Chapter 057 Serious Fight Club

Slave Market BrutusFirst floor is surrounded by four walls. The slaves are put in an iron cage, lined up in a row alongside the wall. In the middle, each of them are also lined up in two columns. In the cages where the slaves were, there was a number on it, and in order to advertise each of them (the slaves), the merchant sat in front of the merchandise.

On the second floor, the receptionist tells you the (TL: cage) number of the type of the slaves you wish for, and the customers go to the cage of that number. Naturally, theres no problem to look around for in the other cages besides the one that was directed.

Wall, floor, and roof are made out of stone; with light created by magic, the inside was thoroughly illuminated. Windows that are about 30-centimeters-wide, with wooden slatted shutters that open and close, were all open. Led by guards wearing armor, we who have descended from the second floor were being gazed at curiously by the slaves inside their cages.

Its as spacious as three gyms connected together side by side. In the middle, in order to create a space (for the customer) to take a break, rest chairs were placed there. If those chairs were put away by the guards, then a space for competition would be created instantly.

For the match, the shackles on Xiahs hands and feets were taken off by the guards. She moved 2-3 times to loosen up her muscles.

I also left the gun belt below my hands and shoes that I was wearing to Meiya who was standing near me.

You didnt really have to imitate me and take your shoes off. If you want to, how about as a handicap, you can use that magic device-ish thing? Nah. It would be troublesome if you complain when I win afterward. Or youre letting me use it so you can make an excuse later ?

Xiah made a face full of displeasure.

Fu~n, I pray that your ability is more than that insolent mouth of yours.

She glared at me with a sharp gaze. I returned an indomitable glare.

Lute-sama, please dont over do it. I understand. Meiya, it is too dangerous, so please leave here.

She nodded her head and went some distance away.

A guard acting as a referee stood before us.

Again, to confirm the terms: no magic, no weapon, no blinding (as in damaging the eyes), no kickingon the balls (the crotch), and the opponent who faints or loses the will to fight will lose. Furthermore, if we deem this match to be too dangerous, we will stop it. Are there any questions (problems)? No problem. Neither do I.

With our mutual consent, the guard took some distance and gave us instructions. Distanced about 10 meters, the guard with a volume loud enough to be heard even outside gave us the signal, START!

Xiah and I immediately took our stances.

I set up both my hands close to my chin. She also took a similar posture.

Lute-sama, please do your best!

While listening to Meiyas encouragement, I confronted Xiah.

She tiptoed around me clockwise with a tempo.

_____Fu!

With a sharp step, she released a left-jab kind of punch. Flustered while backing away, barrages of attacks persistently followed me. I drove her away with a jab. Unfortunately, it was dodged with a duck; conversely, a right punch sunk into my body.

Gu!

The damage received wasnt much, because I stepped back, but my movement was stopped. She continued with a left middle kick. I reflexively guarded my side but she flexibly changed the trajectory and the kick hit my cheek.

It cant be a Brazilian kick!?

.!? WOOOoooooooOOOooOOw!!!

I couldnt bear it and my hand touched the floor as I fell. Excited from the fact that an attack went through, the slaves and guards exclaimed to the point of ear-hurting.

Lu, Lute-sama! To say Lute-sama is someone like the worlds national treasure is not an exaggeration! To do something such as kicking, the god will not accept such blasphemy!

Fu~n, only this much. Seems like you are nothing but that impudent mouth of yours.

Xiah ignored Meiyas screams, while gazing down at the guard who fell with cold eyes. I grinded my teeth and got up, and lunged a right-upper that she magnificently dodged backwards. Once again, a distance was created.

I am not underestimating her because she is a woman..but her attacks are very precise. I feel like I will be defeated if I let my guard down.

If I were to be defeated then maybe I cant even ask why she knows the name Tanaka Kouji. My fighting spirit reignited.

Xiah observed me closely. The martial art that she used is not something orthodox in this world.

She took a rhythm with the tips of the toes and steadily dealt damage. If I attacked, she would retreat without doing anything reckless. Completely hit and back awaya polished hand-to-hand combat technique.

However, compared to Master and Gigi-san, the punch was weak. Theres no impact. Having gone through Masters frightening experience first-handedly, this level was not scary at all!

That time, it was my turn to attack!

Fu!

I attacked with a straight left jab! But she stepped back and dodged it.

Furthermore she circled me clockwise with light steps. Ignoring it, I continued to jab at her. Xiah was barely dodging while she measured the timing.

I purposely attacked with a right straight with an exaggerated motion. Matching to that timing, Xiah aimed for a counter. Just like I predicted! We both dodged at the same time.

Distance became zero. I immediately locked both of my hands at Xiahs neck! The posture is known as Muay Thais neck-wrestler.

She lost her tempo because of confusion from first time seeing this move. Seizing that chance, I attacked her side with my right knee.

Gaa!

A painful breath leaked out near my ear. Without loosening the grip, I released a second one! In the same place, I attacked with my right knee.

While grasping painfully, Xiah thrusted me away with both of her hands. Once again, another distance was created between us.

