Chapter 40 40: The Back Of The Mountain [Pt2]

"Hey man, I know you are a big deal in this town and all with your money, but I am, curious about something. Why are you with that gladiator everyone is afraid of? Do you like her or something?"

En asked as he looked at Keith and Amelia. He could not understand why someone who had a lot of money like Keith saw a lowly gladiator like Amelia.

His parents had always told him that slaves were dirty and to not go near one if he could help it. So En, who was a good child, saw them as dirty and low as well.

"Amelia is a good person and was forced into the gladiator ring without permission. I want to help her escape."

Keith replied with the most boring answer he could. It was something many people who fell in love with the gladiators said when they first started.

"Well, good luck. The gladiator arena's boss is a tough man who would not let anyone escape him. Besides, he has a solid friendship with the evil grandmaster so everyone is afraid to go against him."

En was not interested in gladiator talks but could see the blond lady stiff as soon as he said that. It seemed that there was someone here who was sensitive about the grandmaster.

The blond shared a look with Keith which En ignored. Grown-ups were weird in the ways they talked and En did not understand them.

"If the boss is friendly with the grandmaster, then does that mean the grandmaster likes to come to this village often?"

The slave questioned with clear pronunciation. For someone who was a slave, this tiny girl seemed more than literate and fancy. She was a weird existence as well and En could not quite place what she was.

"Well, the grandmaster likes to swing by often enough that I have seen him. But all I remember is that he had green hair. I asked my mother once, and she remembered green hair as well."

En had never questioned his memory before since there had been no need to.

His words caused the three new adults to share a look before they went quiet. But En was not worried in the least.

After all, it had nothing to do with him.

......…

Shimi felt her temper boil as she heard more and more of En's words. She could not believe someone would use the grandmaster's name like this. How dare they sully his holy name?

Especially when the grandmaster was in the town as well? Shimi would not forgive them for as long as she lived.

Grandmaster looked like he did not care much about how his name was being sued but Shimi was different. Once she was done here, she was going to go out and show these gladiator people why no one messed with the guild and grandmaster.

"Oh, so grandmaster *swings around often* from here, huh? I guess I will have to see it myself to believe it."

Shimi wanted to see who had the guts to impersonate such an impressive existence as the grandmaster. He was someone who went beyond anything anyone had ever seen before.

'Well, as soon as I see this fake, I will show him why he should never mess with the grandmaster and the guild."

Shimi vowed to punch the fake as soon as she could. Her fists itched with the need to exact vengeance for the harm these people had caused the grandmaster's image.

'Why does no one else look enraged over this? I understand why the grandmaster would not care, given his nature, but why does Clair not feel angry on his behalf? I thought she liked the grandmaster as well.'

Shimi's mind was filled with unnecessary thoughts. So she did not realize when they reached the mountaintop why everyone else had taken a step back.

"Huh, what happened?"

Shimi questioned as she noticed everyone looking at her with relief-filled expressions.

"Thank you for volunteering to take care of En for us Shimi. Now, you can play with her right here while we all go and take a look around."

Clair's tone was mocking and Shimi felt her temper flare. She wanted to deny what just happened and retaliate but the grandmaster was looking at her.

'Clam down, Shimi. You cannot show your anger this openly. You need to calm down so that the grandmaster would not feel disappointed in you.'

Shimi took in a deep breath and calmed herself down. She had to remind herself that she was doing this for the grandmaster and him alone.

"Alright, I will do it. Look after and play with a kid, I can do it all in the name of the grandmaster. I swear you will not find a better babysitter than me even if you comb the whole continent."

Clair did think she was getting a little ahead of herself but she had spoken already. The grandmaster looked at her with expecting eyes as well and now Shimi could not back down.

"Alright then. We will leave En to you Shimi. Make sure you look after him well."

Shimi nodded in agreement even as she cried out in the back of her head. Just what had she gotten herself into?

'Well, now that things had come to this, I have no other choice. I will convert this non-believer into the biggest believer of the grandmaster. He shall gain a new devote today.'

"Hey lady, I don't know what you are thinking but you're scaring me. Please don't make that expression when you look at me."

En requested but Shimi was not looking at him.

......…

After Keith had handed En over to Shimi, it was time to start looking around. He had seen a few pieces of coal in the vicinity which gave him hope.

"Wait, I know this place. I used to play all the time here when I was young. Now, this brings back so many memories. As far as I remember, there was a cave nearby-"

Keith's attention was instantly on this new piece of information. This cave was what he had been looking for all this while.

But he did not show his naked interest, least Amelia found out why he was here.

"A cave? A natural made cave? It should have a lot of well-formed rocks. Can you take me there? I am a big rock enthusiast and I like old cave rocks."

Clair, who had caught sight of Keith's interest decided to be the one to ask Amelia to take them to the cave.

She looked young and innocent enough to fool anyone about her interests. Teenagers, especially the young ones, had weird tastes.

"You like rocks and caves, Clair? That's a weird interest to have. Hmm, I guess I can take you to the cave if you want me to."

Amelia looked happy to have someone to lead. Especially since the female company was so rare for her to come by.

It was times like these that her loneliness showed and her true nature shined. She was like a child experiencing making friends.

"Thank you for taking me. I want to see this cave now."

Keith followed the two of them from behind. He had a good feeling about the cave they were about to visit.

"Here, this is the cave. This opening used to look so much bigger when I was a child. I am so glad that no one owns this cave."

Amelia accidentally answered the biggest question Keith had and he was thankful. Since no one owned this cave, Keith would not have too much difficulty acquiring it.

'Hmmm, let's see. This cave should be under a government contract if no one owns it. I should ask Master Fushi to buy it under my name.'

Master Fushi might be a difficult person to get along with, but she was right to ask such favors. She was the most well-versed person when it came to law.

And as far as Keith remembered, she was also their guide's financial head.

"Hey, I found the bigger entrance we can use. Follow me if you want to come inside."

Amelia led them through twists and turns into the cave. There was more cole inside but it did not take long for Keith to see something shiny as well.

'Well, look at this. This looks like a diamond but I should still get it checked for sure. If these are diamonds, then I stuck the jackpot for real.'

With this, Keith was sure his financial problems would be solved. (Not that he had any, to begin with)

"Alright, time to head back. The sun is about to set anytime and we need to head back home now."

Keith called everyone over even when there was plenty of sun time available still.

He had a message to write and a strategy to plan. There was no way he was fighting with a gladiator boss without a plan.

"Hey, look here. Is this a treasure box? Should we take it with us?"

Amelia held up a small chest and Keith's bring sparked with memory. He knew what this was.