Volume 3 Chapter 64 Interlude - Harvest Festival, Everyone Gather (main Festival Edition)
"Alright everyone, it's time to start the main event of the Harvest Festival in Victor Territory!"
Randy shouted from the stage, and people nearby started to gather, curious about what was happening.
The night before, the parade had been a big success, and normally, the main event would start in the evening with the parade's bonfire. Usually, the Harvest Festival in Victor Territory only had 2 parts: the night before and the main festival.
But this year, Randy decided to split it into 2 parts: the main festival during the day and the after-festival in the evening.
The reason was simple. He thought it was a waste to just relax during the day and wanted everyone to enjoy the festival more.
As the sun rose higher, Randy called out to the townspeople.
This was Main Street Square. The stage, usually a place for residents to relax, was set up with 3 ceremonial floats from yesterday's parade around it, creating a great atmosphere.
No one had seen a stage like this before, and everyone was curious about the dirt piled on it. It was understandable since this was a 'dohyo' (sumo ring) created by Randy.
When you think of a festival, you think of rituals. And when you think of rituals, you think of sumo. So, Randy prepared this dohyo and something that looked like sumo wrestling with strong men.
In this strange atmosphere, Harrison grabbed a megaphone and shouted.
"Now, we're going to have one-on-one matches on that dohyo! The winner will move on to the next match, and we'll find out who the champion is!"
This was a show for entertainment. In a rural area with few fun activities, this was more than enough. The winner would get a prize and some money. And of course, to make it more casual and relatable, it was different from traditional sumo.
"By the way, each person can bet one small silver coin on someone!"
Harrison's words made the townspeople excited. In a place with little entertainment, not only could they watch a show, but they could also gamble on it.
"We'll collect the bets and split the winnings among those who bet on the winner... Simple, right?"
Randy laughed and said, "Now, let's explain the rules," as he invited 2 adventurers who had approached him last night onto the stage.
"Let's fight legally, as promised."
Randy smiled, and the adventurers grinned back, clearly eager. They must have just arrived in Victor and didn't know much about Randy yet.
But that was better for Randy. It wouldn't be fun to fight someone who was too cautious.
"The rules are simple. You win by knocking your opponent down or pushing them out of the dohyo. And by the way, hitting or kicking is against the rules."
"Is that really going to be fun?"
One adventurer frowned, but Randy laughed and replied, "It's surprisingly deep!"
"Participants should be barefoot and shirtless, please."
As Randy took off his shirt, cheers erupted from the crowd. His well-built body was something the townspeople admired.
"Wow, for a noble, you're pretty fit!"
The adventurers, a bit nervous, followed Randy's lead and took off their shirts. They were also fit, but they didn't quite compare to Randy.
* * *
"Now, let's start with a demonstration to confirm the rules."
At Randy's signal, Harrison also climbed onto the dohyo and began explaining the starting call, "'Hakkeyoi'..."
While listening, Randy crouched down on the dohyo, ready to take a stance. He was in a defensive position, but the adventurers probably didn't notice the difference.
By the way, he had secretly made a mawashi (sumo belt) for this moment, but when he tried to put it on before leaving the house, Liz had stopped him with all her might.
──Not allowed?
──Absolutely not.
Seeing Liz's serious expression, Randy reluctantly gave up, but he hoped to promote the mawashi if sumo became popular.
As Randy was thinking about this, it seemed the adventurers were ready too.
"What do you think? Should we have both come at once?"
Randy had a teasing smile that made the adventurer frown.
"I'm not teasing. I'm the one who came up with this, and I know the rules really well."
Hearing that, the adventurers nodded and put their fists in front of Randy.
"Ready──."
With Harrison's voice, the adventurers leaned forward. "──Go!" The two adventurers charged at Randy.
They tackled him at the same time.
The sound of their bodies hitting each other echoed...
"Ugh, I can't move him."
"Seriously?!"
Randy was standing strong, taking the hit from both of them.
Not only that, when Randy stepped forward, the two adventurers slipped back.
One more step.
And they slipped back again.
They kept doing this until their feet got caught on the rope around the ring.
"If I push you guys out, I win."
Randy looked at the crowd and said, "Or..." He pushed one adventurer down to the ground.
"...If I throw you out of the ring, I win."
One adventurer was shocked, saying, "Huh? What?" But then he realized the situation was bad and quickly tried to grab Randy.
By chance, they ended up in a wrestling position, and Randy couldn't help but smile. Who would have thought he could wrestle in another world? Happy, Randy said, "You can throw them too," and tossed the last adventurer onto the ring.
Even though the two adventurers shouted that they weren't done yet, as soon as Randy picked them up with one hand each, they became as quiet as a scared cat. They finally felt the difference in strength.
Randy held both adventurers by the neck and smiled at the crowd.
"How about that? It's simple──."
"Wait!"
Everyone turned around at the angry shout. There stood...
"Oh no, it's old geezer..."
...a big man who looked just as strong as Randy. He had white hair, a mustache, and a big build, with an eye patch over his left eye. But for some reason, he was already shirtless, showing off his strong warrior body.
"Randolph... is this really an exhibition match against such weak opponents?"
The crowd cheered, calling out, "It's the former leader!" "It's the former leader!" Volcan Victor, the previous lord of Victor Territory and Randy's grandfather.
"If it's an exhibition, why didn't you call me?"
Volcan laughed loudly and jumped into the ring.
"Go home, old geezer. I didn't call you."
"I'm not leaving. I came to play with you."
Volcan ignored Randy and called out to Harrison, "Harrison, give the signal."
