Chapter 90

Standing in front of the inn we were invited to, I, Iksa, and Garai waited for our arrival to be acknowledged.

Then, at noon.

Right on schedule, a carriage arrived at the scene.

A luxurious black-painted carriage, pulled by four horses.

The door opened, and Secretary Valka and several guards appeared.

(...Hm? Silas isn’t here today...)

Just as I was thinking that—

"Hello, nice to meet you."

The man appeared.

"I am the Thirty-Seventh Prince, and the lord of this tourist city, Vayzel, Sting Bear Grouga."

"...Nice to meet you, I’m Honda Mako."

An ordinary person.

That was my first impression.

The princes I had met before, Iksa, Antimishka, Nero... yeah, they were all quite eccentric.

But the person standing in front of me was ordinary.

He was dressed up and had a noble air about him, but I had seen many people of high status before, so there was nothing particularly special about him.

He was probably about ten years older than Iksa and looked the part.

So... ordinary.

Well, I shouldn’t be judging people’s appearances so boldly... but that’s how he felt.

(...But that’s why it feels off...)

An ordinary person, the top of this city of desire and entertainment?

The tyrant who banished the *Berserkers* and treated them harshly?

It just doesn’t seem to fit...

While I was thinking this, Iksa and Garai had finished their greetings.

Iksa, meeting him after a long time, was shaking hands with a friendly smile, though he was clearly on high alert.

"Well... are you hungry yet?"

After the initial exchange, Prince Sting started the conversation.

"There’s a restaurant nearby that serves delicious food. It’s better to have a meal while we talk, don’t you think?"

"Prince Sting, before that—"

Iksa responded to the suggestion.

"Having a meal is fine, but there’s a place I want to go first. I’m quite interested in it."

"Is that so? If you have a preference, I don’t mind."

"Thank you. The place I want to go to... is the arena."

Iksa pointed to the top of the building, which was visible from a distance.

"The arena?"

"..."

Prince Sting tilted his head.

"I see. That’s surprising, Iksa. You’re interested in such a place? I don’t mind, though."

"Thank you."

Iksa glanced at me.

Nice one, Iksa.

Moguro is already in the arena.

We might get a chance to meet that masked fighter—Moo’s sister (tentative).

"Let’s head there then. We have a lot to talk about."

***

We all got into the carriage with Prince Sting and headed to the arena.

Even though it was daytime, the arena was already in operation, and a betting match was taking place in the ring.

The arena, as lively as it was yesterday, had a section of the audience seats that was separated from the others.

It was probably like a VIP room in a modern racetrack or stadium.

We were taken there.

"So, why did you come all the way to the arena? Iksa."

Prince Sting, seated in a prepared chair, asked.

"Mako."

Prompted by Iksa, I stepped forward.

"Is it possible to meet the masked *Lavinia* fighter in this arena?"

"The masked *Lavinia*... Ah, that fighter."

Prince Sting seemed to understand immediately and responded.

"I know her well; she’s quite popular... though as a heel."

"‘Heel’... a villain, you mean?"

"‘Too strong to be a villain’ type. She almost never loses in a match, so now the arena is setting up matches to see if anyone can defeat her. If a challenger can beat her, they get a huge prize. The betting odds are also high, and many spectators hope for her defeat to turn the tables."

"Prince Sting, actually, there’s someone I’d like to introduce to you today."

With the prince’s permission, I brought in the person who had been waiting outside the VIP room.

"Nice to meet you, Prince Sting. I am one of the staff members of the Adventurer’s Guild, a *Appraiser* by profession, and my name is Moguro Birhusnayder."

The person I brought in—Moguro—greeted Prince Sting respectfully.

"Ah, nice to meet you. So, what brings the Adventurer’s Guild member here today?"

"Yes, Prince Sting. I noticed something when I visited this arena yesterday... the *Lavinia* fighter might be the S-rank adventurer, Lunato, whom we are currently searching for."

"..."

Prince Sting listened to Moguro’s statement in silence.

"Considering this, I thought it would be best to meet her directly today and ask for your assistance, Prince Sting..."

