Chapter 19

It had been a few days since that commotion, and we had come to Shuting's arena. It was a circular building without a ceiling, much like a stone-built Colosseum, capable of accommodating around twenty thousand people.

The match was to be held here with an audience. The competition between adventurers using monsters was one of the city's entertainments, and the Adventurers' Guild had enthusiastically arranged this event for us.

The monsters we would use were said to be tamed by monster trainers, so we were told there was no risk of us dying. Considering the rank difference between us and Dius, the match would be with a C-rank monster.

"You came without running away. Ha, I'll give you credit for that."

"Thank you very much."

There were already spectators, and the arena was noisy. The number of people in the stands exceeded my imagination. Were there tens of thousands? This is scary.

When we reached the waiting room for the participants, which had a view of the central square, the handsome guy was there. And as soon as we met, he started making snide remarks. Does he even know how to talk without being snide?

"Well, try not to embarrass yourself. I'll teach you the overwhelming difference between B-rank and E-rank."

"I'll definitely take it as a reference for the future."

He smirked, his mouth curling up, which made me extremely angry. I wanted to punch him.

Behind him were a man in armor with a large shield, a woman with a bow, and a woman in a robe-like outfit with a staff. The armored person was probably a man, judging by his build.

"Estel, if you want to join our party after this, just say so. Even that knight over there would be fine."

He called out to the two people next to me in a familiar and friendly manner. Not only was he trying to recruit Estel, but he was also trying to recruit Noll.

"Huh, I'll pass."

"I'll pass as well."

"Haha, you're still as strong-willed as ever. Well, I hope you keep that spirit even after the match."

He pulled a face, still smiling, and Dius left with a wave of his hand, heading back to his party. I thought, "Serves you right."

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting! The match between adventurer Dius and adventurer Oogura Heihachi is about to begin. I will be your commentator, Alte, the deputy head of the Shuting branch of the Adventurers' Guild!"

As soon as the conversation with him ended, a woman's loud voice echoed throughout the arena. What is this? It's impossible to speak that loudly normally. She must be using magic or something.

"Okay, for this match, we will be using a C-rank Ogre. It has been secured by Lissa, an A-rank monster trainer. So, please rest assured, audience members."

The crowd murmured at the mention of the Ogre. It's impressive that an A-rank trainer can control an Ogre. I had heard it would be a C-rank monster, but an Ogre. Cyclops are C-rank, so we should be able to handle it.

"Now, let me explain the rules. The time limit is until these five candles burn out. When the five candles are completely burned, the match will end. The remaining candles will be used to determine the winner when the Ogre is defeated."

Looking in the direction she pointed, I saw slightly larger candles. They would be lit to measure the time.

"Only recovery items can be used. The match ends when a party is wiped out or declares a retreat. The winner will receive 1 million G from the loser! These are the rules of the match."

It seems that there are also attack and support items in this world, but only recovery items can be used this time. No smoke bombs or magic dynamite, it seems.

"Now, let's welcome the Dius party!"

When the handsome guy's entry was announced, the audience erupted in cheers. The cheers were so loud that it felt like the ground was shaking. There were a lot of high-pitched female voices, so he must have a lot of female fans. Ugh, that's why I hate handsome guys.

"Quite popular, aren't they?"

"Yeah, really. That guy is so popular."

"Well, he does have a good face. But this pressure is intense."

They are probably a popular party in the capital, as the cheers suggest. People of all ages were cheering for them like mad.

And what about us? We are unknowns from Brunne, and an E and F-rank party. I'm scared to imagine the audience's reaction when we enter after their match.

"Indeed, the Dius party is popular. They have a balanced party with a warrior, a shield bearer, an archer, and a priest. If a mage were added, the quality of the party would improve significantly. There seems to have been some conflict regarding this mage for this match."

The audience's attention suddenly focused on us. This is the pressure? I've never been so much in the spotlight before. I'm breaking out in a cold sweat.

The two people next to me were calm. I can't tell with Noll's helm, but I think he is too. Do they not feel anything, this overwhelming pressure? My stomach is hurting.

