41-58

Chapter 58: Determined to Discipline the Lord (1) 

Renes took me to a place guarded by heavy security even from the entrance. Not only were the recruits armed, but their numbers and discipline far surpassed other locations it was clear from the variety of creatures being held inside just what kind of facility it was. 

“Here is…” 

“This is where we keep the fighters used in the arena. To keep our battles interesting, our arena brings in all kinds of competitors from across the continent.” 

From simple beasts to bizarre monsters with unnatural forms, and even other humanoids like the very first goblin I faced  

Just as she said, the range of lifeforms was vast, but all of them shared one common trait: 

The vast majority were women, or clearly marked as females. 

“Kieeek! Kieeeeeek!” 

Some of the female-type creatures clutched their bars and shrieked, as if driven insane by lust at the sight of me it was obvious I was the target of their sexual desire. 

That suspicion made me shiver, but Renes just chuckled, clearly amused, and strode forth. 

“Oh come on, why are you so scared? Even though you’re a man, physically you could hold your own against more than a few of the creatures locked up here.” 

Easy for you to say. 

Even if I could win, facing them would be overwhelming just the stares directed at me were agonizing. 

If "being devoured by eyes" was ever more than a joke, this was it. 

And these were brute creatures, totally lacking human morals, so their leering broke every conceivable line. 

“Right, for someone as special as you, we need an opponent on your level.” 

It was obvious my state of mind didn’t matter to this woman. 

Stopping at a thick iron door, she turned and spoke briskly to the fully armored knights stationed there. 

“She’s still securely inside, yes?” 

“Yes, right this way…” 

The door was opened by their hands, and soon Renes and Martina disappeared into the darkness beyond. 

At that unfamiliar threshold, I wavered, suddenly seized by fear. 

Renes turned and taunted me. 

“Why are you just standing there? Don’t tell me you’ve come all this way only to chicken out now?” 

Of course I was afraid. 

Up until now first I’d fought a goblin crazed for men, then a vicious criminal who treated men as little more than punching bags, and after that, the strongest of knights who, for all her laziness, had true skill… 

If my next opponent was even more outrageous, anyone could sense it before even seeing them. 

“…There’s another challenger in there, right?” 

Unable to protest, I entered where I was immediately greeted by a massive iron cage. 

I couldn’t see well in the dark. Dust covered everything, as if the place hadn’t been tended for a long time. 

The atmosphere was so foreboding I felt stifled. Martina was there at the front of the cage, shaking. 

“Martina?” 

“…” 

Martina stood, silent, eyes down, shoulders tense. 

Even when she’d been struck by Renes before, she’d never looked so timid. Such reticence was utterly out of character for her. 

Just what could possibly lurk beyond that cage that would rattle even someone like her? 

“Just bear with it. If we turn on the lights it would just go wild seeing nothing helps keep it calm.” 

As Renes stopped in front of the cage and made her presence known, something inside began to stir. 

Then boom! the ground shook. 

No, to be accurate, the building itself trembled. 

Just one step from whatever was inside the cage sent shudders through the whole facility. 

–Rumble, rumble, rumble… 

Followed by a growl deep and beastly. 

Instinctively, I froze, staring into the shadowy depths beyond the bars. 

It was the size of a whole house, but clearly had a human shape. 

Arms, legs, a head… but its body bulked and distorted far beyond anything human. 

Was it muscle, or fat, that covered it so extensively…? 

–Boom, boom. 

Each step from it set the ground quivering, and then, out of the darkness, a pair of glowing lights turned toward us. 

Height no human could reach; two red gleams staring straight at me  

Were those the eyes of that monster? 

“GRUAAARRRR!” 

Suddenly, the thing roared and charged at the bars. Its fist pounded the cage, denting the metal; clutching the bars, it peered down at me and muttered, 

“Maaaan, I… w-aaant… SEEEEED…” 

A voice thick with desire. 

In that moment I knew instantly: 

This massive beast saw me as breeding stock. If it ever got loose, it’d rip open the bars and ravage me. 

And if that happened, I wouldn’t stand a chance. 

That truth was obvious to my instincts as Renes, in a cold tone, signaled to Martina. 

“Martina.” 

–Shing. 

Martina drew her sword and radiated her aura at the front of the cage. 

Sensing that power, the monster paused, then after a long moment released the bars and withdrew into the shadows. 

“Hurt… don’t… like…” 

It turned with a dull moan and slumped to the ground. 

As things calmed, I forced myself to swallow and turned to Renes. 

“What… is that thing?” 

“That’s an ogre.” 

“O- ogre…?” 

“Stupid and slow, but the physically strongest of any race. Its hide is so thick, most magic and auras are useless, and just capturing one takes an army you have to be ready to take casualties.” 

It’s that strong just by itself? 

What the hell is wrong with this lord? Does she seriously intend to pit me against something like THAT? 

I was shocked, but even more alarming was what Renes said next. 