Even Harrison had to listen to Volcan when it came to him and Randy.
"Okay, then... you two, get ready."
With the referee's words, Randy had no choice but to follow. He clicked his tongue but thought, "I'll throw you all the way to Fishing Village," and clenched his fists.
"Fool. I'm not leaving until I see your future wife."
"That's why I don't want you here."
As the two showed their opposite expressions, Harrison's voice rang out, "Ready──"
Both grandfather and grandson suddenly stopped talking and tightened their expressions.
"──Go!"
In that moment, Randy charged forward.
He pushed both hands toward Volcan's chest.
Randy's double push.
But Volcan took it head-on.
"Ugh..."
Volcan leaned back from the push, his feet sliding on the ring.
Randy chased after him as Volcan stopped at the edge.
As Randy got closer, Volcan turned away.
"Damn it..."
Randy ended up in a stance at the edge of the ring.
"Gotcha!"
Volcan tackled Randy from the side.
But Randy was too heavy, and it only made him lean back a little.
"...Grandson, you've gotten stronger again."
Volcan, holding Randy's waist, looked happy.
"'Thanks to you'."
Randy grinned, grabbed Volcan's sumo belt with his left hand, and tucked his head under his right arm.
"You're too early for Liz and Ellie."
"There are 2 future wives!"
"Stop being loud. Don't react! You're too shocking for the two of them. They'll come to see you after you get used to Victor, so just wait."
Randy lifted Volcan high up.
The crowd cheered loudly as Volcan was held upside down.
"Don't worry. I'm just taking you to grandma."
"That's the afterlife──."
"Shut up!"
With a mischievous grin, Randy fell backward...
──Brain Buster
...The sound of his big body hitting the ground echoed around.
"Ugh... that was a brutal hit."
As Volcan rubbed his waist, Randy frowned at his tough grandfather and said, "Tch, you're still breathing."
"The match is over. The winner is Sir Volcan!"
Harrison raised his hand towards Volcan.
"Huh? I'm not win. The finishing move was the Brain Buster."
Randy frowned, and Harrison shook his head, saying, "No way. Young master's shoulder hit the maker first."
Randy technically won the match, but according to the rules, he lost. Still, the crowd was super excited. They were surprised by the interruption, but it was a big success as an exhibition.
Randy scratched his head and opened his mouth, thinking they should keep the momentum going.
"It's simple but deep. Now, let's decide the first champion of Victor Territory!"
For a moment, the audience went quiet at Randy's declaration... but when they saw the men stepping onto the stage, their excitement shot up.
From adventurers you often see in town to members of the Knight Brigade, all the fighters were ready, barefoot and shirtless. The adventurers, who usually love talking about "who's the strongest," were really pumped up.
Seeing the adventurers, the townspeople started to think, "This looks fun."
"Okay, let's draw lots to decide the opponents. And for those who want to bet, head over to that registration desk..."
Randy jumped off the stage and shouted, "It's a knockout, so the order of opponents is important!" People who were running to the betting desk stopped to check the matchups again.
Looks like it's going to be exciting, Randy thought, feeling relieved as he sat down in the special viewing area set up by the stage.
"Can you be a little nicer to grandfather...?"
Liz, with a serious look, was using healing magic on Volcan.
"Ah... it's nice. Unlike that foolish grandson, Little Elizabeth is so kind."
Volcan smiled, and Randy cracked his knuckles, saying, "Then should I make your injuries worse?"
"Little Elizabeth, don't let my grandson bully me."
"Don't do it, Randy."
"Don't be fooled, Liz. He's a monster. He won't die even if you kill him."
Randy pouted and talked about how he had been trained by Volcan since he was little. It was actually Volcan who first invited Randy to train in the mountains.
For Randy, Volcan is one of his mentors, but he's also a bit annoying because he keeps asking, "Randolph, have you found a girlfriend yet?" Plus, he's a quirky relative who embodies Victor.
For Liz, who grew up as a lady, Volcan is too much to handle. That's why Randy had been trying to keep them apart, but it seems she got tired of waiting and came here.
"Even though he's the main character in Fishing Village... I'll tell grandma."
At Randy's sigh, Volcan's shoulders shook in response.
"Y-you called her..."
"Are you stupid? I don't want to get scolded by grandma even in the afterlife."
Just as Randy snorted, Volcan stood up and waved at Liz.
"Well then, Little Elizabeth. Make sure to visit Fishing Village next time."
With that, Volcan grabbed his boots and ran off.
"Old geezer! I'll come visit when I return in winter!"
"I'll be waiting!"
With a loud, hearty laugh, Volcan waved his hand big.
"...Ah, he was quite a stormy character."
"He's such a fool."
Randy waved goodbye to Volcan with a smile. He really liked his grandpa, even if he could be a bit annoying sometimes.
"Still, thanks to Grandfather, it looks like things are going to be fun."
Liz smiled as she looked at the excited crowd.
"I appreciate that. That's why I was taking it easy. Just a little playtime between an old geezer and his grandson."
Randy laughed, and in his eyes, you could see the back of Volcan disappearing.
"Playtime, huh? It did look like you were having fun..."
"As long as it's fun, that's what matters."
When Randy laughed and looked up at the blue sky, the sound of a drum announced the start of the first round.
The crowd cheered loudly, filling the place with excitement.
"Here we go──it's still on!"
What usually was just preparation time turned into a big event, and soon everyone recognized it as the main festival.
"By the way, where's Luke?"
"I heard he went for a walk with Cecily..."
"That guy is such a flirt..."
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