3 days before the release of the Invidia Overlord.

Mira's PoV:

It's early in the morning when Ling and I arrived at the feet of the Treasure Tower to meet up with Blot and the fillers. But we hadn't expected the drastic change in the environment. 

A small village made up of festival stands was placed around the Treasure Tower. Sweets, merchandise, games, everything possible. 

"It's like a human festival here." - Ling

"Not that there are any humans as far as I can see." - Mira

All the participants of this "festival" are golems. Just like Karnel. Except these guys seem to be made out of crystals instead of dirt and mud. Crystal Golems? I can also see some exceptionally big guys and some gargoyle-shaped ones as well. D-rank golems? But it's mostly the (presumed) E-rank types here. They're both manning the stalls and enjoying themselves. 

"Where did these guys come from?" - Ling

"It's most likely that Mikazuchi has command over them somehow." - Mira

"Damn. That's the answer I was afraid of." - Ling

Yeah. A Spirit Lord by herself is bad enough, but her having command over an army of golems? And it's most likely a thousand of them at the very least? Not good. Safe to say that any brute-force methods have been killed and buried.

"But why're they having a party?" - Mira

"I don't know. Maybe the little spirit-missy likes carnivals?" - Ling

She is pretty childish, yes. It may not be that far from the truth.

We started to walk around and look at the golem-driven festival. Ling seems to be honestly enjoying himself, but I'm taking notice of the combat power of the golems. Who knows what that Spirit Lord could think of doing if she started throwing a childish tantrum? Better be prepared for anything.

"AW, MAAAAN! I lost again!!" 

A sudden shout caught our attention. Over by one of the stalls, one that seems to be based on a lottery stall, was a scantily-clad woman holding her head in despair. I know that pose. It's the "I failed for the nth time in winning anything"-pose. I have taken it too many times to count.

The shameless-looking woman noticed our stares and hurried up to us with a suspicious smile on her face. 

"Hey, miss? Mind borrowing some money? I swear I'll pay it back. I just need one more roll-"

*SNAP!!*

Whoa-!? The girl's head got forced down to the ground with such speed that a nasty sound came from her back. The culprit for this sudden change was a tanned ogress in white clothing. Wait a sec...

"Akai, I presume?" - Mira

"SO SORRY! Please excuse this impossible idiot! She's an idiot whose idiocy can't be cured even by death, but please forgive her! ...oh. Yes, I am Akai. Pleased to meet you..., miss Aureola?" - Akai

"That's me. You're the ones Blot hired to participate in the tournament?" - Mira

"Yes, that is us. This walking, brainless vampire here who could qualify for being a zombie due to her malfunctioning brain is Shiro. She's not capable of saving even 1 sol, but she is at least somewhat useful in battle, so please don't fire us! We're too deep in the red to lose this job, so please have mercy!!" - Akai

.........I think I've figured out most of these two's characters just now. 

"So, so, little lass. We're not gonna do that. And my name's Ling, by the way." - Ling

"Oh, right. The retired Smoke Loong Mr. Blot talked about? It is an honor to have an audience with one of the elders of the Mystic Mountains." - Akai

"Y-you don't say~." - Ling

This ogress, no, this oni-girl. She's one heck of a bootlicker. Just how much debt do they have? I'm kind of scared of knowing. And the old man seems to be weak for praises. Better keep an eye out there.

"And this vamp here. Is she going to be useful? I think she broke just now." - Mira

I made the two move their attention to the vampire who was lying on the ground with her eyes rolled up and foam coming out of her mouth.

"Oh, Shiro's fine. She could survive having her head twisted around 360 degrees (even if she didn't learn anything from it), so this much is nothing." - Akai

"No, that's a whole rotation! And did you say something else right now?" - Ling

"I did not, sir!" - Akai

This girl's far from as "orderly" as her Karma Value says. 

"But sir and ma'am, should we not relocate ourselves to the arena? The first fight is soon to start, so I was looking for this thing." - Akai

Akai made a notion to the vampire that she had slung over her shoulder like a bag of potatoes. 

"Already? Guess we killed too much time." - Ling

"Seems like it. Akai, lead the way." - Mira

---

It didn't take too long to reach the arena, even with the crowds of golems.

The arena's simply made. Just a flat squared stage made out of bricks. Crystal bricks, but still bricks. And then there are the stands, filled to the brim of crystal golems. Did I make a mistake in saying it was just around a thousand? Think we can say there are THREE thousand golems present today. And even the stands are made out of crystal? Wow...

