"The award ceremony is about to begin!"
"Please welcome the winner, Yoriichi-san, to the stage!"
Takeshi stood on the podium, letting out a long sigh of relief. "It's finally over."
He felt a bit excited as he was finally going to get his money. 20 million Jewels was equivalent to 200,000 dollars. In his previous world, he wouldn't even have dared to dream of earning so much money at once.
"Yoriichi-san, it was only after meeting you that I truly understood the meaning of 'there's always someone better.' Thanks to you, I've found my direction forward." Arthur said, looking at Takeshi with an expression of adoration.
After Takeshi unleashed that one sword strike, he had become his fan.
Takeshi nodded. "Your talent is excellent, both in magic power and swordsmanship. As long as you train diligently, I believe your strength will advance further in just a few years."
Just then, a person with a somewhat panicked expression rushed to the commentary desk and whispered something to the commentator.
The commentator was greatly surprised. "What?! Such a thing has actually happened?!"
Then, he immediately picked up the microphone and announced, "I apologize, citizens! The award ceremony may have to be postponed!"
"According to the latest intel, at least 100,000 magical creatures from the Forest of Magical Creatures are surging towards us!"
"His Majesty has ordered the army to enter a state of first-level alert!"
"All citizens are now requested to evacuate to the arena! Those who are here should not leave! Besides being an arena, this place also serves as the city's shelter! A barrier can be activated to defend against the magical creatures' attacks!"
"At the same time, His Majesty has also summoned all swordsmen in the city to participate in confronting this attack!"
"What?!"
"100,000?!"
"That number is too high!"
Many citizens were startled to hear the news.
100,000 was close to one-tenth of the total number of magical creatures in the Forest of Magical Creatures, wasn't it?
They had never heard of so many magical creatures attacking the city before.
"Those magical creatures aren't staying quietly in the forest, they actually dare to rush out. Then we'll make sure they never return."
"Brothers! The time has come for us to advance to higher-ranking swordsmen!"
"That's right!"
Many swordsmen, upon hearing of the attack, all shouted indignantly.
These swordsmen inherently exist to kill magical creatures. Magical Creatures themselves hold high value, and from the moment they had become swordsmen, they engaged in battles with them.
Takeshi's expression suddenly froze.
I'm about to collect my money, and suddenly there's a monster attack? Can't they wait a few more minutes until I've got my money before coming?
Arthur looked at Takeshi. "Yoriichi-san, you'll definitely participate, won't you?"
Takeshi nodded with a cold expression.
Arthur rejoiced, "That's wonderful. I'll get to see you display your swordsmanship again."
Takeshi said, "I will act, but it also depends on the situation. If you encounter any magical creatures that you cannot deal with, I will step in then."
Arthur nodded. "Of course."
Takeshi nodded and then walked away.
At this time, many swordsmen were rushing towards outside the city.
After confirming that no one was following him, Takeshi found an empty corner, dispelled his transformation, and returned to his original appearance.
He immediately felt as if he had gone from a peerless genius back to an idiot. The disparity in talent was simply too obvious.
"Haa... How unlucky. I didn't expect such a large scale attack to happen at this moment. I can only wait until this event passes before collecting the award."
"Citizens! The magical creatures are here! Please proceed immediately to the arena for shelter! I repeat…"
"Citizens! The magical creatures are here! Please proceed immediately to the arena for shelter!"
Piercing alarm sounds echoed throughout the entire city. Many citizens who had not gone to the arena to watch the competition all quickly headed to the arena.
A short while later, Erza returned to the inn. "Takeshi! Magical creatures are here, let's go participate in the battle too."
"Okay." Takeshi nodded.
Logically, they didn't actually need to participate in this battle, but Erza's sense of justice wouldn't allow her to stand by and do nothing.
Furthermore, they had already accepted a commission, and if something happened to the client, it would be their responsibility.
For Takeshi, the reason was even simpler: he hadn't collected his money yet, and the mission wasn't complete yet.
The two quickly headed towards the city wall.
At this moment, the city walls were already packed with people.
"As expected of a nation of swordsmen, there are so many swordsmen."
Erza was very surprised to see so many swordsmen. Fairy Tail only had a little over a hundred people in total, while the number of swordsmen present had already exceeded ten thousand.
"Indeed."
Takeshi was also seeing such a grand spectacle for the first time and was somewhat shocked.
Soon, they arrived beside the King.
"You two have come as well."
Reno was very pleased to see Takeshi and Erza. Although Erza had lost to Arthur, Arthur was the strongest swordsman in the Kingdom of Sobelia.
Erza's strength was undoubtedly at the Nine-Star Swordsman level.
He was unsure of Takeshi's strength, but the terrifying destruction marks in the newspaper indicated that his strength was also undoubtedly Nine-Star level.
The entire Kingdom of Sobelia, including those in seclusion, had no more than ten Nine-Star Swordsmen in total.
Having these two powerful helpers would undoubtedly increase the chances of success for his plan.
Erza asked, "Your Majesty, what's happening with this attack?"
Reno explained, "The reason behind this incident is uncertain. But similar incidents generally happen one or two times every year."
"The main reason is, powerful magical creatures in the forest driving away weaker ones. The weaker magical creatures flee, gradually forming a large group."
"In small cases, their numbers range from dozens to hundreds, while large groups can number in the thousands. But one with over 100,000 magical creatures... This is the first time I've encountered one in my life."
Reno said with a serious expression, "So I suspect it might be related to Alazam."
"Alazam…"
Takeshi and Erza's expressions both became solemn.
Dragons, no matter which world they were in, were creatures at the top of the food chain. This was even more so in the Fairy Tail world. Even the weakest dragons were not something humans could contend with.
Reno nodded. "That's right. Alazam's power is very terrifying. I suspect it's controlling powerful magical creatures to drive away these weaker ones, thereby triggering such a large-scale attack."
Reno looked at Erza and asked, "Erza-san, have you seen Yoriichi-san?"
Takeshi's heart skipped a beat, wondering if his cover was blown.
Erza, however, shook her head. She had wanted to speak with Yoriichi earlier, but this incident happened before she had the chance.
Reno said, "I wonder if he would be willing to join us in subduing Alazam. He is undoubtedly the best candidate to wield the sword."
Takeshi's lips twitched.
If the King knew that he was Yoriichi, he wondered if his jaw would drop.
Just then—
Rumble!
A roar sounded, followed by the entire ground beginning to shake violently.
Everyone's nerves immediately tensed, and all eyes turned towards the distant forest.
"They're here!"