The Announcement
At the front, a different figure prepared to speak
a nobleman with pale yellow hair swept across one eye, a white domino mask concealing half his face, and a high-class suit a bizarre red mark slashing across his visible cheek
The noise quieted a bit, and the crowd started to whisper amongst themselves:
"He's not from here? Is he from another kingdom?"
"What's that weird mark on his face? Looks like an 'S' letter."
"I heard he's an important noble from the Northern Kingdom."
One villager took a drink, then spat it out in shock.
"His name is Alfred... Rumors say that man can hear from miles away...
... Watch your mouths Folks"
Another replied "Who's spreading fake rumors now?"
"Nah, guys! I'm totally sure!" The man pointed his bottle at the noble
"And also he's..-"
"What?! H-how did!??.. He was just over there!"
Alfred stood before the villager in an instant. The bottle clattered to the ground.
"Villager, No more words... okay?"
"O...okay, sir..." The villager swallowed.
"Oh my, I got so caught up I wasn't paying attention to my actions, thanks to the crowd's chaos " Alfred sighed.
"Let's return to what's important... It's none of my business, but since it's the King's order..."
"I don't think it's the right thing to do. If it were in my hands, I'd invest more in that forbidden power."
What a waste...
Another sigh escaped him as he walked to the front to begin his speech.
_"Alright... here we go."
The domino mask caught the sun as he tilted his head. A small breeze rustled his long hair.
He returned to his composed expression.
"Ladies and gentlemen, sorry for the sudden interruption."
He held up a paper and began reading:
"A tournament will commence among the villagers at the Colosseum in Central Square."_
"What???"_ a villager blurted.
"How? and Why??" another almost cried.
Murmurs swelled as doubt and confusion spread through the crowd.
"Silence."
Alfred's command cut through the noise, quiet yet absolute.
"I would appreciate quiet, please."
The crowd stilled, though whispers still coiled between them like snakes
"Look, Leo!!! we made it! Just in time!" Alice's fists shot into the air.
"Y...yes... but for what exactly?" Leo leaned over, hands on knees, panting.
"I don't know, but it seems like some kind of festival!!"
"The tournament will commence in ten days. Prepare yourselves."
"Who wrote this...?" Alfred scanned the parchment, his expression twisting with confusion and disappointment.
"The first round will be a last-man-standing bout, followed by versus matches"
"No killing each other."
"No killing...?"
"That's it?"
The crowd's murmurs surged back to life.
"Silence!"
Alfred's gaze swept the square, hesitant yet sharp.
"The winner will be granted one wish as their prize."