CH 17

Translated by Tam

Edited by

“Does that look like him?”

“….?”

Of course, he’s more like a human being, and what he just said sounded more like a mockery of Count Maient, who had just come to mind. Siri’s gaze was drawn to Terra. When he took the money out of his shoes, he had a pocket of money in one hand and a smelly shoe sole in the other. 

Ssk, covering her nose with her hands, Siri turned away. 

“…it’s a saying.”

******

Edward Blaine. His armed condition, which goes by the alias Blaine, was quite impressive. A long sword hung from the hand, a bow and arrow on the back, and a thick leather belt tied around the waist, with daggers and middle swords hanging from various bags. He looked more like a warrior than a gladiator, dressed in worn-out leather armor, black leather pants, and leather shoes.

His opponent was a middle-aged man with a long scar on the left side of his face. There were also numerous wounds on the body. The two men stood there staring at each other. Following a brief moment, a middle-aged man jumped in first.

Tak! 

He slammed the ground and reached for Blaine’s hand, stretching out his big hand. She could tell he was serious about grabbing his neck and shoving him. The man’s body, which had been caught in one swoop, was bent back just before his hand touched Blaine’s neck.

“…..”

It was instant.

“GAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

It wasn’t broken, but a man’s open mouth screamed in pain as his muscles were being pulled hard. His wide eyes were filled with blood, and veins bulge out of his thick arms. As time passed, it grew darker and darker.

Blaine pushed him away after putting pressure on him for a while, provoking boos from the audience. It must be to provide a scene of its own that does not immediately suppress it. The man who had been pushed forward in a hunched position twisted his upper body. His eyes were glistening with flesh.

“I didn’t like this bastard from the first time I saw him in the waiting room!”

The man regains his posture and kaak! once the distance is separated. He spit on the ground. It was a vulgar gesture to show that he wasn’t afraid.

“Damn. What is the percentage of my win rate here!”

The man who determined that he was not a right opponent drew the middle sword he was wearing around his waist and held it in both hands. But he couldn’t get to it right away. 

It was because he was overwhelmed by Blaine’s atmosphere. A cold sweat ran down the man’s forehead.

Woooo… Woooooooo.

The audience eventually booed.

“Hey, you little bastard! I’ve bet a lot of money on you; what are you doing in front of a newbie?”

“Let’s get this over with! It’s well worth the money!

Rough swear words poured out everywhere.

Woooooooo! 

The man grated his teeth under constant pressure, revealing his yellow teeth. With a short sound, he rushed to Blaine and lowered his posture, aiming for Blaine’s waist.

Slash—!

However, the man’s attack did not reach Blaine.

Just once. 

Just like the moment, the man’s body hardened in a short period of time. It was a mess because he had blood in his mouth and a slight cut in his nose. It was a wound that was suffered without even a hint of the sword being drawn out.

Once again, silence fell.

He wasn’t seriously hurt, but the atmosphere darkened.

“Just one more hit, and that’ll be your final attack.”

“…..”

The man bit his lower lip. He returned his weapons to his hands and pulled out a huge ax that he was wearing behind his back. He was about to blow it away at the time.

Kwang!

Unlike Blaine, who moved first, he grabbed his face with a large hand and pushed him back.

“U-ugh—!”

The man let out a short groan before collapsing. The hall is now deafeningly silent.

“…..”

[T-the newcomer who joined for the first time today defeated the system’s longest active gladiator and won!]

The host, who had come to his senses, shouted through a magical loudspeaker.

Whoaaaaaa! 

Only then did the audience react. Despite the loud applause, he did not raise his hand. The show is going to be exactly like this, and then he left. Its indifference turned out to be an opportunity for the strong, increasing the audience’s enthusiasm.

In the heat of excitement.

“Terra.”

Serdel sent a signal. Blaine, she can’t let him go like that. Terra, who had just collected the dividend, quickly turned away.

“—Uh.”

But he stopped instead of going. When she turned around to see what was going on, she was surprised to see an unexpected figure standing right behind her.

“It’s been a while. Young Lady Serdel Robbesta.”

Palden Asladen, the second Prince who had pushed her to this point, was smiling. Because it had not been trimmed, the burning red hair was messy. Tall, with a thick neck and broad shoulders. The muscular body has been suffocating because it does seem to be facing a huge wall. And there’s a thick line, fierce eyes. The sharp impression she didn’t expect to see here made her heart drop. 

“…I see the second Prince.”

He stopped Serdel, who was about to greet him.

“In a place like this, there’s no need to be so hard. It’s causing me to lose interest. You’re here to have a good time, aren’t you?”

She looked around and saw that there was no more room. The nobles, who are quick-witted, appear to have avoided the prince the moment they saw him.

‘Damn it—’

My throat has dried up.

“From the back, I don’t think you’ve ever lost it. I was a little surprised. You made a fortune, didn’t you?”

Is it petty or playful? He spoke softly, raising the corner of his mouth and holding a rather large-looking money bag in his hand.

“I also made some money. I didn’t expect Young Lady to have such a good eye for people,” he said several times as he tossed the money bag.

“…..”

“Once again, I’m surprised.”

When he got closer, she trembled. The thick energy he emits makes her dizzy. The pressure was also no joke. “I was just lucky.” Serdel, who had managed to open her mouth, smiled awkwardly.

Why the hell did he come here? Just for the sake of entertainment? It has to be. He shouldn’t have come here with the same intentions as she did. Especially if he’s after him—.

“Oh, that last silver hair was incredible. Strangers may have thought it was simple, but the sense of movement itself was extraordinary. He was born in an environment that influenced his surroundings.”

“…..”

“What do you think, Young Lady?”

Her throat is tense. It wouldn’t happen, but she was desperate because she thought she was going to lose him.

“It was— it was cool.”

“It was cool? You seemed to enjoy the character. But is that all? I thought there’d be more impressions if it was Young Lady, but isn’t it too simple?”

Her grip was drenched in sweat. There was no time to turn it off in this situation. She avoided answering by kicking at Terra’s feet, who was still bowing his head, while also creating a gap.

“Terra, what are you doing? Without going.”

“A-ah, yes. Lady.”

He snuck out of the seat while looking around. Fortunately, Palden didn’t even look at him. He was only interested in Serdel.

“Did you enjoy it? Isn’t it true that Young Lady despises going to the gladiatorial arena because it’s so barbaric and messy?”

It is, indeed. Who wouldn’t want to show up in a dress to such a sweaty and rough place?

‘It’s so crowded from the entrance where only aristocrats enter and exit.’

“As expected, is it because you’re Dame Addis Robbesta’s sister?”

“…..”

“I’ve heard you’ll be a part of this expedition. I have a lot of questions for Young Lady. If you have time, how about a cup of tea?”

“Please accept my apologies, Your Highness. I’m not your servant or a close friend. I hope you don’t lose your manners in front of me, the Young Lady of a noble family.”

His actions and words were so arrogant that he gave the impression of a scoundrel. Regardless of whether he is one of the male protagonists, he is a target to seduce. She couldn’t bring herself to cringe. Because she knows from past experience how much a person’s charm can be diminished.

Furthermore, the priority was not to lose Blaine and Radun at this time.