--next morning. arena spectacula.

　The crowd was already packed. In the midst of the yelling and shouting, the cheering for those who had survived the qualifying rounds echoed.

　Is it the national character, or do they not have that kind of passion yet?

　It was hard for Fouta to tell, but as far as he could see from the commentator's seat behind him, there was not a single empty seat in sight.

　This could not be attributed to Futa and Pasta.
　It would be easy if the audience came back in one day.
　I'm sure that many coincidences and many measures have come together to keep the customers coming in.

　All we have to do is to do our best to make the visitors think "I had a good time" and "I want to come back", just like yesterday.


"...... phew.


　I exhaled.
　I'm sure it was well received yesterday. But that was just as a commentator.

　--Today, there's a game.

　My first fight not as champion Futa, but as Futa Pomodoro.

　I already know who I'm fighting.
　So will I be able to contribute to the spectacle?

　My relationship with the person I'm supposed to believe in remains unrepaired.
　But...

"I want my win to be his win. No, I want us to win.

　That feeling is real.
　I'm sure he won't believe me with words, so I'll have to show him with actions.

　I'll show it with my actions.
　It's something I've built up over and over since I came to King's Landing.

　I looked forward with a sigh.
　The battlefield was empty.
　But there were words floating above the field.

"Opening Ceremony of the Finals.

　The words "Opening Ceremony of the Finals" appeared on the field, clearly visible to all the spectators surrounding the field. Slowly, the letters continued to rotate around the center of the battlefield.

　That must have been the "magic" of the court mage.

　Futa still had no idea who Lilac had enlisted to help her, but...

　He wondered if he would ever meet her again.

"Oh, sorry I'm late, big brother.

　It was then. The red-haired girl suddenly appeared and took her seat with a fluid motion.

　He was a little surprised to see that she was already in theatrical mode.
　However, unlike the first day, there were probably people who were paying attention.
　Even if it's just a casual exchange of words in conversation, you don't want people to be able to detect your theatricality from your body language and facial expressions.

　Fortunately, Futa doesn't need to act that much, but if you overreact to her every move, her efforts will be ruined.

　Yes, if you calm down a little and look next to you...

　The scrolls she seemed to be carrying under her cloak, and the arcane devices she was checking, were being prepared quickly.
　I noticed her gaze and her blue eyes looked back at me.

What's wrong, big brother? Let's work hard today.

　Futa closed his eyes for a moment and nodded.

"Oh.

　Apparently. Today - or from today onwards, I guess. I'm not going to take off my mask at all in this place.
　Has he decided that it's better than letting the atmosphere around him be subtle? Or is he trying to keep a clear distance as a business partner?
　Either way, Futa's sensitivity to the strong barrier was probably not wrong.

Are you nervous already?　Weird brother.

　She had already removed Futa from her gaze as she continued her light-hearted conversation with her brother and sister. It was as if she was deliberately excluding him.

　--This is just a pretend friendship.
　--This is how close I am to you.

　Futa's eyes narrowed a little at the way he acted as if he was directly telling her that.
　It's true that my feelings won't be conveyed verbally and will be dismissed as nonsense.
　But if you decide to do it, if it becomes true later...
　We've always done the same thing.

Let's go get our winnings.
"What?

　The response was to ignore it.

　But apparently his emotions had been swayed.
　The corners of his mouth twisted in discomfort for a moment, but Futa didn't miss it.　

"Here, your princess is about to make her speech.

　For some reason, Futa felt a little relieved by the steepness in that statement.
　It seemed that he had not been completely shut out yet.

It's not just for me.

　So he said, and held out his hand to the grimoire.
　I'm all set.


It's a good day for everyone.

　A soft, benevolent smile is her way of instantly drawing the public's attention to herself.

　In the event you're not sure what to do, there are a few things you can do.

　Instead of the dress she wore at the opening ceremony of the tournament, she was dressed in the light armor she used to practice with Futa.
　Her appearance, with a conch on her waist, was noticed by the audience.



　She's got a game today, too.

　That's why the cheering accelerates. A single word of greeting, but too much.
　She responded to the crowd's enthusiasm, waved for a while, and then said with some annoyance.

"Well, it's time for me to tell you something.

　Instantly, the air burst softly. The heat from earlier was gone, replaced by a gaze at the lovely princess.
　Her tongue slipped easily into the void.

