Evening.
　The contestants for the title fight have gathered at my house one after another.

　The party was held on the first floor of a mansion with a motif of "water" located on the northwest side of the premises. With the clear blue of the water as the main attraction, the natural greenery and the black and white brown of the buildings, bridges and the ground all blend together to create a solemn and beautiful place.
　When you come here in the daytime, the reflection of the blue sky on the mirror-like surface of the water makes the scenery even more beautiful, but in the evening, too, there is a calm atmosphere and a different kind of beauty. At a glance, it looks like a submerged ruin. It is more like a castle than a house, and it is as big as a hotel.

　There were 17 participants in total as planned. Rosman, Kasakari, Jerez, and Garam from the Ichisenza battle. The Mix sisters and Alfred from the Battle of Kisenshou. From the Battle of Eishou, Muratti, Chesta, Nil and Alpha. Rock'n'Chair from the Battle of Kongo. From the Battle of the Reiou, Vogt and Mr. Capito will participate.
　In addition, Cherie and Cheri also came, and Mine, Count Burrell Lumberjack, and Count of Steam Bitter Valley Frontier presented us each with a large wreath.

　And the man who delivered the wreaths from Mein went straight to the party. It seems that Mine has given him permission to do so as well.
　His name is Klaus. He was formerly the First Prince and First Knight Commander, but now he is the slave and squire of his brother Mine. Using a polite and respectful tone, he emphasized that his participation in tonight's Triple Crown Celebration Party had no diplomatic intentions whatsoever, and that it was only a personal one.


　Well. So now the actors are all here.

　Tonight is not just a party. It's not just a party, so to speak, but a rally for the contestants to prepare for the summer title fight.

　Naturally, all the servants were mobilized to prepare food and drink. It's good to eat, drink and socialize with everyone. However, we must not forget about those things. Speaking of parties, that's the thing.


It's a bingo tournament!

　I like that little thrill, I like it a lot.

　There are 17 prizes to be won, depending on the number of people.

　The first prize is a pair of mithril earrings with a "horn-changing" effect. It is an ear equipment with a 5% increase in criticality. It is a duplicitous item that came out of the "grant/disassembly/production loop" by blacksmith/grandmaster Yukari, so it was chosen as the prize this time.

　The second and third prizes were skill acquisition instruction. I'll teach you one skill you don't know how to learn, and you'll be able to learn it yourself.

　The fourth to sixteenth prizes are memos detailing the characteristics and behavior patterns of grade B demons. In other words, it's about teaching them how to attack dungeons and how to earn experience points efficiently. However, it would be troublesome if you rush into a strong monster and get killed, so I've written down a list of medium to high grade B monsters that are probably a bit lower than the appropriate rank. This would speed up their experience earning, which would be great.

　And number seventeen. The lowest-ranked prize is actually a hidden prize. It's called "Advice". I'm just going to tell you what I notice at random, but Sylvia said, "This is the best one. Sure, the swings are huge, but if it's an upward swing, it could be a jackpot. As a result, it's a form of bliss for the leftovers, not to mention the leftovers.


　It was getting exciting, wasn't it?
　It's the beginning of a bingo tournament with collusion, fraud, obstruction, and anything else you can think of.

　Let's get to it. Let's bingo!



　　* * *



　The total of seventeen participants were thrilled to be out of character.

　This was the case from the moment they stepped into the First Test Mansion. No matter how many title contenders were in the title fight, no one was this 'stupidly rich'. Even the siblings of the Lumberjack Count family and even Klaus, who had been born and raised in the royal palace, had been stunned by the size of the grounds.

　The level of servants was also higher than they had imagined. Although they were not skilled, their youthful and powerful work ethic was both high quality and fast. In addition, since the second had won the Triple Crown, they were even more spirited. Each one of them acted with the utmost care as the servants of the Firtest family so that they would not be disgraced as servants of the Firtest family, and they did not slacken off from head to toe, not for a moment.

　How could a servant hired only a few months ago, who was supposed to be a mishmash of people, be able to demonstrate such teamwork and performance? For those who have never seen the first time in the Firstest family, there was no way to know the unbelievably high level of education provided by the head maid Yukari and the enormous amount of money being spent on it, so it was not something that could be easily understood.

　That wasn't the only surprise to them. The exterior and interior of the venue, as well as the food and catering, were top-notch with no complaints. Even Second, who was supposed to be the master, was surprised when the members of the all-around maid squad, Es Squad, started playing their instruments. It seems that it was one of the celebratory surprises by Yukari, and seeing the surprised Second, she also had a slightly happy expression on her face.


　And then, when the party was in full swing, the biggest surprise hit them. The biggest surprise hits them.

　A bingo tournament. Normally, it would be a no-brainer event to get a "wow" level of prizes, but for this time, that common sense didn't apply.

　Looking at the list of prizes, first of all, Alpha, the big-breasted bespectacled elf, shouts out.

''Ah, ......!''

