Chapter 94

"Excuse me, is the cashing out ready yet?"

"Just a moment, please!"

I ask the staff at the cashing-out counter.

I'm not in a hurry, but since a crowd of other spectators is starting to form around me, I thought it would be better to hurry.

"It seems you bet 1 million G on the slave warrior... ..."

"Huh, so it's 10 billion! ..."

"What kind of luck is that..."

The voices I hear from around me are indeed about me.

After all, it's unprecedented for a slave to wipe out all the warriors in this arena.

With such a huge upset and a bet of 1 million on a single outcome, it's only natural that the news would spread instantly.

And the next interest of these onlookers is one thing.

—Will they really pay out 10 billion? That's what they want to see.

They've gathered to witness the moment when 10 billion is paid out.

"It will take a few minutes to prepare for such a large payout..."

"Yes, I understand. I know."

I try to calm the anxious staff.

The top of this city's gambling house is effectively the lord of the city, Lord Stinging.

They must be going to get confirmation from the lord, who needs to give permission.

(…After losing to Ikusa, will he really pay 10 billion so easily? …)

No, it wouldn't make sense for him not to pay.

If he doesn't, it will become a bad reputation.

At this point, a large number of guests are witnessing this situation.

Even if they weren't here, the rumor that a 10 billion G payout was made would spread throughout the city instantly.

If they hesitate to pay out the bet or try to dodge the payout by making excuses, their reputation will surely suffer.

In other words, they don't intend to pay the large payout.

They set up a system for unlimited betting, and if they refuse to pay the accompanying amount, it's like turning the table.

If they want to expand this city further, they would want to avoid such a bad reputation.

"Mr. Mako"

At that moment,

A woman pushes through the crowd and stands before me.

A woman with neatly styled blonde hair and glasses, exuding an intellectual aura.

She is Secretary Valka.

"I apologize for the wait. On behalf of the lord, I will handle the procedures for your payout."

Valka bows.

The crowd around us cheers.

"Due to the high amount of the payout, it will take some time to prepare. The payment will be made in a separate room."

"Understood."

I am led by Valka to a back room in the arena.

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Meanwhile, the arena is still filled with excitement.

The victory of the slave and the huge upset have the audience in unprecedented fervor.

The staff are running around frantically, unsure of what to do.

"Yeeeaah! We won! We won!"

"We're freeee!"

In the arena, the remaining Berserkers from the second round are hugging each other, expressing their joy.

According to the contract, each of the ten slaves will receive 100 million G in prize money.

This will clear their debts—finally, they will be free.

"Thank you! It's all thanks to you!"

The Berserkers express their gratitude to Gara and the beaten Moguro with tears in their eyes.

"Hehehe... It's too early to celebrate."

"Huh?"

"I mentioned earlier that Miss Mako is working to free all the beastmen imprisoned in this arena. She probably has the 10 billion G from this bet in her hands right now."

"Ten billion!?"

"...That's why the audience and staff are so excited..."

The Berserkers are stunned by the scale of the situation.

"Could she really use that 10 billion to clear the debts of the remaining slave beastmen?"

"Yes, I believe so."

"Unbelievable..."

"Even though there's no benefit for you, why go that far..."

"I work for the Adventurer's Guild. I'm happy to dedicate myself to saving excellent adventurers. As for her... I think that's just her character."

The Berserkers listen to Moguro's story, half-believing, half-doubting.

Meanwhile,

"……"

Gara approaches the fallen warriors.

He kneels before one of the Lavinia warriors lying on her back.

First, he needs to confirm.

Is she really Mu's sister, Lunato?

Gara reaches out and removes her mask.

Then, he sees the face beneath.

"……! This is..."

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Valka leads me to a storage room in the back of the arena.

A dark, damp room with no one around.

Valka enters first, followed by me.

"…There's nothing here."

In the dark room, there is nothing, not even furniture.

Valka closes the door behind me.

"Valka?"

