Chapter 45

---

In the city of Regdam, a country of beastfolk, there is a facility at its center where these battle-loving creatures regularly test their strength.

With knowledge I possess, it resembles something called the Colosseum.

"Go! Rugar!"

"Shred that human to pieces!"

Standing in the very center of this Colosseum, I was being showered with numerous taunts.

"Hey, hey... that lion guy... he's making a big deal out of this, isn't he?"

The audience seats were packed with beastfolk, eagerly awaiting the start of the battle between me and Rugar. Initially, I intended to keep it secret and finish it quietly, but Regulus said,

"While we're at it, let's invite the citizens as spectators and entertain them!"

To put it mildly... it's quite inconvenient.

"Hmph, are you scared, human? You're just a lowly creature, after all."

"Yeah, yeah... you're right."

"..."

No matter how much they tried to provoke me, I, who had honed my skill of ignoring, remained unfazed. In fact, I was getting quite bored and annoyed. At first, I planned to crush him seriously, but in this hostile environment, it might be better to end it in one blow. That should quiet the audience.

"Alright... let's get it over with."

"I'll show you my roar...!"

He seemed determined, but I ignored him. We faced each other in the center of the Colosseum, getting into our stances. Well, I was standing with my arms hanging loosely...

"You... are you taking me lightly?"

"Yeah."

"...I'll kill you."

Oops, I provoked him more than I intended.

(As long as it's not just talk...)

"Are both sides ready?!"

The voice of the instigator echoed throughout the Colosseum. The audience fell silent for a moment, and Rugar's face changed from anger to that of a sharp warrior.

"Then, let's begin the great fight between men for the hand of my beloved daughter, Roa Gold!"

The cheers that followed were deafening. Hmm... it's noisy. But silencing them might be interesting.

"Are both sides ready? Then—begin!"

"Start!"

"!"

The man who seemed to be the referee gave the signal to start. Almost simultaneously, Rugar's sharp claws came at me.

"Whoa... that's pretty fast."

"What...?"

But it wasn't that fast. I easily caught his arm.

"Is that all?"

"Ugh... there's no way...!"

When I felt him pulling back, I let go, and Rugar leaped away to put some distance between us. He was faster than I thought, which might make this a bit more enjoyable.

"Change of plans, I'll play with you a bit."

"Y-You...!!"

I was aware that I was acting like a villain, but what I was doing wasn't much different. I was thoroughly enjoying the villainous feeling.

---

"---It's not what I expected, but this is fine too."

Overlooking the battle in the center of the Colosseum, Roa spoke to the white cat and Mineko sitting beside her.

"What do you mean it's not what you expected...?"

"At first... I thought using myself as the prize would provoke Setsu. I knew he cared about me, so I thought he might get serious. But because Father made such a big deal out of it, he got discouraged... However, Rugar is stronger than I thought, and it seems he's decided to play a bit."

"You're a strategist."

"Hehe... it all worked out in the end."

Misunderstood as a compliment, Roa smiled wryly. For her, things going according to her plan was the ideal outcome.

"Still... that..."

"Poor guy."

"Sis, you're being too blunt..."

"Well... yeah."

The three of them agreed. Their opinion was about the spectacle in the center of the Colosseum, which could hardly be called a fight.

The cheers had stopped, and the audience watched in silence.

---

"---Is it over already?"

"Haa... haa..."

It couldn't have been more than three minutes. Rugar was now kneeling on the ground.

"No... way... This can't be happening..."

"Face the reality already."

He was indeed faster than I expected. He had power, and being called Regulus' right-hand man made sense. But he couldn't even touch Regulus. To be specific, the difference was so great that he should have been instantly killed.

...That's why I can't understand.

"Hey, Roa! Did you really lose to this guy?!"

I called out to Roa in the audience. Surprised, she turned away, looking embarrassed.

"Well... at that time... it was my heat cycle... mine is a bit heavy—don't make me say it!!"

Heat cycle?

So, it means she was in her period... I see.

"You... you were happy about beating a woman who was feeling unwell...?"

"Shut up!! Be quiet!!"

"Whoa."

He's not listening... When he stood up and swung his claws wildly, none of them hit me, slicing through the air. Veins were popping on his forehead, showing he had lost his composure.

"The adventurer's creed is to always stay calm... but you're not an adventurer, so it doesn't matter."

"Roar!! <Flying Claws>!!"

Rugar raised his arm. Four lines shot out, a technique similar to <Flying Sword>. The more slashes, the harder it is to dodge.

"But the power is lower, isn't it?"

"What...?"

I swept all four with one arm, and Rugar's angry expression turned to shock. If he focused on hitting me, he might have a chance, but prioritizing hits over power means he can't even scratch me. But I'm not going to take them seriously.

"How about you <Beastify>? That's where your true strength lies, right?"

"! ...Don't say I didn't warn you!"

Characters who say that usually get killed quickly... Rugar, now on all fours, was enveloped in light, his skeleton transforming.

(As expected...)

Sure enough, Rugar's <Beastify> form was a wolf. It was a bit smaller than Shironeko's <Beastify> form. I remember that the stronger the <Beastify>, the larger the form. So, this guy is weaker than Shironeko...

"Die."

The black wolf, now much faster, pounced. Even though it was smaller, it was large enough to knock me down with one paw.

"You're saying some pretty dangerous things."

I dodged Rugar by diving under him and got under his belly, then lifted him up.

"What!?"

"Light... as a feather... here... I gooo!!"

I threw him over my shoulder, and he hit the ground several times before slamming into the Colosseum wall and stopping.

"Ugh... huff... how... in one hit..."

"How about it? Ready to admit defeat?"

"Ugh..."

He must understand by now that he can't beat me. I can see it in his regretful expression. He was giving it his all, but I didn't even draw a weapon. How much must his pride have been shattered? I aimed for that.

"Let's end this, surrender."

"..."

Rugar lowered his head, defeated. The match was finally decided.