episode_0083
by fnovelpiaThe story Vivian told was both concise and harrowing.
Originally, Vivian belonged to a tribe that had built a village deep in the mountains where outsiders were not allowed. Among them, the daughter of a chieftain.
Vivian said, shaking the jewel on her necklace. It is a treasure brought from my hometown and unique to our village. As I said, it was very beautiful.
The wind is clean and dirty. Some people would say it was uncivilized, but others would call it paradise because it had no pretense.
Peace that lasted for over a hundred years. But it only took a moment for that peace to be ruined.
“One day, we encountered people wearing iron armor all over their bodies.”
Vivian’s breathing became rough. It seemed like he was trying to speak indifferently, but his face was turning grim.
“In the eyes of those bastards, all those who were not ‘marketable’ were stabbed to death. Including my father.”
“···What is the rest?”
“I don’t know. Everyone who survived, including me, became slaves and I don’t know what happened to them after they were put on the wagon.”
“I heard there have been no outsiders for 100 years? Suddenly, armed assailants of that scale attack?”
Most people would have patted themselves on the back and consoled themselves over this terrible tragedy, but half did not. Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t have a story?
“ Doesn’t that make sense? Are you moving a large amount of transportation and personnel to such a deep forest to rescue slaves?”
“···There is one thing I am suspicious of. but.
Wow. Vivian’s hand was squeezed tightly.
“It’s so sad when favor turns into tragedy. I hope my guess isn’t true.”
“···Yes.”
Ban nodded slowly. He himself had experienced the return of favor to tragedy, and he knew well how painful that pain was.
“Well, so I tend to enter the arena quite early. Even the guys who look older are, after all, my juniors.”
chuck. Vivian, who had finished emptying the bowl, pointed her finger.
“Now it’s your turn.”
“···Do you want to hear it?”
“You promised, right? Promises are important.”
Well, if you want. He half moved his mouth like that.
I said it was okay to hide the part I wanted to hide, but half of the time I didn’t make up a story or anything. I met Sonia in the back alley. He explained without hesitation how he went through all sorts of things to get here.
It was an unsuitable behavior for Ban, who was reluctant to show his weak side. Even though the thought that it was not a good idea to bring up these topics crossed my mind, I did not stop talking.
Vivian probably had outstanding skills as a listener. When my class said something happy, I smiled softly, and when someone experienced something unfortunate, I sympathized with them and lowered my eyes.
“···That’s right.”
Finally, the story ended, and Vivian, who had heard three times more than what she had said, swept Van’s hand away.
It was a warm touch. Vivian didn’t say anything and just comforted Van with her warmth.
The silence was pleasing. Unless you were a party to the same misfortune, immature consolation would actually become a dagger and poison, cutting into your heart. The awkward feeling of sympathy was something that could be more unpleasant than anything else.
“···You too. It must have been difficult.”
Ban also looked into Vivian’s eyes and expressed comfort. I won’t go too deep, but I hope your wounds heal.
“···H.”
Vivian’s face, which had been wide-eyed in surprise, soon became peaceful. The two looked at each other with a fine line drawn at the corner of their mouths. Until the sun sets.
***
“Hey! Half!”
Paang-! A powerful palm struck Ban’s back.
Even without looking back, it was easy to figure out who the culprit was. Ban smiled and looked back.
“What is it, Vivian.”
“Why don’t you call me senior?”
After that day. Van and Vivian opened their hearts to each other and became closer. Vinson giggled and looked at the two with puzzled eyes, and Rotin, who was mute, made an incongruous heart with his fingers and held it out to the two.
Well, it was natural since we were together almost all day. And for some reason, the audience seemed to have a general sense of the relationship between the two. Obviously, even in games where only one of the two appeared, they would chant the name of the opposing team.
-Ah, we’re not in that kind of relationship!
Every time Vivian was asked a direct question about her relationship with Van, she waved her hands and denied it. However, there was no sign of bad mood on his face.
