Chapter 28: A Fool’s Wager
Chapter 28: A Fool’s Wager
High above the blood-soaked arena, inside the gilded isolation of the VIP viewing box, Rael leaned slightly forward. His sharp eyes were fixed on the ring below, watching Renji casually wipe a drop of blood from his cheek before leaping back toward the upper balcony.
Rael’s mind worked in overdrive, breaking down every micro-movement Renji had executed in that split-second decapitation.
Hmm... interesting, Rael analyzed silently, resting his jaw on his folded fingers. It seems only his hand speed and specific upper-body reflexes reached that impossible threshold. There was no surge of mana, no hidden spell matrix, and no system-assisted skill activation. That was pure, unadulterated physical conditioning. How long does a human have to repeat a single motion to reach that speed? Five years? Ten years of relentless, daily repetition just to master one strike? It’s not magic... it’s raw muscle memory. I wonder if there are people back in the real world who trained like him.
Before Rael could ponder further, a light rustle of cloth signaled Renji’s arrival. The sword champion landed soundlessly on the polished marble floor of the balcony, dropping to one knee before his employer.
"It is done, Master," Renji reported, his voice as flat and icy as a frozen lake.
Mayor Rigid threw his head back and let out a boisterous, wheezing laugh, his fat hands clapping against his protruding potbelly. "MUWHAHAHA! That’s what you get for challenging my household! A brainless brute turned to dog food in seconds!"
Mid-gloat, Mayor Rigid caught the cool, disapproving gaze of Saint Solenne sitting nearby. Remembering her holy presence, the Mayor instantly cut his laughter short with a violent cough. He cleared his throat loudly, straightened his velvet doublet, and cleared his expression into one of regal dignity.
"Ehem... yes. As expected of you, Renji," Rigid said smoothly, waving a dismissive hand. "Stand at my side."
Renji rose without a word and took his position as a silent bodyguard behind the Mayor's ornate chair.
Mayor Rigid then turned his small, piggish eyes toward Vhal’zhar, eager to soak in the sight of fear or awe on the stranger's face. He expected the towering warrior to be trembling after witnessing Renji’s terrifying sword speed. But to Rigid’s utter fury, Vhal’zhar wasn't shocked at all. In fact, he looked completely relaxed, leaning back in his chair with an expression of sheer, unadulterated boredom.
That arrogant bastard... Mayor Rigid gritted his teeth, veins pulsing at his temples. Does he really think he stands a chance against Renji? You wish! But... why is he so calm? It doesn't make sense.
Saint Solenne offered a gentle, serene smile, turning her pale eyes toward Vhal'zhar. "Mister Vhal’zhar... seeing that demonstration, do you still believe you can claim victory against him?"
Mayor Rigid’s ears pricked up, straining to catch every word.
Vhal’zhar crossed his massive arms over his chest, letting out a low, gravelly snort of utter disdain. "That mortal is already as good as dead. I will simply show him one of my basic spells, and he will be reduced to ash before he can even reach for his hilt."
Mayor Rigid stared at Vhal’zhar, a sudden realization washing over him. Despite Vhal’zhar’s imposing physique, broad shoulders, and warrior-like posture, the way he spoke exposed his true nature. He’s not a martial fighter... he’s a spellcaster! A mage!
A sinister, greedy glint flamed up in Mayor Rigid’s eyes. A caster in close-quarters combat against an instantaneous quick-draw master like Renji was nothing short of a suicide mission.
"Mister Vhal’zhar," Mayor Rigid chimed in, his tone laced with greasy politeness. "Since you sound so absolutely certain of your triumph... would you perhaps be interested in upscaling our little bet?"
Rael’s ears perked up in the background. Vhal’zhar slowly tilted his head, his eyes locking onto the Mayor. "Hoo? And what, pray tell, are you offering to put on the table?"
Mayor Rigid smiled like a veteran gambler who had just been dealt a winning hand. "How about that ancient, legendary blade I showed you earlier in my vault? And to sweeten the pot... I will even throw in the black-aura katana currently strapped to Renji’s waist."
Renji flinched almost imperceptibly, his grip on his sheath tightening for a fraction of a second. But he quickly relaxed, his supreme confidence in his own blade work washing away any momentary doubt.
Vhal’zhar stroked his chin thoughtfully. "And the condition for this upscaled wager?"
Mayor Rigid’s grin widened, revealing a row of yellowish teeth. "Hihi! A simple one: the duel must be fought strictly without the use of spells or magic of any kind!"
Vhal’zhar narrowed his eyes slightly. "And how do you propose to enforce such a rule? Not because I fear your bodyguard, but I will not have you crying foul and accusing me of using hidden magic when I inevitably strike him down."
"Oh, do not worry about that, Mister Vhal’zhar!" Mayor Rigid chuckled, waving a hand toward the blood-stained sand below. "The Colosseum of Empyrium is fitted with an ancient, grand-tier invisible barrier surrounding the central ring. Once activated, it completely dampens the flow of mana inside the perimeter. Anyone stepping onto that sand becomes incapable of weaving a single spell or channeling magic. So... what do you say?"
Vhal’zhar didn't answer immediately. Instead, he opened a private telepathic channel, sending a thread of magic directly into Rael’s mind.
