After my match with Megiddo-san ended, I spent the rest of the day touring various attractions with Lilia-san and the others.
They all felt like carnival games or sports, and I had a lot of fun going around... but honestly, my performance was mediocre at best.
I couldn't quite focus. Perhaps the adrenaline from my fight with Megiddo-san hadn't fully faded, or maybe the sheer joy of winning was still clouding my mind. It was my first time fighting with everything on the line in front of such a massive crowd. Perhaps it was only natural that it took a while for the gravity of the situation to truly sink in.
We explored the attractions until evening, and I managed to collect twenty-two additional stamps. Since the prizes were tiered based on the number of stamps collected, I headed to the central plaza to exchange them.
I had assumed I only had twenty-two points to spend... but as it turned out, an extra-large stamp from one of the Five War Generals was worth ten regular stamps. Furthermore, the super-extra-large stamp I received for defeating Megiddo-san was apparently worth a staggering hundred points on its own.
In the end, my total count was 172. This allowed me to claim the top-tier prize: Gloves Crafted from Megiddo-san's Mane.
Well... I wasn't quite sure what to make of them.
Supposedly, they could withstand extreme heat. If you wore them, you could touch magma without feeling a thing. The catch? "The rest of your body will still burn."
It was an item that was quite difficult to find a practical use for. At the very least, I didn't expect to be touching magma anytime soon... and frankly, I wanted to avoid any situation where I'd even have to get close to the stuff.
I wondered if I could just use them as heavy-duty work gloves or oven mittens. Probably not. They were supposedly extremely expensive items... well, I’d figure out what to do with them eventually.
The bustling first day of the Six Kings Festival officially ended at 8:00 PM, and the participants began heading back to their accommodations.
However, since Lilia-san and the rest of our group had received a personal invitation to a banquet from Megiddo-san, we didn't return to our lodgings. Instead, we headed back to the Central Tower, the very place where I had fought my duel.
...This is strange. How did things turn out this way?
I was currently standing on a high platform, looking down at a massive crowd of people.
"All right! You've finally gathered!"
Standing beside me was Megiddo-san, who had returned to his original form. He nodded with satisfaction as he scanned the crowd. I’ll say it again: how did it come to this?
As soon as we had arrived at the banquet hall, I was separated from Lilia-san and the others. For some reason, I was led straight to a stage set up in the center of the room with Megiddo-san.
Everywhere I looked, there were people. It was a 360-degree wall of gazes. I couldn't relax at all.
Ignoring my obvious discomfort, Megiddo-san addressed the crowd in a booming voice.
"I’ve gathered my subordinates and those of you who pulled off impressive feats during today’s festivities! You all fought well! It was a hell of a day! As a reward, I’ve prepared mountains of delicious wine and food. Drink and make as much noise as you want!"
Deafening cheers erupted at his words.
I was still being overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the grand banquet when Megiddo-san suddenly scooped me up and set me on his shoulder. What in the world was he doing?!
"But before the party kicks off, there's someone I want to introduce to you punks! The only person who managed to beat me... Miyama Kaito!"
Another massive roar of approval swept through the hall. Oh...
According to what Alice had told me on the way here, I was the only person who had defeated Megiddo-san in his attraction. In fact, I was the only one who even got to challenge him.
Apparently, Agni-san had gotten completely fired up after her loss to Iris-san. She had spent the rest of the day playing for keeps, shutting out every single challenger who tried to pass her.
"Listen up! Kaito beat me. That means he's above anyone else at this banquet! Look! The man of the hour is here! Let him hear it!"
The cheers were so loud the room seemed to shake. My entire body trembled from the intensity of it.
Wasn't he overpraising me a bit too much...?
Once the noise died down, Megiddo-san officially declared the banquet open. Since most of the people here were his subordinates—people well-versed in the art of partying—the rowdy festivities began immediately.
