NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: chapter 15
Eina Tulle awoke slowly, savoring the last remnants of her dream as soft morning light spilled through her window.
The start of a new day.
She stretched beneath the covers, enjoying the lingering warmth before reluctantly sitting up. It was a bit later than her usual waking time, but she had earned this extra rest. She worked hard enough to deserve a few minutes of peace.
Her gaze wandered around her apartment. It wasn't the fanciest place in Orario, but it was cozy and dependable. The walls were clean, the floors sturdy, and a few of her fellow Guild employees also lived in the building, adding to the sense of community.
With a groan, she dragged herself toward the shower.
The hot water cascaded over her, washing away the last traces of drowsiness. She relished the sensation but reminded herself she couldn't dawdle—she was already running late.
But... wasn't today her day off?
Stepping out of the shower, she wrapped herself in a thick, soft robe and headed to her room to get dressed.
As she passed the living room, confusion crossed her face. What was she supposed to do today?
Her eyes landed on the calendar hanging near the shelf where she kept her books. Realization struck like a bolt.
"Monsterphilia…" she murmured with a smile. A day to relax and enjoy the festival.
Then the smile faltered.
"Monsterphilia!?" she yelped, her voice tinged with rising panic.
She was supposed to meet Bell! If she didn't hurry, she'd be late!
Storming into her bedroom, she scrambled to find something nice to wear. She couldn't let Bell think she was shabby!
'What have I gotten myself into!?' she thought frantically, pulling clothes from her wardrobe.
This is all Misha's fault!
---
The streets were alive with energy, laughter, and the excited buzz of civilians enjoying the festivities before the big show. Stalls lined the roads leading toward the Amphitheatron, the grand stadium where Monsterphilia would take place.
Eina stood near the bustling thoroughfare, scanning the crowd as she waited for Bell. To her surprise, she had arrived before him—she was sure he'd be there before her.
'Maybe he overslept?' she thought, shifting nervously as she adjusted her posture.
Her gaze flitted to her outfit, silently questioning if she looked presentable enough.
She had settled on a two-piece dress ensemble. The outer layer was a soft, short pink dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves, accented by a red ribbon tied at the center of the neckline. A belt cinched her waist, adding a touch of elegance.
Beneath the pink dress, she wore a black underlayer that ended just above her knees. The flared hem was subtly adorned with white trimming. The black dress was elegantly secured around her neck, completing the look.
She hadn't had time to pick anything better and could only hope her choice was pleasant enough.
'Why did I even listen to Misha?' she thought with a slight blush, fidgeting as self-doubt crept in. 'I was perfectly fine going alone! I don't need anyone—especially a man—to accompany me to a festival, thank you very much!'
"Eina, I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," Bell's soft voice cut through her spiraling thoughts, making her flinch slightly as her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink.
She turned toward him, attempting to play it cool. "N-Not at all, Bell! I just got here!" she replied with a smile, though the faint red tint on her face betrayed her nerves.
Her eyes lingered on him as she took in his outfit. He wore a simple yet well-coordinated outfit: a dark red buttoned shirt with sleeves neatly rolled up to his elbows, tucked into dark pants secured with a brown leather belt. Polished black leather shoes completed the look, giving him a sharp yet relaxed appearance.
Though the outfit was simple, Eina couldn't help but think it complemented him perfectly. The deep red of the shirt brought out his white hair and striking crimson eyes—a combination that sent a faint flutter through her chest.
Bell's gaze briefly swept over her, and he offered a warm smile. "You look radiant, Eina. The colors suit you beautifully."
His words startled her from her daze. "Huh? O-Oh, uh… thank you?" she replied with a sheepish laugh, her blush deepening as she awkwardly fumbled for a response.
For a moment, silence settled between them. Eina fidgeted, unsure of what to do next. Should she compliment his outfit too? What could she even say? Ugh, get it together!
Fortunately, Bell saved her from her internal crisis. "Shall we head to the stadium? It'd be nice to get good seats before the crowd gets worse," he suggested, his usual soft and polite smile putting her at ease.
