[Quarterfinal Matchup]

A :

Bennett Hilton

Adventurer Kelin

Niore Restman

Wandering Swordsman Ipar

B:

Silence’s Upolin

Sir Anpir of Redburn

Hero Candidate Benjamin

Flame Mage Krabellin Render

——–

The Round of 16 has concluded.

Eight participants remain in the tournament of “Unchanging.” From here, two will be selected.

The members of the “Reformists” are clustered in Group A, while the Red Flavor and Cardinal factions are grouped in B. There was no way to alter the matchups, so the best outcome in this scenario is as follows:

Bennett wins in Group A, and the neutral faction, Silence’s Something, wins in Group B.

However, the likelihood of him overcoming the formidable candidates from Redburn and the Cardinal faction is exceedingly low. Realistically, one of either Red Flavor or the Cardinal faction will emerge victorious from Group B.

If I had to choose, it would be better for Red Flavor to win.

The Conditional Research Lab is still in full operation. I and Akshin-chan, with dark circles under our eyes, gloomily repeated tests, recording the conditions that were being discovered one after another.

The heart clusters dance at command. Among them, one entity stumbled unnaturally. Check.

“…Has it increased again?”

“You can’t put too much pressure on your left ring finger now.”

It keeps coming, wave after wave.

My happiness is the misfortune of other factions, and it seems the Cardinal faction is taking a gamble on the tournament’s stagnation. They are recklessly wielding the goddess’s powers.

It’s as if a bug that didn’t exist suddenly appeared, so I had to check every single action I had previously inspected from the beginning. These guys might even add conditions at any moment.

It’s a swamp of endless investigation.

At the same time, I need to analyze the matches, dig into the secrets of the Goddess Church, and with work piling up, even I and Akshin-chan can only succumb to overwork.

I made a national decision for work-life balance.

“Let’s take a break.”

“…Yeah, you cowardly b*stard. You want me to keep going without whining, right?”

“No, what are you talking about? Let’s rest together. Heave-ho.”

“Ugh.”

Machines break down if you keep pushing them. Even that goddess couldn’t escape a malfunction, so how could a human endure? I simply lifted the troublesome evil deity and tucked her under my arm.

Then I threw myself onto the bed, set up for immediate relaxation. As I sank into the plush mattress, a cozy warmth enveloped me.

Only after lying down side by side did the evil deity throw a fit.

“⋯⋯Let go!”

“Why are you always a beat behind in your reactions?”

Is she experiencing a bug?

I crossed my arms while lying down and organized my thoughts about the current situation.

First of all, the difficulty had spiked dramatically. With conditions to avoid popping up like mushrooms after rain, even coming up with a battle module was a headache.

Thank goodness I had farmed a mountain of tailored martial arts for the martial arts session; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to keep up with the update speed.

It seemed that the red-flavored duke had a vague understanding of the ‘conditions’ as well. The fact that he wouldn’t step on the threshold with his left foot even if it meant death suggested he had either learned from experience or…

Or perhaps the ‘Puppeteer’ was running infinite analyses just like me.

What made things even more troublesome was that ‘Dog Elementary Fate Manipulation’ (tentative title) and the ‘conditions’ had begun to synergize.

If a boxer fought with one arm tied, the variety of their movements would drastically decrease. Our situation was similar. The more ‘you must not do ~’ piled up, the more predictable our actions became.

Predictable and easy-to-read movements would take a direct hit from ‘Dog Elementary Fate Manipulation.’

In reality, the round of 16 was precarious. Bennett, wielding dual nunchaku, had to pull out the longsword ‘Hohwan’ at the last moment, while the relatively weaker Niohreh was already fighting with all her might.

To avoid the red flavor, I had to dodge the conditions, and to dodge the conditions, the red flavor was holding me back.

I couldn’t help but wonder if these b*stards were teaming up to ambush me.

The silver lining was that the cardinal faction had avoided a direct confrontation with us. They had pushed the independents and Bennett’s party into Group A, so we wouldn’t have to meet them.

“⋯⋯Why would that be?”

As the evil deity said, it was indeed strange. Bennett wasn’t weak, but compared to a knight directly commanded by the duke of the empire, his specs were lacking.

