Chapter 277: I'm a Fan
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 277: I'm a Fan
The new racetrack was a sea of people. An endless line of them stretched out onto the plains.
A rough estimate put the number well over twenty thousand. They were all spectators, gathered from across the continent to watch the main event.
The massive crowd, the likes of which she had never seen, left Miro dumbfounded.
“Ugh, there are so many people…”
“Well, an event of this scale is a rare sight. In a way, it’s to be expected.”
After all, what else could you expect from the masses who would gather to watch a prisoner’s execution at the guillotine for entertainment? There was no way such a populace wouldn’t be interested in the greatest race on the continent.
That was just the number of people who came to the racetrack in person; if you included those watching the broadcast in the city, the estimate would easily surpass tens of thousands.
And this was the first tournament.
You could call it a trial run.
If it succeeded, it would be loved by even more people.
“The more popular the races become, the more famous the racers will get. You’ll become a superstar, Miro.”
“I’ve never run in front of so many people… How am I supposed to run when I’m so nervous…?”
“That’s something you’ll have to overcome, Miro.”
“So irresponsible, Trainer.”
Miro let out a heavy sigh, as if crushed by the pressure.
“Oh, there’s Miro!”
Just then, a boy who seemed to have come with his family and was heading to the stands recognized Miro.
“Miro, you’re the real Miro, right?”
“I am the real Miro~ But who are you?”
“Wow, you really are Miro! I’m a fan! I’ve watched all your races, from the very first one! Look, I even bought a doll!”
“A f-fan?”
The boy said this while hugging a Miro doll, one of the racetrack’s merchandise items.
“I’ll be cheering hard for you in today’s race, so you have to make it to the finals in first place, okay? Promise?”
The boy’s parents, who had followed him, apologized and led their son away, not forgetting to add a word of encouragement.
It all happened in an instant, before Miro could even process it.
“What was that just now?”
“What’s there to say? He’s a fan who cheers for your running.”
“I get that, but someone like me has a fan?”
“Doesn’t it just mean there are people who were moved by your running?”
Even with the explanation, she couldn’t easily accept it.
Her own performance hadn’t been satisfactory, yet here was a situation where she had a fan cheering for her.
It was a very strange, unsettling feeling.
Karami and Miro moved to the VIP lounge on the fourth floor. It was a prime spot with a panoramic view of the racetrack, accessible only to horse owners or guests with VIP status like Karami’s.
Karami, the tournament organizer and owner of the racetrack, busied himself greeting the sponsors.
Narsha, armed to the teeth with makeup, a dress, and accessories—in a different sense than Miro—assisted him at his side.
“A pleasure. I am Lucien de Montbriand of the House of Count Montbriand. I’m glad to have made your acquaintance, Slave Reaper.”
“Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Count. I believe a child you cherish has also advanced to the main event.”
“Indeed. This is she.”
“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Astropera. I wish to express my gratitude to the Reaper for this wonderful opportunity.”
A horse beastkin with a yellow coat standing beside Count Montbriand introduced herself as Astropera.
The way she held the hem of her dress and curtsied elegantly was the very picture of a noble lady.
“She is my adopted daughter. I felt sorry that I couldn’t even give her a proper debutante because of the prejudice against beastkin, but that’s no longer the case. I can now proudly show her off. I am personally grateful to you for that.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Indeed. Hmm, I’ve kept a busy man for too long. I hope for a fair competition in the finals.”
“I hope we both achieve the results we desire.”
After that, he made a full round as if on a performance tour.
No matter how famous Karami was as the owner of a merchant group, he was still a commoner. Many looked down on him as just a rich upstart.
However, no one showed open hostility. The Merchants of Death’s standing on the continent was just that strong.
There was nothing to be gained from being his enemy.
If one were to commit some rudeness and anger his slaves…
They would not meet a pleasant end.
“Miro, how did you feel seeing the other finalists up close?”
“They all have this incredible aura, don’t they? Every single one of them looks strong.”
“Well, they are the ones who fought their way through the competition.”
“Can I win?”
“You and they survived the exact same competition. That means you, at the very least, have the right to stand alongside them. Of course, achieving a good result is up to you.”
Miro wore a serious expression.
Karami, watching her with a faint smile, began to fiddle with her ear.
Miro flinched at the sudden contact for a moment, but as he stroked her gently, she slowly accepted his touch.
“Trainer?”
“I always say this, don’t I? Just do whatever you want, Miro. You don’t need to feel pressured. Just having fun is enough.”
