#674 Snowball Fight: To the Semifinals

Thus, the snowball fight began in earnest.

We, the Selfless Workaholics Nouveau, advanced to victory through a rapid and overwhelming offensive.

We threw snowballs. 

And we threw them relentlessly.

It’s as if we were throwing away all the frustrations and troubles that weighed us down.

We threw with single-minded determination until we realized we had won fight after fight.

The snowball fights taking place in the Snow Festival venue involve teams of five competing against each other in a tournament format.

With so many participants, matches were being played one after another without even a chance to confirm how many rounds the tournament would have.

Before we knew it, our team had reached the semi-finals.

Myself, Lucife Focale, and my team had managed to survive thus far unscathed.

“...My memories of the fights midway are sort of hazy...!”

“Right? We were throwing snowballs with intense concentration.”

“If we’re not completely immersed to the point where we can’t tell what’s happening around us, we can’t relieve stress...!”

Mamoru, Lady Zoth Syra, and Lord Silver Wolf are all doing well at dissipating their daily stress.

This team is strong; I have to admit. 

With talented world leaders from various countries, it’s only natural, I suppose.

Above all, Silver Wolf, the human race’s most physically gifted individual, was outstanding. 

As one of only five S-class adventurers in the world, he had sensory abilities and reaction speeds that far surpassed those of ordinary people. 

He could sense incoming snowballs faster than they were thrown, calculate their trajectory, and deal with them using complete prediction. 

He displayed the astounding power of an S-class adventurer who could even single-handedly face off against The World’s Two Greatest Calamities.

And then there’s Lady Zoth Syra, the prime minister of the Mermaid Kingdom, who is also incredible in her own right.

Originally, she was said to be a witch with outstanding magical ability, and it was precisely because of this that she used advanced tactics to comprehensively and logically corner the enemy. 

If you leave it up to her guidance, the snowball fight arena becomes a chessboard as she systematically corners the opponent with each move.

Before they know it, the opponent is cornered and forced to surrender.

Finally, Mamoru of the Demon King Army also did a stupendous job. 

While his skills were subtle, he excelled in providing support for others and could stitch together Lord Silver Wolf’s nimble movements and Lady Zoth Syra’s tactics, resulting in perfect collaboration with no openings.

His nickname, Mamoru from the Shadows, is still going strong.

If an organization cannot value those who can provide solid support from the shadows, like Mamoru, over those who can actively take the spotlight, it will not last long.

On that note, I should advise the Demon King and that bastard Belphgamilia again upon returning to the Demon Capital.

“You were amazing too, Lord Lucife Focale...!” 

“You mean when we threw that snowball in the air, it split into countless pieces and then rained down from above? What kind of sorcery was that?!”

“He must’ve used magic, right? That was borderline cheating!”

And then there was one more person.

As the snowball tournament required teams of five, we needed one more member to complete our roster. However, the final member was an ordinary human civilian, neither an adventurer nor a warrior.

Perhaps he’s a boy in his early teens.

It’s been the five of us working together and somehow making it this far. 

We’ve made it to the semifinals.

The top four.

If a group comprising of an S-class adventurer, a Heavenly Four member of the Demon King’s Army, and a witch were to assemble, it would be reasonable to expect a commendable outcome.

We’ve also got a good workout from all the battles thus far...

If only the Great Demon King Baal had participated, it would’ve been even more exciting.

“If Golden Bat had participated, it would’ve been more of a fight...!”

“If Lord Belphgamilia had joined, we would’ve had a fantastic beast to deal with...!”

“If Sis Mahi had participated...well, we’d just get our butts handed to us!”

Everyone has their own complaints...

“Worrying about what’s not there is unhealthy for the mind. Let’s keep striving for what we do have!”

“Well said, Your Excellency Lucife Focale!”

“As expected of you, Prime Minister! You’re dependable!”

“Come on now, Lady Zoth. Aren’t you a prime minister too? Hahahaha!”

The atmosphere becomes more relaxed, and our team feels more united. 

