Chapter 215 Outsider ②

Part 2

“Haaah? The Supreme Martial Arts Festival? With Yowaningen!?” (Kruz)

“Kukuku…… Even though he just finished an escort request a few days ago, what a busy person.” (Lapis)

　When Kruz Argen widened her eyes while shouting in a dumbfounded voice, the Party Leader of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》, Lapis Furgol let out a chuckle as if she had seen something interesting.

　《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 is a Party where only Spirit People are in it.
There are not many Spirit People in the Imperial Capital, so to prevent trouble, they rented a house and usually lived there.
　The rooms are large and built with plenty of room to spare, but the rare Spirit People who come out of the forest generally respect each other’s freedom, so there was a spacious common area, but――There was no sign of the other members in the common room.

　The Supreme Martial Arts Festival was one of the few festivals that are widespread even among Spirit People who are generally not interested in worldly affairs.
　In the past, a certain Spirit People won the competition and became known as a hero all over the world, so there are many participants, even Spirit People who are generally not interested in human events.
　However, since then, there has been no winner among Spirit People――.

“………… It must be some kind of joke, desu.
That guy, he didn’t even raise a finger when Dragons or Phantoms attacked him, desu.” (Kruz)

“Fumu…… Then is he aiming to be famous……?” (Lapis)

“That is even more unlikely, desu.
Because that guy is saying whatever he wants even if he is in front of noblemen or the Emperor, desu.
Participate……? Are you sure you aren’t mistaking it for watching the tournament rather than participating, desu!” (Kruz)

“There was no way the story could have gotten this big just because he was going to watch the tournament.” (Lapis)

　I understand that you don’t believe me, but you are too agitated.

’
　When Lapis spoke in a reprimanding voice, Kruz’s face turned red and shouted.

“I understand even if you don’t remind me of it, desu.
Even though I’m not feeling well――That Yowaningen, he goes ahead and does this!” (Kruz)

　Maybe the exhaustion of the escort request had taken a toll on her, she had fallen ill and had been resting at home since she returned from the escort.
　Repeated attacks and an encounter with a Treasure Shrine.
There weren’t any serious problems on the way back, but she was still on her toes the whole time, wondering when an attack would come.
It was inevitable that she would collapse.

　That was what I was thinking.
But it is a different story if we are talking about the human who should have done the same thing, but is still going to the Supreme Martial Arts Festival vigorously.

“Yowaningen, don’t tell me you left everything to me just so you could attend the Supreme Martial Arts Festival, desu! At the very least, come visit me, desu!” (Kruz)

　When Kruz was complaining to someone who wasn’t even here, Lapis crossed her arms and sighed with a *Yareyare* gesture.

“Then, shall you try to participate too? If you can defeat 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, it should be satisfying for you too.
How to participate…… Well, we will figure it out.
We are perfect to please the crowd.” (Lapis)

“Eh……” (Kruz)

　My unexpected words made Kruz blink her eyes.
　She stared at Lapis, but she didn’t seem to be joking.
In the first place, Lapis is not the kind of person who likes to joke.

　Certainly, if she could defeat 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 on the big stage, she would, well, feel a little better.
It would also spread 《Starlight’s (Hoshi no Seirai) 》 name around the world.

　Kruz looked thoughtful for a moment but quickly shook her head.

’

“No, I’m not going to do that because it would waste all the hard work I did, desu.
And it’s not like I’m interested in fame or being the strongest, desu.” (Kruz)

“I see.” (Lapis)

“But after all the trouble he had caused me, I’m not going to let him get away so easily if he loses pathetically.” (Kruz)

“Fumu…… Well, I am sure that our Spirit People Hero will also be present at this Supreme Martial Arts Festival.
Even if it is just a contractual agreement――I do want to see the power of our Clan Leader in full display.” (Lapis)

　Lapis narrowed her eyes with a beautiful but scary smile at her Party Member who was once again raising her voice in indignation.

 

 

§

 

“*Kushun* Achoo…… I have a feeling that something good is going to happen.” (Cry)

　Is it really going to be alright?

　The sight of the Clan Master humming happily and opening a magazine made Eva feel a bit uneasy.

’

　《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is definitely, no matter how you look at it, one of the top ten Hunters in the Imperial City.
But at the same time, he is also a Hunter who does not like to fight very much.
　Eva had once asked Cry why he had stopped exploring Treasure Shrines.

　Being a Clan Master is an honorable job, but a Treasure Hunter’s main job is to explore Treasure Shrines, and few Clan Masters are willing to neglect that for the Clan (Although that was one of 《First Step (Ashiato)》 advantages over other Clans).
　And to Eva’s fearful question, the Clan Master replied with a nihilist grin.

　He said, 『I have never been a fan of fighting.
It is tedious and I am already tired of it』.

　But now, as he opened the magazine with a *niconico* smile on his face, I couldn’t feel a trace of his former words.

“What are you doing?” (Eva)

“Well, since I am going to the Supreme Martial Arts Festival, I think I should go to some famous tourist spots……” (Cry)

　He lifted up a large magazine which had a lot of sticky notes on it and showed it to me.

　Although the Supreme Martial Arts Festival is a martial arts tournament, for the fighters, it is about their honor.
Sometimes, the victory or defeat of a fighter can determine the fate of the school to which he belongs.
　The other participants are probably putting the final touches on their preparation by visiting Treasure Shrine and other places in anticipation of the upcoming battle.

　No, even if they weren’t necessarily all like that――Eva could clearly understand that there were no participants that would look for tourist attractions in a guidebook.

　Even to Eva who is always watching Cry’s usual way of doing things, she can’t help but worry when she sees Cry *niconico* smiling.

“………… Shall I look up the information on the participants?” (Eva)

’

　The Martial Arts Festival is a one-on-one tournament.
And since weapons and fighting styles are free, victory or defeat depends largely on the compatibility between the fighters.
　Eva doesn’t know what Cry was good at, but if he had the information, he should be able to use his usual unparalleled strategies and ingenuity to find a way to deal with it.

　When she said with such thought in her mind, Cry opened his eyes in amazement and said with an innocent smile.

“No, I don’t need it.
It is not like I am that interested in the participants, and it is more fun to find out about them after the match has started.” (Cry)

“!?” (Eva)

　Are you really motivated to do this? Is it really alright for this man to be a Clan Master?
　No…… Cry-san, you are going to do whatever you want again, am I right?

“Ah, actually I marked the places I was interested in.
Do you have any places you would like to visit Eva?” (Cry)

“………… Please let me borrow it.” (Eva)

　I picked up the guidebook with his writing on it and tucked it under my arm.
　Even if I am being noisy, even if he said it was unnecessary――I have to take action.
For once, as the Vice-Master, I couldn’t just leave it at that.
The outcome of the Supreme Martial Arts Festival will affect the entire Clan.

“”

　When Eva made up her mind, she quickly left the Clan Master’s office, leaving the Clan Master in a *pokan* daze.