My Lord, it has come to my attention that there you are considering seizing the Delver's Association branch's wealth to finance our war with Pancal. I strongly urge against such a rash course of action. While our financial situation is certainly a disaster, angering the Delver's Association leadership would lead to something much worse. The reasoning of Your Lordship's advisor seems to be based exclusively on the fact that no nation has attempted such a course of action in recorded history. Of course they haven't tried it, because it's suicidal! I honestly can not comprehend the thought process that has caused Your Lordship to even consider such a foolish course of action. If they were to respond seriously to this matter, as I am sure they would, they could wipe out our entire country and slaughter our armies in less than a day. Again I urge you, do not treat this as an option of last resort. This is not an option at all.

-Excerpt from undelivered letter uncovered from the ruins of the former nation of Glaspis

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As the trio of Mud, Jabrax, and Ego neared the arena, a rather sizeable crowd of civilians was visible milling about outside. Pushing through the crowd, the group made their way towards the entrance. With their unusual appearance, the townsfolk quickly guessed they were competitors and not mere spectators. Cheers and questions about who they thought would win quickly started raining down on them, but both Mud and Jabrax ignored them. Instead, the golem asked a question that had been on its mind for some time.

"Jabrax, why do civilians look more similar to each other than Delvers do?"

The demon rubbed her chin as though formulating an answer. As they finally entered the building proper, which was blocked by bouncers keeping the civilians out, she finally seemed to decide. "There are two factors. First, most who go beyond the minimum of tier one will usually choose some Ideal and end up with weird hair," Jabrax grabbed a lock of her fluffy maroon hair and waved it at the golem. "Or in some cases, more unique... changes." This time, she pointed a dainty human finger towards a heavily scarred shirtless man waiting in the lobby. Mud recognized him as one of the humans that had tried to rob its home before; Cob. Certainly no one would confuse the half-naked brute for a civilian. "I think he's just like that because he's sick in the head, though."

"The second reason is more complex. It has to do with the difficulty in traveling large distances... basically, only the wealthy or strong can travel long distances safely, and most civilians are neither. As a result, the powerful people in a Sapient settlement usually have much more variation than the civilian population. Towns with dungeons like the one we're in also tend to attract weirdos from all over, making the difference even more pronounced."

"I've seen some demi-human civilians, though."

"The children of failed delvers, usually." Jabrax laughed lightly and smiled. "Life is hard for them, so far from their kin. They usually can't even have children, unable to find a mate of their own species. Human society is often not well suited to them. Subtle differences that can make life unbearable. Many cities are torture to Sapients with hearing ability superior to that of humans. They can't sleep at night with all the noise." The demon seemed pleased, thinking of the small sufferings experienced by these unfortunate Sapients.

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"I think I understand."

Despite being a spacious area, the entrance lobby of the arena was packed. Some few resembled normal citizens of the city, but they actually stood out in their normality. The vast majority were, as Jabrax had put it, weirdos. Mud actually recognized a number of those in attendance.

Meld and his team stood together in a small lump, Suzy frantically waving and trying to get their attention while Jabrax pretended not to notice. Cob leaned against a nearby wall, saying something to Ovis and flexing. In another corner stood the bear and the man with a plumed harness Mud had seen at the Association. The horse-sized bipedal lizard was again resting near the feathered man.

In the front, with a small gap separating them from the rest of the crowd, stood Prince Cain and his entourage. As Mud examined them, the golem noticed Shin looking back. Their eyes locked for a moment, but the samurai looked away first, turning towards the hall leading deeper into the arena.

Soon after a finely groomed man walked in from that hall, holding under one arm a large folded paper. Raising his free arm into the air, he spoke out with an unusually sharp voice. Despite the conversational tone, it cut through the murmur of the crowd like a knife.

"Greetings, warriors. I am the head judge of this competition, Sir Cantor. I have here the order of fights."

Unfolding the thick paper with the assistance of a scribe employee, Cantor clamped it to the wall where a purpose-built display had been affixed. Standing in front of the diagram, he spoke again to the crowd. "Those of you fighting in the first round please make your way to the waiting area on this side." The immaculately dressed man waved his hand to his right side.

Something about the sharp black suit sung to Mud's soul. According to Almanac, it was called a "tuxedo". Mud would acquire one as soon as was viable.

"Those of you who have been seeded, please wait in the VIP section where you will be provided with refreshments until your appointed appearance." Waving his arm towards his left, the man bowed in the direction of the first prince.

Straightening, he concluded his speech. "Please do not rush for the board, any fighting outside of the designated matches will result in disqualification from the contest. Good luck to all of you." With one final slight bow towards the crowd, Cantor turned on his heel and returned the way he came.

As soon as he left crowds pushed towards the diagram and loud conversation broke out across the room. Mud climbed down from Jabrax's shoulders where it had been watching the speech. From its elevated vantage point, it was able to make out the diagram and had no need to fight the crowd.

It appeared that Mud would have to compete in five fights to win the tournament. Jabrax, on the other hand, would only need to win three. The demon reached down and placed a hand on the golem's shoulder. "Looks like this is where we part ways. I've been seeded, and you have not. I suppose I'm just better than you." The demon smiled smugly.

A moment later, her face twisted in rage. "What did you say you little tramp?" Her hand momentarily began to form claws as she reached for the sword on Mud's back, but she regained her composure and pulled back. Under her breath, she whispered towards Ego. "You'll get yours, dagger."

Whatever Ego said back to her seemed to only upset the demon further, and Jabrax stormed off making a hand gesture towards the sword. Mud didn't know what it meant, but it somehow seemed rude.

Seeing no reason to delay, Mud headed the direction Cantor had indicated for normal competitors. Mud's fight was one of the first to begin, and it wouldn't do to be late.