Chapter 33: Colosseum
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 33: Colosseum
“……!”
Dantalion flinched and stared at the brooch again.
Had a voice just come from that gem?
It was far too vivid to be a dream. Tense, Dantalion opened his mouth to speak.
“What are you?”
A faint black mist was already rising from the gem. Dantalion’s eyes narrowed as he watched it.
“……A demon?”
[My name is Dollens.]
The famous Demon of the Gem was looking down at Dantalion. Despite being a misty figure, its glowing eyes seemed to pierce right through him.
[I am one of the honorable black demons serving the Archdemon Lucifel.]
“Why would the Demon of the Gem come to me…?”
[You desire power. Do you not?]
“……!”
The demon’s voice was sweet. The question of whether he wanted power burrowed deep into Dantalion’s ears.
[I can give you the power you desire.]
“…….”
[With this power, you will be able to achieve anything.]
Wuuuung.
The gem vibrated, emitting a strange sound. Simultaneously, an inexplicable energy surged toward Dantalion.
“Power, you say……”
Faced with that overwhelming sensation, Dantalion grit his teeth. He glared at the gem with piercing blue eyes and asked, “Why me? It has been a long time since the Demons of the Gem stopped answering the summons of House Winston.”
[…….]
“So why have you chosen me, a man who does not share a single drop of Winston blood, demon?”
Dollens remained silent for a moment at the calm voice.
What a suspicious human.
Usually, humans succumbed easily to such temptation, but this one was different.
Was it because he was a Sword Master, or was his self-control simply extraordinary?
Clicking his tongue inwardly, Dollens continued.
[There is no one left in House Winston capable of summoning me.]
The lie flowed smoothly.
But this, too, was his master’s will. Dollens casually wove a web of words to entice Dantalion.
[Your will awakened me. Therefore, I shall lend you my power.]
“…….”
Dantalion looked up at Dollens with his mouth pressed into a thin line. His silence made Dollens feel strangely anxious.
Did he fall for it? Or did he catch on?
The sharp aura unique to a Sword Master pricked at Dollens. Those with good intuition were always difficult to deal with, both in the past and now.
“……Fine. I’ll make the contract.”
[Mmm, a wise decision.]
Dollens tried his best not to show his relief.
Regardless, he had successfully carried out his master’s orders. Dollens wore a satisfied smile.
Soon, the contract ritual began.
*
The day after my visit to the Crown Prince’s palace, I realized that Dollens had successfully formed a contract with Dantalion.
I wasn’t sure how I knew, but somehow, I could just tell. It was a strange feeling.
“Mommy!”
I pattered over to Veronica, who had just finished her training.
Veronica turned her head, her face drenched in sweat.
“Dia.”
“Mommy!”
When Veronica opened her arms, I tucked myself right into her embrace. I caught a scent different from her usual fragrant perfume.
But to me, even the smell of her sweat was sweet. I giggled happily in her arms.
“What brings you all the way here?”
“I wanted to see Mommy!”
“Oh, is that so?”
A while ago, Veronica had started training in earnest at the training grounds alongside the other knights.
She handled the long greatswords the knights used as if they were nothing. Even now, after undergoing the same training as the knights, she didn't look tired at all.
I heard that Veronica, like the other direct descendants, had learned the sword since she was a child.
They said if she had continued her training, she would have reached a level similar to Vincent’s by now. But after marrying Cedric, she had laid down her sword, which prevented that.
Cedric, you petty bastard.
Anyone could see that Veronica shone brightest when she was swinging a sword.
To think he stopped her from picking up a blade just because he was afraid of being compared to her if she reached a higher level. He really was a pathetic man.
“Whoa, it’s the young lady.”
“It really is her.”
“She looks exactly like Lady Veronica……”
As I appeared at the training grounds, the knights began to whisper among themselves.
However, because Sir Raven was glaring at them, no one dared to approach.
I wondered if that was really necessary, but since I didn't want to be surrounded by a bunch of sweaty men either, I just pretended not to notice with a bright smile.
“Lady Veronica, Lady Dia! Here you are!”
