Chapter Ten: Blood Stains Sun-Drenched City

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At night, I left the towering castle and made my way home beneath the moonlight, my heart filled with eager anticipation. When I returned to the familiar, welcoming blacksmith’s shop, I was surprised to find it brightly lit from within, radiating an indescribable warmth.

As soon as I pushed open the door, the faint sound of snoring mingled with the savory aroma of food and drifted toward me. There was Hegia, sprawled across the table, her soft golden hair scattered carelessly around her. Her cheek rested on her arm; she had clearly waited too long and fallen asleep without realizing it. Before her was a table laden with dishes she had prepared with care, wisps of steam still rising from them. At once, warmth enveloped my heart.

I approached on tiptoe, afraid to disturb the quiet. Picking up a garment from nearby, I gently draped it over Hegia. Despite my caution, she still woke. Sleepily, she looked at me, a tender smile curling at the corners of her lips.

“Teal, you’re back. What took you so long? Are you hungry? Check whether the food has gone cold. If it has, I’ll make it all over again.”

I shook my head, warmth spreading through me, then sat down and began eating in great mouthfuls. Between bites, I mumbled, “No, no, it’s still warm enough once it’s in my mouth. Thank you, Hegia.”

Seeing me wolfing down the food with such an eager, clumsy air, Hegia could not help but burst out laughing. Her smile was like a flower blooming in spring—bright and captivating.

Those days spent in Hegia’s home had been filled with laughter and warmth. I had fallen for her long ago, though I had never found the right opportunity to tell her.

Perhaps today was the perfect day.

I set down my chopsticks, took the five gleaming gold coins from inside my clothes, and placed them gently on the table before pushing them toward Hegia.

“This is the champion’s reward. It’s all yours. From now on, you’ll manage the household, and I’ll earn the money. Actually, I…”

I faltered, unable to finish.

Hegia froze. Her eyes widened, filled with surprise and disbelief. After a moment, her eyes grew slightly red, though her smile only widened.

“Teal, you… you really mean to give them to me?”

I smiled and nodded, determination shining in my eyes.

“Of course. Hegia, you are the most important person in my life.”

We looked at each other and smiled. In that moment, it was as though the entire world had come to a standstill. The blacksmith’s shop remained brightly lit, and our hearts, warmed by this mutual understanding and promise, seemed to glow even more brightly.

The next day, I went to the ore market south of the city, intending to buy some high-quality material for forging. I pushed a cart piled high with ore, filled with anticipation at the thought of creating something wonderful.

But when I returned to the blacksmith’s shop, I found a crowd gathered around it, their voices rising in a chaotic din. An inexplicable sense of unease welled up inside me. I hurriedly shoved my way through the crowd.

A line of soldiers in silver armor stood in two ranks, their presence intimidating. Hegia and her father knelt trembling nearby, while guards held swords tightly against their throats.

And seated beside them was none other than… Isaac?

My heart tightened. I hurried forward, forcing myself to remain calm.

“Lord Isaac, may I ask what this is about? Has there been some kind of misunderstanding?”

Isaac did not turn around. He merely sat there in silence.

One of the guards, however, spoke coldly.

“No one has ever dared refuse Count Isaac. You lowborn wretch—how dare you humiliate Lord Isaac in front of all those nobles!”

I quickly explained, “It wasn’t my intention to slight Lord Isaac! I truly wasn’t strong enough. My victory that day was nothing more than luck. I was afraid that if I lost the match, I would disgrace you and Sunspire City.”

The guard glared at me furiously and barked, “Who do you think you are? Even if you die, you’ll die in the gladiator arena. Serving the count is an honor!”

I clenched my teeth and continued, “I’m sorry. I deserve to die for angering Lord Isaac. I’ll compete. I’ll compete, so please let them go.”

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At last, Isaac slowly spoke. His voice was cold and commanding.

“From the first time you entered the competition, I noticed that you were not from this wasteland. There seems to be some mysterious power within you. I had intended to make you my dog and put you to work for me, but you were too foolish to recognize the opportunity.”

With that, he merely waved his hand.

Two guards received the order. Their swords rose and fell, slicing open the throats of Hegia and her father without mercy. Blood sprayed into the air, staining the ground crimson.

