Chapter 38

“……”

For the first time, Tera, usually so sharp-tongued as a merchant, was at a loss for words.

“You realize we’re talking about assassins coming after you? And you’re thinking about couple piercings?”

Shutal rebuked.

“Adela probably has a detox artifact, but this is the new model. Simpler than a ring or necklace, and less conspicuous.”

“Hm.”

Tera made an ambiguous sound.

“I told you. He’s completely crazy.”

Shutal twirled his finger at his temple.

“At least he’s crazy in a charming way, so it’s not all bad.”

Tera shrugged.

Braden was an impressive man. Seeing him so devoted to one woman was strangely satisfying.

Yes, to be Princess Adela’s man, you had to be at least this much.

“Instead of eye color, use hair color. Captain, you get opaque black like organic, the Princess gets sparkling white like opal. It’ll be a good return gift. I’ll send it to your lodgings by morning.”

“How much is a detox artifact, to give it as a return gift?”

Shutal’s eyes widened.

“You know how much the Captain’s gift cost, and you say that? Men who are too stingy aren’t attractive.”

Tera shot Shutal a look.

“How much is the gift?”

Braden’s curiosity flared up again.

“You’ll find out in tomorrow’s gossip.”

Tera grinned mischievously.

“By the way, Tera, do you like Adela too?”

Tera was famously practical. No matter how much money she had, she never did anything that would lose her a cent. For her to be this generous, she must really think highly of Adela.

“Anyone who lets a woman like that slip away must have a monster’s head, not a human’s.”

Tera’s smile was chilly.

“Haha, guess I’ll have to do my best not to become a monster.”

Braden laughed loudly.

“Yikes, now they’re both going crazy.”

Shutal shook his head at the big-hearted duo.

Or maybe Princess Adela was just a woman of irresistible charm.

***

Braden finished dinner in good spirits and headed for his lodgings at the Colosseum. Eager to see the gift that must have arrived, he quickened his pace.

Perhaps because he was too excited.

He failed to notice the suspicious aura of the knights hired by the Colosseum, guarding the entrance.

The moment he tried to pass them, the sound of wind was followed by a spear and sword thrusting toward his back and nape.

“Too slow.”

Braden, somehow already turned, grabbed the arm of the assassin with the spear to his left. With a twist, he drove the spear into the neck of the sword-wielding assassin.

“Guh!”

The sword-wielder spat blood and collapsed.

“Eek!”

The spear-wielder dropped his weapon and stumbled back.

“You! What guild are you from, with such lousy skills?”

Braden pulled the spear from the assassin’s neck. Blood splattered everywhere.

The second assassin quickly drew throwing knives and hurled them at Braden.

Clang, clang, clang.

Spear and knives clashed.

“Told you, way too slow.”

Braden’s spear tapped the other’s helmet from below. The helmet rolled away.

With his face exposed, the assassin hesitated, but quickly grabbed the fallen sword and charged at Braden.

Braden’s spear pierced the sword-wielder’s arm.

“Aagh!”

The assassin dropped his sword.

“Argh!”

This time his leg buckled, and he fell forward. At some point, Braden had stabbed his thigh.

The skill gap was enormous.

The assassin was shocked. The Colosseum matches were only just for show.

But Braden’s nickname, Emperor of the Colosseum, wasn’t an exaggeration. He was truly skilled.

Why was someone like him at the Colosseum?

The assassin felt wronged. He thought it would be easy to kill him, but instead, he was about to die a pointless death.

“With skills like yours, attacking openly is s*icide, isn’t it?”

Braden locked eyes with the assassin.

The assassin trembled before Braden’s green eyes, brimming with murderous intent.

“I’ll let you live if you talk. Who sent you?”

The assassin bit down on a poison capsule hidden in his molar. That was the fate of assassins—success or death. The deadly poison claimed his life instantly.

“Whew.”

As the assassin collapsed, Braden sighed and shook his head.

