559 Quiet Arena
Once there was nobody else around, I spoke to the guide.
"Can you go on ahead of me and wait outside? I've got some business to attend to. It's gonna take some time, here you go, your bonus. It's your pay for waiting. Sorry about this."
I gave him one silver coin.
"Huh? Eh! Are you sure? I don't mind waiting outside, but not only did you get me this incredible seating position, you even gave so much just to wait... You're simply the best, boss..."
Now he calls me boss. Well, that's fine. The guide seemed apologetic while also seriously looking thankful.
The champion sat quietly behind me while we were chatting.
There should be no way to hide those bulking muscles even with that mantle on.
Yet the guide gave zero reaction to such a bizarre view, like he didn't notice at all. He's not asking either.
"So what is this business about? You can ask me anything if you need my help. I'll do anything if it's within my power."
"Ah, it's no biggie, really. You just gotta wait outside. Ah, right I haven't picked an inn for today yet. You can choose for me. Right, somewhere with good food will do."
"I got you boss. I have four candidates in mind, I'll tell you more later. I hope one is to your liking. Ah, time to go seems like. Well then."
The guide made his way to the exit, now sparse with people.
After a while, the entire stadium is finally devoid of people.
"I will go inform the administrator I want to borrow this arena for personal use. Will you wait here a bit? It won't take long."
Champion left with his mantle on after saying that.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
(Exiting the stage now... is not undoable for me. But he already agreed to my condition and all.)
I put up 'there can be nobody else' as a condition to Balgaranda.
If I can't avoid this event, then I might as well make the fight only between us two.
If there were spectators, my name would spread in this coliseum city.
I wanna avoid that at all cost. Heck, that's the one thing that can't happen.
The ensuing commotion from fighting the champion here will dwarf griffon's.
He might have forced my hands to fight him while there were still spectators left if I didn't put up that condition.
I must squash that possibility no matter how low the probability is.
Any rumor about champion is gonna spread like a wildfire in this city.
His charisma and popularity is definitely far above this arena's capacity.
If some of those people saw me fighting the champion outside the arena, the news would reach every corners of this city before the day's end.
Like setting fire on a dry meadow. It'll turn into a sea of flames and dyed the carpet black in no time.
Alone, I'm powerless to put out such a blaze. Not even with this power of mine.
The guy set up an elaborate trap from the get go in order to fight me.
He did not show that kinda of zeal during his fight against Malvas the challenger. Yet he went out of his way to don that obviously treasured mantle and personally came to me.
Firing all cylinders right off the bat just to negotiate with me. Goes to show just how intrigued he must be about me.
"Hey, sorry for waiting. Wasn't too long I hope? I've got the OK. Let's get on the ring. Let's do this. Ah, and sorry but I've promised the person in charge here that they must be present if I want to borrow the ring. So one person is going to watch us. What do you say? Are you fine with that? We've expelled everyone else. What do you say?"
"Yeah, it's fine. As long as that person can promise they won't speak of me to anyone. So, what's your request?"
I can end this quick with one hit. But I've got a feeling that won't be enough to convince this champion.
Hence, I've decided to play along with him until he's had his fills.
Otherwise, he's gonna keep circling around me forever.
I decided after recalling the smile he flashed that time.