Volume 5 Chapter 3 ACT.134 Three Purge Knights (II)
"There's a Reincarnator, right? It's not just about that, is it?"
Just before docking at the harbor, amidst the hustle of the other crew members.
Rize and Alfonso were summoned by Belta to a room inside the ship.
After making sure no one was eavesdropping, Rize brought up the topic to Belta.
"Yeah, it's getting a bit troublesome."
Belta replied, resting her chin on her hand, looking troubled.
Alfonso couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration and stress, seeing Belta's unfairly good looks that could pass for a painting, especially when he was seasick.
"Do you know that Shaura has the only colosseum in the country?"
Both nodded firmly at Belta's question.
In the trading city of Shaura, there was the only colosseum in the Kingdom – a gambling match using gladiators.
They fought each other, or against fierce beasts, betting on the outcome with money.
Sometimes, it wasn't rare to see deaths.
It was extreme and a popular form of entertainment.
The colosseum was, in a sense, Shaura's biggest source of funds, and also the place where the *most money moved* in the country.
"There's something suspicious about the people running it. I don't think it's just one Reincarnator involved."
"You mean the Reincarnator group calling themselves the Dragon King that Rai mentioned?"
"It's highly possible."
Belta answered with a troubled look, and Rize's expression clouded over.
For her, this was essentially her first mission, involving a first encounter with the Dragon King's faction, which had resulted in Rai getting severely injured.
He had told Rize not to worry about it, but it had become a sort of grudge for her.
"I don't know how deep their involvement goes. And because of the nature of the colosseum, it's hard for me to interfere too. This time, I'm thinking of using some sneaky tactics to force an investigation."
"Wha──really?"
Rize nodded in understanding, listening to Belta's explanation.
"You said you were counting on me, but what should I do?"
To be honest, Rize had no confidence she could be of any real use.
If it were a matter of pure combat—cutting and slashing her way through enemies—she might've stood a chance.
But investigations? Ones that required finesse, subtlety, and manipulation? That was completely outside her experience.
She had no idea why she'd been chosen for this role in the first place.
"We'll be conducting what is, to put it plainly, an undercover investigatio. I'll participate in the arena as a faceless noble. Alfonso will act as my servant."
Then, with a gentle smile, Belta turned her eyes toward Rize.
The moment she saw that smile, a terrible feeling crawled up Rize's spine.
And that gut feeling proved absolutely correct.
"And as for you, Rize... I'd like you to enter the arena as a gladiator—one registered under my ownership."
"—W-What!?"
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