It's the first martial arts tournament of the arena spectacle. There have been many obstacles leading up to and during this tournament.

　She puts her hand on her chest.
　Futa suddenly realized that she was just ahead of him. In other words, just on the other side of the room. Conrad used to line up at that place where nobles, royal city councilors and investors were invited.
　Of course, he was nowhere to be seen.

　But inexplicably, the nobles were nodding deeply, as if agreeing with her words.

　So many obstacles. The first thing that came to Futa's mind was the serial killer.

The first thing that comes to mind for Futa is the serial killer from earlier, but now that the case has been solved, I can tell you about it. In fact, there have been some bad people in King's Landing recently that have shaken up the security of the city.

　The person who has heard about it explains it to the stranger next to him with a knowing look.
　The stranger looks around to find someone who knows.
　Bad people, disturbing the peace. If I heard that, I would be lying if I said I didn't care, since I'm still alive in King's Landing.

"Because of that, this tournament was almost canceled once. The decision was made two days before the start of the preliminary round. The decision was made two days before the start of the qualifying round. If it had been cancelled, it would have been very disappointing for those who traveled from far away. --I couldn't let that happen.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's had a bad experience.
　Pasta was seated on the floor with a look of fear about what happened yesterday.

　When weighing up the benefits, it was better to go along with the woman's plan once again.
　Poor Pasta. She's not going to let the sympathy vote slip away.

"So I did everything I could to catch the bad guy. As it turned out, a certain nobleman reported that he had caught him. I was relieved, and we were able to hold the preliminary round!

　The crowd erupted in laughter.

　--Oh, yes, indeed.
　His achievement was much publicized here at the finals.
　Just as he had hoped.

But... But ...... it was a trap that he had laid.

　In the quiet of the lake at night, a storyteller sits and spins a tale.
　Her words seeped through the crowd.

"It was yesterday. I'm sure it's fresh in your minds. --Yesterday, you may remember, Pasta Pomodoro, the guy who did the commentary, was targeted by the bad guys.

　Here comes the plural.
　What the hell is going on here, you ask, but they don't have an answer.
　I've never heard of yesterday.

The truth awaited us when we rushed to join Futa Pomodoro in his search for his sister.

　A beat to say that.
　The crowd goes silent.

"The bad guy... no, let's just say it. "The person wanted for murder wasn't actually caught. No, not only that, she was falsely accused.

But the nobleman who told me about the murderer's visit and the cancellation of the tournament not only told her that he had caught him, but he also originally intended to blame her for what he had done and punish her behind her back.

She could have hated King's Landing, or even the kingdom. She could have hated King's Landing, or even the kingdom, and found herself wanted for indiscriminate murder. She could have done anything in a fit of rage. But what I saw was her saving Pasta Pomodoro's life.

Her name is being withheld at her own request.

　At this point, everyone realizes that the story is happening behind the scenes in King's Landing.
　It's like a heroic tale.
　And rightfully so, the anger is directed at the 'nobles' who repeatedly did as they pleased.

"I understand your anger. I understand your anger. I think it's wrong for a nobleman to protect his country. But please. Please listen to me. What he did, Conrad A. Eastwood, is the responsibility of the royal family.

　The real name leaked out, muttering dejectedly.

But!　But your father!　I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.　"I'm sure you'll agree with me.

Please believe me. The Eastwoods, the family of Conrad's captors, have a long history in the kingdom. It's no wonder they tried to cover up the scandal that leaked out. But your father and the rest of the nobles didn't. They faced King's Landing with sincerity, and mercilessly broke the maniacal murderer, even if it was one of the stalwarts that had supported the country for so many years. This is my sincerity to you all.



　The fact that it was yesterday accelerates its persuasiveness.
　It was inevitable.

　"Somehow," the deranged Conrad reversed all his previous assertions and began to make a fuss about how everyone was a trap set by the princess.
　He was convinced that she was a scoundrel and that he was being framed.
　As he shouted this, more and more torture devices and corpses came out of his house.
　If she had testified properly, she wouldn't have been able to hang him so much yesterday, but she did.

　The king, who hates her more than anything else to see her awaken as a "wicked man", and the nobles who are sipping the sweet juice with the princess behind the scenes, all abandoned Conrad at once.
　In addition, the wealth and assets of the famous Eastwood family will also be suppressed, which is a very good thing.



