episode_0085
by fnovelpia“Don’t you know anything?”
Ban frowned at the chaotic atmosphere and asked Vivian.
“······.”
“Vivian?”
However, Vivian did not answer Van’s question and just stared blankly into space. It seemed like he was thinking about something.
“Vivian!”
Sigh-! The class clapped their hands to attract Vivian’s attention. Only then did Vivian’s body shake.
“Uh, huh?”
“What’s going on?”
Vivian was currently recording 99 wins. Even the slave gladiator who became the first free person in the empire was left with only one victory left.
However, it was not easy to see emotions such as excitement or joy on Vivian’s face these days. I guessed that he was worried about breaking up, but it felt different.
“What is the job? What we do is the same every day. Isn’t that right?”
Vivian waved her hand and joked as if nothing had happened.
“······.”
However, if you see each other for a long time, things that were previously invisible become visible.
I knew half of it. That Vivian is hiding something.
Vivian had quite a few secrets that did not fit her usual cheerful and refreshing appearance. Unlike the class where I revealed all information about my past.
Van and Vivian. The two were close, but there was a clear line drawn. There’s a line where if you try to cross it halfway, there will be a big dynamic in the relationship.
“Then that’s it.”
A line that can be crossed as much as you want. However, Van did not try to cross the line drawn between them. Because I thought that was consideration and mutual trust.
“By the way, have you thought about what you will do after liberation?”
However, aside from not crossing the line, I half thought it was necessary to find out about the current situation. Talking about what to do after liberation was something we often talked about.
“Uh, well…the first way that comes to mind is to join a noble family or a high-ranking guard and provide financial support to you!”
The plan is to get a job and earn money to support the class. It was something that had already come out a few weeks ago.
“···Yes. Please add a lot of delicious food.”
“Huh, of course! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything you need!”
However, even though Ban noticed that subtle line, he did not inquire further. It was a kind of consideration and trust.
***
weird.
No matter how much I think about it, it’s strange.
“······.”
The atmosphere in the arena recently was strange. So much so that the relatively new class could clearly feel the sense of incongruity.
The purpose of the arena is to generate profit and win the hearts of surrounding citizens by providing enjoyment.
And Ban felt that the purpose of this arena was closer to the latter. If the goal is to make a profit, of course, matching gladiator to gladiator guarantees much more excitement in betting.
Usually these arenas make small profits. Or, even if you suffer a little loss, you can bear it. Because the purpose is not to generate profit in the first place.
But what about now? The originally scheduled duel was unilaterally pushed back without any explanation. Because of this, Van, who had to build up a record, felt a strong sense of impatience, and Vivian’s liberation was pushed aside.
And what appeared to be cuts to save the budget, which started with a decline in food quality and the disappearance of long-term doctors, continued without stopping. All parts of the facility were deteriorating.
If this were an empire for ordinary people, the employees would not be able to endure the cold atmosphere and would have left the office as a group. However, this is an arena, and among them, slave gladiators are not able to resign of their own will.
“···Tsk.”
If a slave is a slave, there must be a master who owns it. Half of the players are on a leash by the owner of this arena.
So the probability of being moved to another arena was very low. And if you move the arena, the not-so-long but still valuable winning streak you’ve accumulated over the years will be reset.
And usually, the more popular a game is with spectators, the more games it can catch. Ban gained his own support with the nickname ‘The Man Who Never Dies’, and there was no intention of abandoning him.
“Why is your face so serious?”
Someone placed their chin on Ban’s shoulder, who was dazed as negative thoughts swirled in his head.
“It’s strange. Suddenly changing the operating principle like this?”
“···Well, that’s right.”
Van was told that the owner of Vivian was not the owner of this arena but an independent person. The treatment didn’t seem too bad. Vivian has never complained to her master before.
So, if Vivian can convince her master, she can move the arena. But Vivian didn’t do that. Ban thought that the reason was to avoid losing the 99 wins he had accumulated so far.
“But since the duel was canceled, you have some free time. Isn’t it okay?”
Vivian has been a gladiator since she was younger. It wasn’t that strange even though it was difficult to fight.
“That’s true.”
“You already have some spare time, right? Let’s have fun. Huh?”
Vivian, smiling brightly, pulled Van’s arm and clung to him, crossing his arms.
As I said, it wasn’t planned, but it was a vacation anyway. Vivian and Van talked about many things. From trivial and trivial stories to realistic and deep stories.
The two sat across from each other and continued talking until the sun set. This was possible because they were already able to find happiness in each other’s presence.
And tragedy came quickly.
***
“···No, I want you to explain what’s going on?”
“No.”
“You said I escaped, what did you do to comfort me? I just want you to tell me why you locked me here now?”
An isolation center in a dark room separated by tight iron bars. I was half-crouching in the corner and talking to the security guard in front of me.
“Hey, we know each other. yes? Honestly, isn’t that a model gladiator? I’ve never complained or been rude to security.”
“······.”
“So, do you want me to tell you something? Why do I have to stay stuck here?”
Three days ago, Ban was suddenly brought to the arena’s quarantine center without any plans.
It was a sudden and drastic measure that was not even announced in advance. As I said, I haven’t had any trouble with other gladiators since I met Vivian.
-Hey, hey!
-······.
However, just before being dragged in, there was a scene that flashed through Ban’s mind. Vivian was not embarrassed as she watched herself being dragged away, but only had a meaningful expression on her face.
If Vivian had been dragged away in such an unreasonable manner in front of Ban… at least Ban wouldn’t have just watched. He would have put up an ugly struggle and struggled to stop it.
