Chapter 45 of the Marquis Family's Magic Genius (45/324)

45

Calon.

The boy who introduced himself as Evan earlier entered the room and bowed his head respectfully.

"Did you call for me, young master?"

"Yeah. About that Saron, the gladiator."

"Yes."

"He fights pretty well, and I find it interesting. The way he transforms from a trembling mess into a madman when he wields a sword is quite entertaining, don't you think?"

With a satisfied smile, I tossed him three gold coins, and a crescent appeared at the corners of his eyes.

"Thank you."

"By the way, about that guy."

"Yes."

"Since he seems interesting, can I meet him once?"

"…That's a bit difficult. According to the rules, gladiators and spectators are not supposed to meet directly…."

Before he could finish his sentence, I frowned and grumbled,

"Come on. That's a bit disappointing. Rules? Do I have to follow them?"

"…."

Evan's expression slightly twisted at my bold words.

If I want to see him,

What can you do about it?

Sure, he can't kick out a VVIP customer, and he can't overpower me just because I made such a simple request.

"Really? I came here today to have some fun, but even this isn't allowed? I'm starting to feel disappointed with the viscount."

As I finished speaking, I casually shook the bag of gold coins.

Jingle.

The jingling of the money bag.

Evan's eyes sparkled at the sound.

I took out five more gold coins and handed them to him, then asked,

"Really not possible?"

"…I'll make an exception for you, young master. You are such a valuable customer. However, it can't be for too long."

"I don't plan to stay long. I'm just curious."

I smiled, and it seemed to spark something in Evan, who hastily added,

"Also, since he is a high-level gladiator, it would be difficult if he were to get hurt. He is one of our precious assets."

"Ah, of course. Do you think I don't know such common sense? Don't worry. I'm not a thug."

"…Understood. Please follow me."

Evan then led Calon and his party.

He started moving towards the basement of the arena.

This place is a basement arena, but there is another lower level beneath it.

Think of it as a basement of a basement.

We passed through the spectator area and started descending to another level.

This is probably where the gladiators live.

Cages filled with monsters were scattered everywhere.

"Quite a variety, huh."

"To provide entertainment for the spectators, we need to prepare a variety of materials, don't we?"

"Is that so?"

Basement Level 1.

There, the lowest and lower-level gladiators were huddled in prison cells.

In a small cell, more than ten people were squatting.

The lowest-level gladiators were no different from beggars.

The lower-level gladiators were slightly better off, with about three people living in one cell.

Chains were attached to their ankles.

Probably to prevent escape attempts.

On Basement Level 2, the mid-level gladiators were housed.

"Here, they live a bit more like humans, don't they?"

The mid-level gladiators had chains on both their ankles and wrists, but otherwise, they were treated much better than those on the first level.

The cells were the same, but the interior was a world apart.

It was more like a decent inn room.

There were beds, and a warm light was shining.

With one gladiator per cell, the space given to each individual was quite spacious.

"What are those foods?"

Outside the cells, various menus were prepared along the corridors, and I asked,

"Oh, they prepare them in advance so they can be delivered quickly when requested from inside the cells."

"There were no such things on the first level."

"The lowest and lower levels don't deserve such treatment."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. If you work hard, you get rewarded."

Various menus along the corridors.

While they weren't high-end, they were much better than the barley bread on the first level. At intervals along the corridors, there were guards who looked like thugs.

There were also a few knights, probably sent by the viscount.

Those knights were likely receiving a sweet bribe to turn a blind eye to this illegal arena.

Playing with scum like this.

Indeed, it's a mess.

I casually asked Evan, who was walking in front of me,

"Then, the treatment for high-level and top-level gladiators must be different, right?"

"Yes."

"Of course. The first level was too much like a pigsty. What a smell…."

"I apologize. We had to pass through there to get to the third basement level…."

"Never mind. By the way, how do you acquire gladiators?"

"We buy slaves and train them."

"Just buy them?"

Looking at what you do, it's not just that, is it?

While buying strong male slaves is part of the supply, you're probably also kidnapping people.

With scum like you, you wouldn't care about conscience for money. You probably target the poor and commoners who won't cause trouble if they disappear.

At that, the boy smiled and said,

"…Of course, we also acquire them through other means."

Indeed.

Those who disappear are beneficial to society. Leonhardt, walking beside me, seemed to sense this, and a faint anger began to linger in his eyes.

Given his somewhat righteous nature, it was a natural reaction.

Just wait.

I'll let you run wild soon.

Nodding lightly as if such things didn't matter, we descended to the third basement level, where the high-level gladiators were housed.

'From here, it's definitely better.'

The interior was more like a decent inn room, not just a lower-level one.

Each room was quite spacious.

"How many high-level gladiators are there?"

"Fifteen."

"Then, there must be even fewer top-level gladiators."

"Yes, just three."

"By the way, Saron?"

"He's in cell number 8."

