#732 The New-Generation Saint

Yep, it’s me again.

The God Figure fighting tournament is in full swing and is a total thrill.

At a big event like this, there’s no shortage of things to talk about.

Take one instance, for example...

The Demon King lost more than just his dignity as a father.

“...Father, you’re the worst...”

“No, no, Goetia! I respected that kid’s spirit so much, it would have felt disrespectful not to give it my all...!”

The Demon King’s scrambling to justify himself to his son.

To give you the play-by-play...

We’re taking part in the God Fight Olympia, a tournament for God Figure fighting.

Demon King Zedan is one of the participants, and he decidedly won the final qualifying match against a child.

From an outsider’s perspective, it was pretty immature. 

Even worse, Demon Prince Goetia had just befriended his opponent, hence the icy glares thrown his way...

“No, Goetiaaaaa...! I’m thrilled you’ve made a friend, but...!”

No one wants their dad to wipe the floor with their friend, do they?

I’ve got to tread lightly too.

“Hmm, the fact that Goetia made a friend his age makes this tournament worthwhile. I can handle a bit of disapproval...!”

“It might be more than just a bit...”

Didn’t those kids discuss something quite unsettling in the previous match?

They mentioned a secret organization plotting world domination.

Why do hobby talks always end up taking a global turn?

They’re casually gambling with the fate of the world.

“From a storytelling standpoint, wouldn’t it be more thrilling if that kid made it to the finals and faced off against the evil mastermind?”

Just like in those Shounen magazines.

“I’ve instructed the sentinels to nab those villainous guys as we speak, so no worries.”

“Oh really?”

Come to think of it, there does seem to be a bit of a ruckus at the venue.

Since magic is a demon’s forte, spotting those corrupted by strange magic is easy.

As for the sentinels who received the orders...

“You! Your magic power smells fishy! Cooperate with our investigation!”

“Hmm, intriguing. Let’s settle it with a God Figure Fight.”

“Get himmmmmmmmmmm!”

“Eeeeeeek!!!”

...

Well, there’s a classic trope crash for you.

They resolved the issue with a good old-fashioned brawl in this world of hobbies.

I should’ve seen that coming.

“There you go. Let us adults deal with the world’s problems. You kids should just enjoy your hobbies. That’s what a parent wants.”

“OKAY...?”

The Demon King is offering sage advice, but why did he go all out against a kid in the fight if that's the case?

Despite everything, isn’t he also having the time of his life at this event?

“Well, he is the son of that Great Demon King...”

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

I remember the Demon King unabashedly having a blast at Orkubo’s Castle. 

...Maybe they should have split this event by age group.

It’s not exactly a feather in their cap that adults are crashing a kids’ event.

“Well, it may not necessarily be so. In another qualifying round, a notably young kid seems to be on a roll against the adults.”

Oh?

That sounds promising.

“Now that our qualifying round is over, why don’t we go watch? It might cheer up Goetia.”

“That sounds good...”

The Prince, still pouting, probably realized there was no point in dwelling on his bad mood.

Hoisted on the Demon King’s shoulder, he checked out the other qualifying rounds.

What we witnessed there was...!

***

“Oh, Dear?”

“Platy?!”

My wife is here, at the venue?!

She’s cradling our second son, Norito, in her arms.

“Don’t tell me, Platy, you were competing too?!”

“No way, don’t be silly. I don’t get this sort of thing.”

Classic woman not understanding mecha anime!

Her blithe words wound my heart, but then why is she here?

“Obviously, I’m accompanying our son. I was wondering when you’d realize, but you seemed way too caught up in your games.”

What?

I was taken aback when I glanced over to the bustling match area.

“Junior?!”

Our eldest son is competing?!

“Why in the world?!”

“He saw you getting all wrapped up in crafting weird things and seemed to want to join in.”

Seriously?

“He wanted to surprise Daddy, so we kept it a secret until today. Honestly, he’s a bit upset you didn’t notice at all.”

“I’m sorry...!”

Beside us, Veil groans, “I’m here too.”

But to think Junior’s also in the tournament...

I know it’s a children’s event, but he’s only three years old. Isn’t it a bit early for him?

I can’t help but fret that he might get steamrolled by a clueless adult like the Demon King and end up in tears!

Plus, what sort of God Figure has our Junior crafted?

What’s the base kit? 

Hades? Ares? Poseidon?

I checked, but it was none of these.

“What is that?”

His God Figure has an utterly bizarre shape.

It has three faces and six arms.

Asura?

Are we in the Kofuku Temple or something?

“Was there such a God Figure?”

“It’s made from a mold.”

Seriously?!

An original creation?!

Both the opponent and the audience are baffled by the figure, which none of them have seen before. It’s a peculiar figure that leaves everyone who sees it gobsmacked.

My battle against the Cambrian explosion Hades group was quite a spectacle, but the Asura figure has an even more intimidating aura due to its odd yet perfect design.

...As such, it’s hard to attack rashly.

Moreover, the Asura figure Junior is controlling is incredibly robust in battle!

The sheer fact that it has multiple arms seems to be its strength.

If it gets into a grapple, it entangles the opponent with its numerous arms in a blink and immediately proceeds to joint techniques.

Currently, the joint mobility of God Figures depends on modifications by each user, meaning they are amateur jobs.

So, they’re not particularly sturdy and break and shatter easily.

Even the one currently in the match had its back easily snapped by a backbreaker from the Asura that Junior’s controlling.

It’s powerful.

“Victoryyyy.”

My eldest son raises both arms in response to the declaration of victory.

Taking a figure that doesn’t exist, sourcing it from a completely unrelated system, identifying the most vulnerable part of the opponent through research, and relentlessly attacking there...

Talk about an overzealous three-year-old!

I’ve just witnessed immaturity that outdoes even the Demon King’s!

“He really takes after Platy in these matters, doesn’t he...?!”

He doesn’t care about means as long as he achieves his ends; rather, he exerts his strength more than necessary.

He’s so ruthless that it’s hard to watch.

“But his habit of doing something wild when he’s excited comes from you, right?”

“...”

I received a biting comeback from Platy.

Lately, there’s been a game of passing the buck between us regarding Junior.

Ultimately, he seems to have inherited the worst traits from both his parents, resulting in a dreadful synergy...

This was a moment of both thrill and concern for my child’s future.