Chapter 94

"Hello! I will be serving as the host and commentator for this grand tournament, my name is Nell Plant. Come on! The much-anticipated Martial Arts Tournament for Advanced Explorers is finally about to begin!!"

The audience, hearing the woman's voice amplified by a magical amplification device, erupted in excitement, each expressing their own enthusiasm.

It's so noisy...

"Everyone's really hyped up."

"Yeah, it seems this tournament is getting more attention than the annual popular Magic Demonstration, which is held every year."

When I muttered what I was thinking, Sophie added to it.

I was currently sitting in the spectator stands prepared for the Silver Hare of the Night Sky.

The matches started with the tournament on the mountain where Will and Oliver are, and since my match is the last, I plan to watch with everyone at first.

"It's not guaranteed that the intense battles the audience expects will take place. In fact, the earlier martial arts tournament might be more exciting."

"Huh? Why? Because it's a battle between top-class explorers? Isn't it going to be amazing?"

Carol, who had doubts about my statement, asked a question.

"Try to put yourself in their shoes, and I think you'll understand. First, magic is prohibited this time, so there are no buffs. This makes them significantly weaker than when they fight in the dungeon, right?"

"Y-Yeah, that's true."

"Second, the opponents explorers usually face are monsters. While there are humanoid monsters, they almost never fight humans. Considering the rules of the martial arts tournament, who do you think has the advantage: explorers who usually fight monsters or soldiers who usually fight humans?"

"The soldiers, I guess."

"Exactly. In fact, the winner of the earlier martial arts tournament was a soldier."

"But all the participants in this tournament are advanced explorers. If they don't usually prepare for human battles, there shouldn't be any advantage or disadvantage, right?"

"That's true, but then there's no factor that makes this tournament more exciting than the earlier one. If at least the buffs from the party's enchanter were allowed, the kind of battles the audience expects might have been possible."

Well, from my perspective, it's a relief that the opponents are practically weakened.

"Oren, while your analysis is good, this is a festival, so I think you should just enjoy it."

Rein, who was sitting in front of me, gave me a reminder.

"...Yeah, I think you're right. I guess I was overthinking it because I felt like I was being put on display. Sorry for dampening the mood."

"No, that's not what I meant. But, Oren and Will are carrying the banner of the clan, so it's hard to just enjoy it. I'm the one who should apologize."

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's start with a greeting from Lord Fergus, the Marquis of Tsutail, who planned this grand tournament! Lord Fergus, please."

Hearing the host's words, the previously noisy audience became quiet.

"Every year, the martial arts tournament has been a big hit, but I'm sure everyone has wondered: how strong are the advanced explorers who now support the country's economy? I, too, have often daydreamed about how they fight after reading about their exploits in the newspaper. And today, we can finally witness the battles of advanced explorers! I am grateful to the sixteen explorers who have agreed to participate. There are also prizes for the winner. I hope you will do your best to win. Thank you."

The audience became even more excited after hearing Lord Fergus's words.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you, Lord Fergus. Let's get started! The first match of the first round is the leader and ace of the Hero Party, Oliver Cardiff, against Bartlam South of the A-rank party, Crimson Blaze!"

The two men, whose names were called by the host, appeared in the arena.

The audience became even more excited with their appearance.

If they keep this level of excitement from the start, everyone will be exhausted by the time my match begins. But, I don't mind. In fact, a quieter environment would help me focus.

"The A-rank explorer's weapon is a spear! I need to steal any good moves!"

Bartlam is one of the top spear users among explorers active in the Southern Great Labyrinth. He has been featured in the newspaper multiple times, and his party has reached the 83rd floor, I believe.

Log would normally have said that I should observe and learn from his movements.

But, I don't think there's anything to learn from this match.

"Both contestants seem ready. Let's begin the first match of the first round!"

Following the host's words, the sound of a drum echoed, and the battle began.

Oliver immediately charged straight ahead.

Naturally, Bartlam attacked from outside Oliver's range, but just before the attack hit, Oliver's movements became even faster.

We can see the whole picture from the spectator stands, but from Bartlam's perspective, Oliver must have seemed to suddenly disappear.

Oliver, who had moved to Bartlam's side, swung his longsword horizontally.

Bartlam barely reacted in time and blocked the slash with the shaft of his spear, but there was no way he could withstand Oliver's heavy attack in such an unstable position, and he lost his balance even further.

"Oliver's swift strike! Bartlam is forced to try to create distance. -- But he can't escape the range! Oliver is on the offensive, and Bartlam is on the defensive! This is looking tough for Bartlam, what will he do?"

