However, Jura and the others did not know any of this.
Seeing that his teammates were all completely exhausted, and considering that, just as Kout had said, there was still plenty of time left, Jura did not think too much about it and nodded.
"Then let's rest here for half an hour."
"Awuuu~! Finally, we can rest!"
Toby let out an excited howl.
The next moment, he collapsed onto the ground like a dog that had been released from a cage.
Yuka and Kout also let out sighs of relief and sat down heavily.
Leon carefully lowered Sherry from his back and let her rest with her head on his legs.
Only then did he take out the fresh water they had refilled at the previous rest stop and gulp down a mouthful.
"Huu... this really wasn't easy.
Even we are struggling this much.
I wonder how many people from the other guilds can actually pass this preliminary round."
Kout tugged at his collar, which had long been soaked through with sweat, and counted on his fingers.
"My guess is that in the end, the ones who pass will probably only be those famous large guilds.
Guilds like Quatro Cerberusg and Blue Pegasus.
And of course, there is definitely Fairy Tail."
"Fairy Tail..."
When he mentioned that guild, Yuka unconsciously thought of Kabe, the man who had left them deeply shocked on Galuna Island.
But right after saying that, he himself shook his head with a smile and denied the possibility.
"No way.
He is already one of the Ten Wizard Saints.
If he still came to participate in this kind of competition, wouldn't that just be bullying everyone else?"
Leon remained silent.
Although he did not want to admit it, if Kabe really participated, they probably would not even have the slightest chance of winning.
'It shouldn't be possible, right?
Someone with his status and position should not need to participate in this kind of competition to prove himself.'
Just as the two of them were discussing this and believing that Kabe would definitely not participate, Jura shook his head.
His expression became serious.
"I'm afraid I have to disappoint you."
"According to Granny Ooba, who attended the local guild alliance meeting, the royal family's messenger personally requested that Kabe-sama must participate in this year's Grand Magic Games."
"What?!"
"If that person participates, then isn't the champion already decided?! What's even the point of this competition?!"
Yuka immediately felt despair.
If he had known Kabe would participate, why would he have gone through all this suffering and endured this terrible preliminary round?
He was not foolish enough to think that they could compete with that person.
Even though Jura was extremely powerful, in Yuka's heart, he was still far inferior to Kabe.
Kout was older than these younger members, and he naturally saw the situation more clearly.
"I heard that the king also invited the royal families of neighboring countries and important figures from the Magic Council to watch this competition.
The reason behind such an order, and even the reason for holding this entire event, is probably related to certain political factors."
"Mm, that is indeed the case."
Jura nodded and looked at Kout with approval.
Although Kout was older, and his future potential might not compare with talented youngsters like Leon, he had much more experience.
He was able to see the deeper meaning behind certain matters.
"Fiore is known as a permanently neutral kingdom and does not participate in conflicts between other nations on the continent.
But so-called neutrality is not something that can be maintained by simply saying it.
Either you have a naturally advantageous geographical position, or you possess enough prestige to convince everyone.
However, even those are not completely safe.
The most reliable protection is having strength so overwhelming that other countries would not even dare to look at you."
"And the current Fiore royal family is working toward becoming the latter."
As he spoke, Jura raised three fingers.
"As everyone knows, there are three people in Fiore recognized as members of the Ten Wizard Saints.
The first is Fairy Tail's guild master, Makarov-sama.
The second is the newly recognized Saint, Lady Irene, whose strength is likely even above Makarov-sama's.
And finally, the youngest Saint in all of Ishgar today..."
"The Destroyer God, Kabe."
"And coincidentally, Kabe-sama also has certain connections with the other two Saints."
"Now you should understand why the royal family chose to marry him, right?"
Leon and the others, who had never considered these things before, suddenly felt enlightened after hearing Jura's long explanation.
"So that's how it is.
By marrying the princess to Kabe, they can immediately gain the support of three Ten Wizard Saints.
With three Saints backing them, which neighboring country would dare to have designs on Fiore?"
"Not only that, the royal family also wants to show everyone their backing in front of the entire continent.
That's why they created such a grand event like the Grand Magic Games."
Yuka and Leon spoke one after another.
Jura simply nodded lightly with a smile in his eyes.
The younger generation of the guilds was truly intelligent.
This meant he and the guild master could feel relieved about handing the future over to them.
"But don't think that because Kabe is the main character of this event, there is nothing for the rest of us to do.
This competition was originally a stage for every guild to display themselves in front of all citizens."