Chapter 14

The resounding voice echoed through the arena once more.

“The participants are each wearing clothing marked with their own identification numbers. There can be only one winner, and those who correctly predict the victor will receive prize money equal to three times the amount they wagered. Of course, participation is entirely voluntary!”

“Ooh…!”

The spectator stands immediately erupted into excited chatter.

“Are you going to participate?”

“Hmm. I’m not sure… It’s my first time seeing an event like this. I think I’ll watch for now.”

However, the moment the Head Attendant continued speaking, the reactions of those who had been hesitant changed completely.

“But that’s not all.”

He spread his arms dramatically.

“Her Imperial Majesty has personally contributed a prize as well! For this event only, those who correctly predict the winner will receive one thousand gold directly from the Emperor!”

“W-Wooooah…!”

Thunderous cheers exploded from both commoners and nobles alike.

Even the finest mansion in the capital was worth less than a thousand gold.

In other words, if someone seized this opportunity correctly, they could obtain an enormous fortune regardless of their status.

The atmosphere in the arena showed no sign of calming after such a shocking announcement.

Without waiting for the excitement to die down, the Head Attendant continued.

“Now then, the most important part is the competition itself!”

“Wooooo!”

“First, let us welcome our contestants!”

Filled with anticipation, countless eyes turned toward the waiting room connected to the iron-barred gates.

Clang!

With the sound of heavy locks releasing, the tightly sealed gates on both sides of the arena slowly opened.

When the participants of the Feeding Competition finally appeared, only one person was speaking.

Wilcock Hopnagen.

“Allow me to introduce the contestants of this Feeding Competition—the family of Baron Sands!”

They no longer looked human.

Drool streamed from mouths stuffed with wooden gags.

Iron shackles bound their necks and ankles.

Their arms were wrapped tightly in thick leather restraints, rendering them completely immobile.

Their bloodshot eyes had lost all focus, resembling nothing more than corpses from which the soul had already departed.

“The rules are simple! Among the contestants starting from the starting line, the first person to seize the food at the top of the pillar will be declared the winner. To ensure fairness, the use of aura is prohibited.”

A heavy silence descended over the arena.

The cheers that had greeted the mention of prize money had long since vanished.

Taking note of the atmosphere around him, Wilcock continued.

“For reference, this event also serves as an execution. Viscount Cornwell personally uncovered House Sands’ treason!”

At the far end of the VIP seating, Viscount Cornwell, who had been sitting quietly by himself, rose to his feet.

Placing one hand over the left side of his chest, he bowed toward Mary.

“As he will continue dedicating himself tirelessly to Strovana, let us all give him a round of applause and cheers!”

“Treason? If it’s treason…”

“Does that mean they were trying to start a rebellion?”

“I guess so…”

The previously silent audience began murmuring among themselves.

Then, with the Head Attendant’s next words, the heavy atmosphere hanging over the arena completely reversed.

“But our merciful Emperor has decreed that the final winner shall receive a pardon! Ah, how boundless is Her Majesty’s benevolence!”

Among the people who had been cautiously watching one another’s reactions, favorable opinions began to spread.

“If it’s treason… they were going to be executed anyway, weren’t they?”

“That’s true… Y-Yeah! Exactly! They’re doomed either way!”

“And first place gets a pardon!”

The shift in public sentiment happened almost instantly.

“To rebel against our benevolent Emperor! Those bastards deserve to be torn apart!”

“Her Majesty is even using people like them to bestow her generosity upon us!”

Not only the commoners—

“We can’t let ignorant commoners walk away with that kind of money, can we?”

“Exactly! If some upstart buys themselves a fallen noble’s lineage, the order of the Imperial Capital will be thrown into chaos.”

“This is a perfect chance to make an impression on Her Majesty!”

Even the nobles began looking on with greedy eyes.

Watching public opinion overturn itself in an instant, Evelyn’s eyes sank even deeper.

The object of her gaze was none other than Viscount Cornwell.

If the Head Attendant was the executioner, then Cornwell was something closer to a hunting dog.

Though he belonged to the Council, he had become head of his house through sheer luck at a young age and was little more than a powerless puppet.

The one who had reached out to that immature young lord—full of greed and ambition but lacking ability—was Wilcock Hopnagen.

The Head Attendant who played the fool at Mary’s side and killed people instead of ordinary prey.

Wilcock smiled in satisfaction as he looked down at the arena.

“Endless glory to Her Imperial Majesty! Betting will now begin. Please hand your papers and money to the attendants moving throughout the arena.”

At his signal, attendants carrying large sacks and bags appeared throughout the venue.

