Chapter 43
I glanced at the viscount and spoke lightly.
“I didn’t realize this before, but it seems I’m quite talented in magic. At the age of twelve, I already achieved the 1st Circle. How can you say that’s not impressive? Haha. If not for that, I wouldn’t have been able to leave the annex.”
Hearing that, a mocking glint flickered in the viscount’s eyes.
Sure, overcoming Hermemu was an admirable feat, but achieving the 1st Circle at the age of twelve wasn’t something extraordinary.
With decent talent and family support, most children reached the 1st Circle before the age of seven.
Of course, despite the mocking look in his eyes, the viscount’s lips naturally spilled compliments.
“Ah, yes. That’s only natural. Indeed, without Sir Kyle’s remarkable talent, how could you have achieved the 1st Circle?”
“As expected, Viscount, you truly understand. By the way, is it just because I haven’t visited here in so long? I already feel my blood boiling. I was cooped up in that suffocating place for so long…”
As I casually dangled the bait, the pig quickly took it.
“Well, how could a real man possibly be satisfied in a cramped annex? You’ve come to the right place!”
“Maybe it’s because I’ve been studying magic lately, but my body feels so stiff. Sitting all day… I don’t know, to clear my head, I think a fiery place would do the trick…”
I glanced at the viscount and added more.
“A place where I could watch some blood-pumping battles… Something like that might completely relieve my stress. Do you know of such a place? I’d love to enjoy something like that after so long.”
After finishing my sentence,
I fiddled with my pocket, letting the coins jingle. The viscount grinned slightly and nodded.
“Hehe. As it happens, I know of a discreetly operated arena… The gladiators there fight quite fiercely. However… it is a bit expensive…”
“Oh! Viscount, don’t you know me? This is Kyle Seltarion we’re talking about. If nothing else, I always carry plenty of money. How much could that little entrance fee even be?”
Feigning drunkenness, I slurred my voice and pulled out a platinum coin from my pocket.
The viscount quickly responded.
“Ahem. That won’t do. Let me guide you to an excellent place. Not only will there be thrilling spectacles, but there are many other things to enjoy.”
The viscount and I exchanged knowing smiles.
Good.
I’d secured access to the arena. Now it was time to find the protagonist and accomplish my goal here.
Soon, with the guidance of the knight the viscount assigned to me, I began heading toward the illegal arena.
The travel time wasn’t very long.
Prinus.
After navigating through what seemed like back alleys, I arrived at a small tavern and began to enter.
The interior of the rundown tavern.
“Seriously, is this so-called excellent place here?”
Feigning disappointment, I asked the knight who guided me, and he shook his head.
“No, Young Master. Please wait a moment.”
The knight then approached a secluded corner inside the tavern and knocked on a door.
Knock, knock.
After exchanging what seemed like military-style passphrases,
Creak.
The door opened.
Behind it was a long staircase.
This was the only path leading to the underground arena.
‘It’s been a while.’
In the past, I had frequented this place so much that it made me sick.
Seeing it again now felt strangely nostalgic.
I began descending the stairs with the knight.
“This is it.”
“Oh. It looks like a Colosseum.”
“Yes. We call it the underground arena.”
“Interesting.”
“You won’t be disappointed.”
The place was crowded with people.
If they had anything in common, it was that all of them wore masks and dressed in luxurious clothing.
The crowd ranged from those around Kyle’s age to men who appeared to be in their forties. Using Heart Eye, I scanned their general information.
‘About half are nobles, and the other half are wealthy heirs.’
Judging by their talents and characteristics, I could describe them as dark sprouts, not much different from this delinquent body of mine.
Occasionally, there were one or two relatively normal people, but even they had strange characteristics attached to them.
Murderous, cruel, sadistic, voyeuristic, indulgent.
Traits like these.
As expected.
Flies always swarm where there’s filth. Soon, a man approached me and my group, bowing politely.
[Kalron]
[Talent: Wealth, Swordsmanship]
[Traits: Villain, Murderer]
[Favorability: 5]
Oh dear.
Even at a glance, he seemed like someone advertising his evil nature.
