Chapter 51: Tournament (1)
The capital buzzed with activity. It wasn’t every day that ordinary citizens witnessed adventurers in their element.
Villagers and townsfolk with a bit of money made the journey to the city, eager to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. Merchants arrived in droves, their carts overflowing with wares, hoping to make a fortune.
Nobles—both great and small—flocked to the capital as well. The more powerful ones left their territories in the hands of trusted attendants, ensuring their presence at the event, especially if their descendants were competing.
Inns and hotels were packed to capacity. Everywhere one turned, the streets were alive with talk of the tournament and its outcome. Betting houses sprang up—some operating legally, others run by the underworld.
No corner of the capital was dull; there was movement and excitement everywhere.
Jess had booked a room in an inn close to the tournament grounds. Though her surviving companions were on a break from adventuring, they had come to show their support.
The past week had been difficult for their party, and there was talk of them quitting adventuring for good. Jess couldn’t blame them. She understood their feelings.
But her mission remained unchanged. One way or another, she would have her vengeance on the noble who had ordered the hit.
.......
The day of registration finally arrived, and many rushed to sign up on the first day. Though the process also served as an elimination round—filtering out adventurers with insufficient mana capacity—it didn’t deter the thousands who came.
Even if they failed to qualify for the king’s selection, simply participating could make a name for themselves. And for most, that was the real goal—an opportunity to gain recognition and open doors to better prospects.