Settlement Time, Landing (2)
Five figures walked in a tight circle around Nathan. These were not the guards of the Floating Arena this time. The aura they radiated was beyond comparison. One wrong move and they looked ready to carve him apart, and from what he could tell, each one of them possessed the skill to butcher the current Nathan with ease.
“Does that pair of twins truly merit testing a woman’s patience? Consider yourself infinitely fortunate that our master has graciously permitted it.”
‘Shit, my ears are gonna bleed.’
Nathan found these self-proclaimed “woman’s royal guard” types incredibly uncomfortable in every way. First, there was that grotesquely distorted voice. Even the content—unfriendly lectures—stabbed at the listener’s eardrums with every syllable. Beneath the cracked tone lingered an artificial stain that felt manufactured. It was as if they were using some kind of device to amplify their voices, much like the arena’s commentator relied on special equipment. If the goal was to conceal their identities and create an aura of unfamiliar dread, it was a resounding success.
‘But did they really need to make their voices sound like ghosts too?’
Clad in obsidian armor draped with black cloaks, their mere appearance already evoked an army of specters. They gave off an impression eerily similar to the veiled woman they served. Nathan couldn’t help but resent the foul language habits Aspen had infected him with. The moment he saw how the five were dressed, mockery surged up to his throat.
He wanted to ask whether they had willingly chosen to look like five-year-olds who’d rolled around in a coal pile while wrapped in a blanket, or if their master’s strict male dress code had forced them into these ridiculous outfits.
In the end, Nathan exercised self-control and gave up.
‘There are five of them, and I’m unarmed and alone. There are five of them, and I’m unarmed and alone…’
The occasional glimpses of eerie masks beneath their hoods also helped bolster his patience. Painted red steel skulls. Their faces left no room for jokes—pure grim solemnity.
The tallest among them pressed him mercilessly.
“You’re not going to answer? I asked why you made such a ridiculous demand.”
“Well, they just looked pretty useful, so…”
“Useful enough to stake your own life on? First you begged to spare those wet-behind-the-ears brats, then you screamed to save the defeated losers. Just because our lady has indulged your whims once or twice, do you dare treat her like some convenient tool?”
“…I said I’d do whatever she asked in return. She listened, so that should be the end of it.”
The veiled woman had warned Nathan. If he became her possession, he would face countless powerful enemies in the arena from now on. In that case, advice from veterans was desperately needed. On the ground he had fought everything from highway robbers to krakens, but Nathan had no way of knowing what kinds of foes lurked in the Heavens. The twins, who had survived over a hundred years of nonstop matches, could offer the seventeen-year-old—who had only experienced three bouts—plenty of help. Since they could wield a variety of weapons, they could also serve as excellent sparring partners, simulating different opponents to help him sharpen his real-combat instincts.
When he first thought of it, it had seemed like a good idea. But like most impulsive notions, facing the torrent of criticism made his confidence waver more and more. Nathan hurriedly came up with another justification.
“If I save those siblings twice, they’ll owe me, right? Then wouldn’t they become eager allies?”
Assuming, of course, that they still had any conscience left. From his experiences so far, he couldn’t let his guard down.
“The first time wasn’t you—it was our lady who saved them. It would be wise not to exploit her kindness for your own convenience. A tall, great mountain provides a bountiful home for those who dwell upon it, but when a landslide occurs, no one survives.”
His tone made it sound as if the one they served was some kind of king. Who knew—Nathan saw her as a kidnapper and swindler, but to them she might be a savior who poured nothing but sweet honey.
Nathan’s stomach twisted.
“You keep saying ‘the woman this’ and ‘the woman that.’ Do you always just call her ‘woman’? Who the hell is she anyway? What kind of crisis is she facing that she suddenly hires me as some dispute mediation mercenary and shoves a ring through my nose—”
“You need to know nothing! The questions are asked by our lady, not you. She will tell you when the time comes.”
This time another one answered. His tone was even sharper, like a whip crack. Cutting people off and throwing a tantrum. These little shits.
Nathan swallowed another sarcastic retort. At this point, even that guy Bin he’d met in the cage seemed better than these thugs. At least Bin had no tact but could still hold a conversation.
‘There are five of them and I’m alone… Damn it. If I just had a single knife in my hand and Aspen beside me, I feel like I could handle them somehow.’
These past few days had made him painfully aware of just how truly alone he was. Nathan humbly admitted that until now he had lived surrounded by the generosity of adults, never needing to watch his step. Of course, calling a Lion Wing Knight a hothouse flower would be ridiculous. Life as one of the Federation’s elite was brutally demanding. They crossed dozens of fortresses and relay stations over weeks of travel, then slaughtered monsters armies couldn’t handle. Nightmares, evil spirits masquerading as local gods, hag-demons, and in the worst cases, even dragons. Then, the moment another urgent plea for help arrived, they switched horses endlessly and traveled for weeks again. Repeat from step one to the end. Then repeat from step one. Repeat the repetition.
That was why so few Lion Wing Knights ever retired of old age. The usual endings were one of two types: collapsing dead from overwork while still on horseback, departing for the next world, or dozing off from exhaustion during a charge and diving straight into a monster’s maw for a one-way trip to the afterlife.
