I Became The Tyrant Of A Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 614

Somehow, we managed to win the opening match.

Our main party and the Uncles were sprawled out in the audience seats, watching the matches that followed.

“Aaaah~ If only our opponents hadn’t been the Lord’s unit, we could have gone further…”

Chain grumbled, rolling an egg over his bruised eye. Next to him, Junior was flustered, not knowing what to do.

Apparently, they had been bickering, and Chain had been soundly hit by Junior’s magic.

“Still, having lost to these five, said to be the strongest force on this front, it can be considered an honorable defeat.”

“That’s right. Just running once has made my whole body ache. I’ll just drop out in the first round and watch the matches comfortably.”

Torkel and Zenis spoke nonchalantly, but Nobody and Diarmuidin looked sulky.

“I thought it was a decent match… the talent of the young is frightening…”

“The impudence of the young is frightening too. Did you see Prince Ash swinging that flagpole to try and beat me to death? I didn’t think he had so much resentment built up against me…”

Diarmuidin sent a sulky glare, and I waved both hands.

“No, that was unavoidable! We had to win! And it’s a martial arts tournament!”

“Alright, alright. It’s fine. Now I know your true feelings. You must have wanted to swat me away with that flagpole even normally, right? Sigh, they say old people should just die…”

“Gyaaaaak! That’s it, everyone! Go get some food and drinks from the stalls! We need to treat the Archmage of the Ivory Tower!”

While I was pouring drinks and serving food to the sulky Diarmuidin and the Uncles, who were feeling down after losing to us, the next match began. Evangelin, who was looking at it, gasped.

“Huh, that party is…?”

Looking at the bracket, the participating party name was… ‘Scary Sisters’.

The members entering the arena were indeed terrifying, just like their party name.

Elise, the SSR-grade swordswoman more famous by the alias ‘Greatsword Master’, a maid with navy blue hair carrying a sword case.

Rosetta, the captain of the Holy Knights, a fair-haired, neatly dressed SSR-grade healing priest.

And…

“I told you I have no intention of going to a Black Dragon subjugation battle!”

For some reason, dragged between the two, was Violet, an SR-grade illusionist from the Gamble Club. A gambler with purplish-blue hair, a fedora, and a summer suit.

“I don’t want to be in a place like this! I prefer the safe rear! Let go, let go of me!”

Violet struggled, genuinely not wanting to participate, but after Elise and Rosetta glared at her with terrifying eyes, she shut her mouth and stopped resisting.

“Ms. Violet. Did we ask for something difficult? Huh? Is that all our relationship is worth?”

Elise murmured fiercely, and then Rosetta added with a friendly smile.

“You don’t have to step forward, you know? Just deploy the illusion field at the right time from the back. We earnestly asked you, but if you keep doing this, we’ll have no choice but to settle your accumulated heresy points…”

“Uwaaaah! I understand, I understand! Just please, not the heresy point settlement!”

Violet screamed. When did you accumulate so many heresy points again?

Behind them, Bodybag, an SR-grade psychokinetic, was entering with an awkward smile.

It seems he has recovered a bit thanks to hanging out with these scary sisters; his face is much brighter.

And… at the very back of this party.

Step. Step.

A woman with long white hair tied in a ponytail, walking with light steps – No Name, was visible.

“…?”

Eh?

My mouth dropped open, and the other heroes, who were a beat late in recognizing No Name’s presence, also gaped. Why are you here again?!

No Name had been forcibly recuperating at Crossroads after the Lord of Flies battle.

She couldn’t sleep properly in the Lake Kingdom, but strangely, she slept well here at Crossroads.

It wasn’t the place that was the problem, but it seemed like Aither had done something while being right next to her.

Anyway, I desperately held onto her, asking her to stay until the festival. I made up a reason about helping with the restoration work.

So, I knew she had been hanging out here and there while staying at Crossroads…

‘But still, are you directly participating in the martial arts tournament?!’

You’re a balance-breaking character! Hey! Take it easy!

No Name, whether she knew that the heroes were buzzing about her participation or not, innocently – and a little shyly – met the gazes pouring towards her.

Instead of her usual ragged robe, she was wearing ordinary light leather armor… she looked like just another adventurer, not the last watcher of the cursed kingdom.

Anyway, the Scary Sisters, while entering the arena, discovered us and leaned towards the audience seats with dangerous smiles.

We all gasped and leaned back.

“Oh, you were here, Chairman.”

Rosetta murmured fiercely, and Elise chuckled… chuckling… with a similarly dangerous smile. Bodybag and No Name smiled awkwardly.

The target they were referring to, ‘Chairman’, was undoubtedly Evangelin.

Evangelin tried to run away, making a sound like “Uwaaaa!”, but Rosetta and Elise reached out and grabbed Evangelin’s shoulder with a thud!

“At this martial arts tournament, you said we, the Crossroad Young Heroes Committee, should devour everything, and you gathered a party…”

“But you slipped away alone and joined the Prince’s party, didn’t you? Heh heh…”

Evangelin’s emerald eyes trembled, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

I was sweating cold sweat as well. There was this backstory?

“N-no! I, it was all for the future of our Crossroad Young Heroes Committee! As the chairman, I aim for victory here, and the Crossroad Young Heroes Committee aims for victory separately! So, if one of the two teams can win, the chances of winning increase…”

Elise, leaning towards the rambling Evangelin, suddenly blew air into Evangelin’s ear.

