Yomigaeri no Maou

Episode 44, Preliminary Game II, Part One

The next day, qualifying round two began.

Unlike the first round of qualifying, the one-on-one form of battle in the arena will take place from here on out.

The contestants, who numbered roughly more than 1,000, also have around 200 contestants left today because about four fifths were defeated in the first round.

As a matter of fact, it is quite difficult to just go beyond the first round of the qualifying round, and information from Kyou has shown that even then they will receive a lot of respect.

That said, he also said that it is still the main contestants who will receive the truth, respect, because few of them, like the Gayas, have won by half luck.

The qualifying round will continue until Game IV, with which the 24 main contestants will decide.

When it comes to deciding 24 out of 200 people here, the venue becomes problematic simply because it takes 176 games to think about it, but besides the state-run arenas that exist in the Wang capital, there are about three arenas that are more serious than that, usually where the gladiators operate, by application, so they will be divided into three days each.

In other words, we can challenge the battle in a state of full rest without a streak of battles.

Lulu's turn in qualifying round two is later, until then he has nothing to do and is free.

It seems to be equally free, as Illis and Kyou are also assigned to the later ones.

As for watching qualifying games, contestants are allowed to enter with badges used in the first round without buying tickets, so they are free to do so.

So Lulu decided to invite Iris and Kyou to watch the qualifying match.

Of course, the subject to go see is decided, and that is the Gayas, that and Rusty.

Ever since I arrived in the Wang capital, I had looked forward to the growth of Mi and Yuri, but as a result of everything I had never actually had a chance to see with my eyes how much their strength was.

This seems to be my first opportunity and I look forward to seeing it.

"I'm extra excited that World War II will take the form of one-on-one, unlike World War I. Because if it's a party fight, it's really a question of whether collaboration is more skillful than individual strength battles…"

That's what Iris said on his way to the arena where Rusty and the others' game seems to take place.

I thought a little about that word, Lulu.

"Well, World War One could have been more about how cunning you could survive than your personal abilities. It didn't really matter to us."

When Lulu returns it that way, Illis nods too.

And Kyou supplemented.

"In World War I, they basically tend to herd those of primary and intermediate strength. When I make a party and do this. Sounds like a lot of people try solo when they just get more advanced. That's enough to survive, so many people say they want to see how far they can go on their own."

Indeed, with advanced strength, the first round of the qualifying round will survive sufficiently.

That's obvious, given the fact that there are not so many more powerful than advanced and that the majority of the contestants are below intermediate.

I guess that's why people like Anku were fighting alone.

In fact, he had overwhelmed many intermediate adventurers by himself.

The difference between intermediate and advanced is that it is so great.

Besides, I know what it's like to say you want to test your powers.

It's a martial arts tournament, so you can say that the original purpose is there.

It seems more achievable to climb that far on your own rather than partying and fighting right away to reach victory.

I guess that means there aren't many people with that idea.

"... oh, looks like you're about to arrive"

Walking around talking about that, the three of them get where they want to be.

It is about twice smaller than that state-run arena where the registration of appearances and the opening ceremony took place, but it is nevertheless a breached breadth as a place where the battle between individuals takes place.

That arena of stone construction was still enhanced in strength by witchcraft, and it was well understood that barriers by the ancient tribes (elves) would approach.

When they go to the receptionist and the three show a shining golden badge on their chest, they are allowed to enter.

"Match tables are posted inside, so use them if you know someone who will watch the match"

When I came in, it was so politely explained from the receptionist.

When I actually went inside, it was first of all a big hall there, but it was certainly posted so that it was easy to see a big match table, and there was the name of the Rustys.

The Gayas are supposed to fight again in a different arena than here, so they don't have that name.

However, I have confirmed the time slot so I will be able to go see Rusty and the others after watching the game.

I was also talking to Rusty and the others about that, and as soon as their game was over, they were going to rendezvous and see it together.

After reviewing the Match Table, the Lulu and the three of them proceed to the Arena audience.

A large audience is already occupying their seats there, and it is unlikely that they will be able to buy tickets from now on.

However, special seats separated by ropes were available for contestants to the martial arts tournament, especially those who broke through the first round of the qualifying round, and the three of them sat down towards it.

"These considerations don't help."

When Lulu says so, both Illis and Kyou nod.

But Iris looked around slightly and tilted his neck.

"... I feel a little uncomfortable though"

Said, Lulu looked around just like Iris, and I somehow understood what Iris meant by words.

Before the game even begins, the gaze of the shabby audience is simultaneously directed at those sitting in special seats.

It was indescribable, mixed with a gaze of respect and a gaze to identify, and certainly this was such that I could be convinced that I was not very comfortable.

Besides, the gaze of the other contestants sitting in the special seats was also applauded for their uncomfortable because they were not even uncomfortable but somewhat sharp.

In response to that, Kyou says, after all, with the look of it.

"Here! I knew they were weirdly noticed because they stand out in the qualifying round!... Ha. I would be noticed if I was with you too!?

I'm holding my head while I say that.

Speaking of what the truth is, it wouldn't work that way.

