Chapter: 24. VIP
[The most prestigious event in the history of the Komir Gladiatorial Arena is about to begin! We kindly ask the audience present to take their seats in an orderly manner and cooperate with the Kingdom Knight Corps to maintain order. Repeat…!]
The host responsible for the events at the Komir Gladiatorial Arena should have been speaking fluently and confidently.
But today, the competition hasn’t officially started yet; he has just finished reading the opening remarks, and his palm gripping the amplification crystal is already drenched in cold sweat.
The gladiatorial matches are usually held in the evening, but today, due to a packed schedule, they started in the afternoon.
He’s so nervous… he’s really super nervous!
That line about “the most prestigious event in history” is definitely not an exaggeration.
Cautiously, he sneaks a glance at the high platform to the east.
There, seated on a makeshift wine-red throne is His Majesty the King, looking extremely serious.
Next, he subtly shifts his gaze to the high platform in the west.
With a crescent-shaped curtain hanging down, displaying the emblem of the Corea Church State, beneath the lavish golden canopy, sits the Pope himself, holding a scepter and observing the King from a distance.
Is that all?
No, no, look at the audience in the oval viewing area in front.
Men are dressed in formal tailcoats with top hats, while women are in ornate hats with heavy makeup, draped in luxurious feathers.
Just from the outfits and behaviors of these spectators, it’s clear that they are all nobles from various countries; there are no commoners present.
It makes sense… In a situation where tickets are so hard to come by, with such strict checks, it’s not surprising to see a crowd of nobles.
The front row, typically reserved for the nobility, has now been elevated to a space only available to high nobles or royalty.
It’s worth mentioning that the attending nobles are not just humans; the viewing area has been divided into several sections according to race, such as the black-winged demon race, the fanged vampires, the long-eared elf race, and even some burly half-orcs, all placed in specific seating areas with considerable distance between them.
The purpose of this arrangement is, on one hand, to ensure orderly management, and on the other…
To avoid any potential conflicts.
This gladiatorial event gathering various factions has come quite unexpectedly, and the relationships between the races cannot be described as harmonious.
The most prominent example is the ongoing war between humans and demons, which has only just entered a brief hiatus; tensions remain high.
Thus, the seating areas for humans and demons are the farthest apart, one on the eastern edge and the other on the western edge.
The host, having finished the opening remarks, calls the staff to increase the magic concentration in his amplification crystal.
The volume he just used, already double the regular level, still isn’t enough.
After all, if one overlooks the venue from above, they would see that the streets surrounding the arena, blocked by the Kingdom Knight Corps, are filled to the brim with commoners!
What a scene…
The host feels that his career has reached its peak!
The grand event has arrived.
In this vibrant atmosphere, Miss Shaya is anxiously looking around!
“Quick, quick, Xiya, this is bad!”
“What’s wrong, Shaya? Did you forget something when you left? I suggested you double-check just a moment ago.”
“It’s not that! If I forgot something, I wouldn’t be this anxious!”
“Is it something serious?!” Xiya immediately became alert.
“Serious? It’s worse than serious! I just went around the venue, and today… it seems there are no free donuts available!”
“……”
“Not just donuts! There’s no food at all… Ah!”
I really want to knock your cute little head.
Xiya retracts her hand in a chiding manner, standing up to push Xue Fei back into her seat, stopping her from looking around for food, and responds.
“That’s because we have to ensure the safety of the two country leaders today. Free donuts are provided by vendors, and they’re not allowed at events like this.”
“How infuriating… This policy is so inhumane. Free donuts are undoubtedly a sign of good will, can’t we trust good people just a little more? Alas, what a shame, I’ll just have to find an opportunity to buy some outside later; free food always tastes better…”
“Shaya, I have some good news and some bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”
“Huh?”
Here it comes!
The choice between good and bad news is one of the most difficult dilemmas in the world!
Looking at Xiya’s mysteriously smiling face, Xue Fei thinks it’s better to choose conservatively.
“Then… I suppose I’ll start with the bad news?”
“Alright, the bad news is that if you want to go out to buy donuts, that’s also not possible. Not only are vendors banned from serving inside the venue, but even the commercial districts in the capital are on lockdown and closed for business.”
