Chapter 68: Triumph and Hidden Motives

The monster commotion was settled around sunset.
Despite the overwhelming number of monsters pouring out, the scale of damage wasn’t that large.
One arena was completely destroyed, and a few people had died, but it was just a small fraction.
After all, the gathering was composed of those who came to participate in the gladiator tournament, so their force was sufficient.
Moreover, a former holy knight quickly took charge, organized the people, and efficiently quelled the chaos.
Order was soon restored.

“I thought the winner would be killed out of jealousy, but if it’s you, I think it’ll be fine!”
“I’ll definitely come watch the finals!”
“You fool, the preliminaries aren’t even over yet. What are you talking about?”
“Well, if not this person, who else would make it to the finals?”

In the lively atmosphere, Lema smiled modestly and greeted everyone plainly.
He was the most noticed person.
His attitude seemed cooler, causing some to glance at him with admiration.

They said they would have a small party at a tavern, but Lema declined.
Naturally, those who expected him to join were disappointed, but they didn’t press further.
It seemed they roughly understood from the priestly aura he naturally emitted.

After sending the people off, only Lema and Bel remained.
Lema offered all the spoils of war to Bel and knelt.
“It was an honor to fulfill our Lord’s will.”

Lema looked especially joyful this time.
Bel caressed the soft blonde hair of the kneeling Lema and fiddled with the gems he had brought.
The relic from the old era was completely flawless, as if Lema had taken great care to prevent a single scratch while slaying the monsters.

A magic stone, huh.
Apparently, that was the term used in this age.
With this, it could be reused in its intact form.
…Though whether there would ever be a need for it was uncertain.

Lema, his face filled with pride, enjoyed Bel’s touch, and then casually opened his mouth.
“But where is that guy?”
“Who?”
“The strange human who signed up for the sparring match.”
“No idea. He left.”

Now that Bel thought about it, he had vanished at some point.
“…I see.
In any case, it’s fortunate that the crazy guy disappeared.”

For some reason, Lema seemed to regard that man as more dangerous than the monsters.
“But Master, you were covered in blood earlier.”

Finally, as if having saved the most important question for last, Lema asked in a firm voice.
“You didn’t happen to kill a human, did you?”
“……”

Bel avoided his gaze.
Lema pressed his forehead with a sigh.

***

The gladiator tournament continued without cancellation.
In fact, its popularity only increased.
Many participants were mercenaries who originally operated outside the order.
But there was a huge difference between merely hearing rumors and experiencing events like yesterday.

These humans lived outside the order.
They knew what monsters were and what kind of damage they caused.
Some had even encountered them appearing near their homes.

Everyone knew the monster that appeared before the main match was unlike the usual ones.
And mercenaries who had only heard rumors witnessed the hunting of monsters firsthand.
Some even moved organically, actively protecting people.

Rather than the usual rumors of someone being famous for swordsmanship or monster hunting, it resonated far more that they had been saved by a true hero.

The cheers from the stands were far louder than during preliminaries.
It wasn’t about who was more famous anymore.
It was about supporting the one who saved them.
The passion was naturally different.

Even more spectators came to watch.
Perhaps rumors spread that a more thrilling match would be held after all the chaos.

―Truly a time of peace, wouldn’t you say?

Bel, observing from the stands, recalled what Krughgal had said.
Maybe… that was true.
Whether people already forgot the incident or wanted to forget so badly they behaved even more ostentatiously, the topic of the rampaging monsters had long faded away.

Instead, rumors like these circulated:
“The Linthiem Royal Family might grant a noble title to the champion?”
“Since the new prince was just born. Isn’t that why they even held this tournament? To celebrate his birth.”
“All the sponsorship must be for that.”
“Oh, maybe they’re even looking for a direct royal guard?”
“So surely the title will go to him?”
“There’s no other choice!”

The biggest topic in the tournament’s main matches was this.
This gladiator tournament was sponsored by the Linthiem royal family.
There was a rumor that the winner might receive a noble title.

“The guy” referred to the one who shone brightest during the incident.
That was Lema.

Even though the Light Sage guild had given him a disguised identity, it was still quite a bold proposal for a stranger to suddenly appear.
Yet amid the growing fervor of the tournament, there was no need to doubt that Lema’s popularity was at its peak.

He was both the human who contributed the most to monster extermination and the one expected to win easily.
If he won this tournament, it was very likely they would celebrate and make the proposal official.

He might even like it.
He took considerable pride in having been a knight in the past.
If this was even a way to reclaim his former honor, he would have no reason to refuse.

