Chapter 454 - Field Brawl Extended
The final match of the preliminary tournament was unexpectedly canceled due to the withdrawal of three schools. This meant that our school won by default. We secured the victory without even fighting, as our opponents fled.
It's a ridiculous situation. The spectators who came to the venue specifically to watch the match are certainly not pleased. And it's not just the audience; many stakeholders are likely feeling the same. Of course they are.
Abandoning a match is unacceptable. We've seen similar events happen in practice matches, but this is the final match of the Beltoria preliminaries. That's just not right.
As the commotion grew, harsh jeers began to fly.
"It's a fix!"
"They must've been bought off with money!"
The voices of these fools are all too clear to me.
Wait a moment, if I recall, the figures who should be responsible for this are nowhere to be seen. The people who should be in the officials' stands are conspicuously absent. Could it be that they anticipated this turn of events and fled?
And yet, the majority of these blockheads, regardless of who they are, are looking for someone to vent their frustrations on. I'm probably the only party involved here.
The other participants from the league headquarters and the advisors from the three schools that were supposed to compete are nowhere to be found. I'm the only one here, the advisor of Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy who was scheduled to participate in the final.
I've always been a standout, for better or worse, and now all the attention is on me. As I walked through the crowded official stands, I was met with an uncomfortable gazes.
The eyes, they say, are the windows to the soul. These gazes were clearly saying,
"Explain what's going on!"
It's almost as if I can hear them. Seriously, when did I become such a public figure?
I can understand the dissatisfaction of the other schools' officials and the audience. If I were in their shoes, I'd be shouting, 'What the hell is this?' too.
However, my anger is just as justified. If we objectively consider that the withdrawal of the three schools was not due to my scheming, then this is a situation where I have every right to be angry. The students who have been working hard for the championship would feel betrayed, and it would be only right for their advisor to be furious. This is not just a minor setback.
So what's wrong with me expressing my dissatisfaction and anger? In fact, Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy could be seen as the victim here. It's absurd that we are treated like the villains instead.
As for me, being treated like a villain doesn't bother me; in fact, it's more comfortable that way. However, the students have a reputation to maintain.
This is a major competition in the northern continent, the final stage of the Magic Doll Tournament. Winning by dishonorable means could damage our reputation. Even if it's just a rumor, there are plenty of foolish people who will spread it. And rumors can be spread with malicious intent.
I suspect that some of these people shouting nasty comments are planted. They're getting paid to do this.
They're loudly accusing Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy of being the villains. They're doing a great job, and that's why I can recognize them as professionals.
'UIImageView! I didn't think they'd pull something like this.'
The opponents, who must have decided they couldn't win, decided to sabotage the match. They've given the impression that Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy is involved in a fix, tarnishing our image.
It doesn't change anything in terms of the competition, but it's a way to get back at us. This is a rotten tactic that's not suitable for student competitions. I've considered this possibility, as there are always foolish people around.
But if that's the case, the best response is to crush them so thoroughly that no one would believe a fix was involved. I would have aimed for an overwhelming victory.
I didn't expect them to cancel the match entirely. Whoever thought of this is quite a scoundrel. If this weren't a proper student competition, I might even admire their ingenuity.
However, it's too late to redo the final match now. The result has already been announced, and the medal presentation ceremony is about to begin.
My only option is to protest to the higher-ups during the ceremony, although I doubt any of them will be there. If I go to the league headquarters, I'll likely just be told that the responsible parties are absent.
Still, I can't just let this slide. I'll at least go and check.
'Fine. If they leave me without a satisfactory explanation, I'll take appropriate action.'
Let them try to explain themselves.
If this farce causes any harm to Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy or me, I will hold them accountable. I'll make sure the league headquarters understands that.
I know they understand. They must have known what they were doing.
The final match has been ruined, and the gazes of the crowd are like needles. But they are just gazes.
Despite the crowd, no one approaches me. Anyone who dared to speak to me, or even come near, might have been killed. I had that kind of intensity. Fear appeals to instinct, not reason.
'He who does not offend the gods is not offended by them.'
Comparing myself to a god may be presumptuous, but it's not entirely wrong.
Do not touch me. I cannot be gentle with careless people right now.
Once I left the stands, I headed straight for the league headquarters' tent. It was nearby.
There were several security guards, but as an official, I had every right to be there. I approached confidently and announced myself.
"I am Yukareed Evilbanshee, the advisor of Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy. I demand to see the responsible party."
