Chapter 85: Reunited with a former ally, part 2
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Translator: Denryuu; Editor: Ryunakama
Three days later, Rodje and Dee gathered in front of my house with me.
We had opened the floodgates hoping to recruit at least a few adventurers, but they had most likely decided that the risk was too high (or they just couldn’t make it), and to our disappointment, not a single one had volunteered. The two adventurers I was most familiar with, Neil and Roger, had their hands tied with a long-term quest as well.
「Oi, remember that it was Lylael-sama who ordered me to lend you a hand. Don’t think that you have the right to order me here and there! In short, I will fight as I see fit, got it? After all, I was told to help, so I only have to if you ask!」, exclaimed Rodje, lifting her chin smugly.
「Dee will be the vanguard, and I’ll handle the rest. And you, sitting on the fence, might be the most useless when put to the test.」
「But… I was told to lend you a hand! Without your orders, where will I stand…?」
「As you said, it’s up to you whether you assist.」
「I’ll be going against Lylael-sama’s orders if I resist!」
She probably expected me to ask for help personally before doing anything.
「Nobody else can cover both front and back, so you can be the guerrilla in case of attack.」
「Fufufufu… now we’re talking! You can count on me — you won’t see me balking!」
I feel like I’ve become better at dealing with Rodje. In actual fact, Dee and I already had both front and back covered and had no use for a guerrilla.
I handed the two ladies leather bags that had been procured by my colleagues.
「Make sure everything’s there — water, portable rations, ropes and other stuff we’ve prepared. We’ll also be mapping the area if we can, so there’s some paper and a pen.」
One end of a ‘Gate’ had also been set up at the guild so that we could return for more supplies anytime.
「Hey… t-take this…」
Lyla came out of the house with a few handkerchief-wrapped boxes in hand.
「Here’s some bento boxes. Best of luck…!」, she said before darting back into the house.
「L-Lylael-sama’s so cute…」, gushed Rodje, who then proceeded to faint on the spot.
We left town with Dee in the lead. According to our map, the entrance to the cavern could be found somewhere to the northwest of Lahati. It’s quite commonplace for a magical barrier to be diffused, allowing previously inaccessible areas to be explored. Or the effect could just have worn off, really.
In any case, areas don’t get sealed away with magic for no reason.
Arriving at the supposed entrance, we managed to make out the contours of a staircase covered by soil. The immediate area surrounding it was also dotted with unnaturally placed mounds of dirt.
「I can feel some leftover dregs of magic, so I doubt that the barrier was intentionally dispelled. The magic probably expired and was quickly but naturally erased.」
We were greeted by a narrow entrance at the bottom of the staircase. Spanning the width of only two people, it was also only about two metres high. A person’s head might not even fit in some places.
I glanced at Dee, who immediately took the cue, nodding and entering first.
「Man, it’s so much more relaxing to be in the dark.」
Rodje followed while I brought up the rear. Being creatures of the light, we used ‘Match’ to light a lantern, allowing us to see. The interior was damp and smelled of mildew. The stone-paved path under our feet, though old, was easy to follow. Surprisingly, no monsters could be detected nearby.
「What on earth is this place?」, wondered Rodje as she scanned the surroundings.
「That’s what we’re here to find out.」
「I know that.」
「This whole place is covered in dust. I wouldn’t be surprised if this place has been out of bounds since ancient times.」
It was clear that this underground maze hadn’t been crafted naturally. We pressed on without hesitation, taking occasional breaks and eating from Lyla’s homemade bento boxes. I took the time to add to a map that I was making, with the others watching intently.
「Wowee. You’re so cute, Roland-sama ♡」
「Fufufu. What even is that…? Kuku…」
The ladies chortled when I showed them the map.
「It’s quite readable, isn’t it?」
I took another look. Readable only to me, perhaps…
Rodje took the map and redrew it for me.
「Ara, now that’s a map. Easily readable, too.」
「There we go. I’m on a higher level than you, human. Kukuku!」
I would never have expected such a difference in ability…
「Let’s leave Rodje to do the mapping, then.」
「Guess I’m the best person around! I’ll handle it!」
She had brightened up instantly after receiving an actual role. Observing her, I felt that she was kind of like a puppy.
We continued deep into the bowels of the cavern until we reached an old door. It was still locked, but as it was only human magic, I dispelled it effortlessly, allowing us to enter. Before long, we encountered a long staircase that led deeper into the chamber. The walls were lined with luminescent blue stones at equal intervals. Acting as night lights, they bathed the entire staircase in a hue of radiant turquoise.
