episode_0270

What did you just say?

‘Abstention… you say?’

Arina doubted her ears and made an expression as if to say, “What kind of nonsense is that?”

It’s not all that unusual to declare one’s retirement from a martial arts tournament.

If it is a subject you are not confident in or find difficult to get into, you can give up and move on.

But this case is different.

The event currently in progress is the arena, the flower of martial arts competitions.

As the most eyes gather, all scores are added up and only the top players advance to the 1:1 match.

Because of that, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the martial arts tournament was held for the sake of the arena.

So, I can’t really understand it.

You must have spent a lot of time preparing for the game and maintaining your equipment.

I’m sure you prepared for this competition by working with sponsors and managing scores from previous events.

A tricky optimization to match the unique mana to your gear.

Training attempted after equipping myself with the appropriate equipment.

Besides that, it would be quite difficult to just take down each and every one of them.

But that choice is one that makes all of this go to waste.

Just one step.

If you take just one more step, you will win.

But, you’re declaring abstention here?

It wasn’t just Arina who couldn’t understand.

The host asked Karsain as if he couldn’t understand.

“What are you talking about? Prince Karsain. Abstention…”

“What is it? Does abstention mean something other than what it means?”

“I know that, but…”

That’s not what I’m talking about now.

When the host responded with a puzzled expression instead of an answer, Karsain answered very calmly.

“The Duke of Bagrand’s victory means that the two of us have made it to the finals, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Then it’s meaningless. What’s the point of fighting more?”

That’s not wrong.

The victory of the Bagrand Dukes is now confirmed.

But even so, there were many difficulties in stopping this game.

“That… No matter what, isn’t it the final stop of the game? The purpose of this competition is to have a final and proud winner…”

Yes, that’s why the final is the final.

It’s the final two. It’s a showdown between two people who met at the highest place.

Moreover, since two people who have high expectations have joined, the box office factor is sure to follow.

It was a highly anticipated matchup, one that could even be titled the Civil War of the Duke of Bagrand. I couldn’t just blow it.

But Carcein asked without even showing any sign of drawing his sword.

“Following the symposium, many people will be aiming for the martial arts competition to raise their family name, and the sponsors will want the publicity effect. They’ve shown everything they have to show, so the last match is meaningless, but the purpose of the competition is to win?”

“That’s…”

“Well, it’s possible to create a winner, right? Since I forfeited, why don’t you just give the win to Arina?”

He continued, pointing at Arina with his index finger.

“Besides, it’s a meaningless fight even if we fight. Everyone knows that. We’re going to lose anyway.”

All eyes immediately flock to Arina at Karcein’s remark.

Anyone who looks at her would have similar thoughts.

‘Well, isn’t he the one who has been dominating this martial arts tournament for several years?’

‘If it’s Princess Arina, then it’s not strange.’

‘Carcein Bagrand’s skills have improved, but if the opponent is like that…’

‘I guess abstention is understandable.’

The audience started nodding their heads.

But problems still remain.

“Still, the betting system remains. Since the game has not yet been decided, in many ways─”

“I will pay the compensation myself.”

“…Yes?”

“There will be some who are suspicious. They might say that there was some secret agreement made during the civil war between the Bagrand Dukes. They might say that they are trying to rig the match by abstaining. They might say things like that. Then I will personally pay for the money.”

Anyway, the royal family set a ceiling to prevent the nobles from betting large amounts of money, but money is still money.

There is no problem as long as you return the money you have put up so that you don’t lose it. It is just a very minor entertainment, and there is no need to predict the outcome. In the first place, not many people predicted that Karsin would reach this point.

This way, there is no conflict in ending the arena.

You get your money back.

Let’s skip the match prediction since there aren’t many people who have predicted the finals correctly.

In the part where they had to decide the winner, they decided to give the winning spot to Arina, reminding her of the purpose of the competition.

“If that’s the case, then there shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“Honestly, it doesn’t really matter since the Bagrand Dukes have already gone up.”

“What can I do if he says he’ll pay the compensation out of his own pocket?”

“Princess Ariana is strong by nature. She knows she’ll lose anyway, so she wants to give up early, and I can’t stop her…”

All the noise stops.

Although the ending was somewhat disappointing, everyone seemed to be convinced.

The awards ceremony begins.

The winners and runners-up of the martial arts tournament are given out one after another.

Arina, standing next to Karsain, took advantage of this opportunity to ask.

“What are you planning?”

“What is it?”

“Are you trying to cover up the atrocities you committed at the birthday party in this way?”

I would be grateful if you would think of me like that. Karsine replied with a smirk on his face.

“Well, that’s right.”

“You’re doing something outrageous.”

