"Oh, same waiting room as Orun today, huh?"
While I was watching Will's fight from the waiting room, a voice called out from behind me.
"Hart-san, and Fuka."
There stood the two from "Copper Twilight".
◆
Hart Tendou.
The leader of "Copper Twilight".
He's about ten centimeters taller than me.
His clothing is a fusion of traditional Eastern robes and local style.
I consider his strength worthy of S-rank without reservation.
During the joint subjugation, he didn't seem to be going all out, yet he performed on par with everyone else—his potential is clearly high.
He fights bare-handed, delivering powerful strikes that belie his light-footed movements.
In yesterday's first round, he destroyed his opponent's weapon with his fists.
There's definitely some trick behind those blows, though I haven't figured out what it is yet.
◆
"Long time no see, Orun. Been a little over two months? You've been making big waves lately."
"Since the joint subjugation, yeah—about that long. The spotlight's just because I've had good circumstances."
"Don't be humble. —Oh, Willkus is dominating."
Hart commented as he watched Will and Oliver's fight.
"Does Fuka already see the outcome of this match?"
I casually asked Fuka.
"That's—"
"Whoa, hold up. Fuka, don't just spill honestly."
I asked to test how far her [Future Sight] could see, but Hart noticed my intention and stopped her.
No surprise—she won't tell.
...If Hart weren't here, I might have gotten it out of her.
"But you asked."
"You answer just because someone asks? Even an enemy?"
"...? Orun isn't an enemy."
Fuka tilted her head, giving off a "What are you talking about?" vibe.
"...Huh? Did I say something wrong? Am I the one mistaken?"
Hart looked genuinely confused, as if he were the one who messed up.
The conversation was clearly Hart's fault.
While I watched their amusing exchange, Will and Oliver's fight progressed.
Just when it seemed Will would be overwhelmed, he forcibly parried Oliver's sword and diverted its path.
The dual blade then caught Oliver and sent him flying back hard.
"Oh—Willkus pulled it off. That definitely landed on Oliver."
Hart—despite not having a direct view from his angle—impressed by Will's counter.
But contrary to Hart's expectation, Oliver stood up as if nothing happened.
Will looked shocked and unable to hide it. Oliver's blade gathered mana—gold light materialized.
Will probably judged it as Heaven Flash.
He rushed in to interrupt before the slash released—Oliver slipped into his guard and struck his abdomen with the sword.
"Match over here! Winner—Hero Oliver! Willkus fought bravely, but couldn't reach him!"
Willkus's counter was likely stopped by [Mana Convergence].
The old Oliver treated [Mana Convergence] almost reverently—too special to use except for attack.
But in this fight, he used it defensively twice.
A change of heart, perhaps?
My sense of unease toward the hero party keeps growing.
(Luna might know something. But going to her house would be too conspicuous. What to do—wait, maybe it's none of my business anymore.)
The unconscious Will was carried in on a stretcher to the waiting room.
His face looked pale.
"How's Will?"
I asked the staff who brought him.
"No danger to life. Possible broken ribs, so we're taking him to the medical room for treatment now."
"Understood. Can I come along?"
"No problem. Let's go."
I wanted to watch Hart and Fuka's fights too, but if Will wakes up with no one around, he'd feel lonely.
At least stay until he opens his eyes.
◇
"Will!"
As we reached the medical room and prepared for healer treatment, the door burst open—Lucre rushed in.
"Hey! Is Will okay!?"
She asked frantically the moment she entered.
"Lucre—calm down. Will's fine. External injuries, but no life threat."
Hearing me, she finally relaxed.
"Good... Sorry for panicking. —Um, can I handle Will's treatment?"
"Uh..."
The healer looked at me—confused by the sudden request.
"She's our party's healer—works with me and Will."
"I see—"Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky"'s healer. Then no problem."
"Thank you."
The healer stepped aside. Lucre stood by Will and instantly cast high-level recovery magic [Ex-Heal].
Her spell construction is still ridiculously fast.
"This should be okay for now?"