Was he the general manager?
“I am Evan, the manager of this place. Since you’re esteemed guests, I will personally escort you. Ah, and please wear these.”
My assumption was spot on.
Was that name fake?
Well, it’s not like someone doing such dirty work would use their real name.
He handed us three masks.
Once my group and I wore the masks, we began moving toward the interior of the illegal arena.
“I will guide you to the finest seats.”
“Great. By the way, don’t they sell food here? I’m feeling a bit hungry.”
“Just let me know, and I’ll have it served.”
“Bring me something delicious. Is watching gladiators fight the only attraction here? That sounds a bit dull.”
“Oh, there are various courses available.”
“Courses?”
He leaned in and began whispering to me.
Drugs, human hunting, and other forms of entertainment.
They had curated only the vilest activities.
No wonder this place was illegal.
Still, since I was acting as a delinquent,
“Not bad at all.”
I smirked under the mask.
“You won’t regret it. If there’s anything you desire, just say the word.”
“Let me enjoy the show first. Then I’ll consider the other courses. Oh, and here.”
I pulled out ten gold coins from my pocket and handed them to him.
“A tip.”
A wide smile spread across his face.
“Thank you.”
“If today is fun, I’ll spend generously. It’s my first visit, so don’t disappoint me. Make it exciting… you know what I mean?”
“Yes. The viscount specifically instructed me to ensure you have no regrets. You won’t be disappointed.”
Ten gold coins felt wasteful.
But by throwing money around, these people would enthusiastically arrange more fights between the gladiators.
They’d also lower their guard significantly.
‘If I watch long enough, I might find him.’
If not, I’d just gather all the gladiators and inspect them. I had enough money and influence to do so.
The finest seats.
They were located on the highest floor of the Colosseum.
The area resembled a royal suite in a hotel.
As I sank into the plush chair and looked down,
“This place reeks of filth.”
Leonhardt commented.
“Evil always runs deep.”
“Are you certain the person you’re looking for is here, Young Master?”
“I don’t know. This is just a hunch. For now, I’ll observe the gladiators.”
“…Understood.”
Soon, in the arena below, the gladiators began pouring out.
“This match! It’s a showdown between ten gladiators and a troll! Look at the cage!”
The announcer pointed to a large iron cage. It was crafted from sturdy alloy that even a troll couldn’t break.
Inside was a towering troll, about 4 meters tall, breathing heavily.
A gaunt frame.
And those bloodshot eyes.
‘Those bastards. They’ve starved it.’
The situation became clear.
The more a monster starves, the more ferocious it becomes.
“The troll before you hasn’t eaten anything for five days except water! Its stomach is entirely empty, brimming with hunger! This troll will fight ten slave gladiators in a battle to the death! Isn’t that thrilling just to imagine?”
Waaaah!
At the announcer’s shout, the masked spectators in the arena erupted into fervent cheers.
Their eyes glinted with madness, making it obvious that they genuinely enjoyed this carnage.
“There really are a lot of lunatics in the world.”
I grinned and turned to Erciel.
“Are you okay?”
“Ah. Yes.”
“Judging by the situation, a few of them are likely to be eaten by the troll. If you don’t want to see it, feel free to close your eyes.”
No matter how you looked at it, this wasn’t something suitable for her to watch.
She was one of my precious subordinates.
If this could potentially shake her mental state, it was best to address it early.
At my words, she shook her head.
“…I’m fine, Young Master.”
“Really?”
“If I’m going to assist you in battles… I’ll likely witness scenes like this frequently in the future.”
Her eyes were unexpectedly composed.
That was fine by me.
After all, if she stuck around me long enough, she’d witness sights even more brutal than people being eaten by trolls.
I couldn’t shelter her from everything just because she was young.
It was better to become accustomed to such violence quickly.
“Alright. Take your time watching. Sit comfortably.”
“I’m oka—”
“Order.”
“…Understood.”
She quietly sat down next to me.
Leonhardt remained standing.
Even if I told him to sit, he wouldn’t listen, and as a high-ranking knight, he wouldn’t get tired anyway.
Letting him stand was the best option.
