Chapter 18
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 18: Irion, You Are Mine
The moment the blood spurted like a fountain and soaked the sandy floor, the cheers that filled the arena evaporated like magic.
Thousands of gazes were fixed on a single point, the wailing Garner and the slave boy standing before him.
What broke the silence was neither a scream nor a cheer, but someone's question.
“......Did you see that just now?”
“What happened?”
“Garner got beaten?”
The spectators were dumbfounded by the picture unfolding before their eyes.
Clearly, they thought a new prey was added to Garner’s greatsword. But when they came to their senses, the one rolling on the floor was Garner, not Irion.
Even though their eyes were open, they couldn't see what happened.
Garner’s sponsor Hazel too.
The arena’s gladiators too.
Irion’s owner Bardick too.
They could only look at the result that had already appeared with stupid faces.
Those who pierced through the truth of that instant were only a very few.
“Sir Zain, was that just now...?”
Renoa, who had stood up abruptly before anyone knew. Her pupils were dilated seeing something unbelievable.
“It’s mana. To think a slave, and at just that age, knows how to handle it. No, more than that, his swordsmanship skill is.......”
The escort knight Zain also found it hard to maintain his composure.
Although he maintained calmness consistently even during the Minotaur match the other day, right now he was swallowing dry saliva staring at Irion.
At that time, Zain judged Irion’s skill to be terrible.
He received a crude and raw feeling from his movements that seemed not to have learned martial arts at all.
Like a single wild wolf struggling just to survive.
But what Irion was wielding now was undoubtedly swordsmanship.
The sword principle that can only be learned through thousands, tens of thousands of repetitions was engraved on the tip of Irion’s sword.
In just one month.
It was impossible for Zain’s common sense to calculate how a slave boy with zero foundation could grow this much in a short period.
“Did he pretend to be weak back then?”
“In my humble opinion, the possibility isn't nonexistent. Even if he blossomed his talent late, the time is absurdly short compared to the growth rate.”
“Ha.”
At Zain’s guess, Renoa burst into a hollow laugh.
Don’t tell me the fight with the Minotaur was a staged show?
Did he seal it on purpose knowing how to use mana?
‘No, that was undoubtedly a desperate struggle to the death.’
Renoa shook her head immediately.
The gaze Irion showed at that moment, the desperation struggling to live. That alone was something that could never be acted.
If.
Really if.
“What if it’s not acting?”
“If that is talent and not acting...... his potential is unpredictable for me.”
Right, if it’s not acting, the conclusion was only one.
This boy, in a short time of one month, swallowed whole a realm that others might or might not reach even devoting their entire lives.
—Squeeze.
Renoa clenched her fist. Her fingernails dug into her palm giving a tingling pain.
What Renoa felt first towards Irion was a sense of kinship. At the fact that he and she were in no different unfortunate positions.
What she felt second was envy. Watching the death struggle of not giving up the future despite being born with misfortune.
What she felt last was jealousy. Because a mere slave was dreaming of a place she could never reach in her life.
“How cute.”
To think a mere slave dares to try to have what even she cannot have.
Cannot allow it.
If he has wings to fly in the sky. If he can leave far away in search of freedom.
“I must lock him in a cage so he cannot fly.”
Irion, who had no way of knowing such inner thoughts of Renoa, waved his hand towards her smiling happily.
That appearance looked somewhat like a puppy wagging its tail at a glance.
The match ended due to Garner’s inability to continue combat after losing one arm.
The winner is Irion.
No matter how much Irion is a rising trend these days, the majority guess was still that he couldn't beat Garner.
Because the difference between a mana awakener and a non-awakener needs no expression.
It’s a fact even a child knows.
So the majority of the spectators, while cheering for Irion in their hearts, bet their entire fortunes on Garner’s victory.
The result.
Since losing faith meant death, those who couldn't believe lost assets precious as their lives.
After the match ended, the two gladiators returned to the waiting room. Garner, now one-armed, wept sobbing.
“My arm.... My aaaarm.......”
“So idiot! I told you not to listen to that guy! It was an obvious provocation but you got excited stupidly!”
“Sob. Garner. Not idiot.”
Watching Garner being scolded by Hazel, Irion thought.
‘I think we could have a good match if he fights Doban betting one arm and leg each.’
It seemed quite an interesting spectacle would be produced.
But unfortunately, since the cut surface was clean, the detached arm could just be reattached.
It seemed Garner wouldn't accept the match.
“Oh, Irion! Our lovely Irion! I firmly believed you would win!”
Bardick ran out in his socks to welcome Irion. Behind him, Renoa’s group approached.
Irion bowed politely.
“I greet the Princess.”
“Yeah.”
“I safely achieved victory.”
“Yeah.”
“Did I meet the Princess’s expectations?”