Confirming it took effect, Lucre peered at Will's face and murmured with relief.
"...Then I'm heading back to the waiting room. Can I leave Will to you?"
"Eh!? Ah—yeah! Leave it to me! Orun-kun—good luck! Win for Will's share too!"
"—Got it. See you."
I left Will with Lucre and returned to the waiting room.
◇
"Orun—welcome back."
Fuka greeted me as I returned.
Normally I'd reply casually—but the scene before me left me frozen.
"...What's with that amount?"
"...? Lunch. My turn's next—wanted to eat first."
Fuka had spread a blue sheet on the waiting room floor and arranged a massive amount of food on it.
Enough for way more than a few people.
All from stalls, probably.
"Isn't that way too much? You're fighting soon—won't it weigh you down?"
Personally—I'd prefer she lost here—but I had to point it out.
"This much doesn't bother me—fine."
She happily munched takoyaki while answering.
...Now I get why Katina-san said overeating.
"...I see."
"Oh—Hart just destroyed his opponent's weapon again, like round one! Now both unarmed! Hart has the advantage!?"
The commentary came in—I moved to see Hart's fight.
Without ally buffs and now weaponless—Hart had the upper hand; by the time I looked, it was one-sided.
His opponent—Olaf from "Ultramarine Shower"—was desperately guarding.
Hart used light footwork—striking from all angles—no counter openings.
Finally Olaf's guard loosened—Hart landed a devastating blow—decisive.
"Match over! Hart overcomes unarmed disadvantage—victory! This is S-rank power!"
"Iya~ tired, tired. —Oh, Orun—back already?"
"Yes—just now. Congrats on the win."
"Thanks. But fighting someone so used to support magic—no way I lose."
"That phrasing makes it sound like Hart-san isn't used to buffs."
"Who knows. —Hey, what're you doing?"
Hart—entering the waiting room—saw Fuka and couldn't help retorting.
"Lunch."
"Kati'll scold you later—don't care."
Hart sighed but said nothing about whether she could finish it—probably normal for her.
◇
About an hour after Hart's match ended—third match began.
Fuka vs Kiron from "Amber Flash".
They already stood facing each other in the arena center.
"Now! Round 2 Match 3—begin! —Eh?"
The host announced the start—then let out a dumb sound.
Understandable.
The instant it began—Fuka moved to where Kiron had been standing.
Kiron lay nearby—unconscious.
For the first time I know of—the entire arena fell silent.
"Do I still have to fight?"
Fuka asked the judge.
In such quiet space—even her small voice carried clearly.
"W-Winner—Fuka of "Copper Twilight"!"
"Match over! Instant kill! What happened—couldn't see anything!?"
Crowd murmured in shock.
Natural.
Yesterday Fuka won in one hit—but it was a counter to an attack.
No one imagined this outcome.
"Why use 'ki'..."
Hart muttered—quiet enough normally to miss.
But I had activated [Technical Up][Quadruple] + [Sight Up] + [Hearing Up] to catch every move of Fuka's—heard it.
"What's 'ki'?"
"Hm? You heard. Sharp ears. 'Ki'—collective term for techniques passed in my family. Sorry—won't say more."
'My' family—so Tendou clan techniques?
But Fuka's surname is Shinonome. Yet she used 'ki'.
Not secret family art—Fuka just learned it.
What 'ki' is—unknown—but clearly tied to her strength?
...Might look into it.
◇
"Now—regroup! Third match ended instantly—but fourth is another S-rank clash!! Hero Derrick Mozley vs 'Dragon Slayer' Orun Dula!"
Prepared—I walked to arena center.
Opposite—Derrick approached with demonic glare.
Still holding grudge from yesterday.
"Weakling explorer—sneak attack yesterday—well done! I'll kill you—brace yourself!!"
"...Killing's rule violation. Hero saying that—what're you doing?"
"Shut up! No forgiveness even if you cry and beg!"
...This blood-boiling—maybe no need to be cautious.
I drew the short sword from my waist—reversed grip in right hand.
Now time to end this quick.