NOVPUBBut it seems that The Senate intends to let the tournament continue.
As long as those behind the curses dared to make a move, the authorities in Poseen Kingdom were bound to grasp some clues.
"Recent curses by the great mage Parlony are rife in the Poseen Kingdom, and if the mastermind wishes to sabotage the relations between humans and the Demon Race within the kingdom, these activities are the perfect stages."
Talia said, folding her arms.
She felt as if a thread had been drawn together, although there were no concrete clues yet, she could vaguely sense some cause and effect.
"I’ll buy the tickets, and then we can go see it."
Going to the match had already been part of Lanci’s plan.
The Huadu St. Capital Cup they were discussing also had a history dating back to the era of King Ray the Fourteenth of Poseen Kingdom, with a history of over three hundred years.
Initially, this competition was a way to resolve business disputes, avoiding public violence and potential damage to commercial activities.
Corporations or merchants would employ messengers to fight on their behalf in the competition, resolving disputes and competition through these means, with the victor determining the outcome of the dispute.
This system gradually evolved into a massive league, involving not only commercial disputes but also the power struggle within the Poseen Kingdom.
"Sure."
Talia was quite satisfied with the experience of having someone arrange everything for the trip.
Their journey to the Poseen Kingdom felt like official business, yet also a trip, seeming somehow dangerous but actually quite relaxed.
"Buy one for me too, meow."
The Cat Boss said, worried about being left out.
"Got it."
Lanci promised.
The rules of the Huadu St. Capital Cup Servitor Tournament were quite simple and direct, primarily aimed at deciding the winner. Specific rules might vary from competition to competition, but the core principle remained unchanged.
Participants had to represent a corporation or individual, known as "employers," and each employer could choose a messenger to represent them in the match.
"Among the messengers, there could be members of the Demon Race, humans, as well as fairies, orcs, and other rare races less seen in the Poseen Kingdom. However, in recent years, messengers from the Demon Race are the most numerous, with the renowned contestants usually being on long contracts, fighting continuously for their employers."
Lanci explained to Cat Boss and the others about the competition as he understood it.
The competition was essentially no-holds-barred, allowing any fighting skills and methods. The goal was to incapacitate the opponent until one party could not continue fighting or explicitly surrendered. With the introduction of the Artificial Shadow World, the casualty rate was no longer an issue.
Of course, some employers were simply wealthy but not adept at training messengers, so they would hire coaches and training teams to foster the abilities of their servitors.
The outcome of the matches would directly affect the business interests, negotiation results, and even the ownership of contracts between the employers.
Every August, there would be an elimination contest, and the two major countries in the eastern region, Yarolan Kingdom and Hutton Kingdom, would broadcast it.
"You better not participate, meow. I’m afraid Great High Priest Loren would recall last year’s censure from the Ichrite City Hall. Hugh would probably be restless if he saw you on screen."
Cat Boss, perched on Lanci’s shoulder, whispered in his ear.
It had come to view Lanci as a legendary coach.
"Don’t worry, the intense competition is already over, and now it’s time for me to learn how to enjoy life gracefully," Lanci replied, petting the cat’s head.
"..."
Talia also had a vivid memory of that day.
Too afraid of being discovered and mistaken for a member of the Demon Race due to her connection with Lanci, she was stripped of her kingdom residency and left the scene early.
Her decision proved right, as the incident escalated into a major accident and made the news.
She had no idea how Lanci managed to train five cheerful third-year students into the Demon King’s Special Slaughter Troops.
But certainly, the help of the Great Love Poet was involved.
Now that the Great Love Poet was banned, Lanci definitely couldn’t cause trouble.
She decided to take Lanci’s word for it, for now.
"Back in the day, it’s said that Duke Migaya won the championship as an employer and then gave freedom back to the champion servitor after the victory," Lanci suddenly recalled and shared with Talia and Cat Boss.
As Countess Rosalinda said, this country is full of legendary stories left by Duke Migaya; it really is a pity that Hyperion wasn’t brought along.
Of course, Hyperion might not have felt anything even if she came, as she always thought her dad was just so-so.
"Why did he want to participate?"
Talia felt that the Duke’s House of Hyperion certainly wasn’t short on money.
The annual elimination tournament was mainly for contestants to boost their value; the prize money of 3,000 pounds and the choice of Pink Holy material weren’t much for the employers, and even less so for Duke Migaya.
Despite there also being awards like medals and honors, Hyperion had told her that the Duke’s Mansion could hardly accommodate more of those items and that her father never cared about reputation, otherwise he wouldn’t have married Isatia.
"Duke Migaya said in an interview that it was simple, he just wanted to win Miss Isatia’s favor, as she really enjoys watching competitions,"
Lanci answered with a shrug.
"Oh."
Talia could understand then.
Sometimes Isatia really does like to watch a spectacle unfold, and as long as it’s not her own house blowing up, she doesn’t care what happens.
"So, is his Servitor from the Demon Race?"
Talia asked again.
It seemed quite popular in this country to hire members of the Demon Race for such tasks, hence the contest was called the Great Servitor Tournament.
"Indeed, it is a member of the Demon Race, named Aitio. She wasn’t very well-regarded at first, but Duke Migaya, with his discerning eye, recognized her talent, taught her much knowledge and skills, allowing her to rapidly grow and transform into an exceptionally powerful being, eventually clinching the championship,"
Lanci recounted the story he learned from reviewing the champion’s records that morning,
"The former partner of Duke Migaya, that Servitor, is now said to be a powerful Lord in the Demon World of Poseen. Previously marked as a criminal and thus enslaved, she regained her freedom more than ten years ago and started a new life."
Today, the Demon World of Poseen is divided among several Demon Race Lords, who are almost the highest decision-makers of the Demon World, directly interfacing with The Senate of Poseen Kingdom.
For example, the former teacher of the executioner, Nigel, is also one of the Lords of the Demon World of Poseen.
"Wait a minute, what if, because of this favor and experience, she fell for Duke Migaya but couldn’t express it, and Duke Migaya helped her just to please Isatia, what would her feelings be like?"
Cat Boss interrupted Lanci’s words to ask.
"Uh... that’s unlikely,"
After some thought, Lanci decided that Cat Boss was being too romance-focused,
"That would be too twisted."
It probably wouldn’t happen.
If that Servitor did indeed harbor heavy feelings for Duke Migaya, according to the day-to-day interactions between Duke Migaya and Isatia as described by Countess Rosalinda, he couldn’t imagine the daily torment it would be for her.
And surely not every female in Poseen wanted to be Hyperion’s mother.
The Demon Race member named Aitio might fit the "having a Demon Race aura" and "being aloof" criteria, but lacked that critical "eight hundred years of charm."
She would be outright rejected by Hyperion.
"..."
Talia stared at Lanci, pressing her thumb against her index finger knuckle, making a faint clicking sound.
It seemed there were no police around here.
"But Miss Calila really had a charm about her. Back in the Demon World, many of the Great Demon Clan would listen to her, not something any ordinary Demon Race member could compare with..."
Lanci suddenly remarked with some emotion.
"..."
Upon hearing Lanci refer to the Fallen Queen Calila, Talia released her hand.
And the subtext of Lanci’s words—
If Calila had charm, then so did she.
"You two are whispering again!"
Cat Boss, noticing the abrupt mismatch in Lanci’s words and the subtle exchange of expressions between the two, knew it had been left out once more!
