"Th-The winner is Gladiator Yunaaa!!"
The announcer screamed to the top of his lungs and the audience was in a world of chaos, everyone still confused about what just happened. They clearly saw the young lady strike down her massive opponent yet they still couldn't believe their eyes.
The young lady's silver hair continued to flutter in the air, her eyes glowing bluer even than the sky above them. Her delicate figure was burned into everyone's eyes as she stood triumphant on the stage, a sense of beauty exuding despite the freezing cold.
"What... What the hell just happened...?"
"H-Hey, isn't Klad a veteran? A-And in just one strike..."
The group of betters in the audience was looking at the stage with eyes of disbelief, and behind them, Grey was smiling ever so cheerfully, happy that her fiancée had proven them wrong. He was satisfied.
Well, he just shouldn't sit there and grin like the idiot that he was. He soon stood up and approached the group of betters. As soon as he did, the betters felt a cold shiver run down their spines, jolting when a great sense of terror crept to their hearts.
"Hey, now. You aren't going to withdraw your bets, are you now?" ［Grey］
"W-What bet? D-Did we agree on anything like that...? Hahaha..."
"Haha... I also don't remember... Are you sure you weren't mistaken, boy?"
"Oh my, you're quite the forgetful ones... But don't worry, I know a way or two to shake up your memories. Should we get started?" ［Grey］
The betters tried to laugh it off, but Grey was quite firm in his standing. The moment he cracked his knuckles, their fears intensified and darkness swallowed their hearts. In their eyes, Grey looked like a Demon Lord about to harvest their rotten souls.
Reluctantly with tears forming in the corner of their eyes, the betters paid Grey with the amount they mentioned, arriving to a grand total of 1,400 kiels. A decent sum worth more than two weeks of a person's salary.
The one who betted a hundred kiels was already butter but even more so was the one who betted a thousand, now biting his shirt in frustration. Even then, Grey did not care. That's what they get for looking down on Yuna. It was well deserved.
'Hmm... We should be able to buy a few days worth of snacks with this...' ［Grey］
Of course, what Grey would be spending the betting money on would be for snacks. His mood quickly improved just imagining Yuna's adorable eating face. He looked forward to having some afternoon snacks with her.
And speaking of Yuna, she was now heading down the stage and out of the arena. She looked at Grey and Lisandra shortly, waving her hand and posing a peace sign as she peaced out. Grey couldn't help but chuckle.
"#1768-558, Mister Grey, and #1759-881, Mister Tiller. Please come up to the stage."
"Oh, looks like it's my turn now." ［Grey］
"Good luck, Grey." ［Lisandra］
Before long, it was finally Grey's turn to play. After turning around and waving his hand farewell, he then jumped out from the seating area and towards the arena. He just couldn't help but make a conspicuous entrance.
He stood out but the announcer really didn't mind it. It wasn't the first time someone made such an entrance. He simply waited for the other gladiator who was now on the way, walking calmly and normally unlike Grey.
"Yuna... Grey... Those names sound familiar..."
"Right, where have I heard them before,,,?"
Once could just be a coincidence, but twice was too much. Grey and Yuna's name has spread throughout the whole continent, and so, it wasn't much of a shock that even people from the Kingdom of Graystone knew of them.
Thankfully, they weren't as famous there as they were in the Kingdom of Alfrione. Otherwise, it surely would cause a commotion. Even then, it didn't stop the audience to talk about them, and some... were talking about a different topic.
"Hey, should we report that man to the authorities? He just robbed us blind!"
"But he's damn scary... Those eyes looked like they had killed before..."
"Hey! He's just a brat! Why are you so afraid?!"
Screaming whilst whispering, the betters planned to report Grey to the colosseum officials to get their money back. Yet however quiet they try, Lisandra could still hear them clear as day, soon heaving a lengthy and exasperated sigh.
"I wouldn't continue that if I were you. Trust me, you don't want to go against the two of them. You'll be crushed immediately." ［Lisandra］
"Hah?! Who do youー Y-Your Highness?!"
The man couldn't even finish his statement, panic striking his heart as soon as he realized who he just shouted at. They had just noticed, but the one who had been sitting behind them was the Second Princess of the Kingdom.
Realizing that fact, the man then trembled and kneeled to the ground, his head low as one can be. After all, offending or insulting Royalty was a heavy crime. He could get his head chopped off if he were to make even a single mistake.
She had always been watching at the Royal Chambers so they never thought she was the one sitting behind
"""F-Forgive us for our impudence, Y-Your Highness! We were wrong!"""
They all quickly apologized towards Lisandra, not daring to look at her in the eyes. Some people overheard their conversation, but knowing that Royalty was involved, they didn't dare to take a look behind or eavesdrop. They were quiet as the dead.
