With both semi-final matches concluded, the day's tournament events naturally came to an end.
While it was common for the qualifying rounds or the early stages of the main bracket to stretch across several days, the schedule moved much faster at this stage. Today's itinerary had wrapped up in a matter of hours. Hearing that, some spectators might have felt shortchanged, but the reality was that the matches were now far more substantial. Only the most elite had advanced, making every duel a captivating spectacle.
In fact, today's bouts had been a feast for the eyes. Audiences had witnessed a water dragon—even if it was only the head—clash head-on with a bird of flame, and contestants had brandished wind magic spears or blades wreathed in frost and fire.
"The day after tomorrow... finally," Rei whispered.
His voice dissolved into the night air. Seto, listening close by, let out a soft trill from its throat and turned toward him. Rei shook his head and stroked the griffon's head, assuring it that it was nothing.
By winning his semi-final match, Rei had guaranteed himself at least the runner-up position. A victory celebration was currently in full swing in the dining hall to mark his advancement, but Rei had quickly slipped away, not feeling particularly festive.
He stroked Seto’s head while listening to the distant cheers from the Eternal Sky Inn and the chirping of insects that was almost loud enough to be annoying. They were in a secluded spot that served as a backyard near the stables. There, Rei and Seto enjoyed a quiet moment together.
"I’ve put you through a lot of inconveniences, Seto. You want to stretch your wings properly, don't you?"
"Guruuu."
Of course, Seto trilled.
Seto loved to sleep, but it also loved to move. Being cooped up in the stables nearly all day was a trial. Even so, it never threw a tantrum, likely understanding that doing so would cause trouble for Rei. It also helped that the staff at this high-end Imperial Capital inn were comfortable around the griffon and treated it with care. The other animals and tamed monsters in the stables had also grown accustomed to its presence over the past few days... though they weren't exactly brave enough to play with Seto.
"The Fighting Tournament is almost over. And once it is..."
Rei trailed off, deciding it was unwise to speak of sensitive matters in the open. But Seto seemed to understand. It rubbed its head against him with a soft trill.
Autumn had settled in, and the night air was cool. Most ordinary people would have found the temperature chilly, but Rei felt perfectly comfortable leaning against the griffon’s side, protected by his Dragon Robe.
"Hey, Seto... do you think I can win the day after tomorrow?"
The question tumbled softly from his lips. He only spoke because he knew no one but Seto was listening. His voice sounded uncharacteristically weak, lacking the confidence he usually carried.
"Gururururuuu."
Seto trilled while continuing to nuzzle him, as if to say, Do your best.
But even Seto’s encouragement couldn't quite restore Rei's confidence. Having watched today's fight, he realized the truth: there was still a vast gulf between himself and Noise.
He believed he could win if he threw away all restraint, but "no holds barred" meant a fighting style that ignored the rules of the tournament. It would mean fighting alongside Seto or using wide-area annihilation magic that would devastate the arena and the surrounding capital.
"But I can't do that."
Had it been when he first arrived in the city, he might have used any means necessary. But things were different now. He had made friends here, and more importantly, causing such destruction could reignite a war with the Kingdom of Mireana.
"I have no choice but to clash with him head-on."
"Gurururuuu... Guruuu... Gurururururuu!"
The moment Rei muttered those words, Seto gave a sharp cry and pecked him with its beak. It was a restrained blow—Seto’s beak could easily kill if used in earnest—but it still sent a jolt of pain through Rei’s head. Since he had lowered the hood of his Dragon Robe, the peck landed directly.
Rei winced and clutched his head, looking at the griffon. "Seto, what was that for...?"
"Guruuu!"
The cry carried a clear reprimand: Don't be so weak.
While Seto understood Rei perfectly, Rei couldn't translate Seto’s cries into words. Yet, in that moment, he felt certain the griffon was scolding him for his cowardice.
"Gururururuuu."
Seto trilled again, watching him intently. Rei stared back for a full minute before suddenly slapping both of his own cheeks. The sharp crack echoed through the night, cutting through the sound of the insects.
"Ow... I hit myself a bit too hard. But thanks, Seto. I needed that. You're right. I can't be getting cold feet before the fight even starts."
"Guruuu!"
Seto trilled as if to say That's more like it, then immediately resumed nuzzling him. Its soft purring sounded like an apology for the peck. Even if he didn't know the words, Rei felt its intent and gently stroked its head.
"Don't worry about it. You aren't in the wrong. You did it for my sake, didn't you? I could never be mad at you for that."
"Gururuuu?"
When Seto tilted its head as if to ask Really?, Rei nodded and handed it a piece of dried meat from his Misty Ring.
"Gururururuu!"
