However, something about this was bothering me.
The match was about to start, yet Ao’s opponent still hadn’t appeared.
“Hey, the other fighter still isn’t here.”
“It’s one minute until the match starts.”
A murmur spread through the stands as the spectators began to stir uneasily. No one had expected something like this to happen in the very first semifinal match.
Ao and Shiro looked completely unfazed, but the border count and his entourage were clearly growing irritated.
—Shh.
“Oh! The competitor Shadow has appeared out of nowhere! Where did he come from?”
“What just happened?”
“Was that magic?”
The suspicious-looking magician in a black robe had made a mysterious entrance. He appeared on the stage out of nowhere. Whether he’d used an illusion spell or some kind of teleportation magic was unclear. Either way, he was definitely someone to watch closely.
“Now then, we will begin the first semifinal match. No further explanation should be needed. Competing as an all-rounder, give it up for Ao!”
“““Go, Ao!”””
“Whooo—!”
“We’re expecting another spectacular fight today!”
As the Madam introduced Ao, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause and cheers. Ao responded with her whole body, waving and reacting to the support. She had truly become a famous fighter by now.
“Facing her is the mysterious magician who advanced using strange magic… give it up for Shadow!”
“““Boo—!”””
Wow. As soon as the mysterious magician was announced, the crowd erupted into a massive chorus of boos.
Even though he’d won in somewhat questionable ways before, his near-late appearance today had really stirred the audience’s anger. And on top of that, when Ao approached to shake his hand, he flat-out refused, which only fueled the crowd’s outrage even more.
“This match is expected to involve magic combat, so the magical barrier devices have been activated in advance. Also, Ao-senshu has chosen to fight as a magic swordsman.”
“Alright!”
“Show him what you’ve got!”
The Madam estate looked helpless as she went over the rules.
The crowd’s cheers were growing louder, more intense.
“Then… let the match begin!”
The bout started, and the mysterious magician silently raised his right hand.
Whoooosh.
“Shadow-senshu has activated a magic circle! What on earth is he planning?”
Ao watched cautiously, trying to gauge her opponent. The magician was clearly preparing something.
Then, in a flash of light, something entirely unexpected happened.
“Huh?… Where am I?”
And from the magic circle emerged a person—none other than the eldest son—the very one Ao had defeated on the first day of preliminaries.
But he should have been locked away in a cell.
What on earth had happened?
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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