But there were good sides too. Because they lived such lives, the senior knights deeply worried for and cherished Nathan, the youngest member. Thanks to that, Nathan had fully enjoyed the privileges of being the baby of the group. At least while he was in the order, there were many problems he didn’t need to worry about. He never had to personally deal with packs of scum who would deceive him, throw him into danger, and then laugh.
Those days had been hideous, yet now he missed them with an ache that cut to the bone.
‘What? Fourteen? That thieving bastard isn’t satisfied with stealing historical records—he’s even taking the title of youngest! Hey, let’s fight. If I win, I’m the youngest!’
For a moment, Aspen’s absurd shout flashed through his memory. The girl’s complaint after having her unprecedented bragging right as the youngest Outer Wing—joined at fifteen—stolen from her in just a single year. Nathan unconsciously let out a small chuckle.
He might have already fallen for her back then. Or maybe the very next day. The day he’d chewed on those words until anger flared, accepted her sudden challenge to spar, and ended up getting thoroughly beaten and rolling across the ground.
When Nathan started grinning foolishly, the four swordsmen surrounding him shot him sharp glares.
‘Fuck off. What are you gonna do if you stare?’
He himself might not be able to return, but Aspen could. In the place where Nathan was absent, she could reclaim the throne of youngest as she had wished three years ago, swaggering proudly and monopolizing everyone’s attention. Assuming, of course, that no teenage prodigy joined in the meantime and ruined everything. The tail-chasing imagination was rather pleasant.
Of course, all of that only applied if the mysterious woman kept her promise. Still, the outlook wasn’t entirely bleak. Unlike the arena master, he felt he could at least expect a minimum of dignity from her.
A little earlier, he had received meaningful information from Arqueba. Black-armored figures had suddenly burst into the gladiators’ quarters where Arqueba stayed and demanded to know the children’s whereabouts. When Arqueba told them they were in the warehouse beyond the quarters’ wall, they vanished instantly beyond the black curtain. Soon after, guards had frantically run around searching everywhere. It was as if some emergency had broken out. As if they were trying to find the missing children.
Nathan had seen the woman move by crossing space itself. She had probably sent the children somewhere using the same method. Anywhere would be safer than this place, where they would have been fed to the ghouls.
The promise with the woman had been simple and clear.
She would guarantee the children’s safety. She would also send Aspen to wherever she wished. In return, he must win and survive. Then return and become her exclusive gladiator.
Nathan had won and survived. The woman had taken the children out of this place. Both sides had fulfilled one of the two conditions of the contract. So wouldn’t the other promise be kept as well? Was hoping for that truly too much to ask?
Perhaps it was. Because the woman had also left him these words:
‘Not bad reasoning, Nathan. But the direction is far too kind. In the Heavens, it’s best not to view the world with such a warm perspective.’
If you expect things too readily, you’ll be betrayed. Nathan bit his lip. In truth, even if he grew suspicious, he had no real choice. All he could do was hope that this “woman” would be satisfied with his loyalty instead of showing off more of her twisted tastes.
“You look deep in thought, Nathan. Did someone bother you?”
A chilling voice drifted from beyond the shadows of the corridor. Even without distortion, that icy tone belonged to the dead. The woman’s royal guard all dropped to one knee at once. There was no easier way to tell who had appeared.
Nathan glanced around, then awkwardly followed suit and knelt. The tallest guard’s eyes blazed with fury. Nathan, who had done his best, felt unfairly treated.
As always, the woman had appeared abruptly. Seeing the scene, she burst into laughter.
“Before we get to the main topic, I secured the twins as you requested. But I can’t help asking. Do I look like a nanny to you?”
Of course not.
“…When I asked you to save the twins, it wasn’t an appeal to your sympathy. You said you wanted to make me a gladiator. If you valued my skill that highly, I thought those two might also be useful to you. Either as gladiators or as my training partners.”
“Whether they have skill or not remains to be seen, but it’s certain they would have died if not for your request. They were moments away from being hanged like dogs for failing to deal with you.”
Somehow, knowing that pig’s personality, it made sense. He had spoken under the assumption she wouldn’t listen, yet the woman had unexpectedly agreed to save the twins without complaint. And she hadn’t gotten angry at Nathan for making such a request. Just what was she thinking?
Instead, Nathan felt a growing sense of unease.
“You kept your promise, won, and returned. It didn’t go exactly as I expected, but you did splendidly. I suppose I must give you a reward.”
Nathan detected a strange shadow in the woman’s words. The phrase “didn’t go as expected” didn’t sound like it referred to anything less than a perfect victory. Then what exactly had she been hoping for in that fight?
“Yes. I kept part of what I said. I will continue to fulfill my promises. I hope you will do the same. I will offer you my lifelong service. Now release Aspen.”
“I never promised to release Aspen.”
“You crazy bitch.”
The stress Nathan had been crushing beneath his knee finally exploded. The recoil made him rise to his feet on instinct. At that exact moment, four swords were drawn and pointed at his throat. Four blades. Not five.
