Thank you for your participation in the Great Festival of Shitenji. I would like to give you an outline of the arrangements for the festival.

　As the host person from Shitenji began to explain, the participants listened to the content with tightened expressions on each of their faces.
　Yuto also looked forward and listened to the explanation. He had heard most of it, but that method of being selected as Mizuho's son-in-law would be explained on the day of the meeting, so Yuuto hadn't heard about the selection process either.

''As you all know, Shitenji wants to invite the stronger and more talented people to join us. Therefore, the selection of this Grand Festival of the House of Entry is simple. We will ask them to fight each other and show us their excellence.

　This is what we've heard so far beforehand. The other entrants are also listening quietly.

''However, we are pleased to announce that the number of participants is approximately 100. We are grateful for the very large number of people who have come, but since the period of the Great Festival is one week, we simply don't have enough time to spare for the tournament games. So for the first round, we will split into six or seven players in sixteen groups and conduct a battle royale format.

　The audience buzzed.
　Although it was something that even Yuto had imagined, he narrowed his eyes.
　In the case of a battle royale, depending on one's ability, there would be advantages and disadvantages, and there was also the possibility that there would be people who would try to fish each other out, making the battle difficult.


''So the sixteen people who have won their respective groups will hold a final tournament, and the final winner will be asked to face Master Shitendera Mizuho. And whoever is recognized for their power, one of them will be welcomed into Shitenji.

What?
We're going to end up facing Miss Mizuho as well?
This is Shitenji?

　When the explanation was over, the participants were surprised.

'Well then, we'll get right to it, but the lottery has already been held here. Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready?

....!
You're not going to...
You're starting now!

　A huge screen was lowered from the second floor of the mansion in front of them.
　The names of the grouped names were listed there.
　Yuto didn't expect it to start right away, so he was surprised to see his name displayed in group 16 when he checked the screen.

'You will be separated into these groups. We will be handing out badges with each group's number on them now, so I'm sorry, please come to the front to get them. The battle site is on the west side of the Shitenji family's grounds. We have divided that area into 16 battle zones. You'll be given a map with your badge, so please head to your battle site as soon as you receive your badge.

　On the west side of the Shitenji family's vast property, there was a lush forest and a well-maintained road, and it seemed that they intended to use that spot as the site for the battle royal.
　The participants were disconcerted by the poorly executed method, but Shitenji's explainer proceeded to talk about it matter-of-factly.

'The condition for this winner will be the one who takes more badges from others and brings them back. The time limit is seven o'clock today night. The person who has the most badges at that time will be the winner. If there is more than one person with the highest number of badges at the end of the race at 7:00 pm, everyone in that group will be disqualified. You will start when you receive your badge and enter your combat zone. Now, ladies and gentlemen, please come and collect your badges.

"..........

　When the explanation was over and there was a momentary silence as the participants understood the rules, they all rushed to receive their badges in unison.
　All of them tried to be the first to receive their badges and maps, and those who received them quickly disappeared from the scene.

(Ugh, geez.)

　This was Masato's impression after listening to the explanation.
　I can see why the participants are going to receive their badges and maps now.
　It is because it is definitely more advantageous to enter the battle area first.
　It's better to see the battlefield first, even if it's only for a short period of time, and depending on the type of ability you have, you can also choose to ambush them right now.
　Arriving at the designated battlefield first is a great advantage in itself.
　Yuto thought of the face of Zhu Yin, who would have decided on this rule, and sighed.

(Battle Royale.......the explanation is that it's to save time, but I guess that's not true. He also said something like the history of Shitenji is also the history of battle. (I guess that means they don't need people who are just strong in their abilities)

　Battle Royale is often dependent on luck in its victory or defeat.
　Also, since the battle is multifaceted, it's not just about being strong. When two people of equal strength are thrown into a battle, it is necessary to have quick thinking and a keen eye for strategy.
　This requires the same kind of strength as in a real battle.
　And even if you do win out, I say it will be a tournament between the winners of the group. We'll have to figure out if we can even leave some extra strength here.

(Not a bad idea, though. If they're thinking of doing something bad to Shitenji, this will leave them with a lot less room to spare. (If you're thinking that far ahead, you're an inedible person.)

　While thinking that, Masato lined up at the back of the line to receive his badge.
　Then, the people lined up at the back of the line beside him also came into view.

It's a good thing that everyone is so motivated, because when you enter a combat zone, you have to be careful of the surprise attack of those who entered before you!

....!

　Yuto's eyes met as he turned to the blonde haired boy who was smiling and shouting beside him.

'Hmph ... isn't that what everyone thinks?　You've noticed that too, haven't you?

　The boy is holding a long sword with its hilt wrapped around a chain from his waist.
　It was the boy that Yuto had seen earlier when he checked his surroundings.

''Ah ... no.''

