After several months of preparation, the Grand Noah festival finally started. It was an occasion for everyone involved to enjoy themselves in a time of uncertainty, a time to show everyone that, even in those dire circumstances, it was possible for people to live carefree at least for a week. Most of all, it was a tool to mend relations between humans and monsters, to affirm the will to work together and face adversity side-by side in this era of chaos and fear. After all, there was no point in staying cold against those that did wrong by the past when they were the best hope for the world's future.
The festival would conclude on a huge tournament organized at the coliseum. Initially, everybody was invited, but every slot was filled by a resident of the Pocket Castle, or, as the population started to name them, "The Hero Luka's Army". Everybody was expecting to see a lot from the ones who broke down the Monster Lord's assault and managed to explore the mysterious Snow Continent without suffering losses. They even recruited angels, some of whom were to come to show off their martial prowess in the upcoming tournament.
The ambiance in the city street was joyous, as if people already forgot the past grudges and were just looking for an occasion to simply take their mind of the fact that the world was apparently ending. Almost everybody was enjoying themselves as much as they could, save for the more paranoid fringes of the population, who saw the merriment as a plot from the late Monster Lord to further weaken them, and suspected that the reason everyone was so accepting was because of a monster's magic. The Ilias clergy was inviting everyone to be wary of the monster's presence in the streets, but between the fact that most of said monsters were aligned with the legendary hero Luka (and, if rumors were true, possibly Heinrich himself) and that several angels were present to appreciate what the festival had to offer, they were forced to remain silent lest everyone turn against them.
Every street was filled with onlookers coming from the four corners of the world wanting to see the wondrous sights that were offered, as fairies and mages were using their skills to entertain anyone looking with fireworks. Cooks and gourmets from around the world came to respectively offer delicious food and sample it. Colorful banners were flying high around a scene placed at the center of the town square, surrounded by incredibly beautiful flowers. There, humans and monsters alike were dancing on a rapid rhythm, almost supernaturally guided by Saki, the succubus idol. Children were playing innocently with the fairies, to the great displeasure of those that fell to their prank.
One could hear moans coming from the darker streets, as they were filled with humans and monsters getting intimate. From people looking to relax to those searching for new experiences or even "just travelling professionals, helping those looking for a quick, blissful release", every inn's private room was filled with being enjoying the pleasure of being alive. By the end of the day, humans and monsters alike would have gotten a lot more than what they asked for, and would go to sleep exhausted, a head willed with happy memories, and possibly in a partner's sensual or caring embrace. Of course, small "accidents" were frequent, but thanks to the omnipresence of healers and reasonable powerful monsters, those were quickly dealt with.
Along the event, several speeches were given. Whether they were from the Grand Noah's queen or the monsters that attacked the different cities under the Monster Lord's order, all were centered around the will they shared to work together to face the future. After Freya, the elf queen, was done giving such a speech, she left for the palace as she needed to have a discussion with her colleagues. Upon arriving, she noticed most of them were tired, but also happy. Her keen senses also picked also picked a post coital musc coming from her fellows. She refrained from wrinkling her nose and from commenting, as she didn't want to be known as a joy killer amongst her peers.
"We just finalized the elimination pools for the tournament." The Grand Noah Queen was flipping sheets as she was talking. "Balancing them was harder than expected. Thankfully the Pocket Castle somehow manage to keep track of its resident's strength, otherwise we wouldn't even be done yet. There are two hundred and fifty six participants." She looked up from her papers, and took a rapid glance across the room, before flashing a grin. "Every single one of us is registered in the competition." She reassumed a business like expression. "The coliseum will be full for every fight, with several thousand spectators watching each time."
She took a look at the San Ilia pope who took the cue and continued. "We managed to put into place a makina network that will be able to show the match in different location through the world. We are currently testing the technology, but our latest studies showed it could be very popular."
As soon as the king had ended his part, the Noah queen resumed her speech. "We only suffered minor incidents since the beginning of the festival, and fortunately there were no sightings of the late Monster Lord's goons so far."
The discussion kept going on, as even if it was a time of happiness for the population at large, the ones responsible for the event still had to work to keep it running fine. After going on for a small hour, the reunion finally closed.
