Chapter 98
[…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 .
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[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 .
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[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 . ]
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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 .