Free Web NovelChapter 180: Chapter 180 - New-New Plan
The previous night’s heavy rain has subsided, leaving only clear skies the following morning.
Standing on the smooth stone driveway outside the mansion in the hills was Kurt, dressed in a new maroon suit, black shirt, black pants, and his usual weaponry.
Beside him was Hope, practically vibrating with quiet excitement, and Sadie, vibrating with no so quiet excitement.
"Are you sure you three don’t want to come with us to watch the tournament live?" he asked, directing his question toward Wendy, Isabel, and Yuna who stood opposite them.
Wendy offered a polite smile as she shook her head. "There is no need, Master Rossana. Tricea has recently developed its second version of recording tags. Regular recording tags are now synced to all broadcast arrays across the campus, allowing us to watch every single match live from the comfort of the manor’s lounge."
"Ah, so they’re livestreaming the event, is what you’re saying."
"In simple terms, yes." Wendy nodded once.
"Boo," Sadie chimed in. "That’s super lazy of you, Wendy. It’s ten times better to watch it live! The roaring crowd, the sweat, the magic exploding in your face!"
*Tsk* "Sadie!" Yuna looked at her with a sharp, disciplinary glare. "Watch your tone when speaking to the Head Maid. Show some proper decorum."
"Yeah, yeah. Understood, Officer Yuna." Sadie rolled her eyes with a dramatic sigh.
Observing the familiar bickering, Isabel and Hope couldn’t help but let out soft giggles, covering their mouths with their hands.
"Well, I’ll ask you two one last time just in case," Kurt said when looking at Yuna and Isabel.
"We still have our daily maintenance duties to attend to here, Master Rossana," Isabel replied warmly, bowing slightly. "But please, you, Hope, and Sadie have a wonderful time at the arena."
"Damn Belle~ When did you get so confident when talking to Bossman, hm~?"
"S-Sadie... Stop it..." Isabel blushed and looked away.
"Ahahaha! There’s the usual shy maid I know!"
"Alright then." Kurt nodded. "Sadie, Hope, let’s get outta here."
"Finally!" Sadie cheered, throwing her arms up into the air. "It has been forever since I’ve been allowed out of this estate to stretch my legs like this. I’m going to eat so much stadium food."
"Stretch legs! Eat food!" Hope immediately mimicked her, throwing her tiny arms up in the exact same manner.
Kurt chuckled and stepped toward the waiting horse-drawn carriage. "Well, we’re off."
"""Have a wonderful and safe day, Master Rossana."""
With a crack of the reins, the carriage moved smoothly down the hills, merging into the bustling main road of the capital.
The city had transformed overnight.
As Hope pressed her face flat against the carriage window, her wide eyes darting to and fro, she let out a series of soft gasps. "Look, look! Kurt, the city is so pretty!"
"People from literally all over the continent have flooded the capital just to watch this," Sadie explained, leaning back against the plush seats with a smug grin.
She looked over at Kurt with eyes that gleamed in anticipation. "You should brace yourself, Bossman. Expect the crowd to go absolutely wild today. The tribalism is super real."
"Tribalism? How so?"
"Have you seen the grand coliseum-like arena at the back of the academy grounds yet?" Sadie asked.
"Yeah. I was up in the stands yesterday. I must say, I was honestly surprised that something that massive was tucked away behind the campus structures."
"Well, since this tournament is international, the entire seating arrangement splits into national representation," Sadie said, counting on her fingers.
"The northern seats will be completely occupied by the nerdy people of Tricea. The southern seats belong entirely to our homeland, Eldoria. The eastern side is reserved for the magic swordsmen of Myria, and the western side..." She paused, shooting him a teasing look. "...will be filled with the muscleheads of your home state, Riverton. So, where exactly are you planning to sit, Bossman?"
A relaxed, easy smile spread across Kurt’s face as he looked out the window. "That’s an easy answer. I’ll sit with Eldoria."
Sadie blinked, slightly caught off guard by his immediate answer. "Oh? Really? Why would you sit with the local crowd instead of your own country?"
Kurt turned his gaze back to her, his eye softening with a genuine warmth. "Because my home is right here with them after all. With all of you."
A slight blush warmed across Sadie’s cheeks.
She quickly looked away and cleared her throat aggressively as she patted her warm face. "Y-You... you should really watch where you’re flashing that smile, Bossman. It’s a public hazard."
Hope, completely oblivious to Sadie’s internal panic, let out a joyful giggle.
She lunged across the carriage seat and wrapped her tiny arms tightly around Kurt’s waist. "I’ll sit wherever Kurt sits! Even if it’s the floor!"
"Oh shoot! It’s Head Maid Wendy! What is she doing out here?!" Sadie pointed out the carriage.