As the arena grew increasingly chaotic, food worthy of a feast was delivered.
This wasn’t just a meal; it was practically a banquet.
“Wow, it smells amazing. Try this.”
Casually, I offered some food to Erciel, who sat beside me.
Then I turned to Leonhardt.
“Do you want some?”
“I’m fine.”
“Just eat a little. It’s okay for now.”
“….”
When he kept refusing, I piled some food onto a plate and handed it to him.
One should always eat when given the chance.
As I swallowed my food, the fight between the gladiators and the troll began.
One gladiator was slammed into the wall by the troll’s punch.
Crash!
Another, who tried to block the punch with a steel shield, was grabbed and shoved into the troll’s mouth.
Waaaah!!
What was so entertaining about this that made them cheer so enthusiastically?
I could never understand the minds of these lunatics.
But the food was delicious.
Erciel was also eating slowly.
Though she occasionally flinched, she didn’t vomit, which was a passing grade in itself.
After a while, she looked at me.
“By the way, Young Master.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“If you find the person you’re looking for, what do you plan to do?”
“Buy them.”
“A gladiator?”
“Yes. They’re a slave. They can be bought and sold.”
“Ah…”
Having been in a similar position herself, she seemed to understand immediately.
“And if they’re too expensive…”
I casually picked up some food and continued.
“I’ll just take them.”
“…What?”
Until now, I had only told the two of them that I was here to find someone.
Now that we’d arrived, it was time to explain my true intentions.
“Judging by the circumstances, they’ll probably ask for a ridiculous price.”
“Are you short on funds?”
“No. The price I have in mind is already more than fair. But I doubt they’ll sell for that.”
People like them weren’t kind enough to sell items at reasonable prices.
“…And by ‘take them,’ you mean…”
I looked into Erciel’s eyes and grinned.
“They’re garbage anyway, aren’t they? From murder experiences and drugs to forcing battles between monsters and humans… If things get difficult, why bother resolving it peacefully?”
“Still, wouldn’t it be best to purchase them properly?”
“I’d prefer that too. If seventeen platinum coins can solve it, that would be ideal.”
Leonhardt’s expression hardened at my words.
“…It could be dangerous.”
“How dangerous can thugs be? At best, they’ll have one or two mid-rank Experts.”
“Is this person truly worth such effort?”
Worth?
If my expectations were correct, they were worth far more than that.
I smirked and answered his question.
“I’ve heard they’re incredible in combat. The rumors are everywhere. That’s why I came here—to see for myself.”
At my response, he nodded.
“…Understood.”
“Good. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but if it does, I’ll need your help. I’ll do my best too.”
“Yes.”
“…I’ll help too, Young Master.”
“Alright. It won’t be difficult. Just provide support with light and shields. These people are no different from monsters, so don’t feel burdened.”
Leonhardt and I would take care of making them close their eyes forever.
The fight between the troll and the ten gladiators came to an end.
The result was the troll’s victory.
All ten ended up in its stomach.
“Ah! The gladiators have been defeated. Is it because trolls are such powerful monsters? Judging by how quickly its wounds are healing, that certainly seems to be the case. Now, let’s prepare for the next match!”
After using magic to subdue the troll, they locked it back in its cage and cleared it away.
A few more matches followed.
Finally, the announcer declared the last match of the day.
“For today’s final match! We have a monster nicknamed the ‘Human Hunter,’ the Shabel Tiger! And going up against it, a rising star among high-rank gladiators, Seron!”
Seron.
The name sounded familiar.
‘He must be skilled.’
The final match was usually the highlight.
It made sense to feature the most exciting and crowd-pleasing gladiator.
The fact that a high-rank gladiator, not even a top-rank one, was chosen indicated that he had the skills to captivate the audience.
As the gladiator appeared on stage,
I noticed he seemed about my age.
The moment I caught a glimpse of his exposed face,
a smile naturally spread across my lips.
‘Found him.’
The protagonist.
As expected, he was here.
At twelve years old, he was already a high-rank gladiator.
What a natural talent.
Without hesitation, I activated Heart Eye to analyze him.
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