“Mmm…”
Karami removed his hand.
“Let’s go back to where the others are.”
Karami, Miro, and Narsha entered the VIP room where the rest of their party was staying.
Besides the five slaves who were always with their master, there were a few other figures Karami had invited.
The two foxes of the Celestial Pavilion, Yuhwa and Heukbi; Hilde, the future queen of the beastkin; and Seira and the cat people from the cat café.
“Boss~ It’s been a while~”
Persi, the most popular member of the cat café, nicknamed “Princess,” welcomed Karami with open arms.
But Rin, who would never allow a stray cat’s approach, yanked Persi’s tail.
“Ack! What do you think you’re doing? My tail hurts!”
“Rin has told you time and again. Don’t you dare covet the Master with that filthy body of yours that’s flirted with so many men.”
“Ugh… Boss, that fox is bullying me.”
“My slaves are sensitive, so please refrain from doing that, Persi.”
As Karami drew a sharp line, Persi froze with a shocked expression, as if she’d been betrayed by someone she deeply trusted.
He felt sorry for Persi, but as their master, he had to be firm. Persi was an employee; these girls were his slaves.
He was in a relationship with his slaves where they did everything and anything together; it was obvious who he had to prioritize.
“Hiiiing, Manager~”
Sobbing sorrowfully, Persi threw herself into Seira’s arms.
“Hmph.”
It’s nothing special.
As if to say just that, Rin snorted, did a quick somersault to transform into her younger self, and landed on Heukbi’s lap.
As if nothing had happened, she beamed and waved at Seira, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Long time no see, Seira! You been well?”
At Rin’s attitude, which had flipped 180 degrees as easily as turning over one’s palm, the other slaves stared at her with cold eyes.
That crazy bitch.
Their gazes were filled with that thought.
“I have been well. Have you been well too, Miss Rin?”
“Rin has not been well. A lot of weirdos have shown up around me.”
You’re the weirdest one of all!
The slaves conveyed this silent protest with their eyes.
In stark contrast to Rin, who claimed to live a miserable life, Seira was happy every single day.
She was thriving as the manager of the cat café, already having opened a fourth branch. In Vestia, she was already famous as the savior of stray cats.
As if that weren’t enough, she was now attempting to re-establish the dog café that Hilde had forced to close.
The life of an entrepreneur, something a civil servant could never experience.
That entrepreneurial spirit of Seira’s now locked onto Miro.
“You’re Miss Miro, correct? Would you be interested in working at our café sometime?”
“Me? I don’t know… I don’t think I’d be very popular.”
“Not at all. There will absolutely be a demand for you, Miss Miro. My eyes guarantee it.”
Karami pulled the troubled Miro away.
“Stop bothering a racer who’s about to compete.”
The Seira in Karami’s memory was a civil servant who found everything in the world a bother. She was never one to take the initiative like this.
‘Money is a scary thing.’
Once you get a taste of it, you can’t help it.
Money has that kind of magic to it.
Miro, who had been observing the unfamiliar faces one by one, was startled when she recognized Hilde, and then her eyes widened when she saw Yuhwa.
She pointed a finger at her unconsciously.
“It’s the fortune-teller grandma!”
“You know Lady Yuhwa?”
“Yeah! There was a famous fox fortune-telling booth at the academy, and she’s the grandma who was there. I got my fortune told by her, too.”
“Do you remember as well, Lady Yuhwa?”
“Of course, I remember.”
Miro protested vehemently to Yuhwa.
“You said you were amazing, but you’re a liar! Nothing you said came true!”
“What did she tell you?”
“She said I’d get first place in the race, that I’d suddenly fly in the sky, that I’d dance in front of a crowd. It’s all nonsense!”
Karami, having heard the contents of Miro’s fortune, nodded his head.
“As expected of the Celestial Fox. Truly amazing.”
“Of course. Who do you think I am?”
“Wait a minute, why would you spoil the results? You just ruined all the fun of watching.”
“Why did you see a future like that, Gwanny! Rin’s racer is competing too! I even made a bet!”
“What am I to do? That is her Mandate of Heaven.”
Alfia and Rin argued, but Yuhwa paid them no mind. Only Miro didn’t understand why they were acting that way.
-The first race of the finals qualifiers will begin shortly. All participating racers, please make your way to the track.
An announcement calling for the participants.
“They’re calling for you, Miro.”
“Yeah.”
“We’ll be cheering for you from here. Go have fun.”
Miro nodded with a determined expression.
“Okay, Trainer. I’ll do my best.”