Chapter 45
Kalron.
The man who had introduced himself as Evan earlier entered the room and bowed politely.
“Did you call for me, young master?”
“Yeah. That Seron guy earlier, the gladiator.”
“Yes.”
“He fought pretty well and piqued my interest. The way that trembling kid turned into a madman with a sword—it was entertaining enough as a spectacle.”
Smiling with satisfaction, I casually tossed three gold coins to him, and a sly grin spread across his face.
“Thank you very much.”
“By the way, about that guy.”
“Yes.”
“He seems interesting. Can I meet him in person?”
“…That would be difficult. It’s against the rules for gladiators and spectators to meet directly…”
Before he could finish speaking, I frowned and grumbled irritably.
“Ugh. That’s a bit disappointing. Rules? Do I really have to follow those?”
“…”
I spoke shamelessly, and Evan’s expression crumpled slightly.
I said I wanted to meet him.
Does he have a problem with that?
Judging by his uneasy look, he clearly wasn’t thrilled, but there was nothing he could do.
He wasn’t going to kick out a VVIP client, nor could he physically overpower me for making such a trivial request.
“Tsk. I came here to spend lavishly and have fun, but now you’re telling me even this is too much? If that’s the case… I might just lose some affection for the Viscount.”
After saying that, I jingled the pouch of gold coins in my hand.
Jingle.
The clinking sound of the coins made Evan’s eyes glimmer.
Taking out five more gold coins, I handed them to him and asked, “Still no?”
“…I will make an exception for you, young master. After all, you are a very valuable client. However… you cannot meet him for too long.”
“I wasn’t planning to stay long anyway. Just curious, that’s all.”
Smiling as if amused, I noticed Evan hesitated before quickly adding, “And since he’s one of our higher-level gladiators… please avoid causing any injuries. He is one of our precious assets.”
“Oh, of course. Do I look like someone who doesn’t understand such basic etiquette? Relax. Do I look like a thug to you?”
“…Understood. Please follow me.”
Kalron then began leading me and my party.
He headed to the underground section of the arena. Although the arena itself was underground, there was yet another lower level beneath it.
Think of it as a basement beneath the basement.
Passing through the seating area, we descended to another floor.
This was likely where the gladiators lived.
All around, cages holding various monsters were lined up.
“Wow, you’ve got quite a collection here.”
“To ensure our audience’s satisfaction, we prepare a wide variety of options.”
“Really?”
On the first underground floor, the lowest-ranked and low-ranked gladiators were crammed together in their cages.
In one small cell, more than ten people were huddled together.
The lowest-ranked gladiators were no better than a bunch of beggars.
The low-ranked ones were slightly better off.
Each cell housed about three gladiators.
They had chains binding their ankles, likely to prevent escape attempts.
The second underground floor housed the mid-ranked gladiators.
“These guys live a bit more decently, huh?”
The mid-ranked gladiators had chains around their wrists as well as their ankles, but apart from that, their conditions were much better than those on the first floor.
Although they were still confined, the interior of their cells looked much nicer.
It resembled a low-tier inn room.
There were beds, and the place was well-lit.
“What’s all that food for?” I asked, noticing the neatly arranged meals in the corridors between the cells.
“Those are prepared in advance so that they can be delivered quickly when the gladiators request food.”
“There was nothing like that on the first floor.”
“The lowest-ranked and low-ranked gladiators don’t qualify for such treatment.”
“Fair enough.”
“Yes. Rewards are given to those who strive to improve.”
The meals in the corridors weren’t luxurious, but they were a vast improvement over the stale barley bread the first floor likely offered.
Scattered around the corridors, brutish-looking men stood guard. Among them were knights—no doubt sent by the Viscount himself.
They were probably turning a blind eye to this illegal arena in exchange for generous bribes.
Disgusted, I glanced at Evan and asked, “So, the high-ranked and top-ranked gladiators must receive exceptional treatment, huh?”
“That’s correct.”
“No wonder. The first floor really was a pigsty. The stench alone…”
“I apologize, but passing through that area is unavoidable if you wish to reach the third floor.”
“Never mind. Anyway, how do you acquire your gladiators?”
“We purchase slaves and train them.”
“Just purchase them?”
From the way you operate, I doubt that’s all you do.
Sure, buying healthy male slaves might be part of your supply chain, but I’d bet kidnapping plays a significant role too.
For scumbags like you, conscience is nothing compared to profit. You probably target the poor or commoners who won’t cause trouble if they go missing.
With a sly grin, he added, “…Of course, there are other methods as well.”
Just as I suspected.
Scum like him deserve to be wiped off the face of the earth.
Noticing Leonhardt’s subtle expression of anger, I knew he felt the same way.
As someone with a strong sense of justice, his reaction was only natural.
Just wait.
I’ll let you cut loose soon enough.
Feigning indifference, I lightly nodded and followed Evan to the third underground floor, where the high-ranked gladiators resided.
“This place is certainly better.”
Unlike the lower floors, this level featured cells that resembled well-furnished inn rooms.
Each room was spacious and comfortable.
“How many high-ranked gladiators are there in total?” I asked.
“Fifteen.”
“And the top-ranked ones?”
“Just three.”
“What about Seron?”
“He’s in cell number eight over there.”
Standing in front of cell number 8, I naturally locked eyes with Seron.
Perhaps it was because I was wearing somewhat refined clothing.
The look in Seron’s eyes as he stared at me was filled with curiosity.
He was probably wondering why a person who appeared to be a noble had come all the way here.