Bartlam is desperately trying to create distance, but it's meaningless against Oliver, who is predicting and moving based on his opponent's movements.

Continuing to receive Oliver's heavy attacks, Bartlam finally had his spear knocked away, and in the next instant, Oliver's sword tip was in front of Bartlam's eyes.

"Here, Bartlam concedes, and the match is over! The Hero is indeed strong! He secured victory without letting his opponent do anything!!"

-- He's ridiculously strong!

-- Hey! Who said Oliver was weak?

-- Is this guy stronger than the one who won yesterday...?

-- Wow, I should have bet on Oliver...

These were the reactions of the audience who had watched Oliver's battle.

Recently, the Hero Party's reputation has been tarnished by the nobles, including the sponsors of the Silver Hare of the Night Sky, mainly through the newspaper.

For the people who had taken this at face value, today's battle must have been a shock.

"That spear user was even weaker than when I fought with you, Master..."

Log spoke about what he felt during the battle, but he must have thought it was inappropriate, so he trailed off at the end.

"Yeah, I think Log would have performed better against Oliver than Bartlam."

"Really?"

Log's eyes lit up with joy at my words.

"Yeah, Log is used to close combat from our mock battles. But, don't get the wrong idea. Log is only better at dealing with close combat. Bartlam's overall spear skills are still superior. There was nothing for Log to learn from this battle."

"I understand. I know there are many people stronger than me."

The matches continued, and the results were as I had predicted. Will also easily advanced to the next round.

◇

"I'm going to the waiting room now."

With all the matches on the other mountain finished, I stood up and informed the people around me.

"Oren, good luck!"

"Master, you must win!"

"Show everyone here that you're the best!"

I left the spectator stands, encouraged by everyone's cheers.

When I entered the waiting room, guided by a staff member, the other participants were already there.

There are only two waiting rooms, and the back of this room connects to the arena.

"Huh? Hey, it's a low-level explorer. You must be really embarrassed to show your incompetence here. I wouldn't have the nerve to do it!"

(What a pain. My mood is already down.)

"It's been a while, Derrick. Isn't that a bit harsh to say right after meeting?"

"What? I'm just telling the truth."

Consider the people around you.

...Actually, was this guy always this bad?

He used to be someone who acted on emotion, but he wasn't the type to cause a commotion in such a place.

I've felt a similar sense of unease recently -- oh, right, Pascal.

What Derrick and Pascal have in common is that the impression I remember of them and the impression I get when I see them in person are vastly different.

And, they are both related to the Hero Party.

Considering how Lord Fergus suddenly cut ties with the Flugheart Trading Company, what's going on with the Hero Party?

"Hey! Don't ignore me! You're really rude!"

While I was lost in thought, Derrick continued to confront me.

"Ah, sorry. So, why are you participating in the martial arts tournament? Because Lord Fergus told you to?"

"That old man? So, you're just a filler?"

"Maybe. I don't know."

I was getting tired of dealing with this guy, so I ended the conversation and sat down in a different spot.

After sitting down, I took out the book I received as a gift yesterday from my storage magic item and decided to read it to pass the time.

This book was published in the magic kingdom of Hithia and contains content about magic theory.

Most of it was familiar, but there were some new things.

Indeed, the most exciting time is when I encounter new knowledge.

(I see. Then, if I apply this theory... )

"Hey! What are you reading? Reading doesn't suit you!"

While I was engrossed in reading, another noisy person came over.

I noticed Derrick trying to touch the book carelessly at the edge of my vision, so I activated a [Reflective Barrier] between the book and his hand. His hand was repelled by the barrier.

"What the!? What are you doing!?"

"That's my line. This book is important to me, given to me by my disciples. Don't touch it so easily."

Can't this guy even wait quietly...?

"Disciples? You, a low-level explorer, have disciples? Ha ha ha! Anyone who would learn from a low-level explorer like you must have questionable character! They can't see well, and they're definitely not good!"

...Why do they have to be treated like this?

"---Shut up."

"What? Did you say something, low-level explorer?"

"I told you to shut your noisy mouth. If you insult them again, I'll make sure you can't talk back."

I said this with a killing intent.

Last time, this made him quiet, so I thought he would be silent this time.

---But,

"Hey! I'll say it as many times as I want! Your disciples are just trash who made the wrong choice!"

I punched Derrick in the face, who was so engrossed in talking that he let his guard down. I also activated a low-magnitude [Instant Ability Super Boost] at the moment of contact.

After pulling back my fist, Derrick fell to the ground.

Derrick, who had fallen, had a bewildered look on his face, as if he didn't understand what had happened.

I approached the fallen Derrick to check his condition.