If only all of humanity could come together like this, the world would be a better place.

* * *

Now that the top four teams have gathered...

“Oh, it’s Lucife Focale and Mamoru. You guys made it to the next round, too?”

Naturally, His Majesty’s team had also advanced.

Demon King Zedan’s team seems to be made up of ordinary citizens, except for himself.

At first, I thought Lord Zedan had made it this far on his own, but...

“We are all devoted to His Majestyyyyyyyy!”

“We offer our lives to the Demon Kinggggggggggggggg!”

“Hell, hell, hell, heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell!!!”

“I have found heaven’s decree!”

All the team members are completely devoted to His Majestyyyyy...?!

Well, it’s not surprising that they were influenced by Lord Zedan’s charisma up close, but...

...if it were Lord Baal, things wouldn’t have turned out the same way.

Despite being part of the general mass, if they were to devote themselves, they could sufficiently assist His Majesty, huh? 

Even in times of peace, I see that His Majesty is still His Majesty.

There’s also another team, but I don’t recognize any of their faces or names.

They seem to have a decent level of strength, but they’re mostly made up of mid-level commanders. They look like a good team.

“Looks like Lord Lucife Focale is analyzing everything through the lens of a statesman again.”

“He’s never one to forget his job, no matter what.”

Please stop poking fun at me; you’re the same as me.

...Then again, even if that mid-level team has strong unity, it’s unlikely that they can match His Majesty’s team or us.

We can infer that there is one more team, as this is the Best Four. However, unless an exceptionally difficult opponent emerges, our team and His Majesty’s match will be the de facto deciding round.

“...I have something to discuss with everyone.”

While I may be willing to accept this proposal along with Mamoru of the army, I feel uneasy about imposing this on individuals of other races.

However, as His Majesty’s loyal subject, it is my duty to carry out this plan.

“You don’t have to say it, Lord Lucife.”

“You’re proposing that we let the Demon King’s team win if we end up facing them, right?”

Silver Wolf and Zoth Syra saw right through me.

These guys...!

“We knew you’d say that, seeing as you share our mindset.”

“The victory of the Demon King, who reigns supreme on the surface, would certainly be impressive. As he has yet to achieve a complete victory in Orkubo’s Castle, I say let him take the spotlight here.”

You two...!

It’s incredible how you express opinions that grasp the entire situation...!

While it may be inappropriate as a competitor, as the prime minister of the Demon Kingdom, it would be far too presumptuous for me to win against His Majesty.

Here, it is fitting that the Demon King himself should achieve the glory of victory and let it be the heartfelt finale of this event.

“However, we cannot let our guard down until the participants for the remaining fourth semifinal are revealed...!”

“You’re such a worrywart, Lord Lucife. It’s hard to imagine that there are any snowball fighters on the same level as us.”

Snowball fighters?

But Lord Silver Wolf’s words make sense.

Avoiding any further teams that could cause chaos in the snowball competition would be preferable...

“Hmm, but...”

What’s the matter, Lady Zoth Syra?

“Hasn’t all the matches ended by now?”

“Huh?”

She’s right.

The match that the mid-level team won earlier has ended, and there’s no one left throwing snowballs on the snowfield court.

“If three teams have advanced, does that mean all the previous matches have ended?”

What happens, then?

Will the semifinals be played with just the three teams that are currently here?

A Best Three instead of a Best Four?

“Ahem. Everyone, we have an announcement!”

A graceful woman carrying a baby appears!

She’s the same lady I saw at the reception!

“Platy?!”

“Lord Saint’s wife?!”

Lady Zoth Syra and Lord Silver Wolf are in a panic!

As if that woman’s appearance is the beginning of an unimaginable disaster!

“The organizers have arranged a special surprise for you. The last participant to join the top four is a hired assassin sent by the organizers! A destroyer of unparalleled skill from the farm! And their name is...!”

And their name is...?!

“It’s the female wrestler causing a stir on the streets! The woman with a thousand beans! It’s the team led by Miss Bean Crush!!!”