Chapter 43

Duke's Magic Genius - Chapter 43 (43/324)

43

As I looked at the viscount, I casually said,

“I didn’t even know myself, but it seems I’m quite good at magic. I’ve already achieved the 1st Circle at the age of twelve. How can my talent not be considered extraordinary? Hehe. If that weren’t the case, I wouldn’t even be able to leave the annex.”

The viscount’s eyes twinkled with a mocking smile.

While overcoming the Hermesmu was indeed impressive, achieving the 1st Circle at twelve wasn’t something to be particularly praised. With average talent and the support of a family, most people could achieve the 1st Circle by the age of seven.

However, despite the mocking look in his eyes, the viscount’s words were naturally filled with praise.

“Ah, yes. It’s only natural. If it weren’t for Sir Kyle’s remarkable talent, how could he have achieved the 1st Circle?”

“Indeed. It seems you know a thing or two, Viscount. By the way, is it because I haven’t visited here in a long time? I feel my blood boiling already. After being in that cramped place for so long…”

I subtly dropped a hint, and the pig eagerly took the bait.

“Indeed. How could a man of honor be satisfied with a cramped annex? You’ve come at the perfect time!”

“Lately, I’ve been studying magic, and my body feels quite stiff. Sitting all day… I don’t know how to put it. When I feel like this, I need… a really exciting place…”

I glanced at the viscount and added,

“A place where I can see a bloody fight… I think it would help relieve the stress that’s been building up. Is there such a place? I’d like to enjoy myself after a long time.”

After finishing my words,

I subtly jingled the coins in my pocket, and the viscount nodded with a slight smile.

“Hehe. I happen to know of a secret arena… The gladiators there fight fiercely. However… the cost is a bit steep…”

“Nonsense! Viscount, don’t you know me? This is Kyle Celterion. I may not have much else, but I carry a lot of money. How much can an entrance fee be?”

Pretending to be drunk, I spoke in a crooked voice and subtly showed a platinum coin from my pocket.

The viscount quickly replied,

“Ahem. That won’t do. I’ll take you to a wonderful place. Besides the exciting spectacles, there are many other things to enjoy.”

We then looked at each other and smiled.

Great.

With the arena ticket secured, it was time to find the protagonist to achieve my purpose for coming here.

Soon, the viscount and I, along with the knight he provided, began moving towards the illegal arena.

The travel time wasn’t long.

Frenus.

After moving through a dark alley that seemed to be the backstreet of this place, we entered a small tavern.

The dilapidated interior of the tavern.

“Surely, this isn’t the good place you mentioned?”

I said to the knight who guided me, sounding disappointed. He shook his head.

“No, my lord. Please wait a moment.”

The knight then entered a corner of the tavern and knocked on a door.

Knock knock.

After exchanging a secret code, as if in the military,

Creak.

The door opened.

Behind the door was a long staircase.

This was the only passage to the underground arena.

‘It’s been a while.’

Back then, I visited so often that I almost threw up.

But seeing it again, it felt quite nostalgic.

I then started descending the stairs with the knight.

“This is it.”

“Wow. It looks like the Colosseum.”

“Yes. We call it the underground arena.”

“It sounds interesting.”

“You won’t be disappointed.”

Nearby, people were buzzing.

They all wore expensive clothing and masks to hide their faces.

From a young man around Kyle’s age to a man in his forties, using my Insight, I could roughly gauge their information.

‘About half are nobles, and the other half are wealthy merchants’ children?’

Judging by their talents and characteristics, they could be evaluated as black sprouts, not far behind this rascal.

Occasionally, there were a few normal ones, but even they had some peculiar traits.

Murderer, cruel, sadist, voyeur, hedonist.

Such despicable traits.

Indeed.

Where there’s filth, flies gather. A man then approached us and bowed respectfully.

Well, he looked like someone who advertised his evil nature just by looking at him.

Was he the general manager?

“I’m ‘Evan,’ the manager here. Since you are esteemed guests, I will personally attend to you. Oh, and please wear this.”

My guess was correct.

The name he used was probably fake.

After all, he wasn’t doing anything good, so he wouldn’t use his real name.

He then handed us three masks.

After we put on the masks, we started entering the illegal arena.

“I will guide you to the best seats.”

“Alright. By the way, do you sell food? I’m a bit hungry.”

“Just let me know, and I’ll bring it.”

“Just bring something delicious. Are we only here to watch gladiators fight? That might be a bit boring.”

“Oh, we have various courses prepared.”

“Courses?”

He then quietly whispered something in my ear.

Drugs, human hunting, and entertainment.

A set of very despicable items.

No wonder it’s illegal.

But since I was currently acting like a rascal,

“This place isn’t bad?”

I gave a slight smile under the mask.

“You won’t regret it. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“I’ll take a look around first and then enjoy the other courses. Oh, by the way.”

I then took out ten gold coins from my pocket and handed them to him.

“It’s a tip.”

A deep smile appeared on his face.

“Thank you.”

“If today is fun, I’ll be generous. It’s my first visit, so don’t disappoint me. Make it exciting… got it?”

“Yes. The viscount has already instructed me. You won’t regret it.”

The ten gold coins were a bit expensive.

But to make these guys excited, I had to pretend to spend money well, so they would eagerly make the gladiators fight.

I would also make them relax.

‘I might find him just by looking around.’

If not, I could gather all the gladiators and check.

I had the money and power for that.

The best seats.

They were located at the top of the Colosseum.

The place was decorated like a royal suite in a hotel.

Sitting in a comfortable chair and looking down,

“This is a despicable place.”

Leonhardt spoke.

“Evil is always deeply rooted.”

“Is the person you’re looking for really in such a place, my lord?”

