"…I have not spoken any falsehood to you."
"That was also a lie."
Eve's gaze pierced Seras.
"What basis do you have for making such a claim?"
"I have basis. In any case, my point should be correct. You yourself understand that well, do you not?"
"…"
Eve let out a low, beast-like growl.
Her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword.
"State your purpose."
"I want to help you."
An atmosphere of incomprehension floated around Eve.
"Help… me?"
"Tomorrow is your final blood fight, right?"
"…That is correct."
"The duke on the operating side is planning something. He is planning to make Eve Speed lose."
"What did you say?"
I told her the information Seras had obtained.
"True or not, why would you help me?"
"The reason is simple. I would be troubled if you died, since you hold information about the Forbidden Witch. Well… if you give me the information before tomorrow's blood fight, that would be different."
I did not understand the principle behind it.
But Eve had sensed that her lies were being seen through.
She understood that handing over false information and leaving this place was impossible.
"Is there evidence that the duke is planning interference?"
"I have no solid evidence."
"Hmm."
Eve sank into thought.
"What is it?"
"I belong to Duke Zuan. Well, if it is that man, it is entirely possible."
Her relationship of trust with her owner seemed thin.
That was a plus.
I thought for a moment and asked,
"Would it be impossible to abandon the final blood fight… kidnap the girl who came to Monroy with you, and escape together?"
A low growl leaked from the back of Eve's throat.
"You… if you lay a hand on that child—"
"Relax, I have no intention of laying a hand on her."
"…"
"I only wanted to let you know that I am aware of your circumstances. Even though you had already saved enough money to buy back your own freedom—you spent two more years earning money to buy back that girl's freedom as well."
Eve's anger gradually subsided.
"I thank you for telling me about the interference. However—"
Eve spoke plainly.
"I cannot run away from tomorrow's blood fight."
There was no wavering in her eyes.
"Even if unfavorable interference is done, I must win tomorrow's blood fight with my own hands and obtain my freedom."
"Why can you not take the option of kidnapping her and escaping? If you tell me the witch's location, we can cooperate with your escape."
"Where would we escape to?"
Resignation could be seen in Eve's eyes.
"Unless I become officially free using the system, that child and I would be chased by Duke Zuan forever. Furthermore, if the Mercenary Guild, which also operates the blood arena, gets involved, mercenaries across the continent would start targeting us for the bounty. No matter where we flee, we would live every day being pursued."
A sorrowful light seeped into Eve's eyes.
"If it were only me, I would not mind. But I do not want to force that harsh life of constant flight on that child. I have had enough of days spent only running away."
Even so, if she challenged the blood fight as things stood, the probability of death was high.
"What if I said there is a good hiding place?"
There was a slight pause before her reply.
Eve asked back.
"…Where?"
"You might know it better than I do."
"?"
"The home of the Forbidden Witch."
"…"
"You know the witch's location, right? You could ask her to hide you there."
"So you are saying to take us to the witch."
"Well, that is the idea."
"Hmph."
Eve snorted with a bitter smile.
"Even if I did know the witch's location, reaching it would be impossible."
"Why?"
"No one can reach the depths of the demon zone. I already told you. That is not a place people can step into."
"…"
Just now Eve had said "depths."
It was a word that would not come from someone who did not know the location…
"If we accompany you, we might be able to reach it. I promise to protect that girl with all my strength. How about it? Will you not take a gamble on that?"
Eve narrowed her eyes and glanced at Seras.
"That swordswoman over there seems to have training in martial arts, but your stance shows no sign of someone who possesses technique. Even if I were to go along with that plan… are you saying the two of you, a non-combatant pair, would be protected by me and that swordswoman while we advance through the demon zone? That is reckless. Entering the demon zone while carrying two non-combatants is practically suicide."
Seras started to say something.
But I held her back with my hand.
"I do have some knowledge of sorcery, you know? I have enough power to easily defeat a Skeleton King, for example."
I named a monster that was apparently famous and strong.
"Skeleton King… that is certainly a ferocious monster, but it cannot be compared to the monsters that live deeper in the demon zone."
"Then—"
So there were definitely monsters stronger than that.
"What if I told you that I am the one who killed the Five Dragon Warriors of the Black Dragon Knights?"
I played that card while accepting some risk.