After listening to Duke Ler’s second son, Henwil’s heart skipped a beat.
Damn it! Bad luck again!
Henwil glanced at Bloodhorn beside him, but the man showed no reaction.
It seed the rules of this gladiatorial arena couldn’t save him.
No surprise!
After all, those so-called rules were drafted by nobles to suit their own convenience.
If you’re not a noble, you never truly count as a person!
From Bloodhorn’s attitude, Henwil was clearly a discarded pawn.
The man who ca to demand accountability frowned and said to Duke Ler’s second son,
“Mr. Danis, I’m not here to cause trouble. I already paid. Now you tell the goods are gone.
You push out a man and claim he destroyed my goods, telling to seek compensation from him. Can I assu you intend to tear up this deal?”
Danis waved with a smile. “I already said it was my mistake. I don’t an to shirk responsibility.
I’ll return your money! I’ll also deliver replacent goods! But it may take so ti.
As for this little gladiator, he’s just to show my sincerity and apology, and to calm your dissatisfaction.”
The man shook his head. “I don’t want to kill him, I have no grievance, and I’m short on ti.
I leave in three days. Find suitable goods to replace them within that ti.”
Danis chuckled lightly. “Heh… I’ll do my best, but if we follow your deadline, I doubt the goods will fully satisfy you!
You know what you’re asking for: a child of noble birth, educated in proper noble ways, and this must be a death replacent. That takes ti!”
The man snapped, “That’s not my problem. You should have backups, shouldn’t you?”
Danis pointed at Henwil. “How about this boy? He has noble blood.
Born into a noble family, sowhat educated, and with fighting ability — sharp enough.
He killed the person you were going to buy; giving him to you as compensation seems only fair.
Since you’re in a hurry, you could take him to tide you over. I’ll find a proper replacent in the anti.
If you’re unhappy with this one, I’ll send another at no extra charge!”
The man scrutinized Henwil with curiosity. “Can he do it? He’s only a gladiator!”
Henwil finally found his chance to speak and perford the standard noble salute to the man. “Sir, I believe I can fulfill this role.
From your accent, you should be from the Worui Duchy. I’ve studied so of Worui’s language and cultural history.
Also, I assu you want a stand-in. My age and height match that arrogant, greedy fellow well enough.
I’ve received professional gladiator training and can protect myself when necessary.
I can also prevent your financial loss; finding another suitable stand-in won’t be cheap.”
Those words stunned not only the man but also Danis and Bloodhorn.
Henwil’s first sentence had been in standard Billie Kingdom common speech with a noble accent.
His second sentence shifted into the Worui Duchy language, also in a noble tone.
By the third sentence, he switched into fluent Continental Common Tongue.
The man eyed Henwil curiously. “Which family are you from?”
Henwil bowed. “That’s not important. For now, I am a mber of your family!”
Danis was about to say sothing when the man cut in, “Then it’s him!”
Danis sighed. “Ah~! I feel like I’ve made a loss on this deal!”
Then Danis told Bloodhorn, “Go fetch this boy’s contract!”
After Bloodhorn left, Henwil looked at Danis. “Sir, my companions live in Hidden Sin City.
You’ve seen their gladiatorial performances — they’re serviceable people.
Due to their status, you might not be able to bring them with you.
Still, these youths run around in Hidden Sin City and could handle small matters for you.
So I dare to ask you to look after these children a bit.
Soday you might find use for those poor souls you showed rcy to!”
Danis instructed his attendant, “Take note. Arrange contact. If they’re useful, give them assistance.”
Henwil bowed in thanks. Bloodhorn returned with the contract at that mont.
Danis handed the contract to the man. “There. You’ve hit a jackpot. I should’ve investigated more beforehand.”
Henwil addressed Bloodhorn, “Sir, thank you for your care these years, but you did violate arena rules.
I now beg you to waive the remaining redemption fees my forr companions owe, and count it as my paynt for selling myself!”
Bloodhorn didn’t reply; his face darkened as he stared at Henwil.
Danis tapped his winecup. “Bloodhorn, last ti I vouched for you. Now it’s ti to return the favor.
This brat told about those children; I feel for them.
Why don’t you give one face and let it go? Consider it a good deed for yourself!”
Bloodhorn took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Everything will be handled as Mr. Danis wishes!”
Danis rose to leave. As he walked out he said to Henwil, “Kid, if you can return alive, find . I’ll give you a chance to restore your family’s honor!”
One day later, on the carriage leaving Hidden Sin City, Henwil gazed blankly out the window.
A man in the compartnt spoke up. “Kid, are you still attached to that place?”
Henwil shook his head. “No! But I lived there for years. I wanted to take another look and rember where I grew up.”
The man didn’t reply, closing his eyes to rest.
After two days, Henwil had sorted out the whole matter in his mind.
The man in the carriage was Jansen, a baron from the southwest corner of the Worui Duchy.
He had co to the Billie Kingdom to buy a death stand-in for the safety of his youngest son.
The young knight Henwil killed was the stand-in Jansen had intended to buy.
Henwil realized there were many oddities — who had provoked that young knight?
How could a baron like Jansen muster such a large sum to buy a high-value stand-in in the Billie Kingdom?
Clearly there were many conspiracies, but none of that mattered to Henwil.
What mattered now was surviving, doing everything possible to live through the years as a stand-in.
From now on Henwil had another na — Arluis!
For a long ti ahead, he would be Arluis Phoenix!
Fourteen years!
He had finally beco a noble, even if only as a replacent!
Reviews
All reviews (0)