"So, yes. "Thanks to you, we were able to hold the tournament without incident."



　Was this thanks to the royalty, nobility, and the audience?
　Or...

"In the future, many innocent people will be inconvenienced by a few bad people. There may be such a thing. But King's Landing will stand united against the threat. I am very sorry that we have made you feel uneasy because of our fault this time.

I would also like to offer my prayers to those who have lost their lives in this incident. I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words.


　Some of you may have known someone who died. Children have been kidnapped and killed many times in King's Landing.
　There are inevitably feelings of regret, anger, and the like.

　That's why I'm here.

　Lilac would never take this into account.
　A girl trifled with and slaughtered by a nobleman. I wonder if my childhood self could have stood up to that.

　The answer is no.
　And that's why. Lilac M. Fangini will show Eastwood no mercy whatsoever.

"May the six flowers of mourning bring gospel to the underworld.　　

　After finishing the Kingdom Prayer, Lilac exhaled once.

Thank you for your patience. --Now, let's move on to the finals!

　The princess' voice was uncharacteristic.
　It's not going to be a quick transition, but when the most senior person in the room says it, the atmosphere naturally relaxes.

　There's no need to get excited right away.
　Gradually fill this spectacle with heat.

Let me explain the rules. The finals will be a 1-on-1 tournament. The match-ups are drawn in advance, but the first round is always a clash between the qualifiers and the favourites.

　Hearing the name "qualifiers," the audience was reminded of their heroic figures.

In other words, I also have a match today.

　The princess smiled and said something, and the audience began to shout as if remembering.

You can wait until the game to introduce the special guests. I'm sure Pasta Pomodoro will be in fine form today.

　Pasta, realizing he's been noticed, smiles vaguely and waves back.
　Yesterday was scary, but I'll do my best to fulfill my duties.
　The gloomy atmosphere of the spectacle was completely erased by the cheerfulness of the smiling nine-year-old (fake).

"Come on!

　One voice.
　The echoing voice drew my attention to the field once more.
　With Lilac's fist raised in the air, all the devices on the exterior of the spectacle were activated. An explosion of light and sound engulfed the hall.

"The main round of the tournament has begun!

　The sound was matched by a loud cheer that echoed throughout the capital.












　Lilac left the field at almost the same time.
　At the same time Lilac left the field, a bright and lovely sound filled the spectacle.

'Come on, come on, big brother!　The finals are about to begin!
"Right.
I don't like it when you're so excited!　Are you tired by any chance?　Are you okay?
No, I'm not.
I see. You ran around looking for me yesterday, didn't you? I'm sorry.
"Is that really necessary right now?

　The girl who is still acting healthy after yesterday's accident, and the brother who is still being curt even though he tried his best for his sister.

　As I expected, the crowd was on their side.

　In the midst of the cheering and shouting, Pasta shouted out.

"Well, well, well!　Brother, we already have the cards in our hands!　The first game is about to start!　Exactly!

　The sister raises her voice.
　At the start of the first match and the word "battle card", the atmosphere in Spectacula became excited for the sword fight.

　Watching the heat and adjusting it to the maximum just before the match, Pasta chose her words and hit them.

"Which match is the highlight of the day?　No, I'm sure they're all great, but tell me what you think is your favorite!

　The commentator's recommendation.
　Although his recommendations were not necessarily the best, and moreover, my trust in his words and actions had not been built up in just one day.



　As early as now, among those who are experts or have confidence in sword fighting or fighting, the stock of the commentary brother has already risen.
　In fact, there are many who listen to his words, especially the old men who were so excited in the store yesterday.

The highlight of the competition? I can assure you of that.

　This is what he said.
　The spectacle was suddenly buzzing.

"Well, which one?


　Pasta wasn't the only one who wanted to ask her like a little child.
　That's why her role was necessary.


"It's about to begin, the first game.

　She tells him below.

　When the game card was projected on the field by magic, even Pasta, who knew what was going on, muttered "wow" once again.







　The first martial arts tournament to commemorate the construction of the arena Spectacula, hosted by Eisenhart in the capital.

　--First round, first match.


　Aylan B. Smiles vs Prim Lancaster