Cassel had no interest in things like the curse of Grom or the Night Clan.

So, when he heard that the matches in the ruined arena where the Night Clan came out were called ‘moon-watching,’ he snorted.

Moon-watching on a night when the moon had disappeared; he thought it was a tacky name that suited the audience’s level.

However, when he faced the Night Clan confined behind beautiful iron bars, an unfamiliar shock overwhelmed him.

‘Is it a child?’

Behind the two splendid iron bars like cages, one contained an adult wearing a mask, and the other held a child with a revealed face.

Cassel’s gaze was fixed on the child.

He was around twelve years old, a boy with soft brown curly hair, giving off a somewhat innocent impression.

“Don’t be fooled by appearances. That thing is not a human.”

When Cassel stared at the child, the arena owner skillfully intervened.

“Do you happen to know how the Night Clan is born? Oh, of course, it’s something you noble folks don’t need to know.”

Even though Cassel didn’t respond, the arena owner continued, ingratiatingly.

“The curse of Grom is the resentment of a dead dragon. So, when it becomes the darkest night, it inevitably seeks out the living thing to kill. Well, it looks for a human similar to me, someone who has become a suitable vessel for the devil using a clever trick.”

The arena owner lowered his voice subtly. It was an attitude like a storyteller telling ghost stories to a child.

“They say it’s two-faced. They have human faces but are no different from monsters. So, they become monsters, mixed with curses. They have no sense of mercy. They only know how to kill, just like the curse.”

If that is really a devil using a clever trick, what the hell are you making money off of?

Cassel wanted to ask this question but refrained and shifted his gaze away from the child.

Meanwhile, Cassel’s attendant discreetly asked.

“Why did he wear a mask?”

“Oh, that one suffered burns, and the molting is gruesome. I covered it in case you, the esteemed ones, might find it repulsive.”

A good excuse.

However, inside might not be burns but the face of a wanted criminal. If that’s the Night Clan pursued by Bayen’s army, it’s a big problem.

Therefore, Cassel signaled his attendant again.

“Take off the mask.”

“Oh, that’s impossible.”

“Take it off, right now.”

Faced with the steward’s command, the arena owner looked embarrassed.

However, the steward repeated his order with an authoritative tone, and the owner had no choice but to comply, saying with a slightly exaggerated voice.

“If you insist, there’s no helping it.”

The owner gestured to one of the attendants.

The designated attendant, visibly surprised, reluctantly stood in front of the iron bars. Then, hesitatingly, he inserted a pole he brought from somewhere into the iron bars. It seemed like he intended to knock off the mask with it.

The Night Clan member wearing the mask, sitting still, stared silently at the approaching end of the pole. Just before it touched the mask, the person suddenly grabbed it with their hand.

“Ahh!”
The attendant who was pushing the pole let out a scream and collapsed, trembling in pain. His hand, holding the pole, was gradually turning a sickly red.

Seeing the decaying hand of the attendant, who cried out in agony, the arena owner laughed mockingly.

“Hehe, look at that.”

The arena owner turned to Cassel as if apologizing.

At that moment, Cassel, now more rigid than before, was absentmindedly watching the person who had lost their hand being supported by other attendants and leaving.

At that moment, a low, chuckling sound was heard. It was the Night Clan with masks, mocking the humans outside the iron bars.

In response to that eerie laughter, Cassel’s steward asked the arena owner.

“Is it certain that they can’t come out of there?”

“Of course. They are creatures that commit all sorts of evil deeds due to the curse, but the bottom of that iron cage and the bars are filled with precious salt. So, they absolutely can’t get out.”

Hearing the word ‘salt,’ Cassel gritted his teeth. Then he glanced at the steward again.

“Is there no worry that Bayen’s army might find out about this?”

“Haha, of course not. You have nothing to worry about. We are also carefully attentive so that unnecessary information doesn’t leak out to those who come. Besides, isn’t this place a proper fortress?”

Cassel didn’t understand the arena owner’s last words. So, when he looked at him quizzically, he kindly explained.

“In case an unfortunate event happens, we can hold out safely until you can take refuge. So, please don’t worry about anything.”

‘This insane…’

In response to the arena owner’s assurance, Cassel’s head began to throb.

So, even if Bayen’s army comes, they will lock the gates and resist. To put it cutely, it’s a sit-in, and strictly speaking, it’s a rebellion.

Moreover, it wasn’t just an empty boast.

Cassel spent a considerable amount of money to come here. Even that amount was a significant sum, counting in units of numbers.