-······.
Ban would keep his mouth shut every time he was asked such a question. Rational love felt too complicated for Ban, who had only ever looked at one person his whole life.
A person who is a year older, cheerful, who doesn’t need to take care of everything, and who you can rely on.
It was the first relationship the class had ever experienced. and···.
***
“Ah.”
Ban, who was thinking about his past, let out a short sigh.
Ban let out a small sound and lowered his head. Then he covered his face with his palm.
“···I have to apologize to L.”
***
“Vivian.”
“Huh? Why are you like this?”
More time passes. The two were able to call each other’s names without hesitation.
“Isn’t it going to be 100 wins soon?”
As I said, Vivian’s number of wins was approaching 100. He entered the arena at a young age, and thanks to his excellent skills, he was able to duel regularly without being injured by monsters.
And if you reach 100 wins, even slave gladiators can become free people. It is truly a dream-like story and will leave a mark in the history of the empire.
“···Umm.”
There are quite a few slave gladiators who have achieved 100 wins so far. However, not one of them reached 100 wins.
The appearance was a little bizarre. No matter how skilled the gladiator was, something was not right or a minor mistake in judgment occurred, and he fell to his knees just before his 100th victory.
“Ah, I haven’t even achieved it yet. You know that no gladiator has achieved 100 wins so far, right?”
“No, you can definitely achieve it.”
Ban shook his head resolutely.
Vivian’s skills were truly amazing. Talent, effort, and experience. He was an outstanding swordsman who perfectly possessed these three elements.
And as if to prove it, Vivian’s body showed no scars that were common to other gladiators. This is thanks to the fact that he always defeated monsters with ease.
“You will make it. Definitely.”
“···Ha!”
After pausing for a moment, Vivian put a headlock on Van’s head and shook his head.
“Ugh! My younger brother says this, so you need to cheer up!”
“···Oh, really- kinda!”
Ban waved his arms and barely managed to escape from the bonds. And then I raised my head and faced Vivian, who was smiling heartily.
“···Vivian.”
The mood in the class was not the usual friendly feeling. Vivian, who finally noticed the seriousness of her thoughts, also took a stance and faced the class.
“Why?”
“If you achieve 100 wins and become a free citizen, what will you do?”
Although it hasn’t happened yet, it’s not hard to imagine what could happen when Vivien reaches her 100th win.
First of all, Vivian is a beautiful and skilled swordsman. A swordsman with the ability to defeat all monsters without suffering a single wound.
And it is very beautiful. Red hair and eyes. And it even matches with the necklace hanging around the neck. I used to half think that if I created ‘vitality’ like a work of art, wouldn’t Vivian come out?
It was not uncommon for gladiators to lick their lips or give gloomy looks at Vivian. And killing them directly was part of the class’s daily routine.
Are there people like that out there? There are probably countless men who are not at all interested in Vivian’s inaction and are simply attracted to her exterior and approach her.
In other words, the liberated Vivian will not experience any difficulties in her life. The path to abundance will be rolled out in front of Vivian like a red carpet.
“Umm… I don’t know? Because I’m not the type of person to think in advance about things that haven’t happened yet.”
gulp. The class’s neck moved greatly. Saliva secreted from tension went down Ban’s throat.
“···Then, why don’t you become an adventurer with me?”
Finally, Ban forced out the words he had been keeping in his heart.
“Adventurer?”
“Yes.”
Ban nodded his head loudly.
“···Of course it will take some time. Because I’m still far from achieving 100 wins.”
It was natural that it would take at least a few years. I usually go to duels about three times a month, so I hear that they go out really often.
And what kind of job is an adventurer? Isn’t it representative of a dirty, difficult, and dangerous profession? It was a silk road that Vivian had no reason to choose.
“Why do you want to be an adventurer?”
Despite hearing the absurd and unreasonable question, Vivian had a smile on her face. In that smile. In the end, half of the students had to reveal their true feelings.
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