Rise of the Blood Prince: From Slave to Emperor

Aslan was still thin in build. But now, looking at his body, there was no sense of frailty. It felt very solid.

Extremely compressed muscle. Because of that, he actually had more presence.

When wearing loose clothes, he still looked thin, but that was partly because his face and head were smaller than those of average men.

Anyway, they had been on a winning streak for six months.

"Are you thinking of accepting that proposal?"

Oben asked. Their treatment had completely changed now. Since they couldn't enter the dining hall because of Wilis, food was even being delivered directly to where they were.

Thanks to that, they were eating with a spacious table and chairs, with various foods laid out.

The quality and variety of food was quite good too. A protein-focused diet. But it was a meal distributed to allow intake of various nutrients.

Since setting his goal, he'd been paying special attention to diet, and though the money going out was considerable, Aslan didn't mind much. He knew it was an investment in the right direction.

"Still don't trust me?"

Aslan said while eating stew. It was stew made by boiling sheep bones thoroughly, and it tasted quite good.

"It's not that, but... the scheme is obvious."

"If they hadn't told us, it would be a scheme, but since they did tell us, it's not a scheme. As you said, Liscal and Rocom aren't bad in that regard."

"Don't you not have to accept the proposal? You're doing well enough."

This time it was Isaac. But Aslan's eyes showed no wavering at all.

"What do you think about this current life?"

"?"

"?"

At the sudden question, Isaac and Oben looked at each other.

"Satisfying?"

At Aslan's words, Oben and Isaac nodded. The meals were completely satisfying. And since being with Aslan, their lives had improved to the point where they could even bathe regularly.

"It's satisfying."

Isaac said while scratching his head with his prosthetic. His prosthetic had a fork attached.

"That's the poison."

"That's poison?"

"This satisfying life is poison. Rocom Arena has better conditions than other places. And those better conditions make gladiator slaves complacent. They can't think about escaping being gladiator slaves."

"..."

"You're both thinking the same thing. That this is a not-bad life. Money is accumulating and skills have improved. Nothing hurts anywhere. The arena doesn't set up unreasonable matches either. But the arena is ultimately a place where you'll lose everything. Do you two think you can keep winning forever? I wonder about that."

"Airs arenas don't have backdoor deals."

"They're fair. Because arena owners check each other. That's exactly why you can't be complacent. Since the matches are fair, death will also come fairly."

"..."

"..."

Isaac and Oben fell silent.

"So we can't get too immersed in this life. We set a goal, didn't we? The goal of becoming free."

"But facing a gladiator is too reckless."

Their reaction was understandable. It was a special match proposal for Aslan to fight a gladiator.

Naturally, it wasn't something Rocom had arranged.

As Rocom expected, Aslan continued his winning streak, and now he was famous not just as Rocom Arena's star gladiator slave, but throughout all of Airs.

So there was no reason for Rocom to try to kill Aslan again. The contract had already been broken.

"Not accepting that proposal might be more dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

"Because fighting a gladiator is something we can prepare for."

"Well... looking at how far they're going, that noble must have tremendous obsession with boss."

"Does he have some grudge against the Maran Kingdom?"

Isaac said.

"I don't know. Maybe there's no grudge at all."

"No grudge but why?"

"It's the realm of incomprehensible hobbies. Maybe he thinks it's art."

"That's art? I don't know jack about art, but I've never heard such stories. Is it because this is the frontier?"

"When you grow up seeing different things, your thoughts become different too. Look at Chira. Can you understand not talking to that extent?"

"Chira is cursed."

"He's cursed."

Isaac and Oben said that was natural.

But from Aslan's perspective, Chira's inability to speak seemed more likely not to be a curse.

It was just a matter of the Chira tribe's beliefs. Since it would be difficult to make Oben and Isaac understand even if he went on about such things, he didn't bother arguing further.

"Anyway, it's disgusting. Calling it art."

Oben frowned.

"Is he really such a crazy bastard?"

"Probably? But that's actually better."

"Such a crazy bastard is targeting boss? Just hearing it gives me chills."

"Those types have clear desires. When desires are clear, they're actually easier to read. If he's crazier than I think, he probably won't bother us after this proposal. So this match is better to take."

Because of his firm tone, Isaac and Oben couldn't argue further. He'd already proven his abilities through countless matches.

***

"You'll accept the proposal?"

