After introducing both teams, Dr. Dig spoke again:
"Before this, I asked the contestants here, and not a single one was willing to face the Mechanical Squad. Only the 'Black and White Fiends' accepted the challenge.
"'Cold Young Azure Dragon' even boldly declared, 'Whatever,' while Little White Streak in the Waves volunteered as well, eager to see just what the Mechanical Squad was capable of!"
At that moment, the two teams faced off inside the iron cage on the platform.
On one side stood the Black and White Fiends, their presence overwhelming, as though they already stood at the summit. Whoever came before these two was merely a nobody, unworthy of notice.
On the other stood bodies forged from steel, tempered over and over. Even before thousands of troops, they would remain fearless, their metallic clanging ringing out, their presence no less imposing.
Though the battle had yet to begin, the clash of their presence alone felt like a thicket of blades scraping painfully across faces. The smell of gunpowder spread, setting the entire venue alight.
Before the match even started, the spectators below were already discussing it. Their heated, clamorous chatter made it feel like falling into a swarm of flies.
Stelle and March 7th could not help joining in.
No one knew who had started the discussion. All they heard was a man shouting from the crowd:
"'Cold Young Azure Dragon' and 'Little White Streak in the Waves' are definitely winning this match!"
A woman immediately retorted, "What makes you say they'll win? The Mechanical Squad will beat them so badly they won't be able to open their mouths!"
Then another woman chimed in, "'Cold Young Azure Dragon' has won every match. His strength is unmatched. Who else could win?"
But as soon as she finished, a middle-aged