[Master... what do you think?] Vhal’zhar’s voice echoed in Rael’s head.
Rael gave an almost invisible nod from his seat, a small, cruel smile touching his lips. [Tell me, Vhal’zhar... after watching Renji’s movement just now, do you still think you can beat him without relying on your magic?]
Vhal’zhar let out a silent, arrogant chuckle in Rael’s mind. [Of course, Master. A mere mortal’s physical power is trivial to stomp. He displays the strength of an ant. Even stripped of my magic, I could beat him into the dirt with a wooden stick.]
Rael rested his finger against his chin, his mind immediately calculating how to turn the Mayor’s greed against him.
[Is that so?] Rael replied telepathically. [Then let us squeeze this greedy pig for everything he’s worth. Offer to raise the stakes even higher... tell him you’ll fight his champion armed with nothing but a wooden stick or completely bare-handed.]
Vhal’zhar understood his Master’s intent instantly. Turning his gaze back toward Mayor Rigid, Vhal’zhar let out a deep, echoing laugh that vibrated through the VIP box.
"Hmm... how about this, Mayor?" Vhal’zhar taunted, his tone dripping with supreme arrogance. "I shall accept your anti-magic barrier. In fact, I shall fight your precious champion using nothing more than a simple wooden stick. But in return, I want you to double whatever reward you were planning to offer."
A thick, violent vein bulged on Mayor Rigid’s forehead. His face flushed a dark, angry purple at Vhal’zhar’s sheer insolence. To offer a weapon handicap against Renji the undefeated demon of the colosseum was the ultimate insult.
"If you truly possess such suicidal bravado..." Mayor Rigid spat out, his voice trembling with rage, "then I assure you, I will offer you treasures beyond your wild imagination!"
You’re a dead man walking, you arrogant fool! Rigid cursed furiously in his mind.
Standing beside the Mayor, Renji shifted his gaze toward Vhal’zhar. For the first time, Renji’s cold, emotionless eyes showed a spark of intense scrutiny. Try as he might, Renji couldn't accurately gauge Vhal’zhar’s physical power level. However, Renji vividly remembered their very first encounter at the manor Vhal’zhar was the only person in the room whose eyes had effortlessly tracked the subtle shift of Renji’s hand on his sword.
Renji remained deeply vigilant, but beneath his stoic demeanor, his warrior blood began to boil. He felt an intoxicating urge to test his blade against someone who might actually force him to push his limits.
"However," Mayor Rigid snapped, pulling a rolled sheet of dark, ancient parchment from his coat, "words are cheap. I do not trust a wandering foreigner."
The Mayor unrolled the parchment, revealing glowing, crimson runes etched deep into the leather surface. A faint, oppressive magic radiated from the ink.
"This is a Bind Will contract," Mayor Rigid explained, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. "It is an absolute magic contract bound by soul magic. If either party violates the terms of our bet, their body will suffer unbearable, agonizing pain until their soul is torn apart."
Vhal’zhar glanced at the glowing parchment with indifference. "And you bring this out now? Are you afraid I will break my word when I win?"
"No," Mayor Rigid sneered, finally shedding his polite facade as his filthy, unrestrained desire broke through. He turned his bulging eyes toward Saint Solenne and Vespara, his gaze crawling over them like insects. "Because if you lose, Vhal’zhar, you will be dead. And since you are increasing the rewards on your end, I have yet to declare what I want from yours!"
Mayor Rigid leaned forward, letting out a wet, sickening chuckle. "I want Saint Solenne to sign as your guarantor! If you lose, Vhal’zhar... not only do I claim all your possessions, but Saint Solenne’s freedom and body shall belong to me as well! And of course, if by some impossible miracle you win... you shall have whatever your heart desires!"
Saint Solenne gasped, her face draining of color as she shrank back slightly in her seat. "M-Mayor Rigid...!"
Before panic could take root in her chest, a soft, soothing voice echoed directly inside Saint Solenne’s mind.
[Do not worry, Saint Solenne,] Rael’s sound transmission resonated softly, carrying an aura of absolute, unwavering authority. [Vhal’zhar will not lose. I commanded him to accept this arrangement myself. Trust us... and relax.]
Solenne blinked, turning her head slightly to catch Rael’s calm, confident eyes. Seeing the absolute composure in the young man's face and knowing the godly, incomprehensible power he held a sudden sense of warmth and security washed over her distress. Her hesitation melted away.
She took a soft breath, her expression returning to one of gentle grace as she looked at Mayor Rigid. "Is that so? Then... I shall place my absolute trust in my judgment of Mister Vhal’zhar."
Without another second of doubt, Saint Solenne took a small silver needle, delicately pricked the tip of her index finger, and pressed a single drop of her radiant blood onto the glowing contract parchment.
Mayor Rigid was so consumed by his own sick fantasy that he didn't suspect a thing. He hurriedly pricked his own thumb, slamming his bloody print onto the scroll alongside hers, binding the magical contract in blood and mana.
MUWHEHEHE! Mayor Rigid squealed endlessly in his dark mind, his mouth practically watering as he stared at the signed parchment. It’s sealed! It’s done! Two exquisite, holy beauties both Vespara and the Saint will be mine by nightfall! Muwehehehe!
Little did the Mayor know, he had just signed the death warrant of his own grand ambitions.
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