Roar Guards Co.

...It's what my sponsor wants. Nothing I can do about it. I had to cancel my holiday for this.

Oh, you're after that, aren't you?

Did you have to ask?

Oh, I hit bullseye, huh? Guess we have something to look forward to today...

Certainly, we have something to look forward to... However, before that, please allow me to have a chat with Mr. 'Plastic' Szewczyk, one-on-one.

And you are...?

I work on the Major's preliminaries. Here is my business card, Mr. Szewczyk.

...You 'work on' them, huh? What do you want?

I'm merely here to inform you of this.

The Roar Guards Company has requested that you wear its latest Jack 2 model body armor in your one-on-one match, or 'duel' as it is more commonly called, with Maria Nearl, and to prolong the match for as long as possible.

What? But the materials that went into the new armor isn't meant for competition use—

No matter. The Nearls' comeback has attracted countless press to today's events. This is a perfect opportunity.

They've already made a significant investment to secure that long term trade agreement. They merely needed a gamble of reasonable odds. A test, and also a publicity stunt.

For your services, the Roar Guards' publicity department has also promised quite a significant down payment... Three times your post-tax total income last year.

With just this one match, Mr. Szewczyk, you'll be earning enough to buy out an entire village in your homeland.

...Do they really have to go that far?

The exposure and publicity are just secondary objectives. They'll become the talk of the town. This, along with the profits the Major will bring in, will give the Roar Guards more of a... yes... more of a say at the General Chamber of Commerce.

After all, having a voice at such venues is very important, wouldn't you agree?

If it's what my sponsors want... and there's money in it, who am I to complain?

Your assistance is much appreciated. We know very well that you, too, have some special needs...

Oh yes, have you met the Nearl family's youngest daughter yet?

I've seen her debut match. She's not bad, but still a disappointment compared to the Radiant Knight.

...Are you worried that I'll lose?

No... The thought never crossed my mind. Pardon me. We've already sent a brand new set of equipment, along with a list of all the necessary precautions for the new armor, to your residence. Please...

......

...Did you all have to start hanging out here this early?

What? There's just an hour and a half left until Maria's match! It's her first bout since her intensive training! There's no way I'd miss it!

Hahaha, well said. Everything is on the house today.

*Sigh*... What a ruffian...

......

Here, your 'Thorn Tear.' It's not often you order something this strong. Are you worried about her?

If I count from the day Zofia had me train her in swordsmanship, it took her four whole years to get to the preliminaries... But Maria only had four weeks.

We should keep an eye on them. When it's time to call it quits, that's when they need to stop. We mustn't let them go overboard.

Hahaha... They're just a bunch of young, passionate knights. It brings me back to the time when Margaret decided to throw her name in the hat.

But they are nothing like her.

Now, trust in her a little.

As long as she's creative with how she accumulates her points, getting qualified for the Major isn't really anything so difficult.

That might work for your everyday contestants, but.. I'm not sure if that'll work for Maria...

I have a feeling... there's going to be trouble.

What's the matter now, V? Why are you always pouring cold water on everything? What, are you jealous? Have you no shame?

You want to say that again?!

Laaaaadies and gentlemen! Welcommmmme to the Roar Arena!

You're in for a treat today at this arena, fully sponsored by the Roar Guards Company! 'Roar Guards, even the winds will bow to you!'

If you don't have an independent knight to put your money on yet, then let me introduce to you once again—

It's been a long month since she became the talk of the town with her debut match, and who knows what kind of training she's gone through in preparation for this day!

Please join me and welcome the cutest contestant to ever grace the Roar Arena, sister to the legend, the Nearl family's youngest ever competition knight!

Maaaaarrriiiiiia Nearllll!

I bet my entire fortune on you! Nearl!

*Whistle* Radiant Knight! Lil' Radiant Knight!

This atmosphere really is over-the-top... Hey, you! You're blocking my view! Sit down!

(I wonder how long it's been since the last time I was in the audience.)

(Okay, Maria... Don't get nervous.)

(Take a deep breath... Deep breath.)

(Mmn... There's so many people looking at me...!)

(No, I shouldn't worry about my surroundings so much... Deep breath... Deep breath...)

Everyone! Please calm down! I know how excited you all are right now, but please try to calm down a little!

Try to give the young lady a little space. If she gets stage fright and calls it quits, the Roar Guards won't be issuing any refunds.

