Chapter 4

“That’s not even a person.”

Alexa spoke.

Lasve Neutral State was a small city of entertainment. Other than the river that flowed through the center of the continent, it had no resources, and the land was so barren it was abandoned.

However, since it connected every continent, any merchant had to pass through at some point. Out of necessity, inns were built, and those inns grew into a small town.

When trading companies built warehouses to store goods, every product from the continent gathered there, so nothing was unavailable, and as people flocked in, entertainment developed.

Naturally, the crime rate was high. To maintain order, laws were made, and the name Lasve was established. Every five years, the major merchant guilds and mercenary guilds alternately chose someone suitable to be the leader.

Even countries at war couldn’t attack each other here—it was a kind of neutral zone. Over time, people began to call the city Lasve Neutral State.

Now, entertainment brought in much more income than trade. Lasve regularly developed new amusements to attract guests.

One of those was the Colosseum’s gladiator matches, which were the most popular recently.

“There are gladiators in the Colosseum.”

The Colosseum was a place where leftover mercenaries and wandering knights, after subjugating great monsters, gathered for betting fights. Lately, it had become Lasve’s main source of income.

“Too bad. If I weren’t pregnant, I’d give it a try myself.”

Alexa, burning with competitive spirit, slapped her right fist into her left palm in regret.

“Fighting matches?”

Logan’s expression went pale.

“It’s insanely popular. Those gladiators have sponsors, mostly wealthy female patrons. The sponsor takes the gladiator as a lover. Their bodies are works of art, and their strength is incredible.”

Joy shaped her hands like a person, then raised her fists high in the air.

“Oh dear.”

Logan covered his face with his palm. Joy was the one who made the crude gesture, but the embarrassment was all his.

Working non-stop with Adela, the workaholic, was less exhausting than being with Alexa and Joy.

“Because jealous fights are such a headache, each gladiator is allowed only one female patron.”

“Ah.”

Alexa nodded in agreement. She was always the most interested in topics like this.

“The gladiator fights for his lady’s honor, and if he wins, he dedicates the glory to her. Isn’t that so romantic?”

“It really is. The perfect mix of er*tic and romantic.”

Alexa’s eyes sparkled too.

“That’s why Colosseum matches are hugely popular with women. There’s a scramble to become a gladiator’s lady.”

“Really?”

“Just the other day, the tabloid ran a tearful story about a lady who spent her entire fortune on a gladiator and was abandoned. Even after being cast aside, she still loved him.”

“Really? Why didn’t I read that? Show me so I can read it too.”

As Alexa and Joy clicked together, Logan sighed again.

At the sound, Joy quickly pulled herself together and returned to the original topic.

“If it’s a Colosseum gladiator, he’ll be well-known. It’s perfect for shaking up the Kingdom. The gladiator would also like it, since a scandal with a Princess would boost his fame in the tabloids.”

“Most are slaves or commoner mercenaries, so none would dare dream of becoming your husband, no matter how clever, Your Highness.”

Logan said.

“There’s nothing illegal about it?”

Adela, who had been silently listening, asked.

“Illegal? Uh, that’s not really my area.”

Joy blinked and looked at Logan.

“Since it’s the main business Lasve Neutral State is pushing right now, I’m sure the system is well-organized.”

Logan knew the answer, even if he didn’t know the gossip.

“Gladiator, huh.”

It seemed fine. They moved for money and lacked loyalty.

“Logan, start looking for suitable candidates.”

“Your Highness, are you really going to do something so outrageous? A gladiator, of all things.”

“I think it’s fine. They risk their lives for money, so if I give them a big sum, it’ll be easy. And the rumors will spread quickly.”

“But, how could you… with someone like that…”

Logan’s face turned red. He couldn’t bring himself to say the disrespectful words, ‘Are you going to sleep with them?’

“There’s no need to go that far. If I become a sponsor, everyone will assume he’s my lover. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Excuse me, Your Highness.”

Joy raised her right hand as if she had something to say.

