The crowd cheered at the announcement of the festival's opening, and
after waiting for the cheers to subside, Kuro spoke again.
[…The Six Kings Festival lasts for seven days. For the first six days, each
of the Six Kings has planned their own festivals for everyone to enjoy.
The order is… War King, World King, Death King, Dragon King,
Phantasmal King and then mine. In other words, a festival planned by
the War King Megiddo will be held today.]
Here, Kuro announced the order of the festivals… However, I already
knew the order of the festivals in advance, as it was written on the
invitation.
It didn't really matter much for people like me who would attend all
seven days, but for people like Dr. Vier, who had difficulty attending all
seven days, they would have to look into the schedule and choose the
days they would attend.
[…Incidentally, this order was drawn by lottery.]
[I see.]
…The Six Kings really were close friends.
As I nodded in assent upon Alice's additional information, Kuro stepped
back on the stage and Megiddo-san came forward.
[Alright. Let me take over the explaining here.]
Since today's festival was planned by Megiddo-san, it was quite natural
that Megiddo-san would be the one giving the explanation. However,
hmmm… The festival that Megiddo-san planned, no matter how I
thought about it, I can only see it as something battle-related, so I'm
quite anxious about it…
[The theme of my festival, well, as everyone had guessed, is "battle"!]
I knew it. Rather, if that wasn't the theme of his festival, I would be
more surprised instead.
[Well, though I say battle, that doesn't mean you need to put yourself on
guard. This day was basically a festival. It's a day where everyone
should have fun!]
Hmmm. Well, despite his appearance, Megiddo-san was a pretty
considerate person, so I don't think the festival he prepared would be
that violent.
[It's a bit of a hassle to explain all the details, so I'll keep it simple. I've
prepared a variety of attractions throughout the city. Each attraction
has one of my subordinates in it. If you clear the conditions they give
you, you can get a stamp… As for the stamp card, it will be given to you
at the first attraction you visit.]
Hmmm. I've never been there, so it's just a guess but… could it be that
it's like a stamp rally at amusement parks? It would still depend on
what the attractions they have here, but I think this festival would be
pretty fun.
[Ahh, don't worry. The attractions aren't all about physical combat.
There are also quizzes and sports. They're designed so that even kids
can enjoy the festival. The stamps you collect can be exchanged for
prizes at the exchange point in this plaza. You can certainly exchange
one stamp for something, but obviously, the more stamps you collect,
the better the prize. Do you understand? Not like I would explain
everything again though.]
What should I do? This sounds like something I can enjoy normally…
Collecting stamps from sports and quizzes, then getting prizes
accordingly. Unnn, if I just ignore the physical combat… then even I can
enjoy this festival.
[Ahh, the fact that my subordinates are in charge of the attractions…
That obviously means that it includes the "War King's Five Generals".
The attractions of my Five Generals are "combat only", but of course,
there will be handicaps depending on the strength of the participants. If
you win against any of the Generals, you will receive an extra-large
stamp. Collect all five of these stamps… Well, that is to say, if you win
against all of my five Generals, come to the central tower! For you will
receive the right to "battle against me"!]
[...…]
There were wild cheers from everywhere, but well, it didn't really
matter to me. I mean, I'm not exactly the type that could fight against
others. According to Megiddo-san himself, I'm only as strong as a slime.
That's why, this has nothing to do with me at all…
[Ohh, I almost forgot! Oi, "Kaito"! You especially, have to defeat them all
and come fight me, okay!? Today will be my revenge match!]
Oooiiiiii!? Why the heck are you pointing me out by name, you stupid
gorilla!!! I'm getting a lot of attention now, you know!? No, even more
than that… What kind of unreasonable thing are you saying!? Are you
telling this slime-like me to defeat all your confidants!?
[Go to Bacchus' place first! I've already talked to him about it. You
understand, Kaito? You definitely have to come!]
[...…]
[Whoa there, I got off track. Well, that's about it. Other than the
attractions, there will obviously be stalls. Have fun to your heart's
content!!!]
Hearing Megiddo-san's words, the people around me were filled with
loud cheers once again but… I wasn't even thinking about it anymore.
