Published: July 3, 2025
Chapter 3: Whitnash Port Festival, Day 3
Finally, the day of the competition between Nils and Amon had arrived.
The two had been fired up since morning as they made their way to the venue of the "30th Duo Rowing Boat Adventure Category."
However, a shocking scene unfolded before them.
"Why the hell are you here?"
"Huh? That's what I should be asking you!"
There was Dan, from Guild Dormitory Room 1, also entered in the competition.
The sight was visible to Ryo and Eto, who were in the audience seats.
"That's definitely Dan."
"Nils is colliding with him."
The two were convinced by Nils's attitude.
Not far from them, Dan's entourage was also present.
All the members of his entourage were supposed to be male, but Ryo noticed that there was one girl among them.
(Huh? That girl is… the one Dan helped in the courtyard of the dormitory… I see, she must have joined Dan's party. She looks really worried about Dan, but could it be that she has a crush on him…?)
Ryo tilted his head slightly in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing this, Eto followed Ryo's gaze.
"Is that one of Dan's entourage?"
"Yes, there's a girl among them, right? She seems to be the one Dan helped before."
"Ohhh~. That's Sasha from Room 2. I know her since she's a priest like me. She’s only sixteen but quite capable. However, the other kids from Room 2 have all been scouted for e-rank parties. Sasha must have been invited too, but… with that expression, it seems she joined Dan's party. Since there were originally no priests in that party, if Sasha joined it would become a well-balanced team."
Eto, true to her nature, was quite knowledgeable about the internal affairs of the dormitory.
While they were talking about this, preparations for the "Duo Rowing Boat Adventure Category" were steadily progressing.
In the competition, boats equipped with four oars would be boarded by pairs of participants, who would row out to a buoy 400 meters offshore and then return.
However, once they pass the halfway buoy, attacks on other boats using oars would become possible.
The use of magic and boarding other boats is prohibited.
From the heels to the toes of both feet, one must not extend outside their own boat.
Also, the use of weapons other than oars is not allowed. However, one’s own body is not restricted.
With simple rules that are nevertheless violent, this event boasts a strong popularity every time.
The fact that it was the 30th iteration means it has a history of about 150 years.
All thirty boats took their positions.
"Ready… Go!"
All thirty boats began rowing simultaneously.
During the first half, attacking other boats was prohibited.
They were to row straight towards the buoy.
But let's take a moment to think about this.
A duo rowing boat… Even if you've never ridden one, you might have seen them in photos or videos... How do the rowers position themselves?
That's right, they row with their backs facing the direction they are going.
Are there boats that don’t do that? None are provided for this.
This is entertainment, after all, and the audience expects joyous sights… A scene akin to maritime combat is desired.
Basically, one person rows while the other gives direction… that’s how it’s described, and boats are prepared accordingly… but usually, it doesn’t go that smoothly.
If they row without being able to see the direction they’re heading… they collide with other similar boats.
Collisions, boardings, shouts… the sea becomes a battlefield of chaos.
In this competition, if you fall into the water, you can resume as long as you return to your boat by yourself.
However, if you’re thrown into the water unconscious, you will be rescued by the judges waiting underwater and disqualified.
What a terrifying sight it presented.
"I'm glad I didn't get lured by money..."
"Eto, don't you think a priest's power will be necessary?"
"Ah~ my abilities fall short... what a shame."
In the audience, Ryo and Eto were captivated by the hellish spectacle, exclaiming in awe.
A bit apart from them, four people from the Empire were also engrossed in the hellish scene.