Despite the murderous aura Nathan radiated, one of the shorter guards didn’t even turn around, seemingly unthreatened. The woman remained the same. A cold sneer floated across her relaxed face.
Nathan thought he wanted to smash every tooth visible between those smiling lips and scatter them through the air.
“Calm down and let’s talk, Nathan.”
“I already said I’d give up everything and follow you. Isn’t that enough? Then I have nothing more to give. The conversation is over. I’ll find my own way to escape.”
“On your own? How exactly?”
Easy. By twisting your neck so you can’t order Aspen killed, of course. But if I say that, you might prepare for it.
Nathan calculated carefully. Among the ones holding blades to his throat, who had the most openings in their stance?
“Think carefully, Nathan. For the word ‘release’ to make sense, there must first be restraint. I’ll acknowledge that I put Aspen’s life on the table during negotiations. But I never held her captive so she couldn’t go anywhere. Think hard. I never said I would release her. I only said I could send her to wherever she herself desired.”
Nathan sat back down. Though perhaps out of final stubbornness, he ignored the blades at his neck. Before the sword tips could scrape his flesh, the guards hurriedly withdrew their weapons. The woman’s laughter grew louder.
“How easy you are to handle.”
“You’d better stop playing with words.”
The woman drew closer to Nathan. The royal guard panicked and tried to stop her, but when she placed a hand on her veil, they returned to their positions. Nathan finally sneered. He no longer had any patience left to offer.
“What, is taking off that rag that looks like a foot wrap such a big deal? Why are you all so terrified?”
“Gazing directly into the veil is the beginning of all suffering, Nathan. Seeing the other side of something you thought you already understood well is rarely pleasant for anyone. What’s about to happen won’t sit well with you at all. So before that…”
“Don’t write me a damn essay. I’m not some noble brat who received expensive education. Instead of that time, I grew up getting stabbed with knives and ripping monster heads off. Since I won’t understand it anyway, just drop it.”
When Nathan cut her off, a tightly clenched fist among the guards produced a loud crack. Yet the woman’s expression remained perfectly serene.
“…So before that, I want to ask. What exactly does Aspen mean to you that you’re getting this angry?”
“Stop scheming with our promise. Pointy-ears. I don’t know how many years you’ve lived, but in my short life, no one who tried that crap in front of me ever ended up looking good. It was pretty much the same regardless of age. I’ve killed things that lived longer than you alongside my fellow knights.”
The distance between them was far too close considering the killing intent Nathan displayed. One of the guards finally couldn’t hold back and tried to intervene.
“Show proper respect to your master, Nathan Maia!”
“I haven’t sworn any oath yet. The final clause of my contract only becomes valid once the promises are fulfilled! Until then, this elf is nothing to me. And I’m talking to your master. She’s not my master, and I’m definitely not talking to you. So shut your mouth.”
Blood vessels stood out clearly in Nathan’s eyes.
“You. If you don’t keep your promise, I will chase you to the ends of the earth. It doesn’t matter how far you can run with that magic of yours. I’ll make you feel in your bones what it’s like to have a Lion Wing Knight on your ass. But if you faithfully keep your promise—if you send Aspen back to her family and the knight order on the ground… then I will keep my word. I will offer everything I can give and willingly devote my entire life to every meaningless fight you force upon me.”
“It sounds like you’ve already resolved yourself to never meeting Aspen again while you’re alive. Let’s suppose it goes as you say. Could you really be satisfied with a life where you’ve given her up?”
The woman’s tone was almost soothing. Nathan’s breathing calmed slightly. The scent pricking at the tip of his nose suddenly made him dizzy. Words he normally wouldn’t have said slipped out.
“If possible, I’d like both of us to go back. But if only one of us can return, then it’s fine if I don’t. After all, half of my heart will remain on the ground.”
At that moment, one of the so-called royal guards stopped breathing entirely.
Lion Wing Knights were highly trained combat specialists. Their training included methods to distinguish sounds. Even amid the deafening clamor of clashing steel, even when their brains felt like they were burning with rage, they always possessed the ability to catch the necessary sounds.
That was why Nathan widened his eyes and stared at the one who had gone silent. The hazy fog that had been swirling through his veins vanished in an instant. The tiny seed of doubt devoured “it couldn’t be” and grew rapidly. The anger that had been boiling enough to burst his brain turned into vaporous despair.
“Wait a second.”
The height looked familiar. The silhouette of the back looked familiar. The moment Nathan reached out toward him, the moment he decided he had to check what was behind that mask, the woman flicked her finger.
The four guards who had drawn their swords now pounced on Nathan and slammed him to the floor. In the blink of an eye, with his nose smashed against the concrete, Nathan felt a certain premonition. Doubt, denial, and fear of what would happen next.
“So he says. Do you want to return to the ground, Aspen?”
The one guard who had been hesitating, unable to let go of his silence, finally removed his mask himself. The red strands he had kept trapped inside spilled out. In the cool indoor space where not a ray of sunlight reached, the comfortable glow of sunset overflowed in Nathan’s trembling eyes.
Nathan thought this was a terrible nightmare.
“…No, Arena Master. I am where I belong.”