Chương 323: Chapter 324: UMB Cups VIP box

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Sinead Quintana bringing you a USNN special report," Sinead said as people across the universe watched her on holographic screens, sitting before a wall of smaller holographic screens showing different images.

"I have had the distinct honour of personally interviewing Lady Erkath regarding the reason why she sold half of her company, Erkath Fashion, to Diva Rowena. As was reported by Malgath Morthil Mirawenys on The MMM Show, the reason was connected to Diva Lorelie's new boyfriend, who is named Adam. Unfortunately for all you viewers, Malgath said something foolish and angered Diva Rowena, thus causing her to not reveal the reason on The MMM Show and instead asked Lady Erkath to have an interview with yours truly."

💫💫💫"That damn Sinead, you can see from the smug grin on her face that she's loving rubbing my name in the mud," Malgath cursed from his home as he sat next to his wife and watched the USNN special report.

"It's your own fault, dear, you know how sensitive Rowena is about her situation with Stacey," Ulesse replied before adding in disappointment, "You should have known better."

"I got carried away with how well the show was going," Malgath replied as he hung his head in shame.

"Well, because you couldn't control yourself, you just lost a huge scoop. You know very well that USNN only give Sinead airtime for a special report when it's something big."

"Damn it." 💫💫💫"I am happy to inform all of you watching that the reason Lady Erkath gave up half her company to Diva Rowena is because of this," Sinead said before indicating to the many holographic screens behind her that suddenly changed to show dozens of outfits in different designs and styles.

"These ladies and gentlemen, we at USNN are proud to reveal for the first time, are just a small sample of the upcoming releases of Erkath Fashion in the coming months, given to us exclusively by Lady Erkath. She received these designs along with millions of others from Diva Lorelie's boyfriend, who gave Erkath Fashion the exclusive rights to his homeworld's entire clothing history." 💫💫💫"WHAT THE FUCK!"

Malgath cursed as he stood up in shock after hearing Sinead's declaration and the image of all the different clothing styles and designs on the holographic screens behind her.

"I told you," Ulesse said while shaking her head."

"Fuck," Malgath cursed as he collapsed back onto the sofa. 💫💫💫"Now, many of you might be curious as to why Diva Lorelie's boyfriend's homeworld has so many different designs, and if I'm being honest, I was also wondering the same thing when Lady Erkath told me about all the designs," Sinead continued.

"Lady Erkath was kind enough to provide her personal opinion on why this is. Lady Erkath believes that Diva Lorelie's boyfriend's homeworld has so many different designs and styles of clothing because they have not been influenced by the known universe. She believes that…" Sinead then went on to explain more about Lady Erkath's opinion.

Sinead was about to finish up the USNN special report when she suddenly received a message on her earpiece, causing her to hold her hand up to her ear as she began to speak, "They have? Do we know why? I see."

"Apologies, ladies and gentlemen, but we just received some breaking news. The Universal Senate has just released a statement stating that they have reversed the trade embargo and access restriction to the shared military technology program they placed on the Terran Empire." 💫💫💫"Wow, these seats are amazing, just look at that view," Tephe said excitedly as the group of four women all entered the VIP box of the massive stadium where the UMB Cups opening ceremony would be held.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Haha, well, it is the VIP box, dear," Rowena replied after chuckling at Tephe's excitement.

"This is great, thanks, Lorelie," Tephe said happily.

"You're welcome," Lorelie replied happily.

"Ah, it's Diva Lorelie," another guest in the VIP box suddenly said.

"Don't forget Diva Rowena," another added, after which people started to gather around the pair.

"Diva Lorelie, it's a pleasure to see you."

"I can't wait for your performance."

"Diva Rowena, congratulations on acquiring half of Erkath Fashion."

"Diva Lorelie, is your boyfriend not here? I was hoping to meet such a talented individual and someone who no doubt will play an important role in the future of the universe." Other members of the VIP box kept approaching Lorelie and Rowena in order to strike up a conversation and build ties. Neither of the two refused any of the individuals who approached them, as they understood that to be able to sit in the VIP box, you had to have some worth.

