TWEM Vol. 6 Chapter 1 Part 2
We arrived safely at the border town.
The next morning, after a quick restock, we went through a checkpoint to enter the Galzio Empire.
“What brings you to this country?”
Showing my adventurer’s card, which served as my identification, I answered.
“I’m thinking of participating in the fighting tournament that will be held in the Imperial Capital. Well, it’s more of a test of my comrades’ skills.”
The soldier was surprised to see my rank, but soon regained his composure and nodded in agreement.
“I’m sorry, but can I see everyone’s ID? Even if you’re an EX-ranked adventurer, this is the rule…”
Everyone presented their identification cards to the soldier who asked apologetically.
Of course, Iris hid the fact that she was a princess.
“…Confirmed. Welcome to the Galzio Empire. Good luck in the tournament.”
We passed through the checkpoint, entered the Galzio Empire, and drove the carriage towards the Imperial Capital.
～
Although some monsters appeared along the way, we fought them off without problems and we arrived safely in front of the Imperial Capital.
Now we were waiting at the checkpoint in front of the wall that surrounds the capital.
There was a long queue of people at the checkpoints, probably because the tournament was coming up.
“Mr. Haruto, the Imperial Capital is big, isn’t it?”
“Right. Maybe it’s bigger than the capital of the Kingdom of Perdis?”
I answered Finne, but then Iris opened her mouth.
“Galzio Empire is the largest country in the world, so it’s only natural that the capital is big.”
“The biggest country in the world…”
After muttering, I looked up at the large wall surrounding the Imperial Capital.
It’s very tall, and the gate is as huge as the wall. I can feel the magnificence of the Imperial Capital.
Even so…
“I’m bored~…”
It’s been quite a while and there’s nothing to do.
It’s my first time in this country, so this kind of waiting time is not so bad, but I had too much free time for that.
Then Suzuno asked.
“Haruto-kun, who will be participating in the tournament?”
“I said that Finne, Iris, and Kuzel will participate. It seems that Zero, Asha, and Ephyr won’t, but what about you, Suzuno?”
Suzuno looked like she was thinking a little and answered,
“I think I’ll pass. I’ve thought about it, but I’m mainly a healer, so I don’t think I’ll be able to participate in the tournament.”
“Really? I think you’re strong depending on how you fight.”
“Hmm, I won’t do it this time. But I want you to accompany me in training next time, is that okay?”
“Oh, okay.”
So, it was decided that Finne, Iris, and Kuzel would participate in the tournament.
I heard that there would be a team competition as well, so I would be participating in that, along with the three of them.
After waiting for a while, we finally passed through the checkpoints and drove away in the carriage, and we finally saw the cityscape of the Imperial Capital.
“Wow!”
“There are so many people here.”
When Finne and I raised our voices, Iris sighed next to me.
“As usual, there are a lot of people this time of year.”
“Hmm? Has Iris been here before?”
We turned our heads toward Iris.
“Only once. Asha was also there too.”
“Yes, she was. Yes, I accompanied her.”
Was that so?
Well, she’s a princess, so it’s not surprising that she’s been here before.
“But not much has changed since then.”
“That’s right. There are only a few new stores.”
“Oh, in that case, can I ask you to guide us during our stay?”
“Don’t expect too much.”
After asking a passerby to recommend a place to stay, we went ahead with the carriage.
Although it was a busy time, I was lucky enough to secure a place to stay, so I decided to head to the Adventurers’ Guild with Finne, Iris, and Kuzel.
Apparently, the guild was accepting applications for participation in the tournament.
Suzuno, Ephyr, Asha, and Zero, who were not participating in the tournament, went sightseeing.
I was worried for a moment, but there should be no problem since Zero was on guard.
After walking for a while, we arrived at the Adventurers’ Guild. The guilds in all countries have a similar structure, so it was easy to recognize the building.
When I opened the double doors and went inside, there were many people, probably because the tournament was near, and there was a line at the reception.
At the reception with the longest line, a sign reading “Tournament Reception” was held up high.
“It’s an amazing line of people.”
“I agree…”
“Haruto, there are too many people.”
“It can’t be helped, Iris.”
“Hmm…”
“This endurance is also for the sake of fighting.”
Kuzel said so to Iris, who hated crowds and was sullen.
Yup. Kuzel only thought about fighting as usual.
While we were waiting and chatting, I felt eyes on me, so I looked around.
Both Finne and Iris seemed to have noticed that they were looking at me as they pinched the hem of my clothes.
“Ignore them.”
“I think we are probably going to get tangled up in this mess…”
“I agree with Finne.”
Oi oi, you two… are you ignoring Kuzel?
“As expected, there’s no way this happens every time.”
I denied it for the time being, but Iris and Finne rolled their eyes.
I’m not sure if they were trying to tell me not to raise the flag or what.
In the meantime, it was our turn.
“Next one, please――hey, this isn’t a place to come for fun, is it?”
The receptionist said that when she saw us.
A voice came from behind as if to agree with the receptionist.
“Hahahaha! That’s right. This isn’t a playground, okay?”
“Leave those girls now and go home.”
“We’ll let you go after we’ve used them.”
“By then, it’ll be broken, though.”
The three men who were looking at us just now said so and looked at Finne’s and the others’ bodies with vulgar eyes.
“Look, Haruto. You said we were going to get tangled up…”
“Yes…”
Damn, I can’t say anything back…
“Then, Haruto, please?”
“You’ve got to get it together, okay?”
The pressure from Finne and Iris was great.
When I glanced at her, Kuzel glanced around and looked disinterested.
It’s like, I don’t care because no one seems to be strong enough…
“… Well, I was going to do it in the first place.”
I gave a cold stare at the roughnecks looking at me.
“What’s wrong? You ready to hand them over?”
