The ten icicles of Aisurando
As much as I would like all my questions answered right now...
On Block A, Match one will include myself going aginst that boy with the fancy handmade arrow, his name Kenji Yajirushi. A handmade arrow, maybe even I have a chance against him? Maybe he was not blessed with an appropriate ability...no I'm being too naive. He made it all the way here for a reason.
Even if, by a miracle, I manage to become the victor. Match two is the cat masked silver-haired...that bit...that...arrogant hell cat Chiharu against Masashi's twin sister; Mizuki who seemed very confident in herself, but against the one who wields wind...is it even possible to win? As much as I hate to admit it, Let alone her sword skills are on a whole other level, that day, she slashed the door with ease. It wasn't the act of a simple mortal. If I do manage to come out triumphant, the winner of these two will be my next opponent.
Moving on to Block B...Han...wait vs Hiriko? That girl who insisted on treating me during the meeting? Part of the reformed government army along with Masashi and Mizuki. Haha, it's almost laughable, the one as kind as an angel vs a wicked demon...but this devil Hannya when I felt her near myself...I felt like a sickly patient with a diagnosed fate for death all but in an instant encounter. Can she survi...I have no time to think about others but...but...damn it all.
Homura also being in block B...brother of Chiharu...compared to his sister he was far much admirable, however, portrayed himself very weak being controlled by his immodest sister so easily...that...I was never one to hold grudges, but she...I wish I could at least inflict a portion of torment towards her foul action...what am I even saying?...the opposing side to Homura, Oda Wada, if I reevaluate the event from before, I'm pretty sure he's also part of the reformed government army. Still, I'm impressed by the former government still maintaining such composure after these unpredictable events. How even is life on the Eastside? I should have asked a lot of questions to Masashi while I had the chance! Furthermore, what are their abilities? I played this game completely wrong. They already have an idea of my own, but compared to them, I don't know anything!
Finally, Block C, which for the first match, holds Masashi. I indeed have strong apprehension that Masashi is a powerful individual...however Raiden...that name sounds too familiar...I have definitely heard it before, but where? The man in the hooded clothing, Raiden Sokudo. Even so, he's rescued me twice already from the time of my arrival and at the fate of the dark army's Hannya's hands. I don't know much about him but his speed...his skill is something else, but they seem too familiar, almost as swift and light as an assassin like movement.
One who even I am particularly interested in is Genkei Kinzoku, the man who leads the five-member reformed government group...Masashi's group. General Genkei, at the meeting of participants he showed no weakness. He was composed...furthermore, compared to the four others in the group, he's at a much older age in his thirties, if I were to estimate. Nishimura Ketsueki, upon evaluating this person, I could only see a malicious figure overtaken by greed, the need for absolute power and authority, a typical thug, a type of human which if I were to class it would be a lost cause of society...haha then again so am i.
So winners of each block will face each other in the final match...a three-person battle royal?
I guess second place nor third place has meaning in this tournament. Only one person will take it all—one person out of a thousand...now twelve.
It really irritates me to see such irrational ways of choosing a successor to the empire. Why choose a complete stranger when ones of loyalty who bear great genuine care for the empire like Benjiro is available ...also, are they so desperate as even to allow a female heir? How will children even be made in such an event?...wait, as Masashi informed me, this world is heading to normalcy, and the former government is preparing for the chance to overtake the continent again...if that is true, then...war?...I see the nation of Aisurando are looking to grow their potential by means such as gathering the most powerful ally they can...of course, it still comes down to traditions at the end of the day.
But...From this theory of mine, I can derive that The king, queen as well as the council of Kurisutaruasu are the ones behind the politics of the country. How sad. I guess the idolised Yukina at the end of the day is just a pawn to the governing leaders...a disposable temporary offering towards the winner of the tournament. Disgusting...but not a problem I should give any focus to.
With the ailing princess Yukina's upcoming death, This country will fall...these unbreakable, unreachable, and impenetrable gigantic glistening ice-cold walls will lose their ability to keep strong. Also, the many structures such as weapons of ice. In other words, to carry on their traditions, they are looking for a replacement of great power which poses a threat to other nations in the place of Yukina...all to carry on with their conquest and traditions.
Wait a minute...aren't the many participants from other nations as well? So...an alliance. This nation wants to hide behind a partnership. Of course...
"Your thinking is not wrong, boy."
Where is this voice coming from?
"Who are you? What do you want?"
"where you looking at boy? I am in the cell opposite you...are you blind perhaps?"
How could I have missed it? It's very dark, but I should have noticed. This is a prison, after all.
"I am impressed you deducted all that from just a single starting point, but you have made a slight misconception...the nation of Aisurando is already in a war."
"What? How..how can I even trust the information you are providing. Again who even are you?"
"Nothing much really...just a frail old man who denied to cooperate with the council's methods. Back to what I was saying...yes, a war, I am assuming you have met Benjiro, right?"
"Yes? Why do you ask?"
"Well, why else I am his papa, of course, Benjiro Kaneko...and I myself am Chimon Kaneko."
"Wait? What...papa!?We are talking about the same Benjiro, right...captain Benjiro...the ominous loyal Benjiro?"