My voice carried into the tent. I knew there were four people inside, and I would not be ignored.
"Excuse me, just a moment?"
The elderly security guard, who spoke with a mixture of determination and fear, addressed me.
I glared at him, urging him to continue.
"It's a bit of a dilemma. The people here are just clerical staff, and the responsible parties have already left."
"Left? But the medal ceremony is about to begin."
"That's being handled by us security personnel. The federation officials had some urgent matters and left."
It seems they had planned this in advance.
The responsible parties had skipped out before the final match, leaving our school as the only one of the four schools that knew nothing and continued preparing.
They had vacated the premises while we were fighting the third round. No, they had fled the moment we secured our victory in the third round.
The security guard's expression was grim. He must have anticipated that someone from our school would come to lodge a complaint, or perhaps he had been instructed to say this. He didn't seem to be lying.
The security guards had likely not witnessed the match and knew nothing of the circumstances. They had been left to deal with the aftermath while the responsible parties fled.
"I see. Excuse me for the trouble."
Throwing a tantrum here would be pointless. I decided to return to Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy's tent.
"What an unexpected turn of events. I didn't think they would challenge me to a field brawl here."
What a reckless challenge, especially given that they knew they couldn't win.
A field brawl is something I excel at.
I had warned the Magic Doll Federation's chairperson not to do something like this, but they didn't listen. They will be held accountable.
'All right, let's get started.'
As I walked, I called out over a communication channel.
"This is Shinogami. Layla, I have an urgent task for you. Respond immediately. Repeat, respond immediately."
I used the Kikyo Society's dedicated open channel, ensuring everyone could hear.
"This is Layla. Please proceed."
"A fight. The opponents are just commoners, but they've challenged me in public. I intend to crush them thoroughly, so come and help."
"That's unacceptable. President, wasn't today the Magic Doll Tournament? Is this another federation issue?"
"I thought I had made it clear. They ignored my warning."
This time, it won't just be a threat. I will inflict actual harm to ensure they never defy me again. If there is any scheme afoot, I will dismantle it entirely. No cost is too high, and I will use everything at my disposal to achieve this, including violence, connections, and power.
"Amateurs are always a nuisance. I need to thoroughly understand the situation and plan. I'll join you as soon as possible. Given the urgency, should we mobilize all available members?"
"That's the plan. Everyone, you heard that, right? Work with Layla to finalize the strategy."
Many immediate responses followed. The peace had lasted recently, so the prospect of a fight had everyone's spirits up.
Once the responses died down, Heidi cut in. She was apparently at the venue, providing security for me.
"Heidi, were you in the audience?"
"Yes, I intended to watch the final, but this happened. It's related, right?"
"You catch on quickly. What do you think is behind this?"
If we can predict their motives, we can respond more effectively.
"Based on the current situation, it's hard to say. What could they gain by missing the final? Normally, the ones who skip are seen as the villains, but there are people accusing your school of being in the wrong. If this is staged, it's likely to tarnish the school's image. The concern is that the Magic Doll Federation may not be the only one with motives, and the method they're using to achieve their goals."
Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy is an elite school attended by the daughters of influential figures. There are those who would involve it in political struggles to gain some advantage. This might be a way to target not just the Magic Doll Club but the school and its stakeholders as a whole.
However, we need to act quickly. We need to cut off the means rather than just addressing the root cause. Our club is advancing to the next final, and we can't afford to be distracted by some fool's scheme.
"Speed is the priority. We'll investigate and dismantle it as we go. We'll even involve the Phantom Thief Guild, and if necessary, Count Cleados and Marquis Ribbonstrat. I'll even seek help from the Berliza Intelligence Department and the Bluecoats if needed."
"You're serious, aren't you, Yukari-san?"
"I'm fed up. I can't kill everyone, but I can use whatever means necessary to ensure they don't underestimate me. This time, I want them to understand that no one should oppose me."
Even if I can't have a sweeping massacre, eliminating a few key figures is an option. I'll do what's necessary.
"Understood. I'll work with Layla immediately. You can use all the members, including Valeria. Feel free to use funds as needed, and let us know if more is required."
"Agreed. I'll leave it to you. I'll coordinate with the students and bring them back to the academy. If anything comes up, contact me. Once the plan is set, we'll all deal with this."
"Understood. I'll proceed without hesitation and report back."
Heidi's efficiency is impressive. I'm sure she'll work with everyone to achieve quick results.
For now, my duty as an advisor is to take care of the students. They must be shaken by this unexpected turn of events.