Chapter 71: Tournament Day 2 (Part 3)

[Next is...] - Malaise

[Yeah. It's him.] - Rose

[Hmm....] - Karen

[...] - Shade

[Do you think he'll lose?] - Veronica

[...Doubtful.] - Shade

[That's always a possibility but...] - Malaise

[Yeah I don't think so either. He'll win.] - Rose

The mood from less than an hour ago seemed far away with the wave of unease and discomfort that covered the room. Their cheery and pleasant conversation ruined by the announcement of a fatality followed by the upcoming match. The knowledge that someone had just died paired with the apprehension of that asshole Prince's match combined to create a icy cold mood in what had once been a party-like atmosphere. It was like despite the risk of death none of us had really thought something like that would happen and seeing it occur right now had forced us to face the possibility that we could die in this tournament.

The sour mood in the room was even more pronounced in myself, the knowledge that I had to fight the Prince was sobering and while I had been in many MANY life-threatening situations during the last 5 months none of those had been as important as what was coming. I honestly didn't know if I was up to the task personally. In my last life I'd only ever succeeded in one thing successfully and even that had been proven short-term as when I died my sister had ran away to god knows where. Karen just knew that she was no longer with my parents when she transmigrated but not exactly where she went. If she somehow knew that her Big Brother was alive on a different world back then... But no, that's a ridiculous thought. I knew she was a bit attached to me but the thought that she would somehow follow her to this world was patently ridiculous. Afterall Karen had needed a literal Deity to come here, what were the chances that she'd do it somehow by herself?

Shaking off those strange thoughts brought about by the abnormal mood Rose responded to the idea that the Prince would somehow lose before making it to her. I mean it was technically a possibility but somehow she knew that he'd face her in 2 days, it was like the world was somehow telling her that it would follow that track. It was at this point that a familiar Onee-san type maid spoke up despite generally letting her Young Miss, me, converse with the group without input.

[Young Miss is right, our intelligence indicates that the Prince will most likely win this bout. In fact our plan relies on it, it would be unfortunate if he were to lose before the appointed time. We do have a back-up plan in place in such an event however.] - Annabelle

[Huh? So couldn't I have just beat his face in during our dinner then?] - Rose

[You are correct, we did account for such outside situations.] - Annabelle

[Then why don't we just go an-!] - Karen

[However, our goal is not only to defeat the Prince. In fact such a goal is secondary to the true aim of this operation. Our enemies, the true reason that all of this must be timed perfectly, is to deal with the people backing up the Prince. The various Noble's, their forces as well as any criminal forces that have thrown in with the Prince. If we do not deal with them promptly they could deal significant damage and in the case of the Noble's they can just prop the Prince up as a scapegoat and clean their hands of the whole thing. To not leave loose threads for later this plan is being carried out on multiple fronts, many of which I myself am not even aware of.] - Annabelle

Seemingly embarrassed by her long-winded explanation on what exactly was going on with this plan Annabelle blushed slightly before tapering off, leaving our entire group speechless as we stared at the Lamia dressed in a maid outfit that nonchalantly spoke of tactical decisions as if it were a normal teatime conversation. The first to break out of this shock was an exuberant slime girl, her excitement blowing away the awkward atmosphere.

[....] - Everyone

[Holy shit! You're maid is like some badass ninja or something!] - Karen

[Yeah I've been wondering this for a while but who exactly are you?] - Malaise

[Honestly, me too. You've mentioned that you were an ex-Adventurer in the past in the same group as my Aunt but somehow I get the feeling that's not all it was. And the title that Aegis lady mentioned...] - Rose

[I am but a servant for the Young Miss and a long-time associate of your family. Nothing more.] - Annabelle

[Mu! Fine then, keep your secrets for now. I'll get them out of you eventually.] - Rose

<I hope not Young Miss, I truly hope not...] - Annabelle

Speaking under her breath the mutterings of my maid went unheard by everyone present as we once more focused on the upcoming fight, our mood much lighter from the distraction.