“…You could’ve participated more.”
Lema said regretfully as he watched the matches from the stands beside Bel.
Bel had forfeited the last match.
So unless it was Lema’s fight, they watched from the stands.

“She’s a woman opponent.”

Bel had joined to kill an unnoticed man and make him her offering.
But with a woman as the opponent, there was no reason to continue.
After learning that, she had immediately withdrawn.

“And since you’re satisfied with your offering, there’s no need for more participation.
You’re destined to take first place anyway.”

“I see.
But it’s a pity.
I wanted to claim second place and give it to you…”

He was confident that Bel would take first, and he second.
Well, apart from the first place prize, there wasn’t much interest in the tournament rewards.
It wasn’t about the prize, but the victory itself that mattered.

Winning here meant the summoner would approach the champion Lema.
A human who could win such a tournament would be an ideal offering.
The prize or Light Sage’s commission were irrelevant.
And surely, the first Apostle of Belmias wouldn’t struggle to win such a contest.

“It’s fine.”
Bel said in her typical bored tone.
“You’ll claim the most important victory.”

***

The finals of the gladiator tournament.
The announcement calling fighters to the center of the arena, and cheers pouring in.

Lema’s heart thumped more at the thought of something else rather than the noise.
The most important victory.

It was what his Lord God desired.
And it would certainly be fulfilled.
Because only the best should be offered to his Lord.
Even this tournament victory belonged to the Lord.

He had long thought he could no longer live as a knight.
Yet now, being the center of attention on this stage at someone’s expectation, he had no intention of disappointing them.

The pounding of his heart was driven not by tension, but by anticipation.

“That’s the guy, right?
I knew you’d show up.”

His opponent was a mercenary familiar to him.
Upon being called, he raised his massive halberd and swung it once.
Then, as if pleased, he said:
“Maurice.”
“Lema.”

He was the one who had fought alongside Lema against the rampaging monsters recently.

“Well, the outcome’s obvious, but let’s do our best!”

The match began.
Clang!
Metal clashed against metal, sending sparks flying.

“Waaah!”

A flashy display, conscious of the audience.
The real duel then commenced.

Dodging the weighty strikes like a dance, Lema glanced toward the stands.
Belmias crossed her arms, watching him.
Neither cheering nor supporting anyone, as usual.
Her black eyes simply seemed to appraise him.

But.
“End it in one blow!”
“Lema! Lema!”

Like performing a sacred sword dance on the altar, Lema exaggerated his swordplay on the arena floor.
Dodging the incoming strikes, he deliberately turned his body in a grand motion.

Maurice blocked and countered with a similarly large movement, but unlike Lema, he struck with all his might.
“Ugh!”

Each time Lema deflected, a sharp impact traveled through his bones and muscles.
He didn’t show his true strength.
This was purely for show.
Yet even that flashy swordplay gradually wore down Maurice.

After the first clash, the difference in skill was immediately evident.
This was an opponent meant to be defeated in a single match.
But Lema dragged the fight out.
As if this wasn’t a duel but some kind of ritual.

However, the significant skill gap couldn’t be artificially maintained.
Swish! Clang!
Maurice’s shoulder was cut, and he dropped his weapon at last.

“Waaaah!”

A thunderous cheer echoed from the stands.
A dazzling performance for the audience followed by a clean victory.

“Ugh…”
Maurice spoke as Lema ignored the pouring applause and showed proper courtesy toward the defeated.

“Truly… you toy with people.
Ever thought of becoming a gladiator?
You’d be incredibly popular.”
“I will decline.”

In addition, Maurice stared at Lema and said,
“I’ve seen a knight like you before… a follower of Luxlon… a model knight… but it didn’t end well.”

“…….”
“Of course not.”

Fortunately, before he could say anything in response, the referee came and lifted one of Lema’s arms.

“The winner is Lema!”
“Wow!”
“I knew it!”

The shouts announcing the winner and the cheers pouring out into the stadium.

The royal family of Linthiem, who came to the stadium with a reward, said that they would bestow a title as rumored.

But Lema gently refused.
“It is a generous reward, but I will decline.”
“Hmm? That’s unexpected. Why?”
“……Because my family is a priest family, I cannot receive a title.”
“Oh, I see. That’s too bad.”

Perhaps because so many people followed Luxlon in this era, that excuse was easily accepted. And it wasn’t like he was lying.

The royal family of Linthiem felt no insult.

Instead, after announcing the rankings up to 3rd place, the title was awarded to the 2nd place winner, not Lema.

Seeing the sword brush against Maurice’s shoulder, Lema suppressed his trembling emotions and looked out at the audience.

Bel was still watching.

I wonder if my Lord was satisfied with this achievement. All his attention was focused on it.