Chapter 39
Chapter 39
I used transmission magic to ask Rin to register me as well.
She tried to stop me, worried I might end up fighting her, but I couldn’t back out.
After explaining in detail that there was a demonic sword inside the colosseum and I needed to retrieve it, she finally understood.
She even offered to gather information herself.
Leaving the investigation to her, I headed to a weapon shop.
[Contractor, why have you come to such a shabby place?]
‘I’m at a weapon shop. What do you think I’m here for?’
[W-why?! You already have me!]
‘I can’t use you in the arena. The moment they find out you’re a demonic sword, I’ll be disqualified—and probably hunted. If you don’t like it, we can just give up on retrieving that sword.’
[…Hmph.]
Prah fell silent, clearly conflicted.
Pride versus practicality.
In the end—
[Fine. I will tolerate your infidelity this once. But at least use the sword you wielded before meeting me—!]
‘Nope. I’m saving that for later. Early on, I’ll deliberately use unfamiliar weapons to lower expectations.’
[Why go that far?]
‘Money.’
Revron wasn’t just a pleasure city—
it was a gambling hub.
People bet on gladiators.
And I planned to exploit that.
[...Greedy.]
It was a classic trick.
Lose badly at first, lower expectations, raise betting odds—
then win big.
Ruen would handle the betting.
By the time I left this city—
I’d be rich.
Just imagining it made me grin.
So I reached for a cheap-looking spear—
“Master! I’ve finished all registrations!”
Rin burst into the shop.
“I’ve completed your registration too!”
“Good work.”
“And I also spread word among the crowd! I told them you might become the champion!”
“…What?”
“At first they didn’t believe me, but I convinced them! Now everyone’s excited to see you!”
…
I quietly put the spear back.
Then walked out.
My millionaire dream—
dead.
As I stood there in despair—
a hand landed on my shoulder.
The shop owner.
Apparently, touching the weapon meant I had to buy it.
…Damn it.
The colosseum of Revron—
was massive.
Even larger than expected.
From the inside—
it felt overwhelming.
“So many people…”
“I heard it can hold up to 130,000 spectators.”
That was twice the size of a modern stadium.
The roar of the crowd—
already thundered.
Even before the match began—
my body tensed.
Rin noticed and smiled softly, holding my hand.
“No need to be nervous. Once the fight begins, you’ll only see your opponent.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You only notice the crowd before and after.”
“That’s… reassuring.”
Still—
this body was sensitive.
Too aware of others’ gazes.
And worse—
Bern’s instincts.
Always focusing on the opponent’s neck.
A weird habit.
“Even you get nervous, Master.”
“I’m still human.”
[You? Perfect? That’s new.]
‘Shut up.’
[Ah—!]
I flicked Prah repeatedly until it stopped talking.
Peace restored.
“By the way, where are Rene and Ruen?”
“Ruen said he was sleepy. Rene took him back to the inn.”
“In the middle of the day?”
“Children need naps.”
…Right.
Children.
Sure.
“Looks like it’s starting.”
At the center of the arena—
a host appeared.
The crowd erupted.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the 6974th Revron Gladiator Tournament!”
Cheers exploded.
The noise was overwhelming.
“First, let us introduce today’s honored guest!”
Apparently—
a noble had to attend each event.
A tradition.
Then—
“Today’s guest is… the Princess Knight of the Holden Kingdom—Charlotte!”
“…What?”
Heavy footsteps echoed.
A knight approached.
Removed her helmet—
revealing golden hair.
A stunning woman.
Then she spoke:
“I will keep this brief. The one who shines brightest today shall become my husband candidate.”
The crowd exploded.
A chance to marry royalty—
even for a commoner.
The gladiators went wild.
But me—
I froze.
‘Prah.’
[Yes?]
‘If I win, I might die in her bedroom.’
[…That is… quite the dilemma.]
‘Maybe I should just forfeit and let Rin win—’
[Too late.]
Before I could ask—
the waiting room door burst open.
A white-haired knight with a scarred eye entered.
Julius Landol
Charlotte’s commander.
“I address all gladiators! Fight with honor! Any who forfeit or disgrace the match… will be executed on the spot!”
“…What?”
“No one here would surrender anyway!”
“Real men fight to the death!”
“….”
And just like that—
my escape route—
was gone.