By Zephyria “Will the Commander stay until the end?”
“I’ll stay a little longer and then leave. Take good care of the council members.”
“Yes, sir. Then I’ll see you later.”
Hugo saw off the battalion commander and his subordinates, who were leaving as the intermission was almost over. As it was the first match of the preliminaries, most of the executives of the Council and senior commanders showed their faces, but it was a bit much to clear their schedules for almost half a day. Therefore, only a few remained to watch the subsequent matches, while the rest were leaving one after another.
“I hope you’re not late for the afternoon meeting.”
Loren, leaving a word as if advising, made eye contact with Hugo and passed by him. Hugo, following her profile with his gaze, nodded briefly.
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
It felt strange to hear the words he always said to others from someone else. It was a jab at the fact that he had helplessly melted away under the fireworks that decorated the sky a few days ago, and that his return had been delayed without notice.
And Loren seemed to have vaguely noticed the reason for that while watching the match directly.
As she, the last to leave, disappeared beyond the door between the stands, Andreas, who was next to him, nudged Hugo’s arm.
“If you’re busy, why don’t you go first? I’ll tell you the results.”
“Anyone would think I’m the only one attending the meeting. I know you’re going to bet under someone else’s name again.”
“Hey, I’m a battalion commander, would I do that again? And Commander, be honest. You stayed because of Ryan, didn’t you? To cheer for that guy.”
Hugo, looking up at the ceiling at the voice echoing from the Amplification Magic Circle, moved his feet, ignoring the teasing question. Andreas, with his hands in his pockets, shrugged and stuck to his back.
“Since when did you know him? Did you two contact each other behind my back?”
He asked, bringing his face close and smiling slyly. Hugo responded coldly, as if annoyed.
“I don’t know why it would be ‘behind’ my back.”
“What, you really contacted him? What’s your relationship? You told me he was just a kid―.”
The two tall figures, with their cloaks fluttering, quickly crossed the passage for officials only. To a third party, it seemed as if they were discussing a serious topic, but in reality, it was an uncle writhing in envy, questioning his love life.
“Was it after the acquittal? Or before that? Come to think of it, you two were in the same room the whole time.”
“…….”
“Wow, no wonder you were so overreacting when I said I’d try to seduce him―, ugh!”
“Don’t taint me and him with your filthy thoughts. Nothing like what you’re imagining happened.”
Hugo muttered in a lowered voice. He grabbed Andreas’s nape with his hand and pressed down firmly with his grip.
He would occasionally pressure his subordinates when they were dozing off during work hours, and since they were all in pain and couldn’t make a sound, the effect was certain. Andreas also grimaced and screamed silently. He couldn’t easily shake it off for fear of breaking his cervical spine.
By the time the chattering colleague’s mouth had quieted down, the two had arrived at the seats they had sat in earlier, just in time. Hugo, who was about to sit down quietly, suddenly turned his gaze to the person sitting at the end of the senior commander’s seat.
“So, what kind of relationship is it? Like a rich patron―.”
Andreas, who had been rubbing the back of his neck with a frown, also paused. Then, he whispered with a puzzled look.
“Why is that guy there?”
A bored expression plastered on his face, a haughty posture with his chin resting on his hand and legs crossed. Meterion was there, swirling the champagne in his glass with a flick of his wrist. His arrogant gaze flicked towards the two of them before he brought the glass to his lips and turned away, completely ignoring them.
Hugo, who had been silently observing, unbuttoned his jacket without a word and sat down on the opposite seat. Andreas followed suit, muttering as if he found it strange.
“He’s not the type to be watching a match like this….”
Hugo simply remained indifferent. However, there was a slight crease between his eyebrows as he faced forward.
He didn’t like how so many people were interested in him.
“Sounds fun, doesn’t it, Morbuan?”
“It’s shorter than I thought. Defense might have an advantage?”
Beatrice, standing in front of the entrance to the arena, hugged Morbuan’s waist and looked through the transparent window. Gillian, who was standing with her, also watched the previous group’s match and added a word. They were waiting for their turn to enter Group D.
“Have you decided on your roles?”
