BXBX NOVEL Chapter 123 123 – The Champion
“Olga!!!” Elise ran to her friend.
“The match is over.” The referee signals the bell ringer. “One of the fighter surrenders!!!”
The bell’s sound echoed, followed by an announcement from the host. “The winner is Elise Fairchild!!!”
“Elise! Elise! Elise!!!” The audience cheered the female warrior.
However, Elise didn’t care about all that and kneeled beside the waffle seller.
“Well, I lost.” Still lying down, Olga held her forehead. She looked like she was in pain, but her expression was calm.
“Actually, you can still continue, right?” Elise couldn’t understand why she wanted to sob.
“Maybe, but is it worth it?” Olga shrugged. “The prize for second place is enough to expand my business. I just got carried away when I fought you.”
Elise was about to speak again, but the referee called out and raised her hand.
The crowd was cheering for Elise again, but the female warrior’s attention remained on Olga..
“Come on, Elise.” The waffle seller got up and flashed a smile. “I’m not a fighter anymore, but a food entrepreneur. I’m too tired to use my fighting abilities anymore.”
Elise sighed. The female warrior already thought of Olga as a rival, but it seemed impossible to make her fight seriously again.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Olga stood next to the female warrior. “Congratulations on the win, my friend.”
Elise looked at the dark sword in her hand, then slid it back into the sheath on her back. “But, I beat you not with my own ability.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that you are the champion.”
“Next is the prize-giving ceremony!” The host made another announcement.
Several people carried a portable podium from the gate, followed by the two semifinalists. Yua and Oleg Ivanov. Behind them was Renee running frantically.
“Elise!!!” The blonde-haired woman hugged the female warrior’s body.
“I’m okay…. I’m okay, Renee.” Elise was having a hard time breathing because Renee’s hug was too tight. “No serious injuries.”
Renee let go of her embrace and pressed her palms against the female warrior’s cheeks. With teary eyes, Renee whimpered. “I’m more worried about your mental state…. You were fighting unlike your usual self, Elise. I’m afraid you’ve changed.”
The female warrior wore a faint smile, holding her friend’s hand. “I’m absolutely fine, Renee.”
In fact, Elise didn’t feel that excruciating discomfort anymore.
“Congratulations, Elise.” Raymund joined in to congratulate.
***
It’s been a few minutes, and Elise gaped at the food in front of her. So many kinds of seafood, steaks, sausages, fruits, and cakes are served on a giant table. Everything looks beautiful because it is neatly arranged and emits appetizing aromas.
The mission was over, but Raymund let his servants enjoy the victory.
“How long are you going to watch this food for?” Renee stroked her stomach while puffing her cheeks. “I’m starving.”
Mona barked as if agreeing with Renee.
“Well, just leave her alone.” Lauren smiled at that. “Maybe this is a new experience for her.”
At Elise’s request, Renee’s sorcerer friend was invited to that private banquet. Only Elise got the luxury, but the female warrior didn’t want to do it alone. It actually made her nervous. So, on Yua’s suggestion, she invited those people.
Lauren glanced at Alain, who had the same expression as Elise, but his mouth opened wider.
“Well, it looks like you guys are used to this sort of thing.” Lauren widened her smile.
Raymund could guess why the other three people weren’t too surprised by the extravagant banquet. Renee is the daughter of a rich man. So, she maybe had met foods like that. Yua is a contestant in one of the highest racing series on earth. Perhaps the kunoichi had received a sumptuous banquet when she was a champion or received an award. Meanwhile, as a former assassin, Olga obviously had infiltrated society in the highest class.
“Ah, before that, I want to give you something,” Elise spoke to Olga, sitting beside her.
Renee rolled her eyes while the others smiled. Olga frowned because their smiles seemed unusual. They were clearly hiding something.
“You guys scare me.” The red-haired woman continued to look at those people.
Renee patted the red-haired woman’s shoulder while grinning so wide.
“What the hell happened to you guys!?” Olga is getting more bewildered.
Elise took something from the bag under the chair, then handed it to Olga, which made the others heave a relief.
“Please, don’t open this no matter what. Leave it wrapped up.” Elise spoke in a firm tone.
“Okay.” Olga accepted the square wooden box tied with a pretty white ribbon, then looked at it. Instead of understanding what was going on, she grew even more confused.
“Hello, my name is Raymund.” The box made a sound.
The waffle seller tossed the box, got up from the chair, and held a dinner knife. “What the fuck is this thing!?”
“He is my master and Elise’s,” Yua answered with a smile. “He is Raymund, the god of hope.”
“You prayed before selling your waffles that day, right?” Elise added. “He was the one who sent me to help you.”
Olga’s chin dropped. “You said… God of Hope? Raymund?”
“You’re absolutely right, Olga,” Raymund spoke again.
Olga’s eyes began to well up with tears. And suddenly she fell to the floor.
“Oh, Lord Raymund! It was really you who helped me! I am very grateful to you! When I was desperate, it turned out that you were by my side!”
Elise hastily crouched down near the red-haired woman. “Olga…”
“Please, wake up, Olga. I want to see your face.” Raymund continued.
With Elise’s help, Olga got up with a trembling body. The woman’s face filled with tears.
“If only Olga knew your master’s true nature, Yua,” Renee whispered to the kunoichi. “She must be disgusted when she sees the true form of that communication device.”
Yua chuckled.
Raymund could hear Renee’s words but tried to ignore them. “You have no idea how much influence you have had on my servants. You taught them a valuable lesson, indirectly… Ah, and your waffles are delicious, Olga.”
Olga’s tears flowed harder and harder, making it difficult for her to speak.