Chapter 104. The Blind Warrior

"What do you mean it's not suitable?"

I hesitated.

I directly asked T'alle, who seemed to be declining my request.

"Well... it just doesn't seem like a place that Sir Yulian would enjoy."

What on earth was he talking about?

"The lighting isn't very bright, it's rather dreary... and besides, it's a place full of the barbaric people you detest so much, Sir Yulian."

Exactly! I'm going to see those barbaric people.

To hone my skills, even if just a little.

"It doesn't matter."

Despite my reassurance, T'alle's expression hardened slightly.

He seemed quite eager to refuse.

I could roughly guess the reason.

It was probably frowned upon for someone like me to visit, or even attend, 'The Martial Arena.'

Yulian is a member of the 'Blind Eyes'. In other words, he is part of the imperial royal entourage and acts as an executor of their will.

'Even the nobles often watch the Martial Arena.'

Moreover, while the Martial Arena itself is legal, most of what happens inside is illegal.

An imperial executor entering such a place? It would be as unwelcome as a gatecrasher at a private party.

"I will not inconvenience you."

"... You, you already inconvenience me enough."

Her voice grew fainter, but this time he seemed quite resolute.

"This time, it's impossible. If you continue to insist, I will have to take a stronger stance!"

Fine. I'll match your stance.

"T'alle. I heard there is a prison made of silver among the imperial ones. You wouldn't be curious to see it, would you?"

As I spoke with a faint smile, the familiar color appeared darkly over T'alle's head.

"S-Silver... you say?"

In all media, vampires are portrayed as extremely adverse to silver, and in this world, it was no different.

Furthermore, they are vulnerable to sunlight and cannot cross running water.

"Do you happen to know all the weaknesses of vampires?"

"Yes, I also know how their immortality can vanish."

"In that case... you must also know that driving a wooden stake through their heart kills them...."

"Indeed. Would you like me to try that on you?"

Perhaps T'alle understood it as a threat, suggesting I'd do so unless allowed, causing her violet haze to fiercely radiate its assertive presence.

But doesn't a stake through the heart cause death, vampire or not?

***

Whether it was a threat or not, it worked, and T'alle issued me a membership for the Martial Arena.

- 'Please, just don't cause any trouble....'

There was a plea like that, but I had no intention of causing a commotion.

I never have, and I never will.

The problem arises when others make a fuss upon seeing me.

"Sir Yulian."

As I reached near the Martial Arena, someone came up beside me, pretending to know me.

'Who is it?'

I had heard that T'alle arranged someone to guide me to the Martial Arena, and it seemed to be this man.

Furthermore, he had a face familiar from somewhere.

What was his name?

Ah, right! Byron!

"Byron, what are you doing here?"

Wasn't he from one of the factions dividing the slum, 'Six Fingers'?

I had heard that his cooperation with me shortened his prison stay.

"I am currently working in the Martial Arena."

What about the previous place?

'Six Fingers' was notorious for making members sever a finger upon betrayal.

"Well... when I accompanied Sir Yulian to see the 'vampire', rumors spread strangely."

Byron, originally from the 'Six Fingers', ended up in the 'Blood Demon Order', and this was how it happened.

When he accompanied me to the 'Blood Demon Order's territory, members of 'Six Fingers' must've started rumors of his betrayal.

"I was shocked. All of a sudden, they sent 'Finger Cutters' to sever my finger...."

"You managed to survive."

"Yes, fortunately, Lord Arthur was passing by and saved me."

Arthur? Oh, that tall fellow.

I considered it fortunate that he had found a way to survive.

After all, he nearly lost his job with 'Six Fingers' because of me.

'... No, I shouldn't feel sorry, should I?'

Upon reflection, it was more like I had given him a chance to escape from a criminal organization.

I had helped him take a step toward redemption.

At least the 'Blood Demon Order' had more conscience than the 'Six Fingers'.

"Anyway, I will lead the way. Please follow me!"

Byron began guiding me through the Martial Arena with an animated voice.

"But what brings Sir Yulian here?"

"Do you think I'm not supposed to be here?"

My response made Byron flinch slightly.

"Ha, haha... I just thought you wouldn't like such a place."

Wouldn't like it...

It wasn't entirely incorrect.

Due to Yulian's innate fastidiousness, he didn't prefer the sweat-filled environment of the Martial Arena.

However, upon entering the arena, the overpowering combat energy filling the place made my body itch with excitement.

'Yes! This is why I came here. It seems like I came to the right place.'

Even if just a little, the process of perfecting my skills. Going further...

'Completing the One-Stroke Technique is my goal.'

To do so, I must also learn not just the 'refinement' but the 'roughness.'

Yulian's swordsmanship naturally possesses artistry due to his innate nature and essence.

Mighty strength supports it but takes on the qualities of a field manual concerning swordsmanship.

'Yet, within the Martial Arena, I can easily find those filled with primal energy.'

The balance of yin and yang.

... Even if not as grand, I felt something needed to be added or subtracted from my current swordsmanship.

"They say one sometimes looks for the opposite, something rough."

"Rough... Ah!"

Byron, contemplating my words, pondered briefly and then clapped his hands as if coming to a realization.

"Sure enough, then you've come at a good time. The event at the Martial Arena this time suits the 'roughness' you seek, Sir Yulian."

Cautiously intrigued by Byron's enthusiastic words, I raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of event are we talking about?"

