Chapter 99

First of all, it was said that there was an arena in the capital. It wasn’t some lame place where people fought over petty arguments in their rooms. Of course, it also wasn’t a place where they brought slaves to fight lions bare-handed.

It was a place where professionally trained gladiators clashed, with strict rules on weaponry depending on the situation, and killing a surrendered opponent would result in permanent disqualification from being a gladiator. Of course, only those who voluntarily participated in the gladiatorial matches were allowed.

However, today, there were no professional gladiators in the arena’s waiting room.

The strong smell of disinfectant that had cleaned the floor, the faint lingering scent of blood despite it, and the metallic smell of the countless weapons that must have been stored here… It had been a long time since I’d experienced all of this. How many years had it been since I graduated from that facility? Since I graduated in elementary school, time had flown by.

*”It’s so damn fast, it’s a problem, dammit…”*

Thanks to these goddamn smells, an old friend came to mind, and I wasn’t in a good mood. Hoon, that bastard, made me feel like crap, so I’ll either mess up his face or cripple him.

“…ㅡㅇㄴㅁ…. Master!”

Airi suddenly poked my cheek.

“Ah… Sorry, what’s up, Airi?”

“Your expression has been so grim since earlier. You’ve been muttering the number 200 over and over…”

Dammit, my bad habit came out again. I thought I’d gotten better recently, but after seeing that goddamn scene in the sewer, my symptoms have worsened again. I thought I’d buried it for a long time… Those Black Round Table bastards and Hoon, I just want to kill them all.

“Sorry… I guess my nerves are a bit on edge…”

“Lately, you’ve been saying that number in your sleep like a sleep-talker. What is it, really?”

Looking at Airi’s face, that memory kept coming back. So I tried to brush it off.

“I was trying to express how cute your face is with a number… Is that enough?”

“Ehh~ That’s such an obvious lie.”

Ah, damn, she’s way too sharp…

“Then you should’ve said 100 million or 1 trillion.”

“Ah… Right.”

Damn, I lost my words and just responded casually. But there was a crow sitting on Airi’s shoulder. What, is she Odin or something?

If I mention it now, will she scream, “What the hell is this?!”

“By the way, since when have you been raising that crow on your shoulder?”

Airi glanced at the crow sitting on her shoulder. Go on, be surprised, curse, and shoo it away.

“Ah, this one…? Damn, this… I started raising it recently… It’s like it’s glued to my shoulder… and it’s really smart.”

“Well, Glacia is raising a messenger bird too… Is raising birds a trend among women these days?”

Not that Glacia’s Sakarin has been raised for a while, so it’s not like she’s following a trend.

“By the way, Master! I brought the thing you asked for!”

Airi had brought the sword I asked for. It was the sword I’d use in the upcoming swordsmanship match against Hoon.

“Good job.”

“I gave the original sword to the blacksmith uncle to modify… Are you really okay using that sword in a swordsmanship match?”

“It’s enough against a rookie who doesn’t even know the basics of swordsmanship.”

I brushed off the dust on my pants and stood up. It was almost time to enter the arena.

“Well, of course, you’ll win, Master. So I won’t give you the cliché cheer of ‘Come back victorious!’ Just don’t get hurt.”

“…Right.”

As I walked down the corridor, Glacia, who was leaning against the wall, bowed her head to greet me. What’s this, is she a captured heroine or a heroine with a weird bug stuck to her?

“Lord Werner, please take care of yourself.”

“Huh, no one’s wishing me victory.”

“Do you think I’m foolish enough to say such things in a match where the outcome is obvious?”

“Haha… Then watch from the stands. I’ll clean up the bug that’s stuck to you, Glacia.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Passing through the dark corridor, I headed to the arena bathed in the midday sun. The weather wasn’t too hot or cold, the sunlight wasn’t too strong, and the cool breeze… It was perfect weather for a nap at home, but Hoon ruined everything.

Looking around, the women who came to cheer for me, including Glacia, were sitting in the special seats, watching us. The Crown Prince was there too, and even the Crown Princess, who supposedly disliked public appearances, was present. It must be quite the entertainment.

