The third day of the Pruning Ceremony. This is the third day of the Pruning Ceremony. The eight tribes that had won the battle would clash and the "Tree King's Tribe" would be decided.
　Pam told everyone about yesterday's proposal and apparently convinced them, and they were quite motivated. I'm still wondering if I did something unnecessary. Well, what will be, will be.
　Today, we will play only the first four games at the same time to determine the top four first. After that, we'll play one game at a time to determine the two tribes for the final, and then the final match will be held at the end.
　The tribes would face each other on the four large stages that had grown up in the divine tree area.
　But why they grow as stumps is a mystery.... And it disappears into the ground when the game is over. Is it the spirit power? It's a bother, so let's call it that.

The first opponent is........a strange tribe.

　He was adorned with bird feathers all over his body, a large wing-like cloak, and, to top it all off, a cape made of a giant bird skull.
　As the match began, the bird tribe began to run on the stage at a tremendous speed. That's fast. That's pretty fast. In contrast, Else is not moving.
　The bird tribe ran in all directions around Else, pretending to attack and then changing directions, pretending to be in front and then flying to the side, chasing down Else with their shapeshifting movements. Still, Else doesn't move.
　And suddenly, the speed of the bird tribe increased another level, and its accelerated momentum brought it around behind Else. At the moment when I thought the dagger in my hand would pierce Else's back. Moving a step to the side, Else's back fist, which dodged it, brilliantly crushed the bird tribe's face with the bird's skull. Ugh, that was painful.
　As it was, the man of the bird tribe left without standing up. Since the blessing of the spirit is working, he wouldn't die, but to end it with a single shot.......
　Yae, who continued on, and Hilda, who came after her, both won easily, and the Lauri tribe was the first to advance to the top four.

The Lauri tribe was the first to advance to the top four. It was an overwhelming victory.
''If it was a force-pressing tribe, they could have won with that kind of quickness and repeated distraction attacks. Unfortunately, at that level, there's no way we'd be a match for Else and the others.

　Hanakoi sister, Morobane sister was right, you weren't even an opponent. It seems that her strength has become more and more refined since she came here.......
　.........I don't think it's not just Hanakoi, but also Morobane's sister is becoming more and more of a family member. Yesterday, Yae and Hilda were all over Morobane's sister.... It's quite possible.
　No, it's not a bad thing, though. I don't feel like I'm getting involved in something that suits me, so I feel awkward.

The best thing about this is that it's not a bad idea. Huh?
Hmm?

　Linze's pointing point was where Renge, the stick-artist she had met yesterday, had just beaten her opponent. It looks like their tribe, the Luresh tribe, also won in straight games.
　Another stage was won or lost, and the best four tribes were decided. One of them was that poisonous riveting tribe.
　In the meantime, though, Yae and the others were given gas masks as an anti-poisoning measure.
　The remaining tribes were.

　The Lauri tribe, the upper female tribe.
　The Rivets are poisonous.
　The Luresh are skilled in martial arts.
　The hard-armed Remna.

　It's amazing how well they all fit together. But you're not in the picture.

I'd be careful about the Rivets, though.
Hmm, Sonia-san's tribe of Rurschs is on the edge of its own. Depending on who you're up against, you may be on the edge.

　The Lemna tribe would be an easy opponent to deal with. They're simply a tribe that prides itself on its strength. If they get caught, though, they're in trouble. It's said to be powerful enough to strike a bear in the neck, so it's hard to be careless, but at least it's easy to see how the fight goes.

Now, the first match is about to begin. Oh?

　I looked down at the stage at the sound of Sue's voice, and the branches and leaves above me moved rustling and the light from the sunlight through the trees illuminated the two tribes. They were the Lauri tribe and the Lursh tribe.

''Sonia-san and the others~. Hmm, it's a difficult place to be.''

　Honestly, I don't think I can win with Lou against those two guys. I'm not sure if it's even Pam. I think Yae and Hilda can win against Sonia-san. However, if Else hits Rengetsu-san, she may lose due to incompatibility. If Pam and Else lose to those two, and Lou loses to the other Lureshs, our loss will be decided.
　Well, I think the odds are in our favor.
　They go around to the other side of the stump and decide the order in which they will fight and go up the stairs. It's completely obvious from the bleachers, but the contestants don't know their opponents until they're on stage.

''It's so subtle...''