Realizing it was allowed to eat, Seto happily snatched the treat and tossed it back. The dried meat was a masterpiece, its flavor deepening with every chew. It was a delicacy in its own right, though being served by Rei made it taste even better to the griffon. However, since it was a snack meant for humans, the portion was far too small. Seto tilted its head again, asking for more.
Rei smiled and pulled more out. "Consider this a reward for snapping me out of it."
This dried meat was sold at the inn's dining hall and was quite expensive. It was prepared with extreme care, using premium meat and a blend of spices in a specialized magic item that created the perfect drying environment. For the wealthy guests of the Eternal Sky Inn, the cost was negligible, and the snacks were selling rapidly. With the tournament in full swing, guests were buying it as a side for their drinks, a snack for the arena, or as a souvenir for friends.
Rei had made a small fortune betting on his own matches, and since it was money earned with relatively little effort—though he had certainly fought for it—he had used the winnings to buy up a massive stock. He had also purchased entire pots of stew, simmered dishes, and enough sandwiches to feed a hundred people.
The cooks had been hesitant at first, unwilling to let so much food go to waste, but Rei had explained that time stopped inside his item box. After he demonstrated the effect, they agreed to the order. Their cooperation was also fueled by a conversation where Rei mentioned he had developed new dishes in the past.
The udon from the frontier town of Gilm and the seafood okonomiyaki from the port town of Emotion hadn't yet reached the Bestia Empire. Rei had judged that sharing those specific recipes might cause diplomatic friction over regional specialties, so he had promised to teach the cooks a different new dish later in exchange for the massive order. He had walked away with enough food to feed several hundred people, served in the very pots, pans, and platters they were cooked in. He hadn't hesitated to pay the steep price.
Rei reached into the Misty Ring and produced a portion of stir-fry of mushrooms and Orc General with thickened sauce, sharing the meal with Seto.
"Orc General meat... that brings back memories. I think I still have a fair bit of it left in the inventory."
He checked the Misty Ring list in his mind. Indeed, a significant amount remained. He consumed Orc meat whenever they camped out, but the spoils from his raid on the Orc settlement were vast.
"Orc meat really is delicious, isn't it?"
"Guruuu."
Seto nodded in agreement as it ate from its plate. The meat of high-rank monsters was rich in magic power and flavor. It was why so many people dreamed of tasting Dragon meat, the ultimate delicacy.
"Yeah, I’d love to try Dragon meat someday. What do you think, Seto?"
"Gururuuu!"
Rei gave a wry smile at the immediate, enthusiastic response. The two of them continued their meal under the autumn moon, enjoying a quiet hour of peace amidst the chirping of the night insects.
While Rei and Seto enjoyed their solitude, Vihera, Theoreme, and Tiull Bugle were positioned roughly a day's journey from the Imperial Capital.
They were not alone. Their camp was filled with supporters of the Third Prince Faction, including those who followed Vihera out of personal loyalty and those who had defected at her request. Each of them had gathered here to rescue the Third Prince, their figurehead, the day after tomorrow.
Vihera gazed pensively at the moon, illuminated by the crackling campfire. Seeing her mood, Tiull Bugle watched her profile while strumming his harp. He played a melancholy tune. Normally, such a somber melody would be criticized for dampening the soldiers' morale, but no one in this camp dared to complain.
To them, the melancholy song felt appropriate. Their ears were focused on the music, but their eyes were fixed on Vihera. The sparks from the campfire danced around her, lending a mystical quality to her already ethereal beauty.
A War Maiden.
The commanders watching her shared that singular thought. She was a woman who sought, favored, and reveled in battle—a dangerous and beautiful War Maiden who seemed to invite her enemies to the afterlife.
Suddenly, Vihera turned her gaze toward the men. They were all commanders, leaders who would soon follow her into the fray. These were the comrades who had gathered to save her brother, the battle-brothers who would bleed alongside her. She wanted to avoid a full-scale civil war if possible, but with her brother under house arrest and facing a high risk of assassination, she had no other choice.
(I wonder what Rei would think of this...)
The image of the boy she had fallen for in the Labyrinth City Exil crossed her mind. He was shorter than her and had a face that could almost be described as girlish. At first glance, he didn't look like much, but the power hidden within him was nothing short of atrocious.
That very boy was set to face the Bestia Empire’s legendary S-rank adventurer, Noise the Immovable. Depending on the timing of their rescue operation, she might end up disrupting his duel.
(If possible, I want to wait until the finals are over... Rei, stay safe.)
As Vihera let out a long sigh, the face she showed now was not that of a War Maiden, but that of a maiden in love. Most of the men in the camp simply watched her, enchanted by the shift.