3 bar menu

Test Your Skills, Glory Awaits the Victor – Part 01

The city of Hopestadt was not particularly well-maintained except for the main street that ran north, south, east, and west. Buildings of various heights, sizes, and architectural styles dotted the city. Red soil’s abundance in the area made it cheap, so most buildings were made of it, giving the entire city a reddish-brown hue. The climate was warm and dry year-round, and there were no natural disasters such as heavy rain or earthquakes, which made it possible to live comfortably in even a less durable dirt house.

There were some buildings made of white stone or wood, but these were mostly shops, likely designed to attract customers.

The residence of the confederacy leader was located in the center of Hopestadt, next to an oasis that supported the entire city’s life. The bubbling water from the oasis added a refreshing atmosphere to the estate, making it the ultimate luxury in a city where water was scarce. Water was supplied to each house through the water pipes that led from the leader’s estate. Despite digging wells, water could not be found; spring water apparently came from a deep underground water vein. The confederacy leader’s hold on the water supply made him a symbol of authority.

Hopestadt was currently bustling with excitement as the Ruler’s Rumble tournament, a once-in-six-years event to determine the next confederacy leader, was about to begin. People from various races came to Hopestadt from their respective villages and towns within Einbiest. Although all the inns were fully booked, each race had its own connections. Hikaru’s group was able to secure a mid-level inn thanks to the Ratmen’s help.

“You can eat, and they will provide you with a tub of clean water daily to wipe yourself,” Hikaru said. “And that’s enough to be called a luxury.”

The abundance of wells in Ponsonia made them take water for granted.

“The sun is fierce during the day, but the nights are apparently chilly,” Lavia said, holding a book about Hopestadt.

“What about public safety?” Paula asked.

“Not too good. Well within expectations, though.”

A knock came at the door.

“Silver Face,” Jillarte called. “Let’s go sign up.” Her voice was somewhat tense and strained.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

“Hmm? Are you leaving those two here?” Jillarte asked.

“They’re exhausted from the long trip,” Hikaru replied. “They need rest.”

“I-I see. I-It’s just the two of us, then.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

With a different kind of nervous air about her, Jillarte left the inn with Hikaru.

Hikaru had his mask and hood on from the start, and now Jillarte, too, donned a similar hooded cloak made of fiber, with a cloth covering her mouth. As many people wore masks to protect themselves from the dust, she didn’t stand out much. She wanted to avoid drawing attention, as she was quite famous.

“That’s the Hopestadt arena, the venue of the Ruler’s Rumble,” Jillarte said.

“It’s ginormous.”

“Right? There was a major renovation back when my father was the leader.”

Hikaru chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s just, you look really happy when talking about your father.”

The exposed part of her face turned red. “S-So, what’s your relationship with those two?”

“Well, it’s hard to explain. I guess you could say we’re co-conspirators sharing a secret.”

Hikaru’s party shared many secrets. They were like co-conspirators in some ways. However, even without any secrets, Lavia and Paula would still want to be with Hikaru.

“Must be a big secret,” Jillarted said.

“I suppose.”

“A relationship built on firm trust.” She sounded downhearted.

“I guess we share a secret now too,” Hikaru said.

“What?!”

“I broke you out of prison, and we’re now teaming up to win the Ruler’s Rumble. Sounds like a big secret to me.”

“R-Right! Not exactly between us two, but a big secret nonetheless.”

Jillarte continued on with a spring in her steps.

Hikaru wasn’t quite sure what’s gotten into her, but he figured her feeling better was a good thing.

The venue for the tournament was located in the northeastern area of Hopestadt, in a huge and majestic circular arena made of stone, clearly visible even from a distance. It was reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum, but flatter and wider.

The tournament would take place here, with a maximum of thirty-two participants.

Some races had not yet declared their participation, and registration would continue until just before the main event, which was to begin in four days. Some strategies involved identifying the participants and using the maximum force against them.

There were many food stalls and workers around the arena, but no general public.