Gasping in terror, Hope’s survival instincts kicked in as she instantly detached herself from Kuer and threw herself onto the opposite bench, smoothing down her apron, and sitting perfectly upright with her hands folded neatly in her lap.
She was the perfect image of a flawless, proper maid.
"..... Pfft–hahaha! I can’t believe you actually fell for that! We’re miles away from the manor!" Sadie burst into a loud, thoroughly amused laugh.
Hope’s jaw dropped.
Realising she had been tricked, she puffed out her cheeks into a massive pout and crossed her arms while looking back to Sadie. Kurt could only shake his head with a quiet smile as he turned his attention back to the crowded streets outside.
.....
The carriage came to a halt on the open plaza of Future Academy. The volume of the crowd outside and on the field was staggering – thousands of spectators, vendors, and guards managing the flow of traffic.
Sadie let out a dramatic groan as she slid out of the carriage door first. "Ugh, that took forever. My butt feels numb."
Kurt stepped out next, lifting Hope down onto the pavement.
He walked over to the front of the carriage, nodding to the family driver. "Thanks for the ride. Where’re you going after this?"
"I’ll be heading over to the main city square, Master Rossana. I want to catch the opening matches on the new magical projection of the version 2 recording tags."
"They have those set up outside the campus?"
"Oh, absolutely. The academy set up giant holographic projection screens at the city square, the Adventurer’s Guild, and down by the docks." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
’Oh damn. Come to think of it, I guess this was why those cultists wanted those display tags way back then.’
"Don’t you worry, though," the driver continued. "I’ll be back right at this exact spot before the final match of the evening concludes."
"That’s perfect. See you then."
With a final wave, Kurt, Sadie, and Hope walked through the academy, blending seamlessly into the sea of eager spectators heading toward the grand coliseum.
.
..
...
Meanwhile, far below the bustling, sunlit streets of the capital, the atmosphere was entirely different.
Deep within a damp, dimly lit stone chamber hidden inside the undercity sewer network, a sudden, surprised shriek echoed off the walls.
"WHAT?! What do you mean we can’t go back to Future Academy!?" Austin’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull as he stared at the cloaked figure standing across from him.
"Also, What the hell do you mean you’re part of Eldoria’s ten official representatives?!"
Gary stood casually by a rusted pipe, scratching the back of his neck with a sheepish, slightly guilty smile.
"Yeah... I mean, I was originally planning to keep it a secret to surprise you. I thought it would be cool to show up on the arena floor, look up at the stands, and wave directly at you in front of everyone. But... well, that plan is completely canceled now that Emelie’s keeping an eye out for us."
"Oh fuck, you’re right! This is a total disaster! If Emelie spots us, she’ll beat the hell out of us. I mean... I’d heal, but with the Saintess there, she’d just sense the divine mana..."
Gary straightened up and stepped closer to Austin. His voice dropped into a soft, alluring, and deeply tempting murmur.
"Look... I have a much better suggestion, Austin. Why don’t we just run away. Right now. Just the two of us. Let’s leave Eldoria and head to the remote islands of Riverton–"
"Are you fucking crazy?! Why on earth would I run away from the main heroines?!"
"... Haaa. Are you seriously still going on about that? Austin, let’s look at the facts. You’ve completely ruined your chances with Emelie; she looks at you like you’re a plague. Principal Valentine is already taken by your mortal enemy, Kurt Rossana."
Austin flinched as Gary continued to ruthlessly dismantle his life.
"If the Saintess sees you, she’ll realise you stole the divine gem. I guess the Izumi heiress is still technically neutral with you, but she’s way too busy with her responsibilities to care about your existence. Same goes for Princess Kiana. And let’s not forget, you absolutely fumbled your chance with Amy. So... who exactly is left for you in this harem plan of yours?"
"There’s... there’s still Mia! I could still cuck Dominik!"
"Really? Secretary Mia? Settling for sloppy seconds now, are we? How tragic."
"FUCK!" Austin grabbed a wooden stool and hurled it violently across the room.
BANG!
It smashed against the stone wall, splintering into a dozen pieces. He gripped his hair and breathed heavily as panic threatened to consume him.
Gary stepped next to him, his eyes gleaming with a possessive, dark affection. "See? I told you. There is nothing left for you here, Austin. Let’s just run away and–"
"WAIT! I know how to fix my reputation and become an important figure."
A bizarre, crooked grin spread across Austin’s face as a reckless, desperate plot formed in his chaotic brain.
"What, Austin? How could you possibly save this situation?"
"Heh..hehe..hehehehe! Simple. With the power of EX healing, I’ll perform miracles. I’ll start my own religion and become a god! I’ll just become the next Jesus!"
"..... Who?"
