Chapter 126 - Episode 14: "I Shall Hand Over the Lead Role to You"
Gokigenyou! I am Violia Nico Fortesia!
Today is finally the long-awaited final day of the Martial Arts Tournament.
The four remaining contestants who have made it to the semi-finals are myself, Keeb, Doran, and Chris.
Despite the Royal Family surely doing everything in their power to prevent this, the fact remains that three-quarters of those in the semi-finals are on my side!
The King must be feeling no small amount of regret over the defeat of his own son, the Seventh Prince Dactor-sama, but the true regret is something he shall experience from here on out!
「……You didn't return to normal, did you?」
「Well, it shouldn't be a problem. My body can move now.」
……Now then. Regarding Doran, who had a hole opened in his stomach during the fight with Lital, it seems last night's moonbathing did him wonders, as his wounds have completely healed.
However.
「But there are ears and a tail, you know?」
It was ears. It was a tail.
……Yes. It seems Doran leaned a bit too far into his wolf side, and even when morning came, his ears and tail did not disappear.
「I originally intended to wear armor to hide my face. The ears and tail should be hidden as well.」
Well, with a full-face helm and thick armor, the ears and tail probably won't be visible, but…….
「Besides, it's convenient. Leaning slightly toward the wolf increases my abilities.」
「You're quite the battle maniac, aren't you……」
……Well, if Doran himself is fine with it, I suppose I don't mind.
When we headed to the venue, it was already filled with excitement. The audience, too, had been eagerly awaiting this day.
After all, this Martial Arts Tournament is an event meant to give birth to a national hero. Choosing a hero to whom they can entrust their future hopes and dream of a bright tomorrow. As entertainment, it is the finest of its kind.
Today, voices can be heard from all over the venue saying this contestant is good, or that they are rooting for that contestant.
……The popularity of Chris Bay Clarino goes without saying.
A high-ranking noble, the heir to the most prestigious family in the country, good-looking, and his swordsmanship is certain. He fits the image of a hero most perfectly.
At this rate, the commoners seem to have long since forgotten the Pink Slime incident…….
On the other hand, Doran is the opposite of Chris, one might say.
His unadorned, crude fighting style shines more than anyone else's precisely because of its overwhelming strength.
He holds only the status of a Holy Knight and lacks even a shred of nobility, but that is exactly why he is well-received by the commoners.
Also…… honestly, if he could show his face, his popularity would likely soar even higher. Doran has quite a well-featured appearance. Well, unfortunately, a man who was thrown into the royal castle's dungeon cannot afford to show his face!
As for Keeb…… he has already gained some passionate fans.
He is the youngest among those remaining at this stage. His track record is guaranteed by the Elsemarin Guild.
His genius fighting style as a rare and powerful mage has become a major topic of conversation.
And above all, he is a beautiful boy. That is also a secret to his popularity!
……In that case, could it be that I am the least popular?
The presence of the masked female swordswoman is undoubtedly significant, and I have made every single fight a 'spectacle.' If we were talking purely about the beauty of combat, I have the confidence to take first prize!
However…… well, the others remaining are a beautiful boy and a handsome young man…… A mask is a bit of a disadvantage at times like this!
Today's contestant waiting room is almost like a private rental. Only myself, Keeb, and Doran are here.
Chris is likely in the VIP seating area. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in the waiting room at all.
「It's finally time. It's a shame we can't see how Chris is doing, though.」
「True. I wanted to check on him before the fight if possible.」
The opponent's condition is also important in battle. Especially for Doran, who is currently in an excited state from leaning too far into his wolf side.
「For now, just be careful not to have your helmet taken off.」
「I don't intend to lose. Since I don't intend to let anyone take my head, I won't let them take my helmet either.」
W-Well, that's true. The time a helmet comes off is usually when the head is taken…….