That's right! Support her with the cash in your wallets, not your voices! There's nothing more exciting than seeing your favorite knightess reign victorious thanks to your support, especially the monetary kind!

Looks like Greatmouth Mob got paid off by the Roar Guards.

What a lowlife. *Spit*.

Heh, look at the Roar Guards trying to take on Raythean at their own game. They don't know their place, do they?

Even the putty I played with back when I was a kid lasts longer than the armors they churn out.

Why don't I see you working at some big-name company, then?

Over my dead body! I've sworn off building equipment for knights!

That's why you still haven't paid off your tab for a whole year already! Because you don't take work that pays.

I haven't picked up my tab because I've got bills to pay! Why else would I be fixing pipes? I'm not even a plumber!

Hahaha... Speaking of which, Old Lady Layla left you a message. She wants you to fix some lights for her son...

Well, are you going?

I... err... Who's Maria up against?

Alright—! With a crowd this enthusiastic, how could the Roar Arena and its sponsor, the Roar Guards, let anyone down?

The one who will go face to face with the Radiant Knight's sister is none other than the vanguard who led Roar K.C., the knightclub proudly sponsored by the Roar Guards, to the top 100 in the last Major.

Yes, I can hear you complaining! I've got to get a word in for our sponsors. That's no less important than the events themselves! And so—

Now hold your horses, we're getting there. Our heroine will soon be facing the judgement of the fiercest storm of her life!

His might and economical title are unmatched on today's roster! Please join me and welcome the 'Plastic', Szewczyk!

Szewczyk! Szewczyk!

Take her down, Szewczyk! All my money's on the line here! Don't disappoint us!

The 'Plastic' Szewczyk, everyone, and check out his armor from the Roar Guards Company, made with the newest materials! Will the latest in Columbian armor technology prove to be the decisive element in this match?!

That's right. The Roar Guards provide all enterprising knights with the most bespoke, personalized equipment services! Maintenance, upgrades, retrofits, you name it! We'll craft up a storm in our workshops!

Don't forget, 'Roar Guards, even the winds will bow to you!'

Well, I didn't expect to see you here... and I definitely didn't expect to find you in the audience while I'm in the ring.

—Szewczyk.

'Whislash' Zofia. I thought you'd never set foot in this place again after your injury, lest you humiliate yourself.

Hah, you only know to kick a lady when she's down. You're still all talk and no show.

Remember how many points I snatched from you when we faced each other in the prelims, Plastic Toy?

If you were just a bit smarter... Whatever, why am I even talking to you about this?

Was it you who trained that kid? In just one month?

Well, you better stop talking to me and keep your eye on the arena if you don't want her to break you like a toy.

I see. Well, looks like I can look forward to a decent fight...

You'd better watch out, Plastic Toy.

Heh... We'll see how that turns out.

Oh? Ohh? It looked like Szewczyk talked to someone in the audience briefly before he stepped into the ring. And who would've thought? It's 'Whislash', Zofia! What a surprise we have in our audience today!

*Spit*.

Now, the two knights have entered the arena. Keep your eyes on them! You don't want to miss any action!

Everyone! Everyone! Do you see Szewczyk's armor shining under the lights? Do you see Maria's beautiful blond hair fluttering in the wind?

Anything you see will soon be consumed by the most intense bloodbath of the day! They'll be going all out to bring each other down! Rules—Who cares? This is the Kazimierz Major!

Before our dimwitted judges make their decision, you can and should support your favorite! Of course! Your support will directly influence the outcome!

If your purse is feeling a little light, you can scream all you want. Not that it'll do anything but give yourself some unearned pride and the rest of us an earache. If you dig deep, you can buy some chips to support your contestant!

Okay, here comes the booing again, but guess what? To celebrate the Major reaching its highest number of contestants ever, the Roar Arena's cut's been lowered to an unheard of 50%!

For every ten gold coins you spend, five of them will help your favorite contestants! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Of course! The Roar Arena isn't just raking in all those commissions for nothing. If you've got your money on one of our contestants, as long as they win in some way, you'll have the chance to make some big bucks!

The odds? Forget it! The odds are in your own hands! The bankroll? It's what you're throwing down for your knights! Don't hesitate! It's time to fork out anything you've got for your warriors!

And now without further ado! May our contestants please step forward! On your marks!

...Grandpa... Margaret... here I go.

My name is Maria Nearl! My family motto is, 'Fear neither hardship nor darkness!'