The One in the Shadow - I

In the bar on the second floor of the Executioners' headquarters, a group of idling adventurers were engrossed in the live broadcast of the second round of the selection tournament.

"Why are there three fourth-stage participants this time?" a drunken adventurer grumbled, "Is Whistling Legion really that great?"

"Bryce Palmer is one of the top warriors in the Western. Is it really surprising that people want to follow him… Still, fourth-stages don't need to enter the Whistling Legion through such means."

"After so many years of selection tournaments, haven't you figured out the trick yet? It's obvious that Milo or the Duke of Azuregold arranged for them to stir up the odds!"

"Well said. So, who did you bet on?"

"Haha! I bet on all three fourth-stages!"