It was a heartwarming ending for such an intense battle.
Every one of them went home satisfied.
As for Lainie and Fredius, both of them got special recognition.
Fredius received the Creative Composer Award, a special award to recognize his original piece.
Lainie on the other hand received the Masterful Leadership award for showing an exceptional ability to unite her members who were from different parts of the world.
Both awards were awarded by the Maestro, Gustav himself!
"Congratulations, everyone! You did well, you are going home as victors too!" Eli raised her glass and proposed a toast for everyone.
After the finals, she arranged for a simple victory banquet at one of the villas owned by the Farauld Family.
She thought that whether it was a win or a loss for Lainie's orchestra, they deserve to be given such a treatment. Thank heavens, fortunately, they became successful.
In addition, they have once again secured the spot for the grand winner of the Tournament, finishing with a hundred points more than the Vanderfords, with the Green Wave Continent coming on third.
This was because, Farauld Magic Institute was also able to clinch the victory for the other categories, especially in economics.
The delegates from the Farauld Institute basically dominated the Academic division, eliminating all of the others. In the end, the final battle looked like a midterm exam for them because all the finalists came from the same school!
As for the research branch, their competition remained quiet, the announcement was made on the same day.
Farauld Institute has made it yet again because of its innovative breakthrough in medical research.
With the help of Eli and Zeke, and the occasional help of Kayden and Sophia, the research team was able to propose the idea of an X-ray and Electrocardiogram which will be a breakthrough in the medical field for it will surely improve the diagnostic ability of all the doctors in the world.
This would also open a lot of different research areas for doctors around the world, so much so that the non-human leaders of the Green Wave Institute finally went out of their comfort zone and approached Grandmaster Farauld for a possible collaboration.
Eli was also satisfied with this, although she wanted advancement to happen in this world, she was actually afraid that she would introduce more impact on the people and the environment.
However, she did not expect that the researchers in the branch would actually manage to address these issues with the use of magic and other artifacts.
At one point she thought, what if magic was present in her previous world, would patients like her deceased mum have more chances of surviving?
Despite that, she was happy that there would be a bright future ahead for the next generation of Prasinos.
–
"You failed again…" Crown Prince Ranon looked at the crestfallen men coldly. He was still sitting lazily on his seat, swirling his glass of wine slowly.
His cold demeanor partnered with his devilishly alluring smile sent cold chills to the men around him. These men were none other than the trainers and members of the Vanderford Institute.
"W-we have no words…" They could only shakily kneel down and accept their punishment as they really have no excuses for their loss.
They have already planned a lot of schemes to take the Farauld Institute down, even roping the elusive Green Wave Institute.
Who knew that even if the Farauld Magic Institute had lost a lot of time educating their students because of the war they would still be overwhelmingly capable?
Especially under the leadership of their faculty like Eli and even the members of the Imperial Family. They really did not anticipate their loss.
Crown Prince Ranon showed a displeased face as if looking at the sorry state of the men spoiled his mood.
"Pack up and explain everything to my Father Emperor. I will not shield you this time. We have already talked about this…" He waved and asked the guards to show the men out of the villa.
"Your Highness! Please help us! Have mercy, my prince!" The men finally showed fear upon hearing that the Crown Prince wanted them to go back first without him.
This means that they will no longer be shielded by the Crown Prince from the Emperor's wrath!
And so they started to prostrate and plead for his mercy, convincing him to go with them on the way back.
However, Crown Prince Ranon had his own plans.
He no longer needs these people. He only used this occasion to infiltrate the Empire and had no interest in seeing the Vanderford Institute win a little tournament.
After all, if the Seirende Empire disappeared in the world, would it be the Vanderford sit on time in the end?
And so he mercilessly let his guards throw the men out of the villa. Even if they refused to go out and stay in the Empire, their permits to stay would expire for five days anyways and so they have no choice but to start their travel on the way back before their passport expires.
When his surroundings were completely quiet, he looked into the shadows and gestured for Arabella and Nikolai to reveal themselves.
"Any news…" He asked the two siblings.
"You will not like what we found out," Arabella answered.
"Do tell, nevertheless." A dark vicious light flashed on Crown Prince Ranon's eyes as he ordered the haughty Arabella to continue her report.
"The Pope did not go all the way to his planned route and changed his itinerary prior to sailing off from the Croix Town." Arabella answered.
"Apparently, the Pope heard about someone similar to the Paladin healing the sick and cursing all around the Mellenberg Territory."
"Mellenberg Territory? Isn't that place way out of the way en route to Seirende? How come the Pope insisted on going there?"
"Probably because he knew that one of our laboratories was there… and if the 'Paladin' was indeed going around that territory healing the inflicted, then she must be the real one…" Nikolai carefully answered.
Crown Prince Ranon went silent for a moment and waved the two to leave him alone after that.
The silence in his room did not diminish the cold aura emanating from his body.
His mind wandered as he blankly sipped on the wine he had been holding so elegantly.
Calculating the delay caused by the Pope's detour, he had to wait for at least a month to do his plans.
Within that period, most of the delegates from the tournament would be done sightseeing and would start their journey home.
His eyes darkened in displease.
That would mean that he would look suspicious if he insisted on staying beyond that time when all his subjects were already going home.
What would a Crown Prince do in a rival Empire when he had no more excuse than to spectate?
Although he is sure that the Emperor would not blatantly kick him out of the Empire, he knew that they would watch his every move.
"It seems like I really have to use the Pope as a shield." Crown Prince Ranon decided with a hint of irritation in his eyes.
It could have been easy if the Pope came to the Empire at their expected time. Everything would have been all set!
However, to avoid suspicion, he had to do this.
Besides, his energy was already too exhausted in thinking of a way to bring in the things they needed to subdue the Seirende Imperial Family.
Just a little more, they will finally own this great land and he could do whatever he wanted.
"I just hope he finds that girl paladin." He uttered as he smiled eerily. He could not wait to hear the good news from the Pope after his trip there.
That way, no one can stop him from doing what he wanted in the empire.
–
Mellenberg Territory.
On the far opposite end of the Seirende Empire.
The pope along with the 'Paladin' finally arrived at the territory borders.
However, what they wore was quite different from what they usually wear during visitation. Their entire crew was wearing dark travel-worn clothes without a single trace of priestly elements around their body.
As a group, they even gave off a feeling that they were not good people.
Most importantly, the group of people who welcomed them was not the priestly group that should have been the usual greeting party in such a place.
Instead, they were only a five-member group also wearing brown cloaks, with their heads covered mysteriously.
"Master, you are finally here." The leader of the other party greeted. The way he addressed the Pope was also unusual.
"En…" The Pope waved his hand signaling him to lead them to the quarters. Soon he and his party were led into a big yet lowkey villa in the middle of the forest.
"Any news about the target?" As soon as they were led to the lounge to rest the Pope immediately asked the leader of the men.
"She was in the town south of this place, we also ensured that there would be enough for her to be busy so that she won't be able to leave until you arrive." The leader answered.
"Hmm… You did well in coming up with a way to make her stay in that town." The Pope nodded and a glint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
