Seras tilts her head as if she doesn’t understand what I meant.

[However, why are they doing such a thing when this final duel is supposed to be staged for the public?]

The final duel would be finished after the popular Blood Champion achieve victory.
It’s unmistakably a happy ending.

For the Blood Champion, that is.

However, what about the duel-loving audience they were leaving behind?

[After the popular Blood Champion leaves, the Blood Colosseum would need to find another person that would be popular. Now then… If they could just make someone popular overnight, what do you think would be the most effective way to do this?]
[Ah…]

It seems that Seras had finally realized what I meant.

[It’s exactly as what you’re thinking. The person who could kill the popular Blood Champion would have all of her popularity gushing into the “next popular person” at once.]

This is the best way in turning over towards the new generation.

The management wants to prepare their new hero that would attract the audience…

…by making use of the popularity of the final duel of a Blood Champion.

[They would probably let those people who weren’t good at attracting the audience have their freedom after they won their final duel.]

There were indeed some people  that have successfully gained their freedom.
It’s not zero.
This is really important.
Because, they would be showing to the public that there were a few people that successfully regained their freedom.
This is also where that lie called “hope” is born.

[However, Eve Speed is the undefeated champion. She’s immensely popular. If they want someone to be more popular than her—]
[Almost certainly, the management would have her killed in her last duel… so that they could produce the next celebrity.]
[That’s how it is.]

The one who killed Eve Speed.
That guy would probably get called as the Undefeated Slayer.
The next day, he would then be sitting on Eve’s throne.
Seras still doesn’t look convinced.

[However, isn’t she really popular among the duel-loving citizens? They were going to the Blood Colosseum to see her victory— If it’s depending on how the public wants, wouldn’t they want to see Eve Speed’s final victory as she gains her freedom?]

So, that’s how Seras views humanity huh…

[Unfortunately, you’re mistaken about that.]
[What do you mean…?]
[The audiences gathered in the Blood Colosseum to see “Eve Speed who entertains them”. I don’t think they would particularly like Eve Speed herself.]

The two may seem similar but they’re completely different.
The Eve Speed that isn’t a Blood Champion.
For them, such a person doesn’t have any worth for them at all.

[I- I see… If you were to think about those duel-loving audiences, it would be exactly as Milord says…]

I like the book that the author has written, but that doesn’t mean I particularly like the author himself.

An author who doesn’t produce any book is worthless.
No one would be interested in him.
The values of most people were something like that.
Separating my body a bit from Seras whose body had been as close as if she’s glue towards my body, I changed topics.

[Well, that’s not the point.]

Only one thing is important.

[That duke who’s part of the management will almost certainly do something in Eve’s duel tomorrow.]
[That is to say, we’ll be stopping what would happen tomorrow?]

Seras seems to be quite eager.
I think Eve had managed to draw Seras’ emotions toward her.

[No, I don’t have any intention of doing that.]
[Eh?]

I look towards the Blood Colosseum.

[We don’t particularly need to wait for tomorrow.]

▽

The sun is about to set.

I could see the appearance of the were-leopard leaving the Blood Colosseum.

[………………]

I look towards my pocket watch.
She really came out according to the information.
Information we gathered from earlier in the morning.
I had gotten different kinds of information from Seras.
Eve Speed often leaves during this time.
I got this information from one of the guards in the Blood Colosseum.
However, there was a problem.
Can she freely get out the day before her important duel?
Should I go and approach Eve myself?
I was quite concerned about it.
However, is it one of the privileges of being the strongest Blood Champion?
Or is it thanks to the trust she had accumulated?
It seems that she could freely go outside.

Eve isn’t heading towards the main street.
It seems that she was heading towards a district where public security is quite poor.
Eve heads into a dark alley.
On the way though, she stops.
Her hand positioned near the sword on her waist.
Her back turned towards us, Eve asks.

[Do you need something from me?]

As I thought, our act of tailing her was exposed.
A dark alley.
There’s no sign of any people around.
Well, this place should be alright.
Slowly, Eve turns towards me.

[…It’s you.]
[I want to speak to you, Eve-san. Can I have some of your time?]
[I thought I’ve already told you that aforementioned rumor about the Witch of Taboos was a lie…]
[That’s just a lie, right?]
[…What a rude man.]
[Are you indebted towards the Witch of Taboos?]
[No.]

Walking behind me, Seras steps forward.

[That just now was a lie.]
[So that’s how it is…]

At this instance, my acting stops.

[So you’re in debt of gratitude towards the Witch of Taboos huh…]

Eve’s eyes turned sharp.
I immediately understood that her vigilance towards me increased.

[Bastard, who the heck are you?]
[The both of us—]

Returning back to my usual expression, I spoke.

[How about we make a deal, Eve Speed?]