Her heart fluttered again as she stammered, "Y-Yes, you're right!" She fell into step beside him as they made their way toward the Amphitheatron.
Internally, however, she was in turmoil. 'This is just a festival, not a date! Definitely not a date!' She mentally chastised herself, trying to suppress the giddy feelings threatening to surface.
But the moment felt undeniably special.
---
"What are you after, Freya?" Loki asked, her carefree smile plastered on her face, one hand holding a drink she had ordered earlier.
Behind her was a shining golden light—the soul of the Sword Princess, Ais Wallenstein, was truly magnificent, radiant even in its stillness.
They were inside a modest yet cozy establishment, its dim lighting providing a rare moment of quiet amidst the hustle and bustle of the festival outside.
Loki had called for this impromptu meeting for reasons known only to herself.
Truthfully, Freya was having a boring day and figured this was as good a way to pass the time as any.
"What are you talking about, Loki?" Freya responded in her usual soft tone, her expression serene, though her thoughts were less so. 'What is this flat-chested idiot rambling about now?'
Loki smirked, swirling her drink lazily. "Oh, please~ spare me the 'oh, I'm innocent' act, will ya? I know you're scheming something. Call it a hunch. I'm just making sure those perverted eyes of yours aren't set on my good ol' Familia," she finished before taking a hearty swig of her drink. She grimaced immediately. "Ugh, this tastes horrible," she muttered under her breath, pushing the glass away.
Freya remained silent, her neutral expression betraying nothing. She hadn't made any big moves recently; perhaps Loki's brain was flattening to match her figure.
The silence stretched, and Loki grew impatient. "C'mon, Frey, just spit it out! It's a guy, isn't it?" she teased, her grin widening.
Freya's eyes twitched ever so slightly, an almost imperceptible reaction.
Well, if indulging this pest keeps the peace between their Familias, so be it. She wasn't interested in unnecessary conflict, for now.
"Yes," Freya admitted softly, her voice carrying a delicate hint of amusement.
"Nailed it!" Loki crowed, leaning back in her chair with a smug grin. "I really am getting good at this, huh?" She leaned forward slightly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, who's the lucky bride?"
Freya's smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. She considered her words carefully. She needed to assert her intentions without revealing too much.
"He is cunning and highly intelligent," Freya began, her tone calm but deliberate. "He thrives for control, masking his ambitions behind a charismatic and benevolent façade." Her smile returned, but this time it carried a sharper edge. "I have yet to decide if I truly want him. Too much trouble seems to come with managing him."
Loki raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sounds like a tough nut to crack," she commented, surprised to hear Freya—of all people—admitting that someone interesting might be more trouble than they're worth.
Freya rose gracefully from her seat, her demeanor composed and regal. "While I have yet to make my decision, I warn you not to interfere with whatever may unfold in the future," she said, her voice soft yet unmistakably firm.
Without another word or a backward glance, Freya left, her exit well-poised as always.
Loki scowled, her carefree mask slipping for just a moment. "That bitch, threatening us like that," she muttered under her breath, tapping her fingers against the table irritably.
"What was that about?" Ais finally spoke, breaking her silence. Her voice was calm, but there was a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.
Loki waved a hand dismissively. "Nothing, nothing. Just gods being gods, Ais-tan," she said, rising from her chair with a sudden burst of energy. "C'mon, we should go enjoy the festival! There's still plenty of time left!"
Ais remained near the table for a moment, her expression puzzled.
Her gaze drifted toward the window. Outside, she noticed a ball of white hair—Bell Cranel, she realized—walking alongside an elf girl.
Her expression turned slightly thoughtful. "Oh... I didn't know he was with someone," she muttered softly.
"Ais-tan! Move it, or I'm leaving you behind!" Loki called, already near the exit, though she followed it with a playful, "Just kidding~!"
Ais sighed and turned to follow. She really wished she were with the others right now.
---
All For One's pleasant expression betrayed the storm of irritation simmering beneath.
