The odds for Knight competitions were not decided by someone's whim. They were calculated using rigorous mathematical models, gathering and analyzing spectators' betting data, independent of anyone's will.
It was all for making money.
Bookmakers did not lose money on betting pools. Sometimes they simply earned too little to cover other expenses, which was when losses appeared.
Such a situation was rarer than once in a millennium.
For example, there had been no need to open betting for Hoshino's first match. In the second, Hoshino's odds had been as high as 1:5, but after it ended, her odds had abruptly dropped to 1:2.2.
Just as W had said, she ended every battle like lightning, displaying an utterly unreasonable level of strength.
She was practically spawn-camping and crushing people.
The third battle followed the same pattern. It came to an abrupt end amid cheers and falling flowers, without any dramatic reversal. Hoshino was already getting used to this pace of competition. What deserved her attention was not the matches themselves, but certain patterns in her opponents' behavior.
When they held the advantage, these capitalists behaved like perfect gentlemen. But when their interests were threatened, they donned the bloodstained clothes cast off by the feudal age and solved problems through cruel but effective means.
It was truly interesting.
"The odds dropped again. I've already made enough money, but it still feels like a shame."
"Not bad."
Before Hoshino could reach out, W voluntarily lowered her head. Hoshino rubbed her twin horns, circling from their bases to their tips and back again for two whole minutes. Their coordination was practically perfect.
She seemed to have gotten used to it.
Maria accompanied her to the bar again. Hoshino drank lemonade, yet felt none of the exhilaration of victory.
Until it was time to head