Hoon pointed at me and shouted.

“Today, I’ll defeat you and grant Glacia her freedom!”

Wow… From a distance, Glacia’s expression was rotting in real-time, and Airi was teasing her about it before getting hit… Wow, they’re fighting again… And that crow over there seems to be laughing at them… Must be my imagination.

“If I win today, I’ll never interfere with Glacia again…”

“Shut up.”

I came to the arena to watch a fight, but why is this guy bothering me? Oh, right, I’m not a spectator.

The announcer, who seemed to be the host, shouted loudly.

“Ladies and gentlemen! The long wait is over!!! The match that brought you all here today is about to begin!!!”

Then, a thunderous cheer erupted. And Hoon waved his hands around, greeting everyone. Was he more popular than I thought?

“First, as you all know! Let me introduce the fighters!!! Don’t get mad at me for explaining what you already know! It’s my job!!!”

Then, the crowd burst into laughter. Is that really funny?

“First, the challenger! From the mysterious land of Japan on Earth! The rising star who recently shocked the adventurer’s guild!!! Akahara Masato!!!”

The cheers were quite loud, so he must be somewhat famous. Well, it’s not easy for someone who isn’t famous to come to the Crown Prince and spout nonsense.

“And next!!! The hero who defeated the demons threatening the empire and developed countless spells!!!! The man ranked first among those the Tower Lords want as their son-in-law!!! Werner Altan!!!”

Then, a cheer that made the previous one seem modest erupted. I could truly feel that Werner was treated as a hero. Well, in reality, it’s like Kim Yushin or King Gwanggaeto showing up at a fight club.

“Kid, your cheers and your lower body… In many ways, I’m bigger than you. Why don’t you just give up?”

It was a considerate suggestion, given the vast difference in experience.

“Shut up! I’ll plunge you into the depths of despair!”

Hoon drew his sword from his waist. At first, I thought it was similar to the sword Camellia used. But no, it was exactly like a Japanese katana. Its defining feature was that the blade was black.

“The black iron katana I had a blacksmith make was completed just in time for the match! Its name is Yodo『Kurokami』!!”

Directly translated, it’s “Black Paper,” huh…

“Sigh. The sun will set before you finish talking. Do you fight with your mouth in your homeland?”

“I’ll show you the secret swordsmanship of the Akahara family. Our family has passed down martial arts for generations.”

“Ah, right. Then I’ll take out my weapon too.”

I pulled out a small knife from my pocket. The blade was about 15cm long. It weighed about 500 grams, maybe? The handle had a good grip, and the blade was coated, making it a pretty high-quality knife. Airi must have a good eye.

“Are you kidding me! Bringing a knife like that to a swordsmanship match! You’re looking down on me!”

“Just like your family’s secret swordsmanship, this is my swordsmanship.”

The goddamn swordsmanship I learned in that goddamn facility, smelling blood… It’s on a whole different level from the swordsmanship you learn swinging wooden swords with your dad or grandpa.

“Tch! Don’t regret it!”

“Then… the first match, the swordsmanship duel, will begin! The rules are as you know: stepping out of the arena results in a ring-out! The first to surrender or be knocked out loses! And killing a surrendered opponent will result in punishment!”

With that, the bell signaling the start of the match rang. I held the dagger in a reverse grip and slowly walked towards him. Not taking a stance was a form of intimidation.

Hoon let out a shout and charged at me with his sword.

“You’re really stupid.”

Charging at me with a sword like that… Well, I guess that’s all he’s been taught.

I struck the back of his hand hard with the handle of my knife.

“Ugh!”

He dropped Kurokami or whatever it’s called without even swinging it, and I kicked the sword away.

“If range is your advantage, you should fight from a distance, idiot.”

I adjusted my grip on the dagger and pressed it against his neck.

“This is cowardly…”

“Did I use poison? Or throw sand? I defeated you fairly in a sword fight.”

“Grr… I surrender this time. But don’t get too cocky! In the next hand-to-hand match, I’ll show you the unique martial arts of the Akahara family!”

Idiot.