I, the Villainous Prince, Buy the Ruined Villainess with Money - Chapter 55-56

Chapter 55: Settlement

A fierce impact sent clouds of dust swirling into the air around them.

Then, after a brief moment of silence… sanity returned to the eyes of Kyle, who stood right in front of me.

Proof that my original recovery magic had worked… This was my only chance.

“…What in the world… who are you?”

“Hey, don’t look away. And listen to what I have to say.”

“…Understood.”

Looks like he wasn’t an idiot after all.

I was relieved—if he had started making a scene here, the whole plan would have been ruined.

“Let me make this quick. You’re being forced to fight, right? And the reason is that they’re holding children hostage, correct?”

“How do you… No, you’re right.”

“We’ve already taken care of the hostages, so you don’t have to worry about them anymore.”

“…That’s really true?”

In that instant, I felt an overwhelming pressure.

For him, that matter was clearly that important.

“I have no reason to lie to you. After all, I’m the one who just brought you back to your senses.”

“…That’s right. I was taken hostage and forced to fight as a gladiator… I was getting tired of it, and the moment I thought that, they made me drink some strange drug…”

“Do you understand the situation now?”

“…What should I do?”

“Keep pretending you’ve lost your mind, beat me up badly, and then when the odds on me go up next, lose to me on purpose.”

Yes—this was the plan for today.

Of course I would also fulfill Yulia’s wish, and for Yulia’s sake, money was needed.

I had already told Yulia to bet the money she was holding on me.

All that remained was for me to win, and everything would be killed with one stone.

“I don’t really understand… but I’ll follow the person who saved me.”

“Deal done. Now the dust is settling. From here on, hit me hard.”

“Ooooh! The dust has cleared… and the two fighters are clashing again!”

“GRAAAAAAAAAA!”

“…!”

“But still, the challenger seems to be completely on the defensive!”

He really wasn’t holding back at all—every part of my body was screaming in pain.

Actually, now that his sanity had returned, his attacks were even stronger than before… If he had been like this from the start, I would have lost normally.

Above all, with everyone watching, I couldn’t use recovery magic right now.

I barely deflected his blows at the very last second, waiting for the right timing.

And then… Yulia raised her hand.

That was the signal that the odds had risen as high as they would go.

“—Here I come.”

“GRAAAAAAAA!”

“Ice Fist.”

“GA!?”

I deflected his right sword and drove my left fist, wrapped in ice, straight into him.

This time he was blown backward… and didn’t get back up.

As the referee started rushing toward Kyle… I moved too.

“Ooooh! An unbelievable upset!? We need to confirm… wh-what are you doing?!”

“That’s my line. What are you holding in your hand?”

“Wh-what are you talking about…”

So this guy was in on it too.

What he was holding was some kind of syringe.

Probably the same thing they used to rob Kyle of his senses.

“Hurry up and count—!”

“AAAAA! Stop it, stop it! That’s my money!”

“I bet on that guy! Hurry the hell up!”

Good—with this much attention on us, he wouldn’t be able to inject anything.

They must have given Kyle an injection during that so-called break earlier too.

“What’s wrong? Count already.”

“Th-that’s…”

“Is that okay with you? If cheating gets exposed here, a riot will break out, you know? This is an important place for making money, isn’t it?”

“…Ten, nine, eight…”

The threat must have worked, because the referee began the count.

And then… it reached zero.

—

Chapter 56: Does This Make It One Stone, Three Birds?

With this, the first stage is cleared.

Now I just have to pray that no one interferes.

The fight ended, and Kaizel was carried away behind the scenes.

When I raised my hand, cheers and curses flew through the air at the same time.

“Damn it!!”

“You lost, you bastard! I should’ve bet on that guy!”

“Hahaha! I made a killing!”

Some people won their bets, others lost. Everyone had different reactions.

When I looked toward the spectator seats, Yulia and Sebas were already gone.

That means I can do things my way now.

