Chapter 71

□ Central Grand Arena VIP Box

Earl Ashbarley Gideon

"What a splendid match it was!"

"Oh, Shunba lost. But it was a great match!"

The match between Mr. Figaro and Mr. Shunba... the <Super-Class Clash> has concluded.

Her Highness Elizabette and the Imperial Ambassador of Lan Mei Hai, who were watching, are sending heartfelt praise to the two who put on such a wonderful show.

I agree wholeheartedly.

"It will be a good story to tell the prince. Ah, can I have the footage from the magic camera you recorded later?"

"Of course. Ambassador Lan."

I also agree.

This match is truly remarkable.

I want to share it with others, and I want to watch it over and over again.

It's a competition between the peaks of what they have built up.

There is nothing but emotion left.

I have been watching matches since I was a child, as the next lord of this dueling city.

Among all of them, this match is the best.

The level of the matches has been steadily rising with the increase in <Masters> over the past four and a half years.

However, even compared to the elevated level of the matches, this one stands out.

As a lord, but more importantly as a spectator, I am fortunate to have witnessed this match tonight.

Ah, but there is still one more task ahead.

I will praise both fighters, and Her Highness will speak words to comfort the two and the people, to support the heart of this country, which is on the verge of breaking.

"Your Highness, it's time to prepare."

"Hmm. Lilianna is a pity."

"I heard that she received a message from the capital just now..."

She was here as part of her duties as a knight, but it is truly unfortunate that she had to leave the match early.

"Oh?"

"What is it, Your Highness?"

"The situation on the field..."

Hearing Her Highness's words, I looked down at the battlefield.

◇◆

□■ Central Grand Arena Audience Seats

The moment Figaro won, the arena was enveloped in a roar of cheers.

"What a good match..."

A young spectator, standing alone, simply expressed his honest thoughts about the match that had just ended.

Around him, other spectators stood up, applauding and cheering for Figaro's victory... no, for the magnificent match itself.

He followed suit, standing up and clapping.

"Yeah, it really was a good match."

"Hey! I've been watching duels in this arena for a long time, but this is the first time I've seen such an amazing duel!"

The middle-aged spectator next to him, moved to the core, spoke to him.

"Is that so?"

"Sure is! The best match so far was the one between the former champion Tom Cat and Figaro, but this duel surpasses even that!"

"Ah, then I was lucky. It was worth crossing the desert to come here."

He nodded in agreement.

The middle-aged spectator noticed his attire—turban and loose clothing that covered his skin—was typical of someone from the Cardina region.

"Did you come all the way from Cardina, young man?"

"Yes."

"Was it tough?"

"Yes, but it was worth it. I have a great story to tell my friends back in Cardina."

He smiled contentedly.

However, he then tilted his head in confusion.

"Huh?"

In the cheering arena, more and more people began to show similar confusion.

"What's wrong, young man?"

"Well, Mr. Figaro..."

He told the spectator next to him about the question that had come to his mind.

This wave of questions gradually spread throughout the Central Grand Arena.

◇◆

□■ Central Grand Arena Audience Seats

A Spectator with a Small Animal on His Lap

"A farce."

I am irritated by the surrounding spectators who are rejoicing over such a match.

A clash between <Super-Class> and <Super-Class>.

It would be a lie to say I didn't have high expectations.

But when the match began... both were unbearable to watch.

I can't help but wonder if they are really <Super-Class>.

Both of them, tricks upon tricks, gimmicks upon gimmicks.

Petty.

Nothing worth watching except the final exchange.

Is this all they can do with hearts and limbs as their motifs?

You, who are no better than me...

‘Know your role, and Shut your Mouth’

Suddenly, the words were spoken by "her" sitting on my lap.

I understand the meaning.

"Yes, you're right. I was being a bit crude in my thoughts. I will restrain myself."

It was truly dangerous.

I almost exposed my true nature here.

‘k’

I stroked the back of "her," who resembles a hedgehog, to express my apology.

Then, I observed the stage,

"Yes, it's starting. Since the first princess, whom he wishes to see, is not here, it doesn't concern us."

‘spec’

"Yes, let's continue watching."

The "entertainment" that is about to begin.

◇◆

□ 【Holy Knight】Ray Sterling

He has stopped.

In the battle field where the match has concluded, Figaro is completely still.

He is in the position of having raised his sword to deliver the final blow to Shunba, not moving an inch.

And Shunba, even though the match has ended, shows no sign of reviving.

"What's going on? Hey, brother...!"

I tried to call out to my brother, but I stopped myself.

It was because of the aura I sensed from him.

His costume is the same as always.

But I can tell.

The brother inside is not at all like his usual self... he is terribly in a bad mood.

