They had to go through a bottleneck where competitors and spectators were mixing before they could get to the feast halls. It was there that they had their first real problem.

A man got in their way and made them stop. He was tall and thin, with sharp features and an even sharper smile. His clothes showed that he was a competitor, with the Northern Coalition's logo sewn on his chest.

"Well, well, it seems like I'm feeling lucky today to meet the legend himself," the man said, his voice full of fake friendliness. "Isn't it the famous Brotherhood of Peace? I've heard a lot about you guys."

"Excuse us," Greg said politely as he tried to get past, clearly ignoring the troubles.

The man moved again to block them. "Not so fast. I wanted to see the famous Greg Greyson up close."

"The man who is too good to make weapons." His smile turned into a sneer. "How do you plan to compete with real blacksmiths if you won't make anything that is useful as a weapon?"

Marina said sharply, "Our things are useful too! Their purpose is just not to kill people but to bring peace!"

"Ah yes, you must be his girlfriend. And I can know that just by seeing you defending him." The man's eyes darted to Hammy, who was nervously bouncing on Greg's shoulder. "And what's this?"

"You brought a pet slime to a professional contest? How cute! Did you think this was a fair for kids?"

A few other competitors had stopped to watch the conversation, and they were standing in a loose circle around it. Greg could tell they were paying attention to him.

"Hammy is on our team," Elwen said in a low, firm voice. "And he's worth more than your jokes."

The man laughed, and it was a loud, harsh sound that made many people cringe. "A slime in your team?! A real slime?! Hahahahaha! You've got to be joking..."

"You're going to lose so badly that it will be embarrassing. At least you'll have your precious ideals to keep you warm at night when Mikhail crushes you."

He leaned in closer, and his voice got quieter but was still loud enough for others to hear. "Weapons were made so that the civilization can be possible to walk further into the future!"

"The war ended with weapons. Your peaceful little trinkets are nothing compared to what real craftsmen make, and everyone here knows you're a joke, Greyson."

Greg felt anger building up in his chest, but he pushed it down. This was exactly the kind of thing that would make him frustrated, and it's the same as the first time he met with Elias. But this time fighting or arguing wouldn't prove anything other than to provoke him even further.

Greg said calmly, "We'll let our work speak for itself, so... please excuse us for now."

He tried to step around the man, but the man continued to hurl insults at him. "Oh, I'm sure your work will say a lot."

"A lot of writing about how silly and impractical your philosophy is. I almost feel sorry for that ex-royal knight who is following you."

"Lady Lylia Goldenwind, now stuck babysitting an idealist who won't face the fact that all blacksmiths should've made weapons for the future."

What he said immediately got a response. Bork moved forward, his face getting darker, but Lylia held up a hand to stop him.

"Stop with your nonsense. I chose to be here with Greg," Lylia said in a cold voice. "And I'd do it again. Greg's values are worth more than all the weapons you could make in a lifetime."

The man's smile finally went away. "We'll see about that."

"By the way, my name is Varian Steelbreaker. Keep that name in mind. It will be the one above yours in the final rankings..."

He turned around and walked away, and his followers followed him. The crowd slowly left as the show came to an end.

"Oi, you!" Felix said, "I'm not done talking to you."

Everyone, even Varian, stopped to watch Felix step forward with the stiff, careful posture of a man who didn't want to get into a fight but had somehow ended up in one anyway. He cleared his throat once and then casually pointed at Varian's back as he left.

Felix said, "I just want to make sure of something," his voice shaking a little. "Yes, your name is Varian Steelbreaker? I initially thought your name was Varian Ego-breaker due to the way you spoke."

Many people snorted. Varian turned slowly, and his eyes narrowed. "What the fuck did you just say to me?"

Felix raised a finger. "No, shuuuushhh... wait a second. I'm really impressed."

"I've never met anyone who can say so many big, dramatic things without saying anything useful. Your lungs must be amazing, and this is a real medical mystery."

Some of the people watching laughed. Felix went on, getting warmer. "Was it your plan to block our way like that? With intimidation?"

"Honestly, it felt more like watching a broom try to start a war with a door than like being scared."

This time, the crowd really laughed. Bork hit his knee. Mira put both hands over her mouth. Seraphine even raised an eyebrow in amusement.

Varian's jaw tightened. "Watch what you say, you asshole."

Felix blinked like he didn't know what was going on. "I would, but your mouth is so loud and always open that it's difficult to concentrate."

"You might want to think about closing it every now and then so the airflow is more efficient." A few of the competitors burst out laughing at how Felix roasted him, and he turned red.

Felix nodded politely. "Thanks for the introduction, anyway. I'll make sure to remember your name. I mean, it's not often that you meet someone whose confidence comes from how loud they are."

Lylia whispered, "Where did that come from?" in a voice that was both shocked and proud.

Greg put his hand over his face to hide a smile.

Felix stepped back toward the group and said, "Okay... I'm finished... I think my soul just left my body..."

Varian was furious behind them, but he had to walk away because there were so many people watching. His face was stiff and red, and his followers were having a hard time keeping their faces straight.

People slowly left the crowd, but a few of them patted Felix on the back as they did. Bork kept laughing every few steps and saying the same thing for the rest of the walk to the feast hall.

"A broom declaring war on a door... hahahahaha! Felix, you're a fucking genius."

Felix said, "Well... he's an asshole to begin with, so I had to say something."

"Language," Lylia said without thinking, but she didn't mean it.

Marina said, "He is right about one thing, though... because of our philosophy, people will judge us more harshly. We have to make something perfect and unique to get the judges' attention!"

"Then we'll be perfect for the judges' perspective," Greg said, but he was still shaken up by the conversation with Varian. The man had said things that hit too close to home for him to admit.

Even though the meeting had put a damper on everyone's spirits, they went on to the feast. The food was great and the mood was festive, but Greg couldn't shake the feeling that Varian's anger was only the beginning.

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