‘There must be a great magician behind Bennett who can enhance or alter the fairy tale! We might as well fight the red flavor.’

Surely, they couldn’t have thought that.

While I couldn’t know the exact circumstances, I could at least formulate a hypothesis.

“There’s a simple yet effective condition: If you lack divine power, you are unfortunate. Or, anyone who visits the divine city after a certain point is unfortunate. Perhaps something like this is being used.”

“⋯⋯The Redburn family is unfortunate. The reformists are unfortunate. Wouldn’t it be enough to just set that up?”

“Machines don’t know that. Since the goddess operates quite mechanically, I suspect she couldn’t input anything ambiguous that couldn’t be judged.”

I wasn’t sure why the goddess had to be so mechanical…

After that, the tournament progressed smoothly.

The quarter-finals had passed.

Niohreh unfortunately fell, but Bennett remained, and in Group B, one knight from the red flavor and one from the cardinal faction were left. The end was slowly approaching.

——–

[Se■■ purification■ damage rate 29%⋯⋯]

——–

It was a night shrouded in faint clouds.

As a mass of vapor brushed past the moon, the entire world dimmed and brightened as if it were being illuminated. I approached the balcony, swirling my wine glass in the darkness.

On the balcony stood Bennett, waiting silently as he gazed up at the sky. I made my presence known with the clinking of ice.

“Shall we toast in advance? Mr. Bennett.”

“⋯⋯Isn’t it a bit premature?”

“Your opponent, the wandering swordsman, must be completely unaware of the hidden rules of this tournament. There is a significant gap between those who understand the rules and those who do not.”

“That may be true. So, what is the reason you called me out here?”

What else could it be? I rubbed my hands together mischievously.

Once Bennett wins, he will be busier than ever, far beyond what he is now. So, while there is still some leisure, I need to gather what I can.

“I thought it might be time to collect my dues. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world⋯⋯ wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, it’s thanks to you, the mad wizard. Without your help, the ‘Reformists’ and we would have faded away like a dying ember. I am grateful.”

“Gratitude is not enough. Let’s settle this. What I want is⋯⋯.”

“The holy sword?”

It was a far cry from the truth, but an intriguing guess nonetheless. When a suspicious and mysterious wizard seeks something, it usually aligns with that.

But no. What I desire is a little wisdom.

I’ve learned a lot while rolling around in the Holy City. If I just subtly hint at my embarrassment in front of Bennett, I’ll never get an answer before I grow old and die.

To hear the answer I want, I must muster my courage.

I took a deep breath and spoke confidently.

“I want to learn how to straddle both sides.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Bennett first flicked his ears, pinched the back of his hand to confirm he wasn’t dreaming, summoned ‘Hohwon’ and spun it on the ground like a top, then slapped his own cheek hard enough to make a sound.

Is my character breakdown that shocking?

Bennett leaned against the balcony railing, pondering for a long while. After an awkward silence that felt like it would suffocate me, he spoke in a small voice.

“Be honest.”

“⋯⋯Are you asking for honesty?”

I’ve already been more than honest.

“Think logically. Can you love a woman who has another partner? And can you accept that?”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

“No, it’s unpleasant just thinking about it. They must have felt the same way. If they could, they would have wanted to monopolize it.”

“⋯⋯I suppose so.”

That’s right.

If Yuna brought someone along claiming he was her boyfriend and declared that she had decided to date him alongside me⋯⋯ I think my heart would have been in great pain.

Yuna and Yuri get along well. Even if they expressed jealousy sometimes, it didn’t seem severe, so perhaps I buried my thoughts without thinking deeply?

Bennett continued speaking, gazing at the sky with affectionate eyes as if recalling his girls.

“It means they love me enough to endure that. If so, I too⋯⋯ must put in the effort and strive to be the person they like.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

“It’s not about whether you can balance two relationships well or not. A magician. If you are receiving such love⋯⋯ it’s a matter of gratitude and having the attitude to do your best.”

Is that so?

Was loving someone more important than holding onto them tightly with both hands? It was a truth that was a hundred times right, no matter how much I chewed on it.

Bennett’s statement about balancing relationships like a real man was not about managing a harem── it was simply an expression of sincerity. It was a manifestation of love.

I was deeply moved and lowered my head.

