The venue fell silent in that brief moment.
One moment they were conversing during the battle, and the next, it was over.
Most of the audience was bewildered, not understanding what had happened.
Hosue, whose role was to explain the events to the audience, stared blankly at the arena for a moment.
Then, as if realizing something, he resumed his announcement to the crowd.
“Wh, what a conclusion! Jiana’s final attack was stronger than ever, but Corry defended against it all and then attacked! However, that attack was far faster and more powerful than his first one! Jiana defended as he did at first, but Corry broke through it for a decisive victory!”
With Hosue’s explanation, the arena finally began to come alive again. Cheers erupted from those who had bet on Kouhi, and groans from those who had bet on Jiana.
“However, everyone, I don’t want you to misunderstand, Jiana was undeniably strong! Even stronger than when she fought here before. I can assure you of that! But Corry was even stronger than that! That’s all!”
Hosue finished his announcement and then switched off the microphone. The two combatants had already left the arena.
Applause erupted from the audience seats towards Hosue, but he didn’t have time to bask in it.
“Seriously… That’s unbelievable.”
Hosue muttered this, recalling Kouhi’s final attack. As he had said in his announcement, Jiana’s attack was the fastest and strongest she had ever unleashed. Corry, after fending it off, seemed to say something to Jiana, and then the match was over in an instant. To be honest, Hosue hadn’t fully seen Corry’s final attack. He had judged the situation solely from his viewpoint and the outcome. Furthermore, he didn’t suspect that Corry and Jiana’s conversation had involved any foul play. Corry’s final attack had more than enough impact without any cheating.
“I wish I could have heard their conversation… but that’s no use now.”
He knew something had happened during their exchange, but unfortunately, he couldn’t pick up their voices. The content of their conversation in that moment would remain known only to them, at least for now.
“Still, Corry… how did he gain such combat prowess? I’d love to know.”
Hosue’s final words went unheard by anyone.
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“Oh my.”
Mitsuki, who had been watching Kouhi’s victory, opened her eyes slightly in surprise.
“She took off her shackles for a bit, didn’t she? Was that necessary to win?”
Kousuke, watching beside her, asked Mitsuki.
“Hmm, it’s a tricky question. If she hadn’t, it would have been about fifty-fifty.”
“Wow. That was pretty close.”
Kousuke nodded, impressed. Even with Kouhi’s handicap, he hadn’t expected anyone to come so close.
“Yes, I suppose I need to revise my own perception.”
“That might be true, but in a real battle, wouldn’t she forget about the shackles altogether?”
Kousuke said, a hint of amusement in his voice, and Mitsuki smiled.
“Of course. Shackles are just for opponents.”
She wore them to avoid showing her true strength unnecessarily, but it was primarily out of consideration for others. There were no absolute restrictions, so she could remove them easily if she wished. Kousuke had never forced Kouhi and Mitsuki to wear shackles.
Kousuke and Mitsuki’s conversation took place right in the middle of the audience seats, but no one paid them any attention. After all, the Top 5 had been shaken up for the first time in a while. The entire venue was too busy discussing the events. No one was bothering to eavesdrop on others’ conversations. Moreover, even if their conversation had been overheard, it wouldn’t have caused any problems. They weren’t discussing anything that would be problematic if heard.
After their chat, the two left the arena. This time, Kousuke had only brought Mitsuki and Nana to watch the match. The other members were heading to the venue separately. After leaving the arena, Kousuke and Mitsuki, as usual (?), rummaged through food stalls in Seichun’s Town before returning to the guild headquarters. Kouhi, who had already returned from the arena, greeted Kousuke.
“Welcome back.”
“Ah, I’m home.”
Kousuke returned Kouhi’s smile. He then congratulated her on her achievement in the arena.
“Does this mean you’ll be ranked now? Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
While it wasn’t officially decided yet, it was safe to say that Kouhi would almost certainly enter the Top 5. However, neither Kousuke nor Kouhi were satisfied with this result. If a middling rank was all they aimed for, there would have been no need for Kouhi to fight. From here on, it would depend on the flow of events, but both Kousuke and Kouhi aimed for the top spot.
A while after Kousuke and the others returned, the rest of the members also came back. Apparently, something about Kouhi’s battle had stimulated them, and they had briefly gone to the tower. Kousuke smiled wryly at his team, but he didn’t reprimand them. They were accomplished adventurers, after all. They were adhering to the basic principle of resting when necessary. Since their actions were based on that, he felt it wasn’t his place to interfere.
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“That was something else. A complete defeat.”
Jiana said to the two people watching her with a somewhat matter-of-fact expression.
“Oh? So you’ve completely changed sides?”
Carmen said with a smirk, but Jiana brushed it aside easily.
“There’s no ‘changing sides.’ The results are all that matters, aren’t they? In the world we live in.”
“That may be true, but it’s rare for you to change your attitude so drastically.”
“What could I do? To be defeated so easily… it’s nothing short of spectacular.”
Jiana shrugged and then her expression turned questioning.
“By the way, it’s unusual for you to summon me right after a battle. Did something happen?”
“Ah, well, a little something.”
Carmen hesitated, and Jiana prompted her to continue.
“Before Corry defeated you, you had a conversation, didn’t you? That might become a problem.”
Jiana frowned at Carmen’s words.
“Huh? Why? Conversations during battles are something everyone does, aren’t they?”
“They are, but apparently, one of the higher-ups who watched the fight is claiming there was foul play in that conversation.”
“That’s a ridiculous claim.”
For anyone who truly understood battle, it was obvious that Corry had fought at a superior level, not cheated. To claim such a thing was akin to admitting one’s own ignorance.
“Well, yes, but the problem is that person has some influence within the guild.”
“Oh my. Well, but that will likely be resolved quickly, won’t it?”
“Why do you say that?”
“It’s simple. Given the outcome, they wouldn’t be able to stay silent.”
As Jiana said this, both Carmen and Yarna thought of the same person. Surely, that person had also seen today’s battle. Everyone present confirmed it. Carmen, convinced by Jiana’s words, nodded once. “That’s true. There’s no need to worry, then.”
“Indeed.”
If he were to intervene, such petty opinions would be blown away. After all, that person had the most influence in the Arena Guild. And, at the same time, it meant that Corry’s next opponent had been decided.
So, although a certain minor figure at the end seemed to have something to say, will they get a chance to show up? (No.)
