For the audience at the scene, the final battle of the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts ended somewhat blandly.
Yajima explained, "This was inevitable because the score gap was too large, and Fairy Tail B Team's tactics led to this outcome."
Jabadi wondered, "Tactics?"
"Yes." Yajima nodded, "Rhode seized the opportunity when the strongest members of other teams were acting solo and teamed up with Laxus for a quick 'hunt.'
"And the strongest members are almost all worth 5 points, which allowed them to score quickly and also concentrated the most intense battles in the first half.
"I think if it weren't for the Fairy Tail A Team's different action mode, Rhode and Laxus would likely have gone for Erza after dealing with Minerva and Kagura."
Jabadi thought for a moment and said regretfully, "I was really looking forward to seeing the battle between Miss Erza and those two. Her performance in the Demon Suppression Hall is unforgettable to this day."
"Anyway, the victor of this year's Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts has been decided." Pumpkin Man, as a representative of the organizers, spoke calmly, "Let's congratulate the Fairy Tail B Team!"
"Ohhhhhh!!!"
"Fairy Tail!"
"Fairy Tail!"
The entire audience cheered the name of Fairy Tail. The applause and cheers were not only for the victorious B Team but also for the runner-up A Team.
The performance of these two teams exceeded their expectations completely.
Sabertooth, which had been champion for consecutive years before this, was utterly powerless before them!
The gong sounded in the arena, declaring the end of the competition.
Soldiers on the perimeter set off fireworks at the right time, the band played cheerful music, just waiting for the participating contestants to return.
Cheers erupted at the Fairy Tail viewing area, Makarov personally waved the guild flag, and three cats flew up to open small firework tubes.
Amidst the flying streamers, Alzack and Bisca hugged Asuka, cheering in celebration.
Mira hugged Future Lucy, who was smiling through tears, and jumped in place, then turned to urge her siblings to bring the contestants' condolence gifts.
Mebius forgot the previous miscalculation's frustration and joined in the celebratory atmosphere.
The atmosphere of the entire arena was incredibly lively, and the contestants boarding the flying ship in the Royal Capital could hear the commotion here.
Stinger lay on the ground, lost in thought about the final 'battle.'
Perhaps it could hardly be called a battle...
After Rhode simply calculated the scores, the A Team basically gave up fighting.
Only Natsu shouted, "I don't care! A survival game should be fought to the end! Starting with you, Laxus!"
A second later, Natsu flew out, crashing through two streets in a trail of fire and lightning—literally a trail of fire and lightning.
Natsu paused for a moment, jumped up, and ran back.
It was during Natsu's return that Stinger stood out.
He blocked Natsu's path, his hands shining with white light, "Natsu Doraguniru, you are the only one I must defeat head-on!"
Natsu didn't stop at all, shouting, "Get out of my way!"
Then, Stinger felt a lot of pain and heat and briefly lost consciousness.
Fairy Tail A Team gained 1 point, but it couldn't change the outcome.
Afterward, Natsu was severely beaten, and others chose to accept the established result.
In the end, B Team scored 103 points first, A Team 74 points second.
The third-place Blue Pegasus had only 39 points.
Now Stinger became conscious, listening to the distant arena's noise, thinking about his final 'battle,' suddenly found it very ridiculous.
'The heavens roar for me, the earth boils for me, the sea falls silent for me, we are the strongest Sabertooth!'
Stinger struggled to lift his right hand to cover his eyes, with a mocking smile and tears of unwillingness appearing together.
"Stinger!"
Was it Rekete's voice? Was he hallucinating again?
"Stinger!"
The voice got a bit closer, clearer, and seemed to carry a crying tone, such a real voice and change couldn't be fake!
Stinger lowered his right hand, and a small red cat flew over and pounced directly on his chest.
"Rekete!" Stinger immediately held Rekete and lifted him up to look at him seriously.
Rekete's tears fell on Stinger's face.
After a moment of excitement, Stinger asked, "Did the young lady release you?"
Rekete shook his head, "I heard from the people of Rays of the Rising Sun that it was Rhode and Laxus who defeated the young lady and rescued me... "
Logically, he should be happy to be saved, but Rekete couldn't be happy about the young lady being defeated.
When the President wanted to kill him, it was the young lady who saved him—even though she locked him up afterward, Rekete was still grateful to her.
"Is that so..." It seems we owe a favor to the Fairy Tail people again, Stinger fell silent.
Seeing his lost look, Rekete quickly showed a smile, "It's okay, Stinger."
"What?"
"It's just a race, it doesn't matter if we lost," Rekete said earnestly, "Stinger is the strongest, even if we lost today, you'll still become the strongest in the future!"
Stinger was stunned for a moment, finally showing a smile, "That's right, it's just this one time we lost. Next, let's continue striving to be the strongest! But... in a different way from President Jerman."
Rekete nodded vigorously, "Yes!"
"By the way, where is the young lady? Changing the guild requires convincing the young lady first."
Rekete shook his head, "I don't know, I didn't see her when I woke up, maybe she was taken away by the medical team first?"
Stinger nodded and didn't dwell on it.
...
When Rhode and the others returned to the arena, the organizers sent people to notify them that the award ceremony would be held tomorrow, and they only needed to take the stage for a short appearance, then they could go back to rest.
No one had any objections, Rhode led the way, followed by Laxus, Gajeel, Jubia, and Wendy on both sides.
Mira, as an original regular team member, was also invited over. The six of them went to the center of the arena, then walked a small circle under the guidance of the staff.
Reporters came forward to take photos, while spectators and friends and family applauded.
Except for Sabertooth and Dragon's Treasure, even the guilds that lost to them did not hold back their applause.
——It was heard that Dragon's Treasure left midway after all their contestants were defeated; Sabertooth experienced chaos when Stinger returned, with many members looking somewhat panicked.
Rhode quietly noted Sabertooth's anomaly, continuing to wave to the audience with his companions.
...
Although there were still matters to resolve, a simple celebratory banquet was still held.
"Well done, you guys did really well!"
The children's excellent performance made Makarov, as President, extremely happy.
Laxus' steady performance in the competition also comforted Makarov, as his grandfather.
With both the guild and family having successors, Makarov felt a sense of 'no regrets in this life.'
Until the sound of fighting arose, and a flip-flop from Natsu flew onto his forehead.
"Natsu! Gray!" Makarov's roar echoed, "We haven't cleared up the matter at Agave Paradise with you yet!"
Rhode grabbed Mira and sat on the edge of the fight outside, happily eating and drinking while watching the action, resting a bit.
"Excuse me."
Rhode heard a voice and looked towards the tavern entrance, "Stinger? Is there something you need?"
Stinger, witnessing the 'joyful' scene, showed a trace of envy but quickly composed himself:
"Sorry, actually, our guild's young lady—Minerva, hasn't returned since the end of the competition. I heard it was Mr. Rhode and Mr. Laxus who defeated her, so I wanted to ask if you have any clues."