The four leaders gathered here—Utekko of the Dragonfolk, Garan of the Ogrekin, Lukrek of the Sinners, and Chi of the Ratmen. They were all hiding their faces with hoods, making it impossible to tell who was who at first glance, except for the Ogrekin with his huge physique.

Two tiger-type Beastmen were standing at the entrance to the arena.

“You there,” one said. “Authorized personnel only. Go away.”

“We’re here to register.”

“Hmm? Oh, well if it isn’t the Half Dragons.”

“Really? Do they want to get killed by Lord Gerhardt again?!”

Hikaru thought they were too menacing to be security guards, which he attributed to the Beastmen’s influence. He ignored their annoying, curious gazes and went inside.

The registration process was uneventful. When the name Jillarte was written down as a representative of the Dragonfolk and the Ogrekin, the receptionist, a horse Beastman, looked momentarily puzzled. When they realized it was the daughter of the previous leader, they gasped, glancing back and forth between the hooded Half Dragon girl and the name. Hikaru was reminded of how famous Jillarte actually was.

News of Jillarte’s participation quickly spread throughout Hopestadt that day. As a result, no one paid attention to the name Silver Face representing the Ratmen and the Sinners.

---

On the day the tournament bracket was announced, Hikaru, Lavia, and Paula headed downtown dressed as adventurers, not wearing their silver masks. Lavia was holding Hikaru’s left hand, and Paula his right. Upon activating Group Cloaking, they became less noticeable, as though dissolving into the air.

Holding hands was a little embarrassing. Lavia naturally intertwined her fingers with Hikaru’s like couples would do, while Paula’s face was red. Hikaru was glad no one could see them.

“New cities sure are exciting, huh?” Hikaru said.

“Th-They are,” Paula agreed. “I never thought the day would come when I would leave Ponsonia.”

Lavia was captivated by her surroundings, taking in the unfamiliar cityscapes, unknown races, exotic stalls, unfamiliar words, and new scents she had never experienced before. The sense of adventure that Lavia had always longed for made everything she was experiencing now precious.

“Can we stop by the Adventurers’ Guild first?” Hikaru asked. “I want to finish a commission.”

The destination for the delivery commission he took from Pond’s Adventurers’ Guild was the guild in Hopestadt.

The Adventurers’ Guild in Hopestadt was a massive stone building. A strip of cloth hung down from the wide entrance, swaying in the wind. Boisterous voices spilled out onto the street.

Before Hikaru’s group could enter, four women emerged from the building.

“So many people trying to hit on us. Gross!”

“They were all over Selyse and Sophie, though. Are Serika and I just not feminine enough?”

“That’s not true. You look tough, and I think Serika’s unusual black hair piqued their interest.”

“I’m just glad that there are no urgent commissions.”

It was the four members of the Four Eastern Stars, one of the strongest adventurer parties in the Kingdom of Ponsonia. When monsters went berserk in the Forest of Deception, Hikaru fought alongside them secretly.

Oh, crap! What are they doing here?! I’m so glad I have Group Cloaking on right now.

Upon closer inspection, Hikaru’s Mana Detection revealed Serika’s tremendous magical power. Unfortunately, his Skill had a range of only ten meters, and Hikaru’s excitement, combined with the fact that there were many adventurers in the guild, caused him to lose focus.

Keeping Group Cloaking on, Hikaru moved to the side of the road, with Lavia and Paula—they noticed the Four Eastern Stars as well—nervously following him as he stood along the wall.

The four ladies walked past them, chatting.

Don’t they work in Ponsonia? Hikaru wondered. Us low-ranked adventurers leaving is one thing, but Rank B adventurers? Wouldn’t that be a problem?

They were talking about how the commissions were no different from the ones in Ponsonia, and how there were some skilled adventurers around. It sounded like they came here without any particular purpose.

Suddenly, Sara stopped and looked in Hikaru’s direction.

“What’s the matter, Sara?”

“Hmm…”

She shouldn’t have noticed them. Hikaru checked her Soul Board.