Leonardo, who was also leaning his head against the transparent window and analyzing the match, slightly raised his head. A Council official who had been leading them from the waiting room was approaching with hurried steps.
Leonardo straightened up and handed the paper he was holding to the official.
“Here.”
The official scanned the contents of the paper and said, surprised.
“Ryan will be the prisoner. Then who will draw for the attack and defense positions?”
“Ah, I will.”
Ero raised his hand enthusiastically. The official nodded once and opened his mouth.
“Understood. Then, to help you understand, I will explain the rules one more time. This match is ‘Prisoner Rescue’.”
Prisoner Rescue.
Two teams compete against each other, and the leaders of each team gather to draw for the attack and defense positions.
If you become the attacking team, one member of your team becomes a prisoner and is bound in a location designated by the defending team. The rest are responsible for unlocking the locking device that holds the prisoner, or reaching the location where the prisoner is and rescuing them.
“If the prisoner succeeds in escaping within 15 minutes, the attacking team wins. If they fail to escape, the defending team wins. If the prisoner succeeds in escaping, all members of the attacking team pass, regardless of whether they escaped individually.”
In short, the selection of the prisoner was the key to determining the outcome of this match.
“Also, the prisoner cannot unlock the locking device or move on their own until a teammate rescues them. Of course, after that, they are free to act as they please. Except for using Teleport.”
Although movement is restricted at the beginning, if the teammates do well, they can run wild on their own afterwards. For Team JOKER, whose main force has overwhelming power, Leonardo thought that he was the only one who could be the prisoner.
“Then the drawer will move first. Please come this way.”
The official held out his palm in front of Ero and guided him. Just as he was about to follow, Leonardo nudged Ero’s back.
“Do well. It doesn’t matter which position you get, so don’t be nervous.”
“I’ll definitely get the attack position, brother!”
Ero turned around and clenched his fists in both hands, determined. This was because Leonardo preferred the attack position in the previous team meeting. He believed that the defense, which had to block the escape route for 15 minutes, had a higher probability of getting injured and had more difficult winning conditions.
However, Leonardo chuckled and gestured for him to do as he pleased. He stared blankly at Ero’s receding figure. Ero’s pistol bullets, which he used well, had been temporarily confiscated under the pretext of component analysis.
Although basic bullets were provided, it was impossible to instantly kill the participants, and it was difficult to aim at moving targets. The conditions were much more unfavorable than before.
He wondered if he could advance to the next match with a guy who had a penalty….
‘Well, I just have to do well.’
Leonardo forced a smile, but soon returned to his expressionless face. Orca quietly scanned him and suddenly leaned in close.
“Are you worried?”
“…What?”
Leonardo, startled, pulled his head back and asked. He couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the crazy guy who could handle up to five at once.
“Don’t worry. Orcas are strong in team battles.”
Orca sent Leonardo the most trustworthy look he could muster, encouraging him. However, Leonardo’s eyes were filled with disgust, considering who he was dealing with.
‘Team battle, is he talking about that kind of team battle?’
Whether he knew what he was thinking, Orca patted his chest and added.
“Whether it’s attack or defense, I’m confident I can court you wonderfully. I will definitely show my abilities and be recognized by you. Then you will accept me into the pod and want to mate with me.”
Leonardo frowned at the nonsense that had started again.
But they were on the same team, and he couldn’t beat him up before the match. He just pushed his slick face away with his palm and warned him appropriately.
“I’m letting it go because it’s before the match, but if you mention courtship or mating one more time, I’ll rip out your tongue.”
Orca’s eyes widened as if he had realized something new.
“Orcas like tongues. I didn’t know lions liked them too. Do you like liver too?”
“Ah, damn it.”
Just as he was about to explode with annoyance, the announcer’s voice and cheers poured out. At the same time, the transparent barrier blocking the entrance disappeared.
Leonardo, who was about to enter the arena, turned to Orca and threatened him.
“You better do it right, seriously.”
“Of course. If you become a prisoner, I will be the first to rescue you.”
The conversation still didn’t seem to be getting through, and Gold Eyes sighed and rolled upwards.