“That’s not all. How can I beat you? Common sense. It’s obvious that I’ll break, but if I go wild without knowing my place, what do you think will happen?”

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that. I told you I’m reflecting on my actions, right?”

Arina took a deep breath.

It seems like he still hasn’t been corrected for saying things like that while secretly being sarcastic, but what can I do with a guy like that?

“Let’s just let it go this time.”

I should have placed significance on the fact that I recognized my mistake and reflected on it.

And so the awards ceremony ended with applause.

Arina, who climbed to the highest stage, concluded the competition with a satisfying speech.

Karsine smirks at the sight.

‘I’m sorry, but it’s not even worth fighting with you.’

So, I’ll give you everything you want.

You just have to go down to the bottom yourself and make sure they don’t have an inferiority complex.

The real reason for the disqualification from the final was this.

-Tiring!

▶The character’s emotions change.◀

[ Arina Bagrand ]

[ Inferiority complex: 58% ]

***

After the martial arts competition ended.

With the two highest positions, winner and runner-up, occupied by the Bagrand Dukes, there is no disagreement as to which family is the most outstanding.

After all, Baghdad is Baghdad.

In the stands, such words were heard with considerable frequency.

“As expected, the princess’s skills are amazing.”

“You always win the martial arts tournament. Hahaha! ”

“Isn’t this what a legitimate successor should look like?”

Of course, it was a heartfelt compliment that had a different meaning altogether.

Although it wasn’t visible, Arina’s inferiority complex level was going down.

The funny thing is, I feel relieved and satisfied with those few words.

‘It’s okay. I’m most satisfied with this situation, too.’

He can do whatever he wants with the successor position and all.

In cases where there was a disparaging comment about me, there was a choice to refute it, but I did not choose it.

Soon I followed Arina down from the stage.

“Thank you for your hard work. Both of you.”

Under the stage, Isabella and her family were already waiting.

As I moved along the arena and stepped onto the lower stairs, a status window immediately appeared.

-Tiring!

▶Episode IV. Completed the Proof of Qualification◀

▶Your ranking in the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Tournament is 2nd.◀

▶No penalty was imposed due to sufficient ranking.◀

▶We will pay compensation.◀

“Big sister, you’re amazing!”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“No.”

While they were having a silly conversation, I paid attention to the status screen.

‘The rise in Noblesse Points. This isn’t bad. It’s a shame that the bad rumors have disappeared.’

If the rumors remain, they will be distorted to mean that he is not qualified to be a successor, so there will be no need to step forward.

Well, that’s fine.

If you get the chance someday, you can lower your reputation a little more.

In the meantime.

Claire approached me as I was looking at the status window.

“Mom seems to be in a really good mood right now. She said she wants to have a cozy tea time with the family and chat about various things. Are you going?”

-Tiring!

▶The main episode branch has occurred.◀

▶You can follow Isabella during the performance and enjoy tea time with your family.◀

▶Would you like to perform it?◀

[ 1. Yes. ]

[ 2. No. ]

Episode branching point occurs.

I remember that it was better to go there if possible.

But, I don’t want to go.

“…”

Isabella looks at me as the episode branch occurs.

I told Claire, but it looks like she wants me to go with her.

That sight definitely brings back memories of reality.

‘under.’

Those eyes.

I’ve seen it before.

When the sports competition was over.

Yeah, that’s it.

-Mom wants to go eat meat together. Are you going to go with her?

Right after the sports day ended, my second son came and followed me to eat meat.

That was a trap.

While we were eating meat, the other family members started leaving one by one, and soon only the adult who had been grilling meat on the other side was left.

I still remember what I heard then.

Cold blood begins to flow through your body.

He fell asleep, saying something like it was tea time.

“No. I don’t plan on going.”

“What?”

“I just finished a martial arts competition, so I’m really tired. I’m thinking of taking a break.”

“Huh, huh? Hey. Carcein!”

I realized early on that leaving this place was the answer because dirty memories were surfacing.

I need to save up some money quickly.

To leave this house.

“Carcein!”

As I was about to exit the stadium, Harnie was coming down from the stands. But…

-Tiring!

▶Additional rewards are revealed!◀

■Reward

[ Detects danger once . ]

A belated compensation window popped up before my eyes…

My eyes widened at the sight of red danger warning windows popping up one after another.

No. Even if that’s not the case, it’s clearly visible.

Behind Harnie, who was coming down smiling brightly, the building was starting to crack and fall.

The body reacts on its own.

“Harnie!”

“Carcein? Why this way…?”

“Get down!”

-Tch, Kookwakwang──!!

▶Danger detected!◀

▶The wall coming down from the audience seats to the exit is collapsing. Move quickly!◀