The room was modest at best by my standard but it gave the best vantage view of the arena. We were on the third floor of the building while the arena sat on the first.
Other people not in private rooms were seated around the arena but the place was surprisingly organised.
The arena was a simple structure. A bunch of tal shaped and crafted to form a large bird cage. The floor was crystal white and seed to be fully prepared for the fight and the blood that would eventually spill and sar.
I could already imagine what it would look like after this fight.
"Are they really running a gambling den here, this seems to be just watching people fight?"
Jeneviv said curiously. She was leaning against the glass looking at the hundreds of people below waiting excitedly for the fight.
"They’re still placing their money on a single fighter and praying they win if you place your money on the wrong one you lose. That’s what gambling here entails. "
Donovan said his attention was also stolen by the empty arena. The shouts coming from below were loud enough to deafen soone. I wondered how they even survived there.
"Want to gamble? I’ll provide the money, twenty gold for each of you lets see who gets the most profit. You can add your own money if you want. Isn’t that more interesting than just watching?"
I said loud enoughfor everyoneto hear. Everyone turned their attention towards .
"Really?"
Nixie excitedly replied. I could see the excitent flowing out of everyone.
I took out a bag of gold and placed it on the low table.
"Really....that should be one hundred and eighty, twenty for each."
Abelion leaned forward and touched the pouch enviously.
"Isis can also play?"
He asked. I nodded.
"Anyone can play."
Donovan was the first to reach for the gold coins. He distributed them equally amongst them before ringing the small bell next to the door.
"Thank you master!"
Everyone kept on thanking as they took their money.
"Ooh, I forgot to add sothing important. I’ll be taking ten percent of your winnings and for those who lose. I’ll think of a suitable punishnt. "
A kind smile graced my face. The excitent in the room died faster than the wind blowing over a burning candle.
"I knew you would never be kind for no reason. "
Seraph said begrudgingly as she played with her coins. I knew she didn’t need money but letting go of status once in a while could prove helpful.
"There is no such thing as free lunch in this world."
I sarcastically said. She pouted and turned her back to .
"THE FIGHT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN PLEASE OUR DEAR GUEST SETTLE DOWN. THE BETTING POOL IS ALMOST CLOSING IF YOU NEED TO PLACE A BET PLEASE HURRY. WE WILL NOT ALLOW BETS AFTER THE ALLOCATED TI."
The comntator’s shout broke through the tense atmosphere in the room.
The door was loudly knocked on, and Donovan opened it and allowed a well-dressed server in.
"May I have your request dear custors?"
The server said.
"We need to place bets. Can you show us the contestants and the odds?"
I said to him. The waiter nodded and placed a small paper with all the fighters’ nas and their winning rates.
"They also allow female fighters, isn’t that scary?"
Jeneviv said while pointing at a female na.
"As long as you’re strong no one cares. I’ve beaten most n to a pulp for trying to approach carelessly. "
Kianah said proudly. I chuckled.
"How do you get fighters if you don’t mind asking?"
I asked politely. There were only ten people and all of them seed to be above the tenth star. Everyone on the list was a knight.
"All of them volunteer, the rewards are astronomical so they ca here and registered themselves. "
The server answered politely.
"What thod are they going to use to fight. The arena seems small for the use of swords?"
Donovan asked. The arena wasn’t as small as Donovan had exaggerated but it wasn’t big either. The use of swords would be restricted a lot.
"No sir. This is pure hand combat. Our guests like to see kicks and fists."
The waiter denied vehently. I believed him.
There is nothing more enjoyable than a good hand-to-hand combat. It was a better way to get extra exercise.
This was why I rarely used a weapon. The feeling of my fist making impact and breaking sothing was magical.
"Each one of you place a bet, I want to see who will make money today. You will get a reward for that."
I said cheerfully and clappedmy hand to add on the emphasis. They all shot daggers at . I didn’t care.
"Can I leave for just a mont, I’ll be back in a few."
Seraph suddenly whispered into my ear while holding her stomach. I nodded and she left the room hurriedly.
"Can I go with the young lady, it is not safe to be by her loneso in such a new environnt. "
Jeneviv suddenly said and was out of the room before I could react.
"You will be getting the paynt after the auction."
The waiter said and bowed. The mont he left murmurs dominated the room as everyone went about doing whatever they wanted as they waited for the fight to begin.
The wait was becoming longer than usual.
It would be dawn soon with this pace. A gold coin fell onto the floor, scaring everyone around. Donovan’s hand reached out and picked the coin.
He awkwardly looked at and turned avoiding my gaze. More coins clicked together as he moved.
"You didn’t bet?"
I asked. He hesitantly nodded.
"I didn’t want to risk so much gold."
He pitifully said. I rolled my eyes.
"Give back my money."
I held out my hand to him. I wiggled my fingers to him as he weighed which side benefited him the most.
"I think I’ll place the bet."
Donovan said and hurriedly left the room.
"You didn’t place a bet master?"
Nixie asked curiously. She had been among the first to take the money and throw it into the betting pool.
"I did place one."
I said with a mysterious smile. Nixie looked at doubtfully before turning to Kianah who was seated next to her. Kianah understood her silent question and shook her head.
"You didn’t, you only gave us money."
She forcefully said as if trying to prove I was lying but wasn’t really sure about her statent.
"I placed my bets on all of you, if any of you wins i get a cut of the money."
I said nonchalantly and leaned back in my seat, as the comntator stepped forward.
"TO ALL OUR PATIENT GUEST WE ALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR TOLERANCE, NOW LET’S WELCO OUR NEW FIGHTERS ON TO THE STAGE....AND THATS NOT ALL..."
The comntators paused letting his words sink in and build the anticipation of everyone present. I was also feeling it just a little bit ,he was good at his work.
"WE HAVE TWO NEW FIGHTERS. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ALL OF US, WE CANNOT PLACE BETS ON THEM SINCE THEY ENTERED JUST A MONT AGO. DO YOU KNOW SOTHING BETTER? THEY’RE ONE OF YOU, OUR DEAR GUEST. TODAY WILL BE HOT, WILD, AND GET YOUR BLOOD PUMPING. LET THE NEW ET THE OLD. LET’S WELCO OUR FIGHTERS WITH A ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!!"
The crowd erupted in loud cheers as the red curtain was lifted revealing all the fighters behind the curtains.
I shot out of my seat the mont I saw the two new fighters
"These fools, I should have noticed earlier when they all left one after the other," I said in frustration while looking around," where is Jeneviv?"
It just ca to that she also went outside with Seraph. I just hoped she wasn’t part of this silly plan.
"Look she’s among the crowd, near the Arena. "
True to Kianah’s words she was standing in the very first row twisting her fingers as she looked around nervously. She glanced at our side but quickly turned around and went back to look at Seraph.
"This is ridiculous. "
I muttered to myself. I was debating going down there and pulling both of them out of the ring.
"Should I go stop them master?"
Luna asked beside she was also looking down at the three.
I chuckled and shook my head.
"Let them fight if they want. They walked into the fire by themselves. "
I said confidently and leaned back on my chair. I can’t keep monitoring them as though they were children.
"But the young mistress, is it really okay for her to engage in such gas?"
Luna insistent. I glanced at Seraph. She was smiling happily on the line. I always forgot that Seraph isn’t as delicate as she looks but a battle maniac at the core or she wouldn’t have fought with every knight in the duchy just because she wanted extra training.
"Let her fight. I’m just going to prepare myself for her celebration or complaints."
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