Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Arena Night Frenzy
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“W-What am I gonna do, seriously. Ha… I’m so nervous. Luna, say something. Huh?”
Rachel paced restlessly around the living room like a madwoman.
She took deep breaths, huffing and puffing, her face slightly flushed as if she had a fever. Luna watched her with a bored expression, giving a soulless smile.
“Calm down and sit already. You’re driving me nuts.”
“Yeah!”
“You like throwing punches that much?”
“Yup!”
“I get it, sort of…”
No, why do you get it?
As Luna meticulously folded her still-damp clothes and murmured softly, Rachel roughly rolled up her own clothes and grinned.
I leaned back on the sofa, forehead in hand at the pastoral sight of them chatting idly while folding laundry—yet the conversation felt so out of place.
“Tonight!”
We head out to hunt.
No, that’s not it.
“I’m gonna have a blast!”
Watching Rachel raise one fist high like an uppercut and shake it, I let out a hollow laugh.
“Anyone’d think you’re taking her somewhere nice.”
“Tell me about it, Lord Adelian.”
Unable to hold back, I chimed in, and Zero, sitting beside me sipping juice, joined right away.
“For Rachel, it is a nice place.”
Kane piled on, confirming the three of us were of one mind.
That fond urge to tease Rachel, beaming with excitement at the thought of throwing punches.
“Heh heh, exactly. It’s a great spot for me. Kyahaha, jealous?”
But it didn’t faze her one bit. Normally, she’d lunge at Kane for less, but now her tolerance was as vast as the Pacific.
Zero and I exchanged glances and shook our heads, while Kane perched on the sofa armrest, sighed lowly, looked down at me, and spoke.
“I and Zero will focus on your protection.”
“Right. If we rely on Rachel, only bones’ll be left, huh?”
“Even bones would be lucky, Lord Adelian.”
Officially, Rachel was joining the arena meet as my guard, but from the looks of it, she’d be too busy brawling to babysit.
Yeah, I’d better look after my own neck.
I polished Aegis with a cloth, scraping off grime.
―Is there anything I can do, Administrator?
“No way there isn’t. The church might’ve set a double trap, so I’d appreciate Leaf’s help.”
―Of course.
“Leaf and Luna, stand by near the arena. Zero and Kane, stick with me as close as your skills allow. And Rachel…”
“Kuh, kuheheh.”
I clicked my tongue at Rachel, madness creeping into her eyes as she shadowboxed the air.
“…just don’t cause trouble.”
“Don’t worry! You don’t trust me?”
Nope, not a bit.
After double-checking the mass-produced Siren I’d given Leaf, I considered a quick rest before the night-to-dawn arena stint and rose from the sofa—when a knock came from outside.
“I’ll get it.”
Zero, the de facto youngest despite two seniors and two juniors, hopped up and headed to the door.
“Betting after so long?”
“Doubt it’s a doppelganger.”
―Breathing suggests a regular human.
“Right, Leaf?”
Fascinating every time—how do Luna and Leaf even communicate?
I glanced between them briefly, then turned as the door slowly opened. A well-dressed, sturdy middle-aged man stood there, twirling his mustache in circles.
“Hear the words of Her Imperial Highness, First Princess of Irina and Taiteria, Seria von Taiteria, to Adelian Guardian Krueger, heir of Duke Cayman True Krueger.”
What? Now?
* * *
Feels like a storm just blew through.
The empire’s First Princess doesn’t send people often.
I tugged Luna’s ear as she eyed me anxiously.
“Not exactly out of left field.”
“Really?”
Of course it’s real, not fake. I smiled at Rachel, who pouted.
Come on, I’ve tangled with the continent-wrecking church and met how many royals already?
Just because she’s first in imperial succession doesn’t warrant this fuss, right?
Well, maybe—this is the first time they’ve sent someone with full formalities and openly named her.
“Anyway, it’s because the artifact releasing this time is the Siren.”
I nodded at Kane’s words.
“No, the empire’s got artifacts galore. Does that mean she’s sending people to the Magic Tower and Alchemy Tower too?”
Rachel spoke as if baffled, and Zero lowered his gaze before adding,
“Honestly, thanks to you, Lord Adelian, I’ve seen so many scrolls and artifacts that I don’t get it. Is selling Sirens such a big deal?”
I alternated glances between clueless worldly innocent #1, locked in a labyrinth forever, and #2, holed up on the border throwing punches.
Even #3, Leaf, who’d naturally spent over a millennium in stasis, stared blankly at me. Luna had a vague idea, but explanations were needed.
Usually, yes. I’d swallowed up Valbus’s warehouse, and the Krueger family was filthy rich, so scrolls and artifacts were as common as dirt for us.
But for average commoner families, inheriting even one or two decent artifacts was the reality.
“Communication artifacts especially occupy a weird niche.”
I started, and unlike the innocents 1, 2, and 3, Kane caught on and continued.
“Militaries prefer weapon artifacts, everyday folk go for lifestyle ones.”
“So people figure chatting with far-off folks means letters or shelling out for pricey comm crystals now and then.”
