Chapter 98

[…I haven’t said any kind of falsehood to you . ]

Eve’s gaze shoots towards Seras .

[On what grounds do you have to make such a decision?]

[There’s a basis for my decision . At any rate, I’m just here to point it out . Besides, isn’t that something you understand yourself?]

[………… . . ]

Eve leaked out a beast-like low growl .

Her hand is now grasping the sword on her waist .

[State your purpose . ]

[We want to help you . ]

Eve looks like she doesn’t understand why I said that .

[You, helping me… is it?]

[Tomorrow is your final duel, right?]

[…Yeah . ]

[One of the dukes who were part of the management were planning to do something . Something that would secure Eve Speed’s defeat . ]

[What?]

I gave her the information that Seras had found .

[Whether it’s the truth or not, why are you helping me?]

[My reason is simple . It would be troubling if the person who holds the information about the Witch of Taboos, you died . Well… It would have been different if you had given me the information before your duel tomorrow . ]

She doesn’t know what’s the basis of our words .

However, Eve could already guess that her lie was revealed .

She understands that it’s impossible to leave this place without knowing about this information .

[Do you have any evidence that the Duke would really be doing something?]

[I don’t have any definite information . ]

[Fumu…]

Eve started pondering .

[What’s wrong?]

[I’m the property of Duke Zuan . Well, I suppose he’d really do that if it’s that guy . ]

It seems that she hardly trusts her owner .

This should be a plus, right?

I thought for a bit and asked .

[Before this final duel would happen… Can’t you just carry off that little girl away from Monroy and escape together with her?]

A low growl leaked out from Eve’s mouth .

[You bastard… If you ever try to touch that child—]

[Don’t worry, I won’t touch her . ]

[……… . . ]

[I just wanted to tell you that I know your situation . That you had saved up money to buy your own freedom— and you had to fight for two more years just to buy the freedom of that little girl . ]

Eve’s anger subsides .

[I’m thankful that you’ve told me about what he’s planning earlier . However—]

Eve simply said .

[I can’t escape from tomorrow’s duel . ]

There’s no hint of hesitation in her eyes .

[Even if they were to do something tomorrow, I will have to win tomorrow’s duel and get my freedom with my own two hands . ]

[Why won’t you accept my idea of escaping out of here? If you could just tell us where the witch is, we could even help you escape . ]

[And, where should we escape?]

Eve asked as if she had already given up .

[If we don’t use the system of officially formalizing our freedom, Duke Zuan would continuously chase after me and that little girl . Furthermore, with the influence of the Mercenary Guild who manages the Blood Colosseum, the mercenaries from all around the continent would aim at the bounty on our heads . No matter where we escape, we would be chased every single day . ]

Eve’s eyes were filled with sorrow .

[I don’t mind if it were just me alone . However, I don’t want that child to have such a life where she would have to keep escaping . I’ve already had enough of those days where I had to escape . ]

However, there’s a high probability that she would die in this duel .

[What if there’s a good place to hide?]

It took a while before she replied .

Eve asked back .

[…And where would that be?]

[I think you should know more about that place . ]

[Huh?]

[It’s where the Witch of Taboos live . ]

[……………]

[You know the whereabouts of the witch, right? You can take shelter in that place . ]

[Therefore, that’s why you want me to take her to the witch?]

[Well, that’s what I’m saying . ]

[Fumu…]

Eve snorted .

[Even if I know where that witch lives, it would still be impossible to get into that place . ]

[Why?]

[Nobody could get through the inner area of the Demon Zone . I should have already said it to you before . That place is not just somewhere people could randomly step into . ]

Just now, Eve had said “inner area” .

Words that would unlikely appear unless she really knows her whereabouts…

[It’s possible to reach that place if you come with us . I promise that we would protect that child with all we have . How about that? Won’t you take a bet and go into that place?]

Eve squints and turns toward Seras .

[That swordswoman over there seems to be quite skilled in martial arts, but I don’t see any hint of technique based on your posture . Even if I were to follow your plan… Are you planning on having me and that swordswoman protect you and the child while we pass through the Demon Zone . That’s unreasonable . Entering the Demon Zone together with two non-combatants is basically suicide . ]

Seras is about to say something .

However, I held out my hand and stopped her .

[Did you take into account my skills in magic? I have enough power to easily defeat a Skeleton King once, you know . ]

I mentioned a monster famous for its strength .

[A Skeleton King huh… If I remember correctly, that’s an atrocious monster . However, it’s incomparable to the monsters that lies within the Demon Zone . ]

[Then—]

Should I mention a monster more monstrous than that?

[What if I say— I’m the one who killed the Black Dragon Knights and the Five Dragon Warriors?]

Prepared with the risk that I might face, I held out one of my hidden cards .