However, the damage on the abdomen seemed serious; breathing roughly, Xiah supported herself with her knee.

UOoOoOoooooooOoo!!!

The guards and the slaves bursted out with cheers.

This time, the position reversed where I was looking down at her instead.

Whether Im just an insolent mouth or not, you understand now, right? You, you, baaastard!

With a painful expression, Xiah tried to stand up. However, the flame inside her eyes has not burned out yet. I as well.

Here I go! Yeah! Come at me, Xiah!

We both shouted out a cry of war and charged at each other from the front.

Both of our war cries and the slaves, including the guards cheers, merged together. Our voices probably reverberated all the way outside. Overcoming the man- and woman-gender distinction, Xiah and I exchanged blows.

The outcome wasdouble knockout. The conclusion of the match was a draw.

Xiah and I shaked hands at my house, where we were isolated from people. On the table in front of me, there were cold drinks on top. She drank it in one breath, then vigorously put the cup back on the table.

At first, I thought you were a weak guy, but you have guts. Truly, it was a good fight. You too, Xiahs fist is really effective. Especially when that left kick hit my face; it was so dangerous. No, no, I should say the same. When we glued to each other and your right knee hit my abdomen, I thought by ribs were broken.

And so, Xiah praises me about the battle. Apparently, shes the type that doesnt hold grudges, as there was no ill feeling after the battle.

The match was double knockout and ended in a draw, however we were able to safely buy Xiah. We went home after creating tons of bruises and injuries.

The wounds were healed by Snows magic. Thanks to that, no matter where youd look, there was not even a single scratch.

As fellows that had traded blows, a strange feeling of solidarity was born. Xiah lowered her head deeply as she sat still on the sofa.

Well then, again, please take care of me, master. While Im still inexperienced, I will work hard to become useful for you. Stop calling me master. Sure, I bought you and Im your master on paper. But arent we comrades who had punched each other with all our might? Call me by my name: Lute. No, even if you say that well then from now on, Ill call you young master. Well if you say so. Take care of me too. Its my pleasure, young master!

Connected by the friendship of fellows who have fought each other, which is not comprehensible to Snow and Chrisse, we shook hands again.

Done with the sportsmanlike conduct, I ask her some questions.

How did she know about me? How does she know the name Tanaka Kouji ?

Thats it, 2 points.

Xiah talked without the coldness she displayed like when she was at [Brutus Slave Market].

Its related to a secret Ive been hiding. Thats why, young master and madams; please dont tell anyone.

She said so beforehand.

You may not believe me but since I was small, I have had this Oracle-like power that let me hear Gods divine message.

But it seems that since this power was only one-sided, God couldnt hear her wish.

Due to that oracle, she knew my name, and if she says Tanaka Kouji, then she would be bought by a fitting master by me for sure, or so she was told. It seems the duel with me was just to confirm whether or not I really was a fitting master for her.

Its an unbelievable story for us . but its a fact that Xiah has been bought by me as a slave. Xiah too was finally being all smiles with joy, because her earnest petition was fulfilled. I thought for sure that she had some kind of connection to Tanaka but

I still had an uncomfortable feeling. But Xiah is not a bad person. I could tell precisely because we traded fists. Also, because weve made the master-servant contract, she couldnt betray me and put me at a disadvantage. So was this discomfort just my imagination?

Not minding my tinge of discomfort, she happily bowed her head with a smile.

I am truly happy to be able to meet a suitable master, thanks to this power. Ill be in your care from now on. Me too, Ill be counting on you.

We stopped the chat then and decided that Xiah would live with us in the house from now on. Her room will be in the first-floor guest room.

I spent the day buying Xiahs clothes, underwear, and accessories.

The next day at the Meiya residence. I had her watch the shooting of the [S&W M10], [AK-47] and [M700P] at the shooting range by the workshop. Because from that day forward, I wanted to have her use them too.

Snow, Chrisse and I each respectively fired the [S&W M10], [M700P] and [AK-47].

Xiah slowly released her hands that had been holding down her pointed ears, she had a surprised look in her face.

To even be able to make something like this I see, the Magic Stone Princess didnt call you her master for nothing. Im going to have you use these too from now on. It is indeed a wonderful magic tool, but I dont know if I can use it well

She said in a reluctant tone.

Xiah, when you were an adventurer, what kind of weapons did you use? I used knives and twin swords. So I dont handle ranged weapons too well. Ugh, twin swords, huh

One of the fake adventurers who tricked me and sold me off as a slave had twin swords. Uuuuh. my trauma.

W-, well, if its you, Xiah, youll be able to handle it with a little practice. Besides, I dont mind equipping you with a knife just in case. Well go to a weapons store later and buy something you like. Thank you very much, young master.

If it came to it, I could even make her a knife myself. There was also the option of having her use one of the special-purpose knives the Russian army uses. Lets try things out when we would have had time afterwards.

I considered researching knives alongside making the tools and accessories. There also were several other things I wanted to make. Also, as for Snow and Xiahs AK-47s, I decided that making them would be practice for Meiya as well.