It wasn't poor Eina's fault, of course. In fact, he was grateful for this opportunity. If everything went as planned, he would be walking out of today's events with a formidable ability added to his arsenal and possibly a little boost to his current persona's reputation.
No, his source of annoyance was the vermin known as the Anansi Familia. Their continued, pathetic existence grated on him more than he cared to admit. Their audacity to threaten him through Hestia gnawed at him.
He resisted a sigh. It seemed their extermination would need to be moved up on his ever-growing list of priorities.
And as if to mock him further, the salamander wool of his clothing scratched irritatingly against his skin, an almost trivial discomfort magnified in his current mood.
Arriving at the entrance of the Amphitheatron—the grand stadium—he turned to Eina. The poor girl was doing her best to hide the blush dusting her cheeks, her nervous energy practically radiating from her every move.
'If she's this flustered over attending a festival, I can only imagine how easy it would be to make her dance between my fingers in the future.' The thought flashed with amusement through his mind, taking his focus away from the itch.
"Eina, would you go ahead and get us seats? I have a small matter to attend to," he said softly, his voice warm and disarming. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Her expression turned slightly puzzled, but she didn't press him. "Alright," she said, her tone tinged with a hint of reluctance. "But don't miss the big show, okay?"
He chuckled softly, his voice warm and reassuring. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Eina offered a small smile before heading into the stadium, blending into the bustling crowd. As soon as she disappeared from view, his disarming smile faded like a mask slipping off, replaced by a cold, calculating expression.
"Now," he muttered under his breath, his voice taking on a measured, sinister edge, "let's see if that little broker was telling the truth."
With a quick, almost dismissive tug at his collar to soothe the lingering irritation from the salamander wool, he set off toward the western entrance of the stadium. His movements were purposeful, his steps unhurried but deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey.
---
"I AM GANESHA!" bellowed a human wearing an elephant mask, his exaggerated tone echoing through the quiet corridor. The mask marked him as a member of the Ganesha Familia.
Though his performance was... less than impressive.
"No, no! You're doing it all wrong, Baz! You need to put more emotion into it!" another human, also donning an elephant mask, snapped, clearly displeased with the poor imitation of their god.
"What are you talking about? I nailed it, Zak!" Baz shot back, not appreciating the critique of his acting skills.
The two were stationed at the entrance to the holding pen, where monsters were caged and ready to be sent to the arena for the upcoming festival. Their job was essential—ensuring no unauthorized person got through—but painfully boring.
"You call that nailing it? How dare you mock the Lord of the People with that pitiful impression!" Zak scolded, his tone growing more fanatical by the second.
Baz sighed heavily. "Whatever," he muttered, not in the mood to argue further.
Silence fell between them, broken only by the occasional shuffle of their feet or the clinking of their spears. It was a tense quiet, but one Zak couldn't stand for long.
"So... You saw the captain earlier?" Zak blurted out, desperate to fill the void. "Man, those tits never get spoiled." He accompanied the comment with a suggestive hand motion, as though feeling the said tits. His expression was hidden behind his mask, but Baz could easily imagine it.
Baz shrugged, keeping his tone neutral. "She's alright, I guess. I prefer the vice-captain." He didn't particularly enjoy talking about their superiors this way, but Zak was his longtime companion, and they had little else to discuss.
Zak gasped dramatically. "What!? Are you mad? She'd snap you in half like a twig!"
"So would the captain. Both of them are Level Five, you idiot," Baz said flatly.
Zak grumbled. "Yeah, well, the vice-captain's an Amazoness. That makes her worse." Clearly, he had some personal history there.
"Hey, idiots, what are you doing!?"
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a familiar, grating voice echoing down the corridor.
Both guards turned toward the source of the voice, their faces twisting in irritation. They didn't particularly like this guy.
Striding toward them with his usual air of self-importance, Izik, Lord Ganesha's personal reporter, greeted them with a casual "Yo!" and a carefree wave. "I'm here to inform you to inspect the monsters again."
