--Wangdue Commoners' Street. Housing complex.

　A symbol of the daily life of the people living in the capital, away from the tourist district with its hotels and inns.
　In each apartment building, there are dozens of rooms with numbers assigned to them, and people live in one of them by renting a room.

　It is a matter of course, but it is a matter of course for those who live in the capital.
　If, for example, a definite stranger were to use it as a hotel, there are not many reasons why one would not want to live in a hotel.

　There is no reason not to live in a hotel.

"......, bro. It's good that you're interested. Don't you remember what we do?

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them in the marketplace.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to do it.
I'm sure you'll agree. It's impossible to ask.
Are you bald?
I'm not bald!

　Look at my fluffy head!　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I don't know if "fluffy" is the right adjective.
　Her brown hair had fallen flat due to the fact that she always wore a hat. Her hair is also rather fine and not very coarse.

　If it were a girl, it would be beautifully straight if she let it grow. I touched my own hair, feeling slightly envious.

It's not that I forgot my work.
Really?　Since arriving in King's Landing, I've only been fondling that ...... Corona?　You've just been fondling that Corona?
Huh. I wondered what she was going to say. That innocent smile of hers. A beautiful heart that tries to push away the slightest shadow. She taught me that beauty is something that can be attained by the human body. ...... She taught me that beauty is something that can be attained by the human body!
...... What? I don't think so, brother.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　These three are, let's say, a band of thieves.
　They steal things and sell them for a living, and in the eyes of the world, they're bad guys - and if there's evidence, they'll be caught.

　"Somehow," he said, "they are not wanted here in the capital, and there is no sign that the guards are searching for them, but that's not the point.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

　That's why Henrietta thought it might be possible when she heard his words.

　"If she wants, of course.

"If she wants to, of course.
"You mean ......?
You'll have to do what she wants.

　That's the look on his face.
　I was so angry I wanted to punch him in the face, but I held back.

"Then what are you doing? Are you going to do something clever behind the scenes to separate us?
Are you stupid?
"......?　Isn't it our motto to do everything we can to get what we want?
............ That's why you're a meth head. You can't be a woman, so you're no good.
"All right, let's kill him.

　I'll cut it into sixteen equal pieces and make it Merton's dinner today.
　I'll cut it into sixteen equal pieces and make it Merton's dinner.

It's not beautiful if you do that.
"......
I'll do everything I can to get something beautiful. I'll do everything I can to get something beautiful, but if it gets dirty, it's worthless.
What a pain in the ass.
It's a pain in the ass when the goods you steal are human.

　A kick followed by a somersault to lightly loosen up the body. Then a fist bump and a slide step.
　The kata moves with aplomb.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

"Well, okay. If you want it, I'll do my best to get it.
"Oh. I'm counting on you. I didn't know it was a tag team match.
Yeah.
Yeah, well...

　Says D'Souza, turning up the corners of his mouth.

"How convenient.

　Smiling wryly, Henrietta and D'Rosa nod at each other.

I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that. I'm sure you'll be able to find the money you need.
You're right. In addition to work...



　I was just about to say that when...

　The front door opened, and a small, fat man came back.
　Wiping sweat from his brow, he came to them and said.

I think I've got the location.
"Well, good job.
You've got your job now.

　Oh, and... As if remembering, Merton continued.

"Lunch cost me 3,000 gourdes.
"Pay for it out of your own pocket.
"Don't take advantage of me, fatty.
"No.

　The other two were salty at his supreme lunch.












　--The arena spectacle.

　There's a bang, bang, bang.
　The fireworks that were shot out at the same time were apparently made by mass producing magic stones obtained from somewhere else.

　It was the second day of the Second Martial Arts Tournament.

　The turnout was less than yesterday, though that was to be expected.
　There was no opening ceremony, nor were there any special guests.

　All that came were a lot of people who came to enjoy the sword fighting itself.

"...... Well, it's just that we need to make sure it's fresh in their minds.
You don't seem to like it.
Of course you don't like it.

　-- "Pasta-chan!

　She had just given a light performance at the start of the show.
　Her face was not a healthy one.
　Her face was more sinister, with a miasma of irritation and shame.

"You mean, 'I might see Pasta-chan anytime I want'?
"That's a good line for you to take. "You're on the right track," he said. "Fun things can happen at any time, not just with Pasta-chan. The more people think that, the more stable the customer traffic will be.
"I see. That's really thoughtful.
Of course.

