The Foot Jelly Showdown: Grandpas and Grannies Clash Over the Winner
“Then, with the Emperor’s opening declaration, the preliminaries of the Foot Jelly Championship begin!”
The announcer’s cry rang out across the vast palace training grounds, and Emperor Carchion rose slowly from his throne. He leaned into the magic amplifier, his voice booming with unexpected passion.
“Knights of the Empire! And warriors of the East! On the tips of your blades rests not only the glory of our two nations… no, the soft, pillowy paw pads of the Divine Beasts! Claim them! Only the victor shall have the right to touch that sacred foot jelly!!!”
“Waaaaah—!!”
A roar that shook the heavens erupted. The crowd went wild.
[Event: Foot Jelly Championship Preliminaries – Emperor’s Opening Speech Complete]
That was the Emperor’s speech? The nation was in total chaos.
I sighed and pressed my face into the cushion.
“Begin!”
The referee’s signal sounded, and the preliminaries kicked off.
Since it was only for fun, the rules were simple.
Only wooden swords or spears. Light leather armor. To knock an opponent unconscious or pin them down three times wins. No aura. Pure sword and grappling arts only.
But the moment the fight started, my eyes nearly popped out of my head.
Thud! Crack! Splatter!
“Aaaaaah!! My paw pads… those are mine!!”
“Get out of the way! This is for the honor of my family!”
The friendly tournament had turned into a bloodbath in seconds. Wooden swords clashed with sickening cracks. Fists flew straight for vital points with zero mercy.
This wasn’t just a fight. It was a war. Minus the aura, of course.
Kyaow.
I’d never seen anything like it even if I marched across the entire country.
I snorted and watched, utterly disgusted.
At first I was actually enjoying it. I’d never seen people really go at each other like this. It felt like being the Emperor of Rome all over again. I even cheered them on in my head, pretending to root for the fighters.
But as the matches dragged on, my spine started to chill. The shouted lines were so ridiculous they hurt my ears.
“The White Tiger Lord’s paw… whoever touches that sacred foot jelly is me!!”
“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m the one who’s gonna touch that holy foot! I’m gonna press my face right into that pink paw pad!!”
“I’ll put my tail in my mouth and suck it clean! Everyone else is dead!”
In the middle of flying blood, every single fighter screamed the most unhinged, perverted lines. Losers collapsed and wailed on the ground. Winners grinned like maniacs and bragged about what they’d do with the foot jelly.
Kyaow…
The nation was truly going to hell.
I set down the dried meat I’d been chewing with gusto.
These lunatics.
Warriors? They were just perverts in fancy uniforms.
They were willing to risk their lives for a single paw pad? And the one who wanted to put his tail in his mouth— who was that exactly?
I felt real fear for the first time. Their madness was terrifying.
Kyaow…
Grandpa, I just want to go home. Let’s trade the prize for something else.
“Heh heh, Blanc? You seem excited too. The knights’ spirit is truly magnificent. The Empire’s future is bright. Everyone loves you so much.”
Kyaow?
That sounded like Grandpa was being serious.
I looked up at him with wet eyes, but he just chuckled softly.
I curled up smaller, desperately praying that Haetae or my butler would win. At least they were normal… The world really had no decent humans left.
Time passed. The preliminaries ended and the main bracket began.
Finally, it was here.
“Next match! Her Highness, Imperial Princess Kylian de Rose of the Empire versus Heukmu, the Guard Captain of the Eastern Empire!”
The arena buzzed with excitement.
This was the biggest match of the entire tournament. Imperial Princess vs. Eastern powerhouse.
The friendly rules were completely forgotten. This was about honor, not just touching foot jelly.
Empress Kylian vs. the Eastern warrior. Brothers nations, yet the talk in every tavern and poetry book for years had been which side truly had stronger martial prowess.
Without conflict there was never a chance to test it, and strength could change overnight.
But right now, at least two of the strongest fighters in the two nations were about to settle it.
The crowd roared, chanting their names.
They stepped into the center of the arena.
Heukmu was a giant bear-like man, easily three times the size of anyone else, swinging a massive wooden greatsword.
