I Was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but That World Is at Peace

Alice provided a simple explanation, and the game we actually plan to play is on the easier side in terms of controls. I think after a little practice, most people will be able to play.

Of course, playing well is another matter, it will likely be quite difficult. However, I believe most people will be able to reach a level where they can put up a decent fight fairly quickly. That is, for the most part, true for Humans.

For example, the servants at Lilia-san's mansion should be able to pick it up quite easily…… The real problem, however, lies with high-ranking Demons or the Peerage Holders…… I don’t have the kind of heightened abilities that would allow me to perceive delays in reaction times, so I have no idea how much they’ll struggle to adapt.

"Now, regarding the tournament rules: Participation is completely optional, and since we plan to hold multiple rounds, you’re free to observe the first one and then join in from the second round onward. If you do wish to participate…… please touch the magic tool that Makina created over there. Doing so will automatically register you, and once registration closes, tournament brackets will be assigned at random. You’ll then need to move to the monitor where your name is displayed."

"……Hey, can I ask something that I’m pretty sure most of the audience is wondering? Shall-tan, it's nice you're ridiculously close with Earth God-sama…… but when did that happen?"

"Well, we’re old friends. I wouldn't say it's desirable, but we have an inseparab———"

[Best friends!]

"———Errr, well, we've known each oth———-"

[Best friends!!!]

Since I already knew about it, I hadn’t really thought about it before, but from the perspective of Fate-san and the others, it’s only natural that people would find Alice’s close relationship with Makina-san strange.

Makina-san first started coming here in her current form during the Symphonia Kingdom’s Founding Festival…… However, it wasn’t until after the Hydra Kingdom’s Founding Festival that she officially got permission from Shiro-san to stay here. Many people know that Eden-san is Makina-san, thanks to the ship party, but few are aware that Makina-san is Alice’s best friend.

Also, Makina-san is quite particular about the fact that she is Alice’s best friend. Just now, as Alice was about to call their relationship an "undesirable, but inseparable friendship" or merely say they "knew each other", Makina-san interrupted and firmly asserted their friendship.

Alice, looking somewhat annoyed, finally relented and called Makina-san her best friend, to which Makina-san nodded in satisfaction. Well, for most people in the audience, hearing that they were "best friends" probably only made things more confusing….. I have a feeling Alice wanted to gloss over it for that exact reason……

"Ahem, getting back on track, we’ll be running this as a tournament. If you win the tournament, you’ll receive a small commemorative prize. Additionally, you’ll earn the right to challenge our current provisional Champion, Kaito-san!"

[ ! ? ]

Oh no…… is this turning into another situation like the karaoke tournament? Well, I suppose if it’s just an exhibition match against the winner, I could be the one giving the prize and do the match in between. I did want to participate in the gaming tournament after all.

……But I’m really not that strong…… Sure, I have a bit of an experience advantage over first-time players, but the person who wins the whole tournament will probably be not just decent, but really skilled…… Will I even be able to put up a proper fight?

"Is Kai-chan really that strong?"

"No, not really. That’s why Kaito-san’s match will have a special rule, his character will be in a Boss mode with significantly boosted stats. But since the commemorative prize is given out upon winning the tournament, Kaito-san’s match is more of a bonus and won’t affect the outcome in any way. The idea is for everyone, including Kaito-san, to just have fun together."

That’s a bit of a relief. Normally, that game doesn’t allow players to control a Boss-mode character with just inflated stats, but with the people here, making it happen is hardly an issue.

"By the way, I’ll be staying here to do commentary and tease Kaito-san while he’s presenting the prize, but Fate-san, you’re free to participate."

"Arehh? Shall-tan, you’re not joining?"

"If I played, I’d win. Also, I’m the one who made the commemorative prize so……"

Yeah, if Alice were to participate, she’d definitely win. She’s dexterous, knows a lot about games, and from the times I’ve played against her…… I can tell she always holds back just enough to make it a close match. If she went all out, she’d completely dominate.

"Incidentally, the commemorative prize is a Kaito-san Birthday Commemorative Model!"

……Wait, no one told me about that. A Birthday Commemorative Model? I need to know more details about this. Since neither Shiro-san nor Makina-san is reacting strongly, that means they’ve probably already seen it…… or have already received their own pieces in advance to keep them from interfering.

Either way, I need to find out more about this commemorative item……

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [……Hmmm…… Maybe I should prepare a birthday present after all……]