CH 101

Chapter 101: Boom and Bust (2)

This chapter is brought by Lady Grey and Neko-chan.

If you read this on other websites, it means it was stolen. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.wordpress.com.

After a while, Sigren and I set a date to inspect the illegal arena. 

“We have to be as inconspicuous as possible.”

Sigren gave me a skeptical look.

“Then, wouldn’t it be best if you didn’t go?”

“As expected, silver hair in the capital is also a bit weird like in the North, isn’t it?”

“Yes, your hair color stands out.”

Considering his statement, I changed my hair color to the most common hair color, reddish brown. 

“I wish I could change the color of my eyes, too.” 

Reddish-brown eyes. A combination that I personally liked. Overall, my vibe changed a bit due to this hair color. I looked a little more human. But I couldn’t completely blend in since red eyes were uncommon.

“I can’t help it.” Sigren pulled up my hood meticulously. 

Looking at Sigren’s face, I wondered which stood out more, my hair color or his appearance.

“Aren’t you more of a problem?”

“It’s fine.” Sigren murmured while pulling on his hood with a sullen demeanor. 

“If anyone recognizes us, I’ll knock them out.”

That would be quite a good method. Then I quickly remembered that Abel taught him that. 

We got into a carriage and disembarked at the boulevard near the illegal arena. We had to get off and walk from here, just in case. We entered an alley, following a crowd. I thought the place would be like a shady dark corner, like the usual illegal places, but it wasn’t. Surprisingly, it was a luxurious mansion. There were even nobles who were coming in and out casually. On the contrary, it was the commoners who were not allowed to enter. Only the people who presented their noble identity cards could enter and exit easily. 

At the entrance, the staff handed out masks that half-covered their faces. Well, the activity was illegal, so everyone hid their faces. 

I looked around after putting on the mask. The interior was also quite luxurious. However, this level of luxury could not be said to fit into the level of a noble’s mansion. But, this was high enough for a wealthy merchant status. 

I whispered in a small voice. “How do they manage the monsters?”

“Well,” Sigren looked around without notice. He seemed to be checking the access routes. 

We moved along with the crowd. 

The inside was much wider than it seemed. There also appeared to be a separate room the deeper we walked into the mansion. Well, to do something illegal, you have to work hard. 

“This is it.”

A large door opened, and a hall that was bigger than I imagined spread out in front of me. There was a large circular stage surrounded by seats. It reminded me of a huge theater or a colosseum. Of course, the difference was that there were strong iron bars between the seats and the stage. 

I sat in the seat I was guided to, and looked down. There were two monsters growling and fighting. 

“Those are intermediate level monsters, not low level ones.”

“You’re good at noticing things like that.”

There was a difference in the appearance of monsters who have different strength levels, even though they were in the same family. 

“Move! Move!”

When one of the two monsters fell, people shouted. It seemed that they were the people who had bet on the fallen monster. On the other hand, some people cheered. 

But falling didn’t seem to be the end for the monster. A man who appeared to be an employee of this gambling den, put his arm inside the caged arena while still standing outside of it, then whipped the fallen monster. 

“Get up!”

“Hey! Hit it harder! I put all my fortune on it!”

“It’s dangerous.” I frowned. 

“Definitely dangerous.” 

As soon as the words were out, the fallen monster bit the arm of the man. 

The audience roared quickly.

“AAGHHH!!”

Blood gushed from the torn arm. The man grabbed his arm and screamed, then collapsed.

Sigren sighed. “Some of the intermediate level monsters are intelligent enough that they could even roll their heads like that.”

Monsters could pretend to fall down and then bite the attacker. Even they have their own uniqueness. Each of them has their own abilities, even though it was just a slight difference. For example, the fallen monster didn’t have much power, but it was a type that could roll its head. And looking at the scene on the stage, it seemed that the gambling den staff was not aware of that. Well, for people who were rarely in contact with monsters, it was definitely difficult to differentiate a normal beast from a monster. Yet, they were very bold to hold this kind of activity. At this rate, there was no doubt that an incident would happen sooner or later. 

“Fiona.” Sigren looked around while whispering in my ear. “This is bigger than I thought. I can see a few who haven’t been identified.”

“Is it difficult to take them down only with Heilon and the knights under your command?”

“It wouldn’t matter if only people were caught, but it would be dangerous if the monsters were released accidentally in the chaos.”

“Well…”

That made sense. Also, if Sigren and the Heilon family cooperated only with the two of them, there definitely would be a rumor. It would be better if we could attract neutral nobles to clean this up. But the Priscilla would be difficult. 

When I pondered which nobles could be attracted with good reason, Sigren glanced down expressively and whispered.

“Over there.”

“Hm?”

I looked in the direction Sigren was pointing. I really couldn’t tell who he was talking about. Everyone looked alike.

“What’s the matter?”

“There’s the crown prince.”

Uh, really? It was a pity I couldn’t see him. As expected, Sigren’s vision was much better.

“He’s further down… inside, he’s going inside.”

Where the hell was he? As soon as I turned my head, I saw someone walking inside, the arena employee. Just by looking at it, he went where people were not allowed to enter. This was the reason why I finally saw him. Also, the arena staff bowed to him. Has he revealed his identity?

“Why is he going inside?”

Sigren put on an uncomfortable look.

“Well, that’s definitely not a good sign.”

I agree.