Perhaps this is the only place where Vivian is thought of in a special way. I shook my head to erase the ominous thought that briefly came to mind.
“Ugh.”
A man looking down at his class from beyond the iron bars. I don’t know his name, but he was a security guard who managed the gladiators in the arena.
That’s why we knew each other, and sometimes we even joked. Because there was no benefit in setting up an angle with people like that, and it was also boring.
“I feel sorry for you. I thought we were pretty close.”
“······.”
The man, who was still silent, lowered his helmet deeper. It seemed like he was trying to avoid eye contact.
“······.”
Ban’s mouth, which was moving actively and trying to dig up information, suddenly closed. I knew that if I inquired further, nothing would come out.
Is it because I have lived a life where I have to pay attention to what people think? Van was sensitive to other people’s feelings. Although I tried to hide it, I was able to make my own inferences by looking at small actions and facial expressions.
From the perspective of such a class, the feelings that the guard in front of him is sending towards him.
‘···Sympathy? ‘Pity?’
It was a type of emotion that had never been shown before.
***
The day after Ban stopped getting information from the security guard.
“half. Come out.”
“···Now?”
Crash-! The tightly locked door of the cage opened with a harsh metallic sound.
“You didn’t even tell me why you brought me here, what happened?”
“···Phew.”
The security guard let out a short sigh and answered Ban’s question.
“It’s a duel.”
After giving a short answer, the guard took out a bundle of keys from his pocket and unlocked the restraints that were tied to Ban’s limbs. Finally, physical freedom returned.
However, Ban’s expression did not brighten or anything. A sudden, unprepared battle.
“No, uncle.”
“What is it?”
“What, I’m not even ready, and suddenly it’s a duel?”
Clap clap clap! Ban shook the restraints that had been tied to his hands and feet just a moment ago.
“No, I’ve been wearing this for a few days.”
As Van said, gladiators take care of their bodies right before a duel. Just like swordsmen sharpen their swords before battle.
But now the class was unprepared. I was in the worst physical condition.
“The other person is probably not normal either, so just come out.”
In response to Ban’s overtly dissatisfied protest, the security guard decisively interrupted the conversation. It seems like it’s not under their jurisdiction anyway.
“Tsk.”
If you come out like that, there is actually nothing you can do as a slave. Ban took the two daggers that the security guard held out to him, twirled his wrists here and there, and moved his body to regain his senses as quickly as possible.
***
“Who is your opponent this time?”
“······.”
I saw “Wolf… recently. Even lions are clichés. Then a demonic beast?”
“······.”
“It will arrive in a few minutes anyway, so why are you keeping it so secret…”
The hallway leading to the duel arena. Ban and two guards were walking down that road.
In a few minutes, the identity of the opponent will be revealed. However, the security guard resolutely kept his mouth shut and did not answer Ban’s questions. It seems like it is the natural and right thing to do.
“I feel sad. Really.”
End of the hallway. The size of the light leaking from the entrance to the duel hall grew larger as I walked down the hallway. As if welcoming the class.
And after a while. Ban stood in front of the entrance to the duel arena.
“Enter.”
The guard pointed the spear he was holding at Ban. It was an unspoken instruction to enter through the door.
However, if Ban decides to attack the guard here, the man will of course die. It was a ceremonial act after all.
Ban wasn’t angry at the guard’s actions. Because I knew that the handcuffs on my limbs were removed earlier than required.
“Well, see you next time.”
Ban bowed slightly and passed through the entrance to the duel arena.
“···Wow.”
The moment I opened the door and entered the duel arena, hot and bright sunlight hit the place. It felt even brighter because I had been locked in a dark room for the past few days.
Ban’s vision was blurred by the intense light. So much so that you can’t recognize the person standing on the other side.
After blocking the sunlight with his palm and narrowing his eyes for a moment, Ban was able to regain his original vision. And, it became possible to observe the other person.
Red hair. A long sword large enough to be compared to one’s own height. And a woman wearing a red necklace.
“······Ah?”
It was Vivian.
***
Waaa-! The cheers of the audience filling the seats. The host, who was receiving the shouts, spun around and responded.
“Nice to meet you, audience! Finally! Our arena also takes off its pretense! Human and human! A bloody duel has begun!”
Although they had been notified in advance, the crowd’s cheers grew louder as the announcement was emphasized once again. Of course, this is the arena! With a sound like .
“And of course, the first match should be fought by the biggest names and open the fire with grandeur! Well, of course they are familiar faces, but I will introduce them again with congratulations and emphasis!”
Famous face? At the host’s unconventional words, the audience began chanting the name of their favorite gladiator. And the host, who had been listening to the voices for a while, bent his back and shouted.
“First! Van, an immortal gladiator who won’t die no matter where he gets bitten or cut! And that opponent…!”
By lengthening his speech, the host made the audience even more impatient. The audience fixed all their eyes on the host’s mouth, wondering if it could be possible.
“The best warrior in the arena! This is Vivian with red hair! ah! For reference, if Vivian wins this match, she will achieve a total of 100 consecutive wins! Obtain the status of a free citizen!”
An unexpected match-up. And, if you win, you will even achieve the achievement of achieving 100 wins. The crowd’s cheers were no longer at the level of expectations, but had reached madness.
“Friendship or love between these two? This is a story you all are familiar with! iced coffee! A duel that has never been seen before, will never be seen again, and can only be seen at this moment, is now a duel in which only one of the two will survive! Right here! It begins! Anyway, I hope you enjoy watching!”
The host, who gracefully lowered one arm and greeted the audience, left the podium. Finally, only the two men and women remained in the duel arena, facing each other.
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