The next day.
The Hanging Lantern Vines above Dick City were still lit.
It was early morning, and a thin layer of mist hovered over the stone-paved roads throughout the districts.
Soft yellow light filtered through the mist, casting a hazy glow.
On the streets, pedestrians passed by, stirring the hazy mist into ripples.
At this moment, two hours remained before the Coliseum Competition finals began.
Even so, quite a few people were already heading toward the coliseum along the main street.
After all, it was a massive arena capable of accommodating more than a hundred thousand spectators.
Going early would save them from having to queue to get inside.
That was what they were thinking.
Luo moved through the crowd, glancing sidelong at the pedestrians hurrying past him.
Bepo carried Oni-Kishin as he walked alongside Luo.
In the previous match, Beli had defeated Bepo—and it had been a crushing defeat.
The cruel reality had left him dejected even now.
Because of that, he only wanted to leave this place of sorrow as soon as possible.
And today, his captain was finally going to make a move against the Aha Kingdom's national treasure.
As long as they could successfully obtain a large amount of Hanging Lantern Vine roots, they could leave Leviathan Island today.
Leave this place of sorrow!!!
Bepo shouted inwardly.
"Captain, when are we going to steal... ahem, take the Hanging Lantern Vine roots?"
"Heh..."
Luo tugged at the corner of his mouth, raised his head to look at the Hanging Lantern Vines, and said calmly, "When the cheers in the coliseum are at their loudest..."
"Oh."
Bepo nodded.
"Um... should we say goodbye to Brother Maud before we leave?"
"Brother Maud???"
Luo turned his head and stared at Bepo with an incredulous look.
"Can't I call him