“Interesting.”
“…Pardon?”
“Hold on a moment.”
After speaking to Seron, I turned to look at Evan, the arena’s chief manager, who had guided me here.
“I’d like to have a conversation with this guy.”
“Yes, as you wish…”
“No, I mean just the two of us, quietly.”
“…What?”
“I’m personally curious. Could you open this cell for me? I want to go in and ask him a few questions.”
“That’s…”
“Why do you talk so much?”
Before he could finish his sentence, I handed over ten gold coins.
“Will this do? I only need ten minutes.”
“Young master, you could be in danger…”
“Come on. From the look in his eyes, he doesn’t seem crazy most of the time. As long as you don’t hand him a sword, what could he possibly do to me? Besides, his arms and legs are chained. How would he even try to harm me? Also, my knight will be accompanying me inside. Satisfied?”
After pondering for a moment, Evan nodded.
As expected.
The power of gold is truly great.
“…Understood. I cannot allow you much time. And please, no injuries…”
“Yeah, yeah, got it. Now hurry up and open the door.”
The cell door creaked open.
Leonhardt and I stepped inside.
Evan, seemingly determined to follow my instructions to the letter, observed the cell from a respectful distance.
He probably didn’t have the faintest idea that I was planning to help this guy escape.
So far, I had played the role of a scoundrel to perfection. To him, it would simply seem like a madman’s fleeting interest.
As I activated Heart Eye, the inner workings of Seron’s body came into view.
‘As I thought.’
There was no trace of aura.
Approaching Seron, whose hands and feet were bound in chains, I casually sat down beside him.
Leonhardt stood nearby, and Seron’s gaze flickered nervously.
Even if he tried something foolish, Leonhardt, as a high-ranking knight, would be able to handle it with ease.
I felt no pressure whatsoever.
Time to get down to business.
“Your name is Seron, correct?”
“…Yes.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kyle Seltarion.”
“…Seltarion…? Are you, perhaps, a noble?”
“What you’re thinking is more or less correct. I’m going to ask you a few questions now, and I’d like you to answer them honestly. Got it?”
I smiled faintly, and Seron nodded hesitantly, looking slightly intimidated.
All right, first question.
“How did you end up here?”
“…I don’t know. One day, I just woke up and found myself here.”
“Can’t remember anything at all?”
“…No.”
“What did you do as a child?”
“…I have no idea who I am… or what kind of person I was…”
Amnesia?
This seemed to match the game’s original setup.
When starting as the protagonist, there had been a brief explanatory note about amnesia or something similar.
Not knowing why he ended up living as a slave—it was a pitiful situation.
As expected.
I had to make him mine.
“I see. How long have you been here?”
“Probably… about a month…”
“How’s life here? Bearable?”
“…”
Seron didn’t answer, but the expression on his face said it all.
With his response clear, it was time to start persuading him.
“Let’s get to the point since time is short. What do you think about working for me?”
“…Pardon?”
“You’re quite skilled in combat. I liked that. Don’t you want to get out of this prison-like place?”
My question seemed to strike a chord.
Seron trembled slightly.
“Sure, the facilities here look decent, but it’s still a prison without freedom, isn’t it? Even if you’ve lost your memory, you understand what a prison is, right?”
“…Yes.”
“Do you like it here?”
“…No.”
“Then why not leave with me? I’ll help you. Of course, in return, you’ll need to swear loyalty to me.”
At my words, Seron glanced up at me.
“…If I were to leave, what kind of life would I lead?”
“The knight here will train you. He’ll teach you swordsmanship. I’ll even arrange for you to learn an aura cultivation technique used by knights.”
“A knight…”
“Of course, you won’t start as a knight right away. You’ll first serve as his squire. If you perform well, I’ll ensure you become a knight.”
“…A knight…”
“Yes, a knight.”
Even without his past memories, he seemed to grasp the concept of a knight well enough.
After staring at me for a moment, Seron’s eyes lit up.
“…If you’ll do that for me, I will follow you, Kyle.”
“Excellent choice.”
With the deal settled, I immediately called for Evan.
“Have you finished your conversation?”
“Yes. By the way, I’d like to purchase him.”
“…Purchase him?”
“Yes. Don’t tell me he’s not for sale. How much?”
As soon as I finished speaking, greed sparkled in Evan’s eyes.
The very picture of avarice.
How much was he going to ask for?
Seventeen platinum coins.
Ideally, he’d quote a price lower than that, which would make us both happy.
But Evan was a greedy scoundrel.
“…Seron is an invaluable asset to our arena. If the young master insists on purchasing him, I would have no choice but to sell. However… the minimum price would be eighty platinum coins.”
“Hmm. Really? That’s steep. Isn’t the standard price for a high-ranked gladiator around five platinum coins? Even if he’s skilled… eighty is excessive. How about fifteen?”
“Normally, yes. But Seron is an exceptionally rare case. Fifteen would… put us in a very difficult position.”
I see.
In that case, negotiations were over.
Without hesitation, I channeled mana through my body and smiled at him.
“Well, that’s unfortunate.”
“Are you short on funds, young master?”
“Ah, that’s part of it.”
Fwoosh.
A Fire Arrow materialized above my right hand, and Evan’s eyes widened in shock.
“But mostly because I don’t think I’ll be seeing you again.”
Realizing what was happening, Evan hastily reached for his sword, but it was too late.
Fwoosh!
“Arghhh!”
My mixed-activation fire arrow struck straight into his heart.
A blood-curdling scream echoed throughout the third underground floor.
—
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