The referee said he wanted to guide me, so I followed him toward the exit where the next challenger would come out from.

And then… his attitude changed completely.

“Kukuku… Do you even understand what you’ve done? Now I won’t be able to show my face to that person. You lot, just kill this guy for now.”

A group of men in black clothes came pouring out from the side of the passageway.

Even if they kill me, the result won’t change… but maybe they’re doing this to calm down their employer’s anger.

While that was happening, I kept my hand against the wall and steadily built up my magic power.

“Enough talking. Just come at me already.”

“““Dieeee!!”””

“—That’s what you should do.”

“““Gah………”””

The moment I pressed my hand against the wall, countless ice spears burst out from all over it and wiped out the enemies in an instant.

I had expected this would happen, so I prepared it in advance.

Now that things have come to this, there’s no point in keeping the disguise, so I released the transformation.

“Wh-what… Your Highness Alvis!?”

“How dare you show such insolence toward me, the Second Prince… This crime deserves ten thousand deaths.”

“N-no, that’s not it! We didn’t know!”

“Whether you knew or not, you were involved with illegal drugs… Prepare yourselves.”

After I said that, the man hung his head as if he had given up.

I left the rest to the others and took only the prize money before leaving the arena.

Right after that, I saw the Emperor’s personal Imperial Guard Knights pouring into the arena.

“That was cutting it close.”

“Master!”

“—…(Aaaaaah!! She’s hugging me!!)”

“I was so worried…!”

“Heh, there’s no way I would lose. (I can’t possibly die and leave you behind.)”

“I know that, but still…”

“Ahem. If I may interrupt? A guest is waiting.”

At Sebas’s single comment, Yulia hurriedly let go… and just when it was getting nice!

Still, I got to see her embarrassed face, so I’ll call it a win.

When I walked closer, that man… Kaizel, dropped to one knee.

“Once again, I have heard everything from Sebas-dono and Yulia-dono. Not only did you save the hostages, but you also healed my mind… I am truly grateful.”

“What are you talking about? I only came here to earn some prize money. And while I was at it, I just wanted to smash something that pissed me off.”

At first I thought I’d handle things peacefully, but once I knew he was involved with illegal drugs, the situation changed.

Even if some drugs are legal, drugs in general are forbidden here.

In that case, the best plan was to earn the money first, then get him caught.

“…I see. So you really are the kind of person the two of them described.”

“Fufu, Master is quite shy, you know.”

“Hoho, very young-master-like indeed.”

“If you’re healed, then hurry up and go back to those kids… While my people are still watching to make sure you don’t get taken hostage again.”

“Yes sir. I will repay this kindness someday.”

I’ve already left Yorba in charge of protecting the children who were being held hostage in that back alley.

Once he returns, they probably won’t need protection anymore.

But… even that alone won’t be enough.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

“Take this.”

I tossed him a bag that contained half of the money I had earned.

With that amount, he should be able to take the children somewhere safe.

“This is… But I lost…”

“It’s a thank-you for going along with the fixed match. If you had been normal and serious, even I would have been in danger.”

“You’re too modest. Even in that state… I see, you really aren’t honest, are you?”

“Sh-shut up! Get out of here already!”

“Heh, as you wish.”

Carrying the bag, he left with light, quick steps.

After seeing him off, I turned back around… and the two of them were desperately holding back their laughter.

“S-sorry… hehe.”

“Hoho, pardon me.”

“Tch, let’s go too.”

“Yes, Master— That was wonderful.”

…Wh-what?

Just now, something soft touched my cheek… Wait, that was a kiss on the cheek!

“I-I don’t know if this is enough to thank you, but… Sebas-san said—”

“Sebas! (You damn old man!!)”

“Hoho, no need for thanks.”

I thought earning money while pushing my favorite Yulia would be killing two birds with one stone… but it seems my own happiness got added too, making it one stone, three birds.

With steps as light as Kaizel’s, I left the place.