My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's

"All right, the two of you will now receive awards and prizes from the tournament chairman!!"

I stepped out from the waiting area and took a position in front of the stage.

From the waiting area I couldn't see Amelia's face properly.

On the glittering stage, Amelia was smiling and waving over here.

I responded with a small smile.

The men around me cheered, mistakenly thinking she was waving at them.

"Th-then, the 256th Handsome-Beautiful Contest, Winner of the Beauty Division, Princess Amelia, Rusty. You have achieved brilliant results in the 256th Handsome-Beautiful Contest. Therefore, we hereby commend you. Tournament chairman, Lapan."

A spotlight shone, illuminating the two of them and a rabbit Beastman who was receiving the certificate.

The rabbit Beastman, still dripping with nervous sweat, handed over the certificate with trembling hands.

So his name is Lapan.

"Er—about the victory prize, its arrival has been delayed. We can hand it over tomorrow—will that be all right?"

At those words, Amelia nodded without hesitation.

Her eyes shone with the prospect of unknown food.

So that means we'll be staying here tonight.

I wonder if there are any rooms available now...

This town has maybe five hundred people, but more could flood in from other towns, and at least half the contestants will probably stay the night, so we might end up sleeping outdoors.

Amelia and I are used to nights out, and Mr. Zeal, who was a former vice knight commander, and Crow, who was an adventurer, will be fine, but I wonder about Kyousuke and the others.

"I’m good too—"

Following Amelia, Lord Lattice Nail smiled and agreed.

Because there was an unusual tie for first place, they were short one prize even if they had prepared them.

The rabbit Beastman looked relieved.

"...that’s an unpleasant expression."

I couldn't help but feel that the rabbit's face meant something.

Since we came to this continent, I've felt this sort of prophetic unease more times than I can count.

Getting tangled up with weird people, Amelia being kidnapped, beasts spilling out of labyrinths, nearly dying fighting the Demon Clan, heroes showing up, getting roped into a contest, meeting the Demon King's daughter...

It’s been one thing after another.

Look at the whole world—there probably isn't anyone more trouble-prone than us.

Who is the jinx...

...oh right. It's me.

"With that, we will close the contest! Thank you all for participating! Next year's event will be held in the Human territory, the Kingdom of Reytis!!"

I couldn't help but snort.

The Kingdom of Reytis is the country we were summoned to, the country where I was falsely accused, and the place where most of my classmates still remain.

It's the largest nation in the Human territory, so it makes sense they'd host a big contest there.

I vaguely remember lots of greenery and a beautiful lake.

In hindsight it was a very pretty country.

Honestly, as long as that king and princess are there, I’ll never like the place.

I felt someone's presence nearby and looked up.

When I start thinking about something I can't see what's around me—definitely a weakness of mine.

Fortunately, the people in front of me were Crow and Mr. Zeal; I had no idea where they had been until now.

"Oi, I need to talk. Come with me."

"Eh, hey—"

They grabbed my hand and dragged me into a dim alleyway a little off the main area.

It was damp and humid—completely different from the contest's glittering atmosphere.

Once they were out of sight of the venue they let go.

"...what's this about, meeting me in a place like this?"

I frowned and said it, and the two exchanged looks before speaking.

"Well, we figured we'd be staying here anyway, so we went ahead to look for lodgings."

"And while we were at it, we heard some unpleasant rumors. We thought you should know."

I closed my mouth before thanking them.

Unpleasant rumors? What could that be?

If I hadn't heard it from the main area, it must be an underground rumor.

Underground information is what informants and those in the assassination trade sell.