"Huh...?"
Come on, man.
Wait, come on, woman?
You, the Ephor, the champion of the last Grand Tournament, now want to face off against me, a newcomer from out of town, in the arena?
It feels like a novice who just learned to hold a sword suddenly being asked to challenge the final boss in a game, you could maybe manage by memorizing patterns, but real arena combat is flesh-and-blood struggle.
"You might find it surprising." Augusta seemed to read his thoughts, turning to look at the nearby arena. There, crowds roared, and the clash of weapons was constant. "But in Septimont, gladiators are accustomed to replacing greetings with blades, understanding each other through contests."
A custom that might seem too barbaric in other city-states was simply daily life here.
Hunting and gladiatorial combat, these ran through the lives of the people of Septimont from start to finish.
Moreover, this wasn't Augusta bullying him with her position.
As the Grand Tournament champion, she had faced countless formidable warriors on the sands and encountered many dangerous remnants. Often, a single glance was enough for her to judge whether someone was genuine or just bluffing.
But this young man before her...
Augusta found him somewhat unfathomable.
Somehow, she could sense a kind of "danger" in his frequency.
But what kind of "danger" it was, she couldn't articulate like seemingly calm waters hiding unsettling, turbulent undercurrents.
More importantly, he had once faced the Dark Tide head-on.
"I'm not challenging you to a match as the Ephor, but as Augusta."
As she spoke, she turned around, offering Ray a smile.
"You're from Huanglong. I've also heard that among Huanglong's martial artists, they often befriend each other through combat. That aligns quite well with Septimont's style." She took a step forward, her boot heels tapping lightly on the stone. "Since fate brought us together today, why not spar to our hearts' content in the arena?"
"Don't worry, though it's a friendly match, I'll still give it my all."
Ray: "?"
Shouldn't the last part be "friendship first, competition second; I'll go easy on you"?
How is it "give it my all"?
"This is the first time I've heard of Augusta actively wanting to duel someone since she became Ephor." Iuno was still licking her ice cream, tilting her head to look at him. "Ray, you've hit the jackpot."
It certainly was hitting the jackpot.
"Staying in the Ephor's Palace too long, constantly dealing with those old foxes in the Senate, I've almost forgotten the thrill of the arena." Augusta stretched her arms, joints emitting crisp sounds, her gaze burning as she looked at Ray. "So, will you give it a try?"
Ray's lips moved slightly.
Though the situation's development was unexpected, perhaps influenced by the atmosphere of Capitoline Hill City, he found he didn't dislike the idea of gladiatorial combat, especially after meeting Lupa.
That girl's pure passion for it had made him curious about the sport. He'd even secretly considered signing up for a tournament behind the Second Young Miss's back.
But he hadn't expected...
His first match would be against the Ephor of Septimont, Augusta.
The starting point was far too intense.
Strangely, besides nervousness, what surged in his chest was more an eager excitement.
Since they were going to fight, he might as well challenge the strongest. What was the fun in crushing weaklings?
"Alright." Ray stood up, gently placing the untouched ice cream back into Iuno's hand. When he turned to Augusta, a fighting spirit already burned in his eyes. "Sparring with the Ephor is my honor."
"Huh?" Iuno blinked dazedly. "Wait, you're really going to fight? I thought it was just talk. Augusta, you're the Ephor now."
"Personally entering the arena to duel and with a foreigner at that. Aren't you afraid those old folks in the Senate will gossip?"
"So what?" Augusta showed a hearty smile. "Even our daring Oracle Maiden Iuno isn't afraid of the Senate's old foxes. As Ephor of Septimont, why should I fear them?"
"Besides, gladiatorial combat is the innate right of Septimont's people. No one can deprive us of our freedom to duel. Don't forget, before I wore the Ephor's crown, I was first a gladiator."
"Suit yourself." Iuno took a small bite of her ice cream, mumbling indistinctly. "But Ray is my friend now, so you have to go easy on him. If you hurt him, I'll personally step in to get revenge for him."
Hearing this, Augusta shook her head helplessly. "It seems spending a day together has built quite a friendship between you two. Even an old friend like me has to step aside."
"Hmph, who told him to accompany me all day today?" Iuno puffed out her cheeks, deliberately turning her face away.
"No wonder he praised you as cute."
The words instantly bloomed a wine-drunken crimson on Iuno's face.
Holding the ice cream, she froze in place, even forgetting to lick the melting cream on her tongue.
"W-What nonsense are you suddenly spouting, Augusta?!" The young woman tried to feign composure, but her flickering eyes and slightly trembling fingertips had long betrayed her fluster.
Augusta looked innocently at Ray. "What nonsense? He said it himself."
"You—!"
Iuno glared indignantly at Ray but crumbled the instant she met his awkward smile. She swiftly turned her head, hiding her flushed cheeks in the shadow untouched by light, refusing to speak another word.
Seeing this, Augusta couldn't help but smile softly and shake her head before turning her gaze to Ray.
"As for us? Of course, I don't have as much time as Iuno to wander Capitoline Hill City with you all day, getting to know each other."
"So, let's go."
She extended her hand.
"To the arena. In the crisp sound of clashing blades, let's come to know each other deeply."
...
...
Lupa was off work.
Or rather...
she should have finished training.
The sunset stretched her shadow long, mirroring her current low spirits, the teammate who had partnered with her for just a few months had left again.
This wasn't the first time; she was almost accustomed to such comings and goings.
As the team's absolute core, she had lost count of how many teammates she'd changed.
Though strength could compensate for lineup deficiencies, but...
How much longer would this cycle of farewells continue?
The young woman lifted her head, letting the evening breeze brush her sweat-dampened hair.
"When... will I finally find that partner who can walk beside me to the very end?"
Her murmur dissolved into the twilight, light as a sigh.
Just then, noisy chatter from ahead pulled back her thoughts.
"Did you hear? The Ephor is sparring with someone in the arena!"
"Seriously?"
"Of course it's true! Would I lie to you?"
"Who could duel with the Ephor... could it be Lupa?"
"Not her. Seems like it's a foreigner!"
Lupa abruptly halted her steps, blinking in bewilderment.
The Ephor? A duel? A foreigner?
Could it be...
"Him?"