“I don’t know. I just came here on a hunch. I’ll check the gladiators first.”

“…Understood.”

Soon, the gladiators started pouring into the arena below the window.

“This match! It’s a battle between ten gladiators and a troll! Look at the iron cage!”

Following the announcer’s pointer, I saw a huge iron cage. Made of strong alloy, it was unbreakable even by a troll.

Inside, a massive troll, about 4 meters tall, was snorting.

Slim body.

When I saw its bloodshot eyes,

‘These guys. They starved it, didn’t they?’

I got the idea.

The more a monster is starved, the more ferocious it becomes.

“This troll hasn’t eaten anything for five days! Its stomach is very hungry! It will fight to the death with ten slave gladiators! Isn’t that thrilling just to imagine?”

Wow!

The masked people in the arena started cheering enthusiastically. Their eyes were full of madness, clearly enjoying the slaughter.

“There are many crazy people in the world.”

I chuckled and looked at Ersiel.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“Judging from the looks of it, a few will be eaten by the troll. If you don’t want to see it, you can close your eyes.”

It’s not a scene to show a child.

She was my precious subordinate.

To prevent any mental disturbance, it was best to warn her in advance.

She shook her head.

“…I’m fine, my lord.”

“Really?”

“If I’m going to help you in battle… I’ll see many such scenes in the future.”

Her eyes were surprisingly calm.

I had no problem with that.

After all, following me, she would see even more brutal scenes than people being eaten by a troll.

I can’t cater to everything just because she’s a child.

So, getting used to brutal scenes as quickly as possible was the best.

“Alright. Take your time and enjoy. Sit comfortably.”

“I’m fi….”

“Order.”

“…Yes.”

She then sat next to me.

Leonhardt remained standing.

Telling this guy to sit would be useless, and as a high-ranking knight, his legs wouldn’t hurt.

It was best to let him stand.

While the arena slowly filled with madness, food that could break the table legs was delivered.

This was almost a feast.

“Wow. It smells great. Try this.”

I naturally offered the food to Ersiel, who sat next to me.

Then I looked at Leonhardt.

“Do you want to eat?”

“I’m fine.”

“Just eat a bit. It’s okay now.”

“…”

I filled a plate with food and handed it to him.

You need to eat regularly.

While he was eating,

The battle between the gladiators and the troll began.

One gladiator was slammed into the wall by the troll’s punch.

Bang!

A gladiator who blocked the punch with a steel shield was grabbed by the troll and sucked into its mouth.

Wow!!

What’s so good about this that they cheer like that?

Anyway, the thoughts of crazy people are incomprehensible.

The food was delicious.

Ersiel was also eating, albeit with some hesitation.

She occasionally shuddered, but not vomiting was a passing grade.

A little later,

She looked at me.

“By the way, my lord.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“If you find that person, what do you plan to do?”

“Save him.”

“The gladiator?”

“Yeah. He’s a slave, so he can be bought and sold.”

“Ah….”

This guy, having been in a similar situation, understood immediately.

“And….”

I casually picked up some food and continued.

“If it’s more expensive than I think, I’ll just take him.”

“…What?”

So far, I had only told them that I was here to find someone, but now that we were here, it was time to reveal my true purpose.

“Judging from the looks of it, they’ll ask for a very high price.”

“…Do you lack the money?”

“No. The price I’m thinking of would be more generous than the market price. But… they won’t sell even at that price.”

They’re not nice enough to sell things at a fair price to a sucker.

“…So, by ‘take,’ you mean….”

I looked at Ersiel and smiled.

“After all, they’re just trash. Murderers, drug users, and people who make monsters and humans fight… Do we need to solve it with words if things go wrong?”

“Still, wouldn’t it be better to buy him with money?”

“I’d prefer that too. If I could solve it with seventeen platinum coins, that would be great.”

Leonhardt’s expression hardened upon hearing my words.

“…It could be dangerous.”

“How dangerous can a bunch of thugs be? At best, they’ll have a few low-level experts and maybe one or two mid-level ones.”

“Is the person worth that much effort?”

Worth?

According to my thoughts, it was too high.

I smiled slightly and answered him.

“I’ve heard he fights incredibly well. The rumors are quite famous. That’s why I’m here. To see it with my own eyes.”

He nodded at my words.

“…Understood.”

“Alright. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but if it does, I’ll need your help. I’ll do my best to help too.”

“Yes.”

“…I’ll help you too, my lord.”

“Alright. It won’t be difficult. Just provide the light and set up the shield. They’re like monsters, so there’s no need to feel burdened.”

After all, I and Leonhardt will take care of blinding them.

The battle between the troll and the ten gladiators ended.

The result was the troll’s victory.

All ten were swallowed by the troll.

“Ah! The gladiators have lost. Indeed, the troll is a powerful monster. The way its wounds heal so quickly confirms that. We’ll prepare for the next match shortly!”

After using magic to subdue the troll and lock it away, the next matches continued.

After a few matches,

The announcer’s voice announced the final match of the day.

“The final match of the day! A battle between the monster known as the Shabel Tiger, nicknamed the Human Hunter, and the rising high-level gladiator, Saron!”

Saron.

A very familiar name.

‘His skills are indeed impressive.’

The final match is usually the highlight.

Therefore, it’s normal to place the most thrilling and popular gladiator.

The fact that a high-level gladiator, not a top-tier one, was in the final match meant that the gladiator had the skill to captivate the audience.

The gladiator appeared on the stage.

He looked to be around my age.

The moment I saw his exposed face,

A smile naturally appeared.

‘Found him.’

The protagonist.

As expected, he was here.

By the way, a high-level gladiator at twelve.

Indeed, he’s a talent.

Seeing him, I immediately activated my Insight without hesitation.