CHPT 486: The End Will Justify The Means….

The entire day.

Claude had spent the entire day center stage in Ra Stadium. The entire day scenting and feeling the emotional whirlpool of the voracious crowd. Win after win he stoked their rage and surprise like a the embers of a waking flame.

The flame was very much awake.

Batches of people were outright fighting high in the stands— probably too far away from human eyes to see in detail. But Claude could see it all. Even better with the thunderous storm clouds collecting over the skies as if in response to Ronin's urge to reestablish orde—

KRAKOOOM!

The fighters split in their small corners of war. Sunlandian Guards detained and reseated who they could.

It was interesting. Having a nose as he did. You could see the physical change. But the undertones, they were only stronger.

A lot of people lost their money.

Even more people in power scowled like he took their children from them.

"[Claude, we have all the enemies in the world— I get that's like our thing. But this... this calls for a danger beyond our norm, I'm afraid.]"

"Does it though? We have two godly figures on our backs already. These are men and women."

"[Don't get ahead of yourself now. Men and women we know nothing about. Mystery is as deadly as any blade. They don't have stories and recollections for us to ponder and work around. They have anonymity, Claude.]"

Claude watched as the Announcer tried to work with the crowd, all the same soulless buzz until you really listened to the heinous insults and wisecracks enjoying the upset.

His nostrils flared, "It doesn't matter. It's an unfortunate side effect. I can't let Samuel see strength anywhere but with me. Ill fight thousands if I can stand in the way of enemy Lupine conquest. Fuck it."

Arne was silent for a moment as the crowd erupted in boo's in response to a question he asked.

"[Then allow me to suggest we kill two birds with one spear.]"

A silent conversation transpired between the two of them as Claude watched the Announcer fight to regain favor of the crowd. Eventually, he moved on him. Once in talking distance he tapped his shoulder calmly.

The Announcer jumped slightly before turning to face him.

Claude leaned in for a whisper.

Before he even finished speaking, he could practically hear the cogs turning in the Announcers big braided head covered in expensive fabrics and jewelry.

Claude returned to his spot with Fenrir and the others.

"Ursula. Keep them close to you." Claude spoke to her from the stands.

"What's ha—"

"Ok everyone! It's getting late, huh?"

The crowd continued in their sound.

"One would think we'd have to go another day for the Martial Arts segment of this Tournament. THREE DAYS?! Imagine that."

The crowd boo'd. They wanted their money up front.

The Announcer nodded, "I agree."

And finally, he had the crowd in some form once more.

"We can't afford another pushback. We have much much more important events in the making don't we?!"

The crowd roared.

"So let's make an adjustment people! Final match of the day. Victory can only befall one, but a team must take that chance, not one man…. One woman. But a unit— a cooperative of sorts! A little challenge for our Beast Tamer from afar…. And a shot at revenge for your favored Nations!" The Announcer carried his voice in a charming and grand cadence, building a story— heightening stakes after promising its participants gold of the highest form.

The crowd was all for it based on how Claude's brain shook.

"Well. Ill take the opinions of this adjustment as a yes from you all. Claude Grey, your next opponent was a Sunlandian Native. Let's add the following two found in The Kumataiyo Isle's and Islandia."

The two nations respective supporters were on their feet with the excitement of being given a second chance.

The chosen combatants didn't hesitate to take the stage.

From the Sunlands. The student from before that got between him and Samuel. A fellow spear user that grabbed Fenrir's attention and wore expensive light armors.

From Ronin's homeland, they had a woman nearly as tall as Claude with a bladed bow held firmly in her grip. That was all well and good except for the fact that she was blindfolded.

And to no one's surprise, Islandia's chosen combatant was Bengal. He looked thirsty for revenge.

His smell almost made him miss his teammate as he stood beside him, completely ignorant of Frosty's vicious snarls.

"Samuel."

The blonde-haired sadist spun his helmet on his fingers, "What was your plan when you requested this, rat-ear?"

The urge to tell him to shut his foul mouth and step aside was strong. But along with everything else he was scheming, the deterioration of Samuel's control was high on that list.

"I wanted to get closer to you two. Exchange ideas and plans." Claude punched him in the arm making him almost drop his helmet. It probably look playful to everyone but Ronin. Hell, he was expecting to be smited any second passively.

Samuel looked ready to retaliate as the Announcer readied the crowd.

Frosty snapped at Samuel from behind Claude.

"You're still an emotional little weakling, Claude. This facade is as flimsy as the skin of your throat."

"Yea but there's isn't."

Samuel didn't say anything as Claude tapped his nose.

"It's you two against the world right now Samuel. I already broke your best man's ribs in the bathroom. He's weak. Are you gonna do the same thing to him that you did to Tai?"

Steam rose from Samuels skin. Claude fought off a growl.

Before things could descend any further the Announcer spun on them.

"Well! I think we all know your name." He walked past Claude and stopped in front of his teammate.

"And you are, young warrior?"

"Samuel Leon, Dark Knight."

The Announcer gasped animatedly, "The Son of Ronin!"

He moved across the stadium to the others.

One by one they gave their names and Classes.

"Bengal. Tank."

"Tufani Akila. Warrior-Mage."

"Aiko Mitsurugi lll. Elemental Archer."

The last girls name left Samuel wide eyed and shaken if only for a moment. Claude didn't get to think on it much as the Announcer had a final word.

"Now! As I'm merging matches that would've been cut. I'm also going to merge your flee times. They are well over thirty seconds….. your penalty unfortunately is NO WEAPONS!"

Samuel sighed a steady stream of black smoke as if he were on the verge of spitting flames.

"You can't be serious."

The Announcer chuckled loudly. "Ohhhh it's getting very serious!"

Claude and Samuel tossed their weapons and got ready for whatever was to come.