Baz and Zak exchanged a confused glance. They had already done that not long ago.
"And why would we do that again? It's the fourth time since this morning!" Baz snapped, his irritation evident in his tone.
"Lord Ganesha wants a report on the monsters before the event starts," Izik replied smoothly, ignoring the hostility.
Baz frowned, his patience wearing thin. He really wasn't in the mood to look at those ugly creatures again.
Zak, speaking for them both, replied with a dismissive tone, "Yeah, yeah, sure. We'll just do that. Come back later for the report."
Izik's body language brightened. "Now that's what I like to hear, Zak! Don't laze around now—the Lord of the People would be very disappointed!"
With a playful wave, he turned and sauntered off, leaving the two guards glaring daggers at his back.
"I fucking hate that guy," Baz muttered darkly. "Always sucking up to Lord Ganesha."
"Tell me about it," Zak agreed, his voice dripping with disdain.
For a moment, silence stretched between them.
"So, uh... should we go check on the monsters?" Baz asked. Lord Ganesha's orders weren't something to be ignored.
"Fuck no," Zak scoffed. "We just did that half an hour ago. We'll just say everything's fine when that sucker comes back."
"If you say so," Baz replied, not caring enough to argue. Doing nothing here was preferable compared to doing something there.
Now that Izik was gone, Zak picked up where they'd left off. "Anyway, we were talking about the captain's tits, right?"
Baz groaned, already feeling a headache coming on.
---
Inside the holding pen, a loose stone tile on the floor shifted unnaturally, twisting and jerking.
With a final, forceful push, the tile popped out of place, revealing All For One's irritated face.
Emerging from the hidden tunnel, he straightened himself, muttering, "Pallum informants unsurprisingly provide pallum-sized paths." His voice was tinged with annoyance.
The broker's information hadn't exactly inspired confidence, but the map of hidden passages had proven useful—if a bit cramped for someone of his stature.
Looking around, he quickly took stock of his surroundings. Rows of cages loomed before him, filled with restless, caged monsters.
And, lucky him, no guards were present.
Perfect.
The lax security of this world was truly a source of amusement, but he wasn't about to complain. It suited him perfectly.
Setting aside his musings, he turned his attention to his goal: the hellhounds.
Finding them was almost too easy. Each cage was neatly labeled, the monsters' names displayed prominently.
Almost too easy.
As he walked past the other cages, his eyes briefly lingered on their occupants. A massive boar-like beast stomped the ground, snorting aggressively. Next to it, a gorilla-like creature towered in its enclosure, its deep red eyes watching him intently.
"Hm~ A few loose screws might be worth considering later," he mused softly before moving on.
Finally, he reached the hellhound cage. Five of them paced restlessly within, their glowing eyes snapping toward him the moment he entered their proximity. Their muzzles, forged from thick iron, bound their jaws tightly, but their fiery animosity was unmistakable.
A smirk curled across All For One's lips. He could feel the faint pulse of magic emanating from them. His quirk stirred in response, eager to "take" what these creatures possessed.
"Perfect," he murmured, his voice low and dripping with anticipation. "Ah, you puppies are going to help me figure out something."
With a flick of his wrist, a fireball materialized in his palm, its heat warping the air around it. He hurled it at the lock, which melted with a sharp hiss. The cage door creaked open, the metallic scent of scorched iron lingering in the air.
The hellhounds tensed as one, their bodies going rigid. Even with their jaws bound, they growled fiercely, the sound rumbling like thunder.
One particularly bold hellhound lunged forward, its claws scraping against the floor as it attempted to attack. Its bound jaw rendered its assault futile.
Amused, All For One raised a hand, catching the beast mid-air by its head. Black lightning crackled around his fingers as his quirk activated.
The hellhound's growls turned to high-pitched whines, its body thrashing violently in his tight grasp. Its packmates froze, their feral aggression giving way to visible unease.
All For One felt the magic flow into him, the familiar sensation of emptiness being filled washed over him.
