【"However, although I recognize you very much, according to the rules of the Wardance, we still must have a contest."】

【Luka rubbed his fists: "Of course, no problem. I will definitely not let down your appreciation of me, Mr. Argenti!"】

【The battle between the two was on the verge of breaking out. Compared to the extremely oppressive Boothill, Argenti's fighting style was much gentler. Although he suppressed Luka many times during the battle, he still gave him plenty of opportunities. The latter also successfully seized them, eventually knocking Argenti back several steps with a punch, only stopping at the edge of the ring.】

【"Well fought, Contestant Luka. Very good! I indeed did not misjudge you. Your skill, wisdom, and courage all manifest the 【Beauty】 of a warrior."】

【Owlbert on the stage let out a scream: "Oh-ho—! Argenti has recognized Contestant Luka's 'beauty,' which means—iron arm Luka will return to the Wardance!"】

【"Where are Contestant Luka's fans? Let me hear your screams! 3, 2, 1, get loud!!!"】

【Cheers like a mountain tsunami erupted from both sides of the Skysplitter almost simultaneously, drowning out the voices of the two people on the ring for a moment.】

【"Mr. Argenti, I am truly grateful for your recognition."】

【Argenti shook his head: "No, I am merely allowing you to return to the ring based on the authority granted to me by the Xianzhou people. You don't need my 【recognition】 at all—you don't need anyone's 【recognition】."】

【Luka smiled sheepishly: "Haha... you speak too philosophically, I actually don't quite understand..."】

【"No matter, please remember one thing: you are already the embodiment of the beauty of combat. This is a fact, and whether victory or defeat, success or failure, or the slander of others, none of it can turn that into nothingness. In addition, I heard that there is another contestant in the Wardance who is skilled in using an 'iron arm.' If you could meet and duel, what a magnificent dance that would be!"】

【"...Another iron arm? Which contestant is it?"】

【Argenti had no further information and simply bid farewell to Luka.】

——

Gintama.

"Another iron arm... could it be Astro Boy?"

"How could that be possible?!" Shinpachi couldn't help but complain, "Not only is that a crossover, but at Astro Boy's speed, even flying for tens of thousands of years wouldn't get him to the Xianzhou Luofu, right?!"

"Then who could it be? But I always feel that with Stelle's connections, this 'iron arm' contestant will also be an old acquaintance of hers." Gintoki rubbed his chin. Besides Boothill, he really couldn't think of anyone else who could have an "iron arm."

"Why care so much? Anyway, in the territory of the Luofu, it's impossible for that kind of highly dangerous criminal to appear—except for Argenti." Shinpachi shrugged. "At least Luka has been revived now and has a chance to compete on the same stage with Boothill again. The urgent task is to help Luka equip some high-heat weapons... and beat Boothill down first."

"Eh? Shinpachi, are you sure a martial artist like Luka would be willing to use thermal weapons?" Kagura tilted her head, completely unable to imagine Luka using weapons.

"Fairness." Shinpachi smiled meaningfully, the glasses on his nose reflecting a dazzling light, "The most important thing on the ring is fairness! If he punches, I punch; if he pulls a gun, I pull a gun. That's what you call fairness!"

——

【After the revival match ended, Lynx sent a message to Stelle, saying they had restored another part of the video records and planned to bring Luka along to watch.】

【The group arrived at the Divination Commission. Lynx stated that these were now all the records; although it was a pity, at least it would allow them to understand Igor a bit better.】

【...】

【"Igor, after listening to your speech, a spark of sadness flashed through my empathy module. Even coolant cannot extinguish this fire of sorrow."】

【A mechanical tycoon gazed at the red-haired youth before him, his tone calm. His electronically generated voice was devoid of joy or sorrow, showing no emotion.】

【"So, will you dispatch an army to reclaim that 'market' which is about to fall? Mr. Ibrahim?" Igor's voice was almost pleading.】

【"Sorry, I cannot. Every business decision must be subject to rationality." The mechanical tycoon shook his head calmly. "Your hometown occupies only 0.005% of the transport capacity in the Building Materials Logistics Department's business map; and in the resource allocation of the Traditional Projects Department, it is so small it almost doesn't exist."】

【"Mr. Ibrahim, your so-called 'almost doesn't exist' is my everything."】

【The mechanical tycoon continued: "Go try your luck at the Xianzhou Alliance's Luofu; they are holding the Luminary Martial Arts Ceremony. The Xianzhou people have always prided themselves on 'benevolence.' They have helped many planets plundered by the Denizens of Abundance... perhaps they will show some mercy."】

【"However, child, I must remind you that the Xianzhou people's martial arts competition is no ordinary cyber-boxing. To talk with me for ten minutes, you refused all prize money and rewards. Then, before you leave, please at least take my most sincere wishes!"】

——

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?

"What a truly sad story..."

Bell lowered his gaze, his expression very grave. He knew that the Xianzhou Alliance had not extended a helping hand to Belobog, but at the thought that Igor's journey would yield nothing, he felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on his heart. As Igor continued forward, these stones grew more numerous, pressing down until he could hardly breathe.

But he also couldn't blame the Xianzhou Luofu. The Luofu had been fighting against the Denizens of Abundance for thousands of years, with countless casualties. They had even lost an unknown number of Emanator-level Generals over time. To expect them to open another front to fight for the people of other worlds was indeed asking too much.

"0.005%... Is the market size of the entire Jarilo-VI really that small? That... that's an entire planet?"

Welf subconsciously swallowed. If even a planet had such a small scale, then the market of their Orario probably wouldn't even be 0.00001%... If something went wrong or a disaster occurred, the Company probably wouldn't even bother to look, right?

"There are far too many civilized worlds in the universe. The land beneath our feet can probably only be considered a remote planet on the edge of the galaxy, right? Otherwise, why has the Interastral Peace Corporation not sent anyone to Orario to this day? It can only be understood as: our market is already too small to attract their attention."

Liliruca didn't know if this was a good thing or not. The Interastral Peace Corporation had not stepped foot into this world filled with gods. While it didn't bring various dazzling technologies, it also avoided many dangers. In her view, the essence of the Corporation was a robber wearing a kind coat; they would forcibly pull a civilization into the universe and then eat it clean according to their own system of rules, leaving nothing behind.