'Haha, don't be so alarmed, I'm not your group. Well, I know what you're thinking. What do you call it, a tournament for both of us?　I hope to see you there.

　Yuto was puzzled by the strangely cheerful and tense tone of voice, but thinking about it, he was just a participant in this big festival, not an enemy.

''Yes, I'll try my best.''

'I'm Julian Knight. I'm close to your age and we'll talk later when you win.

This is Du Du Yuto. Yes, nice to meet you.

　Julian reached out his hand, and Yuto squeezed it back.
　They remained in line and received each other's badges.
　Then Julian raises his hand lightly to Yuto.

I'm sure there wasn't too many people in our group that could be noticed. Don't worry, then!

...What?

　Julian said and moved with his back to Masato.

''........''

　Yuto stares at the back of the boy who is holding a long sword from his waist.

(...Come to think of it, how did that Julian guy know that my group was different from his?)

　Yuto frowned and steeled himself while heading to his own venue.

(.........I was being priced out? Maybe I was assuming too much that they shouldn't be wary of me, rank-wise.)

　Yuto switched his mind to combat mode and pondered how to fight.



　In a room in the main residence of the Shitennji family, Akane was sitting in a room in the main residence of the Shitennji family, with the Shitennji head of the family, Yi Cheng, and the main protagonist of this event, Mizuho, as well as the two heads of the family, Omine and Kamizen.
　It was an impromptu organizer's venue built in a Japanese-style room that would be about thirty tatami mats in size. The Shitendera family and its branch families, Omine and Shinzen, were all gathered there, as were the chiefs of the Shitendera family and their branch families, Omine and Shinzen.

''Here we go, Akane-sama.''

Yes, let's watch the game then. Well the monitor is doing well.

　When Ming Liang reported to him, Zhu Yin responded in a good mood.
　All of the battle zones had small cameras installed in them so that they could check the status of each battle.

''Let's see... Yuto-kun's group was 16, right?''

Yes, sir.

Oh, I'm so excited. Here, gentlemen, come here, so that you can see it easily. How long are you going to be unfaithful?　You know how many potential son-in-laws of my daughter are here?

'.............. You're not ready for Mizuho and yet you.........

You are a good-for-nothing.

　As Zhu Yin sighed, the two heads of the Omine and Shinzen families came up to Zhu Yin's side.
　The head of the Omine family, Soun Omine, and the head of the Shinzen family, Zamanosuke Shinzen, exchanged glances with each other, and Soun stepped forward.

''Did you say that the boy that Master Zhu Yin recommended is Dou Dou Dou Yujin-kun?''

Yes, he's a prime candidate.

''But........from what I've heard, the rank is a D....... No matter how much we have met Lord Zhu Yin's expectations........ Our main purpose is to think and work for the sake of Shitenji. We cannot look at any particular person with favoritism.

Hmmm, I know. That's why you held the Grand Festival of the Inquirer, right?　You understand that you can't cheat at all now, don't you?

Yes I'm sure that's true, but...

And you know what, I'm not the only one who likes it. Hey, Mizuho.

'Hey!　Mother!　I never said a word about that.

'But you do admit it, don't you?　Yujin's abilities.

Yeah, that's...

　When Zuiho reluctantly admitted it, the eyes of Omine and the people in front of the gods widened at Zuiho's words and actions.
　Naturally, Omine and the people in front of the gods have known Ruiho since she was a child.
　They were well aware of his talent and ability, and hence, they were very careful in choosing a spouse for Ruiho.
　This is because Mizuho was a genius who was acknowledged as a genius even in Shitennji.
　Also, Mizuho's temperament also made her keenly aware of the difficulty of finding a partner who was worthy of Mizuho.
　Even if we put up a list of candidates, none of them would be able to match Mizuho's outstanding talent.
　This was something that had bothered Omine and the heavyweights in front of the gods, as many of the matchmaking arrangements they had prepared had failed.
　That Mizuho was.
　She made a statement that seemed to acknowledge the other party.
　The buzzing Omine and Shinzen family members looked at each other, but they regained their calm expressions.
　While touching his white beard, Sabanosuke looked at Mizuho and called out to Akane.

''Mizuho-sama is also at an age. There will be times when you will allow yourself to be distracted by someone who is inferior to you. But.........after all, with a rank D.......

"Old Man Left Horse...!　I'm not going to let you get away with it!　Just stronger than me when it comes to combat.

'What?　What did you say, Mizuho-sama.

'What?　That's why you're stronger than me...

'No way!　You can't do that... but Mizuho-sama, you can't tell a lie like that to this old man.　Just because you're a little bit in love with a guy doesn't mean anything if you lift him up.

Shit!　That's why I'm not in love with you, old man Sama!　And it's not like I'm lying...

'Here we go. Why don't you measure your competence with this? Watch group 16.

　When Zhu Yin said that, the people of Omine and Kanzaki also focused their gaze on the monitor with no small amount of skepticism and interest.