Even as the future started to feel a little uncertain, first, registration.
Here is the problem.
“Even if everyone participates for Nona, what about Mono and Tri?”
“A—h, and Di and Hexa too.”
Yes. For example, we can send Kedomi-kun only for Mono, or everyone can enter solo. The merit of the former is there is less risk. Even if he loses, they can only do something to Kadomi-kun, so we should be able to follow-up. Conversely, the chances of victory for the latter is overwhelmingly higher. We just need someone among us to win and if we ended up fighting each other, that would be quite advantageous. But there are also risks, it might become that chase one rabbit thing.
Of course, we can only send one team for Hexa and Nona since they are 6 and 9 people.
“Let’s read the rules first.”
There were rule books distributed at the reception-looking area, so we got one and read it.
“Y, you all, were intending to participate without even knowing the rules!?”
Dalisan, sorry. They are like this.
no choice
Okay, I grasped the rules.
It’s roughly something like this.
・Fundamentally a tournament format, but depending on the number of participants, the first round may also become a battle royale.
・You win when all members of the opponent team are unable to fight or surrender. It does not matter how you do it.
・Killing is generally not forbidden. But naturally, it is also not endorsed. They will not take responsibility for unfortunate accidents.
・Actually, the organisers will not get involved no matter what happens in the ring.
・The entire colosseum and the stands are enclosed by a mysterious barrier, so it’s okay to blast magic.
so basically free
……hm? Couldn’t the winner request something of the loser? There isn’t a rule like that though?
Okay, for now let’s try asking Dalisan who seems familiar with this.
“Eh? Aah, there’s that too. I guess it’s a custom? This region has had a lot of duels since a long time ago. So the custom has stayed even for the gladiator tournament.”
I see. Mhm, very otherworldly.
“Specifically, what kind of requests can be made?”
“Requests for things generally work. But if the request is too extreme, there will be booing from the audience and you won’t be able to stay in the capital.”
Hm, meaning theoretically, you can make any request, but kind of within the realms of conscience, that kind of vague something.
But well, that means they can’t do something too dirty?
“Well, the audience are generally people that come for the stimulus anyway? Simply put, it’s fine even if it’s slightly extreme. Most will pass if it’s not too disgusting.”
……no, nonono, it is also very plausible that their conscience if very different from ours!
Dangerous! This is dangerous!
“”Specifically, what will not pass?”
“……let’s see, as expected, you will be booed f you try to lay your hands on the loser’s family. But most requests towards the loser himself will make the audience happy……also, if it’s romance, there will be no complaints, only cheers from the audience.”
Everyone looked at me with extremely reluctant expressions.
Stop, it’s not my fault! It’s the fault of the world, this other world, this town’s people!
maid too pretty
“So, what to do?”
“That custom is the greatest problem, but I think it is better to increase the number of participants as much as possible.”
Even though President was also looking at me with a rare difficult expression, he is already back.
His logical and systematic thought process really helps keep things moving.
“Yeah. ……if it gets scary, like all of us being eliminated, Mary, we leave it to you.”
I can only pray that something that scary doesn’t happen. Think about what happens if everyone is forced into slavery. How am I supposed to save them?
“Ah, I should mention this, it’s not like there will definitely be a request if you lose. There are people that don’t do that. And you all don’t have any particular ties with this town right? Then I don’t think such strange things will be requested……by men.”
But with Dalisan’s supplementary information, multiple participants became even more profitable.
As for the last part……it looks like everyone chose not to think about it.
Like, their self-evaluation is low……they might not be thinking about that danger……
request for a date!
“So, what do we do about Di and Hexa? Participate?”
Mh—m, the prizes for those are the [Don’t miss it!] kind of things, so well, can’t really say much.
“There’s no guarantee that they are irrelevant prizes. It’s better to make sure. Let’s enter.”
Entering is not only for insurance, but also for practice. After all, we barely have any experience fighting people.
The only experience we had, was Minaharsan-[puppetised] Suzumoto VS everyone else, but that was one-sided and no count.
……ah, could it be, the only one that has intentionally harmed people……is, me!?
Making Mineharsan’s group eat dangerous poisoned food, was the only……aaah, somehow, it feels like I’m the only one that has strayed!
……ah well. So, since we have barely any actual experience, it’s better for us to jump at any change to gain some.
“Okay. Then everyone, let’s join every section we can. Okay, with that, next is team compositions.”
We need to think of the groupings for Di, Tri and Hexa.
It might be better to avoid two rear guard members going for Di.
try?
……and so, it was somehow decided.
First, for Di, Suzumoto-President pair, Kadomi-kun-Hagasaki-kun pair, Hariu-Katori pair and Toriumi-Kariya pair.
The Suzumoto-President pair that cannot heal is worrying, but they have firepower, so I think it will work out somehow.
