Chapter 2008: Best of Three
“It’s very simple. My slave will fight your slave. Whichever side wins, the losing slave belongs to the victor. Of course, the Werewolf and the Crystal Person, which are the stakes, will also make an appearance,” Gaspar said.
“Very good, Master, let me go. I’ll definitely bite him to death!” Weis shouted, her belly full of fire. She just wanted to bite someone to vent her anger, and was even willing to call Jayad Master.
“You can’t bite the opponent to death. That’s just a pathetic slave. Biting it to death won’t cause any injury to that person. So, remember to stop when you’ve had enough,” Jayad comforted Weis, reminding her at the same time. His tone suggested he no longer considered Gaspar a threat, as if he had already won.
In reality, we all thought the same. How could anyone win a one-on-one fight against an enraged Weis? Any one of us would have a hard time winning against Weis in a one-on-one fight. She was a Werewolf with Fenrir’s divine nature.
Just as we were wondering if Gaspar was offering himself as a sacrifice, he said, “Very well, then I’ll call my representative contestants over.”
Gaspar used the plural form for representative contestants. As we were wondering why, he had already sent one of his maids scurrying out to find them. What arrived in the room, however, were two people, or rather, two otherworldly beings.
One of them was naturally the Crystal Person he had promised. She was a stunningly beautiful girl with fair skin and exquisite features, and a figure with excellent curves. Her hair was a shade of blue that had a slightly reflective, transparent texture.
However, upon closer inspection, her hair was made of crystal, and her entire body was also constructed from crystal. It was uncertain if she truly had a gender. She felt more like a meticulously carved crystal puppet than a living being.
Her movements were also very stiff, as if there was a delay in her actions. Except for her joints, which could bend, other parts of her body seemed to be stiff and straight, resembling a robot. When she entered, she seemed to be hopping rather than walking.
The next one was a girl whose arms were replaced by two wings, and her feet were two bird claws. Both her wings and hair were fiery red. Although she wasn’t wearing any clothes, her vital areas were covered by red feathers. From a distance, she looked like a phoenix.
Her expression appeared fierce. As she was being led in, she was continuously trying to attack the person leading her. However, that slave trainer was completely clad in thick leather armor, rendering him immune to her claws.
Moreover, a strong tug on the iron chain was enough to pull this girl down. The collar around her neck was sufficient to render her unable to resist.
She was a Harpy, an otherworldly being indigenous to Africa. They were naturally capable of flight and possessed magical talent. Their entire race consisted of females, and to reproduce, they could only mate with individuals of other races. The hatched eggs would most likely hatch into Harpies, and the baby girls would definitely be Harpies, while the boys would be of other races.
Harpies did not distinguish between pure-bloods and half-bloods because, with this method of reproduction with other races, they were inevitably mixed-bloods within the race. The bloodlines inherited from their fathers would gradually become diluted. However, before they were completely diluted, Harpies would possess certain talents from their fathers’ races due to their paternal bloodline.
I recalled that Harpies with fiery red feathers were extremely rare and held very high status within their race, as it signified that this Harpy very likely possessed the bloodline of a phoenix. Such a noble Harpy was actually captured and made a slave by him.
Both of these girls were wearing very little clothing. It was visible that a brand representing their master had been seared onto their buttocks. When they saw Gaspar, they both displayed expressions of fear. Even the fierce and untamed Harpy became subdued.
“Why are you bringing two slaves to the duel? Is there a substitute?” Jayad asked.
“Eh? Didn’t I explain it clearly? Sorry, perhaps I forgot. The match format is best of three. This means three contestants will participate, and winning two rounds counts as taking all the stakes,” Gaspar said with a smile.
“Why make it so troublesome? Can’t we just settle the winner with a one-on-one duel?” Jayad asked. Others on their faces wore smiles, clearly indicating that Jayad, as a newcomer, didn’t understand the rules.
“Here, we all use a best-of-three format, and some even use best-of-five. It’s to make the gambling more exciting and strategic. After all, if it ends after just one match, no one will be fully satisfied,” it was not Gaspar, but Calo who answered.
“If Mr. Everson has any difficulties or questions, he can propose a different gambling method. We can all negotiate,” Francisco said with a smile.
It was obvious they were all supporting Gaspar. This gamble was also a form of assessment for Jayad. If he appeared too petty, lacking in magnanimity, or indecisive, these rich merchants would not accept him.
Merchants needed a decisive and bold gambling spirit and courage. Hesitation and timidity would only lead to missed opportunities. This might be why the Merchant Guild adopted the gambling format to resolve disputes, as it was precisely how merchants solved problems.
After confirming that this match was not just a gamble between Jayad and Gaspar, but also related to Older Brother Jayad’s reputation within the Merchant Guild and whether this small group of rich merchants would accept Older Brother Jayad in the future, Lorna and I agreed to continue the gamble. Were we afraid of a mere slave owner?
“Of course, I have no problem at all. However, I am far from home and only brought two slaves. Mr. Gaspar has also only sent out two slaves. This doesn’t even add up to the required number of participants for the gamble?” Jayad asked.
“Mr. Everson need not worry. You can have one of your guard mercenaries participate in the gamble. Of course, I will also provide one guard, so that fairness is ensured,” Gaspar said with a smile.
The guards behind him changed their expressions slightly. Participating in the gamble meant they were also stakes. Although their status might be slightly higher than that of the otherworldly slaves, in the eyes of their master, they were still servants whose lives and deaths were at his whim.
Jayad narrowed his eyes unhappily. It was clear this was another trap set for him. Gaspar had long seen that he didn’t bring enough slaves to field three participants, so he deliberately only brought out two slaves himself and proposed using guards as substitutes.
But if Jayad, at this moment, was incapable of putting up a bodyguard to fight, or was hesitant to risk his loyal guards, he would undoubtedly be looked down upon by the other merchants. To their current level of wealth, ordinary strong individuals were almost insignificant. A small gesture of attitude could distinguish high and low status.
“It’s fine. I will participate,” Lorna transmitted telepathically. With her saying so, we all felt relieved. Jayad immediately said, “Very well, I will bet on her. Priest, what guard will you put forward?”
“Hahaha, very good. Mr. Everson is indeed magnanimous. Jasmine, you go on,” Gaspar roared with laughter. From behind him stepped out an Eastern woman wearing a kimono, with a sword at her waist and black hair reaching her hips.