Done with his prey, he tossed the drained hellhound aside. It hit the ground with a dull thud, its body twitching pitifully.
The remaining hellhounds retreated, their once-threatening growls replaced by nervous whimpers. They pressed themselves against the farthest corners of the cage, their fear palpable.
"Yes," All For One said, his voice brimming with satisfaction. "It worked perfectly. You puppies indeed taught me a lot."
Taking a deliberate step forward, his dark aura flared, filling the confined space with an oppressive weight.
The hellhounds flinched in unison, their claws scrabbling against the cage floor as they tried to distance themselves from him, their whimpers and whines audible.
"Now," he said, his smirk widening as he loomed over them, "shall we continue?"
The sight was nothing short of absurd: hellhounds—creatures of fire and fury—cowering like frightened pups before a single man.
But to All For One, it was a delightful confirmation of his superiority. And he was far from finished.
---
Eina sighed. "At this rate, he'll miss the opening ceremony." Her mood was sour, a mix of disappointment and frustration settling in. She hadn't thought she'd be spending the festival alone.
She had invited Bell specifically so they could enjoy this together, and yet here she was, sitting alone on the seats she'd painstakingly chosen for their view. it seemed like he wasn't coming back anytime soon.
"I shouldn't have listened to Misha," she muttered under her breath.
Before her thoughts could spiral further into gloom, a chipper, energetic voice cut through the crowd's noise, breaking her train of thought.
"Oh, here, here! Let's sit here—it's a good view!"
Eina turned toward the voice, her eyes widening in surprise. Making their way toward her were three well known figures.
"Loki Familia?" she whispered, slightly taken aback by their presence.
The Hiryute sisters and the Thousand Elf herself were an unmistakable sight.
The short-haired Hiryute—Tiona—caught her muttered words. "Oh, are you a fan? I can totally sign an autograph for you!" she exclaimed, bounding over with an eager grin that utterly ignored personal space.
"N-no, thanks," Eina stammered, flustered by the sudden attention. Autographs weren't exactly her thing.
Tiona visibly deflated. "Why does everyone refuse my autograph?" she whined dramatically, her eyes misting with crocodile tears as she slumped in exaggerated despair.
Eina glanced nervously around, unsure of how to respond. Should she just accept it?
"D-don't worry about Tiona-san, miss," Lefiya Viridis said with a nervous smile. "She'll be fine." she said with a slightly sheepish face, then sat down in the empty seat to Eina's right. Tione, the other Hiryute sister, followed suit, settling next to her comrade with a smirk.
"A-ah, okay, if you say so," Eina replied, still unsure how to navigate the situation.
As the Loki Familia began chatting among themselves, Eina awkwardly adjusted her posture, feeling distinctly out of place. Her thoughts drifted again, this time tinged with exasperation.
'Where the hell are you, Bell!?' she thought, biting back her nervousness. She really didn't want to be left alone right now—especially not with these larger-than-life figures sitting next to her.
"Eina," a familiar, soft voice called.
Her heart lifted as she turned to see Bell approaching. Relief flooded her as she saw him weaving through the crowd, a small box in his hands.
"You're finally back!" she said, a mix of irritation and happiness in her voice.
"Sorry if I took too long," Bell said with a nervous chuckle. "The line for these was longer than I expected."
He passed the Loki Familia without giving them so much as a glance, taking the seat to Eina's left. Which left her sandwiched between himself and Lefiya, who was eyeing the small box in his hand with curiosity.
For some reason she smelled something familiar coming from it.
"I'd be lying if I said you didn't take your sweet time," Eina quipped, her tone dry. "You were this close to missing the festival's opening."
Bell smiled apologetically. "I know, and I'm sorry. But I heard these were being sold and thought you might like them." He gestured toward the box before handing it to her.
Eina took it, her curiosity piqued. As she opened the lid, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Elven dumplings?!" she exclaimed. "How did you manage to get these? They're super rare here!"
The ingredients for these can only be found in an elven forest.
Bell's smile didn't falter. "I wanted to thank you for inviting me. I wasn't sure what to get you, but I thought this might do."