　That was just the moment when the lowest-ranked prize was revealed. She had been "advised" by a second person before, and she knew firsthand how useful it would be (...).

"I see.
...... Hmm.

　It wasn't just her. Kasakari and Garam also wanted further advice. Both got advice in an intense way.

　Aiming for the bottom line. Knowing that this was actually a 'jackpot', the three of them were competing under the radar.


　On the other hand, there is one man who is unusually excited .......

''Woo, woo, woo-hoo!　Skills!　Anything!　Are you kidding me?

　He was a sweaty, bespectacled fat man, Muratti. From the moment he heard that he could be taught anything he wanted about how to learn a skill, his brain began to reckon with the raccoon that he hadn't caught. He couldn't help but feel annoyed.

　"Lightning Attribute Magic or Demonic Magic, or ...... it was the ultimate choice for him.




"Cheri. What do you want?
Great-aunt?
I'm getting out of here. I'll give you what you want when I find something you like.
Are you sure?　But isn't it too early to retire?
It's about time. The War of the Wise and Powerful will be entering a new era. Old bones can't keep up with it.

　Chester speaks with a faraway look in his eyes as he sips on his strong drink.

　Cheri couldn't deny or affirm it. With the arrival of the Second, the common sense of the Eishou War is about to change completely. He knew very well that it was going to be tough for the old man to start training all over again and bite back.

　At this juncture. She is about to hand something over to the next generation. Realizing this, Cheri took one deep breath and opened her mouth.

''...... great-aunt. I would like information on the demon.
'Oh. Shouldn't it be the acquisition method?
Yes. But, Great-Aunt. No, Master Chester. Would you please teach me the fire-attributed corporal pattern?

　You can do the experience gain on your own. I've only learned the fire attribute of the Ichino type yet, but regardless of my weakness, you can learn it all from now on. It was a declaration that clearly expressed her resolve to absolutely bite into the new era that the Second was building up.

''Are you my last disciple? ......

　Chesta muttered with deep emotion, nodded one with a kind face, and then silently sipped his drink again.

　Thus, Cheri became Chesta's apprentice. The world's first, a woman who became his apprentice during a bingo tournament and a master who took his apprentice during a bingo tournament.




"--and the first prize is called 'horn-changing mithril piercing', right?
Oh, I see. Thank you, Mr. Capito. You've been very helpful.

　At another table, there was another unexpected member of the group. Capito explaining the contents of the bingo prizes to the blind Alfred, which would be perfectly normal if it were just the two of them, but the problem was the latter two. They were the mixed sisters.

　The girls were at a loss after being abandoned by the demon piercing general Ernte, and were simply brought to this party without knowing why under the direction of their new master, Alfred. It has been more than an hour since the event, but there was no conversation between them and the two men.

No, no, no. I'm going to have to go for the second prize, by the way. What about you, Alfred?
Am I ...... seventeenth class?

　Alfred glanced towards the mixed sisters with his eyes closed and a smile on his face as he answered Capito's question.

　Dee and Jay are eating their food slowly and quietly, not paying attention to the bingo, perhaps as a small act of defiance.

Then, if I'm the seventeenth class, we'll trade.
'That's good. Then I shall pray for a second or third class.
"Ha-ha-ha.

　Capito laughed and looked at the Mix sisters. The reason he was chosen as a member of this table was to have him work as a lubricant between Alfred and the Mix sisters, in anticipation of his caring nature. When Second discussed it with him beforehand, he nodded his head in two words. He was a yes-man who was known as a refreshing dog-beast man.

　Then he made his move quickly.

'Um, Mr. Dee, Mr. Jay. If you don't want to play bingo, can I have that bingo card?
...... whatever you want.
I don't need it either.
What? Are you sure?

　He deliberately overreacted.

　Alfred seemed to understand what he was trying to do and opened his mouth after Capito.

'Dee. Jay. Don't be needlessly stubborn. Don't be desperate. You know the value of this prize, don't you?　At least keep it until after bingo.
Don't pretend to be a master, okay?　You were beaten by a woman who works for that man.
''Well, your two former masters were completely beaten by that guy (...) who wasn't even a contestant, right?
"...... ...... it's ......

　Capito and Alfred understood firmly. The Mix sisters needed time to think, time to reflect on themselves. However, if they were left alone, there was no way the two of them would ever come up with anything. Therefore, they must be encouraged to think about it at all costs. As a first step, the bingo tournament was a very good opportunity to do so.

'You must be stronger than Elnte. That's before the summer season.
I can't go to ....... Master is strong. There's a difference between saying and doing.
'Think about it. The man who lightly tore the old man down is handing out the prizes. Careful, exactly 17 of them. Don't you see?　If you were listening to his speech yesterday, you'd have the answer already.
But still, how could you beat your master: ......

　The Mix sisters were instantly vulnerable when it came to Elnte. It was easy to imagine that it was because they had been educated like that for decades.

　Alfred just barely bit down on his hatred for Elnte with his back teeth as he continued to speak sincerely.

