting too long, so I think it would be better to have Miyama-sama go ahead and just listen to what he has to say. He can also just check out first and challenge him later.]

[I see…… What do you think, Kaito-san?]

Lunamaria-san’s words certainly made sense. Since Megiddo-san specifically mentioned to go to Bacchus-san’s place first, there must’ve been something there.

I think it would be best to go there first and wait for Lilia and the others to come after collecting the necessary amount of stamps.

[……Yes, I’ll do that. Well then, I’ll be going first.]

[Master? I don’t have to participate in the attractions, so if you don’t mind, would you like me to accompany you?]

[It’s alright. Since we’re at a festival, you should also have some fun, Anima.]

[……I understand. If Master says so.]

When I agreed to go alone, Anima worriedly asked if she could accompany me. I was really happy to know that she was concerned for me, but I told her that I wanted her to have a good time, and that it was okay if I went alone since it wasn’t like I would suddenly be eaten alive.

Leaving the others, I headed to Bacchus-san’s attraction where he was waiting for me.

[Ohh, there you are, Miyama Kaito! Long time no see!]

[Long time no see, Bacchus-san. Are you fully healed already?]

[Umu, I’m fully recovered.]

Looking at the guidebook, I arrived at my destination, which looked like a large arena of sorts. There were no seats for spectators though, so it seemed to be a place only for fighting only.

Bacchus-san was waiting for me in front of the arena and greeted me with a hearty smile, but after exchanging greetings, he puzzledly looked at me.

[Unnn? Even so…… Did you come here alone?]

[Yes, everyone else has gone to collect the stamps needed for the challenge.]

[Nhnn, I should have known…… I was going to explain it to you when you all got here but…… I see…]

[Yes. So, I thought I’d at least ask you about it first……]

[Ahh, alright. I’ll give you a brief explanation.]

When Bacchus-san heard what I said, he nodded his head once and took out a large crystal ball.

[We are going to have a battle in this place, but of course, there is a handicap depending on the challenger’s ability. This crystal is a tool that determines that…… How about you try it out? Touch it.]

[Yes.]

When Bacchus-san urged me to touch the crystal ball, some kind of glowing numbers appeared in the air.

[This is a “magical tool that measures the strength of the person” that touches it based on their magic power…… Though I say that, it can’t exactly show one’s talent, so it just gives us a rough idea.]

[Fumufumu.]

[Miyama Kaito’s strength is…… fumu……. 3 huh. Stronger than a slime, but weaker than a goblin.]

I’m really weak! N- No, but this time, I was told that I’m stronger than a slime! That’s progress, I’m telling you! ……Even if it’s a lie, I would have liked it if it showed that I was stronger than that.

[In this case, the handicap that I’d give you is that “I won’t attack, I won’t use either of my hands, one of my legs, magic power, and my movements are limited”. In that state, if you can touch me even slightly, you win.]

[……T- That’s a tremendous handicap.]

[Well, even in that state, I won’t lose so easily.]

Unnn, how should I say this…… I’m just glad that he won’t attack. But seriously, I’m just really glad that he won’t attack. In all sorts of meaning.

[Incidentally, the time limit is 20 minutes, and you can only try once…… That means if you lose, you’ll never reach Megiddo-sama.]

[……Hmmm. Why is Megiddo-san even doing this……]

[Hmmm, it seems to me like Megiddo-sama has something “he really wants to teach you”.]

[Something…… he wants to teach me?]

[Umu, I don’t know about it but…… I hope you can live up to Megiddo-sama’s expectations.]

[……I- I will do my best.]

[Hahaha, that doesn’t mean I will be holding back though.]

I still didn’t know what Megiddo-san’s true intentions were when he told me that I should definitely challenge him, but just as Bacchus-san told me, I want to live up to Megiddo-san’s expectations if I can.

Well, if I’m not able to meet his expectations……. at that time, I will just apologize.

[Oh, I forgot to mention that you can also have a “proxy” participate in the challenge.]

[Eh? Is that so?]

[Umu. However, the people who can act as your proxy are limited to “the companions you invited”. In that case, we will measure their strength again with this magic tool and will battle with the corresponding handicap.]

[……I see. I understand.]

[Hahaha. Well, it doesn’t matter who your proxy is, I won’t let you win so easily. I’m one of War King-sama’s Five Generals. I can’t just let you see me in the same unsightly state as back then.]

Proxy huh…… Even if it’s limited to my companions, I could have Anima as my proxy, so I think the odds of winning are pretty good……

[I guess that’s all for explanation…… Miyama Kaito, are you going to give it a go now?]

[Ah, no, ummm, I’d like to have someone as my proxy, so I’ll wait for the others……]

[Details, Acknowledged.]

[……Huh?]

Just as I said that I will wait for the others before challenging him…… Someone’s silhouette appeared before me.

Pure white wings on her back, beautiful blond hair…… and this overwhelming pressure……

[E- Eden…… -san?]

[Houu, you’re Miyama Kaito’s proxy huh? You have a lot of magic power, that should mean you’re very powerful! Here, touch this magic tool……]

[Affirmative.]

[Wha!?]

Eden-san, who appeared as if it was normal, nodded and touched the crystal that was held out to her…… and it shattered to pieces.

[……Houu, for your magic power to be immeasurable, fufufu, this gets my blood boiling…… You should be a worthy opponent!]

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No, no, Bacchus-san!? You can’t fight her! Seriously, you can’t fight her!!!

[B- Bacchus-san! You can’t fight her! Run away!!!]

Seeing Bacchus-san looking really motivated with a great axe in hand, I recovered from my confusion and reflexively shouted.

Run away! Seriously, run away! After all, Eden-san completely intends to kill you!!!

[Fufufu, what are you talking about, Miyama Kaito? I am Ironblooded Bacchus, One of War King’s Five Generals! No matter how strong the opponent is, Such a shameful act of turning my back against opponents and running away isn’t something I will do!!!]

[……Disrespect.]

No, no, this isn’t the time to act cool! Bacchus-san, run away immediatelyyyyyy!!!

Dear Mom, Dad———— Due to Megiddo-san’s grand absurdity, I had to challenge the War King’s Five Generals. Then, when I was told that I could have a proxy, the one who unexpectedly showed up was Eden-san…… No matter how much I need to, I’ll keep saying this————– Bacchus-san, please run away!

Q: Bacchus-san, why are you getting one punched immediately?

A: My opponents are always people filled with cheats.

~~~ Today’s Mama Eden ~~~

[……Disrespect. (For just a mere talking piece of meat like you to refuse my beloved child’s suggestion…… That warrants a death sentence. My child’s words are the divine oracle. It should be absolutely adhered to, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that his words are the law of the world. And for a trash like you to disregard it…… Ahh, how deplorable. The world has yet to understand even one one hundred millionth of my child’s magnificence. Ahh, how sorrowful this is…… I guess I have no choice but to make my move. As his mother, I have to educate these trashes about my child’s magnificence……)]

Bacchus, run away! Run away as far as you can!