He picked one up and took a small bite, his expression turning thoughtful.
"They taste like chestnuts," he commented casually.
Chestnuts?
Eina blinked, puzzled for a moment before tentatively taking one for herself. As soon as she bit into it, a wave of nostalgia washed over her.
They taste just like how Mother used to make them.
Her gaze drifted to her right, where she noticed Lefiya glancing shyly at the dumplings. Catching the elf in the act, Eina raised an eyebrow before extending the box toward her.
"Would you like one?" she asked with a smile, sensing a hint of homesickness from the elf.
Lefiya's face turned bright red. "A-ah, well…" She hesitated, but the kindness in Eina's expression eventually won her over. "Thank you very much… Eina, right?" she said, taking one with a small, grateful smile.
Before Eina could respond, a loud voice interrupted.
"Oh, it's you!"
Eina turned toward Tiona, who was pointing directly at Bell.
---
All For One's expression darkened slightly. Great. Just as he thought everything was going perfectly, these idiots had to show up.
"It's you! The guy from the restaurant! Phill, right?" Tiona exclaimed with a grin.
All for ones eye twitched. "Bell Cranel," he corrected, his tone even. There was no need to provoke a Loki familia member.
"Oh, right! Sorry, tehe!" Tiona rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "You did great shutting up Bete back then!" She gave him a thumbs-up.
He nodded politely. "And you are?"
"I'm Tiona," she said with a confident smirk, pointing to herself. "This one's Tione, my sister," she gestured at the long haired girl, who waved lazily at him, "and that cutie there is Lefiya-chan." she pointed at the Elf who just took a 1 thousand Valis worth of elven dumpling from Eina.
Maybe he should have settled on ice cream instead of dumplings.
"T-Tiona-san, please don't call me that!" Lefiya exclaimed, blushing as she held the dumpling.
"oh c'mon Lefiya-chan is a cutie." Tione commented with a smirk.
The two sisters immediately launched into a playful back-and-forth about Lefiya's nickname, their voices carrying above the din of the crowd. All for one, deciding they weren't worth his attention anymore, leaned closer to Eina.
"It's starting," he whispered in her ear.
Eina flinched at his closeness, her cheeks tinged with pink. "O-oh, is it?" she stammered, turning her focus toward the arena.
This slight teasing is quite amusing.
The crowd's cheers grew louder as a booming voice echoed across the coliseum.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" The announcer stood in an elevated, Roman-style box at the top end of the arena.
The crowd roared in excitement, some shouting, "Let's go!" and "show us some dragons!"
The announcer continued, "I am Ibri Achaa, Alias Fire Inferno Flame! I was chosen as your announcer by my Lord himself—GANESHA!"
The crowd erupted, shouting and cheering with excitement as Ibri gestured dramatically.
"Settle down, settle down! Now, before we begin, our lord Ganesha would like to say a few words!" Ibri leaned toward Ganesha, microphone extended.
Ganesha rose, his presence commanding as the crowd fell silent in anticipation. Slowly, he opened his mouth.
"I AM GANESHA!"
The declaration echoed through the coliseum, loud and clear.
The crowd fell into a deadpan silence, they should have seen this one coming.
Ibri chuckled nervously. "Y-yes! Indeed, you are, my Lord!" He quickly shifted back to his script.
All for one, meanwhile, tuned out the commotion, his focus drifting.
What he did to the cages at the holding pen held far more interest for him. The "real" show was about to begin.
---
"—and then the bastard literally exploded in my face, splashing disgusting blood and black dust all over me! It was traumatizing, I tell ya!" Zak exclaimed, hugging himself as if to shield his younger self from the memory.
The two guards were sharing first-kill stories to pass the time. It was Zak's turn, and his tale had taken a decidedly grotesque turn.
"How exactly does a goblin explode when you stab it in the dick?" Baz asked, trying and failing to keep a straight face as his hand barely muffled his chuckles.
