330 Bethel –

After his performance ended, Duke Trichia excused himself.

Whilst Robin and Chloe both entered the stage together, as they entered only as a formality and not to prove themselves worthy. The two played it safe, slaughtering and killing the monsters before they could even enter melee range. With Chloe's powerful and devastating shots, alongside Robin's beautiful winged vaults. The two half-elves quickly became the crowd favourites.

After their performance, Prince Victor himself entered the stage, quickly soloing all manners of beasts and monsters. Perhaps due to Bethel's showing, prioritizing speed over showing swordsmanship and skill. The rest of the fighters all entered as if they were all speed running.

At the end of the festivities, Victoria Del Lagos finally made her announcement, informing all that were there, of the northern threats and their clear hostility to the southern kingdoms. That war was inevitable.

...

Whilst the colosseum was still bustling from the fever and excitement.

Asai had followed the medics down underground, to a room they tended to Bethel.

"A private room? They must've been ordered to treat this girl like a VIP huh?"

Was what Asai thought, that was, before the medics started to strip the girl's armours of her. Exposing her big puffy tits as her breasts bounced out of concealment.

Before Asai could even ask what they were doing, they answered his question by loosening their trousers and pulling their erect cocks out. Popping out of stealth, and instantly knocking the two unconscious. The duke sighed, relieved that he had the curiosity and motivation to following Bethel here.

"That's the fucking future hero you guys were about to rape. Are you guys trying to turn her into some sort of demon king or what? I won't fucking clean up your mess if that ever happens you know."

Looking down at the two men in disgust, as their dicks were still erect. He almost spat on them, before his gaze shifted to Bethel. Who was now clearly awake, staring at him like a pervert whilst hiding her breasts behind her hands.

"Wait! I can-"

*SLAP*

...

Moments later, the Duke and the Hero relocated elsewhere. To a booth reserved only for high nobility, such as himself or Duke Jeffrey.

Bethel was given a set of uniform from Trichia. Although the set was a tad bit too large for her, at the very least it was comfortable. More so than anything else she had worn before.

"I'm sorry. I reacted on impulse. You understand right?" Bethel's red jewels gazed into his, pleading as she apologised. The two unconscious medics with their cocks out was evidence enough, to support Asai's explanation. That was, when she calmed down enough.

"Don't worry about it, it barely hurt anyways." Returning the gaze, Asai wondered whether or not he could trick the girl. "Bethel, that was a really good fight. It may not have looked like it, but I enjoyed it a lot. 

However, I'm a little worried about your state, is it alright if I inspect your status? To make sure you're healthy and fine?"

To further sell his offer, Asai placed upon the table multiple high-quality HP potions, along with stamina restoratives.

"Okay, you can..."

"System now!"

[Bethel: Lvl 47]

[HP: 150 MP:120]

[Title: Hero]

[Skills unlocked:]

[Blazing]

Increase Fire Elemental damage by 20% and Elemental defense by 10%.

[Crash Above]

150% additional Attack Damage.

[Massacre]

900% of your Dexterity is dealt to all targets within AOE

[Cleave]

100% of damage ignores targets defence

Within a momentary glimpse of her status, Asai had successfully tricked her into exposing her stats. However, the information only appeared for a couple seconds before being hidden again.

[Bethel: Lvl 47]

[HP: ?? MP:??]

[Title: Hero]

[Skills unlocked:]

[??]

[??]

[??]

[??]

Bethel naively drank a few potions, enjoying the little burning sensations as it slid down her throat. 

A sudden cold sweat fell from Asai's brows, as he felt the gaze and annoyance from a being he couldn't pinpoint no matter how hard he tried. Once he gave up trying to extract information from a [Hero] the feeling of suppression faded.

"I guess, tricking people is bad..." This was a similar experience, as the man had tried to dig out more than what was shown, when he had the opportunity with Victoria.

Seeing her mood brighten, Asai decided to begin his second sales pitch.

"Bethel, as you seem to already know. I am the duke of war, a man known to prioritize combat ability and individual strength over silly-sophistry and annoying-politics. 

I acknowledge your strength and skill, and-"

Before his pitch finished, a frown stretched upon her brows. 

"-And I want to inform you that, I want to invest in you. I won't force you to pledge an oath of fealty or loyalty or anything of the sorts. What I'm offering is: a monthly salary, food, drinks, weapons, armours, a roof over your head, and lots of training partners.

I don't care if you one day decide to leave, the only thing I care about is your potential. I want to invest in your potential and to see you grow to your utmost. That's it.

No forced obligations, no orders to perform. Just live at your own pace at my expense. How about it?"

If this was any other noblemen, just like all those barons, viscounts and counts that had been constantly bugging her with promises of fame and riches, marriage proposals to their lazy and weak scions. Bethel was sure to reject them flat out.

However, having met the duke's sword in combat. Experiencing even just a small glimpse of his personality and style, his temperament and tendency to decisively act upon his whims.

Bethel found herself, to quite like that.