“What happened?”

Other Colosseum knights rushed over at the commotion.

“He attacked me.”

“Unfamiliar face.”

One knight quickly checked the assassin’s face.

“The original knights must be dead. Check the area.”

Braden tossed aside the bloody spear he was holding. Not a drop of blood stained his body.

“Sir Braden, apologies for this unfortunate incident.”

A senior knight bowed his head to Braden.

Braden may have been a gladiator slave, but he was the Colosseum’s treasure, drawing in money. Even their salaries came from him, so the knights had no choice but to treat him with utmost respect.

But assassins at the Colosseum?

This had never happened before. The matches were rough but just entertainment. Who would hold such a grudge as to send assassins?

“If someone’s determined to kill me, what can you do?”

“We’ll strengthen security.”

“Do as you please.”

It wouldn’t help much.

Once an assassin’s target was set, nothing could stop them.

Leaving the knights to clean up, Braden headed to his own lodgings.

‘So, it’s already begun?’

He’d expected an assassination attempt soon, but this was faster than he thought.

“Marquis Adamante. Thought he’d come see me once before sending assassins.”

But not even a threat—just assassins.

Was he really so cold, treating human life like garbage?

Such a man being Adela’s maternal grandfather, so considerate to the weak—it didn’t sit well with Braden.

How did someone so cold to others treat his granddaughter?

Even after putting his brother on the throne, Adela had thrown herself into scandal, ruining her own reputation.

Could that really have nothing to do with her grandfather?

“Adela, it must have been so hard for you.”

Braden felt a surge of empathy for Adela.

A Princess who wasn’t even allowed the freedom to fall.

Thinking of her, his heart ached.

“Why do we have to live like this? Living is a burden, dying is unfair.”

For the first time, he felt desire.

He wanted to be by Adela’s side.

He wanted to be someone who supported her completely.

He wanted to help her do whatever she wanted.

He wanted her to smile beautifully.

Suddenly, a question arose.

‘Does the Marquis really believe Adela is obsessed with a man?’

‘If he’s her grandfather, wouldn’t he know her intentions?’

‘Well, what does it matter if he knows or not?’

“Whatever happens, it won’t go your way.”

Braden’s gaze, full of coldness, sank heavily.

“Just wait—I’ll give you a show you won’t forget.”

Braden clenched his fist.

Entering his room, he saw a long, pure white box on the table.

A sword?

He’d been curious the whole way what kind of gift it was, what intentions lay behind it, but now all he could think about was Adela.

‘Are you alright right now?’

Braden stared at the box, then turned and went back outside.

It was quite late. She might already be asleep. Well, if she’d gone to bed comfortably, that was a relief.

Arriving at Adela’s guest room, Braden knocked. Joy soon appeared.

“Gladiator.”

Joy looked at Braden in surprise.

“Is the Princess asleep?”

“Yes, just now.”

“Are you sure she’s really asleep?”

At Braden’s grim expression, Joy nodded, frightened.

“Yes.”

“Nothing happened, right?”

“……”

Joy pressed her lips together. Her silence was answer enough—something had happened.

“…Should I wake Her Highness?”

“No.”

Braden turned away without regret.

“Oh, and don’t mention I came by.”

If she was asleep, that was enough. At least she wasn’t so troubled she couldn’t sleep.

Or so he hoped.

***

In the morning, Braden read a sensational article about the two women’s episode at the auction house, lips curling up.

“Five thousand gold.”

Braden glanced at the elegant sword lying on the table. It wasn’t worth five thousand gold, but it was a fine sword.

Braden liked it. Not for its price or quality.

He liked that Adela refused to give up and insisted on winning it for him. He liked her stubbornness.

“Let’s get along from now on.”

Braden strapped the sword to his waist.

He wasn’t the type to get attached to objects, but this sword felt like it would be important.

“Well then, time to go shake up that old man.”