🦊 🦊 🦊
THE stadium was deep within the eastern side of the capital. Fortunately, there were different entrances for the general public and people connected to the royal family. Thus, we got in without any trouble. The highest row of tiered seats belonged to the royal family and their guests. Meanwhile, a huge crowd of people filled the spectator seats. There were tents selling drinks and other goods at periodic intervals. The entire spectacle reminded me of sports stadiums back on Earth.
Rosario looked down at the crowd with astonishment. “We were told what to expect beforehand, but the number of people here is staggering.”
Oreste leaned over the railing to look at the crowd as well. “Is everyone who lives in the capital here right now?”
Lauris sighed as he scanned our surroundings. “I doubt we could even pick out an assassin in this crowd.”
As we idled away the time, more and more people arrived. At this point, even our VIP seats were mostly full. Even more opulent seats were located at our two o’clock. Presumably, the king and his entourage would sit there.
“Wait, where is Em sitting?” I asked.
I couldn’t find Embert or Janus anywhere, even though most of the seats had been filled.
“Good question,” Lauris replied, glancing around for any sign of them. “Embert and Janus left before us because they had something to take care of, right?”
Before we could find them, fanfare signaling the start of the tournament rang out. Two energetic announcers sat in box seats slightly above the center of the spectator seats. Evidently, these two men would be guiding the proceedings. At their cue, the fanfare rang out again. A moment later, Prince Giusto, Royal Prince Pieno, and the King and Queen of Bragioga entered the VIP seating area. Incidentally, Julietta had been permitted to sit with us per her request. As thunderous cheers filled the stadium, the royal family took their seats, waving to the spectators all the while.
“Now then!” one of the announcers boomed. “The final person to arrive is Crown Prince Embert Bartis of Gandolfin—the reigning champion!”
Tumultuous cheers shook the stadium.
“Huh?” I asked.
While my friends and I gaped, only Julietta grinned.
“Wait, what’s going on?” I pressed. “Em’s the reigning champion?”
Before we could grasp the situation, Embert swaggered into the arena. He favored the crowd with a radiant smile before halting in the center. Shrill cries pierced my eardrums, and delighted squeals of “Prince Embert!” rose from various places in the audience. The sheer volume brought us back to our senses.
“Did Em seriously win the last tournament?” I asked.
He must have enjoyed studying abroad in Bragioga quite a bit. What else had he done besides winning a tournament and becoming an adventurer?
“Should I even be surprised?” Cia asked, sounding astonished despite herself. “Plus, he’s captured the heart of nearly every woman here.”
“That’s my brother for you,” Lauris replied.
Everyone chuckled at his self-satisfied expression.
“Each tournament, the reigning champion provides the grand prize!” the announcer boomed even louder. “This time, we have something so extraordinary that it defies belief! Something you won’t find just anywhere!”
Embert thrust the sword in his left hand skywards.
“The blade in Prince Embert’s hand is a holy sword!” the announcer continued booming. “Furthermore, it has the divine protection of a holy woman!”
Silence fell over the stadium. Embert unsheathed the sword, revealing its platinum blade. Light so blinding that I couldn’t look at it directly overflowed from the sword. Gradually, the light faded, and the blade returned to its former platinum. Although the crowd had been dazzled until this point, everyone’s excitement now reached its zenith. Cheers erupted from the audience like an explosion.
Custode, who’d been dozing in my lap this whole time, finally stirred. “Ha! He’s actually using that sword as the grand prize.”
“Now then!” the announcer boomed. “Who will be the one to claim this magnificent holy sword?! At long last, we begin the finals of this year’s tournament!”
As the entire stadium pulsed with excitement, the finals began. The matches were one-on-one and single-elimination.
At some point, Rosario had acquired a pamphlet with the list of matches. “How curious,” he said while unfolding it. “Lord Janus isn’t competing.”
“Really?” I asked, peering at the pamphlet over his shoulder. Sure enough, I couldn’t spot my brother’s name anywhere.
“Lord Janus isn’t competing because, ultimately, he’s here as Prince Embert’s personal retainer,” Julietta explained. “He didn’t compete three years ago either. Prince Embert put on an incredible performance back then. He ended every match with a single strike.”
Though Rosario looked disappointed, Lauris wore a smug expression. Honestly, I felt disappointed as well. Still, Janus had acted as Embert’s retainer and guard during their study abroad trip. He probably hadn’t done anything to show off in a public setting.
After leaving the arena, Embert joined Janus in another box.
“Okay, I understand that Em won the last tournament,” I said. “But he’s not participating in this one, right? He’s sitting over there, after all.”
Julietta shook her head. “Prince Embert will make another appearance later. Heh, just wait and see.”
Her adorable smile rendered me speechless.
In any case, the tournament progressed smoothly, and before long, we reached the quarterfinals. I didn’t sense anything out of the ordinary yet.
“That’s a pretty significant height difference,” I noted.
During each match, we analyzed the contestants, predicted who might win, and discussed what we would have done differently. Overall, I was having a blast.
Lauris laughed with a mix of derision and exasperation. “There doesn’t seem to be anyone stronger than you, Ally.”
Rosario looked down at his pamphlet to check the names of the combatants. “As of yet, there hasn’t been anyone stronger than Oreste either.”
However, Oreste’s expression turned serious when the next set of contestants entered. While one man had a large build, the other was so slender as to appear delicate.