[And we have finally reached the last fight of the first round of the Tournament! Our last two contender's to battle in a bid for martial dominance! Will the beloved Prince of the People, Prince Julias de la Abelis win?!? Or will his challenger, the beautiful "Fire of Divinity" Ophilia, win?!? A pitched battle for the ages that will decide the frontrunner for the coming rounds! Now because of the way the Bracket is designed this fight will push the winner forward all the way to the Semi-Finals, giving the winner a massive advantage in the fight for the top! So without further ado let's introduce our next fighters!!!] - Judico

Judico was disgusted, as a person intimated connected with the background management of the Tournament he knew of the sheer amount of influence that had been used to allow the Prince the spot with the least amount of battles and contrary to the supposed randomness of these fights nearly all of the first 10 seeds had used their influence to change their position. Either through political or financial means, many of them leveraging favors and building alliances unseen. It made him sick.

Unfortunately however, he knew it was necessary for this Tournament to even exist. It wasn't like the nobility was funding this kind of thing out of a desire to entertain the populace. If it weren't for the opportunity to not only create a profit but to form political alliances this kind of thing would have long since been replaced by any number of less flashy and expensive events. His livelihood and that of the Tournament depended on shady dealings and political maneuvering so while he wished for this to be more fair it was very rare that anyone other than Nobility would make it to the end. The bracket was designed to eliminate anyone except for the chosen few, it was only the exceptionally powerful that ever upset that fact and it would hold true this time as well.

[Hailing from the Southern Human Country of Malteze our first combatant is a nun of their local God. Skilled in the prayers of her religion she earned the moniker of "Fire of Divinity" in the Preliminary event where she nearly turned most of the Arena into a bonfire. Give a rousing welcome to Ophilia!] - Judico

[Tch! What a crock'a shit! What's tha damn point inat sorta introduction?!? Buncha nonsense I tell ya. Les get ta tha fighten!] - Ophilia

Dark skinned with white hair Ophilia was the definition of an exotic beauty, her bountiful breasts quite large for her age of only 8. But those weren't the most surprising thing that she had going for her for, contrary to her delicate and feminine looks, the "nun" was actually quite violent and foul-mouthed. Now on first glance and only hearing of her religious background most people would automatically assume that she would have been a soft-spoken maiden that went out of her way to heal the sick and tend to the poor. In fact she actually did do that most of the time. But what they wouldn't guess right off the bat is the fact that her chosen God to follow was, in fact, a God of War. And not just that it was also a God with the Thermal Attribute associated with it. Leading to what were some of the most bloodthirsty, violent and crass mob of nun's ever spawned on the continent. Their sect terrified the locals and caused literal armies to flee in fear of them. Just one of the upper echelon was enough to deal with most threats and while they rarely gathered together when they did destruction followed. Although surprisingly only ever against corrupt and criminal organizations. The general populace had an entirely different experience with them.

None of this was known by anyone this far north however so the sight of what seemed like a demure and graceful lady at a distance made the crowd worry for her safety. Although they'd had the same worries when Rose had come onto the stage so most of them were disillusioned at this point. Despite this none of them were remotely close enough to hear her speak and confirm such a thing so her crass personality went completely under the radar regardless.

[Next up! You know him! You Love him! Beloved of the Kingdom! First in line for the throne and favorite of both Noble's and the People alike! Prince Julias de la Abelis!!!!] - Judico

[So yor that Namby Pamby Prince fella I keep earing aboot? Can ya handle a real woman? Think yar up ta it?] - Ophilia

[It is a... pleasure... to meet you Miss Ophilia. I'm... sure I'll manage.] - Prince Julias

[Oh rhelly?!? Tha's greet! I wos oping ta met a fine fella like yooself! Ell then, les get it ova with!] - Ophilia

[God of Fire hed ma call! Ya servant asks tha ya burn these heathens ta the earth! Body'o Beryl!] - Ophilia

The introductions out of the way and the crowd appeased Prince Julias turned towards the woman that was his opponent, a lewd whore of some Southern Cult. He had heard about the power of her flames during the Preliminaries but wasn't worried about her in any way. It wasn't like she would be able to actually get past his defenses afterall.

And a second later he was proven right as the woman suddenly burst into flames before charging him, only to be stopped in the air by a invisible barrier. Her attack ineffective at actually reaching him.

[Hah... Yet another barbarian that doesn't know their place, we should have conquered you long ago... Bow before the rightful ruler of this continent.] - Prince Julias

[Ya can go rite off an fook yerself! Bring et on ya coward!] - Ophilia

[Fine then, God of Light that watches the flock, extend your sight upon those that disrespect your name. Kneel!] - Prince Julias