vrcanaries Chapter 707 - 707
Chapter 707 - 707
"Due to the Crimson Princess advancing, Group B matches are skipped. The first match of Group C will now commence. Both participants, please prepare!"As the announcer made the declaration, the next set of opponents appeared on the large screen.
"Originally, there should still be sixteen competitors today, enough for at least eight matches," Kagami Kusakabe explained. "But because the Group B matches ended early and there were quite a few withdrawals, the number of matches today drastically decreased."
"This way, not only are the spectators dissatisfied, but the television stations are even more displeased!"
"Television stations?"
"Yes, simply put, the investors!"
The Seven Star Sword Art Festival itself is a large-scale event, much like the Olympics, with considerable expenses. To secure sufficient funding, the committee must attract investors before the event.
The primary source of investment lies in the live broadcast rights of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival.
The live broadcast rights for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival are sold for one billion yen annually!
This year's popularity is unusually high, so it remarkably sold for two billion!
In other words, by selling the live broadcast rights to television stations, the committee obtains the funds to host the event.
However, this means the committee is inevitably constrained by the television stations as investors.
The television stations' goal, of course, is ratings and viewership—sufficient traffic is necessary to ensure the investment doesn't result in a loss.
Therefore, a significant reduction in the number of matches is something the investors absolutely cannot tolerate.
And today, as luck would have it, it's the least attention-grabbing second round.
If the number of matches isn't increased, today's ratings are bound to plummet.
Additionally, the alliance happened to be promoting the Sword God, so both parties combined their efforts to pressure the committee. Naturally, the committee had no choice but to comply, merging the second and third rounds together.
"Nothing but trouble."
"Who says it isn't?"
Kagami Kusakabe was also quite displeased.
"It's a competition for student knights, so why bring adult reasons into it?"
Spoken like a true journalist.
She actually said something so philosophical.
In any case, due to some subtle coincidences caused by Eiji and Stella, the current situation was prompted.
For others, it might not matter much, but for Kurogane Ikki, it was clearly a significant test.
"My turn."
The match on the field ended in just half a minute.
Touka stood up and, amidst the cheers from Renren Tomaru and others, headed toward the preparation room.
"Touka should win this match easily, right?"
"Her opponent was only last year's top eight. It'll be a breeze!"
Ten minutes later, Touka stepped into the arena.
Just as the cheer squad had said, her second-round opponent was merely last year's top eight. Although they had improved somewhat, they were still no match for her.
Two minutes later, Touka easily secured victory.
"Group C matches concluded! Next up, the matches for Group D begin!"
"Thank you for your patience! The first match of Group D features our highly anticipated, nationally popular competitor who swept through the country like the wind! Previously known as the Aurora Swordsman, he now bears a brand new title! Please welcome him to the stage!"
"He's here! I waited all this time just for this moment!"
"〈Sword God〉! 〈Sword God〉!"
Countless young people were cheering from the stands.
Their fanatical expressions seemed to have found their faith.
Some even activated their magic power, attempting to rush toward the combat area, but the Blazers in the audience quickly stopped these overzealous fans.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Eiji stepped onto the stage.
In an instant, all media outlets aimed their cameras at him.
At this moment, his existence became known to people all around the world.
Eiji paid no attention to these trivial matters, his cold gaze fixed on the opposite gate.
"Junior brother!"
Soon after, a figure emerged from there.
She waved her hand, a look of pleasant surprise on her face as she jogged into the combat area.
"?"
Eiji raised an eyebrow.
"Who are you?"
"How cruel!"
The girl was deeply hurt, her ponytail drooping.
"And his opponent is last year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival third-place winner, Momiji Asagi from Bukkyoku Academy, also known as 〈Will-o'-the-Wisp〉! As fellow disciples of the God of War, we believe they will showcase a friendly sparring match!"
The commentator's voice rang out at just the right moment.
"Oh..."
Eiji feigned realization.
So she's another one of the old man's disciples?
"Do you remember me now?"
Momiji Asagi showed a bright smile.
"No, I've never heard of you."
Eiji's expression remained indifferent.
To be honest, the old man had quite a few disciples.
As a senior figure in the Blazer world who particularly enjoyed mentoring juniors, and having served as a special advisor at Bukkyoku Academy a few years ago, it was normal for him to take on disciples.
But he only knew Touka and Saikyo Nene - he hadn't heard of any of the others.
"Thud--!"
These words hit Momiji Asagi like a sledgehammer, knocking her down completely.
"Shall we begin soon?"
Eiji looked toward Shinguuji Kurono beside him.
"Both sides ready, begin the match!"
After giving the command, Shinguuji Kurono retreated from the combat area.
Momiji Asagi puffed her cheeks and manifested her Device, a sword-type Device wreathed in crimson flames.
"--"
The next moment, her vision suddenly blurred.
Her consciousness cut off.
She hadn't reacted at all.
"..."
For a moment, silence enveloped the audience stands.
Many people showed confused expressions.
"Is instant KO popular now?"
"Aren't they from the same school?"
In the combat area.
Shinguuji Kurono, who was stepping back, suddenly paused.
"...Match over, winner: Nangou Eiji from Hagun Academy!"
She hesitated for a moment before realizing what happened, then stepped forward to make the announcement.
"I'm honored to inform everyone that according to camera judgment, this match lasted 0.5 seconds, setting a new tournament record for fastest defeat..."
The commentator looked completely bewildered.
The large screen repeatedly played the moment of the exchange.
Eiji had charged forward within 0.1 seconds of the match starting and defeated Momiji Asagi with a single strike.
Then Momiji Asagi took 0.4 seconds to fall.
The committee repeatedly verified multiple times before finally concluding that "Eiji didn't win by using his ability to move faster than the referee could call the match."
"That was too fast!"
"Is this the power of the 〈Sword God〉?"
It wasn't until after Eiji left the arena that heated discussions erupted among the audience.
Although most people had been expecting the Sword God to display his powerful swordsmanship in an exciting battle with his opponent, upon reflection, the Sword God instantly defeating his opponent was actually the normal outcome.
I believe only someone like the Sword Emperor of Wind could last that long against him.
Looking at it this way, only when the Sword God meets the Crimson Princess in the finals will we witness a match comparable to yesterday's thrilling battle!
"Junior brother is in a bad mood."
In the spectator stands, Touka frowned deeply.
"Because of the instant kill? Isn't that normal?"
Kanata Totokubara looked over with confusion.