Chapter 22 - The Divine Intervention
The next day, just before noon, Fam, Mizuki, and I stood before the coliseum. We had tried to entrust Fam to Aidan, but she resisted fiercely—so now she was angry. In just half a day, rumors of the duel had spread throughout the city. Cheers erupted from inside the coliseum, already showing signs of excitement. It seemed this was being treated as a form of entertainment. This was not what I had anticipated. I’d been hoping to fight discreetly.
“I’m sorry, I’ll apologize and return to the party,” Mizuki muttered, clearly unnerved.
“Too late for that, Mizuki. Even if you go back, they won’t treat you the same way anymore,” I replied. I’d explained the plan to Fam last night, but not to Mizuki.
“But I don’t want to be part of this. I hate standing out.” She sounded ready to bolt. But if we ran, there wasn’t much we could do in this world we barely knew. I had no choice but to brace myself.
“Let’s go.” We entered the battleground, the coliseum. After passing through a dimly lit brick corridor, we stepped into the brightly lit arena. The coliseum’s center felt vast, perhaps 30 meters across. It was circular, surrounded by walls over 2 meters high, and then encircled by tiered seating. The stands were nearly full, over 80% occupied. Some spectators were eating skewers or drinking, unperturbed by the impending bloodshed.
We walked to the center across the packed earth. ‘Wind Blade’ was already there, radiating confidence. Reed led them, followed by Cecily, Aira, and a warrior named Beers.
“So, you actually showed up,” Reed sneered.
“Hey, speak now if you want to stop this. You might not survive,” another member taunted.
“Hah, you underestimate me,” Reed scoffed.
Reed drew his sword—a bastard sword, if I knew my weapons. My impression of him dropped further. The warrior, Beers, took up his battleaxe alongside Reed. Mizuki, feeling responsible, tried to step in front of us with her sword drawn. She didn't want to be a burden.
“Mizuki, stay behind us.”
I didn’t want her starting a fight before I had a chance to enact my plan. She nodded, moving back when I told her so.
“Didn’t you have a plan? You could have mentioned it sooner,” she muttered.
She seemed to understand that I had something prepared. “What do you expect me to do?”
“We’re affiliated with the Guild. One of their members will oversee the duel.” Reed, following my gaze, pointed at the Guild receptionist chatting noisily with other spectators. Beside her stood a slender, white-haired man in an ornate outfit—he must be the referee. He lithely jumped from the stands and approached us with quick steps. They were too well prepared. Reed had clearly set this up. “I am Caster, the Guild Master of this city. I shall preside over this duel.”
While introducing himself, he produced and began reading from a paper.
“The duel shall end when one party surrenders, when all members of a party are unable to rise due to damage, or upon death.”
“Marsh, you’re dead.” Reed grinned.
“I can’t guarantee all of you will survive. Beers, perhaps they’ll reconsider sparing you?” I retorted. He snorted in derision.
“The loser becomes the slave of the victor. If there are no objections, the leader shall place their blood seal on this document.” Caster presented the paper.
“Fam, would you?” I extended my index finger. Fam pierced it with the tip of her knife. A tiny bead of blood appeared. I’d rather that bead be one of her own, I thought. Reed slashed his own fingertip with his sword. We pressed our bloodied fingers against the document.
“Well then, you may begin whenever you like.” Caster turned to leave.
“Wait a minute—what’s in it for the Guild to oversee a duel?”
“The Guild hosts the betting. Five percent is the Guild’s revenue, and the slave mark is part of that service.”
“Is that so? Then can I bet too?”
“If you wager on your own victory, it’s acceptable.”
“Five gold coins.” “Then five gold coins from me.” “I’ll add one as well.” Mizuki and Fam joined in. This was unusual for Fam, who was otherwise reluctant to spend money. I needed to make sure she didn’t fall into gambling. Caster smiled, taking our bets.
“The odds were 1 to 99 in favor of 'Wind Blade,' but surprisingly, there are some betting on your side, bringing it down to about 2 to 8.”
“Then, may Lady Luck favor us.” He returned to the stands.
“Shall we begin?” Reed sneered. The crowd roared, shaking the coliseum.
I had only one option.
“Fam, I’m entrusting the rest to you.”
“Okay.” She clenched the healing potion I gave her.
“Divine Summon!” My vision swirled. The familiar intoxication was even stronger this time. Along with my shout, a blinding light filled the coliseum. A spear appeared, its tip aimed at Reed, floating at the height of my head. Light gathered into the spear, and then the goddess appeared, sitting on it. Golden hair flowed in the wind as she smirked down at me. She wore her usual outfit, now draped in a rainbow-shimmering shawl. Divine, valiantly beautiful.
“R-Rndefrul-sama!” a spectator shouted, realizing who she was. Racshell’s gaze settled on Reed. Including him, the members of ‘Wind Blade’ stared in astonishment. Even the crowd briefly quieted, then roared again. She definitely surprised Mizuki as well, judging by her reaction behind me.
“…today…is…a foe… tvbbr…” Her speech was still odd.
“You’re too weak to be my enemy. To think you’d call me out for such insignificant foes…you underestimate me! Why don’t I just kill everyone in the stands, too?” A goddess who proposed genocide…alarming.
“Racshell, sorry. It was the only way.” I whispered.
“Hmm? Marsh-san is apologizing to me?” She asked, sounding amused.
“I messed up this time. This is the first time I’ve used you in a fight, so I didn’t know how much you’d actually do.” I had seen Mizuki and Aidan’s special skills, so I had an idea, but I wasn’t certain.
“Maira-san, are they alright?” I asked the priestess as she tended to them. Her breasts swayed when she turned—the sight confirmed her as someone different from Aira.
“Marsh-sama…yes, I believe they’ll be fine.”
‘Marsh-sama’? Had Maira ever addressed me that formally? A slight gap opened between us. Had treating Aira hurt my standing with her?
“I bet five gold coins on our victory. Distribute the winnings as donations. Please treat them.”
“W-Well understood. You’re offering to save Aira, yes. Let’s immediately carry them to the church for treatment. The other priests should help.” The church was driven by gold, it seemed.
“Marsh-sama, I’d like to talk about something else, if I may.”
“Oh? Go ahead.”
“Well, perhaps just between the two of us? Ah, no, Fam-san and Mizuki-san are fine.” Her hesitation intrigued me. I glanced at Fam, who was frowning. Realizing I was still leaning on her, I took a step away, testing whether I could stand on my own. I could. Before I could reply to Maira, a man stepped between us. It was Reed, blood streaming from countless arrow wounds. Despite his injuries, he held his sword aloft.
“Die, Marsh!”
At the same time, I saw Fam pulling out a kunai, ready to throw it at Reed. I darted forward, placing myself in her line of fire, shielding her from her potential weapon. Just then, a wave of pain shot across my back—I’d been slashed by Reed’s sword. Pain also radiated from my abdomen. Fam’s kunai were buried there. I collapsed to the ground.
‘N-No… Master, why…’
Mizuki lunged at Reed with her sword. This angle gave me a perfect view of her underwear.
“Mizuki!”
“I know.” Her voice was steady. She disarmed Reed and pinioned him as others rushed in and wrestled him to the ground.
“Master!” “Marsh!” “Marsh-sama!”
Surrounded by Fam, Mizuki, and Maira, I lost consciousness.
Thank you for reading. To the people who have saved this and given it a rating, truly, thank you for the support. It encourages me. I will keep doing my best. Thank you for the typo corrections as well. I appreciate it.