And now, the Golem Competition is about to begin!　My name is Em Thurston, a.k.a. Emsy, and I'll be your emcee.

My name is Tolfedest, a.k.a. Tolf, the commentator.

Mr. Tolff, it's a pleasure to meet you today.

Yes, it's my pleasure.

Since this is the first Golem competition in our country, could you give us a brief explanation?

Okay. In a word, it's a competition in which golems compete against each other to determine who is the best. And I'll explain the details of the competition.

Please.

There are two main types of competitions: one for physical ability, or strength and speed, and the other for precision of movement. The former is short-distance running and weight throwing. The latter is like stacking coins.

Thank you very much for your clear analogy.

Lastly, there is also mock battle, which I don't think needs any explanation.

In this way, the competitions were explained.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I will give you a detailed explanation of the competition. The details will be explained before the competition. Mr. Tolf, please.

My name is Tolf. First of all, we'll start with the familiar track and field events, the short distance run. Then the high jump. And the javelin.

That's easy to understand. That's all you need to know.

In the Shoro Empire, they threw weights, but here it's the javelin.

And then there are the precision-movement games. ......

Like the coin stacking.

Yes, but the coin stacks don't look as good, so it's called "target practice".

I see, so the object is to throw something at a target and try to hit it?

That's right.

When Jin heard that, he thought it sounded interesting.

That's all for today, tomorrow will be the mock battle.

I understand now. Thank you very much. ...... Now, the contestants are ready. The makers or owners of the golems and their golems, 40 pairs in all. Each of you has been given a numbered number to wear.

The numbers are in the order of application.

This time, there are also invited players. Please give a round of applause to the athletes!

The door to the waiting room opens, and out comes the golem with the number 1 and its owner (or maker). Then numbers 2 and 3 followed.

Number 1, an invitee from the Shoro Kingdom. Mr. Erich Gifro!　The golem is Stahlritter the Steel Knight!

The crowd applauds and cheers. The golem has a fine macho physique and a sophisticated look.

（The "Golem" is a very sophisticated and well-designed golem.　I don't know ......, but that golem is quite something.)

This is Jin's impression.

Number 2, invited by the Kingdom of Egelea. Mr. Yaluidaare, the golem is a <>!

(As I recall, he was the magecraftsman who made , the golem that sang at the golem garden party. (I didn't know he was like that.)

Jin remembered his name because he had been impressed by the singing golem. At the time, however, he only knew that it was made at the request of the Minister of Finance, Brault, and he had no idea what kind of person he was, but he was able to learn about him in such a place.

Starting with number 3, here are the competitors from our country: ......

The introduction of the athletes continued, but Jin could not remember all of them. The list of the competitors is in the handout we received, so we can look at it if we need to.

Number ......40, Mr. Donald Callow, who once called himself <>, <>!　That's 40 pairs!

（Brother Jin, I think I've seen that one before.)

（I'm sure you have.)

Yes, that's Donald, number 2 of the Nostalgia Party.

<

(...... convinced. I'm kind of looking forward to it.)

（I guess so.)

Jin and Elsa, no strangers to the competition, were a little excited.

After the introduction of the 40 pairs, the competition was about to begin.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

In the short-distance race, participants run 500 meters and compete for the record!

There will be four preliminary rounds of ten pairs each, and the top two pairs will advance to the finals.

While listening to the explanation of the commentary, Jin remembered that Reiko used to run in less than 2 seconds, Marcus' golem in about 12 seconds, and the other golems in over 20 seconds. The other golems were in excess of 20 seconds.

Three, two, one, start!

That's pretty fast. You're all very good.

The first group was led by Erich Gifro's in about 10 seconds, followed closely by Jarrydale's in second place.

(After all, that golem seems to be able to change the distribution of its power.)

<, I mean , the steel knight.

Jin's eyes had detected its characteristics.

Jin thought that its power source was probably a mana tank, and that by freely allocating its limited output, it was able to respond immediately to various situations.

(Good idea. ......)

This time, I guess they assigned it to leg strength.

I guess it's like track and field athletes, especially runners, have thin arms compared to gymnasts.

In contrast, Jarrydale's <>, as his name <> implies, is probably not a power type.

While I was thinking about this, the second group was finishing its run. Jin felt that there was nothing special to see, but judging from the excitement in the crowd, the golem No. 16, <>, must be very popular.

(It looks like a knight, but it lacks power and is poorly distributed. ......)

Jin's rating is in the bottom of today's list.

Round 3 is over, and then round 4.

（Oh, finally!)

[......40, Mr. Donald Callow, "Altkrieger.

Donald Callow was the recently retired Alpha. This is very promising.

Even though he retired because of his age, saying that he would give way to the next generation when the kingdom changed hands, we can expect great things from former Donald Callow.

Jin also paid attention to Donald's Golem.

It has a good balance of power and moves well. <.

Start ......!

(...... I knew it!)

Oh, wow!　, still fast!

This is what an ex-Alpha can do!

<

Finally, it was time for the finals.

I'm still hoping for numbers 1, 2, 16, 35, and 40!

Yes, I guess so. Of course, the level of the invited players is high, but there are also players from Japan such as 16<>, 35<>, and of course <<>. Altkrieger.

The final will be a 10-second battle. We're all looking forward to it!

The countdown to the start has begun.

5......4......3...... 2......1......

"Whoa?"

"...... is starting!

A black shadow came running from outside the stadium.

What's going on?　What is this?　A mysterious Golem has jumped in!　And it's fast, fast, fast!

The mysterious Golem appears out of nowhere, and overtakes the eight Golems that had already started running ahead of him, and crosses the finish line.

Although not measured, it must have been somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 seconds.

Yes, first place went to Golem, who jumped into the race!　Second place went to No.40, Mr. Donald Callow, <>, third place went to Mr. Jarrydale <>, and fourth place went to No. 1, Mr. Erich Ziffro's <>!

The MC was also puzzled. Considering that the second-placed <> also ran faster than the qualifiers, with a time of about 6 seconds, the mysterious golem stood out for its speed.

(That's ......!)

The golem that jumped into the race was, without a doubt, the mysterious golem reported in the Kingdom of Egelea.