“More than that.”
Irion couldn't hold back the leaking smile.
Ah, this is done.
“Manager.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
“Of course. I will escort you this way.”
Bardick disappeared taking Renoa. To have something to talk about just between the two at this timing. It was obvious without looking what it was for.
‘She intends to pay my ransom and release me.’
To think such a touching day would come. How long have I waited for this moment.
Not running away because the owner died like before, but being released legally. I can undo these beggar-like shackles.
No worry about being caught as a slave again either. Since it’s different from last time.
Skills will disappear and I’ll become weak once I become a free body, but it’s enough to protect my own body.
Irion wandering around the hallway unable to stay still due to the inflated expectation.
Soon, a servant called him.
“The master calls you.”
“Sigh, I should go right away.”
When I went to the reception room, Bardick and Renoa were sitting facing each other. Judging by the atmosphere, the conversation seemed already over.
“Did you finish the conversation well?”
“Yes.”
Heave-ho. Bardick groaned and stood up with difficulty. He placed his hands on Irion’s shoulders. It was a bittersweet expression.
“Irion. You were the best slave in my life. No, the best gladiator.”
“Ei, what do you mean to that extent. It’s all thanks to the master.”
“I believe you will adapt well anywhere.”
“Thank you, master. It must have been a difficult decision.... I will live well to show you.”
Irion and Bardick exchanging warm farewells.
Soon a servant brought a rolled-up paper. Irion intuitively realized that it was his slave contract.
There, Bardick and Renoa signed in turn.
Then a translucent window popped up in front of Irion’s eyes.
■ Previous Owner: Bardick
■ New Owner: Renoa Edelheid“......Eh?”
Irion’s eyes, which were reading down the status window with an excited heart, shook greatly for a moment.
‘New Owner, Renoa Edelheid...?’
I thought a notification saying I was liberated would appear, but that wasn't it. It was a notification that the owner changed.
And the owner is Renoa at that.
Wondering if I saw wrong, I rubbed my eyes, but the text was still written clearly.
It was immediately after that I realized something was wrong. Immense ominousness assaulted me.
“E-Excuse me, master? I think something is wrong?”
“What is?”
“Didn't the Princess pay my ransom?”
“Correct. I cherish you very much too, but that’s why I had no choice but to sell you.”
Bardick tried not to sell Irion. Honestly, because he had faith that Irion would provide value beyond that.
But the amount Renoa proposed was too large to refuse. Enough to be hard to believe it was the ransom of a mere slave.
Even the trading partner is the Edelheid’s daughter.
As a merchant, one must distinguish when to haggle and when not to.
This time belonged clearly to the latter.
“What’s wrong, Irion? Your expression is bad.”
Suddenly, at the playful voice heard from the side, Irion turned his head creakily. It was Renoa. She was grinning.
The moment he saw that sinister smile, forgetting the opponent was Renoa, Irion shouted violently.
“You said you would release me if I win this match!”
“Hmm, did I say that? Well, I don't really remember.”
“Yes?”
Renoa tilting her head left and right with an innocent expression that doesn't suit her.
Combined with her appearance, it might have looked cute, but to the current Irion, that expression only gave goosebumps.
Then both corners of Renoa’s mouth curled up. A smile more elegant than usual, and thus more cruel, was hanging there.
“Even if I said such a thing, why do I have to keep a promise with a slave? Seems you lack the self-awareness that you are a slave.”
Watching Irion panic, Renoa couldn't control the leaking laughter at all.
The sight of a human with freedom right under his nose falling off a cliff was extremely worth watching.
“Irion, as of today you are mine. Stay by my side forever and die by my side. That is your role.”
Flinch, Irion stepped back inadvertently.
This can’t be.
This shouldn't be happening.
‘For what reason did I suffer like that dog!’
Renoa’s slave?
Just receiving sponsorship was hell-like?
That absolutely cannot happen.
If trapped, I can never get out for life.
Irion clung desperately to Bardick’s leg.
“Master! Don’t sell Irion! Irion likes Master best in the world! I’ll listen well! Don’t throw Irion away!”
“No, Irion. A talented guy like you shouldn't rot in this dim underground arena. It will be much better to shine by the Princess’s side.”
“Master!”
“Irion!”
“Maaasteeer!”
“Irioon!”
Unfortunately, Irion’s pitiful cry didn't reach Bardick.
“Sir Zain, let’s go now.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
Zain pulled off Irion who was clinging to Bardick.
He lifted him lightly with one hand. Irion floating in the air like luggage.
“No! Can’t do this! Don’t do it! Irion wants to stay here!”
Irion struggles violently trying to escape, but couldn't shake off Zain’s hand.
On this day, Irion vowed.
I shall never trust Renoa a third time.