Zak shot him an offended look, his pride clearly bruised. "Hey! I was twelve, okay? And pops forced me to do it because the damned thing was terrorizing the villagers!"
"Father of the year," Baz quipped before erupting into laughter, his voice echoing against the stone walls of the arena's underbelly.
Zak's hand reflexively reached for the spear resting against the wall, his patience wearing thin. "You keep laughing and you'll get to meet my good friend here—pointy end first."
Before the escalating banter could turn physical, a deep, ominous rumble emanated from the holding pen, the sound vibrating through the floor beneath their boots.
Both men froze.
"Uhh... should we investigate that?" Zak asked hesitantly, his bravado from earlier evaporating as his eyes darted toward the heavy door separating them from the cages.
Baz didn't even bother hiding his reluctance. "By all means, be my guest." His tone was dry, his stance unmoving.
Before Zak could muster a retort, an all-too-familiar, annoying voice broke through the tense atmosphere.
"Oi! Are you two done with the inspection yet? The ceremony's almost over, and we need to move the first monster soon!" Izik called out, walking toward them with a carefree expression.
Zak and Baz exchanged uneasy glances.
"Uhh... well, you see…" Baz began awkwardly, his words trailing off as the rumbling from the holding pen grew louder.
Then it came: an ear-splitting roar that shook the very walls.
"RaaaAAAHHHH!"
The sound was primal, filled with rage and bloodlust. The ground beneath them quaked as the screech of tearing metal echoed from beyond the door.
Izik's face went pale. "What the hell did you two idiots do!?" he shrieked, his voice cracking with panic. "If those monsters break out, they'll storm the arena! Do you have any idea what Lord Ganesha will do to us?!"
Zak took a hesitant step forward, raising a hand as if to explain. "Uh, well, you see, Izik... we didn't exactly—" His words cut off mid-sentence as he suddenly bolted toward the exit of the stadium, abandoning his post entirely.
Baz and Izik stared at his retreating back in stunned silence before reality sank in.
"You spineless coward!" Baz yelled, his voice tinged with disbelief and outrage, "Wait for me!" Then he too, shamelessly began to run.
"I swear, I'm reporting this to Lord Ganesha!" Izik screeched, also following behind the two, his frantic voice barely audible over the growing chaos.
Then, with a deafening crash, the door to the holding pen exploded outward, obliterated by a massive fist. Rubble rained down, and a monstrous gorilla-like creature emerged, its crimson eyes glowing with murderous intent. Its silver fur gleamed under the torchlight, and its massive frame oozed raw power and fury.
"RaaaAAAHHHH!"
The creature's inhumane scream filled the air as its gaze swept the corridor. Behind it, a host of lesser monsters spilled out, their clawed limbs and gnashing teeth reflecting their eagerness to escape and slaughter.
The silverback's fist slammed into the corridor wall, sending chunks of stone flying as it began its march toward the arena. The lesser monsters followed closely, their collective roars merging into a chilling cacophony of rage.
Screams echoed through the underground as chaos erupted. Guards, scrambling to figure out what was happening, fled in every direction.
From the arena, faint cheers could still be heard, the crowd blissfully unaware of the impending danger.
—
"Now, for our first taming of the day! We're thrilled to present a—" Ibri's dramatic and excited tone was abruptly cut off by the screams of guards echoing from the gates leading to the holding pen.
The sudden interruption sent a ripple of unease through the crowd. Ibri, momentarily caught off guard, turned to a nearby Ganesha Familia member, his voice uncertain. "Eh, is everything alright back there?"
The Familia member shrugged, visibly confused.
Murmurs spread among the audience, nervous whispers bubbling up like a rising tide. Someone from the stands called out, "What's that screaming?" The words hung in the air, giving voice to the growing fear as more joined in, their unease snowballing with each passing second.
Sensing the tension, Ibri stepped forward, his arms raised in a calming gesture. "Don't worry, people! I'm sure there's nothing to be concerned about!" His tone, forced and cheerful, tried to smooth over the cracks of panic spreading through the crowd. "The Ganesha Familia is already handling the situation! Now, let's continue with the introduct—"
CRASH!
