A Hero’s victory

“...in conclusion, allow me to reassure the citizens of Rasheul and more importantly our shareholders once more that these ludicrous allegations uttered by former champion Minerva are nothing more then the delusional ramblings of a madwoman! Nevertheless, the **** Tournament Association Rasheul is deeply committed to it’s core values of fair and square matches and as such will formally launch an internal investigative inquiry that will prove that today’s finals were indeed completely bereft of any foul play. Furthermore, I find it most imperative to emphasize that our current fluctuating stock price...”

With the sun having set, the entire arena was drenched in twilight. This however did nothing to dampen the spirits of the spectators who cheered loudly as I once more was teleported in the arena for what would truly be the final time.

The old man finally stopped his ramblings and was replaced by a much more energetic Ben.

“Ladiiiiiiiiies and Gentlemeeeeeeeeen! The 129th Rasheul Great **** Tournament has at long last concluded! One combatant has dominated over all and achieved the unachievable: The sublime **** slam! It is with great honor that I am humbly allowed to give you the one and only, the myth, the man, the legend, THE DARK DOMINATOR: MARIIIIIIIII BEEEEEEEEEETAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The crowd was going absurdly wild as four girls in Kyan-Kyan suits handed me a gigantic, golden trophy. It was filled to the brim with gold coins and thus rather heavy. Giving the size of that thing it might actually hold the entire cash price of fifty thousand gold coins in them. There also a piece of paper rather prominently positioned at the top of it. That was the deed to the mansion I now own.

“I don’t use these words lightly! But you, Mari Beta are without a doubt the greatest, legendary, epic Hero the continent has ever seen! We mortals are basking in the presence of a walking GOD! No! A SUPER GOD! Genuflect! Genuflect and submit to THE DARK DOMINATOR!”

“DARK DOMINATOR!”

“DARK DOMINATOR!”

“DARK DOMINATOOOOOR!”

...

“Mister Dominator! Sir! Please! You just singlehandedly saved the continent from the heinous machinations of the vile and evil Dark Champion! Now that humanity has once more proven the justice of their culture would you please share a few words to your monumental, nay historical, achievement!”

I coughed once. Now he even wants me to give a speech?

…

Fine

I faced the cheering crowd. They were starting to chant my name now.

It made me angry.

Didn’t these guys just hours ago curse my name? And cheered Minerva for murdering Femto? Weren’t they ready to kill me and all my girls?

And now they treat me as some great hero?

“What I did today, it really wasn’t anything that’s worth cheering for.”

But that only got them cheering louder.

“Someone died today, you know.”

More cheering.

“For real, I mean.”

It was impossible to get through to them.

I wanted to tell them to fuck off. To curse them out. Tell them how much I despise them. How much I despise this city and this entire fucking tournament.

But I couldn’t.

Because Asmodeus politely but firmly informed me that my compliance will be required in order for Ojou-sama to hold up her end of the bargain. That meant I had to play the role of the proud champion.

As such, I swallowed my disgust.

“Well! Nobody said a Champion needs to be a good speaker! Actions speak louder then words after all and I for one love the silent, stoic type!”, Ben tried to smooth over the awkwardness. “Give it up again for our Champion!”

Massive, dazzling fireworks started to go off in the fading light as the entire crowd once again applauded. Meanwhile down in the arena many people, dressed in identical suits congratulated me in person and called me a Hero for what I did.

One particular Lady stood out from the rather bland gaggle of corporate suits.

“Mr. Beta”, Ojou-sama spoke, as she regarded me with a cool smile. For once she was not smoking a cigar. “My congratulations for a match well fought. You have my thanks. Rest assured that we we will hold up our end of the bargain.”

I got the gist about their relationship with Minerva from Cassandra. From what I could tell, she actually was genuine here. At the very least she has no benefit from screwing me over. That said, I am amazed Ojou-sama actually had the guts to show her face here. Regardless of what you think about Minerva, her accusations weren’t wrong.

But taking a look at the ecstatic audience, it seems nobody cared anymore.

“Guess things worked out pretty well for you, huh?”, I spat towards Ojou-sama.

Her smile never wavered but she leaned forward just a bit “Do not falter on the finish line now, Mr. Beta.”

...

“Please take care of Cass for me. She can be quite a handful but I do wish for her to have a happy life. Make sure to punish her thoroughly.”

“Yeah…” Quite frankly I was too tired, too done with all this, to really care anymore. So I just nodded along.

This farce got on for an eternity. In fact it was dark properly before finally, all congratulations and celebrations were over and done with and I was allowed to at last retire to my tower. The only one from the eight who still remained standing.

…

..

.

“Welcome back, Master Beta.” My maid, as always, bowed her head and smiled politely. “I prepared your dinner.”

“Are you still working for me?” From my impression these so called Tournament success agents are very eager to vanish the moment a combatant was done fighting.

“Indeed, Master Beta. I will remain in your service until your stay in this tower is concluded.”

I smiled wearily and looked at my girls. They looked just as exhausted. It wasn’t just the mental fatigue. Most of them didn’t sleep a wink since at least yesterday.

“I…”

“It’s ok, Handsome, you don’t have to say anything”, Sylphid cut in. You would think she had it the worst what with all that running around at 1% of her strength. But no, the martial artist looked as fresh and chipper as ever.

“Hmpf...your speeches are as atrocious as they are tedious.” Hebi-san sniffed. “If we knew it was this horrendous we would have hypnotized you beforehand.”

“I doubt that would have changed anything. Honestly.” Beatrice demonstratively sighed loudly. She tried to put on a brave facade but I could sense just how badly Femto’s **** is affecting her.

“Can’t really blame him”, Fisti nodded. “These fancy shindings aren’t to me taste either. Ya did pretty well.”

Aiju meanwhile only yawned. “Mari won, time for mating now.”

I smiled and petted the catgirls head. “Not today, Aiju I’m afraid. For now, all I want to do is...sleep.”

And just like on command, I started wobbling.

“My Lord!”, Sanakia gasped.

Valkyrie caught me before I could fall over and had no qualms in swooping me up and carry my bridal style.

“H-Hey…”, I protested weakly.

“Aww, so cute!”, commented Lucky.

“Woah, so lucky”, fawned Sylphid.

“Valkyrie… you don’t…” No matter how exhausted I was, this was way too embarrassing!

“It appears you are in need of rest.”, Valkyrie surmised. “You have certainly earned it. Have no fear, I will be on guard duty.”

“A-and I too!”, Sanakia assured me. “No worries, my Lord! You may sleep soundly like a baby!”

“I’m not…” But I didn’t even have the strength to protest anymore.

“Don’t worry, Daddy”, Cassandra mocked. “I’m sure we find a diaper your size.”

Ugh! You’re the one with the diaper fetish! That’s it! I can’t let myself be treated like an infant! I struggled to get out.

“Hmpf, how pathetic!” But then Hebi-san’s gazed in my eyes and my will to resist immediately faded away. I...really need to put a stop...to her...hypnosis.

Sylphid then, with a very smug smile on her face whispered something in Valkyrie’s ear.

Then the Galmon started to rock me back and forth.

“Ah…”

Any last resistance I had flew out of the window with this motion. I just felt so...so...tired.

“You did well. Rest now.”