With my mind still shocked, I just stood there in a daze.
After Megiddo-san's explanation, each of the Six Kings explained their
plans in turn, and the Opening Ceremony was over.
Then, Lilia-san and I met up with the others but…
[…As expected of Miyama-sama. To be directly called out by War Kingsama, how envious.]
[…In that case, I will gladly swap roles with you, so you can have it,
Lunamaria-san.]
[Hahaha, surely you jest.]
She was really lively today, this useless maid… You really think that my
misery is funny…
[Kaito-senpai, good luck! Aoi-senpai and I are going to play in the
normal sports area.]
[I pray for your safety, Kaito-san.]
[…I see that both of your faces have been thicker huh.]
My own compatriots immediately cut themselves away from
troublesome matters… The growth of my two kouhais brings tears to
Older brother's eyes.
[Errr, according to Phantasmal King-sama's guidebook… The place
where Bacchus-sama should be… is up north of this plaza.]
[Well then, why don't we all go over there for the moment?]
Sieg-san informed us while looking at Alice's guidebook, to which Liliasan suggested that we all head there.
I was almost relieved that we could all go there together, but things
didn't work out that way.
When Fia-san and Rei-san peered into the guidebook from behind Siegsan, they looked as if they had noticed something.
[Wait a moment, Sieg-chan. There's a warning written here…]
[Let me see…"Only those who have collected at least 10 stamps can
challenge War King's Five Generals. However, those with a black rank
invitation can unconditionally challenge them." or so it said.]
[...]
They placed a restriction!? Moreover, they've thoroughly exempted me
from that rule!?
[…Hmmm. Well then, how about we just go around and collect some
stamps?]
[…My Lady. This is just a suggestion, but why don't "Miyama-sama
check out Bacchus-sama's place first"?]
[Luna?]
[Since War King-sama went to the trouble of designating Bacchus-sama
first, I think he must have some explanation or message to give him. It
would be rude to keep him waiting too long, so I think it would be
better to have Miyama-sama go ahead and just listen to what he has to
say. He can also just check out first and challenge him later.]
[I see… What do you think, Kaito-san?]
Lunamaria-san's words certainly made sense. Since Megiddo-san
specifically mentioned to go to Bacchus-san's place first, there must've
been something there.
I think it would be best to go there first and wait for Lilia and the others
to come after collecting the necessary amount of stamps.
[…Yes, I'll do that. Well then, I'll be going first.]
[Master? I don't have to participate in the attractions, so if you don't
mind, would you like me to accompany you?]
[It's alright. Since we're at a festival, you should also have some fun,
Anima.]
[…I understand. If Master says so.]
When I agreed to go alone, Anima worriedly asked if she could
accompany me. I was really happy to know that she was concerned for
me, but I told her that I wanted her to have a good time, and that it was
okay if I went alone since it wasn't like I would suddenly be eaten alive.
Leaving the others, I headed to Bacchus-san's attraction where he was
waiting for me.
[Ohh, there you are, Miyama Kaito! Long time no see!]
[Long time no see, Bacchus-san. Are you fully healed already?]
[Umu, I'm fully recovered.]
Looking at the guidebook, I arrived at my destination, which looked like
a large arena of sorts. There were no seats for spectators though, so it
seemed to be a place only for fighting only.
Bacchus-san was waiting for me in front of the arena and greeted me
with a hearty smile, but after exchanging greetings, he puzzledly looked
at me.
[Unnn? Even so… Did you come here alone?]
[Yes, everyone else has gone to collect the stamps needed for the
challenge.]
[Nhnn, I should have known… I was going to explain it to you when you
all got here but… I see…]
[Yes. So, I thought I'd at least ask you about it first…]
[Ahh, alright. I'll give you a brief explanation.]
When Bacchus-san heard what I said, he nodded his head once and
took out a large crystal ball.
[We are going to have a battle in this place, but of course, there is a
handicap depending on the challenger's ability. This crystal is a tool
that determines that… How about you try it out? Touch it.]
[Yes.]
When Bacchus-san urged me to touch the crystal ball, some kind of
glowing numbers appeared in the air.