「……But I'm looking forward to it. I hear Chris Bay Clarino is excellent as a warrior.」
「Indeed. Well, he is undoubtedly the best in the 'current' noble world.」
Before House Fortesia fell into ruin, I believe House Fortesia was number one by an overwhelming margin, but if we limit it to the 'current' noble world, it would mean the people of House Clarino are the strongest. Yes.
……Well, to put it the other way, among the four people remaining in these semi-finals, the one most likely to be the weakest is Chris. Yes.
Now then, while we were waiting leisurely, Doran was eventually called. It's finally beginning.
「Please be careful, Doran. I'm a little concerned about what Lital said yesterday.」
「Yeah. I know.」
……What Lital said last night.
That 'Chris is strangely impatient, and something is off about him.'
Those words have become a bad premonition that strangely won't leave my mind.
Keeb and I decided to watch the stage from our usual spot.
Chris and Doran stood facing each other on the stage, bathed in the cheers generously poured upon them by the audience, yet they remained still.
……Something feels a bit off.
It's normal for Doran not to react to the audience, but I don't think that's the case for Chris.
Even a prideful noble, if they intend to be in the popularity business, would at least scatter some superficial amiability. In fact, I thought Chris was the type to act with an eye on the public's gaze, but…….
……Chris's eyes are merely staring fixedly at Doran.
With a sense of tension…… no.
Brimming with dread and impatience.
Before the battle, there were words from the MC. Well, it's a pointless commentary, but I suppose it serves to whip up the audience's excitement.
After the MC disappeared, the referee arrived as if taking his place and gave the signal for both sides to take their stances.
……He gave it, but.
「……Oh? Something is wrong with Chris.」
Chris did not take a stance. Without even touching the sword hanging at his waist…… he just stood there.
……The audience began to buzz at this as well. But in the end, without taking up his weapon, Chris spoke instead.
「Before the match, allow me to make an accusation! ……The one before me is no Holy Knight! Nay, far from being a Holy Knight…… he is not even human!」
「That man is a werewolf.」
The venue buzzed. Chris remained motionless while pointing at Doran. And even with all eyes upon him, Doran did not move from the stage.
……No, he 'could not' move. If he ran now, it would be as good as admitting he was a werewolf. Besides…… it would mean withdrawing from the fight.
「……W-Wait, what is the meaning of this?」
「I don't know…… how does Chris know that?」
Keeb and I were both confused. In the first place, it's strange for Chris to have the information that 'the opponent is a werewolf.'
Therefore…… the first thing that comes to mind is Lital's betrayal.
Lital, who encountered me and Doran last night, would know that the person facing Chris Bay Clarino in today's semi-finals is actually the werewolf Doran Parc.
But would Lital do such a thing? Would that girl, who seemed so devoted to me, do something like selling out Doran?
Rather than thinking that…… it makes far more sense to think that Lital leaked the information against her will, or perhaps Chris was eavesdropping on that occasion.
Well, fine. Now is not the time to be thinking about the information leak.
……The venue is in a great uproar due to Chris's accusation. It has been a long time since 'werewolves' began to be hunted in this kingdom. I imagine there are few who have actually seen a werewolf.
Even so, they possess the 'fear of werewolves' instilled in them by the Royal Family.
Even without having been harmed by a werewolf, the commoners feel a sense of aversion toward them due to the fact that the Royal Family insists 'werewolves are evil' and hunts them.
「Now, take off your helmet! If you claim you are not a werewolf, then prove it!」
While Chris denounced him loudly, the venue fell silent, and all attention gathered solely on Doran.
「……This is bad. We have to help him.」
「Wait.」
I pulled Keeb back as he tried to rush out, and I watched Doran intently.
「Violia, why are you stopping me? At this rate, Doran will—」
「No. He is still on the stage.」
Keeb's arm, which I held, was trembling slightly, and my fingers gripping his arm were also trembling.
……Yes. But even so, I cannot go out to help him.
「Right now, the lead role of this venue is him.」
This is his grand stage. We cannot afford to interfere.