At Earta Square, Arthur spotted Byrne from the Jorjok Swordsmanship Club and a somewhat unfamiliar face in the quarterfinalists' draw area.
Arthur was not at all surprised to see Byrne there.
He had originally been in the same bracket as Young Lissop.
After Young Lissop had stepped forward yesterday to pledge his "allegiance" to Arthur, advancing from that bracket had hardly been difficult for someone of Byrne's strength.
It was the other contestant who surprised Arthur.
He was standing in Zone E.
Clearly, the fighting between Lord Byrne's three sons had allowed this contestant, also from the Jorjok Swordsmanship Club, to slip through!
How could Arthur be certain he belonged to the Jorjok Swordsmanship Club?
Because he was wearing clothes bearing the Jorjok Swordsmanship Club's name and emblem!
After confirming that he was now the Jorjok Swordsmanship Club's new owner, Arthur had introduced that requirement-no one understood the importance of advertising better than he did.
And how could one "quarterfinalist" advertisement possibly compare with two?
Likewise, how could two "quarterfinalist" advertisements compare with one "semifinalist" advertisement?
Of course, most importantly, the champion would also be the Swordsmanship Club's owner.
With those thoughts in mind, Arthur looked toward the Countess's female Chief Swordsman.
No words needed to be exchanged.
With a single glance, the Countess's female Chief Swordsman understood what Arthur meant.
Cheating?
How could that possibly be cheating!
This was merely a sensible arrangement of the match order.
After all, the champion had already been "decided"!
Before the draw began, Byrne brought the apprentice, who was young enough to look almost like a child, over to Arthur-
"Master, this is our club's new apprentice, Bedivere.
He's a very talented apprentice, quick and nimble."
Byrne introduced the slender young man beside him, who wore a shy smile and looked ill at