“Thank you, Bennett. Truly, you are a master of balancing relationships⋯⋯.”

“⋯⋯Don’t phrase it like that.”

Bennett’s expression turned sour.

Alright. Should I confess?

I was really drawn to him. Truly, really. After finishing this matter, I should confess right away. The secret bouquet fantasy I had been modeling was probably for this timing.

Hmm.

“⋯⋯Um, what would be a good confession line?”

“Don’t ask others to decide such things for you.”

But if I made a weird confession line and became a lifelong joke, that would be a disaster. Yuna might not care, but Pingvalez would definitely tease me until I died.

Anyway, coming all the way here for advice was a good choice. It was worth it to listen. I think it was good to muster up the courage. Even if the concept might have been tarnished⋯⋯.

My heart felt much lighter.

Alright.

I stretched and prepared to go in──

——–

──Wild beasts sense impending disaster in advance.

When birds fly away in a frenzy, flapping their wings, and all kinds of wild animals scream and flee, it means their sensitive instincts have detected a threat.

In other words, Bennett, whose physical senses have been significantly heightened in this fable, and I, who can read all kinds of information with innate talent.

────.

Perhaps more quickly than anyone else in this city, I was able to sense the anomaly.

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

It feels as if cold water has been splashed over me. I feel tension throughout my body, and my neck stiffens. Naturally, my gaze and all my nerves return to the center of the city.

I cannot look away. Though I cannot see or hear it, something majestic and heavy seems to brush past me faintly. A bead of cold sweat runs down my neck.

I feel like I’m screwed.

In plain terms, there is no better way to express my feelings than this.

And then.

A pillar of light descended, cutting across the dark and silent night sky.

I know what that is. It is the ‘Divine Punishment.’ An extremely concentrated pillar of divine power that possesses immense heat capable of melting both people and objects indiscriminately. But the output is different.

If the small wave the paladin experienced after drinking the succubus queen’s bodily fluid was a mere ripple, then what has settled at the center of the city now is a tsunami, at least ten times larger.

Surrounding buildings melt away from the aftermath, and even at this distance, I can feel the heat.

From noble mtl dot come

Bennett said.

“⋯⋯It is the Hall of Heroes where the holy sword is stored.”

The holy sword.

My head spins to the point of dizziness, and the puzzle pieces fall into place.

On her journey, the evil deity mentioned that she fed the scoundrel a piece of the Dragon’s Essence. In other words, she extracted the essence of ‘that’ and bestowed it.

I learned after entering the holy city. That scoundrel was a candidate for the hero pushed by the cardinal faction. So, I had thought that was my trump card.

Just as I was concerned about directly contacting the holy sword, I believed the goddess would react sensitively to the remnants of ‘that.’ Even if the worst-case scenario occurred and the cardinal faction thrived… I thought he could never become a hero.

Because if he grasps it, the ‘Divine Punishment’ will descend.

So, perhaps that pillar of light right now…

The cardinal faction, anxious about the tournament’s stagnation, disregarded all procedures and allowed a candidate—who hasn’t even been drawn yet—to grasp the holy sword. I believe this is the most likely scenario.

Up to this point, it’s fine. There are no problems.

If that beam of light merely fades away, it will end as a mere happening.

But if my instincts are reacting this strongly…

What comes next is.

[Warning: Trace of ■■■ detected by the ‘Hero’ selection mechanism of the administrator.]

[Warning: Damage rate confirmed at 30.2%.]

[Warning: There is a possibility of intentional corruption due to the intervention of ■■■, rather than the incompetence of the religious leader. Two warning messages related to this judgment.]

[Warning: Executing administrator purification stage.]

Alright.

The divine word resonated in the air. To everyone else, it must have sounded like incomprehensible noise, but having had even a brief contact with the goddess, I was able to interpret it.

“What on earth happened in the Hero’s War…”

“Benet, wake everyone you know. It seems the goddess is seriously angry. The repercussions might reach us as well…”

[Warning: Administrator purification stage 1 – City Erasure.]

I immediately abandoned the concept.

“Goddammit, Benet! Get ready to evacuate! If I’m not mistaken, the goddess intends to wipe the city off the map!”

“…Damn it, I understand!”

I had to think of a way to survive.