Logan was now afraid of what Joy might say next, especially when her eyes sparkled too much—her words always got more bizarre with that sparkle.

“Go ahead, Joy.”

“You said the rumor needs to spread quickly, right?”

“Yes. It would be best if it’s done before His Majesty’s royal wedding.”

“There’s a gladiator named ‘Braden’. If you become his sponsor, the rumor will spread instantly.”

Joy emphasized the name ‘Braden’.

“Braden?”

“He’s a gladiator slave owned by Duke Shutal of the Sovaro Empire. He’s the strongest, with a 100% win rate, always making headlines. But he has no patron lady.”

“Is he hideous?”

Alexa imagined a giant, ugly man.

“Not at all. He’s extremely handsome. He’s hugely popular among the ladies, who fight fiercely to become his patron.”

“Why doesn’t someone like that have a patron lady?”

Of course, Alexa was interested.

“A gladiator slave can’t choose his own patron, unlike a free gladiator. So maybe his owner, Duke Shutal, doesn’t want it.”

“Why?”

“Not having a patron lady only makes him more popular.”

“Oh, so he’s raising the price.”

Alexa added a comment.

“That’s right. Every time there’s a tournament, the Colosseum is packed, and Duke Shutal rakes in the money.”

“Really? Then I just need to contact Duke Shutal?”

Adela immediately got up from the sofa and walked to her desk. She took out stationery from the drawer and began writing a letter without hesitation.

Everyone there instantly knew she was writing to Duke Shutal.

That was the kind of woman Adela was. Once she decided, she acted without hesitation and with relentless drive.

She was also incredibly persistent. Refusing her would be a headache for Duke Shutal.

***

Boredom.

Braden’s face was full of boredom as he waited in the narrow hallway for the door to the arena to open.

His simple armor consisted of a leather vest and short pants that only covered the essentials.

With so much exposed, one wondered if it could really protect him, but for the spectators, the pleasure was in seeing his muscular arms, thighs, and calves.

Braden felt a particularly sharp gaze on him.

It wasn’t murderous intent, but it was odd.

Braden was used to being stared at, so unless it was hostile, he barely noticed.

But this gaze was excessively persistent. Even Braden, who found everything a bother, wanted to check out the source.

Braden followed the sensation and turned his head.

In the first-floor noble seats, closest to the entrance, stood a woman wrapped head to toe in a gray robe.

Her resolute, deep blue eyes met Braden’s turquoise gaze. Her eyes, unfathomable like the depths of the sea, hid something unknown.

Despite her mature gaze, her delicately sculpted, pale and small face was surprisingly youthful. Her beautifully shaped red lips were striking.

Braden was immune to beautiful women and had no interest in them. But this woman was completely different from the others.

She was alien, intense, and exuded an overwhelming aura.

A woman who didn’t belong in this place.

Unlike the audience, blinded by madness and desire, her eyes shone coldly.

She didn’t seem to enjoy the fight. Was she here out of curiosity, following someone else?

Her face, without a smile, seemed cold.

But why?

It felt as if, beneath the surface, something was boiling like molten lava.

Braden felt a primal urge to peel back her shell and see what was inside. He flashed her a grin, and she flinched ever so slightly.

‘Cute.’

She was skilled at hiding herself. If he didn’t have far superior reflexes, he wouldn’t have noticed her tiny reaction.

The door to the arena swung open.

Time to go.

Braden finally broke his gaze from her and strode toward the circular arena.

As he passed her near the entrance, the distance between them narrowed. As they stood side by side, her voice reached him.

“Gladiator.”

Braden looked at her.

Was it the sunlight?

Her eyes, which had seemed navy, now shone a dazzling blue.

Impressive. The most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.

“I’ll pray for your victory and safety.”

Strange. Her words sounded as if she were telling him to win.

“Even without your prayers, I always win.”

Braden flashed a confident, almost arrogant smile, then walked past her. On the breeze, the scent of lily of the valley tickled his nose.