Chapter 373: Yotsun’s Plea
Heila stood on the floor of the arena, allowing the cheers of the crowd to wash over her like the sound of distant rain as she soaked in the far more intimate feeling of Ashlynn’s magic. She had known that Ashlynn was planning something, but once again, her lady had surprised her with a gesture so deeply touching that she struggled to find the words to respond when she heard Ashlynn’s voice calling out to her to show them what she was truly capable of.
"Though I am small and unworthy," Heila said after a brief pause. Her voice was clear and echoed off the arena walls as she faced Ashlynn and Nyrielle’s figures in High Lady Erna’s private box, showing no sign of the turmoil she felt within her heart. "I dedicate my victory to the Harbinger of Death and the Mother of Trees, long may you rule!"
"Long may you rule!" the crowd echoed, taking up Heila’s resonant cry. "Long may you rule!"
Just as the crowd’s cheers began to subside, a lone, diminutive figure strode out into a private box on the opposite side of the arena from High Lady Erna’s box. Though his hair was slightly out of place and he looked like he hadn’t slept in several days, Yotsun still cut an impressive figure in his elaborately embroidered tunic. Standing with his hand clutching at the collar of his tunic while he puffed out his chest, it was impossible for the audience to miss the heavy golden chain hanging around his neck or the half dozen rings glittering from his fingers as he prepared to address the crowd.
"Willow Witch Heila," Yotsun began, his voice pitched to carry across the arena even if he lacked the strength of sorcery to amplify his words. "I was wrong to think that the Vale of Mists lacked the strength to fight as the Blood Princess did all those years ago," he admitted, lowering his head humbly before the gathered audience.
"You have delivered clear and decisive defeats to everyone who has stood against you," he continued. "Tonight, I’m sure that everyone expects to see your heroism on full display! The Mother of Trees herself has blessed you with the greatest stage ever seen in this arena," he added, bowing in the direction of Ashlynn’s figure in the opposite box. "I’m sure you would not wish to disappoint her."
"But, Lady Heila," Yotsun added as he felt the enthusiasm and excitement of the crowd begin to grow. "My final champions, they are not ordinary men. Before they enter the arena, it isn’t too late. Some injuries are impossible to heal from, even with the support of the Mother of Trees herself. I do not wish to see you maimed," he said.
To the audience perhaps he appeared magnanimous, or perhaps he appeared arrogant and condescending. At the moment, he didn’t care how he appeared. Sweat soaked his brow and if he were to pull his hands away from where they tightly clutched his tunic, he was certain that the wet handprints of his sweat-soaked palms would be clearly visible. This was his last chance, the very last opportunity he had to prevent disaster, and no matter what the people in the crowd thought of him, he had to try.