Though several of the other VIPs guessed Stacey's identity and politely greeted her, she knew they only did this in an attempt to win her grandmother's favour, so she decided to go join Tephe, who was talking excitedly to a young Leonian woman as they both looked out of the stadium.

"I can't believe how big this stadium is; it dwarfs those we visited in the Oasis Galaxy," Tephe said.

"Of course," the Leonian said proudly before continuing, "This is where we Leonians hold our gladiatorial contests."

"Gladiatorial contests? What are they?" Tephe asked curiously.

"It's where the Leonians compete over leadership," Stacey said as she appeared next to Tephe.

"You know your stuff," the Leonian said in an impressed tone.

"It's just something I heard about in the past," Stacey replied with a shrug.

"Compete over leadership?" Tephe asked curiously.

"The Leonians have a custom where any Leonian in a position of leadership or authority can be challenged by another who is under them, if the challenger believes they can do a better job," Stacey explained.

"Wow, does that include Matriarch Maiya?" Tephe asked.

"Of course, when she first became Matriarch, many Leonians thought she wasn't worthy since she didn't come from a well-known bloodline. This caused her to be challenged almost every week for several months until those beneath her finally figured out that they couldn't defeat her." The Leonian said in admiration.

"You sound like a fan?" Stacey asked.

"Of course, Matriarch Maiya comes from a common family and not one of those with renowned bloodlines; she had to claw her way up to the top in order to gain the position she holds today."

"Doesn't that mean that sometimes a bad leader can come to power who is all brawn and no brains?" Tephe asked.

"All brawn and no brains," The Leonian repeated curiously, as she heard the strange new term.

"It's a phrase I picked up from a movie I recently watched," Tephe said.

"Oh," the Leonian replied before answering, "well, to answer your question, it has been known to happen, but it's fairly rare since those smart enough to lead well are usually smart enough to outsmart those stronger than them. That's also how Matriarch Maiya has won many of her challenge matches."

"I see," Tephe replied before saying, "Oh, by the way, I'm Tephe."

"I know, you're the white dragon that's travelling with Divas Lorelie and Rowena," The Leonian said before glancing at the two divas who were still surrounded by VIPs, after which she turned back to Tephe and said.

"My name is Mika, and you must be Stacey, Diva Rowena's granddaughter," Mika said as she turned to Stacey.

"Yup," Stacey replied before saying, "Forgive me for asking, but you don't seem like you're from a powerful background with how you admire Matriarch Maiya, so…"

"So how did I get a seat in the VIP box?" Mika finished.

"Yes," Stacey replied.

"From that idiot classmate of mine, Taiki."

"Taiki? You mean Prime?" Stacey asked in surprise.

"That's right, I helped build the mech he's using in the charity match, and part of my payment was to be able to watch the tournament from the VIP box."

"Oh, really?" Stacey said in surprise.

"So you must know what the charity match involves since Prime knows," Tephe asked in curiosity.

"No, no one knows since the UMB Cup committee has kept it a secret in an attempt to build up hype surrounding it. I tell you, it was a pain to customise that idiot's mech to try and cover every conceivable type of match only for him to contact me the day before the tournament and ask for specific alterations." Mika complained.

"But.." Tephe began, only for Stacey to elbow her in the side and interrupt her. As Tephe turned to Stacey in curiosity, she saw her subtly shaking her head.

"Oh, right," Tephe said in realisation.

"Something wrong?" Mika asked curiously.

"No, nothing," Stacey quickly said before asking, "so if you designed and built Prime's mech, that must make you a mech mechanic, right?"

"Well, an aspiring one, there isn't much work for mech mechanics outside the military after all," Mika replied with a shrug before saying, "I may have built it, but the design I just stole from an existing mech as per that idiot's request.