"Haah... Just don't try to mess with them. Is that clear?" ［Lisandra］
"""Yes, ma'am!!"""
They had just started planning and their plans were already burned to the ground. With teary and lifeless eyes, they looked at the arena again. The gladiators were already present and the duel was about to start.
Unlike Yuna's opponent, the one in front of Grey was quite calm and collected, not underestimating him despite his youth. He carefully analyzed the young man, his eyes scrutinizing every nook and cranny of his body. From his posture to his subtle gestures, he didn't bat his eyes.
Well, not like Grey wanted a noisy opponent like Yuna's anyway. He was happy to have a level-headed opponent, and he was a D-ranker as well. He has yet to figure out how they are matched, but he was quite happy to have gotten a strong opponent.
"This is my first time fighting you, but I'll be in your care." ［Tiller］
"Same here. I'm looking forward to our fight." ［Grey］
They have exchanged their greetings and the stage has also been repaired by the earth mages. The announcer looked at the two of them and...
"Let the fight... begin!"
... His voice once again rang in the air. Though, a complete opposite of the round before it, neither Grey nor Tiller rushed towards one another. Rather, they simply observed one another's movements, trying to find a gap in defense... Or at least that's what Tiller was doing.
Rather than observing, Grey was simply mimicking the one before him to see how gladiators really fight, and while he was at it, he used "Multitask" to think about what he would be buying with the bet money he just earned.
Tiller slowly but surely spun around Grey, and the latter remained still. Even then, the man didn't see any gaps. He has "Intuition 2☆" and both his instincts and experience were telling him not to make any careless moves. It was a menacing experience.
'There!' ［Tiller］
Like a moth to a flame, as soon as Grey opened a gap, Tiller quickly rushed towards Grey. He was swift and agile, not wasting a single movement as he lunged his sword towards his enemy, eyes shifting left and right to see where Grey might dodge.
However, Grey didn't dodge and simply parried the attack straight on, shifting its trajectory upwards with a single move. After all, the opportunity Tiller was just a trap, and now that he had been caught, it was time to launch an all-out assault.
Clang Clang Clang Clang
The sound of metal filled the air and swords clashed time and time again. Grey didn't just put pressure on Tiller, he also drove him to a corner, not letting him run away nor strike back. All he could do was block Grey's rampage.
It wasn't like it was easy to defend either. Grey didn't just attack normally, he struck from angles normally impossible from other people, juggling his sword when needed be. It was like facing an unpredictable storm which can attack from all sides.
If Tiller wasn't as strong as he is, he would have surely knelt down from the pressure Grey was subjecting him to. To make things worse, he was also almost nearing the edge of the stage. He was in risk of losing.
《Heavy Slash!》 ［Tiller］
Tiller slashed downwards, a loud echo ringing in the air as the tiles cracked. It didn't hit Grey, but it bought him enough time to change directions and regain some ground, still analyzing where he could land a strike on Grey's heavy guarded body,
Unfortunately for him, Grey didn't just let him simply get away. As soon as he ran, he soon chased after him, not leaving the enemy some room to breathe and pressuring him even harder. The sharp, scarlet glint in his sword is death coming for the enemy.
《Double Cross!》 ［Tiller］
Yet another strike and yet another miss. Grey simply bent his body backwards and slid down the flying cross. As soon as he passed it, he then used his sword to spring him back up, rushing to Tiller once again.
The first strike connected and so did the second, followed by the third, fourth, fifth, and so on and so forth. Grey once again launched an endless barrage towards Tiller. Some went through, hitting the latter's legs, arms, torso, and even his face, wounds forming soon after as blood trickled down.
'Hmm... He's good...' ［Grey］
Thought Grey as he continued to press against Tiller. He wasn't going all out, but it was still commendable that he could last so long against his unpredictable barrage. One only those with rich experience and a calm mind can achieve.
'Tsk! There's no other choice!' ［Tiller］
Impatience was finally dawning on him, Grey continuing to press him further. It was either he falls off the ring or he fights with all his might. He might be losing, but he won't be going down without a fight.
《Barrier!》 《Raging Whirlwind!》 ［Tiller］
A barrier was erected, but it was soon broken by Grey's swift strikes. However, it did manage to buy some time for him to go into position and launch a barrage of attacks as well, swirls of mana gathering towards his sword.
It was a fierce clash of swords, two violent storms going at it head to head. The only difference was that Tiller's was a sword art whilst Grey was purely physical, not a single drop of mana coating his scarlet and terrifying sword.
