If various nobles in Vees spend that much money every month to come here, there would be more wealth in this ruin than in many castles.

Moreover, with plenty of mercenaries who could immediately become military forces gathered here, it was possible to resist against Bayen’s army if they decided to. There was already enough ability and motivation here.

‘Where did these crazy people come from…!’

Cassel was agitated by anxiety.

The appearance of the arena was going in a direction unfavorable to Cassel.

One of the things that nobles of Tienda detested was the suspicious movements of the nobles of the lower continent, and the way this arena operated was exactly like that.

And what laid the foundation here was the salt that Cassel sold fairly.

‘How did Ibi find out about this?’

As Cassel pondered this question, Ibi’s cold voice rang in his ears.

Do you know how I managed to come up here?

Feeling an unfamiliar pressure, Cassel bit his teeth again and stabbed his steward with his elbow.

“Do we have any new guests lately, other than our lord?”
“The only significant new guest we’ve had in the past three months is our lord. As you know, we only invite particularly distinguished individuals.”

With the owner’s response, Cassel managed to find some consolation.

It’s better this way. It’s good to know that such a sore is growing. If not, I might have unknowingly shouldered all kinds of responsibilities.

‘Just get through this month and reject the guy who stole salt from here.’

By severing this connection, he could distance himself from this problem.

Even Ibi wouldn’t be able to do anything if the link was broken. That venomous woman wouldn’t have reached this far.

Although the arena in this ruin is open to everyone, only a few nobles can participate in the ‘spectator’ matches.

Cassel had a hard time being introduced here, so the likelihood of Ibi being invited here was slim.

Even if Bayen’s army gets information, their sluggish army wouldn’t move quickly.

During that time, he could create an escape route and, if necessary, step forward and expose the issues with this arena. Then, taking appropriate responsibility and reflection would likely prevent Ibi Ariate from making any unfounded accusations.

Cassel found a hole to survive and sighed in relief.

By this point, Miel Cedro would be grateful.

‘But what on earth does Miel Cedro want?’

It seems like Ibi’s maid is doing something in Vees. It would be good if the Marquis could confirm what it is directly.

Since Miel told you specifically, do it well. If you act like a fool, I’ll kill you.

Confirmation, huh.

Did that mean grasping Ibi Ariate’s tail and causing trouble, or was it to ensure that she never became a saint?

The strange disposition of this small tyrant pressed on Cassel again. Eventually, Cassel, driven to the limit, became annoyed to the point of madness.

Both Miel Cedro above my head and Ibi Ariate, who arrogantly confronted me, and even this shabby arena were all utterly unpleasant.

Cassel, the debtor of House Montlara, who was in the red, wasn’t suitable for such a situation.

Cassel vented his anger in this way and absentmindedly lifted his head. At that moment, his eyes met with the eyes of the child trapped behind bars.

At some point, the child had been staring blankly at him.

Cassel unknowingly flinched at the child’s expressionless gaze.

A loud cheer from outside occurred at that moment.

Wow!

“Looks like there’s a lot to see today.”

The arena owner, who seemed more excited than usual, rattled on.

After a while, one servant who ran from outside whispered something to the arena owner.

Seeing Cassel frown at the news, the arena owner hurriedly explained.

“Ah, this is really interesting. It seems that a man is winning continuously on his own. There’s a riot about to happen because of that guy. Would you like to go down and see?”

The steward looked at Cassel as if asking for his intentions. So, Cassel put on an expression inside the mask. Watching fights wasn’t to his liking.
Then, as if sensing Cassel’s aversion, the arena owner added, “Besides, he’s not killing anyone; he’s just subduing them. I don’t know where this hero came from.”

Upon hearing that no one was getting killed, Cassel reluctantly descended into the arena. Among the five arenas in this place, Cassel arrived at the smallest one, a place where mercenaries and slaves with low recognition fought.

Those who came here for the first time had to endure there to advance to the higher arenas. In other words, it was a place where they expelled fledgling or inexperienced individuals who dared to glare at the arena without fear.

So, it was usually a place with nothing special to see. However, today, for some reason, a crowd of spectators, more than usual, gathered around.

What they were watching was a man with extraordinary movements, surprisingly fighting barehanded.

The man was astonishingly fast, and even armed mercenaries and slaves fell like loose leaves with just a brush of his hand.

He was subduing opponents with his bare hands.

“He’s won fifteen rounds without a break.”

“Fifteen rounds?”

When the arena owner came down, the manager of the arena exclaimed in a bewildered voice.

No matter how persistent one is, after running a life-or-death match about three times, they’re bound to become exhausted.

But fifteen rounds? Moreover, if he continued winning like that, he would increasingly become a target of public attention.

Seeing the skeptical expression on the arena owner’s face, the manager added, “I thought he might be causing trouble by winning so unbelievably, but I couldn’t find anything. I even asked the awakened ones, but there was no suspicious behavior.”

“Oh…”

This is the arena of the Pyramids. Therefore, it is more meticulous and desperate than other places.

Yet, in the meantime, a man like that appears and leisurely enjoys himself, causing the mercenaries, the masters of the fighting slaves, and the gamblers who bet on the matches to become furious.

“Is he alone, or does he have a gang?”

“He came with a woman. If you look over there…”

The manager pointed to a corner of the arena. There stood a woman, lavishly adorned, wearing a mask.

And the woman’s hair was a brilliant orange color.

Upon spotting the woman, Cassel flinched without realizing it.

“Is she his lover?”

“Looks like she’s the master. She keeps singing while the man fights.”

While listening to the owner’s explanation, Cassel felt something unsettling.

‘Singing?’

A woman who casually flips others’ outfits and leisurely hums a tune.

Cassel also knew such a woman.