“O-Oh, this is the objection system I was hearing about!”
“So, they would impose an extra trial upon themselves on top of the parade... Shutola-sama truly is thinking of this kingdom’s future!”
“Wait! Aren’t those two the former general and lieutenant of the Magic Knight Order, Lunoir-sama and Ashley-sama?! I heard they had to retire from the military due to unavoidable circumstances! Did they return for Shutola-sama’s sake?!”
“No, they haven’t returned. They are here putting on an act for the sake of the two newlyweds as they take off for their future! What a surprise! What friendship!”
“Huh? But doesn’t she also resemble the Rank S adventurer Ice Princess?”
For clarification, we had indeed informed the public about the objection system. Just like us, they had no idea when it would take place, but we had also kept who would be objecting a secret from them. Still, it seemed most of the people didn’t know that Sylvia was Lunoir.
I guess that’s understandable, since they stayed on the Western Continent as adventurers after leaving. None of these people would’ve had a chance to see them unless they were traveling merchants or in some other profession that requires frequent travel.
“...and those will be the rules for this battle. In essence, it’ll be the same as during the promotion match. Are you okay with that?” Sylvia asked.
“Yeah, sounds good to me. I don’t think it’ll be a problem, since I’m sure Colette won’t barf like that now.”
After listening to Sylvia’s monotone reading of her cue cards, we easily accepted their terms. Then again, to be fair, we were both planning to accept pretty much anything as long as it wasn’t completely ridiculous. A tag team battle was well within reasonable limits. In fact, I wanted to praise them for thinking of it.
But what I was most curious about was where we would be fighting. This square in front of the church was large enough but left a lot to be desired in the toughness department. If Sylvia and I were to clash full force, the aftereffects would be very dangerous. I hadn’t had to worry about it in the past, but these days the location was something I had to pay careful attention to.
“Then I’ll make the battlefield,” said Sylvia, still as impassive as ever.
Saying that, she started releasing a large amount of magic power. It wasn’t dangerous, but it instantly spread a wash of cold, white air that affected the immediate area. My vision was dyed white, making it so that I could only see what was directly in front of me.
I’m wearing white today, so wouldn’t this work as camouflage? Is she thinking straight?
“It’s done,” said Sylvia.
A few seconds after that thought crossed my mind, the wash of cold air ceased. I opened my eyes and saw a pure-white coliseum of ice. It was a round arena, resembling the one in Gaun, though it was a size smaller, likely because it was made to fit the size of the square. Still, it easily matched the simple coliseum we’d fought in during the promotion match.
I see. We’ll definitely be able to fight here.
“I’m shocked,” said Shutola after a moment of awe. “Both at its size and intricate design. She created all this so quickly... Doesn’t her casting speed rival Kelvin-san’s?”
This coliseum was most likely made with Blue Magic. As a fellow practitioner of Blue Magic, Shutola was truly impressed. Honestly, I was also surprised.
“Sylvia, is this...?”
“Mm, I copied your magic a little, Kelvin,” she admitted. “It’s a Rank S Blue Magic spell. I named it Snow Arena. The color is the exact opposite of yours, but it’s pretty sturdy.”
I knew it. The casting resembled Adamantine Fortress, so it felt somehow familiar. Still, I never expected her to re-create it with ice. Honestly, I have to wonder if even Mel, Shutola’s mentor in Blue Magic, would be able to create such a large and detailed construct so quickly.
“Still, it lacks durability compared to Kelvin’s,” Sylvia continued. “In exchange, it also impairs the movement of enemies inside, so it’s useful that way.”
“Impairs movement? So it works like Nana’s Frozen Temple? But I don’t feel very impaired...”
“Frozen yogurt tempura?” Sylvia tried to repeat, confused. “That sounds delicious.”
No, I didn’t say that, though it sounds similar. I mean, what you said is also longer. Hey, you were so impassive, but now all of a sudden you’ve got a glint in your eye? I have never heard of such a terrible combination of food, so stop looking at me with such hope!
“I have the impairing function off right now,” Sylvia explained. “By the way, this is how it feels when it’s on.”
“Oh. Oh?”
I experienced the familiar sensation of my body freezing. This was undoubtedly the same effect as Nana’s Frozen Temple. My support effects were working, though it wasn’t enough to cancel out the impairment. Even so, supposing the area of effect was the entire arena, as a spell, this one was definitely better developed than Nana’s. It also seemed harder to undo than Frozen Temple.
“I see, so you’re much stronger than before, just like we are, Sylvia. If you used this in the middle of battle... Heh heh, that would be so much trouble!”
“Ah, don’t worry. The effect will be kept off during the battle,” said Ema.
Just as my heart started to dance, Ema’s unbelievable words doused it all. What? It’ll be off? What do you mean? Are you insane?!
“Oh please, don’t make that face. It affects everyone other than the caster, so it would harm me as well,” said Ema. “Well, there is a way to get around it using Chains of the Shunned, but...”
“Even if you can get around it, Ema, everyone else will be troubled,” said Sylvia. “There is an audience here too, since this is an arena.”
“What?!”
In a panic, I looked around. Sylvia was right, Trycen’s citizenry were arrayed around me, with invited guests and people we knew in the seats with a good view meant for nobility.
She’s right! If such an indiscriminate effect was activated here, it would affect everyone. Then, hrrnghh...I guess there’s no choice.
“Now, it’s finally time for this battle between Rank S adventurers over the bride to start! Officially, this is referred to as the objection system! It’s a scenario everyone is familiar with, but it almost never happens in real life! However, today, this dreamlike situation has become a reality! The fight will be covered by me, Ronove, from Gaun’s arena! Furthermore, as a guest commentator, we have one of Trycen’s strongest people: General Dan of the Steel Knight Order!” I could hear Ronove shout.
“This is Dan D’alba,” Dan chimed in. “Context aside, I am genuinely interested in the outcome of this battle. Personally, I am cheering for the princess.”
The commentary started immediately—the two of them must have been on standby from the beginning. The unexpected involvement of General Dan was a good surprise for the people of Trycen and was met with thunderous cheers.
“Seriously...this is like a repeat of the promotion match.”
“Well, we were kind of aiming for that,” said Ema.
“Mm. Ema was the one who planned all this,” said Sylvia.
“Grr... It feels like I’m being left behind because I wasn’t around for that fight,” Shutola said with a pout.
Ema let out a panicked noise. She looked shocked by what Shutola said and immediately started bowing repeatedly to her.
Shutola is in strategist mode right now, Ema-san. Don’t let her get to you.
“So the safety measures were completely re-created too, huh? Seems the work involved double the number of people compared to the promotion match... Do you think you can do this, Colette?”
“Of course,” Colette replied. “Please witness my bravery, Kelvin-sama and Shutola-chan!”
She seemed to have crawled out of my shadow.
Hey, why are you coming out of my shadow like Alex? Since when were you there?
At any rate, Colette cast her esoteric technique with confidence.