Thanks to the lights, we soon saw the entirety of the area, including the long benches that had been placed on both sides of the staircase. The benches were not only long, but high as well; below them was a flat, open space. The three of us paused to take in the surroundings.
「These benches are not only long, and also curved… with some plaza-like thing underneath. Are we in an amphitheatre or something…?」
「I can smell the lingering scent of blood in the air.」
Not only were the walls covered in knife marks, but they were also missing entire chunks here and there. Bloodstains, pure black in colour, were splattered all over.
「Could this be an arena –」
The chamber was devoid of life. Yet, the seats weren’t covered in dust either.
This place was still in use.
Speaking of the devil, we suddenly detected a human presence and quickly hid in the shadows.
「Do you think there’s another entrance?」
「Seems like it. Which means that the one we entered from is…」
「…Yeah, probably an emergency exit or something.」
As we lay low, we observed a steady stream of people entering until about two or three hundred people were seated. They were well-dressed, and no doubt aristocrats or wealthy merchants. We decided to stop hiding, pretending to be spectators and finding a seat instead.
『Thank you for your kind patience! We have received your votes, and the odds have been altered slightly!』
The announcer’s smooth voice echoed across the arena and words materialised on the floor.
Seems like these arena fights also involve gambling. The floor displayed the numerous contenders, including their names and odds of winning. Not all fights were one-on-one — some were one-on-many.
Today’s brawl seemed like one of the latter kind.
『We will begin with ‘Slave-hunting’ to whet your appetites! But I know you’re all here for the main event — the ‘Fight to the death’! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!』
With a dramatic thud, the lights turned on and ten boys and girls scattered across the arena came into full view. On their backs were written the numbers 1 to 10. An unsettling ‘fever’ began spreading across the stadium as the spectators fervently shouted the numbers of those they had placed their bets on.
「Number 6, show them what you’ve got!」
「At least make it to the top 3, you hear me, Number 2?」
「Gyahahaha, Number 9 is crying!」
In the midst of the numbered people appeared a topless man with muscles bulging all over. Holding a hatchet in one hand and a machete in the other, his appearance drew a unanimous cheer from the crowd.
To put it simply, this was a game of cat-and-mouse. Except that getting caught results in a painful death, and there isn’t really anywhere to run to.
「Nothing can be more cruel than this… why would anyone do this to their own kind?」
「Haven’t I been saying all this time that humans are an inferior breed?」
Neither of the girls looked too pleased.
「If you let us loose, we can slaughter everyone here in less than ten minutes.」
「No, hold it」, I ordered, grabbing Rodje’s wrist to prevent her from getting up.
「Why are you stopping me?」
「Look at the number of people — your actions will barely cause a ripple. To nip the problem in the bud, we have to deal with those in charge.」
In truth, I had wanted to do the same as Rodje. However, if the audience was full of aristocrats, the host had to be of considerable standing as well.
「Three’s a crowd.」
I figured that I had to move alone in order not to raise suspi —
「No! Stop! Help me –!」
Number 7 had gotten cornered. The hunter having caught up to her, she begged for her life to everyone’s amusement.
Disgusting.
I leaped off the staircase, heading toward the centre arena as I activated my skill.
「Gegyagyagyagya!!」
With a twisted laugh, the hunter grinned menacingly. He raised the machete and brought it down on the helpless slave. Or at least he would have, had I not snuck up behind him and wrested the hatchet from his other hand. I swung my newly acquired weapon onto him with all my strength.
Batsun —
Everything from the neck up was thrown into the air. Knowing that all eyes would be on this walking corpse, I dashed away as soon as possible, heading for the only blind spot I could find in an amphitheatre built for maximum spectator vision.
My skill wore off no sooner than I dove for cover at the entrance.
The audience was thrown into disarray.
「W-What just happened!?」
「His head flew into the air!?」
「Hahaha! The hunter died, but I’m not complaining!」
Some of them even went wild. They probably thought that it was part of the act.
There was one person whose attention had been on me the entire time, though.
Number 7 ran over to my hiding place. Seeing her sprint for freedom, the other nine followed suit.
「Uhm… you saved me… thank you!」
「No, it’s not over yet.」
The route we had arrived from had been deserted and therefore unguarded.
「You can leave from here. But before that, let me dispel the slave mark for you. Come here.」
A few guards had started rushing towards us, who I made short work of, successfully allowing all ten slaves to escape.
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