Even if it's a gaze to be directed at, it's about as alarming as being the same contestant, and I'm not paying particular attention, I don't feel.

"Don't worry about it. … nothing would change that it was noted in the first place"

To Lulu, who said so, Illis nodded, but Kyou looked subtle.

◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆

At the start of the second round of qualifying, naturally, no extra glances, etc., made them extraordinarily comfortable and the three of them were able to concentrate on watching the game.

WWII still only has a good selection of those arms who made it through WWI, and even one-on-one battles look interesting enough.

From the point of view of Lulu and Iris, it was also interesting in that sense because the person of general mage and swordsman prowess is presented plainly in front of him.

What I found out as a result was that it was still quite heterogeneous and distinct to refer to Lulu and Iris technology.

As for witchcraft, I have to say that there does not seem to be that great a difference if we look only at the power about the things of the Illis, but there is a considerable separation in their scope of application and basic technology, and most of them can be destroyed in an instant if there is one very Illis in the junction.

I don't see that much decline in swordsmanship compared to the past, but where it is the basic skill of swordsmen to fight in conjunction with witchcraft, I still seemed to see considerable regression on that part.

Once again, I can understand that Patrick is special.

There are many battles like that in front of me.

Although most battles may be of primary or intermediate strength.

In that way, it is finally the turn of the game for which the three of them are intended.

Looks like Mi at first.

Appearing from the western side of the arena, she has a dagger down her waist as a weapon and holds nothing else.

What you're wearing is lightweight leather armor.

That said, it seems to belong to a demon, so a lot of defense would be warranted.

He's grown considerably more than he was when he was seven, but he's still about two times shorter than average, luxurious and not very, but he doesn't look like he could fight.

The dull blonde hair and the bright look are no different then, and Lulu has been tempted for a moment to ask if that Mi can fight or be ok, but stop worrying I'm sure it won't be a problem because Illis isn't too worried.

She hasn't been worried that she's been working out Mi in the village.

It would be superfluous for Lulu to worry.

As Mi climbs up to the square stage built in the center of the arena that way and awaits the adversary's appearance, from the east side, a formidable big man follows with a huge battle axe and appears hikiri.

It was clear that the audience's reaction to seeing it was exactly screaming and imagining the tragedy that would take place.

I guess everyone thought that a little girl like Mi couldn't possibly rival a big man that huge.

But Iris was staring at Mi with eyes that didn't feel anything to worry about, quite the opposite of those audiences.

On the contrary,

"... I guess that's not enough power."

and so on.

If you look only at the size of your body, you are a mi with no future to beat at all.

However, Lulu also knows that Illis was firmly working out Mi, and I have seen him mock fight Illis and Yumis several times in the village.

Thinking about that time, maybe there was certainly no problem.

Especially since Mi has learned a lot about how to fight Illis, from an Illis point of view, it would feel like Mi is my favorite apprentice.

Yuri's are more often taught by Yumis, and each way of fighting has its own distinctive character.

So I'm sure we'll see that in this fight, and Lulu decided to enjoy watching the game.

◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆

"... Begin!!

Inside the arena, the voice of the referee sounded.

Two people start to move along with it.

Mi's opponent, the big man, seems light for his blunt-looking physique, and soon steps off the ground to fill his distance from Mi and waves an axe of war.

If it hits, it is a powerful blow that will surely prevent Mi from passing out.

There was no consideration for the little girl, only courtesy for those who fought.

But, boom! and the battle axe that made a loud noise and shook it off never hit Mi.

By the time the big man shook his axe, Mi had already scratched off the spot and at some point the man, realizing he had lost sight of the subject, shook Mi's head slightly in an attempt to find him.

"Where?!?

But naturally, there can't be anyone who answers that question.

Without saying anything, Mi just took the back of the big man, and hid the signs and pulled out the dagger.

At that time, Lulu saw his mouth move slightly.

Probably some sort of magic chant.

At the same time, it seemed that Mi's sword shined with thunder and that Mi's own physical abilities had also increased, and Lulu's eyes could see him jumping up to the big man's neck muscle and swinging through the dagger.

Thunderlight runs and thunder passes through the big man's body.

In the arena where the smell of something burning meat fills up.

But the big man at the time, and the audience didn't seem to understand what happened.

The man, darkened but strangely, looking back slowly, seemed to finally understand the situation when he saw Mi sitting on the spot.

There is still thunder in the wielded Mi dagger, which emits a pure light, but he's not going to attack the big man any more.

I was just staring at the big man with cold eyes.

It is the eyes of those who are clearly convinced of victory.

The big man then understands that he is already completely powerless in his own body and realizes that he cannot move a step further.

The giant battle axe slipped to the arena stage against the will of the man, and he made a loud noise and fell, and shortly afterwards, the big man's body slowly sank as well.

Stage of raising sand and dust by the fall of the big man.

Whoever takes the stage, Mi is alone.

Everything happened for a moment, and for a moment, the arena was surrounded by silence.

But the voice of the referee announces victory or defeat in its silence.

"... winner, mie player!

And shortly afterwards, the audience cheered in the arena.