"Mira and Ling. It seems that miss Akai found you two. ...and the...luggage?" - Blot

Blot was waiting in one corner of the arena. Standing beside him was a cat-eared woman dressed in a loose kimono and a black-haired woman, also with cat-ears. They must be "Sara" and "Artemis" if I remember correctly. 

"Sorry for the delay. We were kinda awestruck by the crowd." - Mira

"No need to apologize. I was not expecting this myself, even after seeing the Crystal Lightning Colossus yesterday. Just from where did these golems appear from?" - Blot

"Probably from mines or caves. If they're under Mikazuchi's command, it wouldn't surprise me if they traveled from all over the mountainside during the night. Golems don't have the same concept of stamina as we flesh-and-blood people." - Mira

"Hmm..., no matter. Instead of the sudden outbreak of golems, let us concentrate on the following battle. Everyone, pay attention." - Blot

Blot then proceeded to explain to everyone how this fighting tournament would take place. As we already knew, the tournament is a team fight with 5 rounds consisting of 2 one-on-one rounds, 2 two-on-two rounds, and finally, one final one-on-one battle to the end.

"This final battle, however, is a dead card for us." - Blot

That's because Mikazuchi herself is going to participate in that round. Blot has nominated himself to challenge the Spirit Lord in the final round. 

"Even if I say so, I do not think I could defeat her." - Blot

"Then why fighting her at all?" asked Shiro the vampire, who had miraculously recovered from having her spine(?) broken.

"That is because of our secondary strategy. I cannot tell you why, but if we can stall this tournament for long enough, we will still achieve our goals." - Blot

"So you're saying we all should make dragging out the fight our secondary priority?" asked the tiger-Therianthrope, Artemis. 

"Correct. If you can win, please do. But if you cannot, then please extend the fight for as long as you can." - Blot

"Hey, what about the talk about kings and all?" - Shiro

"You mean the rules regarding the team leaders?" - Ling

"Yeah, those! *Punch!* Ouch!" - Shiro

After the vampire got a knuckle sandwich from Akai due to her disrespect, Blot went over the rules regarding the team leaders. Both teams nominated one leader who, if they were to be defeated, would make the whole team lose. And the worst part of it all, Mikazuchi is the leader of the opponent's team.

"That's cheating! .........nothing?" - Shiro

"I think we all share your sentiment on this matter." - Akai

"Oh, okay. Then who's our leader? Mr. Blot?" - Shiro

"No, it's not me. Since there is a risk that I could lose in the final round, it is not wise that I have that role. This tournament will not stop even if a team reaches 3 victories. Therefore, we are putting our faith in you, miss Mira." - Blot

"Hurrah." - Mira

I gave a heartfelt show of appreciation (not) for this boatload of trouble forced upon my shoulders. The four girls looked at me funny, but I'm not sure if they're unsure if I'm worthy of that role or because they don't get my reaction. 

Oh, wait. It's just three of them. I think the pale-faced cat-girl is sleeping with her eyes open. 

"As I mentioned before, I will enter in the fifth event. Miss Mira will participate in the first match, so please do not make us lose at the very start." - Blot

"Roger." - Mira

"Then for the second round, Mr. Ling will participate." - Blot

"Leave it to these old bones. Ga-hahaha!" - Ling

Someone's getting excited. 

"For round three, we will send miss Artemis and miss Akai." - Blot

"Acknowledged." - Artemis

"I'm not with Shiro? ...I feel this is a bad idea..." - Akai

"You can do it, Akai! Even if I'm not there to help-" - Shiro

"I was referring to that you would be useless without my help." - Akai

"Whaaaaat!?" - Shiro

"Yes, I am planning on giving up the fourth match. That will give miss Shiro and miss Sara the opportunity to focus on extending the match for as long as possible." - Blot

"Hey, I'm perfectly fine beating those guys up!" - Shiro

"Even if we combine them, you two have the lowest probability of winning a match in this tournament." - Blot

"*Shocked face*-!!" - Shiro

Well, duh. These two don't exactly scream "reliable". 

*Thump*, *thump*, *thump*.

Our strategy meeting was cut short when we heard some massive footsteps. The culprit was moving toward the stage...hey...don't tell me...

"Miss Mira? I think your opponent has arrived." - Blot

Opponent? That's the freaking giant golem that we saw building this place!! 

"...the so-called lord must be ignorant to fair-play." - Shiro

I so agree!!

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Skill List:

Title List:

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Kigal-Note/Humanoid/Golem: Sparkrystal Giant Golem