Royal Box
Amid the uproar, Alex turned sharply toward Acrisius.
Alex:—"Can you explain to me what the hell just happened?"
Acrisio:—"I don't know, Your Highness."
Alex:—"Damn it… what if we poison him and make it look like an accident?"
Consul Hetgar:—"Why would we go that far?"
Consul Fanrir:—"You're insane. Not only did the captain lose, but a slave defeated a superhuman. That is unacceptable."
Alex:—"Acrisius—Tell me you found something out? Do you know who that guy is?"
Acrisius:—"Please forgive my incompetence, Your Highness... I was only informed that this slave participated in yesterday's preliminary rounds."
Alex:—"You're a complete and utter failure... I want a report, immediately!"
Acrisius:—"Understood. I'll investigate at once."
Alex sank into his thoughts.
Either that slave dies… or I poison him and capture him.Do I threaten him? Interrogate him about his origins?What if I bring him before my father?
Because if that damned slave truly is a superhuman… the balance of power on the continent would tilt entirely toward the Empire.But if we fail to bind him to us—he becomes a threat.
***
Cartag Coliseum – Waiting Corridor
I enjoyed watching that big idiot writhe in pain.
Maybe I went a little too far…but he deserved it.
Then—a girl approached me.
No… not just pretty.
Absurdly beautiful.
Pale skin, striking gray eyes, short burgundy hair dyed deep red with platinum streaks. She wore a refined outfit—a steel breastplate and a skirt that somehow made it look elegant.
She stopped in front of me.
April Gateway:—"Who are you?"
—Are you talking to me?
April Gateway:—"A slave wouldn't be this strong. Who are you?"
—Does no one understand the concept of a mask?
April Gateway:—"Excuse me?"
—Sorry. Thinking out loud.
April Gateway:—"Who taught you how to fight?"
—The streets.(hahaha XD)
April Gateway:—"Are you mocking me?"
—I don't know… maybe.
April Gateway:—"I see. You're an idiot."
—And you're beautiful.
April Gateway:—"Hah… you're shameless."
—Is being honest the same as being shameless?
April Gateway:—"Don't you know how to introduce yourself properly?"
—Hey. What's up? I'm Abu.
April Gateway:—"I'm April Gateway, future matriarch of the Gateway Clan of the Kingdom of Nordkrieger."
—Yeah… don't really care.
April Gateway:—"You seriously lack etiquette, class, and formality."
—Yeah. I just don't like them.Human worth isn't measured by something as trivial as formalities.Those are just accessories—because what good is speaking well if you're still garbage inside?
April Gateway:—"…That actually makes sense.But stop dodging the question—who are you?"
—I won't tell you, miss. I don't like too much attention.
April Gateway:—"You really think you haven't drawn attention?"
—I have. Just not dangerously.Problems start when people know who you really are.
April Gateway:—"You speak as if you've lived through something like this before."
—I've lived long enough to understand how the world works.(I was a Dreifus, after all.)
April Gateway:—"Really? Because you look like you're… I don't know… twelve? Thirteen?"
—How do you know?
April Gateway:—"Because I'm thirteen."
—Wait, seriously?!(Damn… she looks twenty.)
April Gateway:—"Fufufu. Then at least tell me your age."
—I'm twelve.Listen… I need to focus on the final. Could you leave?
April Gateway:—"Alright. And… thanks for answering at least one question."
—Goodbye, miss.
April turned and walked toward the stairs leading back to the stands.
Just before leaving, she glanced back slightly.
She saw the masked man cracking his knuckles—and heard him mutter from afar:
—She was pretty… but that doesn't matter.It's time to collect a debt, Boss.
April smiled faintly at the first part and closed her eyes for a moment—then shook her head, dismissing her curiosity.
She had never spoken like that with anyone before.She remembered her own words earlier that day—about wanting someone direct, without pretenses.
What she felt now… she had never felt before.Not even with James.
But Marilyn had heard everything.
She had told Lucia she was going to the restroom—when in reality, she paid to access the corridors.
And in one of them, she saw April speaking with the man she wanted to meet.
That conversation—every word of it—was what finally dispelled all her doubts about the boy who had once saved her life.
***
Cartag Amphitheater
Everyone was restless as they awaited the Final.
They wanted to witness the true power of the Abuser.
Because even now, people weren't sure if everything surrounding him was real.
A slave overwhelming the continent's strongest forces was simply too surreal.
Some believed the Abuser was nothing more than an elaborate spectacle—that everything they had seen was staged.
Those were the rumors spreading among both nobles and commoners.
—"It makes sense. But who would be crazy enough to use the image of a slave?"
—"Exactly. That's what doesn't add up. Who would lower themselves like that while holding so much power?"
—"What if the stigma isn't real?"
—"That would be best."
—"And if it is real?"
—"…"
Speculation piled upon speculation as they waited for the final duel.
Brian was fully aware of the rumors circulating through the stands—thanks to Artia's drone.
And now, he planned to erase them.
Quickly.
—Let's end this fast. Quincy, make the adjustment.
[Leave it to me, Master. Adjustment complete. 👊 ( 🔥 ₒ 🔥 )]
At that moment, Galio's voice thundered across the amphitheater.
Announcer:—"Ladies and gentlemen… the moment has arrived…The grand final of the tournament.It has been a long day, filled with unforgettable battles…But now—before you—the unilateral, unstoppable master of the Coliseum… The Abuser!And on the other side… the insatiable lion… The Mercenary King!"
As both fighters entered and walked toward the center of the arena, one of the slave attendants whispered:
—"What if he's not human? What if he's a god in disguise?"