“I can’t sleep tonight!”
“Hyahahaha! Absolutely!”
“Hey!”
“““Huh!??”””
I interrupted the men with a low tone of voice and at the same time activated my ‘Intimidation’ skill.
“Haa… I’m not lucky at all.”
“Absolutely.”
“Because Haruto said something like that.”
“Is it my fault!?”
““Obviously!””
Finne and Iris answered a little angrily.
I don’t remember raising any flags at all!?
Well, in any case, since this happened, I had to dispose of the garbage now.
I opened my mouth to the men who were intimidated into silence.
“――Hey, you trashy insects. You can die here and now, or you can go home. I’ll let you choose.”
When I asked the question with bloodlust, the three men fell on their buttocks, and even the people around them turned pale.
I guess they finally realized the difference in our abilities here.
“I-I’m going home! I’m leaving, please forgive me!”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean what I said!”
“Please forgive me…! I’m sorry!”
The men on their asses begin to beg and plead desperately for their lives.
“Get up!”
“““Eh?”””
“Didn’t you hear me?”
I intimidated them even more.
“““Yessss”””
I decided to punish the men who stood up.
Even so, I haven’t thought about what to do.
I wanted to kill the guys who looked at Finne and the others that way, but I didn’t have any murderous intentions on me, so I don’t feel like going too far.
…Alright, I’ve decided.
“Are you aware that you did something wrong?”
“““Y,Yes”””
“Then this is a little punishment from me.”
“““Eh??”””
“I didn’t say that if you apologized, you would be scot-free.”
I’m going to use my magic.
A fist-sized piece of ice appeared in the air.
“What?”
“Wait!”
“That’s a bit…”
Seeing the seriousness from my eyes, the mouths of the men twitch greatly.
I released the ice without question.
――Aiming at the crotch of the three.
“““Ahhhhh!”””
The three men fainted and their mouths started to foam.
The men around me turned blue and were holding their crotches.
I knocked the three of them back to their feet.
“Are you okay? But… you might not be able to have children. Well, the punishment is over, so you can go home.”
The men’s faces turned from blue to white and they were shaking.
“Haruto, I feel refreshed.”
“Nice!”
“Hmm. It’s a perfect punishment for trash. Haruto, well done.”
Finne, Iris, and Kuzel nodded in satisfaction at my words to the three of them.
After that, the receptionist who saw my adventurer’s card turned pale and apologized several times with her head down, but we successfully completed the registration for the tournament.
As planned, Finne, Iris, and Kuzel were competing individually in the tournament. I was going to participate in the team competition with Finne and the others.
After the registration, the receptionist gave us a detailed explanation.
“The tournament will be held one week from today. On the first day, however, His Majesty the Emperor will only announce the opening of the competition and explain the rules of the preliminary round, and the preliminary round itself will start the next day. The qualifying rounds will last for four days, and the main competition will be held again using four days after a one-day gap. After that, the team competition will be held over three days, leaving one day open again.”
I see, it’s quite a long event.
The receptionist continued.
“The rules are that you are free to use weapons and magic, but you are not allowed to use magic that can kill your opponent. Also, if you kill your opponent, you will be disqualified and punished. That’s all for the explanation, do you have any questions?”
There were none, so we shook our heads.
“Good luck to you. And thank you for your forgiveness for my rudeness earlier!”
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
I advised the receptionist, who bowed deeply, and left the Adventurers’ Guild.
“Now that you’ve registered for the tournament, is there anywhere else you’d like to go?”
I asked the three of them as soon as we left the Adventurers’ Guild.
“Then, Haruto, why don’t we go sightseeing?”
“Sightseeing huh…are there such spots?”
The one who answered was not Finne, but Iris.
“Why don’t we go see the arena? It’s bigger than any other in the country, and they say it’s worth a lot of money for its artistic value. Besides, it would be a good preview of the tournament.”
The arena had artistic value? Like the Colosseum in Rome in my original world?
If not, was it a large building, different from the castle that had been glimpsed from the moment we arrived in the Imperial Capital?
“If Iris is pushing it that far, let’s go there.”
“Then, Haruto, let’s get going♪”
“Oh, hey, Iris!”
Iris pulled me by the hand.
“It’s unfair only Iris. I’m the one next to you, Haruto!”
Then Finne clung to the other arm as if to oppose it.
The soft touch felt good when it hit my arm, but I used my poker face skill to try not to show it on my face and remain expressionless.
As I headed towards the arena, I noticed that there were many people staring at me.
I strengthened my hearing and listened to them.
“Tsk, I hope you die.”
“I wish you’d explode right now.”
“Flowers on both hands … blow up right now!
Oh shit…
“Both of you, can you be a little more concerned about how others see you?”
When I said that, Finne and Iris looked around once and their faces turned red.
“T-That’s right.”
Finne pulled away from me with a shudder.
Her face was still red.
But Iris didn’t move away from me.
“Excuse me, Iris~?”
“What’s wrong, Haruto?”
“Why won’t you leave me?”
“On the contrary, I ask you, why should I leave you?”
Iris looked up at me with a curious look on her face.
“Why do you say…”
“It doesn’t matter! Let’s get out of here!”
Before I could answer, Iris pulled my hand.
“It’s unfair… only Iris.”
Seeing this, Finne clung to my arm again.
Kuzel was still just looking at us in amusement.
Well, whatever.
When we arrived at the arena, while in my thoughts,
“Oh my God.”
“It’s really big…”
I muttered to myself as I looked up at the building in front of me.
A building of this size should hold more than 20,000 spectators.
There were quite a few tourists around, and I saw a few people dressed like adventurers.
“What are you staring at! Hurry up and go.”
“Yes.”
“There’s no point in just standing here.”
“I’m curious to see what’s inside.”
Iris urged us to go and see the arena.