“How audacious! A mere s*ave dares to be so arrogant…”
Miekin Hogg’s entire body, laden with fat, trembled with rage.
He perceived You’er’s words as a direct provocation, and his mind was already set on executing the presumptuous youth to sate his burning resentment.
However, he had forgotten that Salakriffin stood beside him.
“Interesting, truly interesting.
It has been countless years since I encountered such an intriguing individual.
It seems my judgment remains as sharp as ever.”
As Salakriffin offered this assessment, the slight upturn of his lips and the profound amusement in his gaze unmistakably conveyed his satisfaction with You’er.
“Lord Salakriffin, that boy has broken the arena’s rules!”
Miekin Hogg uttered these words, hoping to sway Salakriffin’s decision, for he knew that You’er receiving Salakriffin’s favor would profoundly undermine his own standing.
“Rules?”
Salakriffin arched a brow, casting a frigid glance at Miekin Hogg.
“Here, I *am* the rules.
Or do you have an objection?”
A faint smile played upon Salakriffin’s lips.
“N-no, no, no! Your subordinate has no objections whatsoever!”
Upon seeing that subtle smile, Miekin Hogg’s face broke out in a cold sweat, and he dared not utter another word.
“Gladiator, your name.”
Salakriffin rose from his main seat, walked to the edge of the viewing platform, and gazed back at You’er from afar, posing his question.
“Gugu You’er Guinevere.”
You’er’s indifferent murmur carried to the ears of everyone throughout the four rings, including Salakriffin.
“You wish to protect the half-elf behind you, correct?
Very well! I can even grant you significant authority!
However, in exchange, you must appear on stage for at least one match in every subsequent gladiator festival, and you must ensure each performance is as spectacular as this one!”
He extended a finger, pointing at Noelle Noah, his resonant declaration echoing throughout the entire arena.
This was a statement to You’er, as well as an announcement to everyone else present.
“It’s a deal!”
Having already turned away, You’er responded without a backward glance.
Thus, two individuals of vastly unequal standing forged an oral contract.
You’er, dragging his battered body, slowly made his way towards Noelle Noah, whose cheeks were streaked with tears.
You’er initially intended to raise a hand to wipe away her tears, but realizing his body was covered in blood, he immediately lowered the hand he had just lifted.
Yet, Noelle Noah anticipated his hesitation, taking his hand and naturally placing it against her own cheek.
Her face radiated happiness and warmth, utterly oblivious to the grime and blood staining You’er’s hand.
Upon witnessing Noelle Noah’s blissful expression, You’er found the words of reproach caught in his throat, ultimately unspoken.
Nevertheless, he resolved never to forgive her for taking it upon herself to sacrifice herself.
“Don’t think for a moment that this means I’ll let you off the hook.
This incident demands a proper lesson for you.”
With these words, You’er playfully pinched her small nose, smudging her face into a comical mess.
“Come on, let’s go back.”
You’er gently took Noelle Noah’s hand and led her back towards the Eastern District.
The iron gate had long been breached, severed by You’er’s Divine Soul Sword when he had burst through.
At the main entrance, the two senior guards still stood frozen, clutching their half-broken longswords.
Seeing You’er’s return, they cautiously cleared the path, their faces etched with trepidation.
You’er paid them no mind; with Noelle Noah alive and well by his side, having achieved such a victory, he felt no inclination to concern himself with them further.
“Boss… you almost scared me to death!”
No sooner had they stepped through the door than a boisterous voice resounded.
Keane Coe Harrow lunged directly at You’er, who, of course, responded with a casual, harmless kick.
“Seriously, Boss, you’re too heartless!
Your brother just wanted a reunion hug!”
Keane Coe Harrow complained to You’er as he rubbed his backside and scrambled to his feet.
“Boss, Sister-in-law, welcome back!”
“…”
All 144 individuals, including Keane Coe Harrow and Veron Toth, offered their congratulations to You’er and Noelle Noah.
When addressing Noelle Noah, they were notably respectful; though her beauty struck them as divine, they maintained an appropriate distance.
“Veron…” You’er began, looking at Veron Toth as he approached, then trailed off.
“Boss, there’s no need to blame yourself.
Vimay Toth was simply unlucky.
My brother and I have been prepared for death ever since we arrived here,” Veron Toth replied with a bitter smile.
“He was my brother too, and I will avenge him!” You’er declared, patting Veron Toth’s shoulder.
After a brief exchange with his brothers, You’er shifted his gaze to the corner of the hall where Quia and his group should have been.
Having just slain a damned beast, he now yearned to kill a damned man!
To You’er’s disappointment, however, Quia had long since vanished.
The wretch had tried to outwit You’er only to suffer a greater loss, inadvertently earning You’er the favor of arena master Salakriffin.
Quia dared not remain, for that would be tantamount to awaiting death.
“Boss, you two should go clean up, hehe.
The rest of us brothers are off to our afternoon gladiator training.”
Keane Coe Harrow shot You’er a knowing look before herding the large group away.
Consequently, the vast hall was left with only You’er and Noelle Noah.
“Let’s go.”
You’er turned back and smiled at Noelle Noah, whose cheeks flushed crimson at the sight of his grin.
The place they headed was undoubtedly the bathing area, to the pool filled with underground spring water.
As Keane Coe Harrow had implied, You’er, covered in blood, urgently needed to cleanse himself.
Ordinarily, changing the water at this hour would not be permitted.
However, upon seeing You’er, who was entirely crimson, the duty guard instinctively and swiftly refilled the entire trough for him.
You’er was quite surprised by this.
It appeared Salakriffin’s single declaration carried far more weight than he had initially imagined.
In the pool, after cleansing the grime from his body, You’er gently pulled Noelle Noah into his embrace.
Before she could react, he leaned in and kissed her.
Noelle Noah, after her initial moment of fluster, awkwardly began to respond.
It was a long, long time before they finally separated.
“My dear Miss Noelle Noah, I told you I would punish you, didn’t I?”
“…”