Weeks passed.
It was finally ti for the highlight of the Coliseum—the long-awaited Annual Coliseum Festival.
This was the period when the Coliseum was at it most packed, and it was also the most profitable
Many people who didn’t frequent the Coliseum would still attend this festival.
They would place their bets.
And enjoy epic fights between the strongest fighters that the Coliseum had to offer.
There were already ranked mbers of the Coliseum which generated hype, but it also wasn’t strange for dark horses to appear and sweep the audience off their feet.
And so, the crowds gathered at the Coliseum.
They flocked into the hall in their magnitude, displaying the variety of the denizens within the Nether Realm.
Rey watched all of this silently as he alighted the carriage.
Logan was right next to him.
And so was Augustus.
’He keeps getting stranger by the day...’ Rey glanced at his Master and frowned slightly.
’Why did he let sit with him this ti?’
It felt strange.
No, the whole atmosphere felt very strange.
But Rey chose to ignore it.
’I’m just getting jitters is all. After all, this will be my last fight for Augustus. By this ti tomorrow, I will no longer be in the Desgarron Manor.’
Rey smiled.
Although this would be a dangerous event, he felt a surge of confidence and excitent within his body.
Yes, he would be fighting extrely powerful foes—far more powerful than any opponents he had faced in the past.
Perhaps with the exception of Amara and Alistair.
Logan, too.
But still, Rey felt confident.
’I can... no, I will win!’
He glanced at Augustus, but his overwhelming joy didn’t let him feel disgusted when looking at this Young Master.
’You’re going to win a lot of money this ti around. I guess you consider this my parting gift to you, though I will be sure to collect that and more when I return, stronger.’
They entered the Coliseum and began registering.
Since Augustus was a premium mber, he didn’t have to wait in a long queue, but instead went to a more secluded area to fill up his necessary registrations.
Naturally, he made Rey his fighter and placed his bets right there.
While all of this was happening, a sudden commotion took hold of the great hall. It stemd from the entrance area, as many people were making noises and moving frantically.
Then, everyone fell into a hush.
Silence.
One could hear a pin drop in this sheer decorum that took over.
Rey was stunned by the suddenness of it all, but once he looked at the person who had just entered the hall, he understood the current situation a little better.
The man who ventured in was dressed formally, wearing an elegant suit of the utmost quality.
With a monocle on one eye, a walking stick made of shimring darkness, and a gentleman’s hat that complented the rest of his wear, he gave off the aura of a high noble.
His shoes were polished and appeared like gems, and the sa could be said about everything regarding him.
His appearance alone made Augustus look like a pauper.
And, despite his middle-aged look, his handso face and noble disposition would sway any woman.
It seed like he was perfection incarnate.
Everyone in the hall was silent when he entered, even bowing their heads as he walked forward with no obstacle in his path.
Even Augustus and Logan bowed, and so Rey did the sa—though he kept his sharp gaze on the man.
Then, almost as though the man could sense Rey’s fixated gaze, he looked in his direction.
’E-eh? Is he staring at ?’
The noble smirked, the kind that stemd from absolute condescension, and yet a degree of understanding.
But Rey did not feel slighted at all.
Because—
’His eyes... they were not directed at .’
He subtly looked to his side and found that he wasn’t the only one who had raised his head.
Among the three of them... Augustus was also looking at the grand noble. He had a pained, complex expression on his face.
Even though he tried to hide it, Rey saw right through his facade.
’Just what is their relationship?’
Right as he thought this, he looked at his entourage, which now stepped into the hall bearing the flag of the noble.
He recognized the symbol imdiately.
’T-that is... from that letter!’ Rey’s eyes widened and he shuddered. ’It’s the Kahn Family, one of the two Duke Households in the entire Nether Realm.’
He rembered being stunned after seeing this letter being delivered to Augustus.
However, since he had no way of really knowing its contents, he forgot about it and focused on his training.
But now...
’I have a bad feeling about this.’
It felt too strange that soone affiliated with the Duke House would be attending the Coliseum, and had reached out to Augustus just a few weeks prior.
Just what was happening?!
"Duke Cornelius Kahn’s aura really is insane. I nearly passed out." Rey overheard one person whisper after the nobleman had left.
’So he really is the Duke?’
"I wonder if the rumors are true..."
"Oh? That he is the new owner of the Coliseum? Co on... that can’t be."
"Then why would he be here?"
"Maybe he wishes to bet."
"He could be bringing a fighter, so who knows?"
"If the Duke had a fighter, there’s no way he would ever lose."
"I’m not so sure about that. The Coliseum is different from other kinds of brawls. There’s a limit to the Artifacts you can..."
The conversations went on, but Rey had gotten his information.
’So the Duke is related to the Coliseum in a big way and could be the owner. It makes sense that he showed up, then. Even if it were only to bet.’
The problem was the letter that Augustus received. Why did the Duke glance at Augustus and nod at him?
What could this an?
Unfortunately, Rey couldn’t get an answer to the question as he was taken away from the hall.
As always, he had to join the rest of the contestants.
This ti, however, it wasn’t Logan that took him there. Augustus himself was the one who escorted him.
"I have an order for you as your Master when it cos to this tournant." As they were walking, Augustus suddenly spoke.
’What’s this all about?’
Rey began to have a dreary feeling, but he shook it off and told himself he was simply feeling queasy due to the near completion of his plan.
"No matter what happens, in the upcoming fight..."
’Ah, I see. He wants to win no matter what, huh? I guess he too is feeling anxious since there is a lot of money on the line...’
Although Rey was thinking and he thought he had everything figured out, nothing could have prepared him for what he heard next.
"... You must lose."
’H-huh?’
Rey imdiately stopped moving.
He stared at Augustus with a dazed expression on his face.
’L-lose...?’
"Yes. The Duke has too much to gain from you losing. The odds are in your favor, so betting against them ans great profit. Even I... will go and change my bets after this. I have also been promised so rewards if I make you lose, the most important one being a permanent position here in the Coliseum. I get to beco an executive staff with a stable wage and a reputable position in society."
"...." Rey remained speechless.
He was being ordered to lose?
But losing ant only one thing in the Coliseum.
Death.
’Are you telling to die?’
"I will have a career path despite my lack of talent. It is everything I ever dread of. I... I am sorry. I tried to find another way, but the Duke is adamant on you losing. You are too much of a threat, an uncertainty. The House always wins in these kinds of events, so... he offered a deal I couldn’t refuse to ensure you are off the board.
’Augustus...’
"So, please, as my slave... obey this last command from your Master."
’... You bastard!
"Please die for ."
[A/N: Yet another problem arises for our dear MC. Almost makes you feel bad for him. Make a guess on what his fate will be in the comnt. The Academy? His freedom? His demise? None of the above?]
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