"Hey, you guys, did Japan really cheat?"
Watching the situation on the field inexplicably develop to this point, the contestants below were stunned, not knowing what was going on.
"It really seems like it. After all, I still can't figure out how Hanzo and Gen were able to summon familiars so much stronger than themselves."
"And the types of these familiars are also extremely outrageous, they don't look like they were summoned through any legitimate means!"
"But the problem is, if you're going to say that Japan cheated, you at least need to present some evidence, right?"
"If the Shimada brothers relied on external forces, they should definitely be able to find the energy flow..."
"But even now, I haven't felt anything at all..."
"Let alone me, even if you count everyone present, no one has ever discovered this!"
"Energy flow is something that is almost impossible to hide. If you say that Japan can do this kind of thing so silently, I really don't believe it!"
"Although what you said has some truth, the person questioning this is Lin Ran! That great demon king who destroys everything and crushes the entire field!"
"Perhaps Lin Ran also has his unique insights in judging energy flow?"
"For example, being able to discover the mysterious energy hidden by Japan."
"This, this... this can't be true... both sides are extremely outlandish in this matter..."
"Let's not even talk about whether Lin Ran has the ability to do this. Just Japan's technology to block others from detecting energy flow is already exaggerated enough... it's almost an impossible feat, unless they have truly made epoch-making changes and discoveries..."
"And that's not enough. This nearly invincible epoch-making change and discovery must also be seen through by Lin Ran – that's even more impossible!"
"If they can both achieve this kind of thing, then what are we?"
"..."
After a series of discussions, it was clear that more contestants believed that there was no cheating.
The remaining few who thought cheating might have occurred were mostly due to blind worship of Lin Ran's strength.
Otherwise, if there was truly no cheating, why would Lin Ran suddenly make a move after already securing victory? Wouldn't that be purely asking for trouble?
If Lin Ran had lost, it might have made some sense for him to try to change the outcome of the match by doing this...
Turning back to the arena.
With no further obstruction, Chizuru Ginshiro quickly approached Lin Ran. He first nodded slightly in greeting and then asked,
"You say our contestants used cheating methods during the match, correct?"
Lin Ran continued with a cold sneer,
"What else?"
"I don't want to repeat myself for the third time!"
Chizuru Ginshiro nodded, took a deep breath to calm himself, and replied expressionlessly,
"Then, do you have evidence?"
"Everything requires evidence..."
"Especially in matters that may involve slander. It is even more so."
"Without concrete evidence, Your Excellency's words will likely not be believed by anyone!"
Oh? Still so stubborn...
And not only stubborn, but also trying to manipulate the narrative and seize the initiative.
Unfortunately, Lin Ran was not foolish and would not fall for their trap.
Lin Ran smiled, narrowing his eyes slightly,
"Evidence? Talking about that now seems a bit premature."
"It's not too late to sort yourselves out first..."
"Before asking me about evidence, I need to know if you admit that you cheated?"
"Well? Admit it! Or... deny it!"
As he spoke, Lin Ran did not forget to tighten the chains above and stomp on the ground below.
Although Hanzo and Gen had lost consciousness, the creaking sounds from their bodies indicated that Lin Ran's grip was quite severe.
The corner of Chizuru Ginshiro's mouth twitched, and his already unpleasant mood soured further.
This guy... is really hard to deal with...
He's asking them to admit it first without even presenting the evidence, which may or may not exist.
This way, Lin Ran could put himself in a position of advantage.
If they deny it, and Lin Ran actually has evidence, they would be caught red-handed.
And if they admit it, and Lin Ran doesn't have any evidence at all, but just a feeling and is trying to bluff them, it would be a huge loss.
The most frustrating thing is that since Lin Ran currently held the life and death of the Shimada brothers, they didn't even have the right to negotiate.
They, who could perfectly integrate with the Divine Dragon Mark and become vessels for heroic spirits through their affinity with magic, were objects that Japan had been secretly cultivating for a long time. They could not afford to lose them like this.
Especially since it would dishearten the entire Shimada family.
Through extensive testing, the Shimada family, a relatively young clan, had concluded that they were the most suitable vessels discovered so far, a perfect fit.
Whether for future development or current experiments, the Shimada brothers had to be rescued.
This immediately put them in a difficult dilemma.
That is, should they admit to the cheating or not...
If they admitted it, it would completely shatter the fundamental basis of the entire Japan tournament, turning the hosting of this tournament into a mere side effect.
The organizers themselves resorting to cheating, what a historical oddity!
And if they didn't admit it, and Lin Ran really had evidence, the situation would become even more chaotic...
Most importantly, they had to make a decision quickly, otherwise, wouldn't that prove their guilt?
Considering the brief discussion with Tanaka Kento earlier, after just two seconds, Chizuru Ginshiro smiled and gave his answer:
"Since Your Excellency has asked, I will answer you directly..."
"Regarding this matter, please rest assured... We in Japan value fairness and justice the most!"
"Therefore, the Japanese representative team has not engaged in any shameful cheating in this battle! Please rest assured!"
Chizuru Ginshiro said it with absolute certainty.
Considering that if their cheating were discovered, the outcome would be disastrous, it was better to stubbornly deny it and gamble that Lin Ran was just bluffing...
At worst, it would just be a more complete downfall!