“Ugh…!! This is painful!! How can national politics disrupt civilian life! That foolish king! I want to pull his beard!”
“Calm down!”
Xiya felt that if she hadn’t reacted quickly enough to hold Xue Fei’s waist, the extremely angry princess might have indeed attempted to pull the king’s beard in front of everyone!
This matter cannot be delayed, so Xiya hurriedly reveals the “good news” she brought.
“Don’t worry… There’s still good news! Aren’t you going to hear it?”
“Of course, when the bad news is so catastrophic, it’s hard to believe the good news can save it.”
“Is it really a disaster just because there are no donuts…? Your standards for disaster are pretty low, almost as low as your height.”
“Xiya, your aggressiveness today is a bit strong. Is it because you’re preparing to warm up for the competition where we will be attacking each other?”
“I couldn’t help it, sorry.”
Xiya won’t admit she’s also envious about the donuts, so her aggression is running high.
She repositions Xue Fei back in her seat.
Xiya lifts the small bag she brought with her, smiling innocently yet beautifully.
“The bad news is that there are no donuts for sale today, but the good news is that I bought some in advance yesterday, ah…!”
“Xiya, you are my goddess! You’re simply divine! I shall worship you as the goddess of foresight!”
“That’s not a thing, right?! Hehe… petting your head, doesn’t this count as me being prepared?”
“It absolutely does! My stomach and I will praise you!”
Shaya leans her upper body onto Xiya’s lap, reaching up for the donut bag, while Xiya lifts it high, taking the opportunity to stroke the silky top of Shaya’s long hair.
Ah… it was worth it to think of preparing donuts last night!
The spot where they were seated was still in the front row of the VIP area.
Normally, Xiya is the hero, and the title of hero does not mean she’s a high noble or an official, but heroes can enjoy treatment equal to royalty, a privilege accepted by the citizens.
As a knight serving the hero, Shaya also earned a precious front-row seat~
Shaya, tamed by the delicious food, was reveling in delight with her large bag.
But suddenly a childish voice rang out from next to her, causing Shaya to frown and exclaim in exasperation.
“Um… how nice! Lady Shaya can eat donuts, and heroes can touch Lady Shaya’s head. I want to eat donuts, touch Lady Shaya’s head, and have Lady Shaya touch my head, but unfortunately, I can’t do any of this.”
“Oh, you little one, you’re not big-chested, yet your ambitions are not small?”
Xialetla, who was the substitute champion of the last competition, sits alone.
Xue Fei sits in the center, with the Little Holy Sword and Xiya on either side of her.
The Little Holy Sword gently places a finger on her lips, her desire-filled eyes not knowing if they crave a donut or the forehead of Princess Xue Fei in front of her.
As Xialetla prepares to lunge at her, Xue Fei quickly pulls out a donut from the bag to cover her mouth.
This is Xue Fei’s exclusive sealing technique!
“Um?”
“That’s what you get for being arrogant; sit still! How can you act boisterously in public? Really.”
“Um um!” (Okay… okay! Thank you for the stern lesson, Princess Xue Fei!)
Xue Fei, you directly ignore that the loudest one is actually you.
Xialetla pats her small chest, making an effort to swallow the donut, her shining blue eyes filled with a sense of contentment and peace.
[Dear audience friends, please be patient; it seems we still need some preparation at the venue. The contestants are gathering backstage, and the exciting matches will begin shortly, so please wait a moment! As soon as there’s any new information, I will report to everyone immediately, so don’t worry!]
The host is still as dedicated as ever, running around the venue, busying himself with everything, taking on all responsibilities.
Shaya weighs the donut in her arms, a healing smile on her face, feeling the joy of abundance.
At that moment, a series of rapid footsteps sound, a familiar, pleasant, somewhat hurried voice approaches.
“Miss Shaya! Lady Xiya…! Huff… so you are over here; this venue is just too large!”
“Livra, is it possible that the venue isn’t big, but rather your legs are short, hence you run slowly?”
“What?! My legs aren’t short! It’s Miss Shaya whose legs are short!”
“I’m just joking; uh… don’t look at your legs while comparing with mine right now, it makes me feel a bit insulted, that’s quite impolite of you.”
