The crowd, which had been shouting abuse at the referees, was quieted by the sudden and unexpected turn of events.

　It was probably difficult for the spectators to understand what had happened.
　They should have been waving their weapons at each other, stopping to attack incessantly, but without warning, the company commander's body must have seemed to fly in the air.

''Huh?　What's going on?
''I don't know. All of a sudden I got puffed up ......, or rather, it looked like a thousand sword sorcerer threw it.
No, no, you can't throw a big, armed man. If you have the ability to use magic, you could probably enhance your body, though.

　Most of the spectators just nodded their heads, but there were some who had some knowledge of the martial arts.

"Yeah, it's funny. You used your opponent's momentum to throw it.
'So you're using yourself as the axis, changing the direction of the force like a waterwheel and throwing your opponent. I see, that makes sense.
''As I recall, I've heard of such unarmed martial arts developing in foreign lands: ......, is that where that guy is from?''
I think I could throw him to the ground with that one.

　There was a glimpse of greed in there as he calmly analyzed the technique while trying to capture it as his own power.

　Aldis walks slowly and takes the distance while looking at the company commander lying on the ground.
　It's probably not dead, but as expected, if you are dropped from your head with that kind of force, you won't be able to move for the time being.

　Your opponent falls down in the center of the arena and does not move.
　His opponent is Aldis, who is standing tall and calm.
　This means that it is impossible to continue the fight.

　In everyone's eyes, there was no way to deny Ardis' victory.
　But no matter how long they waited, the judges could not declare the end of the match.

　As more than a minute passed, the judges did not try to give a decision, and the audience, which had been buzzing immediately after the company commander fell down, gradually began to feel uneasy.

'Hey, hey, when are we going to get a decision?
f*ck you!　Where do you look, ref!
We've already won.　Get it over with!
"Don't be a long shot!
Get a new referee!

　Curses were slammed down from all over the arena again.
　The decision when the company commander dropped his weapon earlier was also too blatant, but it would be strange even to the untrained eye not to acknowledge Ardis' victory in this situation now.

　The judges, as expected, had a look of dismay in their eyes.
　Sweat was seeping from his forehead.

　But despite the criticism from all over the arena, the judges did not move.
　Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they are stuck.

　Ardis notices that for a moment his gaze is directed towards the guest of honor.
　You will find the Marquis of Olguin standing up from his seat and glaring at you hatefully as the judges look on.

I'm sure the Marquis has instructed him to 'never let them win' anyway. ...... What do you intend to do about this situation?

　The crowd's cursing grew worse as time went on.
　It was enough to cause a riot from the overheated crowd.

"Hey, ref,

　Aldis calls out to the wavering judges in a stern tone.

''Are you sure you want to go on like that?

　When Ardis pointed to the fallen company commander as he said this, the judge looked doubtful.

I don't know what will happen to him if we don't do something about it. I think he should be treated as soon as possible, but if you don't keep giving him decisions, he won't be able to stay that way. It's not too late. But if you put off the treatment for a long time and that man dies, are you responsible for that?

Nah. ......!

　The referee's complexion turns pale when asked that.

　It's only natural.
　The opponent that Ardis is fighting is in the position of an assault company commander in the Kingdom Army. He would not be a person who could be easily replaced, and from the point of view of his abilities, he would be a valuable person in the current Kingdom Army.
　If they are left to die, if they are left to die, who will bear the responsibility for that?

　Of course, there will be those who will ask Ardis to take that responsibility, but he will not be held accountable for his life and death during the match, ostensibly.
　The organizer, the military, even though it is a token, has stated so publicly, and it is also stated in the pledge form that the contestants are made to sign when they enter.
　In practice, there will be some tangible and intangible retribution, but at least they are not publicly asked to take responsibility for their actions.

　The same is true for referees, who have no reason to be held responsible for the life or death of a contestant - under normal circumstances.

　But the current situation is not normal.
　Because of a clearly arbitrary decision, the fallen company commander is left unattended and unable to receive medical treatment.
　If the captain were to die because of this, even a referee would be held accountable for his actions.

''What do we do?　As far as I'm concerned, I don't care either way, but do you want to wait it out?　Maybe he'll regain consciousness and get back up. ...... Well, maybe he'll just go on and become a dabutsu.

　At Aldis's words as if he was cornering her, the judges begin to get terribly flustered.
　No longer able to mend, he turned his face to Marquis Olguin in the nobleman's seat, as if seeking relief.

''Don't look at your nobleman's face!
You think you're the boy's messenger!