I turned around. My eyes nearly split with rage.

“No! Don’t!”

My emotions shattered completely, and my fury surged to its peak. My eyes burned red as I clenched my teeth and charged at Isaac.

The guards beside him drew their swords and rushed to meet me. I seized one of the weapons and faced them head-on. Rage and grim resolve filled my face. Each stroke cut through the air in a relentless storm, as though I meant to pour all my fury into every blow.

“Isaac, you bastard! I’ll kill you!”

I roared, pointing the sword’s tip straight at his heart.

Yet Isaac merely laughed coldly, as though he were watching an entertaining performance. His guards were fierce, but under my frenzied assault, even they began to stumble and lose control.

The battle continued. There was only one thought in my mind: avenge Hegia and her father!

I swung the sword in my hands, every strike carrying the weight of boundless hatred and strength. I had become a furious lion, charging at Isaac and his guards without the slightest regard for my own life.

I fought my way from inside the shop to the street beyond, cutting down everyone along the road. Blood stained my clothes and spattered across my enraged face.

Under my savage assault, they gradually found themselves fighting a desperate battle. My sword moved like wind and lightning, and every slash was accompanied by an enemy’s scream. The fury in my chest seemed to grant me even greater strength. I killed dozens of guards in succession, their armor splitting like paper beneath my wrath as blood burst forth.

But the soldiers kept pouring in. Like a tide, they surrounded me from every direction.

In the end, exhaustion began to sap my strength. Several swords pierced my back, and my legs were wounded as well. I no longer had the strength to stand. Several guards seized me and forced me to the ground, pinning me so tightly that I could not move.

The soldiers dragged me back. I struggled and roared, “I’ll kill you, Isaac, you piece of filth! Even if I die, I’ll never let you off!”

Rage and indignation filled my face, and my eyes seemed ready to spit fire.

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A guard standing beside Isaac approached. He looked down at me with cold eyes filled with impatience and contempt. The corners of his mouth curled into a mocking smile.

“What a nuisance.”

He raised his foot and viciously kicked me in the head. A burst of agonizing pain exploded through me. My vision went black, and I lost consciousness.

I vaguely heard a low conversation. In the darkness, I tried to make out what they were saying.

Isaac rose and climbed into a luxurious carriage. In a flat voice, he said, “Burn it. As for this lowborn wretch, throw him into the death prison. The grand gladiator tournament begins the day after tomorrow. Use his head as the opening offering. I want everyone to know that those who dare oppose me have only one possible ending.”

In my unconsciousness, I seemed to be drifting through a realm of chaos. All I could see ahead was a blinding blaze, its flames seemingly capable of piercing everything and burning my very soul to ash.

I struggled to open my eyes, but my eyelids were as heavy as mountains. No matter how hard I tried, I could not lift them.

I was thrown into a dark, damp death prison. Cold stone walls surrounded me, while the air reeked of mold and despair. A single dim oil lamp hung inside the cell, its wavering flame barely illuminating the cramped space.

I curled up in a corner, my body covered in wounds. The pain made it almost impossible to breathe.

Iron chains bound my hands and feet. They were heavy and cold, leaving me unable to move even an inch. I tried to struggle, but the chains only dug more deeply into my flesh, bringing another wave of agony.

Helpless, I gave up resisting and sat there in silence, staring blankly ahead.

From beyond the cell came the occasional sound of guards’ footsteps and laughter. To me, their voices sounded like the whispers of demons, deepening the fear and despair in my heart.

I knew that I had become Isaac’s prisoner. At the gladiator tournament the day after tomorrow, my head would serve as the sacrifice for the opening ceremony.

I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself, but images of Hegia and her father’s gruesome deaths kept rising in my mind. Each bloody scene tore at my heart like a knife.

I clenched my teeth, refusing to let myself cry out in pain.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly, every second an unbearable torment. I kept telling myself that I could not give up—not like this. I had to survive. I had to avenge Hegia and her father.

But now I was trapped, powerless to do anything.

Suddenly, the cell door opened, and a guard walked in. He looked at me with undisguised mockery and contempt.

“Hmph. I thought you were supposed to be something special. Turns out you’re nothing but a useless wretch.”

With that, he turned and left. The cell door slammed shut once more.