THE ADVENTURER OF EDEN
4.3 "Star Tournament (Early)"

Carnea Forest, Central Area near the Royal Capital of Asteria.

"The second GATE has been touched."

Reina's body glowed as she said so, with the light source coming from the crystal necklace she was wearing.

But just like touching the first GATE, there was no hint of anything regarding Duke Robert Stardust when he touched the second GATE in the Carnea Forest.

"Is this free? There's no point in touching all the GATE if we don't get any information about Duke Robert Stardust" Alicia said.

"Why are you panicking? Reina was calm." Yui put her left hand on her waist, looking at the orange haired girl in confusion.

"Well! I am serious about doing anything! Don't compare me to him." said Alicia disparagingly.

Reina looks inferior hearing that. "Sorry, Alicia-san."

"Don't apologize, Reina, you're not wrong. After all the person who first suggested looking for GATE was Alicia." Shiki defends Reina, and Alicia is upset at first, but upon second thought, it was her idea.

"You're right, looking for GATE was indeed my idea." Alicia tried to calm herself down and was not stubborn. "Let's car GATE it through to completion, and if we don't find where Duke Robert Stardust is, at least we've tried."

Alicia went first when she said that. Yui caught up with him and laughed. "Haha!"

Reina also walked away with a slightly lowered face, and Shiki sighed as she felt bothered by her party's situation right now.

***

The next morning, they were staying at a luxurious inn near the central area of the Capital. This luxurious inn was rented by Alicia of course. Shiki and Yui prepare to unplug first around the capital, but will not go far because they will get lost;

"Aren't you coming, Alicia-san?" reina asked the orange haired girl.

"No, how many times have I been to the capital? And the city was only a building as far as the eye could see!" Alicia replied with annoyance; "this city is boring, I'd better sleep here."

"You're right." Shiki agreed, two years ago he didn't even come out of the room because this big city was just like that.

"Boring or not.Over time with aniki, it will be amazing!" Yui held Shiki's hand, and pointed at Reina; "Hey, Reina! You just stay here! Don't come with us!"

"Ah, okay." Reina understands.

"Don't take it for granted!" reply Alicia upset comic.

...

After that they were just two, and Reina started talking to her (former) childhood friend.

"Alicia-san's chat... About Apollon, what's the problem until you can't use it?" the black-haired woman asked curiously.

"Before coming, me and the mages of the Adventurer Guild discussed Apollon and concluded that someone placed a "seal" on Apollon." Alicia explained it to Reina.

"Seals?" Reina blinked.

"Vira says this seal has an element of curse energy. So our assumption is, "it's only the cursing energy" that can use it." adds Alicia; "But the consequences are great, you'll be "backlocked" by Apollon if your magical energy contains a curse. As happened to Mira when she used Apollon to attack us."

"So, so someone from NARAKU did it?" reina asked blinked.

"That's obvious." replied Alicia; "And for sure, she might be an extraordinary mage because she could understand the intricacies of Apollon."

Alicia then asked Reina about something. "What about you? Why are you so calm about not finding any trace of your father? Are you seriously looking for your father?"

"I wonder why Alicia-san thinks I'm not seriously looking for my own father?" Reina smiled, and said; "I'm just trying to calm down and believe..."

"As long as I'm with Shiki-san, I can definitely meet my father again." Reina smiled saying that.

(So.you too.) Alicia clenched her hands and looked angrily at Reina; "again.why do you always...!"

"Alicia-san?" Reina looked at it confusedly.

"I'm leaving!" Alicia went from there; ".want to get some fresh air, because it's so crowded with you!"

Reina silently heard Alicia get angry, then sighed and was curious. "Did I say it wrong? Alicia-san is suddenly angry with me, just like 3 years ago..."

***

Shiki and Yui are walking in the city. From the east, a large arena could be seen from where they were. Yui asked about it and was immediately answered; "It was the Star Arena, where the Star Tournament was held."

"This year the Star Tournament was abolished for a reason that we believe is due to the death of the Blackmore family that was not spread to the public."

"I think you're right, aniki! If it's not canceled, I'll come!" reply Yui spirit.

"If you come along, everyone will be shocked by your ability, Yui." Shiki smiles in praise of her younger sister, who is certainly happy to get compliments from her foster brother.

"Thanks, aniki!"

Then Shiki crossed paths with someone, a red-haired man in knightly elite attire, looking at Shiki; the two then grinned, and Leonard shouted excitedly; "Finally you came again! NIKKI!"

Shiki shouted excitedly as well; "...LEONARD!"

"DOLL?!" Yui was startled, as well as everyone who heard their screams. The two leaped back before both of their weapons were ejected and clashed between two black blades and a red sword above the Capital.

This fierce clash began a flashback, what happened in the Capital, to a "Star Tournament" fighting tournament two years ago between Shiki and Leonard...

💠💠💠

The Star Tournament is a "fight tournament" held every two years in the Capital since 100 years ago. An old tournament for the sake of "entertaining" the people in the Kingdom.

Originally the tournaments that took part were slaves, prisoners and such, they killed each other and died to give pleasure to the royal members and everyone.

But gradually it turned into a fighting tournament where all the strong people in the Asteria Kingdom gathered for a power struggle.

But in the previous 10 tournaments, the Star Knight had always been the winner. With Sir Leonard Redstone winning three consecutive tournaments with his status as the "second seat of the Star Knight" under the "first seat" of Prince William Blackmore.