　That must have been clear to the audience.
　Cursing at the judges came flying out of the room.

　In the meantime, the Marquis, who was on the guest's seat, shouted something to his side servants and disappeared into the back.

　After a while, a person who looks like a messenger runs up to the judges and gives them an earful.
　He must have brought instructions from the Marquis.

　The judge, who had been cursing all over his body until then, showed a look of relief and stared at Ardis with a single glance and extended his right hand straight upward.
　Finally, he uttered the words the crowd had been waiting for.

'Up there, there's the game!

　Instantly, the entire arena erupted in an explosion of cheers.
　Rather than congratulating Aldis on his victory, it was more like an indictment of the judges and the aristocrats who may have been pulling the strings behind the scenes.

　Some of them would naturally praise Aldis.
　However, it did not matter to Ardis himself, considering the purpose of his participation in the Fuyo Cup.

　In this year's Fuyo Cup, the military-appointed judges overtly favored one side or the other and even gave the impression that it was the intention of a nobleman.
　With so many spectators in attendance, the host of the Fuyo Cup and its patron, the Marquis of Olguin, would be looked upon with more suspicion.

　Immediately after the judges made their decision, several people rushed towards the fallen company commander.
　A person who appears to be a healer chanted some kind of magic, and then the company commander was carried away on a stretcher prepared for him.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

I'm not sure if this is the only game left.

　As it was, he returned the borrowed sword with a gait that showed no signs of fatigue, and left the place with loud cheers at his back.






　There are three figures watching Ardis leaving the scene of battle from a corner of the guest section.

''So you've finally made it to the final. Even though I saw your skills beforehand, I didn't expect you to go on to win like this,

''Isn't this a foregone conclusion? Isn't it a bit embarrassing for the Duke of Nilesteria's head of house that he can't see his master's power while actually seeing it with his own eyes?

　The young lady in the dress who was sitting next to him reacted to the Duke's impressions with a smile as if it was her own affair, followed by some venomous words.

'Moore. Lately, my daughter has been using somewhat thorny words to me, could this be the rebellious phase?

　When his beloved daughter (Manamusume) talks back, the Duke gives a scare to his bodyguard, who was standing behind him.

''My lord. Please don't involve me in your family's affairs. Don't worry, the young lady is an honest and gentle young lady as long as Aldis is not involved. So give it up just during the Fuyo Cup (Lotus Cup).

'What, you're not going to take our side?　You're the next captain of the duke's guard, aren't you?

'Arbitration between parent and child is not part of the guard captain's duties. By the way, I have no doubt that Aldis will win, so I agree with the young lady in that regard.

Oh dear, you have no allies.

　Deliberately, the duke shrugged his shoulders, but there was a smile on his face.
　The other two knew that he was joking.

You will be able to see that Aldis-kun's power is extraordinary. I'm sure you're not the only one who has the ability to do this. I thought it would be a hard fight, as expected.

It was definitely too obvious. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to see that the organizer of the tournament is favorably disposed to the assault squadron leader. It's a good idea to use a little more brains, even though they are the enemy. Well, that's not enough of a twist,

　A dirty curse almost came out of his mouth, and Moore rushed to reiterate it.
　Minerva, who was laughing with laughter looking at the situation, is still not satisfied with the contrived decision shown by that judge.

"It's true that Captain Greysta is right, that judge was terrible. Will that person be the referee for the next final as well?

'I don't think so. I've turned the crowd against them. I don't think he will appear on the stage for the Fuyo Cup any more.

I wish I could recommend a referee from here: ......

''It's indeed impossible. The Marquis will not be happy if you go that far. The best you can do is to get a nail from the Dauphin.

'I see. ......'

Don't worry about it. This is indeed a terrible thing. The other houses will probably talk to His Highness, and in some cases, His Majesty might hear about it. At least the judges for the final game will be somewhat better. Just so you know: ......

Just what is it?

　Minerva urged the sullen Duke to speak.

'It's the Marquis of Olguin. I'm sure he'll make another move.'

Such as .......

　Moore opened his mouth to encourage Minerva, whose face was clouding over.

''It's all right, sweetheart. There's no way that Aldis could be easily defeated just because that Aldis was handed around a little bit from behind the scenes, is there?　It's that Aldis, after all.

...... Yeah, right?

　Perhaps remembering the strength of Aldis that she had witnessed up until then, Minerva instantly regained her energy.

''That's right!　That's right!　Even if the odds are a little bit against him, there's no way Master would lose!

　The adults around her watched her with a smile as she clenched her fists and made a powerful appeal.