The Kadomi-kun-Hagasaki-kun pair is balanced. Nothing to worry about.
The Hariu-Katori pair, seems like they will be using a one-shot strategy with Katori charging his beam while Hariu distracts. One-hit kill. They’re out if he misses.
The Toriumi-Kariya pair is a surprisingly defensive type. Will they be aiming to wear out the opponent?
tank
Next, the Tri section. For this, Dalisan was also included in the team composition.
Also, when we asked Dalisan for her profession, it was [Hired Adventurer], somehow it seems to be a different [Profession] from the type we know. Mh—m, this might be better to keep hidden.
It seems like Dalisan’s fighting style is similar to Hariu, so we will be treating her as part of the frontline.
And so, they split into Suzumoto-Hagasaki-kun-Dalisan group, Kadomi-kun-President-Hariu group and Toriumi-Katori-Kariya group.
The firepower-specialised Suzumoto team. The Balanced Kadomi-kun team. But not healers. Then the distract, defend, blast beams Toriumi team.
……with Katori, the strategy becomes just blast beams.
pewpewpew
Next is the Hexa section. Only 6 people can enter, so including Dalisan, 3 people will be sitting out.
First of all, Katori is out. No matter how you think about it, he’s shooting beams all over the place in other sections, so his abilities are known and is at a disadvantage. He is also a healer, but with Kariya, that’s probably enough.
Then after debating whether to reduce defense or attack, the decision was [let’s reduce both a little] and Kadomi-kun is sitting out.
Well, balance-types are both easy to put in and easy to take out.
pewpew guy is out ;-;
For the Nona section, everyone participating would be just right, 9 people. Everyone is also participating in the Mono section. Ah, Dalisan also seems to be entering the Mono section.
so much team kill
And so we filled up the application form (Writing also worked out somehow with the [Translation] skill. This skill is amazing.) and payed the registration fee.
It’s 3 silver per person per section, so a total of 123 silvers. We also payed for Dalisan.
……our remaining money is just 47 silvers.
Ah well, when it comes to it, we can just sell one more dress. The dresses are stored in the chemistry lab, so we need to go somewhere without people to set up the room, but with [Teleport] that’s not really a problem.
cheat
And so we safely finished registrations and are now free, but here we have a problem.
“Wait, hey, you all, where are you staying?”
Dalisan’s question is quite right, she needs to know where we are staying, otherwise she wouldn’t be able to contact us if there is a need.
But, we can’t just honestly say, we will be [teleporting] to somewhere without people, setting up a classroom and sleeping there.
“Camping.”
……mhm, well, that would be the most optimal answer. Mhm.
“Huh!? Unbelievable! You all, what do you think there are inns for!”
Ah, mhm, there was that.
“But I’ve heard that everywhere is full though.”
“Well, that would be for all the expensive places on the main street. I know a good place. Come on.”
connections
And so, we walked for 10 minutes, following Dalisan. A few alleyways away from the colosseum, in a narrow, gloomy alleyway, there was a small inn.
“Here”
Dalisan immediately entered, so we followed her in.
“Hey, jii-san, I brought guests.”
When Dalisan called out towards the counter, the ojii-san that was sleeping woke up with a start.
Uwah, is it okay for the receptionist to be sleeping?
“Ooh, welcome, welcome. How many people?”
Upon seeing us, ojii-san grinned broadly and started writing in the register.
“9 people.”
“Hm hm, then 3 rooms for 3.”
Suzumoto hastily stopped the ojii-san who was about to take out room keys from behind the counter.
“Sorry, one is a female. Make it 3 rooms for 3 and add on 1 room for 1.”
Mhm. Honestly, I don’t particularly care about this, but everyone else wants to separate rooms. Well, it would be bad to create false misunderstandings for them.
sex slave?
“Eh, wait wait, you all, you are going to get a room for a slave?”
Seeing Dalisan’s surprised reaction, it seems everyone realised that we had messed up, but they don’t seem like they intend to change the plan either.
“This one is a little special.”
“But still, a slave? Even so, isn’t that too lacking in honour, you all.”
Eh, that is lacking honour!? Isn’t it the reverse!?
“……actually, I thought this slave was [that type] of slave, am I wrong?”
Dalisan looked at me doubtfully, then looked at everyone.
……everyone ‘s jaws dropped, then they objected with open disgust.
“Wrong……!”
“Stop that, don’t imagine strange thi—ngs.”
“What!? We look like that!? Are you an idiot want to die!?”
Everyone fully denied Dalisan’s words. Yo, you all hate it that much? Well, I don’t like it either.
But there’s no need to deny it so desperately with such bloodcurdling expressions…… you scared Dalisan.
….a good thing…..?
“……and so, we want to get a separate room for her.”
“Ah, fine. Okay, then 20 silver for 4 rooms.”
……hm? Isn’t he ripping us off? 5 silver for a room……mh—m, or is that how it is?