'Just give me six months. Try to trust me, him, just a little bit: ...... please.
I'm asking you to do the same. I don't think Mr. Second and Mr. Alfred would have said anything wrong.

　The two men bowed their heads.

　Why would someone in the position of a master, even if they didn't admit it, bow their heads? Why would a completely unrelated Spiritual King Battle contestant, Dragon Tamer, bow his head? The Mix sisters could not understand it at all.

　However, there were only two facts they could understand. That this was the first time in their lives that they had ever felt that. And, for some reason, it makes it hard to breathe. It was never an unpleasant sensation.


............ hmm.

　Dee grumpily poked her index finger into the middle of the bingo card and punched a hole in it.

　Jay, seeing his sister's behavior, followed Dee, as if reluctantly.

'Thanks,'

　Alfred smiled heartily and happily when he noticed the sound of the two of them punching a hole in the ground.

　Capito leaves quietly, having done his part.

　The two sisters and the blind man smiling at him.
　Today, from this moment on, the unusual relationship between him and them began.




Hey. Brother. If you win the second or third prize, give it to me.
No.
Why not? Come on, that's enough.
I have skills I want to know. You're on your own.
...... Humph.
What the hell?　What the hell are you doing!　You're hurting me!
I hate my brother.
"You've got to suck up to your spoiled brat, Sherri!
What did you say?　Come on, your brother has already met the requirements to compete!
"What you lack right now is experience!　I'd rather tell you to give me the information on the demon and give it to me when you get second and third class!
'I have other skills to learn, too!　To begin with, I've been feeling the limitations of the summoning technique alone lately!
'I have come to learn that swordplay is not enough!　This is non-negotiable!

'Ugh ...... about the fiercely loud siblings at the same table: ......'

　Muratti, who was put at the same table as the Lumberjack siblings, was fed up, muttering in a whisper. The second was with this sibling who was a commie for goodness sake, and he would be relatively easy to get involved with this giggling sibling, but it has completely backfired on him. The siblings were too noisy. If it weren't for Mariposa, the maid in between, this sibling would always be like this.

　But perhaps that helped Muratti regain his composure. After much deliberation, he decided that if he won the second and third prizes, he would be taught how to learn the magic arts, and the only thing left to do is to pray, he said a heckuva prayer to the Nando's God who doesn't believe in him much.


'Second or third class, second or third class, second or third class: ......'

　The sweat-soaked giant man shrinks back, fogging up his glasses and muttering to himself with a devilish look on his face is, simply put, gross.


"Ugh, wow. ......
'Ummm, quicksilver: ......'

　The next thing you know. The table of Muratti, Sherry and Jerez was unusually quiet, perhaps because of the unusual spiritedness of slightly one person.




''Well, that's a big deal, isn't it?''
You look very relaxed, Rothman. What do you want, if I may ask?
Then I'll take first prize. How about you?
Well, I guess I'll just have to go for first prize then.
Ha ha ha, we're doing well.
Yes, it's a good thing. "Yes, it's a good opportunity.

..................

　This table also had a funny air about it.

　The members of the group were also very different. Former Unibenza Rothman, former Spirit King Vogt, and for some reason, Nil Weissroy were sitting there.

　Nil was quietly sandwiched between the two great men and women who were quietly mounting each other, and was silent with a sullen face, looking uncomfortable.


''Oh, both of you are aiming for first class? Then I'm aiming for second and third class, so if it happens, would you be willing to trade?

　Then Rock'n'Chair Cash Go shows up. He had been talking about Eco and [Shield Technique] until now, and he finally came back to the table.

''Of course, it's good. Hey?
No, I don't make exchanges.
...... You're on the left? Well, I'll try to keep up with you and not trade.
'Hmm, I see. I'm sorry.

　Rothman and Vogue are as stubborn as children. They didn't want the first prize in the first place. They just couldn't bend their strange pride of "I have to be first anyway. To tell the truth, second and third class would be better. But I just can't be honest. It was like a price to pay for reigning at the top for so many years.

　The Rock 'n' Chair knows the feelings of these two people, but dares to tease and shake them. Nil looked at him and made up his mind not to go against this man alone.


'What's that in my face?'
...... No, no, no. I never saw your face in the first place.
'Excuse me for this. By the way, your curry this morning was delicious. Shall I go and thank Mr. Kasakari later?
Hmph. It's all there. I don't have to go out of my way to thank you for that.
Hmmm, I see.
...... tch.

　Nil was embarrassed that he seemed to see through his inner thoughts, and with a single click of his tongue, he turned his face away from the rock 'n' chair and concentrated on bingo.

　Halfway through, he caught sight of the Alpha's profile and his chest tightened tightly.

'If you think they'll understand without even making an effort to communicate your feelings to them, you're mistaken.' - Suddenly, Second's words from this morning were ruminated upon.

　Nir thinks, puffing on the strong drink on the table, which he asked for a little taller.

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

　What does he want, ......?