"Are you suggesting that the arena is forcibly making an S-rank adventurer fight as a gladiator?"

"No, no! I’m not thinking that at all!"

Moguro strongly denied it, but his usual insincere attitude made him seem suspicious.

Well, there’s no point in pretending otherwise.

In fact, we and Moguro both know that if the masked fighter is Lunato, there must be some hidden circumstances.

"Are you here to reclaim her, then?"

"No. We just want to confirm her will."

Moguro explained to Prince Sting.

"Of course, losing such a talented person would be a loss for us. But if she chose to become a gladiator of her own will, we have to step back. We can’t forcibly bring back someone who has changed careers."

"..."

Prince Sting then looked at Valka.

"..."

Valka nodded and stepped forward.

"I will go to the *Lavinia* fighter. I will explain to the relevant parties along the way using Prince Sting’s name. Prince Sting is the supreme ruler of this city, so there will be no problem."

"Thank you."

"Then, let’s go."

Moguro and I bowed.

So, with Valka, Moguro, Garai, and I, we headed to the gladiators’ waiting room.

"Good luck."

Iksa said as we left the VIP room.

"Iksa, please."

"Sure."

Leaving Iksa, Prince Sting, and his guards behind, we left the room.

***

"Alright, Iksa."

—After Mako and the others left the VIP room.

Looking down at the fierce match in the center of the arena, Sting was the first to speak.

"You said you had something to talk about. Let’s get to it."

"Right."

The atmosphere between the two became heavy, a stark contrast to when Mako and the others were there.

"First, Prince Sting, why did you refuse my request to meet the other day?"

The *Berserkers*’ village was attacked by the adventurers, including Silas.

The next day, Iksa wanted to meet Sting to investigate the truth, but Sting refused.

"I was busy with work."

Sting answered nonchalantly.

"Running this rapidly growing city is a tough job. It’s even more challenging than you can imagine, Iksa."

"Then why did you instruct that I and my associates not be allowed into the central district?"

"Understand, Iksa. I’m human, and I’m not as capable as you. When I’m busy, I don’t want to be disturbed by unnecessary things. That’s all. Of course, I planned to contact you when I had the time."

"..."

"Hey, Iksa. Don’t you think this city is wonderful?"

Sting stood up from his chair and continued.

"It constantly draws people driven by desire, entertains them, and makes them spend money like water. It’s a perfect embodiment of both the ugliness and beauty of humanity that I’ve cultivated."

"..."

"I can’t let this city be destroyed. I will do whatever it takes to protect it. I want you to know that."

A threat.

Or a pure declaration of resolve.

It’s unclear which, but at least Iksa thought the Sting of the past wouldn’t say such things.

"Then, the second question."

To get to the truth, Iksa pressed on.

"Your treatment of the beastmen."

***

—Iksa and Prince Sting are probably having a deep conversation right now.

Thinking about that, we were led by Valka to the underground of the arena.

We passed through a staff-only corridor and went down some stairs.

Apparently, the gladiators’ waiting room was underground.

"..."

Along the way, I noticed a civilian man with a desperate look, signing something with a trembling hand, being watched by an arena staff member.

"Is that...?"

"Someone in financial trouble is signing a contract to become a gladiator in this arena."

Valka answered my question.

"Probably someone who lost a lot of money in gambling in this city... Anyway, there are people who sign contracts to become exclusive gladiators here. The arena pays off their debts in exchange for making them owe even more, and they have to pay it back with their lives."

"Basically, they’re being turned into debt slaves."

"Rather, it’s more accurate to say they’re being protected."

Valka corrected me instantly.

"They’re given a chance when they’ve gotten themselves into debt, can’t pay it back, and might even be killed. It’s a chance for them to turn their lives around."

"..."

We continued to walk through the dimly lit underground, guided by Valka.

The corridor eventually led to a section with iron bars, like a prison.

"We’ve arrived."

We stopped in front of one of the cells.

On the other side of the bars, the masked *Lavinia* gladiator stood quietly.

"Is this... Lunato?"

I called out.

She slowly raised her face, hidden by the mask, from inside the cage.