Chapter 1: The Happy Hero and the Lustful Berserker Harem
“The 1st Annual Chiki-Chiki Branusiava Beach Pot Rolling Race!!!”
It’s been a little over ten days since we defeated the Lustful Berserker of the Seven Great Demon Lords. I, or rather, we, have come to the beach in Branusiava, on my home continent of Milishitan, in front of the Adventurer Guild. This is for an event we planned a while ago.
(What do you mean, “Chiki-Chiki”? Iwamoto-san wrote it on the sign…)
The beach is packed with people. My title call is met with applause and cheers. Most of them are our hired participants, or rather, invited contestants.
“So, first, we’ll have an opening declaration from my brother-in-law, the next head of the Avakane family, Illion Avakane! Then, brother-in-law, please take the stage.”
He ascends the stage accompanied by the maid trio. A large crowd gathers, not just participants but also common citizens who came to watch. I’d hazard a guess this is the biggest turnout in Branusiava Beach’s history. He surveys the crowd and begins to speak.
“Thank you for coming to our newly renovated Branusiava Beach today. This is like a festival, so I hope everyone enjoys themselves. By the way, our Avakane family has been designated to become Dukes. Please think of this as a celebration and feel free to make some noise.”
Yes, I’m glad I prepared so many tributes for His Majesty the King. From us to the Avakane family, from the Avakane family to the King of Namusia Kingdom… some of this was taken from dungeons, but a lot of it is also weapons and armor finished by Mariu-san.
“However, if you get too out of hand and cause trouble, the guards from the royal capital and our slave soldiers won’t stand by idly. So, please maintain a certain level of decorum, at least minimally. Deles.”
Taking his place, it’s my turn on stage.
“Now, we held preliminary rounds this morning, but let me re-explain the rules for today. It’s a simple competition where you roll pots filled with heavy liquid metal, sent from the Dwarf country, from the start to the finish line along a course built on the sandy beach. The course is over there!”
The starting point is a reasonable distance away. There are two identical courses side-by-side. At first, it’s a straight path, but then there are slopes, jump ramps, winding turns, and even a three-dimensional path with wide areas of mud and wood that makes the pot rotate.
“Mariu-san, who designed the course, what’s your advice?”
With a grunt, he ascends the stage and stands beside me.
“Yes, the key is to master how to control the movement of the pot filled with liquid. Furthermore, magic has no effect on this pot, and it cannot be stored in an Item Bag or Item Box. Therefore, cheating is impossible, and I believe anyone can have a chance if they grasp the knack of it!”
That’s right. If you try to roll it with brute force, you’ll go off course and be disqualified. So, even if you don’t have immense strength, or even if you’re short, you have a solid chance of winning.
“Now, let’s reintroduce the prizes for the Human and Beastmen divisions to everyone! Nina-san!”
Replacing Mariu-san, Nina-san comes onto the stage with Helen-san and Nare-san. My, they are tall. And they are also the ‘Wicked Woman Top Three’ of our Nina Starlights. Yes, they look strong and wicked.
“Indeed, this is the grand prize for the human division, the Golden Flying Shoes!”
A huge cheer erupts. Next, Helen-san holds up a large item.
“This is the grand prize for the beastmen division, the Golden Flying Shoes, beastmen size!”
Finally, Nare-san speaks.
“The prizes for second and third place are these Silver Flying Shoes. Their abilities are the same!”
Yes, she holds one pair of human-sized and one pair of beastmen-sized shoes in each hand. Then, the three of them fly into the sky simultaneously. Well, Helen-san can fly on her own, but I wonder if they managed to convince everyone that the effects of the Flying Shoes they’re wearing are real.
(After all, the lord is hosting this event!)
The adventurers, who were likely half-suspicious, are astonished. Adventurers from the now-separated and non-aggression Jutapi territory are probably here pretending to be free agents. For those guys, it’s probably too late to realize “It was actually real” now.
(Once everyone has landed, it’s time to start the competition, but before that…)
“By the way, I will also be participating, and it will be a serious match, so please don’t hold back and aim to win! So, first, for a demonstration, I’ll have a slave test run on the leveled course!”
As everyone looks towards the starting point… Slave soldiers, Ric-nee-chan and Harvey, stand side-by-side with their hands on the pots. Flanking them are the referees, Frau-onee-chan and Mijuki, also slave soldiers, of course.
“Now, Anju-chan.” “Yes, yes.”
The remaining time appears above both courses. The Illusionist’s magic starts the countdown at the start and stops it as soon as they reach the goal. This is displayed above key points and the finish line, making it easy for participants and spectators to understand. It’s very thoughtful.
“The starting signal will be given by the head referee, Clarice-san!” “Yes, with colored light magic that produces sound… Start!”
*PASHUUN!!*
At the signal, Ric-nee-chan and Harvey begin rolling the heavy pots, which seem to be rolling unpredictably! It’s incredibly difficult to carry them on the sand course, and if you use too much force, they’ll veer off course immediately.
“Hah! Hah! Hah!” “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!”
From the special booth next to the goal, Haitou-san is providing commentary from the start.
“Now, Avakane family slave soldiers, Ric and Harvey, are taking the first test run. Ric is carrying it cautiously, while Harvey is trying to rush ahead with a rhythm. They’ve passed the straight course and overcome several small hills. Oh, Harvey-player is doing well, but Ric couldn’t make it up the slope and was sent back!”
The test run begins. Illion-gi-niisan heads to the VIP seats. Ah, this is the ‘Pot Rolling Race’ I wanted to hold. Many of the participants brought from the Movermas Continent are watching with rapt attention.
(Ah, Ric-nee-chan…!!)
“Oh, Ric-player is off course! However, since this is a test run, she’ll be returned to her position and allowed to retry. In this case, the referee Frau is also assisting. Let’s get back on track…!!”
Sigh, she’s panting. But she’s not complaining or sulking; she’s doing her best. It seems Illion-gi-niisan has trained her well.
“Now, the course has reached the jump point. If you don’t go forward skillfully, you’ll fall into the water hazard!”
That part is tricky to get the knack of. I failed during practice and got kicked by gi-niisan. It’s truly good that Illion-gi-niisan has recovered.
“First, Harvey-player, followed by Ric-player, clears it! Then, operating skillfully to avoid going off course on the downhill slope, they reach the final, most difficult obstacle, the aerial loop course that completes a full rotation!”
To prevent the pots from flying into the audience, Ent-Succubus and Iwamoto-san, our top two tank summons, are on guard. During the preliminaries, Iwamoto-san even used a *sasumata* to flick a runaway pot back onto the course.
“Here I go! Deeeeyaaaa!!”
Oh, Harvey succeeded! Next…
“Haaaaaahhh!!”
Ah, Ric-nee-chan’s pot veered off the loop course and out of bounds!
“Haaah!!”
Ent-Succubus flies over and catches it firmly! Then, she returns it to the landing spot at the top of the slope after the jump ramp. Good girl.
“Th-thank you…” “Ric, try again.” “I know, Frau!!”
Meanwhile…!!
“Harvey-player has reached the last narrow single-plank bridge… and the goal!!”
“Hah, hah, hah. Mijuki, I did it.” “Yes, Harvey, I’ll hug you.” “Thank you! Master Illion, I did it!” “Yes, good work.”
Then, much later, Ric-nee-chan also reaches the goal. For some reason, Frau-onee-chan is also out of breath. Perhaps it’s because she had to help her reset after every course out. She adjusts her crooked glasses and walks straight towards… me?!
(What’s going on? Is something happening even now?!)
Ric-nee-chan approaches. As I take a step back, an unexpected voice comes from the side!