　She sniffed and walked on, looking surprisingly pleased with herself.
　The two of us headed for the commentary area of the arena, of course.
　The seats are located directly off the corridor for officials, and of course they are very close to the general audience.

　If anything, it is more correct to say that the commentator's seat is formed by a partition between the spectator's seats near the stairs.
　Therefore, the seats near the stairs were also the most expensive tickets.

Pasta-chan!
Cute!
Pasta-chan!

　As soon as she climbed the stairs and appeared in the commentary section, she was the center of attention.
　He waved smilingly and pulled Futa's hand, smiling with a big smile and saying, "Iko, big brother.

　Futa could no longer do anything but admire her, nodded and followed her.

　The second day of the qualifying round, and on a cobblestone field painted with light.

　He held out his hand to the grimoire on his seat, and lightly breathed in through his small mouth.

I'm not sure what to say.　The second day of the preliminary round is about to begin!

　As if in response to his shout, the spectacle echoed like the rumbling of the earth.
　The heat in the hall was not bad.
　There were no empty seats, but the venue looked a little less dense than yesterday's packed house.

　But this is to be expected.
　It was only natural that the heat would rise toward the finals.

"What we're going to do is give them a sense of satisfaction and send them home."
"Yeah, I know.

　We've discussed this beforehand.
　We can't increase the audience now.
　But there is a possibility that the audience will decrease now. Then the order to Futa and Pasta is to reduce that possibility.

Let's get started.
Nice to meet you.

　Without even looking at each other, they communicated with few words.

　And so the second episode begins.


"Come on, big brother!　What do you have to say about this second day? Nothing much has changed since yesterday.
No, it's not.
What?　Is that so?

　The princess, impressed by the skillful handling as always, is watching their movements from the officials' seats.

"Oh. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
"That said, brother... I don't know what to expect from it.

　This was the consensus of the audience.
　But not for those who were keenly aware, or who had been lucky enough to be in the vicinity of "the brother and sister" during the qualifying rounds.

Oh well.

　"Well," he says casually, "that's why I'm here.

"And that's why I'm here.
"Yeah!　That's my big brother!



　Aside from his adorable sister, Futa's eyes narrowed a little.

"And now for the players!

　It's the same as last time. A battle royal with 50 players.
　But what's different is that this is a tag team match.
　This is not a battle of 50 to 10, but a battle of 25 to 5.

　Pasta continues his commentary as he watches the 50 warriors trickle in.

"Either there will be five of us left, or there will be less than ten, including the teams that survived both tag teams. Either way, it's a done deal. They're all wrapped in different colored cloths to make it easier to see, but ...... you know what, bro?
"What's up?
I'm sure you're not the only one.
That's right. But that doesn't mean I don't have some ideas.
Yeah, that's right.

　I guess you could call it the downside of tag-team matches.
　The disadvantage of tag team matches is that it's hard for the audience to tell if the match is settled or not.

　That's why.

"But don't worry!　It's always displayed on the board!

　Yes.
　From now on, we will not only draw the cards on the cobblestone field.

　There will be a large screen in the Spectacula stands, easily visible to all.

　On this screen, the number of players remaining and their teams were displayed in real time.

And!　And what's more, we have General Mion as our referee this time as well!　It's already starting to look official!　This is the first time I've ever been to a game in which I've had a referee.　He's at ....... Hmmm... ......
"Well, advertising is important.

　Mion waved his hand on the cobblestones, fluttering.

　The warriors are unknown, so the most famous person on the field is the referee, a rare occurrence.

...... good?
"Yeah, anytime.

　While all eyes were on the referee, the Pomodoro siblings exchanged a few words.

　While Pasta was stalling for time, Huta's eyes had turned gold.
　And then he tells them.

"So, big brother!　Who are the players to watch in this game?
I think it's the Kuro Cat Thieves, ......, with their green cloths.
"Oh!　Why, why, why?
"That's...






"Oh. A player to watch. I thought it was just because I knew him before I even knew what he was capable of.
No, bro?
No, no, no. No, no, no. His eyes can see right through us.

　With a wave of his hand, he says.

"Well, if that's the case. I'm sure you're not the only one.
"That's not true, bro. ......

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results.
Oh.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.


"Let the match begin!


　At the referee's signal, D'Souza smiles.

Let's start our circus!

　Henrietta jumps out of the way.

　A moment later, D'oroza peeks his arm out from under his cloak...




　The next moment, all the teams except the Kuro Cat Thieves were knocked down.

　This was the first time since Izuna Sienzan that this had happened.