“Is it… my fault?! Clearly, Miss Shaya started this…!”
“Alright, alright~ A princess should not be quibbling over trivial matters, it’s unbecoming~”
“……”
This is how blood pressure rises.
Livra rushed over, initially wanting to ask Miss Shaya for confirmation regarding Princess Xue Fei’s participation in the competition.
But before she could speak, she turned her head and spotted an adorable blue-haired loli wearing a black and gold dress.
This loli was sitting with Miss Shaya and was now seemingly struggling to eat a donut?
Struggling…?
Not thinking too much, Livra is always straightforward when she has a question.
“Who is this little sister…? Miss Shaya, is she a friend of you and Lady Xiya?”
“Oh, yes, she’s my distant relative named Xila.”
“Ah, I see… wait?! No, Miss Shaya, aren’t you an orphan? How could you have a distant relative?!”
“Just because I’m an orphan doesn’t mean I can’t have distant relatives. Looking down on orphans, huh? Is there a problem with having a non-blood relative? There’s no issue with that.”
“A non-blood relative… eh… is… is there something wrong with me waking up? Or has my comprehension ability been compromised…? Wuwu, I really feel so stupid!”
Xiya calmly observes the situation.
In her heart, she apologizes to Livra.
Apologies, Princess Livra; you’re actually not stupid; it’s just that Xue Fei is exercising her wicked interests by tormenting your limited intelligence.
Regarding Xialetla, Xiya has already discussed the explanation with Xue Fei when they were at home.
So Xiya will explain it on their behalf.
“Well, Princess Livra, Xila is an orphan who was born in the same town as Shaya. I rescued Shaya, and Shaya rescued her; because they share similar fates, Shaya calls her a distant relative as a joke.”
“Ah… I see, I thought something was off with my comprehension. Ugh… During the war, many orphans have been displaced… It seems that little sister Xila is also a pitiful person. Uh… Xila, that name sounds a bit familiar… I didn’t attend the last competition, but wasn’t the champion of the last match also named Xila?! Ha… no, that must be a coincidence.”
As this thought crossed Livra’s mind, she completed a self-denying cycle.
Puh, indeed, it must just be a coincidence.
Sister Xila looks younger than Miss Shaya; how could she possibly have the ability to win the championship? Lady Xiya wouldn’t just pick up orphaned children who are absolute geniuses, right?
What she saw…
Was actually Shaya shaking her head, while Lady Xiya nodded.
For some reason, Livra was able to understand.
Miss Shaya shaking her head—denies her previous statement, indicating that it’s not a coincidence.
Lady Xiya nodding—affirms that Xila is indeed Xila, the same champion Xila.
“Really… she’s so small…”
“Calling me small?! How dare you! If we want to discuss it, I am your grand…! Um um!”
Xue Fei once again sacrificed a piece of donut to block Xialetla’s mouth.
Two donuts in a row? This is showing you some leniency!
Livra doesn’t know what to say; so Sister Xila is that strong too?
Such a strange phenomenon… why is it that every time she seeks out Miss Shaya, she ends up feeling struck down!
With a shrug and a bitter smile, luckily, Princess Livra has excellent self-regulatory abilities~
Now, compared to other matters, she genuinely hopes that today Miss Shaya and the others won’t have come in vain.
“Today’s competition is worth looking forward to, you know? Miss Shaya is aware, right? Just yesterday, I heard that even the top adventurers from the Adventurers’ Guild have signed up for this competition!”
“Is that so? That’s impressive.”
Even while speaking about how impressive it is, Xue Fei’s tone shows no sign of surprise.
Or rather, she truly believes that nothing today could surprise her. Put plainly, this competition has become a political game, and with no donuts allowed, what else is there to be surprised about?!
As she spoke, Xue Fei held her water cup, one she always carried in her storage space, to her lips for a sip to quench her thirst.
But suddenly…
In the center of the arena, the host, holding a golden-edged message passed down from the highest command podium, was sweating profusely, and his voice trembled slightly.
[The latest decision permits two esteemed guests to temporarily set out for this location. They are… uh… the Demon King and Queen of the demon race.]
“Puh!”
The water Xue Fei had just taken a sip of suddenly sprayed out of her mouth, her face a mask of disbelief!