Well, we can’t complain. We should be grateful to him for giving us that one person room. We’ve found out that we can earn money quite easily, so we can just use it when we have to.
But the thing is, staying 9 nights would cost 180 silvers. Like this, won’t we have to go back to the pawnshop in north Deichemoore tomorrow?
definitely
“I will be in the corner room on the 2nd floor, so if there’s anything, visit or leave a message with the jii-san at the counter.”
I see, Dalisan is using this as a residence. Then this would also make it easier to contact Dalisan, this might be a good inn.
“Ah, got it. If Dalisan has for anything us, you can come to us too.”
“Yes, okay. Ah, oh yeah, the dinner here is from 7, so don’t be late.”
The current time is 5 in the afternoon. Hm, we are free for about 2 hours.
“Then everyone gather to decide the assignment of rooms. I also want to decide our future plans.”
And so, everyone gathered in one of the borrowed rooms.
Ooh, a typical fantasy world inn room. There’s beds, chests, simple chairs and a table, other than that, there’s only a rug and curtains.
Mh—m, this simplicity, I don’t hate it.
……just, clean it properly. Dust has built up. How little people come here.
I couldn’t bear it, so I [cleaned] it. Mhm. Refreshed.
“Is the Tri groupings fine for room assignments?”
“Mhm, isn’t that alright?”
The room assignments got decided very easily. Well, there isn’t particularly anyone who is on bad terms with anyone among these guys. Everyone is relatively close, that’s nice for this kind of things.
such good friends
“……so, yeah. Somehow, I’ve come to understand how slaves are treated in this town…….can we leave Mary as a slave like this? Would it be that bad to treat her as a citizen?”
To put it one way, it’s easy to identify a slave. With the collar, it’s easy to see who is the slave and master. There’s why it’s efficiency for me to be a slave to ensure the status of the masters, but……
“……honestly, this is emotionally tough.”
“Ah mhm, me too.”
“Treating a friend as a slave is impossible……I’m sick of it alrea—dy.”
Yea—h. These guys are too kind. They should just be more logical and stick to it, but they cannot do that.
“Don’t mind me. It’s quite fun.”
“We are the ones that will give in first. ……aah come on, you, have you tried thinking about treating us as slaves?”
……ah, that is.
“Impossible. Absolutely not.”
“Right!?”
Mh—m, but, unless someone is a slave, at worst everyone is forced into slavery and it’s game over.
Everyone also understands that, so well, they reluctantly accepted it.
Or rather, we can’t do anything else, so just accept it from the start.
not an easy thing to do
“Next, the problem of money. Mary, how is it?”
“No problem. If we sell a little in Deichemoore again we can get enough money.”
“Then let’s go back to Deichemoore tomorrow.”
Since no one objected to that, our course of action for tomorrow is decided.
“Okay, then next. There’s plenty of time until the tournament, what do we do?”
“If slaves are being sold in the capital, we should check them all out and buy foreigners, I think that would serve as a temporary objective.”
But is there such trading being done in the capital?
“Ah well, let’s just act based on the situation tomorrow. Ah, oh yeah. Also, be very careful to make sure Mary is not kidnapped. She apparently costs 200 gold, so buying her back would probably cost 300 gold.”
U, uwa—h…… I see, thinking about it, yeah. Uwah, uwah, let’s be careful to make sure I’m not kidnapped.
This is bad. If I’m kidnapped and the [Teleport] hair clip is removed, I won’t be able to do anything.
In the first place, they would have to find where I’m being sold and the 300 gold……guess it will work out if they sell 6 dresses at the pawnshop in Deichemoore.
No, but, in the first place, if I happen to get kidnapped, they can’t [Teleport], so it will take time to travel to Deichemoore.
And while I’m absent, there is the fear of everyone else being forced into slavery. Uwa—h. When I think about it, the risks from me being kidnapped is ridiculously high. Let’s be careful.
flag
And, well, like this, it became time for dinner, so we all gathered in the dining hall.
Since I naturally took a seat too, Dalisan and the inn’s ojii-san were surprised again and there was a quarrel again, but well, we somehow got dinner.
Dinner was deer meat stew with spices and baguettes and cheese, then grilled vegetables with warm potage.
Iya—, it’s delivious. Ah, come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve eaten something not made by me since coming to this world. Oh wow, it really is nice when others cook for me! Easy.
boof
And, well, how to put it, I was enjoying it like that a little, and that could have been fatal.
……my memories after eating are vague.
Yes. When I woke up, there was an unfamiliar ceiling.
For an instant, I thought it was the inn’s room, but it’s somehow different.
When I tried to get up for now, something tugged on my neck.
It seems a new collar has been put on me and the chain attached to it is connected to the wall.
…….seems I’ve been kidnapped. Yes.
the end
So. Many. Flags. The author really had no intention of hiding what was going to happen.