Chapter 34: The Colosseum’s Hunchuchung

I declare to all of Elysium. The arena of the gods has been newly opened.

This oracle reached even the capital of Elysium.

The Colosseum, once the arena that every hero had been passionate about.

Even that had become a tiresome pastime,

And even those who remained were just listlessly keeping their places.

However.

『The arena of the gods has been newly opened.』

Those words caused the blood, which had been cooling, to boil again.

“…The arena of the gods?”

“Seriously?”

But their anticipation quickly dwindled.

A prophecy that Elysium might be in danger. A terrible intruder who came to Elysium.

Everything that they had been anxious about,

Ultimately, it didn’t happen or ended in a trivial way.

“It’s starting again.”

“It’s probably nothing again.”

Someone carelessly tossed the sword they were holding.

People, letting out deep sighs, lay down listlessly.

A village near the Goddess’s Sanctuary.

Before Max, who lived there, brought the news that there was a dungeon in the Sacred Ground.

Max, gasping for breath, said to those gathered in the Colosseum.

“It’s a big, big problem! A terrible dungeon has appeared in the Sacred Ground!”

“…Huh, the arena of the gods or whatever?”

“Yes? What is that….”

After the conversation ended, they began to exchange the information they knew little by little.

“So, the arena of the gods is a terrible dungeon?”

“Yes! The Sacred Ground has changed strangely, and a huge castle and monsters of unknown origin have appeared there. And a strange, fast-spinning altar!”

“…A huge castle? Monsters of unknown origin?”

Someone frowned.

Even those who had initially tried to take it lightly, changed their mood when they saw Max’s desperate face.

Minotaur was one of them.

The symbol of the underworld myth, reaching Elysium here from Asphodel, from hell.

The Minotaur, with his arms crossed, slowly lifted his huge body.

“Sounds interesting. I’m going.”

“…Yes? You are going?”

The Minotaur nodded.

“There’s nothing to do here.”

“…That’s true.”

“That’s right…”

The Minotaur was right.

There was nothing fun happening in the Colosseum.

The same pointless sparring every day.

It was better to jump in on something trivial than to repeat that.

The Minotaur, slowly loosening his shoulders, added.

“A huge castle, monsters of unknown origin, and a strange, fast-spinning altar. Maybe my axe will get a chance to run wild for the first time in a while.”

His words changed the atmosphere.

The eyes of those who had been immersed in boredom shone sharply again.

“It might be a rather interesting place if it is true.”

“If the arena of the gods is real, it will be a bit of fun.”

The Minotaur nodded, lightly striking the floor with his axe.

“Whether it’s real or fake, we’ll find out.”

With those words, they held their weapons again after a long time.

Those who had been spending a lazy time in the Colosseum,

Prepared to head to the battlefield once again.

Then─.

“Eeeen? What, what is it?”

A clear voice echoed in the Colosseum.

A beautiful girl with blonde hair and green eyes.

It was a face that no one in the Colosseum couldn’t know.

A girl who lives alone on the hill overlooking the Colosseum.

Her name is—.

No one knows.

Sometimes Rozalin, sometimes Lucy, sometimes Patra.

She was a being who always annoyed the people in the Colosseum.

“Ah, you’re amateurs. You should have dodged to the right there!”

“That attack was so obvious! Ah, frustrating!”

“Ehei, you took it like that? You should have just taken the hit!”

Usually, she would watch the battle from her house with a telescope,

But every time she came to the Colosseum, she would raise her voice and give harsh comments, the extreme commentator.

The moment she appeared,

The faces of those preparing to fight were subtly distorted.

“Ah, it started again….”

“I’m a fool to expect to go quietly.”

The girl, unfazed by the unwelcome gazes, tilted her head.

“Huuun? What’s up? Why is everyone holding weapons? What’s going on? Are you doing some kind of large-scale fight?”

“…No, we are leaving.”

“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen—?!”

The girl widened her eyes and shouted exaggeratedly.

“Leaving! What is it? What are you doing? You’re going somewhere without me?! Where are you going?”

“The arena of the gods.”

The girl tilted her head.

“Arena?”

“Didn’t you hear the oracle that’s being heard in the square?”

“Dehet.”

The people, who had been tutting at the girl, began to get ready.