"They throw twelve people into a giant arena and let them fight until only one remains standing!"

Ah, he's talking about a battle royale.

"The main event's top contender is right over there."

Byron grinned broadly, pointing toward a corner of the waiting area.

Hidden in the darkness and tension of the participants, a man in a massive suit of armor, without concealing his ruthless determination and desire, sat in the corner.

'Strong.'

Although I couldn't precisely measure his capabilities, the scent of blood emanating from him suggested he wasn't ordinary.

"His name is Kagum, known as the 'Demon-Eating Maniac.'"

"The Demon-Eating Maniac?"

"Yes, I heard he was from the North and survived by consuming demonic creatures..."

Consuming demons?

While not unheard of, 'demonic consumption' implies assimilating remnant demonic thoughts into one's body.

That typically results in inevitable demonic transformation.

'He doesn't seem like a Named Character.'

In the story, there are Named Characters known for demonic consumption.

But why are they called 'Named'?

'Because they eat demons but don't become demons.'

In that sense, this armoured man was someone I hadn't seen before.

Is he a character I don't know?

No, the name Kagum is unfamiliar no matter how hard I think about it.

'Still, he appears formidable.'

Wearing such heavy armor daily suggests a combat style as robust as his physique.

'A battle with him might aid my growth,' I thought when suddenly our eyes met.

"Oh? He's approaching this way."

Getting up from his seat, the man steadily approached me with heavy steps.

Clang, clang.

The metallic clinking sounded as the giant in metal armor moved closer.

Gulp.

His proximity intensified Byron's nervous gulp audibly.

Did he take offence at my staring?

'Testing his skills here doesn't seem a bad idea.'

Although unsure of his exact martial prowess, experiencing it firsthand would be beneficial...

'Huh?'

Something strange.

Despite Kagum's overwhelming presence, I saw the color of 'fear' above his head.

Was it merely my imagination?

"Sir Yulian, what brings you to a place like this?"

Apparently not.

His voice trembled slightly, even through the thick steel helm.

"What? You can speak, Kagum!?"

Byron seemed most surprised after hearing his voice.

"It was said that consuming demons turned him into a mindless maniac craving blood..."

"... If that were true, how could I even sign up for the Martial Arena?"

Good point.

"Plus, if you don't pay taxes, you get expelled from the district. If I lost my intellect, would I be here now?"

Contrary to Byron's wildly exaggerated expectations, Kagum's speech was coherent and somewhat cultured, pulling a chuckle from my lips.

A demon-consuming fellow... turned out to be quite the law-abiding citizen.

***

"Here, please wear this."

Right before entering the Martial Arena, Byron handed me a mask, claiming it was standard protocol for spectators.

Given it operated in the slums, highborn visitors might wish to conceal their identities.

Nonetheless.

'... Somehow familiar.'

The act of donning a mask felt reminiscent. Perhaps due to my past manipulations as the 'Black Knight'.

"Ooh... It suits you well, Sir Yulian. Please, proceed inside."

Upon entering the Martial Arena, it was as Byron said. All spectators masked their identities.

While their expressions remained unseen, their fervor injected heat into the atmosphere enough to sense atop the skin.

"Ordinarily, someone of your stature, Sir Yulian, warrants a VIP room..."

"It's alright. I wish to observe from up close."

Leaving a guilt-ridden Byron, I surveyed my surroundings.

'Indeed, the large crowd is quite unsettling.'

That insufferable fastidiousness flared up again.

Mass gatherings seriously agitate me, as does the questionable sanitation.

'If I gain nothing in return for enduring this unease...'

Just the thought of enduring it without profit irked me.

― Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for waiting! Presenting today's main event!"

What solace I found was discerning a competitor aligning with my purpose, 'Kagum'.

― First and foremost, our champion hopeful! The 'Demon-Eating Maniac,' Kagum!!!"

Even at a glance, Kagum's honed physique was apparent.

Breathing and posture. Furthermore, one could reasonably presume he could wield auras.

Waaaahhh!

An uproarious cheer enveloped the arena. The spectators seemed certain Kagum was destined to triumph.

"Who do you think will win, Sir Yulian?"

Byron inquired.

My guess was Kagum, provided none of the other eleven competitors held his prowess.

Surveying the interior, I gave the arena a casual once-over.

'Hmm...?'

Surprisingly, I stumbled across a familiar visage within the ring.

The grey hair and murky eyes that appeared in a perpetual state of cataracts.

Seeing his face stirred a deep, primal instinct to combat.

"Who do you think will win?"

"Oh, yes."

"My bet is on that man."

"... That middle-aged man over there?"

When I gestured, Byron shifted his gaze to the arena's edge.

There, a middle-aged man tapped the floor with a wooden cane, slowly moving towards the waiting area.

"You...you mean that blind man? I find the fact that he's even participating in this Martial Arena questionable..."

"You'll see soon enough."

Doubt filled Byron's demeanor, yet he merely nodded and returned his gaze to the arena.

My eyes remained fixed on that middle-aged man.

'The Blind Warrior Zahard.'

Among the top-tier warriors even within the 〈Let's Kill the Demon King〉 universe.

Seeing his face, the burning sense of competition suggested Yulian is familiar with Zahard.

Well, Yulian did live in the Northern front where Zahard spent some time, so they might've crossed paths.

I am fixated on him for another reason.

To be precise, he might be considered Yulian's martial uncle, a fellow disciple of the Sword Saint, Hayden Reich.

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