“Kyaaaak?!”

Rosetta whispered ominously to the shuddering Evangelin.

“Since you moved parties, please win, Chairman. If you don’t win…”

“I-if I don’t?”

“Well, who knows what will happen? However, I’ll just mention that there are many jackal-like members who are eyeing the title of ‘Chairman’. Heh heh.”

After leaving those meaningful words, the Scary Sisters went towards the arena…

Evangelin, who had turned pale and was trembling, screamed.

“D-don’t be ridiculous! How hard do you think I worked to get this chairman position…! How hard-earned this title is! Do you think I’ll give it up!”

Evangelin’s fighting spirit, which was sincere about the title, was noticeably burning. Well, it’s good if she’s motivated.

“Anyway, this side has suddenly become a contender for the championship…”

Just Elise, Rosetta, and Bodybag are quite elite.

Even though she’s a non-combatant who always complains, Violet is a talented illusionist, and even No Name.

As expected, these five quickly subdued their first match and left the arena with triumphant faces. Scary Sisters, a scary combination…

After that, many other interesting combinations of parties poured out.

The heroes fought their matches using unexpected combinations, tactics, and strategies.

From the start, some teams rushed straight at the fake dragon without even looking at the opposing team, while others agreed to cooperate and find the reverse scale together, or dug up the arena’s dirt floor to build a fortress on the spot and held out, or even bribed Lily, who was controlling the fake dragon…

All sorts of bizarre matches popped up. How creative, our heroes. It’s a bit unsettling how they’re all actively pursuing loopholes; it’s like they’re becoming like me.

As someone who had to evaluate tactics, I watched all the matches intently, recording the participating heroes’ proficiency, potential, and performance.

In the midst of this, there was another incredibly impressive party that stood out. That was.

“The newly formed ‘Outsiders’.”

King Poseidon, the merman king, introduced themselves.

Originally, ‘Outsiders’ was a gathering of the four major different race kings to hold meetings.

The party members who participated in the martial arts tournament were King Poseidon, Kuilan, Kellybay, and Verdandi.

Kellybay and Verdandi joined instead of Kellyson and Skuld.

And the last member was.

“…Why, why am I here…?”

Hannibal, an N-grade spiritist and enchanter, looked around cautiously.

The small young boy stood out even more among the terrifying members representing the four major different races. Hannibal wriggled and hid behind Kellybay.

Then, King Poseidon chuckled and stroked his blue beard.

“You are an outsider too, aren’t you? Right?”

Hannibal is the representative of the mixed-race community ‘Half-Blood’… in a way.

The four major different races and the mixed-race community. These five representatives. It’s a composition that truly fits the name Outsiders…

“Woohoo! Our son, Hannibal! Fighting!”

Zenis, who had been trembling when Rosetta approached earlier, started cheering loudly when Hannibal appeared in the arena.

She was even waving a cheer stick that she had prepared at some point.

Hannibal twisted his body even more with a bright red face. Ah, I think I know how he feels. It’s embarrassing when your dad makes a fuss at a sports day, but honestly, it’s not a bad feeling…

Anyway, the ‘Outsiders’, as expected of a party of five kings, quickly subdued their first match and won.

They showed off their championship-level power and left proudly, receiving an overwhelming wave of support from various different races. Why are there so many strong teams?

And then, the next championship-level team that came out was.

“Hahahaha! Is it finally my turn!”

Dusk Bringer.

And the Dragon Blood Knights she leads.

Dusk Bringer, who was entering the arena, was fully armed.

She, who originally didn’t wear armor, was covered in crimson armor that matched her knights.

Her long black hair, which was always disheveled, was neatly braided and wrapped around her neck, and Dusk Bringer entered looking more handsome and dignified than ever.

“The winner of the martial arts tournament at the last autumn festival, this Dusk Bringer has returned! To achieve consecutive victories-!”

Since there was no autumn festival last year. Dusk Bringer, the winner of the martial arts tournament at the autumn festival two years ago, is the previous winner.

Waaaaaaaah-!

Cheers erupted from the audience at the champion’s appearance.

Dusk Bringer, who was enjoying the cheers with her eyes closed, looked at me and smiled. I smiled back.

“……”

Dusk Bringer, in a state of readiness, more serious than ever.

I looked at the crown on her head.

The silver crown symbolizing the rule of the Bringer Principality was crumpled by the Black Dragon’s attack, but Kellybay had restored it.

It was restored, but if you looked closely, the cracks, hairline fractures, and collapsed shape remained like scars.

A precarious dragon lady.

“……”

I silently watched the Dragon Blood Knights subdue their first match beautifully, and Dusk Bringer smiling brightly as she received the pouring applause and cheers.

But my heart was no longer in this arena. Without realizing it, I was picturing the Black Dragon subjugation battle in my head.

“…Hoo.”

And, I reaffirmed my resolve.

In this martial arts tournament, no matter what, I will defeat the Dragon Blood Knights with our main party.

That way, I can keep the command of the Black Dragon subjugation battle, and only then…

…can I exclude Dusk Bringer from the Black Dragon subjugation battle.

***

The martial arts tournament continued, and it was early afternoon after lunch.

Finally, the last championship-contending team entered the arena.

“…The sunlight is hot.”

A woman with a white parasol, wearing a white dress and beige hair.

Hecate, an SSR-grade swordsman.