Tiller's attacks were fierce, however, not a single one landed as Grey simply dodged them without breaking a sweat. Though the same couldn't be said for Tiller. His body was now littered with wounds as Grey's tempest continued.
《Cross Slash!》 ［Tiller］
Seeing how ineffective exchanging blows were, Tiller once again struck the ground, a massive cross rushing towards Grey's direction. A cross which was easily broken with a single strike from Grey's sword, shattering it like thin glass.
However, that attack was but a meager distraction. Whilst Grey evaded the attacks, Tiller charged his next attack, an amalgamation of violent fire type mana gathering towards his sword, gripping his sword tightly as he slashed.
《Scorching Crescent!》 ［Tiller］
A blazing blade swallowed the stage and rushed towards Grey like a hungry lioness chasing its prey. It already looked pretty intimidating as it was, yet Grey didn't budge an inch and simply observed it.
Unfortunately for Tiller, Grey was his worst match. Not only was he powerful, the sword Grey was currently wielding was also the "Vulcan's Wrath", a Divine-Grade weapon whose dominion was over fire. It was a terrible match-up.
Grey raised his sword and exhaled a deep breath, raising his sword soon after. And with a single slash from his sword, he parted the flames like how a certain prophet parted the red sea, all eyes wide open at the sight.
'Haha... You've got to be kidding me...' ［Tiller］
Tiller was frozen speechless as he witnessed such a sight. Breaking such a powerful combination spell was already hard, let alone doing it without any mana, yet he saw it unfold before him. It was nothing short of amazing.
And as he was frozen, Grey didn't let the opportunity slip by, rushing towards him as the blazing flames served as his cover. Tiller was able to react, but it was already far too late. He was just about to move but Grey's sword was already near his neck.
"I believe this is my win, Mister Tiller." ［Grey］
"No doubt about that... You got me, kid." ［Tiller］
The duel has finally ended and the victor has been decided. It was Tiller's defeat but there was no bitterness on his part. Rather, he was glad to have dueled against a strong opponent. He couldn't have been any happier.
"The winner is Gladiator Greeeyyy!!"
Another announcement echoed in the air and a booming pandemonium of cheers and applause rocked the whole colosseum. It was one of the most interesting and enjoyable fights the audience has seen in a long while.
And just as everyone was happily talking about Grey's fight as well as Yuna's previous duel, one of the colosseum staff rushed towards the announcer, news which shocked the latter greatly. Still, he tried to compose himself and held the microphone tightly for yet another announcement.
"E-Everyone! I-I have just gotten some important information. A-As it seems, the young man here before us and the young lady from before are actually Their Highnesses, Lord Grey and Yuna! The Heroes of Oiros and the youngest S-rankers!"
Shock and awe, such emotions welled up inside everyone's hearts as they learned about Grey and Yuna's identities. Now, everything finally made sense to them, why such youths dominated their matches.
"Oh dear..." ［Lisandra］
"Uuu... Why are they announcing it..." ［Yuna］
"Haah... This is going to be troublesome..." ［Grey］
Grey and Yuna could already see trouble heading their way. To top it all off, they weren't just introduced simply as "Heroes of Alfrione", but as "Heroes of Oiros" after receiving multiple medals from multiple countries. Their fame had just soared.
"To think I fought against one of the famed Heroes of Oiros... I couldn't be any more honored, Your Highness." ［Tiller］
"Yeah, sure..." ［Grey］
Even Tiller's eyes were now sparkling brightly as he looked at Grey. Even if he did lose, he could proudly announce to the world that he fought against Grey with a bright smile. Even the other gladiators were jealous of him.
It was too late already. Instead of trying to deal with it, Grey and Yuna simply gave up on correcting them. They'll only be staying in Avalon for a month or two anyway. The commotion would surely die down in a couple of days... Probably...
As they ignored all the admiring eyes aimed towards them, Grey and Yuna hopped back into the searing areas and rejoined with Lisandra. But rather than a smile, they were greeted with a troubled face instead.
"You sure caused quite the commotion, O' Heroes of Oiros." ［Lisandra］
"Mou... Lisa, stop it... We didn't think they'd announce it, you know?" ［Yuna］
"Well, it's too late to regret it now. Your names will surely spread around the city by tomorrow morning. Words here travel fast, if I say so myself." ［Lisandra］
"Uuu... I hate this..." ［Yuna］
Grumble all they want, but there is nothing more they could do to change what had already happened. Grey and Yuna simply seated themselves and watched the next matches unfold as they enjoyed a little bit of snacking.
For some unknown reason, the gladiators are trying even harder than usual, glancing their direction from time to time. Being admired was great and all, but at such a point, they'd rather stay home and eat even more snacks. How troublesome.