[This is a "magical tool that measures the strength of the person" that
touches it based on their magic power… Though I say that, it can't
exactly show one's talent, so it just gives us a rough idea.]
[Fumufumu.]
[Miyama Kaito's strength is… fumu… 3 huh. Stronger than a slime, but
weaker than a goblin.]
I'm really weak! N- No, but this time, I was told that I'm stronger than a
slime! That's progress, I'm telling you!… Even if it's a lie, I would have
liked it if it showed that I was stronger than that.
[In this case, the handicap that I'd give you is that "I won't attack, I
won't use either of my hands, one of my legs, magic power, and my
movements are limited". In that state, if you can touch me even slightly,
you win.]
[…T- That's a tremendous handicap.]
[Well, even in that state, I won't lose so easily.]
Unnn, how should I say this… I'm just glad that he won't attack. But
seriously, I'm just really glad that he won't attack. In all sorts of
meaning.
[Incidentally, the time limit is 20 minutes, and you can only try once…
That means if you lose, you'll never reach Megiddo-sama.]
[…Hmmm. Why is Megiddo-san even doing this…]
[Hmmm, it seems to me like Megiddo-sama has something "he really
wants to teach you".]
[Something… he wants to teach me?]
[Umu, I don't know about it but… I hope you can live up to Megiddosama's expectations.]
[…I- I will do my best.]
[Hahaha, that doesn't mean I will be holding back though.]
I still didn't know what Megiddo-san's true intentions were when he
told me that I should definitely challenge him, but just as Bacchus-san
told me, I want to live up to Megiddo-san's expectations if I can.
Well, if I'm not able to meet his expectations… at that time, I will just
apologize.
[Oh, I forgot to mention that you can also have a "proxy" participate in
the challenge.]
[Eh? Is that so?]
[Umu. However, the people who can act as your proxy are limited to
"the companions you invited". In that case, we will measure their
strength again with this magic tool and will battle with the
corresponding handicap.]
[…I see. I understand.]
[Hahaha. Well, it doesn't matter who your proxy is, I won't let you win
so easily. I'm one of War King-sama's Five Generals. I can't just let you
see me in the same unsightly state as back then.]
Proxy huh… Even if it's limited to my companions, I could have Anima
as my proxy, so I think the odds of winning are pretty good…
[I guess that's all for explanation… Miyama Kaito, are you going to give
it a go now?]
[Ah, no, ummm, I'd like to have someone as my proxy, so I'll wait for the
others…]
[Details, Acknowledged.]
[…Huh?]
Just as I said that I will wait for the others before challenging him…
Someone's silhouette appeared before me.
Pure white wings on her back, beautiful blond hair… and this
overwhelming pressure…
[E- Eden… -san?]
[Houu, you're Miyama Kaito's proxy huh? You have a lot of magic power,
that should mean you're very powerful! Here, touch this magic tool…]
[Affirmative.]
[Wha!?]
Eden-san, who appeared as if it was normal, nodded and touched the
crystal that was held out to her… and it shattered to pieces.
[…Houu, for your magic power to be immeasurable, fufufu, this gets my
blood boiling… You should be a worthy opponent!]
No, no, Bacchus-san!? You can't fight her! Seriously, you can't fight her!!!
[B- Bacchus-san! You can't fight her! Run away!!!]
Seeing Bacchus-san looking really motivated with a great axe in hand, I
recovered from my confusion and reflexively shouted.
Run away! Seriously, run away! After all, Eden-san completely intends
to kill you!!!
[Fufufu, what are you talking about, Miyama Kaito? I am Ironblooded
Bacchus, One of War King's Five Generals! No matter how strong the
opponent is, Such a shameful act of turning my back against opponents
and running away isn't something I will do!!!]
[…Disrespect.]
No, no, this isn't the time to act cool! Bacchus-san, run away
immediatelyyyyyy!!!
Dear Mom, Dad—— Due to Megiddo-san's grand absurdity, I had to
challenge the War King's Five Generals. Then, when I was told that I
could have a proxy, the one who unexpectedly showed up was Edensan… No matter how much I need to, I'll keep saying this——– Bacchussan, please run away!