Fifty minutes had already passed since Megiddo and I began our game of clay work.
　The shape of the workbench seemed to be designed in such a way that neither I nor Megiddo could see what he was making, and neither of us could see what he was making.
　In the arena, there are several shows going on to keep the audience excited, perhaps to pass the time.

　My current piece of claywork...I chose "Dog" as my subject matter because it is based on a living creature.
　To be honest, if a novice tries to make something so elaborate, it is obvious that he or she will fail. So I chose an easy subject matter and used the time to improve the quality.
　I think it was a good decision.

　And now, with 10 minutes left on the clock, I have only one thought in mind as I look at my work, which is nearing completion.
　........what?　This 'creepy creature'........
　 What on earth are they making?　No matter how you look at it objectively, it looks like an extraterrestrial.

　Yeah. Well, that's the thing........after all, three-dimensional is no good. I don't know what I was thinking when I made such a sad monster.
　I guess it was a bad idea to add clay one after another to adjust the shape?　At first it was about 20 centimeters, but now it's swollen to about 'five times' the size........and then I fail to add the extra stuff. Well, I feel like a typical amateur, but if I could figure it out while I'm making it, I wouldn't have a hard time with it.

　The result is........a creature that looks like a strange rock. Let me assure you. Unless all the judges are blind, there is no way this one will win.

''Now, we have five minutes left. It's the Phantom King who has finally returned. To be honest, there's still a scary person watching in the back, so I'll be doing some serious play-by-play. Now, commentator Fate-san, let's have your prediction for victory.''
''Hmm. It's rumored that the Warlord is also famous for his art, especially his sculptures. It's rumored that his sculptures are especially great, and I think he has an advantage in terms of experience.......Oh, and that scary guy behind him......what can you do about him?
"It's impossible. I'm already fully prepared to 'grind you up the next time you joke around,' so there's no other way but to take it seriously.

　Before we know it, Alice returns from Black's chastisement and tells us how much time we have left. Apparently Black is watching them behind her, which is very reassuring.
　 No matter what I do, I can only see the future getting worse no matter what I do. There's no chance of me winning this game after all, is there?

　While I was waiting with that in mind, I heard the sound of the bell announcing the end of production time.

''It's Shuryo~!　Thank you for your hard work. Now, let's get on with it and reveal your work in order!

　

Then let's start with Mr. Megiddo, the King of War!
Oh!

　Hearing the words of Alice, the actual and facilitator, Megiddo-san removed the board that was hiding his work. Then, what appeared from it........

''Oops!　This is great!　Glossy, jet-black scales, sharp fangs...''
"...a night metal dragon. Mmmm, it's amazing. It looks so real.

　
　No, this isn't good. 　Megiddo, you are seriously awesome. And I knew this was a no-win kind of thing.

'How about it, Kite!　I'm pretty confident in my work!
It's amazing...

　No, no, no, no, you can't win this one!　It's like a kindergartner's craft next to a piece of art made by a master craftsman!　I'm not going to publish my work after all....

'Well then, next up is the challenger, Kite!　Please publish your work!'
....

　I hate it so much. To expose such an abomination in the midst of all this attention.......but since it's already been declared, I can't not reveal it.
　With trembling hands, I fearfully remove the blindfolded board with my trembling hands to reveal the tragic, no, comedy creature.

'Huh?　No?　This is.....

　The puzzled real-life voice.............Kill me already.
　Feeling an unspeakable sense of shame, I fearfully turned my gaze to my opponent, Megiddo-san, who was staring at me with his eyes wide open.

　Is he astonished at how poorly he does it?　And right after thinking that, for some reason, Megiddo-san collapsed from her knees and put her hands on the ground.

''My............loss.''

　...What?　Why?

'Me, Master Megiddo!　Well, the jury is still out...

　For some reason, Megiddo declared defeat, and a few demons who seemed to be judges came running to him. Yes, you have a valid point. Or rather, I don't know what's going on either.

"Idiot!　Look at the work of Kite!
"...what?　Oh, no way!
"....a rough outer shell as rough as a rock, a distinctive 'long neck'...
Well, I'm sure!　That thing is right!
"'Gunlock Dragon!

　...No, no it's not.......it's a dog.

'What a quality!　Even the neck stretched out like a roar to the heavens is powerful!

　........no, that's the tail.

Even the distinctive 'round tail' is beautifully recreated!

　No, that's the head.........

'Shh, but aren't there a lot of 'useless parts' for a gunlock dragon?
You're an idiot!　I mean, look at it. It's not a body!　'Background'!
'Nah, I see.　That unnatural space is a recreation of 'The Gorge'!

　....a foot!　Megiddo, what are you talking about, you're a fool!　I mean, what the hell is this work in your eyes?

'And look at that!　Oh, those are 'wings'!
'B-ba-boo!　Aren't gunlock dragons supposed to have no wings?
...if it's "real.
" " "?

　No, no, no, it's not right. Why is Mr. Megiddo looking so smug?　Later on, the judges look like they didn't have that idea in mind!　If real dragons don't have wings we'll give them points for that, right?

"...this is a game of art. I mean, that thing ... his work is ...
'Yeah, I can see that. Why Master Megiddo was declared defeated.....clearly....
'The majestic canyons, the gunlock dragons with their powerful wings outstretched and staring at the heavens... that work...'
""It's a gunlock dragon that takes to the skies!"

　...You guys all have rotten eyes, don't you?　Because it's not even close!　Because none of them have even a near-pin!
　Wait, wait, wait, wait....this isn't right....some follow-up...

"Meh, even Megiddo's work looks just like the real thing!
"Huh, kite. No need for comfort. Yes, I did make a night metal dragon that looked exactly like the real thing. But that's just an imitation of the real thing... you're no match for the guy who came up with the crazy idea of 'surpassing the real thing'.
....

　What's the look on your face as if you're completely and gracefully admitting defeat!　No, no, no, no, what's the trend!

No, no, actually, it's not...
That's what I'm talking about, Kite. The thought you put into that piece of work it certainly touched my heart!　You gave a flightless gunlock dragon wings and made it fly into the sky... you put 'dreams and possibilities' into that piece of work... complete defeat.

　No, you can't hear my thoughts on any of this!　Huh?　What is this?　There's a round of applause, but is it a done deal?　Did I win in such an inexplicable way?

'Hmmm. "Hmmm... Art is a difficult thing to do. I thought you tried to make a dog out of it and failed, but...'

　Mr. Fate!　That's correct, because it's totally true!

There are several forms of expression in art. Like Megiddo, there are works that faithfully reproduce an object, but there are also works like Kite's that deliberately 'disfigure' the object to give it a broader interpretation and message.
"Wow, that's a lot to take in.
'Yes, such works are often complex, but Kite-san seems to have expressed power and grandeur by increasing the size. That's very impressive.
"Mmm-hmm.

　Hey, don't follow up on me. I'm starting to feel uncomfortable, but I can't say that I'm mistaken anymore because I'm not in a good mood....
　If I tell you the truth here, Megiddo, you'll be greatly embarrassed. After a good look of defeat, if it turns out to be a misunderstanding, your dignity will be severely damaged.

The first match is a brilliant victory for the challenger, Kite!　Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a big round of applause once again.

　

　Dear Mom, Dad--Art is sometimes difficult to understand and can give rise to interpretations that ordinary people can't even imagine. But, well, when it comes to this - it's not even close to going against the intent of the creator!