Volume 2 Chapter 23
The ‘Baldy’ team had five members, the ‘Hook Nose’ team three. The audience had expected the ‘Baldy’ team to win through sheer numbers, but in a shocking upset, they were wiped out, managing to take down only a single mage from the ‘Hook Nose’ team at the cost of five of their own, leaving the crowd stunned.
The final battle was set: Nia and I versus the two remaining members of the ‘Hook Nose’ team. A two-on-two match. On the surface, it seemed like a fair fight.
“Attention, everyone! His Majesty the King has graced the Colosseum with his presence!” the announcer suddenly boomed.
Led by a large retinue of guards and attendant generals, the pot-bellied King of Winton, draped in a magnificent royal robe, slowly ascended the steps with the support of his handmaidens. To his left was the slightly older Queen, and to his right were Bonnie and the Prince of Winton. A line of concubines followed behind them, carrying platters of pastries and fruit, ready for the King to snack wherever he went.
“Your Majesty—!”
At the King’s arrival, the audience fell silent in a show of respect. Everyone, from merchants and nobles to adventurers and guards, left their seats and knelt on the ground.
To even raise one’s head without the King’s permission was a grave crime.
“Rise, all of you. On such a joyous festival, there is no need for such ceremony. Sit, sit! Hahahaha…”
The King of Winton was in a good mood today.
Only after receiving permission did the crowd dare to cautiously return to their seats.
“Your Majesty, please be seated.”
The King of Winton’s corpulent body sank into the oversized, luxurious chair prepared by his guards, his excess flesh spilling from the gaps. He then picked a delicate, small red fruit from a platter and tossed it into his mouth.
“Continue, continue. This is the final match, isn’t it?” he said, waving his hand to signal that the announcer shouldn’t mind him and should focus on the match.
It was customary for the King of Winton to watch only the final match of the Colosseum. After all, the battle between the last survivors was the only one worth seeing. Who enjoys watching a boring, one-sided slaughter?
“The final teams of the Colosseum, enter!”
“Oh? Girls? This year’s Colosseum is a bit interesting. What are these two female slaves called?”
“Your Majesty, this is the Sister Flowers team from cell 14.”
“I asked for their names.”
No one knew them. Who would bother to ask for a slave’s name?
“Your Majesty, well…”
“Oh, my apologies. I forgot. Slaves don’t have names. I was just a bit surprised to see female slaves survive to the final round. Hahahaha…”
With a touch of awkwardness, the King let out a hearty laugh, his large belly rising and falling like a balloon being inflated and deflated.
“Father, the smaller one is named Alice, and the older one is Laura.”
“Hm? My dear daughter, you know the names of these two slaves?” the King asked, surprised.
“I happened to meet them on the street.”
“Oh? Then what do you think of their chances?”
“It will be a victory without a shadow of a doubt.”
“Hahaha… Is that so? My dear daughter, let’s make a wager. If Alice and that… what was it, Lau-Laura, lose, then you will obediently go on the blind dates I’ve arranged for you.”
“And if you lose, Father?”
“I will no longer meddle in your affairs, as long as you don’t do anything too outrageous.”
The King of Winton was brimming with confidence.
“I want Alice and Laura as my personal knight-guards.”
“As long as they agree, you may do as you please, my sweet, precious daughter.”
“Then it’s a deal, Father.”
“Indeed. A promise is a promise.”
