[…I haven’t said any kind of falsehood to you.]
[That just now was also a lie.]

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.