"Haha, well, aren't you surprised? Do we not seem alike at all? Benjiro is certainly capable, and I'm not saying that just because he's my son..but he's not the nations strongest soldier, I dare say."
"What!"
"In fact, he probably ranks around tenth if I were to estimate, maybe even eleventh!"
"Wait, old man. You're not having any forms of memory dysfunctionality, right?"
"No, In the Ice empire of Aisurando, the most potent powerful force are the "ten icicles of Aisurando" composed of ten individuals who are by far the most fierce asset that this nation has got. Ranking from ten to number one, ten being a fair match for Benjiro...maybe not...who knows."
"Haha, unbelievable, so they had that card on their hand? But still, this just ruins my theory completely...now it looks wrong completely."
"No, your theory can still stand."
"huh? Old man explain."
This old man, just who is he? Why is he in here?
"The dark army...why do you think we are not attacked by them yet? The ten icicles are currently acting as a barrier between the dark army territory and our own...they are at war...a war they may lose...I don't know the full details."
"So the desperation, old man, are you saying..."
"Yes, considering it is still a tradition to the tournament, it still bears the intent of what you were assuming. Honestly, my son is such a disgrace...remember the girl from earlier, Fumiko?"
"Oh, the captain who brought me in here?"
"Yeah yeah, she's in love with Benjiro. It might not seem like it..but she tries, again and again, every day to capture his attention...Benjiro should stop focusing and settle down. He's only human, but he refuses. This nation, this world is nothing but hell."
"Glad to hear, old man, but that is not really the information I am looking for...so."
"Arrogant boy, accept reality live life to the fullest. Well, in your scenario, you will most likely get the death penalty, so it is a bit pointless me saying this, but..."
"Old man?"
"yes?"
"I hope that last bit of information you uttered is false."
"No, you can trust a former council member."
"Wait...you..."
This old man...no he's
"Satori Anzai, I have come to take you away for the sole participation of the first match of the great tournament held at the colosseum of ice!"
Benjiro?Wait...it has begun?. Why is Benjiro acting so...
"How amusing if it isn't my only son Benjiro, how have you been, my precious little offspring."
"Shut up, old man...when are you going to die reaching hell?...and don't sicken me with reminding me I bear your blood."
"Satori Anzai, we will now depart for your first match."
Wow, Benjiro, although I don't dare say this to you directly. You are struggling to keep that professional personality in front of your father...although it's obvious...oh well, family problems are a common aspect of DNA relation...I mean of whom you relate to, so I can't say it's anything special.
Wow, including Benjiro, there are a lot of guards around me...am I that much of a threat? All I did was murder and kidnap...accused of it. I'm saying, accused! Well, maybe not the murder part, but I certainly did not have any means such as kidnapping.
A carriage ride away from my long-awaited match...I would have loved to say, but I really don't want this...but the death penalty, the old man, stated! I might be able to escape...oh yeah, if I can be sneaky enough...ill try to run for it.
"Benjiro...captain Benjiro may I urinate before we leave?"
"No...I guess you have no choice but to hold it in, brat...don't worry, you could use it as a last resort during your match."
Is Benjiro mocking....the tournament? The loyal Benjiro? Haha, I don't believe it but still this BITC..."
And with that, my escape plan receives the status update "Failed".
The ice colosseum, so this is it...
"You're not going to piss your pants now, right, brat?"
He might be right; I actually will...this colosseum, the walls aside...is this really a work of a mortal? It's magnificent...such a large exterior...patterned with every inch of detail. The ice looked as delicate as glass but bared the mighty aura of a diamond itself. In other words, it was nothing short of a crystal clear, cold diamond-like surface.
"Today's matches will include Block As, tomorrow B and day following on Cs...assuming you manage to fulfil a win...you will be given a fair chance to bear witness to other matches following along...to keep things fair."
"Hey Benjiro, what sounds more logical death by penalty or death by conflict?"
"Hahaha...maybe the alternative option."
"Alternative?"
"To win."
I know the only way I will be able to avoid such a fate is bestowing great force against my enemies and winning to number one...but like going back to the past, that's...no, haha, what am I saying? This world already contradicts that very impossibility!
"Benjiro, let's make a promise...if I win...if I come out victorious in this tournament, you will resign your position as a captain and start paying attention to the female Fumiko."
"What kid... you...so you really have a heart after all."
"What's that supposed to mean? Of course, I do. I'm only human."
"Oh, haha, nothing...but now I'm starting to wish you weren't caught up in this tournament seriously. Sorry, Satori."
What a weird thing to say...but then again, what I stated earlier about "paying attention" is something...why did I say that?...no....Worst of all, and What's scaring me the most was my little bit of built-up confidence that surged on to utter those lines.
Don't tell me I'm starting to think I have even a fraction, a pico fragment of a chance with winning this tournament.
In this matchup, I will certainly suffer unbearable pain....but that's a minor consequence of it...what will displeasure me the most is I will be watched by them...
The royalty...The authority...The other members of the tournament...but worst of all, god.
This is my fate.
This is...
My natural movement of matter.
Satori finally confronts fate released from the depths of the darkest of prisons but thought of as the bothering trash of society...the first battle of the tournament begins!
-Do you believe?-
To be Continued in the Next Chapter...