Kylian, on the other hand, was sleek in light leather armor, her long silver hair tied back.
“I’ve heard many stories about Her Highness the Princess. They say you’re about to reach the realm of Sword Saint…”
Heukmu’s deep voice filled the arena as he gazed at Kylian with respect.
“A woman with such martial might commands my respect… but this match will not be generous. The Divine Beast’s foot jelly will be mine.”
His eyes burned with absolute confidence. There was no thought of losing.
Kylian just gave him a light smile, lightly gripping her sword and pointing it.
“I feel the same. Thinking someone else will touch our Blanc’s foot jelly? I can’t stand it. So I’ll make sure to stop you first.”
She shot a loving glare at me, then looked back at Heukmu.
“If you win, you’ll get to touch him. Just one duel. Sword to sword.”
“Heh… what a spirited lady.”
“Besides, if I lose, the Empire’s pride suffers. I won’t allow that.”
Pride faintly shone in her crimson eyes.
“Hahaha! Good. Let us fight without regret.”
Heukmu adjusted his stance, the fire in his eyes matching hers.
“Begin!”
The referee’s signal fell.
“Hah!”
Heukmu struck first.
Despite his size, he moved with absurd speed, kicking off the ground and swinging his massive sword in a wide arc aimed straight for Kylian’s head.
His sword sliced through the air like an unstoppable blade.
Kyaow!
Butler! Dodge! That’ll kill you! Who’ll feed me if you’re gone…?!
But Kylian didn’t move.
She raised her sword in place and blocked.
Kwoong!
A sound like a cannon firing exploded across the arena.
Kylian tilted her sword slightly, sliding Heukmu’s blade aside with effortless ease.
……!
Heukmu’s eyes widened in shock. His full-power strike had been blocked like it was nothing.
His sword slid away, and Kylian dove straight into his chest in a single fluid motion.
Her sword whipped around in a blur and sliced straight down at his neck.
Crack!
“Gah—!”
She’d perfectly struck the gap between his thick muscles. Heukmu dropped to one knee, gasping, and collapsed forward.
Ker-thud.
The entire arena fell into heavy silence.
Everyone was too stunned to speak.
The Empire’s princess had defeated the Eastern Empire’s greatest warrior with one perfect move.
“Winner! Kylian de Rose!”
“Waaaaah—!”
Kylian celebrated with a triumphant grin, walking over to the fallen Heukmu.
“That was excellent. You really are strong. I might have lost if it were me from before.”
“Hahaha… humility is unnecessary. This was a complete defeat.”
Heukmu rose, bowed his head in respect, and stepped aside.
Blanc’s mother watched the scene through his eyes. She trembled with rage.
[Black Dragon Woman’s Rage – Foot Jelly Possession Attempt]
How dare those disgusting humans… dare to hold a contest over my child?!
The towering White Tiger mother’s blue eyes blazed as she bared her fangs.
Humans? They’re just lowly creatures, yet they dare covet my son’s foot jelly?! I’m going to kill every last one of them and that blue mutt!!
Black frost spread from her paw, and the ice beneath her turned black and cracked.
Father! We must descend at once and tear them apart! They dare wager my son’s foot jelly as a prize?!
She rose, ready to manifest and turn the entire arena into a river of blood, but Grandpa White Tiger quickly stepped in front of her.
Calm yourself. Calm down.
Father! Are you siding with these humans?! Haven’t you seen their eyes? They want to eat our Blanc alive!
This is… an excess of affection. There is no intent to harm Blanc.
Grandpa wiped the sweat from his daughter’s brow and tried to soothe her.
He wasn’t happy with the situation either, but he couldn’t let his grandson’s chosen humans die.
Look at Blanc. Doesn’t that scared expression suit him? Even the greatest White Tiger must learn fear. This is all part of the experience and the lesson.
It’s cute, but… ugh! I hate that white-haired woman laughing the most!
Listen to me. If you leave now, you’ll leave a huge scar on Blanc’s heart. Then you won’t be able to come back later.
Only after Grandpa’s gentle persuasion did she sit back down, forcing her rage to cool.
She still glared daggers at Kylian.