“Auntie Etty……!”
Henrietta approached with a bright face. I beamed at her.
Henrietta, who had gone to the East, had returned. Seeing her bright expression, the results must have been good.
She surely returned with good news. My heart fluttered with anticipation.
“Oh, Lady Dia. You’re still so tiny and cute!”
“Auntie, did you miss Dia?”
“Oh, of course I did!”
Completely melted by my aegyo, Henrietta cried out while shivering. I watched her with a satisfied look.
“Ah, Lady Veronica. Father is looking for you.”
“For me?”
“Yes.”
Henrietta nodded at the puzzled Veronica.
Then, she lowered her voice and spoke secretly.
“I think he has something to tell us regarding His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“……!”
Veronica’s eyes widened, but she soon took on a determined expression and replied.
“I’ll head over as soon as I’ve washed up.”
“Yes, my lady.”
In the meantime, Henrietta stayed in my room. She gave me a mountain of toys and souvenirs she had bought in the East.
Well, most of them were things Bibi would go crazy for, but I still pretended to be as happy as possible to please Henrietta.
“Dia, Mommy will be back in a bit.”
“Okay.”
Chu. After planting a kiss on my cheek, Veronica left the room with Henrietta.
‘Demon.’
[I’m on it, Master!]
Now, Desmond left to eavesdrop on the direct descendants' conversation without me even having to tell him.
Left in the room with Sophia, I waited for Desmond to relay their conversation.
*
“We’re here, Father.”
“Mm, you’ve come.”
“……?”
Veronica entered Duke Winston’s office with Henrietta.
Inside, Vincent and Brandon were already standing there with their arms crossed. Veronica glanced at them.
“I heard you’ve started your swordsmanship training again. Is it too difficult?”
“No, it’s fine. It feels good to move my body after so long.”
“I see. That’s a relief.”
Duke Winston let out a short sigh of relief. Veronica gazed at him for a moment before asking.
“Why did you call for us, Father?”
“…….”
Instead of Duke Winston, who remained uncharacteristically silent, Vincent spoke up.
“A duel between His Highness the Crown Prince and Cedric Lionel is to be held at the Capital Colosseum.”
“What?”
“And they’re gathering a massive crowd of both nobles and commoners to watch.”
“……!”
Veronica’s eyes widened in horror. She whipped her head toward Duke Winston and asked.
“Did you agree to that in the Council?”
“……I had no choice.”
“Father!”
At Veronica’s scream-like cry, Duke Winston pressed his hand to his throbbing forehead and said, “Most of those with strong voices in the Noble Council are still on the Empress Dowager’s side. The Colosseum match is already confirmed.”
“How could they……”
Veronica’s body swayed. Brandon, standing beside her, supported her with a pained expression.
The Colosseum.
A barbaric arena built by the ancient imperial citizens for entertainment.
It was operated solely to satisfy the amusement of the ruling class. They said poor slaves were forced to fight against horrific demonic beasts there.
Over time, the slaves revolted, the Colosseum was closed, and a rebellion occurred in the ancient empire, completely changing the ruling class.
Since then, only the circular structure of the Colosseum had been maintained, and it was now mostly used for knight tournaments.
To think they would turn a duel between the Crown Prince and a Marquis into such a grand spectacle.
The Empress Dowager’s faction was acting on the premise that Cedric Lionel would win, intending to show the entire empire the Crown Prince’s defeat.
Veronica grit her teeth and looked up.
“No matter what, to degrade His Highness into such a spectacle!”
Furious, Veronica’s clenched fists trembled. Vincent, the Crown Prince’s friend, also had a look of extreme displeasure on his face.
“That is exactly what the Empress Dowager and her faction want. I am also deeply offended, but…… there is nothing that can be done about this.”
“Father……”
“We can only hope that he defeats Cedric Lionel.”
“…….”
In the end, everything would be fine if the Crown Prince won.
However, the Duke had to keep other possibilities in mind.
Staring at Veronica’s pale face, the Duke continued.
“And we must also prepare for the possibility that His Highness loses.”
“…….”
Veronica bit her lip at those words.