[And now, the lead pack has finally entered the Battle Zone! However, there is no point in the current leaders fighting one another!]
In fact, engaging in combat would only be a disadvantage in terms of their overall time, so Bib #1, #51, and #40 continued to hurry ahead. Following closely behind was the catching-up Bib #17, followed by #31, #49, and #13.
At that moment, Bib #51 put on a burst of speed.
[Oh?! Bib #51 is moving fast—incredible speed! It has just overtaken Bib #1 to seize the lead!]
＊ ＊ ＊
"Ho, it even has a dash of speed when it counts."
Lordtoss voiced his admiration.
"Indeed."
One could say the advantages of a middleweight were being put to good use.
"But..."
"But? What is it, Jin-sama?"
Rubina reacted to Jin’s hesitant tone.
"Eh? Oh, nothing. I was just thinking that if things continue like this, they’ll run right into the trailing groups just as they’re heading back with the fifth marker."
"Ah, that’s true. If that happens, it’ll turn into a brawl, and the middleweights might be at a disadvantage..."
"It’s as Shu says. We still don't know who will come out on top."
＊ ＊ ＊
[The lead pack has now obtained the final marker!]
One after another, the golems snatched up the purple markers.
Since this point also served as the turnaround, they performed U-turns to begin the journey back along the path they had come.
The first they passed was Bib #17, holding a solitary 4th place. The units passed each other without incident.
The next they encountered was the second group; there was no trouble there either.
Up until the third and fourth groups, since everyone already possessed the necessary markers, combat would have been a waste of time, so they merely passed one another in silence.
However, the fifth group was different.
The fifth group consisted of four units: Bib #11, #29, #37, and #47. As the leaders tried to pass, those four units simultaneously set upon the three frontrunners.
[Whoa! Combat has finally erupted! Bib #11 is attacking Bib #51, who was holding the lead! Bib #29 is going after Bib #1! And #37 is lunging for #40! Only #47 is standing back. What could it possibly be planning?!]
Beside the three pairs that had begun grappling, Bib #47 stood perfectly still, observing the chaos.
＊ ＊ ＊
"It’s likely aiming for the 'fisherman's profit,' I’d wager," Jin muttered while watching the screen.
"Jin-sama, what is 'gyofu no ri'?"
"Ah, that... it’s a historical proverb. A maxim based on events from long ago... I believe."
"Oh? What sort of story?"
Prompted by Rubina, Jin explained as he searched his memory.
"While a fisherman was out on his boat, a bird caught a large fish. However, the fish was too heavy, so the bird couldn't fly away and fell into the water. The fish died because the bird's talons were buried in its side. In the end, the fisherman was able to claim both the bird and the fish without doing any work... I think that was how it went."
In short, it meant to gain a profit without exerting any effort, Jin concluded.
"Hmm, that sounds like a plausible tale. And looking at the situation now, it certainly seems to fit."
In the original parable, the bird was a snipe and the prey was a clam whose shell clamped onto the bird's beak, but the core meaning was conveyed regardless.
As they watched, the struggle between Bib #40 and #37 caused a red and a yellow marker to tumble out of #40's storage compartment. Bib #47 lunged forward and snatched them up instantly.
"Ah!"
"See?"
Rubina cried out, and Jin nodded as if he had expected nothing less.
Having secured the markers, Bib #47 ignored the red one and retreated from the fray carrying only the yellow marker. It likely already possessed a red one of its own.
Meanwhile, in the duel between Bib #1 and #29, victory seemed to go to Bib #1. It started running again, leaving the now-immobile Bib #29 in the snow. However, it had clearly sustained damage, as its pace had slowed noticeably.
"It really is better to avoid combat if possible," Jin said, grimacing.
Just then, the trailing Bib #19 set upon the damaged Bib #1.
"Going toe-to-toe like that will only hurt them..."
As if it had heard Jin's murmur, Bib #1 skillfully sidestepped, letting Bib #19’s momentum carry it past.
Bib #19 seemed to realize the futility of pursuit; since it had not yet passed Checkpoint 5, chasing Bib #1 any further would result in a massive time loss, so it gave up.
Subsequently, Bib #51 also overcame its struggle with Bib #11 and resumed its run.
However, more trailing units were arriving by the moment. Most of them did not possess a single marker.
Consequently, every arriving golem began to attack the leaders.
"This is brutal..."
Jin thought that twenty markers for fifty golems was an incredibly stingy ratio.
Then again, the battles in this area were an intended part of the spectacle.
The spectators were reaching a fever pitch, letting out deafening cheers.
A total melee had finally begun.
"This isn't particularly elegant."
"Indeed..."
Lordtoss voiced his agreement with Jin's observation.
The racing portion had been fascinating to watch, but it had descended into pure chaos the moment the fighting started. It was now a complete free-for-all.
"What is this...?"
Even the spectators began to buzz with a sense of unease.
＊ ＊ ＊
[Whoa! It’s a massive brawl! Everyone, what’s happened?!]
The announcer sounded bewildered.
[Is every golem in an excited state?! They are golems—how can they be acting like this?!]
＊ ＊ ＊
"Father, something is a little strange."
Reiko’s voice cut through the noise.
"What is it?"
"The golems fighting over there... they have partially lost their will."
"What did you say?!"
"I cannot be certain from this distance, but I detected waves similar to Master-Slave Rewrite Magic coming from the vicinity of those golems."
"Master-Slave Rewrite Magic?!"
It was the magic that Unifilar had once used during the Golem Party in the Kingdom of Egerea to drive the units into a frenzy.
Someone was doing the exact same thing here.
"It can only be the Magic Federation."
With Markitus dead, the Magic Federation’s influence was being whittled away in many regions.
"To think they would infiltrate the Shouro Empire, where they were weakest... No, perhaps that’s exactly why it was easy for them to slip in."
Jin reasoned that this reckless act was possible precisely because the Empire hadn't been on guard against them.
"What shall we do?" Lordtoss asked him.
"Isn't the Shouro Empire taking any action?"
Jin first wanted to see how the organizers would handle the situation.
＊ ＊ ＊
Meanwhile, on the Shouro Empire’s side.
"Umu, this is a bit... no, it is a significant emergency. I declare it by my authority as the organizer. The competition is temporarily suspended!"
Magic Technology Minister Reglei Gibbs von Besuvius made the call. The order was immediately relayed to the tournament officials.
A command to halt was issued to the golems. By tournament regulations, these units were programmed to obey this specific override even if it didn't come from their Master.
"Cancel! Behold!!"
The command thundered across the mountainside. However...
[An end to this abnormal state! A temporary suspension!!...Ah?! They aren't stopping!]
Far from subsiding, the golems' melee only grew more violent.