Volume 6 Chapter 20 List Of Participants In The Blood Duel Cup
Rangella held two sheets of paper as she walked to Horace's room. He was resting there, deep in thought.
"Master, the list of participants for the Blood Duel Cup has arrived," she said quietly.
Horace looked up, surprised.
"Now? Just now?"
"Yes, it was confirmed this morning."
"The Blood Duel Cup starts in three days."
"That's right. But it seems there are many reasons for the late confirmation."
"Reasons, huh..."
Horace frowned and took one sheet from her.
* * *
Blood Duel Cup Participant List
* 'Earth-Seer' Horace — Hero's Master
* 'Brave' Rangella — Leader of Luster Report
* 'Soul Singer' Ivan — Guild Master of Worldsworn
* 'Unscalable' Rivela — Leader of Muspelheim
* 'Sword Eye' Cain — Captain of Diamante Kingdom Knights
* 'Iron Cutter' Sumeragi — Headquarters Nominee
* 'Water Alchemist' Sid — Headquarters Nominee
* 'Hundred-Heaven Blade' Zachariah — Royal Sorcerer of the Azette Kingdom Court
* 'Holy Knight' Masamitsu — Member of Moonlight Nine
* 'Abyssal Tree' Vande — Leader of the Underworld Tree
* 'Royal Table' Garboros — Captain of the Five-Star Pirates
* 'Unarmed Two-Hander' Tokohime — Warrior of the Sword Nation Shirogane
* * *
"Twelve in total," Horace muttered. "Fewer than I expected."
"Though it is called a battle to decide the strongest, only a few countries have the strength and space to send their best fighters."
"I see..."
"Often, second- or third-best fighters are sent and lose quickly. Countries with no room to spare rarely have true strong warriors. At one time, the Blood Duel Cup had over a hundred fierce fighters."
"Then the Demon Lord's shadow is truly strong," Horace said with a sigh.
"Yes. Even now, monsters live across the world. If they are not controlled, towns and villages are attacked. Keeping people safe is the highest duty of rulers. Without that, leaders mean nothing."
"The ability to send strong fighters to events like the Blood Duel Cup depends on how well a country can protect itself."
"Fifteen years ago, the Demon Lord appeared. The Blood Duel Cup, held every four years, was forced to stop."
"Because if the Demon Lord shows up at an event where many strong fighters gather, it's like catching them all in one net," Rangella explained.
"And at that one event after the Demon Lord appeared, many strong fighters were captured."
"It was a painful mistake. Even though the Demon Lord was defeated later, and men no longer risk becoming puppets, the scars remain."
"Many countries still cannot send strong fighters. That is the truth today."
Rangella pointed to the list.
"This list is arranged by the order of confirmation."
"So the World Conference headquarters meant to send me from the start?"
"It seems so. Once you agreed, the process moved quickly."
Horace scanned the names. "I have met the top seven—they came here together with Sid. But I have not met the bottom five."
"Me neither," Rangella said.
Looking at the list again, Horace asked, "What did the others say when they heard about me?"
"Zachariah congratulated you on your promotion. Masamitsu asked if you were ready for the spotlight. Vande said you didn't die, huh? Garboros wondered if you were interested in the Blood Duel Cup. Tokohime asked if the baby was well."
Horace laughed softly. "So, many agreed because I would be there."
"Before the Demon Lord's defeat, you were nearly invisible, but you worked well behind the scenes. Without you, Luster Report wouldn't be what it is now, Master."
Horace's eyes lingered on one name. "Garboros, captain of the Five-Star Pirates... I didn't expect him here."
"Who is he exactly?" Rangella asked.
"The Five-Star Pirates sail a special sea west of the Maritime Nation Abystal, a Permanent Council Member."
"A special sea?"
"Yes. The water has no salt but feels the same to float in. Food made with this water is very tasty."
"Really?"
"But many fish monsters hate ships and attack often. When defeated, they drop magic tools from a sunken country or rare ores."
"That must help Abystal grow rich and strong."
Horace shook his head. "Not quite. Food stays fresh only because of air cooled by sunlight and seawater evaporation. The time-stopping Item Box doesn't work here. It's the magic tools and ores that build the country."
"Ah."
"Garboros is just one pirate captain among many. When I met him, he cared only about food."
"Just food?"
"Yes. He can kill powerful sea monsters alone. He collects many magic tools and ores but has no interest in them. Most of it flows back to the country. When honored at the castle, he asked, 'Is it tasty?'"
"People like that exist?"
"Well, honor does not make food taste better."
"Simple enough."
Horace smiled, looking at the list again. "He can come ashore now, it seems."
"How does he manage the ship?"
"They have three ships. They rotate them."
"Never heard of such a rough way."
"Well, he is strong. And rich."
In this world, monsters drop coins when defeated. The strong are often the rich.
Even pirates at sea gain wealth if monsters are common there.
"But at sea all the time... do they have enough food?"
"If they plant seeds, food grows in three days. It's an unusual place."
"The world is full of strange places."
Magic, monsters, and strange lands exist everywhere. Where life is tough, people find ways to live.
Garboros looks forward to good food but will fight in the Blood Duel Cup to prove he is the strongest.
Notes:
• Ran - A silver-haired, busty, and beautiful young girl with a dominating spirit. She is one of the 'Four Source Maidens' and is deeply affected by her mother's disappearance.
• Rivela - Leader of 'Muspelheim' and wielder of the 'Great Flame Sword Surt.' She is 18 years old, energetic, and a participant in the Blood Duel Cup. She earned the nickname 'Unscalable' for creating a huge wall of flames during a monster rampage.
• Cain - A 14-year-old beautiful boy with short, light purple hair. Newly appointed Commander of the Diamante Kingdom Knight Order. Highly talented and efficient, tasked with managing the 'Forest of Souls' dungeon and participating in the Blood Duel Cup. Twin brother of Abel.
• Sumeragi - One of the Five Divine Gods, known as the 'God of Iron-Slicing.' He introduces himself with a pleasant smile and seems to have a purpose in meeting Horace.
• Zachariah - Known as the Hundred-Heaven Blade. Court sorcerer of the Azette Kingdom. His appearance is not described. He congratulated Horace on his promotion, suggesting a respectful relationship.
• Masamitsu - Known as the Holy Knight. Member of the 'Moonlight Nine'. His appearance is not described. He expresses concern about Horace being in the spotlight, indicating a friendly or cautious relationship.
• Vande - Known as the Abyssal Tree. Leader of the Underworld Tree, known as 'Abyssal Tree'. Their appearance is not described. They seem surprised that Horace is still alive, implying a history between them.
• Garboros - Known as the Royal Table. Captain of the Captain of the Five-Star Pirates. His appearance is not described, but he is known for his immense strength, capable of taking down powerful sea monsters alone. He is primarily interested in gourmet food and has little regard for honor or material possessions. His relationship with Horace is one of acquaintance, and he participates in the Blood Duel Cup seemingly for the experience.
• Tokohime - From 'the Sword Nation Shirogane', known as 'Unarmed Two-Hander'. Her appearance is not described. She asks about Horace's baby, suggesting a friendly or familiar relationship.
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