　Lou and Rengetsu, Else and Sonia? It's subtle. Even if they lose to these two, if the rest of Yae, Hilda, and Pam win, they can still make it to the finals. If they lose, is Pam a bit of a possibility?
　Conversely, if either Lou or Else or either of them win, the Lauri tribe is pretty much guaranteed to win.
　The more likely winner is Else, but it's a battle between two martial artists. Honestly, the winner is unpredictable. If they could use 'Boost', Else would have a significant advantage.
　The first match. Lou and Rengetsuki advance to the center of the stage. There's too much height difference between them. Lou is not 145, while Rengetsu is clearly over 180. They were just like an adult and a child. Even if Mr. Hassuki wins, I'm sure he'll be blamed for this.
　The referee's voice starts the match, and Lou holds up his twin swords and Rengetsu holds up his stick. Rengetsu-san's cudgel was made of metal, the whole thing was silver, but both tips were gold. Is that a mithril and orichalcon? And I'm handling them lightly. If it were iron or gold, it would be incredibly monstrous.
　Lou moved. Rengetsu's cudgel loomed in response. She must have read it, because she received that cudgel downward with her right hand sword and tried to jump straight into her pocket. But Ms. Rengeki thrusts the lowered club straight into the stage, and it easily goes over Lou's head in the manner of a pole vault.
　Mmm, I guess Rengetsu is still one step ahead of me. He's completely lost sight of you.

"Is Lou-san okay...?
Hey, I'm not gonna let her go down, see?

　Lou re-positioned his twin swords in the opposite hand and headed towards Rengetsu-san again. As it was, he repeated a series of raging attacks with his left and right swords and continued his rush attack while moving with light steps. That movement.........

'Heh. That move is a martial artist's, isn't it? I wonder if he learned it from Else.

　That's my sister, Morobane. You saw through it. It's true that that move is similar to Else's footwork. It's a good thing that Lou was taught how to fight by Else as well.

"Kukku.

　Rengetsu managed to get out of the way with his kudzu to keep it in his pocket, but Roux had the advantage in terms of hands. Eventually, he was cornered and brought the kudon back up, paid it off to Yokonagi and backstepped away.
　As if to let him escape, Roux chased him down. However, instead of escaping, Rengetsu stepped forward and hooked Lou's feet with the club, hitting the bottom of his palm when he lost his balance.

''Uggh...!

　Lou rolls over and regains his position, once he's away from Rengeki. Now that was painful.
　You, Kora Rengeki, what are you doing to our princess? I curse you, you bald man. ........Such a thought came to me for a moment.
　I can't do this, this is a game. We must take care of ourselves. But I'll get even later. For now, just slip up once.
　This time, Rengetsu's side unleashes the kudos in rapid succession, chasing down Lou. It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to duck the protruding cudgel and pass through it, but Lou, who let go of his left hand sword, firmly held it at his side and stopped the movement. The moment Lou tried to step in to see if he would go on the offensive at once from there, Rengetsu-san let go of the cudgel with a pop.

''Eh? Wow!
Haha!

　To Lou, who lost power on the other side and lost his balance, Rengetsu, who is away, unleashed a palm bottom with spirit as before. At that moment, Lou was blown backwards as if pushed by something.
　Was that the same "Hajime" as Sonia-san's? Well, they're my friends, so it's not surprising that I can use it.
　The blown up Lou spun around in the air and landed beautifully without much of a shock. ''On the ground.

'Winner, Lotus Moon!

　The referee announces the winner. Immediately, the audience roared with cracking applause and cheers.
　Lou lost out of the field. That was a bad place to blow up. If it had been another meter or so in front of me, I would have managed to hold on.

'Lou you've lost.
It's a game. These things happen. Lou knows that.

　While patting Suu's sinking head in disappointment, he returned to the stage and looked at Lou, who retrieved his sword and shook hands with Rengeki. Although his face looked disappointed, I could feel the thought of having done it all. You did well.

''Well, now that it's like this, I'd like you to win next time, but...''

　He looked at Else and Sonia, who advanced up and out on the stage.
　The warriors clenched their fists as they rang their gauntlets.
　They held each other ready and looked straight at the other. The referee slowly raised his right hand. He looked at both of them and brought his hand down at once.

'Begin!'

　Pow!

　As soon as they started, they charged towards their opponent with all their might, and then they launched their fists into each other's faces, eating each other's fists into their faces. A stunning cross counter........cross counter? Which one!
　Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! All of a sudden? And why are you both grinning while getting punched in the face!

That's pretty good.
You too.

　I mean, come on! Are you two titans on a sunken riverbed, watchmen!
　Once they were out of range, they began to exchange fists again. If Else throws a straight right, Sonia catches it with a gauntlet, and if Sonia throws a left hook in reverse, Else plays it off with a gauntlet as well.
　Anyway, the sound is vicious.
　Gosh! Gun! Gasp! Gasp! And the sound of heavy metal clashing echoes across the stage. Scary scary!
　What's scarier than that is that they're both laughing. Yes, they are laughing and hitting each other. It's scary, isn't it?
　Well, let's see you all next time. Bye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.



　...I'm possessed.