Hakuya Kwonmin's P.O.V.
'Another day at the capital... it sure is full of energy.'
Sitting inside a cafeteria, I couldn't help but admire the liveliness of its people. Enjoying my tea while overlooking the city, my thoughts wandered again to the man who had made all this possible.
"King Souma…"
A faint smile tugged at my lips as I recalled the plain appearance of the man who had stood before the Jewel Broadcast.
Tired, plain… looking at that man, no one could have guessed that a king—a royal—could wear such simple clothes while addressing the nation during such a grand event.
"To use that artefact in such a way… he sure has incredible foresight."
The Jewel Broadcast, which had only been used once or twice a decade for major announcements like declarations of war, was now being used for mass recruitment. To the people, it was genuine creativity.
He looked ordinary. I had heard he'd been summoned as a hero, but he looked exactly like any common townsman. He didn't wear a crown, carried no scepter, wore no cape, and though his clothes were unusual in design, when he stood there before the throne, he didn't look like a king at all.
When the hero was summoned and the king abdicated the throne, I wondered if it was an usurpation like so many others. But it would be foolish to assume that.
The royal guards, the forbidden army, and figures with decades of experience—could one man usurp all that by himself? Even as a hero, I doubt it's possible.
Maybe it was genuine abdication, or perhaps the use of some crafty means to sway the king… no one knows.
'Without seeing him, I can't be sure either.'
Whatever it was, the new king certainly piqued my interest.
His recruitment of talent, the speech he gave… it made me wonder:
'Is he a ruler worthy of service?'
"Hello… can we sit here?"
***
"Hello… can we sit here?"
As Hakuya pondered what kind of person the king might be, Damon and Poncho approached his table, politely asking for a seat.
"Hm… ah, yes, you may."
Snapping out of his thoughts, Hakuya looked up at the two with his usual lazy eyes, mentally assessing them.
Damon's towering, muscular frame and Poncho's rounded, contrasting build caught his interest. What could this duo want from him?
'Red eyes, giant frame, carrying an axe? Is he the red-eyed giant people were talking about?'
Though not directly interested in the Tournament of Fists, Hakuya had picked up a few names praised by the public while participating in the Tournament of Wisdom.
The Tournament of Wisdom involved multiple rounds. The first was an interview for eligibility, where participants needed to prove literacy. The second round was a written exam said to be designed by the Prime Minister himself. The third and final round, scheduled for tomorrow, was an interview for the top ten candidates, where they would be thoroughly evaluated.
Acing the exam had been easy for Hakuya, and he was confident about placing at the top in tomorrow's interview as well.
"Are you the red-eyed giant? Oh, my apologies for not recognizing a celebrity," Hakuya said lazily. Damon laughed and introduced himself and Poncho properly.
"And you are Hakuya Kwonmin, right? I've heard of you too. You took the top spot in the exam, they say," Damon replied with a grin as he began to eat.
"Man, the capital sure is a nice place… even in Rendalia, finding a proper place to dine was almost impossible," Damon muttered. "Here in the capital, there are so many stalls and restaurants. Not to mention the Big Eater Tournament."
"Hm-hm," Poncho nodded vigorously while stuffing his face. "T-the food crisis here is really severe. If not for the overpriced meals, my wallet could've lasted another month."
Hakuya chuckled as he listened to their exchange, but his curiosity was piqued when he heard Damon's next words.
"…The food sure is pricey, but really, you have to admit—the king is a genius for holding that Big Eater Contest during these times," Damon said mid-bite, more focused on his meal than the conversation.
"Oh, is that so?" Hakuya's tone sharpened slightly, interest gleaming in his eyes. "And why do you think it's a genius move?"
"…Genius move?" Poncho tilted his head in confusion, while Hakuya continued, "In this severe food crisis, instead of preserving or distributing food, the king announces a contest of eating—with no entry fees? From any angle, it looks like a loss, doesn't it?"
"Loss, you say?" Damon shook his head. "I don't think so."
"Have you heard of the new reforms? The king made the farmers increase the cultivation of food crops and reduced land for cash crops like cotton," Damon explained as he set his spoon down, his tone growing serious as he met Hakuya's gaze.
"The overproduction of cash crops while neglecting food crops led to the current food shortage. But with these agricultural reforms, I think within six months the crisis will be solved, and stability will return."
A faint smile crept across Hakuya's lips. The laziness in his eyes faded as he now looked at Damon in a new light.
"But the question isn't about the food crisis—it's about the Big Eater Tournament."
"Hm-hm… this is all connected to the food crisis. See, the reforms will help in the long term, but that's months away."
"How would people survive until then? The food shortage is already severe."
"So, for an immediate solution, this competition is essential—to find someone knowledgeable about food, not just conventional dishes but alternative edibles that aren't widely known. If people learn more about what's safe and edible, they could survive using overlooked resources."
"But to find someone with that vast knowledge of food, what better way than such a contest?" Damon concluded, closing his eyes and nodding to himself.
"Incredible…" Poncho muttered, looking at Damon with starry eyes. He understood the value of the tournament now, though he failed to see what it meant for him personally.
'Oh, Poncho… even after hearing all that, you still don't realize your own value?' Damon thought, shaking his head before turning back to Hakuya, who was now staring at him with an intense, burning gaze.
"O-or it might just be a coincidence," Damon said awkwardly under Hakuya's piercing eyes, raising both hands. "Like those rumors of the king being lecherous—it might not mean anything, haha."
"It may all just be for fun. Who knows what a king really thinks?" Damon chuckled awkwardly, and soon, the trio eased back into light-hearted conversation.