Even the contestants from Raysonia and Keerea tried hard to stifle their laughter at the risk of poor sportsmanship.
Erudia really does not have any worthy candidates.
Though their plan had been accomplished, Raysonia was still concerned that the tables might be turned at the very last minute.
One of the possibilities that they dreaded was the sudden emergence of a large group of accomplished Erudian martial artists.
If that were the case, all of their careful scheming and preparation would have been for naught.
Though the chances of that happening was close to zero, it was still a possibility to be wary of.
Another possibility was that the Cardinal Hall and the Eragon would send their own fighters to compete.
Raysonia had foreseen that the Cardinal Hall and the Eragon might declare that those fighters no longer belonged to the Cardinal Hall or any martial arts organization and as a result were free to participate in the Elites Conference.
Though this act of theirs would be dishonorable, to say the least, that possibility did exist.
Of course, honorable Erudia would rather lose than pull such a despicable act.
At the sight of the participants of Erudia, the foreigners heaved a sigh of relief at the elimination of the possibility that they feared.
No, we are overthinking.
“What is this? Do you not respect your competitors?”
“Should they not have sent their strongest candidates? Look at this bunch, they couldn’t even stand straight!”
“That’s right. What the hell is Erudia thinking?”
A ripple of jeering laughter sounded.
Though they knew exactly what was going on, the foreigners posited the questions out loud to humiliate the Erudians even further.
“If Erudia does not take the competition seriously, I’m afraid they are going to end up last this year.”
“These pathetic candidates of theirs are not even worthy of being our opponents!”
“Erudia seems eager to take on the reputation of being the weakest nation in Bayview.”
The foreign competitors did not attempt to conceal their disdainful expressions when they looked at the Erudians, who despite being furious could not voice it out.
Nothing could be done as the foreigners ridiculed them to no end.
It is our own fault for not even having a single capable fighter. We just have to bear the consequences of being left behind.
As the host of the Elites Conference, the Cardinal Hall was greatly embarrassed at that moment.
Oh, please let the Elites Conference come to an end. It is torturous just being here for another second.
After today, the martial arts scene within Erudia would be bleak with no prospect of exciting new talent.
“Every country has selected a hundred of their best fighters to participate in this year’s Elites Conference!”
“Eh? There are only sixty-seven competitors from Erudia!”
The crowd exclaimed in mock surprise at the news.
The representatives of the Cardinal Hall and the Erudians in the crowd felt so embarrassed that they did not know where to look.
How shameful!
After months of recruitment, sixty-seven fighters were all they had to show for it.
Even average fighters who were capable of competing were nowhere to be found.
It was greatly embarrassing for the Erudians.
At that, the laughter sounded again. “Hah! Erudia is being merciful on us this year!”
“That’s right! Erudia has so many talented fighters to the point that they feel that it would be unfair to us. Even this bunch that they had so carelessly put together would crush us.”
“Erudia, we beg you not to go easy on us! Let us have a fair fight!”
The jeering laughter sounded again, this time even louder than before. The entire world was delighted to celebrate Erudia’s downfall.
The Erudians were thoroughly demoralized before the Elites Conference had even begun. They were going to endure even more humiliation than that when their mediocre fighters were thrashed.
All of Erudia clenched their fists in anger as the slight was too much for them to bear silently.
“If there are no objections, the Elites Conference will begin!”
“We have no objections!”
“Neither do we!”
“Does Erudia have any objections?”
The spear was pointed at the side of the Erudian competitors and everybody in the crowd peered over.
“We do not,” muttered the one leading the Erudian competitors reluctantly.
“If there are no objections,” the host declared, “then let the games begin!”
Suddenly, a different voice rang out.
“I object!”
A member of the Raysonia party stood up. He was Nortrom Silencus, one of the top three fighters of Raysonia.
“I feel that these Erudians are too weak. Don’t they have any other candidates other than this pathetic bunch? How about we eliminate them from the Elites Conference completely?”