"I wish you all luck in your upcoming fights, and may your strength bring you far."
Everybody left the reunion room in good order once more. On her way out, Freya sighed as she looked down. This attracted the undesirable attention of Alma Elma.
"Ara? Is someone troubled?"
The elven queen eyed cautiously the succubus. "I just wish we were able to recreate the bond between humans and monsters without giving rape shows in the coliseum."
"Aww, but I thought elves were lewd? And weren't you part of the group that impulse the idea to organize a tournament at the coliseum? Everybody knows you're a huge fan."
Freya nearly screamed as a string of indignant sounds made its way through her throat. After nearly spitting a stream of profanities at the succubus queen, she managed to recover enough of her composure to articulate an answer.
"What even are those baseless rumors? Elves are nothing like your kin who takes pride in having sex with everything that moves! And I am merely interested in what happens in the coliseum to find out how barbaric humans can get! Nothing more!"
Alma Elma laughed good heartedly.
"Come on, be honest with yourself! You wouldn't have mastered so many sexual skills if you didn't want men to come to you to taste them! And you're the only person I know who can tell that the winner of the tournament in 1246 was a yoma warrior named Sadia!"
"No, her name was Asdia, and she was a martial artist! And it's easy to remember because she won on an irregularity as her opponent…"
The succubus was smirking as the elve's word betrayed her once more. The latter's expression decomposed once again as she caught herself geeking out once more about the coliseum. She left into a huff, and could even be heard from afar raving about the purity of elves.
Mephisto arrived from behind, smirking at the succubus queen.
"Did you rile her up on purpose?"
Alma Elma asked innocently. "Why would I have done that?"
Mephisto started to fiddle with her wand. "Because her first fight is going to be against the Harem. And if she loses her cool against the four succubi, those ones will likely have their way with her in front of everyone afterward."
The ex heavenly knight shrugged. "No, I didn't talk to them. They didn't tell me they intended to use the ancestor's fluid to make her come in front of everyone again and again. They didn't say anything about wanting to show the world that elves are as nymphomaniac as succubi."
Mephisto laughed in a sinister way. "Good grief, you're really a handful, aren't you? It's a shame you didn't put those skills at the Monster Lord's service at the time." Her expression soured. "Although considering how things turned out afterwards, that might have been for the best."
Alma Elma smirked. "My body, my skills, my choices. "
Heinrich was checking his equipment for the umpteenth time as he was waiting to be called for his match. A part of him was nervous, as he heard the rumors about the involvement of a legendary hero from the past. He didn't want to disappoint everyone who came to see him in the flesh.
He also already saw enough matches at the coliseum to know what would happen if he lost against a monster. Losing early in the tournament would be one thing. Getting humiliated in front of everyone would be another one altogether he wished he would not have to deal with. Of course, his heroic skills would guarantee a victory against weaker opponents, but after having seen how strong the other residents of the Pocket Castle had grown, he was less confident in his victory than when he initially signed up.
An idea started to worm his way up his mind: How many spectators came to see him getting dominated by a powerful monster in the arena? Did they want to see the hero in action, or were they just perverts waiting for a good show? He shook his head as he wanted to clear his mind from these thoughts: overthinking would only lead him to lose focus in a critical moment and end up making him lose.
Eventually one of the coliseum's managers entered the room he was waiting in and bowed respectfully.
"You are awaited in the arena."
Heinrich thanked her and started making his way toward the center of the arena. A booming, magically projected voice could be heard just as he stepped outside.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you heard about him, the legendary hero of the past, the one who beat Black Alice ! The one and only legendary hero Heinrich!"
During this moment, he realized how popular his legend was as he was almost deafened by the cheers coming from all around the coliseum. He waved back to the crowd, smiling. The sun was high as the afternoon barely started. The door located at the other end of the arena opened, as the voice boomed once again.
"Against him, coming from the deepest forests of Fairy's Island, the sign that elves and strength can go and in hand! San, the elven amazoness!"
Heinrich's smile disappear as he recognized the elf he met a few weeks ago. The amazoness was grinning evilly. Her intentions had not changed from their last encounter. Heinrich unsheated his sword and assumed a fighting stance while his opponent was twirling an impressively large rainbow club with a startling ease.
This was not going to be a good day.
