#406 Orkubo’s Castle Digest: The Players

Although hosting Orkubo’s Castle was once in jeopardy, the event went ahead as planned in the end.

Grandburg’s rebellion, the main reason for the postponement, was put down in seconds, and not a single person was killed or injured.

If there had been casualties, the festive mood wouldn’t have been appropriate, even if the rebellion had been successfully suppressed.

The orcs and the students did an excellent job.

Oh, and Letasreit, too.

However, this all happened just when the event was right around the corner, so we wondered if people would still show up.

But on the day of the event itself, the turnout far exceeded last year’s.

“Look at that crowd! Just how big is it this time?!”

“I speculate three to four times bigger than last year!”

For real?!

It seems the event was so well received that many came a second time.

Ironically, another factor that contributed to the success of the event was the recent rebellion.

Soldiers from all over the former Human Kingdom ended up not playing an active role in that fiasco, but they felt sad to leave without doing anything, so they came to Orkubo’s Castle, which is located nearby.

I guess a neighbor’s neighbor territory is also ‘near’ from the military’s point of view.

Anyway, they heard it’s a challenging event, so they thought of representing their territory here and participate. 

As a result, the number of participants skyrocketed.

“To think a predicament could lead us to an opportunity like this...!”

Since there’s nothing we can do about it, we hastily extend the program to a three-day event.

It’s just like our expo.

The number of people clearing the course is expected to be higher than last year, so we also increased our prizes—particularly Batemy’s work and women’s undies sets, which were oddly popular.

So popular that the number of male participants increased dramatically as their wives and girlfriends begged for it. Some of them are even determined to win the prizes that they are willing to participate in the event. 

Seriously, what’s there to go crazy about over a pair of underwear?

“Because they feel great! Their quality is the absolute best!” says one.

?

Anyway, it’s not just the participants with an overwhelming number.

The same applies to our event’s scale and quality.

Let me introduce some of the obstacles that have been further refined for the second edition.

While retaining some features that were loved in the first edition, fresh ideas have been incorporated and improved to make them even more enjoyable.

Frustrating Balance Beam and Ruins Trap were left unchanged because they were popular last time and were the first obstacles, so everyone should be familiar with them.

The third obstacle is practically a kill shot course, so we made a less difficult version: Come One, Come All! To The Deep One Forest! 

The person in charge remained the same, Zoth Syra.

The fourth obstacle, Spell Spell-kun, is a full-body utilization puzzle that adds athletic elements to the intellectual elements. Belena is in charge here.

The fifth obstacle, I Wanna Wed Soon, is a new one in which Puffer, who was busy with her journey last year, invited Songokufon to participate. 

I warned them not to mix their ambitions into the name.

The sixth and seventh obstacles are omitted to ease the difficulty and prevent the event from taking forever to finish.

As for the participants challenging them, they are skilled and fierce people who have gathered from all over the nation.

I and many of our students are also taking part. The youth who had taken credit for putting down the rebellion had already proven their capabilities.

In addition, Mr. Dalkish is also joining us.

I was worried we might not see his gallant figure this year due to recent happenings, but he boldly took up the challenge of clearing all the obstacles for the second year in a row.

Other notable participants are...

“...The time has finally come for revenge.”

That was the Demon King.

He was humiliatingly eliminated in the first obstacle last year. This time, he is determined to break his record and regain his dignity as a father and the supreme ruler of the land.

“My father and brother are also participating, so I can’t show them my pathetic side.”

Oh, even they’re participating?

Demon Queens Astres and Glasya are also here with their respective children. So, are you telling me the entire royal family is present?!

“I also invited Belphgamilia to join us, but he refused, saying it would be too much trouble.”

What a guy. He can refuse the Demon King’s invitation with those few words.

Either way, I don’t think it’s a good idea if all the key officials of the Demon Kingdom were to participate!

Alas, the VIPs here at Orkubo’s Castle aren’t limited to these demons...

“I’ve been invited too!” says Prince Arowana, who came all the way from the Mermaid Kingdom.

He was unable to participate last year because he was on a pilgrimage, so this is his first time.

“Well, you did come to the bottom of the sea for us, Lord Saint! This time, I will be the one to liven things up on land!”

Oh, I bet.

The king of the Demon Kingdom and the future king of the Mermaid Kingdom are both participating today.

Orkubo’s Castle isn’t a summit, you know?

In addition, the feudal lords from various territories who participated in the suppression, as well as the most important person(?) in the Demon King’s Army stationed in the Human Kingdom, the governor-general, are also joining.

This place is beginning to look more and more like a summit.

Is this okay? Are we not obliged to professionally entertain these people lest we leave a bad impression? 

Hmm, the Demon King, the highest authority among these people, was defeated at the first obstacle last year, so I guess we need not show any partiality.

However.

Among the participants, there’s a special guest with a more significant name value than that of the Demon King.

It’s Silver Wolf, the S-class adventurer!

“I did promise the students. I’m here to take all the loot for myself.”

His big talk isn’t overconfidence whatsoever.

Here in the Human Kingdom, adventurers are the coolest profession. And S-class adventurers are the object of admiration.

One such adventurer, Silver Wolf, is even more popular than the Demon King.

As soon as he entered the scene, a tremendous cheer came from the audience.

He’s a formidable contender both in fame and ability.

After all, adventurers are tasked with conquering harsh dungeons day and night. Obstacle courses that block their way are just child’s play for them.

It’s their monopoly.

“I won’t go easy. Today, I’ll teach everyone else what an S-class adventurer is capable of.”

“That’s it?!”

If Silver Wolf gets serious, he’ll break through Orkubo’s Castle like a breeze.

That would be boring.

“He deserves a handicap!”

Veil’s arrival is good timing.

“He’ll be playing in tandem with someone. That should balance things out.”

“So, you’re giving me some kind of drag? Still, I’m pretty sure I’ll be the fastest to the finish line.”

“This guy will be your partner.”

Veil offers...

Dorian Kaioh, the durian spirit.

“Aaaaahhhh!”

Silver Wolf pinches his nose as he squirms in agony.

As a manwolf, he possesses an inhuman sense of smell. It’s only natural he can smell durian, the world’s most foul-smelling fruit when he gets close to it.

“What in the world is this stench?! It stinksssss! And you want me to team up with him?!”

“Let’s do our best together.”

“As if! You’re already doing the opposite!”

“Isn’t that what a handicap is supposed to be?!”

“I don’t call coming in for the kill a mere handicap!”

Veil knew this would happen if she brought Dorian Kaioh to Silver Wolf.

And yet, she still put it into action.

Well, when the game started, Silver Wolf’s S-class determination prevailed, and he cleared the course with Dorian.

To list the other results, Lord Baal, Prince Arowana, multiple students, feudal lords, and many other people completed the entirety of Orkubo’s Castle. 

Mr. Dalkish also claimed his second consecutive clear.

The Demon King cleared the fateful first obstacle to make up for last year’s defeat, but he tragically succumbed to the second.

I also got eliminated at the second obstacle. Personally, it’s not much of a difference from last year’s record.

...No, wait.

It wasn’t fair.

You were supposed to go uphill while dodging rolling rocks, but suddenly, bamboo shoots started growing from the ground.

Was that Takenokkon’s doing?

It felt more like a pinball, with the rocks changing trajectory as they hit the bamboo shoots...

Didn’t I announce at the meeting that we’re keeping the first two obstacles the same?!

Why did they secretly make these little modifications?!