"Come to think of it... Lisa, how many matches can we have in a day?" ［Grey］
"Matches... That's hard to answer... It depends on how many matches are available every day and how many slots the administrators can give you." ［Lisandra］
"Hm? Then that means we can still have another go, right?" ［Grey］
"Yes, of course. As long asー Wait... You don't mean..." ［Lisandra］
There were no direct answers, only a vague and bright smile blooming on the two's faces. Though they have participated already, they have yet to warm their bodies yet alone be satisfied. They were still raring to go.
A cold shiver ran down Lisandra's spine as she saw the smiles plastered on Grey and Yuna's faces, an ominous feeling brewing inside her heart. Something was telling her that no matter what she says, it would still be trouble.
"Please go gently on them, okay?" ［Lisandra］
"Well, we'll try our best... Though, it's hard to keep these sorts of promises." ［Grey］
"Please control yourselves. I beg you... Our economy will suffer if you injure all the gladiators," ［Lisandra］
The Princess simply gave up on convincing Grey and Yuna any further, shifting her eyes back towards the arena where another pair of gladiators dueled one another. She whipped out her notes once again, hoping to learn something new.
As for Grey and Yuna, they already went ahead and sighed themselves up for a couple of fights in the colosseum, people's eyes latching closely on them as they walked past them. They have become quite the celebrities.
"Haah... I hope they won't cause too much trouble..." ［Lisandra］
Or so the Princess wished, but reality was often disappointing. It wasn't long before Yuna had her second duel, and she completely exceeded Lisandra's expectations, knocking her opponent in literally the very first second.
Grey was no different either. Though he doesn't knock out his opponents swiftly as Yuna does, he doesn't get hit by any of the strikes and his attacks always connect, always using unpredictable patterns to throw off their enemies.
There were a couple D-rankers like Tiller from before, but they all suffered the same fate, some losing hope before they could even enter the stage. Grey and Yuna's might was simply too frightening, like the immovable mountains.
"Woohh!! Your Highnesses! Show them how you rock!"
"Hey! Stop being a baby! Fight properly, goddammit!"
"How long do you think he'll last? I'll bet a hundred it would be less than 10 seconds."
"You're giving him too much credit! It's five seconds! Five seconds, I tell you!"
And the crowd was noisy all throughout the whole event. The betters who once bet against Yuna were now betting about how long her opponents would last, very glad they didn't try to cross them when they were still ignorant.
The crowd was so noisy, it drew even more attention from the outside. People started to pour in and the seats got filled soon enough. It was so noisy, Lisandra had to move back to the Royal Chambers for some peace and quiet.
Grey and Yuna had practically become the stars of the show even when they didn't mean to, feeling a little bad about the other gladiators who were just trying their best. The world is simply a cruel and unfair place for many.
Just like that, time passed some and after a couple breaks here and there, the sun finally set over the horizon, dyeing the sky an amber hue as the stars started to wake along with the cold and refreshing nightly breeze.
"Haah～! That was so much fun! Let's go again tomorrow!" ［Yuna］
"I was just thinking of that too. Should we head in earlier?" ［Grey］
"Un! I think we can get to fight more opponents if that's the case!" ［Yuna］
"Alright. Then I guess we'll have to sign up early... Would 6 o'clock do?" ［Grey］
They have already fought almost a dozen opponents each yet their hunger for action was yet to be sated. Even as they headed home, all they could talk about was the colosseum and the gladiators working inside there.
"Urgh... Please don't say something so scary. Please let the gladiators rest. They're going to start breaking at this rate." ［Lisandra］
Of course, Lisandra was totally against it. Though she enjoyed learning more about swordsmanship, the country's interest still comes first. She had taken it upon herself to dissuade Grey and Yuna from doing something plain reckless. She's a reliable and capable princess, after alー
"Even if we say we'll go an in-depth analysis about the fights?" ［Grey］
"Uuu... Are you really trying that card against me...?" ［Lisandra］
... Yep, she was a reliable princess. No matter how attractive and tempting the offer was, it was her responsibility to refuseー
"Un! And as a bonus, we'll mentor you for a whole day!" ［Yuna］
The Princess' mind finally stopped working. No matter how reliable she was, such an offer was too much to pass up. If it's them who were clearly experts in the art, it would surely be a very beneficial opportunity for her.
Lisandra tried to hold herself back, but in the end, Grey and Yuna's words continued to ring inside her mind. In the end, she finally gave in towards the temptation, silence looming in the air as she looked the two in the eyes.
"I... I'll be in your care..." ［Lisandra］
"You chose well, Lisa!" ［Yuna］
CHAPTER 307 END