"It would be boring if Sir Leonard won it again." said the people; "He is strong?"

"We don't need to waste money to watch if in the end the Star Knight again wins...!"

"Even if Prince William goes to the tournament, he will win in the end...!"

Shiki and the others heard the conversation. They headed for the colosseum where normally the Star Tournament was held.

"Well, it's only natural that the Star Knights win again, they are the strongest force in Asteria!" warren walked to the left.

On the far right is Vira. "I have information about the Star Knight. They were a group of powerful knights led by "Prince William Blackmore" in their first seat."

"Sir Rackham is their oldest current member, and occupies the third seat. But the most highlighted is Sir Leonard of course, winner of three consecutive tournaments and will undergo his fourth tournament of the year."

"Sir Leonard...! I will definitely defeat him! You agree, right? Shiki!" Dion was excited about it.

"Of course, but if you lose, I'll beat him." Shiki replied. Dion then argued resentfully for not losing "defeating" Sir Leonard.

***

The sound of fireworks was heard, the sound of crowds heading towards the Star Arena colosseum that had been built from 100 years ago.

64 Participants from across the country, either group or individual representatives. Of the 3 strongest groups, Star Knights sent 5 people, Adventurers Guild sent 4 people and Sanctum only sent 2 people. The rest came from other groups, such as the men of rich merchants, mercenaries or servants of ordinary nobles. Then another strong individual.

"Glovely ladies...! Thank you for coming to the 50th Star Tournament! 64 brave men have come to the Capital to be present fighting to show off their strength!"

"The prize of this tournament is quite interesting...! A silver trophy and a chance to have dinner with me and my daughter...!"

"Oh!!" Everyone was shocked; "That's a lousy gift!"

"Duke Robert Stardust has a son?" asked Warren curiously.

"Yes, if it's not wrong her name is Reina Stardust. But she rarely appeared to the public, different from Princess Alicia Romanova." Vira tell. Shiki heard that, just shut up.

"Really!" Duke Robert Stardust. "The most important thing is his reputation! If you win this tournament, you will be called "strongest in the whole country"...!"

"And of course someone who has won this tournament three times in a row also participated... If you defeat him, you will be called stronger than him...!" Shouted Duke Robert Stardust; "Will Sir Leonard win this tournament again...? Or will a new champion win it? Let's just get started... Star Tournament....!!"

Everyone was shouting in delight, the enthusiasm of the audience and the citizens was still unrivalled.

"Citizen enthusiasm is still good, but less than last year. Maybe after they heard Sir Leonard play in this match..." "Prince" William Blackmore arrived there.

A dashing middle-aged man with a golden armour with a red three-star emblem. Wearing a robe and carrying a large trident on his back.

He was the first-seat Star Knight "at the time", heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Asteria, Prince William Blackmore.

"Oh, Prince! So His Majesty the King did not come?" ask Robert to William.

"He never got out of the castle and handed all the business to me. He's a selfish, lazy king, you agree, right? Duke Robert's..." William sat next to Robert; "While I don't know when I'll wait.I'll be King of Asteria."

Duke Robert was silent and smiled. William is an ambitious type of man, because he is the firstborn.

"But this year's tournament is quite a big prize, in addition to silver trophies and 2 million Rupi cash, we can meet your daughter? I should've come, Duke Robert, you didn't tell me about this..."

Robert could only laugh a little at that. "Haha, it will surprise everyone and make many people hesitate to join the Star Tournament, prince..."

A soldier came up to Prince William Blackmore, whispering something and Duke Robert frowned upon hearing that.

"I thought that was his answer. You seem too naive for this stupid thing." William smiled as he said that, and; "I told you I had other plans... I'm still trying that stupid idea."

...

"GAGH!!" Someone was strangled by Leonard in a room until pushed into a wall.

"I'll be given a mansion, girls and "higher rank"... I already have 5 mansions, girls.I'm not interested, because Hibari is my only love...!" Leonard told the person he was giggling with; "Higher rank...? You mean I want to be given "first chair"...? You idiot...! It doesn't make sense if I lose, but I get the first seat!"

"Pardon me. I'm just being ordered..." The man begged.

"Tell this to the one who commands you, I... Leonard Redstone, I will win this year's Star Tournament and the next 10 years...!" Leonard said; "Nobody can stop me, not even one of the three royal families...!"

Leonard went from there, and Shiki came from another direction. (People with "winner" mentality like him want to be bribed... really naive.) thought Shiki smile.

Leonard looked back in silence with Shiki gone from there.

***

Battle Royale starts with 64 participants. It will be taken to 16 participants only. The Adventurers formed a group of 4 people and Warren was excited; "If we win we will secure 4 people!"

"Let's make it flashy, we need to show Asteria how strong we are... Adventurers Guild!" shiki said excitedly, the three of them understood; "YES!!"

Warren beat one by one the people in front of him. Vira shoots three fireballs and defeats 4 Adventurers. Dion with his lightning spear was most striking and Shiki also attacked many people.

"They are Adventurers Guild. They seem to be trying to show off power" said Walter Kausius, fourth chair.

"I heard in the South Area, there are 4 people called "4 Adventurers Pillars" and it seems they are the four people." said Duma, eleventh chair.

Leonard came forward, and Goorner nanya; "What's up, Leonard? You want to go ahead and beat everyone?"

"No, I'm just curious about the man who seems to have the power of both eyes..." Leonard looks at Shiki; "Who is he?"

...Chapter 4.3 "Star Tournament (early)" - completed...