41-42

Chapter 42: Disciplining the Lazy Female Knight (1) 

The Renes territory’s arena was the city’s top entertainment spot. Recently, with the addition of a male gladiator who captured everyone’s attention, the excitement there had reached an all-time high. The number of spectators and their expectations were at record levels. 

Renes, watching from her private box, smiled with satisfaction at the festival’s unprecedented success. 

“Petunia!?” 

In contrast, Martina, one of Renes’s close aides and a knight herself, was shocked to see the opponent in the arena. 

“Why, Martina? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” 

“Of course I’m shocked I really did see something unbelievable!” 

Even as a seasoned knight, Martina couldn’t accept what she was seeing: one of the “Three Knights,” Petunia, who matched her own strength, was the opponent. 

“My lady, are you serious!? You’re putting a man who’s only been a gladiator for a few months up against Petunia!” 

“Of course I am. Didn’t you and Helia say he was exceptionally talented far beyond any ordinary man and now strong enough to hold his own?” 

“But this is only his third real match! Putting him against someone on my level...” 

If Martina or Helia were the opponent, they could at least hold back, but Petunia was different. True to her title as the “Lazy Knight,” she was never serious except when forced into action, when she’d go all out to end things quickly, often causing unnecessary destruction. 

In short, fighting her was like defusing a bomb that could go off at any moment. 

Renes, however, was unfazed. “That’s the kind of excitement the crowd wants.” 

Martina protested, but Renes pointed to the crowd, which had grown restless the moment Petunia appeared. Shock quickly turned to anticipation and excitement. 

“Everyone, as you can see, today’s match is between Adrian and Lady Renes’s loyal knight, Petunia! No one in the city can match her strength it’s sure to be a thrilling show!” 

“Damn, what is the lord thinking?” 

“Is she planning to have the guy half-killed? Or maybe... is she actually hoping for Adrian to win?” 

“Either way, this is going to be fun.” 

“Fight! Fight! Let’s see a real match!” 

The crowd was there for pleasure, and a fight between their idol and an unexpected powerhouse was the ultimate show. 

Renes was pleased. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen the crowd this fired up.” 

Martina, grinding her teeth, was deeply dissatisfied. “You’re sacrificing him just to stir up the crowd?” 

To the spectators, it was just a show, but to Martina, he was someone special someone she’d pledged her life to protect. 

She wanted to rush out and defend him. 

“Is there a problem?” Renes asked coldly, noticing Martina’s mood. 

Martina faltered as she met her lady’s icy gaze. 

“Strange. You’re usually so loyal, but today you’re full of questions.” 

“It’s just...” 

“Have you developed feelings for him? Or maybe you like him as a man?” 

Renes’s sharp voice cut through Martina’s defenses. She approached, closing the distance. 

“I don’t care what you feel for him, but your loyalty to me must come first.” 

 Smack! 

Renes slapped Martina’s cheek. 

Martina flinched but didn’t retaliate. Renes was her liege, not someone she could defy. 

“Let me remind you: I discovered your talent, gave you a place when you had nothing, and made you one of the Three Knights. You owe everything to me.” 

Martina’s life was divided into before and after Renes. She owed her fame and position to her, and had always strived to repay her. 

Renes was her light, her salt, her heart her liege, to be protected at all costs. 

“Do I need to explain further?” 

That loyalty had to come before any feelings for a man. 

Renes pressed, “If you truly understand, show it.” 

Unable to refuse, Martina began removing her armor and stockings, soon kneeling naked before her lady. 

“I’m sorry. I dared to oppose you. Please, show mercy to your lowly servant.” 

It was the picture of loyal submission. 

Satisfied, Renes used Martina’s bare body as a seat to watch the match, relishing her absolute power. 

‘No one in this land can defy me.’ 

She was king, god, and absolute ruler in this city. Nothing could stop her, not even if she threw an innocent man into a deadly match. 

‘Still, you shouldn’t push me too far. As you saw in the arena, I’m pretty vicious for a man...’ 

‘If I get the chance, I’ll fuck you senseless, too.’ 

“...Heh.” 

A chill ran down her spine, but Renes brushed it off with a smirk, glancing at her “treasure” facing her knight. 

“Well, if he’s that bold, he’d better show results, right?” 

The arrogant lord genuinely hoped he’d live up to her expectations. 

“Haaaaaam~” 

A yawn escaped. 

Despite being about to fight for life and honor in front of thousands, Petunia, one of the Three Knights, showed no seriousness at all. 

“So sleepy.” 

She muttered lazily, making it hard to believe she was on the same level as Helia or Martina. 

What was Renes thinking, putting me against someone like her? 

“Why did the lord call me here all of a sudden?” 

She grumbled, then looked at me. 

“And now I have to fight a weak man instead of a woman how bad does she want to make me look?” 

A weak man? She was smaller and frailer than Helia or Martina almost like a child. 

“Hey, oppa.” 

The unexpected address caught me off guard. 

“Oppa? Are you talking to me?” 

“You look older than me, so I called you oppa. Or are you an ahjussi?” 

“No, just call me oppa.” 

“Okay, oppa.” 

She seemed unconcerned, even as she made her next suggestion. 

“Sorry to say this, but why don’t you just surrender?” 

“What?” 

“I’m lazy, and I bet you don’t want to be here either. The lord must have forced you, right?” 

She seemed to know Renes well, and she wasn’t wrong. 

She lost interest and turned away. 

“I don’t care about knightly duty, but I don’t like hurting men, either. The crowd would understand if you surrendered let’s just call it a day.” 

Understand? Judging by the crowd’s excitement, I doubted it. 

Still, her offer was tempting. I’d gotten stronger with Helia and Martina, but I’d never beaten either of them. 

Fighting a Three Knight was a huge hurdle. 

Maybe I should withdraw and try again later. 

But... 

“Sorry, I can’t do that.” 

“What?” 

“The crowd paid to see a fight, and if I don’t put up a show, the lord will be pissed. If I end things too easily, I’ll face her wrath.” 

Watching Helia get humiliated taught me that Renes was ruthless about her authority. 

If her event was ruined, she’d see it as a challenge to her power and she’d retaliate. 

If I couldn’t escape her, I’d have to risk being a gladiator slave. 

And... 

“And this is the most important reason.” 

 Whoosh. 

I swung my club, pointing it at Petunia. 

“My hobby is putting arrogant women who don’t fear men in their place.” 

If, by some chance, I could beat her, I’d thoroughly humiliate her in front of the crowd. 

And that would give me immense satisfaction. If I couldn’t avoid it, I might as well enjoy it. 

“So, I’m the arrogant woman?” 

“Who else is here but you?” 

“...Heh.” 

Did my words get to her? 

Her previously bored face now showed a hint of emotion. 

“Pretty confident for a man. Well, the lord must see something in you to make you a gladiator.” 

Annoyance, irritation... 

Not quite anger, but enough to get her moving. 

“I hate wasting time, so I’ll finish this in one shot.” 

With that, a burst of energy exploded from her, and her body blurred, vanishing from sight. 

Boom! Explosions echoed as she zipped around the arena. 

She was already behind me, sword ready to strike. 

“Fall.” 

She muttered, unleashing a powerful blow. 

 Bang!! 

I blocked it with my weapon, feeling my arm go numb and my muscles scream. 

She was strong maybe even stronger than Helia or Martina. 

But not unbeatable. 

 Whirrr!! 

Reacting instantly, I gathered mana into my weapon and aimed it forward. 

Petunia’s eyes widened in surprise she’d expected to finish me with one blow. 

“Why didn’t you fall...?” 

 Bang!! 

My weapon struck Petunia.