Year 1399 of the Imperial calendar - Shouyo continent - White Coliseum
(Suigintou Arnestianne Graupel POV)
With fifty meters high and a capacity of about 50,000 people, this marble building is the venue for all important events in the kingdom.
And now the time for the annual Mystical Rose Tournament has come.
"Admit defeat and take your punishment" Voice from the grandstand A
Every seat is packed with people of all noble ranks wanting to see my and my house's demise.
"My company went bankrupt because of them, they deserve more suffering!" Voice from the grandstand B
These lowlifes are angry with the consequences of their own decisions.
"That house of evil will finally be over!" Voice from the grandstand C
I just sit in one of the seats in the noble section on the north side without losing my calm.
"We will not lose, father"
The trust in our house is depleted, right now my father is doing everything he can to not let it burn down by the sheer animosity of the king.
"Gokigenyou esteemed nobles and lucky peasants!" Announcer lady
The female announcer in an extravagant orange dress full of ruffles and blonde hair in the traditional twin drill hairstyle starts the event from the middle of the arena in the center of the Coliseum.
"This is a glorious day to feast our eyes on the elegance of combat!" Announcer lady
In her hand, there is a cubic artifact that amplifies the sound of the user.
"Today, by the grace of the king and god himself, we are also bringers of penitence!" Announcer lady
Penitence, not forgiveness...
I can already see how this is going to proceed.
"As you all know, each noble house in this kingdom can choose a representative to participate in this tournament" Announcer lady
Our house never did even bother to participate before, there was nothing to win that we didn't already have.
"Then through this day as it is a common occurrence, the one-against-one fights will continue without stop until only one remains" Announcer lady
The winners are usually one of the three duke houses, no one of lesser nobility would even think of hurting them.
"The fighting order has already been decided..." Announcer lady
*Crowd noises*
They aren't chosen in front of the crowd in a random way like in the past?
"...And here they are!" Announcer lady
The Announcer lady changes the place of his hands on the cube, and the fighting order is displayed in the air for everyone to see.
"...I see"
It is all arranged so I can't win this.
In the first fight, the Vine House.
In the second one, the Vase House.
And lastly, the dukedom that won most of the previous tournaments, the Sword House.
"That Graupel house is done for!" Voice from the grandstand D
Even the best fighter wouldn't be able to reach victory in a continuous fight against the most vigorous opponents.
"The saintess just wanted you to be punished by the people!" Voice from the seats E
The Saintess?
That girl who would rather spend time with her cheating partners than watch this?
"Now lets the four dukedoms' representants give an opening speech" Announcer lady
"I should get going"
I stand up from my seat and start walking down the stairs.
"First, from the house of puppeteering...
The people start clapping even before she enters the arena.
"Alteria Wisper Vine!" Announcer lady
I enter a tunnel below the noble grandstand section, I can't see the arena but I still can hear it.
"Once she said, I decided to not compete and peacefully create dolls instead, but here we have her" Announcer lady
"!!!"
That phrase is from the budding talent of the Vine House, did she decide to participate?
"I couldn't ignore those who hurt the beautiful smile of The Saintress, I will punish that villainess!" Alteria Wisper Vine
"Oooohhh!! Did you hard that people? the tension raises!" Announcer lady
Weird, I never meet that person and she already hates me.
...
"Next is the representant of the house of alchemy!" Announcer lady
The claps start and end abruptly.
"?"
What happened?
"I... We..."
The announcer got without words?
"Speak louder youngster" ???
That is the voice of an elder?
"The famous Madam that lived under the motto, I shall live, survive and die using potions"
No, it can't be...?!
"The previous head of the Vase Dukedom, Kaoru Narase Vase!" Announcer lady
"Long live the Vase Dukedom!" Voice from the grandstand F
The applause resumes.
"My concoctions will protect the saintess" Kaoru Narase Vase
She even charmed the elders, what a terrifying girl.
...
"Third is the representant of the house of perfection"
People stop clapping again, what is it this time?
"The captain in charge of internal security affairs for the whole Dancing Pink Petals City"
The king even put the safety of the people in jeopardy because of me.
"The stronger woman of the continent, Seika Ristarte Sword!" Announcer lady
As an enforcer of order, everyone is afraid of even making a sound in her presence.
"..." Seika Ristarte Sword
"Some words would be appreciated... Only if you want, of course, ahaha" Announcer lady
She sounds nervous.
"I am perfectly prepared" Seika Ristarte Sword
"..." Crowd
...She's not a very talkative person.
...
"Lastly, it is the reason for this massive presence of people!" Announcer lady
My turn.
"Her family send a petition for adventurers and warriors all over the city, but nobody accepted them" Announcer lady
She is right.
No one will be willing to fight against the obvious plans of the king.
"Letting her no choice, but to come to this arena by herself" Announcer lady
We start walking to the arena.
"Come forward, representatives of the house of prosperity!" Announcer lady
No one claps for me.
"I hope you die in the most painful way" Voice from the grandstand G
... similar words are spoken all over the coliseum.
"?" Announcer lady
She notices the man at my side.
"Who is this gentleman?" Announcer lady
With all the circumstances in mind, I could only choose one person.
"This is my new butler"
With his green long hair and his warhammer on his back, He walks forward.
"I am here to fight for the villainess" Foreign Butler
If he's at least half as strong as his lady, I may have a chance.
