CH 92.1

“Abstain? Why should I be the one abstaining?”

“Huh? Didn’t you just see what just happened!? That Elf! He was agile as hell but was chopped into pieces in an instant!”

“What’s so great about that… Shedia next to you can do that too, if not better.”

“Why is Shedia suddenly… Huh? Really..?”

“That’s right lady. Ain’t it, Shedia?”

Katarina’s gaze and mine were simultaneously fixed on Shedia. Shedia, mechanically chewing on her bread, nodded, leaving Katarina startled.

“Really? Can you beat that ‘thing’?”

Shedia tilted her head, taking another chomp.

“Wasn’t the question about chopping the Elf into slices?”

“Uh? Ah, yes… but the other way around…”

Katarina’s expression quivered as if she felt a sense of alienation as she spat out those hideous words to Shedia’s innocent face. Either way, Shedia looked at the six arms jacked guy for a moment, then nodded again.

“Yes. I can win.”

“Look at that. Don’t you think it’s strange if the Hero’s party members can’t win against something like that in the first place?”

“…I can’t win.”

“That’s okay.”

Katarina’s sword dance is excellent.

That is only natural as it is a sword dance left by her mother, who was one of the best if not the best dancer years ago. Adding to that, Katarina had made contracts with four ancient elementals not too long ago.

If she mixes the power of the sword dance and the elementals well, she can create a great synergy effect.

However, no matter how good her skills are, if her body doesn’t cooperate, hers will be a douchebag performance.

Katarina has lived the life of a dancer, far from the world of killing, so naturally her level is low.

As her level is low, of course her body is also weak.

If Katarina has to fight that monster right now, she would be cut in half before she would be able to do anything or even think of anything.

However, this is a very simple problem with an easier solution.

“It’s okay. I will make sure you will be the one to come out on top sooner or later.”

Isn’t her body falling behind because the level is low?

So, isn’t it just a matter of leveling up?

Sooner or later, I will have to find a dungeon that Katarina can run through.

“What are you thinking? No, why are you making that face?”

Did she feel something ominous from my face? Katarina flinched.

It will be okay.

It wouldn’t be a dangerous endeavor. Just a tiring one.

* * *

The quarterfinals went smoothly, except for the first game, which was somewhat shocking. Other parts of the tournament went smoothly as everyone had expected.

Iledric, the Knight, the Martial Artist, and I advanced to the semifinals.

Ah, Iledric is the name of six arms.

The referee announced it at the end of the match.

The semifinals started two days later.

The first match was Iledric against the Knight.

I’ve been waiting for this game with anticipation. Compared to the previous match, Iledric’s skills would shore up better, but a skilled knight always has something hidden.

If Iledric isn’t careful, even his six arms won’t do him any better.

Because of that, I waited for the round to start in the waiting room right in front of the stadium.

After a while, the match started and the knight dropped his weapon to the floor and raised his hands above his head.

It meant quitting the match.

‘What..?’

Giving up without a fight?

Damn…

I turned my gaze toward the audience.

Even I was quite disappointed with my expectations egged, what about these guys?

A loud booing…

‘Eh?’

There was no booing.

I thought these savage bastards would mock the knight who ran away without even showing his tail. As I was puzzled by the unexpected reaction, the Knight returned to the waiting room.

I talked to him.

“I thought you were going to be stoned to death. How did you do that?”

“Well? Oh, is that what you mean?”

The knight put a hand on my shoulder and smiled.

“You will find out tonight. Regardless of whether I win or lose this tournament, it matters not.”

He just said that and left.

What the fuck is going on…

‘Is it related to Leslie’s father becoming one of the Four Heavenly Kings?’

After thinking about it for a moment, I shook my head.

He said I would find out tonight, so I needn’t worry. I cleared my mind and went into the arena and easily beat the Martial Artist.

And that night, I learned why the Knight was not stoned.

“Hmm… so it’s a rebellion?”

At my words, the Crown Prince, Alfred of the Principality of Polycia, frowned.

“Rebellion? I’m just trying to get my rightful authority back.”

“Is that so…”

I crossed my arms and looked around.

Four men and women were sitting at the same table as me. They were all sons and daughters of the Grand Duke. In other words, Leslie’s blood siblings.

The Knight, the Martial Artist, and Iledric stood beside the aristocrats as if escorting them.

Looking about the hall, you could see barbarians drinking and talking. At first glance, they look like ordinary inn guests, but everyone is paying attention to this side of the hall.

Private soldiers of these aristocrats.

I sighed deeply and spoke to the Knight.

“You had said to me that I’ll find out tonight, but like this? Weaving a foreign hero into politics?”

More than three years ago, Archduke Osner’s health, which was already bad, had been deteriorating rapidly.

He couldn’t bear to take care of state affairs, so Alfred, originally the Crown Prince of the Duchy, was handed the reins of the Principality of Polycia.

However, taking advantage of the chaos, Leslie led her own forces and quickly took control of the palace, expelling all her brothers and sisters, including the Crown Prince.

Indulging in her lust for power, she imprisoned her father, the Grand Duke, and now rules the Duchy as if she were the Grand Duke herself.

The Crown Prince and his group tried to correct this wrong, but the result was not very good. All assassination attempts had failed, and the vassal lords weren’t cooperating.

So while they were stomping their feet in anger, Leslie held a contest.

The Crown Prince and his entourage saw this tournament as an opportunity. Even Leslie, who rarely comes out of the palace, would show up at the tournament she had organised.

As for the winner, they will be awarded by her own hands.

They knew they could bring Leslie down if they used this opportunity properly.