The entire Duel City—its people, city, and culture—had been tightly bound together by the tournament, thoroughly fused into a single whole.
By seven in the evening, the sky was completely dark, with a bright moon and sparse stars. Having eaten and drunk their fill, the spectators all returned to their respective viewing spots.
The final thirty-two contestants also returned to the contestants' lounge.
At the center of the Alliance Duel Hall, highlights from the thirty-two contestants' matches were still playing.
The specially selected clips were extraordinarily thrilling and grand. They even gave people the sense that they had returned to the age of myth, when humanity possessed the power to shake heaven and earth.
This continued until the host, Ms. Marilyn, stepped onto the stage.
Only then did things change.
There was no need to say more. The audience already knew that the crucial third round of tonight's competition was about to begin!
"First, let's take a look at the contestants who have made it into the third round." Ms. Marilyn smiled slightly and turned toward the sky screen. The projected display immediately showed the list of all thirty-two contestants.
Then, with another clap of her hands, the list shifted into a popularity ranking for the thirty-two contestants.
As a professional host, Marilyn naturally knew all about "looking good."
She was reminding the audience that it was time to boost the rankings!
The effect was quite good.
The popularity scores on the ranking began changing rapidly. Lily Laplace's name remained firmly in first place, but Eldest Princess Eliza, ranked second, was not far behind. The gap between the two was rapidly closing.
Further down, contestants such as the Son of the Valkyrie, Princess Umbreon, the Archbishop of the Holy Church, the Bloody Saintess, and the Eldest Prince were all seeing