Seeing those people, the girl shrugged with a mix of regret and curiosity.

“Eeen, are you all really leaving?”

“Yes. We are going to leave.”

“You said you’d wipe out all of us with just your presence. Why don’t you go too?”

The girl grinned and waved her hand.

“A, it’s true that I can! But it’s bothersome to actually fight~.”

“You’re not saying it’s bothersome, but you just can’t do it, are you.”

“What? You’re looking down on me?!”

“Then, you should try sparring with me.”

“Th, that is… well… my left toe is sprained today.”

The people sighed at the absurd response at the same time.

She would be haughty with her comments, but when it comes to actually holding a sword and fighting, it would always be like this.

The people, as if it wasn’t even worth responding, finished preparing their weapons and prepared to depart.

“We will go.”

“……Are you really leaving?”

“Farewell. You unlucky little girl.”

As the people left one by one, the girl pouted.

On the way back to the amusement park.

Birds were chirping—.

The sky was clear and blue,

And the mood was absolutely the best.

I took a big bite of the sandwich the villagers made for me.

The fresh vegetables, the soft bread,

A taste that combined salty cheese and ham spread through my mouth.

“Uuum! Delicious!”

“I’m glad you are enjoying it, Senior♡”

Ria smiled, wiping the sauce from my cheek.

I rolled my eyes, glancing around.

“Wow, I didn’t know the scenery was this good yesterday because I was hungry!”

“Right? I wanted to have a romantic date in this forest with Senior♡”

“…Date? Anyway, it feels healing!”

“Yes♡”

Ria nodded, smiling happily.

We have to complete the amusement park as soon as possible, but

Ria also likes it so much, should we take a little time to go?

Also, I have something I want to do.

“Ria, Ria.”

“What’s wrong, Senior?”

“Shall we go around this area instead of going to the amusement park right away?”

“Yeeees?!! As expected, Senior also wants to go on a date with me…♡”

“That’s not it!”

I got angry and took out the magic pen.

And then, I proudly told Ria my plan.

“I am going to add a material to [I’ll change you, one, two, three, yap—!]!”

“…That is, the material transformation skill?”

“Yeah! Right!”

What I had purchased with points were only plastic and lighting.

I wanted to buy more, but the purchase points were surprisingly expensive.

And besides—.

Stone or leaves.

Things that can be easily obtained in nature can’t be bought by spending points.

“So I will search for appropriate materials here and transform them so I can use them at the amusement park!”

“As expected of Senior, it’s amazing♡ Senior’s creative power is going to shine again♡”

“Ehehe, this is all to make the amusement park even cuter and more wonderful—!”

I answered vigorously and looked around.

There are many trees in the forest, many stones, many mushrooms, many strange weeds……

“Mushrooms are good. Mushrooms and tree stumps. We are going to collect these and decorate the nature theme.” Hehe—.

“Wouldn’t that be a bit hard to manage?”

“No problem!”

I shook the magic pen proudly.

“Actually, actually─! Did you do good deeds yesterday? Points were piled up? So, here—! These functions have been added—!”

I shared the skill window to Ria, spreading my arms.

[Reinforced Effect of I’ll Change You, One, Two, Three, Yap—!]

-Reinforced Effect: You can summon the collected materials using magic power.

-The form is based on the real thing, but it is random.

(ex: Even the same tree can be a straight and sturdy log or a twisted, strange tree)

I said with satisfaction.

“You can summon mushrooms or trees anytime and draw them! With that, I can change them into plastic!”

“…Ah, so you’re investing in drawing to match this amazing ability?”

Ria started muttering about copying and gold.

How strange.

I thought Ria would agree and respond that it’s amazing.

The reaction was more lukewarm than I expected.

I felt a little gloomy and touched the bear doll ears on the hood.

“Is that no good…?”

“No♡ It’s a very wonderful and creative use, Senior♡”

“Right!”

Ria nodded, smiling brightly.

Soon, I quickly finished the remaining sandwich.

Since it’s urgent to collect the materials and go back to the amusement park.

“Okay. What should I collect first?”

“Senior, the mushrooms over there are red and colorful. They look so cute♡”

“Okay! Let’s go, Ria—!”

“Yeesss♡”

I didn’t know it at that time.

That the journey to decorate the amusement park would be the beginning of tragedy.