"By contrast, the Oogura Heihachi party consists of two warriors and a mage. It gives the impression of a more specialized party, focusing on firepower without much defense. They are still E-rank and new, but we look forward to seeing the skills of the newcomers from Brunne."

As she said, we are indeed unbalanced. We are completely focused on firepower.

When she mentioned that we were from Brunne, the audience fell silent. Some even started laughing. They probably think we are fools for coming to the capital as E-ranks and challenging a B-rank party.

Then, in the silent arena, something started walking with a loud thud. It held a large club and was chained at its limbs and neck. It was a bit smaller than a Cyclops but still over 3 meters tall.

The person leading it was probably Lissa. She wore a hood, so her face was hidden, but her build suggested she was a woman. She wore shorts and a hooded shoulder wrap, which did look like a trainer's outfit. I wanted to see her stats, but the camera didn't react from this distance.

"Everything seems to be ready, so let's start the match. Dius, are you ready? Then, let's begin!"

As the person leading the Ogre left the field, a bell rang, signaling the start. The Ogre ran towards Dius and his party. The shield bearer in armor stepped forward to intercept it. The club was raised and struck his shield with great force.

However, he did not fly back and remained in place, blocking the club. Dius then leaped out from behind him and slashed the Ogre, which had stopped moving after receiving the attack. The archer in the back fired an arrow.

Meanwhile, the shield bearer was enveloped in light, which was absorbed into his body. It seemed the priest was casting a healing spell on him.

"The shield bearer blocks, the priest heals, and the archer and warrior attack. A solid flow in party combat."

The audience cheered again at the first exchange. This is party combat. B-rank parties really do move smoothly. They are much better than the guards we met on the carriage.

Noll can be a good shield bearer, but we need a shield bearer or a priest. If Estel is caught off guard when we are not in the front, it could be dangerous.

"Oh! Here it comes! Dius's signature Sonic Blade!"

The Ogre, which had taken damage, tried to retreat, but Dius, sensing this, swung his sword at it. I thought he was too far away, but blood soon spurted from the Ogre's leg. He must have used a ranged attack skill.

This exchange continued for a while.

"Hmm, this is taking quite a while."

"I'm getting bored just watching."

"The movements are good, but the attack power is lacking. Hahaha, attack power is justice!"

Estel, who was next to me, leaned on me, looking sleepy. Noll, on the other hand, was moving his hands up and down, as if his body was itching for action. Even compared to that guy, I feel a bit sorry for him.

It had been about five minutes, but the Ogre was still standing. The party was steadily reducing the Ogre's HP with their standard attacks.

Dius, who was supposed to have a warrior's pride, was not intentionally taking hits to shorten the time. He must not know about it, but he seems to be able to see some stats or something, as he knows about Sonic Blade.

●

"The Dius party has defeated the Ogre! Two and a half candles remain! This speed is truly worthy of a B-rank party!"

The Ogre fell with a thud and turned into light, dropping items. The audience cheered, and the commentator was also excited, speaking a bit faster.

Each candle takes about ten minutes to burn out, so Dius and his party defeated the Ogre in about 25 minutes. Is this considered fast?

"Finally, it's over."

"Phew, it's over."

"Finally, it's our turn. The blood of a knight is boiling!"

"Don't overdo it. Absolutely do not use your skills."

Estel stretched her arms and yawned, covering her mouth. Was she sleeping?

Noll, on the other hand, was moving his hands up and down even more, saying he was about to explode. This guy needs to be taken care of soon.

Considering Dius's stats, the Ogre's stats shouldn't be that high. She doesn't need to use her skills.

I don't want to see that hell again.

"Haha, how about that? This is the power of a B-rank. Can you defeat the Ogre as quickly as we did? I doubt you can even defeat it, but if you are stronger than us, there's no need to worry. Well, do your best, hahaha."

The Dius party returned after the defeat. His face was full of satisfaction, and he even made a snide remark. Alright, I get it. I'll turn your smug face into one of despair.