“Communication’s useless if only you have it. The other person needs the matching piece.”
As Kane and I took turns explaining, they all nodded in understanding.
Comm artifacts usually came in fixed pairs—pay top dollar, and you could only talk to one person. Who’d buy that?
Only for nobles’ romances or military use.
But now came the Siren.
Affordable for commoners or with conditions—and not one-to-one, but multi-party comms.
A revolution, if you think about it.
“Plenty have never tried it, but no one tries it just once.”
“Exactly. Anytime, anywhere, talking to whoever you want? Huge draw.”
They might not feel it yet.
Soon enough, everyone would know how useful it was.
Range limits? For commoners, a city or two away was plenty. Most don’t stray far from birthplaces.
Family, friends, contacts usually within one or two cities—and Sirens supporting more?
‘Sell those few at premium. Easy to eavesdrop too.’
“So what’s your plan, Lord Adelian?”
“Yeah, the palace—even a monster like you can’t sneak in.”
―If I were as small as Aegis, I could’ve followed… Regrettable, Administrator.
I couldn’t hold back a laugh at Leaf’s words and leaned back leisurely.
“You guys don’t trust me enough?”
“Well, you’re weak.”
Rachel’s bluntness stung, but I had no comeback.
Frankly, this party treats me this way because of them—if it were just me with Codex, I’d be welcomed anywhere. But my party!
Too damn strong!
“I’m one of only two heirs to the empire’s sole three ducal houses. Plus.”
I spoke slowly, spinning the Krueger ring on my finger with a clink.
“Not officially announced, but I’m acting family head now. The palace knows— they keep tabs on us. So it’s fine.”
“Going alone to the people checking you—why’s that fine, Lord Adelian?”
“The fact they formally invited you despite the scrutiny is what matters.”
If they wanted me gone, it’d be kidnap or assassination—sneaky.
Sending a formal envoy like this? Safer than safe.
“Good thing they didn’t summon you tonight.”
“Yeah!”
Arena tonight—would’ve messed everything up.
Rachel’d go berserk if we skipped.
* * *
“As if you can hold back.”
Like a cat refusing fish—why bother saying it.
“Th-That lady is…”
“My guard. They said bring one.”
“You didn’t force her?”
“She’d grab my collar if I didn’t.”
I took a sip of booze, eyeing Rachel already mounted and swinging fists gleefully, then draped an arm over Arman’s shoulder as he stared blankly.
“Ah, I’ll bet after you cash in…”
Pocket change, but fun to try.
Maybe next round.
I slowly eyed Arman, who gawked at ecstatic Rachel bouncing around.
‘User’s Eye.’
[Arman Gale Huxley—Bearer of the Sea Dragon’s Blessing]
Main Traits: [Navigation (B+)] [Conviction (B+)] [Naval Combat (D)]
Hidden Traits: [Sea Dragon’s Blessing (SS)] [Iron Blood (C)]
Yup, a keeper.
Future Steel Admiral.
“You misunderstood me earlier, didn’t you? Bringing a female guard here—thought all sorts, huh.”
“W-Well.”
I grinned, savoring Arman’s flustered face and traits with my drink.
“But look at her. Who’s using who?”
“Kyahaha! Come on, next!”
Rachel, having downed another, wiped blood from her face with her hand and beckoned with a finger.
Arman averted his eyes at her taunting the crowd, speechless.
“Misjudging people like that—rude.”
“S-Sorry.”
“Nah, what’re friends for? I’ll let it slide.”
Arman’s face screamed “Since when are we friends?” but having erred first, he just cleared his throat awkwardly.
Ah, the green days of the future Steel Admiral from the late original.
‘And pre-awakening too.’
Liked this extra unit personally, but no reason to do others favors.
Main traits at B+? Impressive for his age anywhere else—but noble world’s different.
Even Aria shuffling papers at my main house had Spirit (A).
‘Around now, he’s got some inferiority over his middling talents.’
Not exact, but close enough.
“Sh-Shouldn’t we stop her, Lord Adelian?”
“Just Adelian. We’re friends, remember.”
“That’s what I’m saying—when did… Sigh, fine. Friends it is.”
True to his gruff nature, Arman ruffled his hair roughly and offered a handshake.
I shook lightly, scanning the room.
“Arena suits you—sailors like it rough?”
“Don’t say southern hick too.”
He grumbled at my tease, and I laughed.
“Thought it matched my tastes? Wrong, that’s why. You called for the Krueger business, right?”
“Any more challengers? Huh? That all?”
“Enough already! Get down!”
Ignoring Rachel and the others yelling behind me, I smiled. Arman glanced between us before speaking.
“…Too noisy here for talk. Shall we move?”
“Business chats need quiet for flavor.”
Whether debt via Siren or traits, snag this ripe Arman now.
‘Other nameds are iffy—this one’s surefire.’
Loyal once won over, and with Sea Dragon’s Blessing main—tops even main party in sea events.
No need for schemes; straight shot works.
I grinned and followed Arman to a room a bit away from the arena.