Both Rocom and Liscal looked surprised. Aslan sat confidently before them.

There were also three teacups.

In a typical slave-master relationship, such a setting could be very strange.

But this was Airs. And Aslan was a gladiator slave.

In Airs, no one could treat popular gladiator slaves carelessly. Aslan was literally a great star, and the money wagered each time he had a match was enormous.

Though he only participated in combat matches, he was popular with nobles, so very large stakes were involved.

So lately Rocom was practically raking in money. How could he treat him carelessly?

"Yes. Let's do it."

"I know your goal. Becoming free. I have no intention of stopping that. Having such a gladiator slave come from our arena is actually an honor. It means we produced such a great fighter. That's why I told you about this proposal in advance too. Think about it more carefully."

"Aren't you under pressure?"

Then Rocom stared directly at Aslan.

"I've been under pressure continuously since bringing you. But I said I failed and returned the money as is."

"But they're still someone you can't ignore."

"Right."

"So I'll do it. I want to prevent other problems from arising if I refuse this."

"Other problems..."

Hearing that, Rocom stroked his chin briefly. Then he crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair.

"Right. Other problems could arise."

"So I'll do it."

"It won't be an easy match. Since it's a gladiator match. And the gladiator they bring will probably be top-class."

"It would be. Probably an opponent who could catch me."

"Right. I've seen many."

Rocom's expression wasn't very good.

"To be honest, I feel like I've overcome one hurdle. I was afraid of how to refuse. It's that high-level a proposal. But I can't just accept the proposal either. Liscal."

"Yes, master."

"Give him what we prepared."

"?"

After finishing speaking, Rocom grabbed his temples. That ended the meeting with Rocom.

Walking outside with Liscal, they had a conversation.

"What did you prepare?"

"The opponent targeting you is someone whose identity even master can't determine. That means they have that much power."

"I expected that."

"But even if we don't know their identity, it's not like we can't get any information at all."

At those words, Aslan's expression changed slightly.

He hadn't expected Rocom to be that considerate.

"Surprising."

"What's surprising?"

"I thought you'd just arrange the match."

"There's nothing funnier than saying arena owners are good, but master is a good owner. At least it's not easy to meet such an owner in Airs."

"I heard that."

"It's not just what you heard, that's correct. Doesn't seem right?"

"Well, I've never been a gladiator slave under another owner."

"Right... Looking at you, I often forget that fact. That you haven't been here long. I forget your age too. Looking at what you do, I can't believe you're that age. Is that the difference of origin? That bloodline thing nobles always talk about?"

"You know well that's nonsense, don't you? I thought someone like you who's seen many people would know."

Then Liscal chuckled. Aslan was following as Liscal led the way.

"Right. Even the same bloodline often produces completely different temperaments. Look at Chira. Before coming under you, he was just a coward. But now? He probably wouldn't lose even against Isaac or Oben."

"Probably. If it's sparring."

"?"

Then Liscal turned to look at Aslan.

"You mean if it's not sparring, Isaac or Oben would win?"

"At least the survivors would probably be those two. Isaac and Oben are prepared to give up an arm or leg."

"But Chira can't do that?"

"No. You can't create that in a short time. Even if you teach it, he can't use it. He can only realize it himself."

"Well... Oben and Isaac have fought a lot. So I think it's fortunate. They were too valuable to die meaninglessly."

"They won't die. Because they'll get stronger."

This time Liscal answered by patting Aslan's shoulder instead of replying.

"But where are we going now?"

"To see a taxidermist."

Liscal answered briefly.

***

"We couldn't find out about the client's identity. The person who came as the client's representative was also of considerable status."

"Yes. It's not a good hobby by anyone's standards."

"Right. A bizarre perversion."

Liscal and Aslan were out. Armed men were following behind them.

Since they had hoods covering their faces, no one recognized Aslan.

"Want one?"

Liscal pointed to kuuns skewers.

"So those are kuuns skewers."

"Right. Quite a delicacy. The sauce here is especially good."

Liscal bought kuuns skewers and they ate while moving.

"Anyway, I thought differently. A noble with such bizarre hobbies. I'd never heard of one even here. And there wouldn't be many with such bizarre hobbies."

"So you found a taxidermist."

"Many have the hobby of taxidermying monsters or beasts to hang up. But hobbies like yours are very rare. So I looked into it. There was a similar case before."