We arrived in the arena soon after, just as the Gosha girl said she would.
She definitely had tits, as I confirmed when she smiled with a stained cheek and bowed her head lightly as she got off.
I knew that much as soon as I saw them enough to drum them up with confidence.

''Haha.......great........''

In front of you is a huge entrance where more than 10 people can enter at the same time.
And then there is a huge structure that flattens out into a circle.
It looks like a reproduction of the Colosseum in Italy a few centuries later, I guess.
I've never seen the real thing, so I can't say for sure, but I think it's probably something like that.

'It's big...'
Well.....
Lord, there's a line of stalls outside!
We'll have to meet up with Hayato and the others first.
Yes, sir.

Let's see, Hayato said that once you're inside, there's a separate path for the general public and the nobility.
So he said he'd be waiting for us at the entrance on the aristocratic side.

Shall we go inside for now?
'Yes. It's a lot of people by the way....
Yeah. I guess this is the kind of event you look forward to, huh?
It's a valuable pastime for ordinary people!　I'm up for festivals and big events too!

Indeed, Renge is right, the elation seems to rise in my mind.
Ukiuki?　Exciting?　I feel like my legs are mindlessly faster than usual, even though I'm trying to suppress my deviation.
But that's not the case with the crowd, though.

''The corridor for noblemen will be this way!

The large entrance is divided into left and right sides in the center, the path on the right, which is more crowded, is the entrance for the general public, and the path on the left, which is less crowded, is the path for the nobility, and there seems to be a knight guiding them to the center.

This is probably a consideration for not letting the aristocrats get lost in that crowd of people along with the general public.
And when you walk down such an empty road, you will naturally be looked at by the general public.

''Don't let your gaze pierce me... or rather, I have the feeling that I'm being strangely watched...''
'Of course. We're all slaves to our lord here.

Come to think of it, they have a slave crest on them and a collar on them too....
Then inevitably, after seeing those girls, they'll look at me........

And I'm sure there are people who know us, too. I'm still a well-known adventurer, after all.
'Hmm, that's part of it, but Wendy's demon tits are bad. Men really do like fat, and that bothers me.
What does demon tits mean...?

And besides, I'm telling you, fat is not like what's on your belly and your chest.
As if!　No!

"Demonic tits to tempt men.
'Oh, my tits will only confuse your master, won't they?　It's for the master's use only.
Mmm. It's just too much.
'Yes, of course. Yes, of course, I don't need other men's attention or appreciation. If you like your master, that's more than enough to satisfy me.
'Of course I like it, but I don't like the idea of another man looking at me rudely.
Then how about this?

Then Wendy hugs my arm as she does so.
She may think she's hiding those large breasts, but to a man, the breasts that change shape as they are pressed against my arms will only be an attraction.
Even more so, I can clearly see the pressure of her gaze growing stronger.

'Look, Aina. The other side of the room is free, so this is your chance. We've made an agreement, so I'll cover you.''
'Yeah but we're in the public eye...'
'Too late. When you're not aware of the fact that that one moment of hesitation can make all the difference between winning and losing, it's only short for your opponent.
That's right, Aina. I can't let you beat me!

Saying that much sends a shock to the other side.
If I had to guess, White or Sorte would have charged at me.

''Oh, White. I'm not going to give up this place just because we've formed a coalition, okay?
Don't worry about it. White's going this way.

With that, White climbs up from his back side and sits on the back of my neck with his legs out of my shoulders.

'Merging with the Lord,'
White!　It's rude to ride on your master in public!
Lord, no?
It's fine. Just don't freak out.
'Master, you mustn't spoil him too much!
I'm just jealous because Wendy will never be able to ride.
No, it's not that. And besides, I'm already...
Wendy, stop.

No more than that.
I take a good look around, and I see a hint of killing intent, blood tears, and gnashing of teeth.
I can't look anywhere but forward anymore!

"Ugh, I'm going to be treated like a punching bag again if this continues......... I think Sorte is the right person for this kind of thing, but........
It's all right. Renge, the world is a fast paced world.
It's all about the hug.
I think I'm going to go under.
'Uhhhh!　You're stuck in all directions!