"…To the point."

She faces the door, her back to me.

"We cannot pay the payout."

"Why not?"

"Your bet—on the fight between the slave and the warrior—has been confirmed as fraudulent."

"Fraud? We followed the proper procedures and the result of the match is legitimate."

I anticipated this, so I counter Valka.

But that doesn't mean I'll accept it.

"Then, shall we call the supervisor? He represents the royal family and will surely give a fair opinion."

"……"

"Or, shall we ask Mr. Duranbach? He's the best person to judge matters of money—"

"…Enough."

Valka takes off her glasses.

Her beautiful blonde hair stands up as if charged with electricity.

In an instant, she turns around with a look of fury.

"Shut up! I'm not giving you any money, you damn amateur!"

She roars, emitting a dark, ominous aura.

I instantly activate Alchemy in my hand.

"You've revealed yourself, then."

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"This is..."

In the arena, Gara frowns as he sees the face beneath Lunato's mask.

The Lavinia warrior.

She had a beautiful face.

A strong-willed, dignified expression.

Her thick eyebrows resemble Mu's—she must be Lunato.

...The problem is...

A large, ominous symbol covers her forehead and cheek.

Like a tattoo or a brand.

Gara recognizes it.

It resembles the black crack-like pattern on his own side.

The attack he received from Silas earlier.

"Is this... a curse symbol?"

But it's different from the curse symbol Silas uses, both in shape and ominousness.

Then, what is it...

"Huh? What's that?"

One of the nearby Berserkers notices something and speaks up.

"Hey... isn't one of the warriors missing?"

Counting the fallen warriors, there are only nine.

"It's him, that Silas guy is missing."

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Meanwhile, in the VIP room.

"L-lord..."

"Lord Stinging, what should we do..."

The arena's manager and his guards are in a panic.

Before them, Stinging is holding his head in his hands.

"100... 10 billion? There's no way we can pay such a huge amount..."

"You should be able to pay. You've made a fortune in this city."

Stinging, pulling at his hair and muttering, is met with a cold response from Ikusa.

"It's fine if it takes a few years. I'm even willing to accept 10 billion G worth of the slaves' debt repayment as a trade-off. Of course, you'll have to pay the difference."

"Prince Stinging, please respond quickly."

Finally, the supervisor standing behind them speaks.

"I will record this as part of the royal succession battle—"

"Shut up!"

Stinging jumps up from his chair.

"Valka! Where is Valka!"

"The secretary left a while ago."

Stinging, frantically searching for Valka, is told by Ikusa.

"What's wrong, Prince Stinging? The secretary is—"

"Valka! I'm sorry! What should I do!?"

Ikusa is taken aback.

Prince Stinging is acting strange.

"I apologize for my actions! Help me! What should I do!"

"…Prince Stinging, please calm down—"

At that moment.

"!"

Prince Stinging clutches his chest and collapses to his knees.

"Ah—"

In the next instant,

A dark, ominous aura rises from his body—

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"……"

I synthesize a 1-meter "pipe" in my hand—gripping it firmly with both hands, I stand ready, not letting my guard down.

"Yeah, you caught me."

The aura seeping from Valka's body writhes in the air.

It forms a face, and a ringing voice is heard.

"What are you going to do? You saw me."

"No problem."

Valka, discarding her glasses, says.

"I'll kill this one. I'll kill that prince. I'll kill the slaves. I'll kill everyone and keep them quiet."

"Ah, that's good. I hope it goes well."

The aura laughs, shaking and moving.

"Please, you're a valuable host for me."

"…Are you a demon?"

When I speak, the black aura turns to me.

Gradually, it forms a shape from the smoke.

A figure of a young boy appears next to Valka.

However, his eyes are completely black.

Horns, like a crown, grow from his head.

"Yes."

The demon introduces itself lightly.

"I am a demon. My rank is Demon Emperor. I am the Demon Emperor of Dreams—Asmodeus."

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