Standing in front of cell number 8, our eyes naturally met.

Perhaps because he was wearing relatively expensive clothes, curiosity appeared in Saron's eyes as he looked at me.

He must be wondering why a noble-looking person would come here.

"Interesting."

"…Pardon?"

"Wait a moment."

After speaking to Saron, I looked at Evan, the chief who had guided me.

"I want to have a conversation with him."

"Yes, feel free to…."

"No, I want to be alone with him, quietly."

"…Pardon?"

"Personal curiosity. Can you open the cell door? I want to go in and ask him a few questions."

"…That…."

"Come on. Why so many words?"

As I finished speaking, I immediately handed him ten gold coins.

"Is this enough? Ten minutes should be fine."

"You might be in danger…."

"Come on. He doesn't look crazy from his eyes. Just don't give him a sword. What can a guy with all his limbs tied up do to me? Besides, my bodyguard knight will go in with me. That should be enough, right?"

After pondering my question, the boy nodded.

Indeed.

The power of gold is great.

"…Understood. I can't give you too much time. And no causing injuries…."

"Got it, just open the door quickly."

The cell door opened.

Calon and Leonhardt entered the cell.

Evan, apparently intending to follow my instructions, was watching the cell from a distance.

He wouldn't suspect that I have a plan to help this guy escape.

Given my consistent behavior as a reckless noble, he probably thinks I just took an interest in a crazy guy.

Activating my Insight, I could see inside Saron's body.

'As expected.'

There was no aura.

Approaching Saron, who was chained, I sat down next to him.

His eyes were darting around, probably because of Leonhardt standing nearby.

Even if he tried anything, a high-level knight could handle it easily.

No pressure at all.

Let's get to the point.

"Saron, right?"

"…Yes."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Kyle Seltarion."

"…Seltarion…? Are you… a noble?"

"Pretty much. I have a few questions, and I'd appreciate honest answers. Got it?"

Smiling, I asked, and the boy nodded, looking a bit intimidated.

Then, the first question.

"How did you end up here?"

"…I don't know. I just… woke up here one day."

"Can't remember at all?"

"…Yes."

"What did you do when you were younger?"

"…I don't remember who I am… or what I was… at all."

Memory loss?

This seems to be the same setting as in the game.

When the protagonist started, there was a brief explanation about memory loss.

Continuing a life of slavery without knowing why is truly pitiful.

Indeed.

I must take him under my wing.

"Is that so? How long have you been here?"

"About… a month…."

"Is it livable here?"

"…."

Saron didn't answer, but his expression was clear. With the answer, it was time to start persuading him.

"Since we don't have much time, I'll get straight to the point. Do you want to work for me?"

"…Pardon?"

"You fight well, and I like that. Don't you want to get out of this prison-like place?"

Saron's body trembled slightly, as if my question had deeply affected him.

"The facilities here look good, but it's still a prison without freedom, right? Even if you don't remember, you know what a prison is, don't you?"

"…Yes."

"Do you like it here?"

"…No."

"Then, do you want to come with me? I'll help you. Of course, in return, you'll have to swear loyalty to me."

At the end of my words, Saron glanced at me.

"…If I go, how will I live?"

"The knight here will teach you. He'll teach you swordsmanship and the cultivation techniques that knights learn."

"Knights…."

"Of course, you won't start as a knight. I'll attach you to this guy as a servant. If you do well, I can help you become a knight."

"…Knight…."

"Right. Knight."

Even if he can't remember his past, he should have enough basic knowledge to understand the word 'knight.'

Saron's eyes lit up as he looked at me.

"…If you do that, I will follow you, Kyle-sama."

"Very good choice."

After the simple deal was done, I immediately called Evan.

"Are you done talking?"

"Yeah, but I want to buy this guy."

"…Buy him?"

"Yeah. Don't say you won't sell. How much?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Evan's eyes sparkled with greed.

How much will he ask for?

17 platinum coins.

If he asks for less, it would be a win-win situation.

But Evan was a greedy scoundrel.

"…Saron is a very valuable asset to our arena. If you really want to buy him, we have no choice but to sell, but we need at least 80 platinum coins."

"Hmm. That's expensive. Usually, a high-level gladiator costs about five platinum coins. Even if he's skilled, 80 is too much. How about 15?"

"Usually, that's true, but Saron is special. 15 is too little for us."

Is that so?

Then, the negotiation is over.

Without hesitation, I circulated mana in my body and smiled at him.

"That's a shame."

"Is the price too high for you?"

"Ah, that's part of it."

Whoosh.

Fire Arrow.

The fire arrow that sprang from my right hand made his eyes widen.

"You won't be able to see anymore."

Seeming to realize something, he hastily reached for his sword hilt, but it was too late.

Whoosh!

"Aaaaah!"

My fire arrow, enhanced with a hybrid activation method, pierced his heart precisely.

Soon, a terrible scream echoed through the third basement level.