It seems others can sense it too; Nemesis, Luke, Babi, and Marie are all intimidated.

Of course.

Even I find my brother... a bit scary right now.

"...Brother, what's wrong?"

I asked, thinking it was my duty to do so.

The oppressive aura lessened.

‘Hmm. It seems someone did something unnecessary.’

"Something unnecessary?"

‘Yes. Figaro stopped because the time inside the barrier has been halted.’

"Time, halted?"

‘It's one of the functions built into the barrier here, but it's not usually used. There's no need for it.’

Brother continued, "Only when the monsters in the show go wildly out of control."

‘The time slowdown used during the match earlier was the limit, but stopping time is different. It's like slow motion and a pause.’

"What about Figaro inside?"

If time has stopped, what about his consciousness?

‘I've never stopped it before, but I think he is conscious. Tians and monsters would have their consciousness halted, but as part of the player protection function, <Masters> should not have their consciousness halted. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to log out in emergencies in the real world.’

That makes sense.

‘However, with the light and air vibrations stopped, he can't see or feel anything. I wonder what happened to Shunba, who has completely evaporated.’

...I don't want to imagine it, but the two on the field are in that state right now.

"Was this... pre-programmed to stop at the moment the match concluded?"

‘Probably.’

Marie's words were met with a nod from my brother.

‘The problem is... who did this?’

Brother suddenly stopped speaking.

His gaze was fixed on a point on the top of the barrier surrounding the arena.

"There's... someone there."

A figure, no, a silhouette was there.

It's a costume.

I recognize it... it's an Adele Penguin costume.

‘Hello everyone! What a great match! It was so exciting!’

Feeling the attention of the entire arena, the penguin began to speak.

But I noticed something.

The voice coming from the penguin, who was gesturing on top of the barrier, was...

"...The announcer?"

It was the same voice that had been announcing in the arena earlier. It was different from yesterday's.

It sounded a bit inexperienced, as if he had infiltrated and taken over.

Though it didn't answer my inner question, when he touched and fiddled with his neck, the voice changed back to the one I heard yesterday.

‘Well! After such an exciting match, there were supposed to be boring speeches and lectures from the earl and princess!’

The penguin spun around on the barrier.

‘Let's forget about that and do something fun instead!’

Even through the penguin costume, it was clear.

The person inside the penguin was laughing.

It wasn't because I was familiar with him like my brother.

The voice was so filled with malice and ill intent that anyone could tell.

"What are you?!"

At that moment, a voice of inquiry came from the largest box in the VIP section.

I know who it is. It's Earl Ashbarley Gideon, whom I saw at the start of the event.

"What do you mean by tarnishing this event?!"

He seems furious.

It's understandable.

Such a magnificent match, such a great battle, an event that was supposed to be a success, is being mocked right now.

I have my own thoughts too.

‘Ha ha ha! I said I was going to do something fun!’

Saying this, the penguin laughed, holding his stomach... and reached for the back of his head.

‘But I didn't say who I am. Let me tell you!’

With that, the penguin shed its costume.

‘Here, this is my handsome face. Just kidding!’

The person inside the penguin was a slender man with the <Embryo> emblem on the back of his left hand.

Unlike the overly bizarre penguin costume, his current attire is unremarkable, wearing only glasses and a lab coat.

If anything, his face is good, but not particularly outstanding among the <Masters> who can customize their characters.

However, it seems that only a few, including me and Luke, think this way—most of the people in the arena were shocked by his face.

"You, you...!"

Earl Ashbarley Gideon, who seems to recognize him, is speechless with shock.

‘Oh, it seems many of you know my name!’

He put his right hand up as if to shield his eyes, looking around the arena.

It seemed he was enjoying the reaction of the audience when he revealed his face.

So many people knew his name.

"Name..."

I had met the person in the penguin costume.

Yesterday, he gave me a drug as a prank.

At that time, he called himself Dr. Flamingo, a playful name.

Indeed, it was a playful name.

His real name is not something like that.

His name is...

"Why are you here... Mr. Franklin!!"

‘Thank you very much!’

As Earl Gideon spoke, Dr. Flamingo—Mr. Franklin—smiled and fireworks went off from somewhere.

While the fireworks beautifully colored the night sky, the faces of the people in the arena were far from joyful. Not only Tians but also <Masters> had expressions of boiling anger.

It's understandable.

If this person is Mr. Franklin, no one could feel joyful.

Even as a rookie, I know what his name means in this country.

‘Hello! I am the one who made the king and others of this country into monster fodder! The <Super-Class> of the Dryf Empire! The cutting-edge of robot and monster creation! The Great Professor, Mr. Franklin!’

He is the kingdom's greatest enemy.

To be continued

The next update will be tomorrow at 21:00.