Commoners and nobles alike rushed toward them all at once.

Evelyn merely watched without moving a single muscle.

The arena descended into chaos.

“Y-Your Highness…”

A while later, Mol’s voice came from behind her.

When Evelyn turned her gaze slightly, she saw her standing there with her head lowered.

“May I… leave my seat for a moment?”

“You don’t mean…”

Lilia stared at her in disbelief, horrified.

Because Mol’s head was lowered so deeply, her expression could not be seen.

“Go ahead.”

“Th-Thank you!”

Evelyn offered no further comment.

This time, Lilia’s eyes turned toward her.

She felt the gaze, but once again Evelyn said nothing.

Nothing would change even if she tried to stop her.

If Mol’s resolve had already begun to waver, then the same thing would happen at future events as well.

When Evelyn turned her attention forward again, Robert’s face entered the edge of her vision.

“Your Highness isn’t placing a bet?”

He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the situation unfolding around him.

That wasn’t particularly surprising.

“I’m not interested.”

“I suppose not. Her Majesty is hardly stingy when it comes to providing for Your Highness.”

“…”

“That aside, you’re more composed than I expected. You haven’t reacted at all to the sight of them.”

Robert gestured toward the arena with his chin.

The Baron Sands family was still bound in shackles, breathing heavily.

Drool dripped from their mouths as they stared blankly toward the top of the pillar.

There was no trace of humanity left in them.

“For someone of such noble birth, it’s quite a brutal sight. Yet you don’t even seem troubled by it. I’m impressed.”

Robert let out his characteristic chuckle.

At the same time, Evelyn remembered the shock she had felt when she first witnessed the Feeding Competition in her previous life.

“Evelyn, you’re making an unsightly spectacle of yourself.”

“Your Majesty… I truly…”

“Do you wish to ruin my enjoyment?”

”…No.”

Back then, she had not even known how the hours passed.

She had clenched her fists so tightly in an effort to stop her trembling that her palms were torn open by her nails.

Desperately forcing herself to remain in her seat so as not to earn Mary’s displeasure, Evelyn endured the event until the end.

The moment she returned to her residence, she vomited everything she had eaten that day.

Of course, people adapt.

And at some point, she had become numb enough to watch the Feeding Competition with relative indifference.

Evelyn’s green eyes slowly shifted.

The Head Attendant, smiling happily from the railing.

Robert, leisurely observing the spectacle.

And…

“Your Majesty, it seems the Head Attendant has put considerable effort into preparing this.”

“Yes. It’s been a long time since I’ve had something this entertaining.”

Mary, watching everything unfold with interest.

After exchanging a few words with the Emperor, Robert turned his attention back to Evelyn.

“If this becomes difficult for you to watch, just say the word. I’ll escort you out.”

“If you’re only going to talk nonsense, then go hand that in to one of the attendants.”

“Ah.”

He glanced down at the betting sheet resting on his thigh and added,

“I’ll pass.”

“I see.”

“You’re not curious why?”

“Not particularly.”

Robert burst out laughing once more.

He bent forward at the waist as he laughed aloud, drawing the attention of everyone nearby, including Mary.

Evelyn, however, did not even spare him a glance.

A while later, after finally stopping, he answered the question she had never asked.

“What’s enjoyable about a wager when the outcome is already obvious?”

“You say that as though you already know who’s going to win.”

At last, Evelyn turned her head toward him.

Meeting her gaze, Robert smiled more brightly than ever.

“Number Five.”

“…”

“Number Five will win.”

Evelyn’s face stiffened.

His prediction was correct.

In her previous life, both of the first two Feeding Competitions had featured House Sands.

And each time, victory had gone to the youngest son.

‘How does he know?’

Even if Evelyn could understand knowing the future because she had lived through it before, how could Robert be so certain of the outcome?

Assuming, as always, that she would not ask for an explanation, Robert continued speaking on his own.

“I’m only telling Your Highness this, but I heard the Head Attendant had quite a difficult time handling them. He deprived them of water and food and brainwashed them, yet their family bonds were apparently absurdly strong.”

“…”

“The moment anyone touched the youngest child, they would fly into a frenzy. In the end, they couldn’t even properly condition the little one. Though I suppose it won’t matter. Children are creatures driven by instinct, after all.”

He crossed his legs and chuckled quietly.

“The others will try to protect him because he’s a child.”

His smile deepened.

“So isn’t the outcome obvious?”

Before Evelyn could respond, he concluded casually,

“That’s why Number Five will win.”

She had no chance to reply.

The Head Attendant’s booming voice echoed through the arena once more.