That being said.........
And if you cling to me from the front, it's really strange.......
Oh, hey, don't hold on to your neck!
Don't tangle your legs around my waist!
It's hard to walk....

''Ah, Itsuki-san!　Over here........it's going to be great again.......

I'd like to ask if you're referring to my current situation, or if you're referring to the way people in the general line are looking at me, or both, but yeah. I don't need to ask, I just know.


Hmm..... Can I have White?
Dame. Why did you think White was the only good...
'I thought I could be forgiven for being childish...'

I don't understand, but not this time........
You don't even know what kind of opponent will come around when you're near Hayato.

''Haha........well, let's head over then.　Everyone else is getting ready at their seats first.
Ready?　Aren't you going to just sit down and try it?
'The general seats are, but the aristocratic seats are also a little more special and ... well, you'll know it when you get there.
Well, I guess I'll be going then.

This is how we headed to the seats Hayato had prepared for us, with the eyes of the general public filled with various meanings.


And when we arrived, what was waiting for us was a surprising sight.

''Oh, like this?''
Yes, well it seems this is the result of a nobleman's request, or rather selfishness.

The first thing that surprised me about the seats was that the chairs were familiar sofas.
There were two sets of them, with a small circular desk in between.
There was a carpet laid down and one space was quite large.

Moreover, the compartment is all organized, and although this is the front, it seems to be divided in the same way everywhere when looking up at the back.

Please use this section for the older men. Also, if you bought something from the stall, you can watch the games while eating here.
'I see......... It's kind of like being at home watching TV....
We were told that a nobleman didn't want to sit on the ground, so we asked him to prepare a sofa and asked for convenience, which he did, so he could bring it with him.
So I guess that means this is Hayato's couch.
'Yes. It was easier for us because we have a magic bag, but...

When I looked behind me, followed by Hayato who turned around, I saw several men carrying a sofa.
Beside them, a man who seems to be a nobleman is waiting, and the people around him are hurriedly laying out carpets and bringing in desks and seemingly rushing to get things done.
If you look at the collars on the necks of the busy people and the backs of their hands, there are slave crests on them, so they must be slaves of that nobleman.

''You're a nobleman and you don't have a magic bag?''
'I suppose they have a magic bag, but they don't have a magic bag that can fit a couch of that size...'

Oh, I see.
I see.
The bag of magic was important, after all.
It was good that I had acquired spatial magic.

''Now then, what should we do then.......is there still time before it starts?
'Yes. We haven't even completed general admission yet, and I'm sure there's plenty of time for that.
'So why don't we go chill out at a food truck?
Oh, in that case, we'll get it ourselves.
Yeah. We'll do that much for you.
Really?　So can you get me something to pick up and a drink at random?
All right!　I'm going to get you some good food!

When I handed over the money and the magic bag and asked the three of them to do the shopping, Hayato and Shiro were talking secretly with their hands over their heads as if they were having a private conversation.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you can't be sure of what you're doing. I'm worried about those three.
No, those three could do the shopping...

You're underestimating him too much, aren't you?
And he's much more mature than White........

''But master?　I'm sure White would like something to eat, too.
'Hmmm ... that's true too. Then I'll give you some extra money and you can go.

With that, I handed him more gold coins and White gripped them tightly.

''Hmm, I'm off then!
Have a good day. Don't trip and fall.
Hm!

White replied and followed Aina and the others with the mysterious bag.

'So, what are you up to?'

After seeing White off, I asked Hayato and Wendy, who would know the truth of the matter.

''Haha, I can't say anything about it...''
''From me too.... I'm sure White will tell you later!
Yeah, well, that's okay.

I still don't know what's in that bag, but it's not me who is somehow oblivious to the developments.
As I was thinking about this, a man appeared beside Hayato.

Excuse me, Sir Hayato. How are you today?
Oh, Mr. Triton. It's been a while.
Yes. It's been a while. We'll get right to it, but who would you like to bet on this time?
Um, can I see the list of contestants?
Of course. Your husband is welcome to join us as well.
Yeah, thanks.

I received a list of the contestants for this year's preliminary round and the results of the groupings.
The number of participants is 40, and each group has 10 participants, so only 4 people can participate in the finals.
Today's betting would be to guess the 4 contestants who would go to the finals.