As I looked down at the sight of people raising their glasses toward me and shouting "Cheers!" from every corner of the room, an indescribable emotion welled up in my chest.
It was a little ticklish, and I felt a bit embarrassed, but beneath that was a surge of excitement. I found myself naturally clenching my fists.
After slowly setting me down, Megiddo-san produced two large cups from thin air. He handed one to me and poured the wine.
"...Here. Take a look, Kaito."
"Eh?"
"Today, you're above everyone else here. No one's going to complain about that. After all, you beat me."
"...Megiddo-san."
"Be proud, Kaito. In that fight against me, you stood your ground with your own strength... and you won. This view right here? You earned it."
"..."
There it was again. That ticklish warmth deep in my chest. I finally recognized the feeling.
This was a sense of accomplishment.
The moment the realization hit, a wave of genuine joy washed over me. It was true. It had been a messy, desperate struggle. Maybe luck had been on my side, or maybe Alice had been supporting me from the shadows.
But even so, I had definitely won. With my own hands, I had defeated Megiddo-san.
"Come on, Kaito. Drink up! Cheers!"
"Ah, yes! Thank you!"
Savoring the victory that had finally begun to feel real, I clinked my cup against his.
I took a long drink. The taste of the wine permeated my mouth, my throat, and my stomach. It felt as if it were soaking into my very soul.
"...This is delicious. Is it a vintage wine?"
"Nah. It’s good stuff, but it’s nothing rare."
"Is that so? Well, it’s amazing. It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted, by far."
"Glad to hear it. Anyway, Kaito... sorry for dragging you into my selfish whims today."
"No, it's fine. Honestly... I was wondering, what was it that you wanted to teach me, Megiddo-san?"
We shared a quiet, surprisingly calm moment. I took another sip of the wine and waited for his answer. He had said he would tell me during the banquet, but I still wasn't sure what he meant.
"Hm? Oh, right. Tell me, Kaito. Today was a lot of work, wasn't it?"
"Ah... well, yes."
"Hahaha, I bet. There were hardships, and I’m sure you’re exhausted. But look at you now. You fought like your life depended on it, you won, and now you’re drinking. Doesn't this wine taste incredible?"
"Huh? ...Yes!"
"Remember this feeling, Kaito. This is what we call the Sweet Wine of Victory."
"...The Sweet Wine of Victory... So that's what you..."
Wanted to teach me? Just as I was about to ask, Megiddo-san drained his cup in one go. He turned to me and laughed boisterously.
"Well, that’s part of it. But there’s one more thing. Kaito, you’re an impressive guy. But you’ve got a glaring flaw: your low self-esteem."
"Ugh..."
"What, you knew? Then pay attention. I’ll say it again: you’re an impressive man. If you weren't, there’s no way I would’ve lost to you twice. So, stand tall. Have a little more confidence in yourself. You isn't some pathetic weakling who only ever gets saved by others. You’re a man who can seize glory with his own two hands."
"...Megiddo-san."
His words of affirmation felt like a powerful hand pushing me forward. I truly was blessed. I had people who would warn me when I was wrong, people who would scold me when I was reckless, and people like him, who would give me the push I needed.
This was truly the greatest happiness I could ever ask for.
"...Bah, I’m getting sentimental. Enough of that! Let’s get back to the booze! We’re drinking until we drop tonight!"
"Yes!"
Dear Mother, Father—
It was a victory I seized through confusion, exhaustion, and struggle. I don't think I’ll ever forget today for as long as I live. The joy of standing on my own two feet and being rewarded for it... and the taste of the Sweet Wine of Victory that Megiddo-san taught me.
Bonus: Five War Generals' Attraction Clearance Rate
Iron-blooded Bacchus: 25% The Stalwart Kong: 48% Absolute Ice Epsilon: 9% Silent Sky Ozma: 80% (Basically anyone who tried their best and didn't give up was allowed to pass) Crimson Flare Agni: 1% (Kaito was the only one to pass)