#790 Máscara Contra Máscara

It’s me.

As I expected, my worst fears came true.

I always get my predictions right.

The white will win!

But...it lost.

Well, whatever.

Anyway, as I had guessed, Letasreit’s case was taking a perilous turn.

“A mask-ripping deathmatch?!”

The report I received from Letasreit boiled down to that.

It apparently started with a question from a journalist during a press conference.

This reporter, obsessed with the masked Letasreit’s real face, kept interrupting and asking the same question.

You know, it’s that thing people do where they keep asking until they get the answer they want.

In any normal situation, they could’ve thrown the journalist out. But Letasreit, maybe unwisely or boldly, accepted the challenge.

Under a certain condition.

“And that’s the mask-ripping deathmatch...?!”

“The loser removes their mask! What do you think? Thrilling, right?”

Sure, it’ll get the crowd going.

It’s a well-established format.

But there’s a significant risk that comes with it, right?

“Um...! You do know why you’re hiding your face in the ring, right?”

You’re technically considered dead, right?

With all members of the old Human Kingdom royal family declared dead, marking the end of the war, revealing you’re alive could restart it!

Having your face exposed carries that kind of risk.

A face like a ticking bomb!

“Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan for that.”

“I see... That’s... reassuring...?”

Seems Letasreit gained some wisdom from years of farm life.

She has learned to think ahead.

“I come from a special lineage that dies if their face is seen.”

“I feel like I’ve heard that before!”

And how does that solve anything?!

It’s not reducing risk, it’s escalating it to ultra-high risk!

“It’s fine, I just have to win! If I don’t lose, there’s no problem! All clear!”

Not exactly all clear.

A plan that doesn’t account for worst-case scenarios isn’t much of a plan.

“If the stakes are that I’d die from showing my face, I’ll give it my all! I’ll definitely win every match!!!”

Where’s this baseless confidence coming from?!

Maybe I should prepare a grave for Letasreit in advance?

“Don’t worry, Master. There’s no chance Letasreit will lose.”

Entering the conversation is the Natto Angel, Horkosfon.

She’s stirring natto in one hand as we talk.

“First and foremost, Letasreit is the top wrestler in the organization. She has a record of 471 wins and zero losses. To this day, she continues her undefeated streak.”

471?!

How many matches happened without my knowing?!

“Therefore, even with this deathmatch rule, Letasreit has a 97.85% chance of victory. That’s almost certain.”

Isn’t that like a flag for a genius character to lose against all odds?

Speaking of which...

Horkosfon has been supporting Letasreit since her wrestling debut.

Is she like, guiding her to victory with the perfect support or something?

“And if, just if, things don’t go as planned, I’ll turn everything to ashes and resolve the situation. It’s the perfect solution.”

“I think that’s a completely different kind of perfection.”

That’s such a dangerous way of thinking.

This might lead to a tragic conflict in a different sense!

“Or, I could feed them lots of natto and make peace. Natto solves everything.”

That’s another problematic way of thinking.

Relying entirely on one solution is not a good approach.

“Though your concerns are valid, Master, there’s no turning back now. Not just because it’s already been declared, but the word’s out, and it’s having a huge impact.”

“Apparently, tickets sold out instantly at the thought of seeing my real face. I’ve heard they’re expanding the venue and adding more seats. I wonder how many people will show up?”

I’d want to see that, too.

Now that it’s come this far, there’s no stopping.

This has become quite a mess...

Can Letasreit keep her face a secret and make it through this?!

***

On the day of the match, I got worried and ended up coming to watch.

“So this is what an otherworldly wrestling arena looks like...?!”

Truth be told, this is my first time here. 

I typically kept my distance from these events, so I never knew...!

I’m not sulking or anything, but I’ve never really been invited to come watch.

Now that I’m here, the excitement in the air has me taken aback.

“Wowieee.”

My kids, Junior and Norito, who I brought with me, look just as amazed. 

If the kids are here, I expect my wife Platy to be around, too. But she’s nowhere in sight.

I wonder why is that.

Anyway, this place is something else. 

It almost feels like it’s not the best environment for kids.

“You can’t leave halfway, Master.”

But escaping isn’t an option.

Horkosfon, sitting next to me, is keeping a close eye on me.

“Since you’ve taken the effort to come and watch, it’d be a shame if you didn’t fully take in and appreciate the impressive display till the very end. Please, have some of my special natto as a treat. I insist you try it.”

“Natto as a snack during a match?!”

Can we at least have popcorn or something?!

...

Guess I’ll just resign to my fate and focus on watching the game.

First, I’ll enjoy the stadium’s atmosphere by looking around at the audience. 

And wow, it’s really something!

“Bean Crush! Bean Crush! Bean Crush!”

“Invincible! Invincible! Invincible!”

...Bean Crush is Letasreit, right?

Does she have a fixed fan base? Really?

“Of course, Master. Letasreit, as the champion, is also the top in terms of popularity. Some even say half of all fans are hers.”

“That’s an insane ratio!”

“As such, if Letasreit loses today, it would be a huge deal. It could even jeopardize the future of pro-wrestling.”

I get it. If she loses, it could mean the end of her career, and lose half her fan base overnight.

That would also certainly threaten the future of the sport.

...But why, then, would she risk such a match?

“I believe in her. I believe that Letasreit will continue her undefeated streak and overcome today’s challenge. This event will be a huge success.”

Is Horkosfon’s unwavering faith because of their deep bond of friendship?

With everything on the line, I, too, have to believe in Letasreit’s victory...

“By the way, who’s Letasreit’s opponent? Given it’s a mask-ripping deathmatch, it’s another masked wrestler, right?”

Well, it’s female wrestling, so a masked woman? 

How many female wrestlers wear masks besides Letasreit?

“Just Letasreit.”

“Huh? So how will the match work?”

Aren’t they supposed to bet their masks in a mask-ripping deathmatch?

If the opponent isn’t wearing one, what’s the point?

“Yes, so there’s a workaround.”

“Which is?”

“One of the regular wrestlers will wear a mask just for today.”

...?

Does that even make sense?

Someone who’s always shown their face will just show it again if they lose?

There’s zero risk in that.

On the other hand, the stakes are way too high for Letasreit!

Why would she propose such a match?

What kind of match have I gotten myself into watching?!