Looking at the list given to me, I saw that each player's name, characteristics and fighting style were written on it.
The names are for later, but I guess I'd have to look at the fighting style and the author's comment.

He's a big guy with a big body and a power type.
''The beautiful swordsman of Amatsukuni. One on one........
"A pretty woman on the outside, but a hard worker in the know.
"Are you sure you can handle your big tummy?　Can you move?

There was a wide variety of evaluations in the book.
And at the end of the article, there was a small note that said, 'This article has been written based on the author's own judgment and prejudice and is not true.

This comment section alone is interesting enough to keep me reading, but the last one caught my eye.

'A girl with a very small body. But a contestant from that hero nomination slot. Good or bad........''

.....
Well, the name is.....

Mask the White.

Sooooo..........

'Make it clear if you're going to hide it or not!

You'll have to go into it!
So that's it!
Is that a mask in that bag?
You just had your mask made by Wendy!
I mean, why did you keep it a secret from me...?

Um...can I help you...?
No, I'm sorry, it's just...

Triton-san, the gambling merchant, looked at me quizzically, but I'm sorry.
He must have looked so emotionally unstable........

''Uh.......can I ask you something?''
'Yes. I'd be happy to tell you about the players and such, of course.

Mr. Triton treats me normally, as if he's forgotten about my bizarre behavior just now.
He must be a nice guy.

"Hey, you know, this player?
Oh, Lord Hayato recommended this slot, so you know it...?

When I glanced at Hayato, he averted his gaze.

''Well, then, to change the question, is it possible for your people to bet on this?''
Yes, of course. We're only going to have one qualifier.
Can I bet this Mask the White is a Hayato endorsement slot?
'To be honest, I was worried about it, but some people don't bet on girls with small bodies because they're stuck with them, so they still tend to choose the more solid ones if they're limited to one person.
But isn't there a precedent for this with Millie last time?
Yes, but the battle royale format is not suitable for small bodies. But a battle royale format is not good for small bodies, and it seems to be more popular with the famous adventurers from the provinces who are participating this time.
I see...
From the way you talk, you must be quite strong?
''He is strong......... Probably stronger than Mi.........
'Master Mee?　That's quirky........ She was a smaller girl than Mee-sama, you know?
''I don't know because I've never really done it before. But White is strong....

Oh, I called him White.
I called you Mask the White, just in case.
Hayato is smiling bitterly and Wendy has a hard smile.

''Hmmm.......it's good that I didn't make my assessment one way or the other.......''
What's the multiplier, by the way?
If you move up from the preliminaries to the finals, you double your stake, and for every one win in the finals, you get half of what you bet.
Yeah. Hmm, but what are the bets on this one?
'That's different. There are two kinds of bets in the finals: who's going to come in first, and who's going to come in third.
Does that mean, for example, that if this Mask the White competes in the finals, we can bet on him getting another first or third place?
Yes, of course. There's a separate betting fee, but of course you can bet.
Really? By the way, what's the latch limit?
You can bet up to 10 million NOK, and you can bet from 10,000 NOK.

That's quite a lot of money........
But since we're here, if there's a White on it, let's bet on it.

''Then I'll give this Mask the White for 10 million nol.
Oh, I see. Then you can take these bets with you.

In exchange for the money, he was given a metal plate.
It is numbered and the author's name is engraved on it.

The plate is made of iron and is only allowed to be made by a gambling dealer authorized by the Kingdom.
　　　　Reproduction or processing is a felony.　　　　Author: Triton.

It's been a while since I appraised it, and it seems to be a betting-only bill.
And the author's name says Triton, could this man alchemy be used?
Well, but alchemy is just a skill, and just because you have an alchemy skill doesn't mean you have to become an alchemist.

''If you come to me at the entrance and exit after the tournament, please remember to bring it to me and I will pay you according to the results. Also, please be careful, processing and duplicating is not allowed.
Got it. I'll try not to forget.

When the gambling merchant Triton finished his contract with me, he started talking to Hayato next.
It seems that Hayato is also betting on Shiro, well, I guess it's only natural...