Ibri's words were obliterated by the deafening sound of the holding pen's gates being smashed apart. A massive silverback stormed through, its silver fur glinting under the sun, rage etched into every movement. Behind it came a horde of monsters, their claws scraping the ground and glowing eyes filled with bloodlust.
For a brief, surreal moment, the arena fell silent.
Surely... this was part of the show?
Then the silverback reared its head back and unleashed a thunderous roar.
"RaaaAAAHHH!"
Its voice reverberated through the arena, shaking the very foundations and shattering the illusion of safety. The crowd's collective breath hitched, and in the next heartbeat, chaos erupted.
"MONSTERS ESCAPED!"
Panicked shouts rang out as civilians scrambled from their seats, spilling over one another in desperate attempts to reach the exits. The once-lively festival atmosphere dissolved into utter bedlam.
On the platform above, Ganesha himself stood frozen, his usual jovial demeanor replaced by alarm. "What's going on?! Where is Izik?" he barked, turning to his bodyguard.
"I don't know, Lord Ganesha!" the bodyguard responded, his voice steady. "It seems the monsters advanced too quickly for the report to reach us!"
"People are panicking! We should do something fast!" Ganesha growled, his fists clenched in frustration.
Ibri, acting quickly, pointed to the two nearest Familia members. "You two! Take Lord Ganesha to safety, now!" He didn't wait to see if they obeyed, already turning his attention back to the chaos below.
"What are you doing?! Release me at once!" Ganesha protested, flailing against his bodyguards as they dragged him toward safety. "I need to calm the people with my magnificent presence!"
Ibri, suppressing the urge to smack his own face, clenched his teeth and forced himself to focus.
Stepping forward once more, he plastered on his most confident smile and raised the microphone to his mouth. "People! Calm down now! There's no need to panic!" He gestured dramatically toward the arena floor, where the monsters prowled. "This is all part of the show! That's right—for this year's festival, we're introducing a special event! A battleground! Ganesha Familia members will fight off the horde and even tame some of the monsters right before your eyes!"
The blatant lie hung in the air, but for a moment, it seemed to work. Civilians hesitated, their fear easing slightly as some even began to cheer for the supposed spectacle.
Ibri gave them his best stage bow and slowly stepped back. The moment he was out of sight, he sprinted toward the nearest Familia member, grabbing him by the collar.
"Where the hell is the captain?!" he demanded, his voice cracking with urgency.
The poor man stammered, his wide eyes darting toward the arena. "S-she's gathering available forces! By now, she's probably heading to the arena!"
With a frustrated growl, Ibri let him go, the guard collapsing to the ground with a dull thud.
Biting his nails, Ibri's mind raced as he assessed the situation. It wasn't hopeless. If nothing else happens, they might still salvage the day and their reputation.
Yes, he should relax, everything's fine.
—
The End
—
Sword Oratoria Timeline:
The Loki Familia's expedition ended in failure after a disastrous encounter with the virga monster, forcing them to return to the surface earlier than planned. They cause the minotaur outbreak, not many adventurers were caught in it—except for All For One.
A few days later, Finn, Riveria, Ais, Lefiya, Tione, and Tiona ventured into the dungeon alone to earn money to cover the costs of repairs. Revis kills Hashana. the Loki Familia investigate the murder after arriving at Rivira. They fight Revis and the corrupted Demi Spirit, they managed to defeat the spirit, but Revis escaped.
Loki Familia delved deeper into the dungeon to catch her but eventually turned back. Ais and Riveria stay behind. Ais defeats Udaeus alone.
On their return, Ais and Riveria discovered All For One lying unconscious alongside Welf, Lili, and his dead attackers.
At this point, Ais has reached a level 6, though the news has yet to be officially announced.
For now, this is my take on Sword Oratoria. I've started reading the manga because the anime adaptation was horrible, rest assured reader, I'm getting there!
—
I hope this was up to your expectations, reader.