>>6285188“Regardless of your nation of origin, I sincerely hope that you will face the trials ahead of you with all your might. Otherwise, you may find yourself losing more than just the hand of the Princess.”
“Pardon me, good sir.” One of the Fodlan contenders pipes up. You recognize him as the purple knight who’d taken issue with you back at the Embassy, Homer. “Your words just now…I cannot help but pick up on a certain insinuation. Are these trials to the death?”
“Of course.” Reza says casually. “Why wouldn’t they be?”
The estate breaks out into frenzied chatter. Unlike them, you could hardly consider yourself surprised. Everything about your experience in this land has hinted at the possibility of death. You’d been prepared for this, and it appears you had a leg up in that regard over most of your rivals.
“I should clarify a bit.” Reza says. “These badges that you all wear. They are for more than just denoting who you are. Consider them a second life. Throughout the course of these trials, you will find yourself in conflict with your fellow contenders. Should the situation call for it, you may kill your opponent and fear no repercussions. However, if the idea does not sit well with you, you may simply remove the badge from your opponent's chest. These badges are no mundane objects. They are imbued with magic. Removing the badge of an opponent will eliminate them from contention, teleporting them back here to this estate. Take great care not just to guard your own life, but your badge as well.”
Shit, that was news. You stare down at your own “59” badge. It would suck to have someone remove this thing right under your nose. You’d have to take great care to ensure no one touched it.
“Now then, if we are all present and account-”
Reza is interrupted by the sudden opening of the doors. A man of Fodlan origin stands at the entrance, breathing heavily. His long black hair was matted with sweat, and he was red-faced and exhausted.
“Sorry I’m late!” The man bellows. “I just arrived a few moments ago! I’m here to compete! Name’s Butch!”
His badge was emblazoned with the number 60.
“An even number.” Reza muses. “How fortuitous. Come, join us, Butch. You are just in time for the explanation of our first round.”
The man walks over in a huff to join the crowd, all eyes centered on the latecomer. Who the hell was this guy supposed to be? Unlike many of the others, he did not seem to have an ounce of nobility to him. His armor was covered in mud and dirt, and his sword was not sheathed, but rather hung on a ring that was attached to his belt. And yet, as he moves closer, you get a good look at his weapon, and the hairs on your arm stand. It was no ordinary sword. That was unmistakably a Heroes Relic. You catch the look of Leonora and Arios, who come to the same conclusion, both staring at the man dumbstruck. Who was he? And what was the deal with that unfamiliar Relic?