“In fact, it took both Helia and Martina just to bring this one in. Helia was badly injured in the process.” 

“W-what? Helia’s injured!?” 

I unconsciously grabbed Renes by the shoulder  

I couldn’t let that pass, worrying as I was about Helia, who wasn’t even here. 

“She’s hurt? How bad? Is she she’s not going to die, is she?” 

“Don’t worry. The injury was serious enough to cripple her, but with priests she’ll make a full recovery.” 

Crippling? Even if you can heal it, how can you say that so casually? 

Rage rose inside me; I was about to shout, but Renes caught my hand from her shoulder first. 

“That’s enough, Champion. You act so bold just because I’ve indulged you a bit.” 

“Easy for you to say…” 

 Wham! 

Suddenly a powerful blow hits me from behind. 

Knocked down, Martina presses my body to the ground, pinning me before Renes. 

“You can’t touch the body of the one who owns you.” 

“Damn it, Martina, why…?” 

Renes is exultant, and Martina pins me down. 

Trying to resist only made Martina press harder and whisper urgently: 

“Endure it, Ei. If you push the lord any further, you won’t get out of this safely. Take it out on me later if you have to…” 

“You call that consolation!?” 

Why the hell does she have to endure for me? 

Why am I supposed to just accept watching my woman be humiliated? 

“You damned bitch! What kind of idiot do you take people for to treat us like this!?” 

Unable to stand my anger, I mustered my strength enough to raise my torso against Martina’s weight and shouted at Renes. 

“You’ve treated me as a criminal and a toy all this time, and now you want me to fight that monster? What did I ever do to deserve this? What did I do to deserve all your shit!?” 

Everything I’d been holding in finally exploded out. 

But even my outburst seemed to amuse her she only chuckled as she crouched to meet my gaze. 

“Oh my, the Champion’s angry! Well, after seeing that monster, anyone might lose their mind.” 

If only I could move my hands, I’d wipe that smile right off her face. 

But she knew I couldn’t, so she just toyed with me, even stroking my face. 

“But think about it: a male champion who draws all eyes, facing off against a brutal monster that took two of the Three Knights to capture… Don’t you think that’ll be the greatest, most legendary spectacle in human history?” 

“The greatest show? You’d send your own subordinate to her death just for that?” 

“Puhahaha! What are you saying? Of course I will use any subordinate to further the city’s prosperity!” 

Her hands gripped my face, as if trying to peel me apart. 

“That’s right the most important thing to me is building this city. More people, more money flowing… I’ll use anything and anyone for that goal.” 

Wide eyes, rough breath  

There was even a hint of madness in her actions as she softly stroked my face and whispered: 

“In that sense, you’re the best specimen I’ve found. Unlike the countless weak men everywhere, you were born with talent that surpasses most women… How could I let someone like you go, when I want this city to thrive?” 

“‘Treasure’? You tried to kill me with a criminal, and now ” 

“A treasure is still a tool. I’ll break it if I have to.” 

She let go with a sharp laugh, then gestured for Martina to release me. 

As I finally got up, Renes strutted closer, pride in her voice. 

“You know, as much as people root for you, there are just as many who want to see you fall.” 

It was a wakeup call. 

Just as she said, whenever the cheers rose in the arena, there was always a thread of hope in the crowd that I’d be humiliated, that I’d be destroyed and defiled. 

The treatment for the most alluring man in this world was, at its core, built off such depraved desires. 

“Will you break? Or will you win again? Teetering on the edge like that, people become obsessed with you and only with someone like me guiding you, can you make the most of your value.” 

Standing in front of me, she was ready to exploit that cruel reality. 

She whispered with glee in my ear, 

“So make sure you’re fully prepared for what’s coming. For my sake, and for this city of ours.” 

Her words left no doubt I would never be set free, no matter what. 

The match with the ogre was set for one week later. 

I knew I should prepare, but I couldn’t even bring myself to go to the training grounds. 

Maybe it was because I couldn’t bear to keep playing games by Renes’s rules, or maybe it was the despair at being unable to escape her grip… 

Either way, I had no intention of training, and so, aimlessly wandering, I found myself headed back to the temple I’d visited before. 

“Ah, Sir Aid.” 

“Helia’s here, right?” 

“Yes, she’s in a room inside recovering.” 

Guided by Brother Mirka, I arrived in front of the ward. 

With a heavy heart, I stepped in and found Helia sitting on the bed. 

“Helia…” 

“Ah, Ei…” 

Her face lit up as soon as she saw me. 

But I couldn’t bring myself to greet her with any joy. 

Seeing her thinner than before, bandages wrapped around her body, I realized how close she’d come to death. 

“…I’m sorry. I’ve shown such a pathetic side despite being your mentor...” 

And yet, she apologized to me. 

Even though what happened had put her in danger because of me  

It was as if she felt guilty just for being a cause for concern about my own future.