Vol 3 Chapter 79 – Criminals【Vol 3 – The Amazon Queen Arc】

“So this is the Amazon town…”

I took in the Amazon town I was entering for the first time. The lifestyle didn’t seem too different from people living in the capital.

Though perhaps because of the warm climate, many people wore light clothing. And most notably different from our normal towns—the gender was all female… no, only females existed here.

“So? What do you think of our town?”

“Let’s see. It’s lively and seems like a good town.”

“That’s nice to hear.”

When I answered Anne-san’s question, Catarina-san chuckled softly. They seemed to love their hometown.

…Should I have complained a bit? I wanted to be scolded. But it truly was lively, and the Amazons all seemed to wear wonderful smiles.

“Whoa!”

“Nothing but beauties!!”

The rough-looking men trapped in the cage behind us clung to the bars excitedly, watching the Amazons. With their brown skin and figures on full display, it must’ve been quite the sight for them.

You rarely saw people this open and carefree outside this town. Though perhaps they were a bit too carefree.

Even receiving the men’s rude stares, none of the women looked disgusted or ran away. …Weren’t they too carefree?

The Amazons also watched us and chatted excitedly with those around them. When our eyes briefly met, one mature Amazon even smiled faintly and waved lightly.

“Well, you’ll all be our entertainment. If you’re strong, you’ll be popular.”

“The arena has lots of strong men! If you guys being sent there polish yourselves through blood and combat, maybe one of the Amazons will take a liking to you!”

Catarina-san chuckled, and Anne-san spoke cheerfully. Ah, I see. They were squealing over the eggs that might become heroes after being thrown into the arena.

Hmm… the Amazons really were different from ordinary people. I felt a bit of a shiver.

“Well, we’re here. Get off.”

As Catarina-san said, the cart had stopped. I got off and looked up at the massive structure towering before me.

“This is our greatest place—the arena!!”

Anne-san explained. Whoa… I couldn’t come up with much commentary and just stood there impressed.

There was such a huge, magnificent arena here. Honestly, I never thought I’d be blessed with an opportunity to fight here, so I was happy.

The men were already being carried into the arena, cage and all.

“Well then. I hope you don’t die pathetically.”

“See you! I have high expectations for you!”

Catarina-san and Anne-san said goodbye and left. I’d love for them to beat me up someday.

With that thought, I followed a man who seemed to be an arena employee.

◆

Walking through the arena, unlike the town outside, there were almost only men. Surprised by the stark difference, we were gathered in a somewhat open area.

Those lined up alongside me were probably people sent here today. And standing to face us were the arena’s operators, or perhaps our seniors.

From among them, one particularly burly man stepped forward.

“Welcome, criminals!”

I’m not a criminal though…

“You all know that anyone who commits a crime in Raat domain gets sent here, right? Then I’ve got nothing to say to you bastards!?”

No, I haven’t committed any crimes, so I’d really like you to explain various things… But it seemed like the type who’d fly into a rage if anyone spoke up.

…When should I interject?

“W-wait a minute!”

While I was thinking about that, someone beat me to it. Damn…! There was another walking the path of masochism besides me…!

When I looked over thinking that, I saw a middle-aged man sweating profusely and trembling nervously. Heh, he seemed to be living quite the masochistic life.

“I didn’t do anything wrong! The knights framed me! So let me out of here!”

What… he’d experienced such wonderful unreasonableness? …In that case, a masochist should be rejoicing, but… it seemed he wasn’t one of my brethren after all.

However, if he’d truly been framed and thrown into this arena, that was a dangerous story. Did the noble ruling this Raat domain approve of this?

“Hmph, can’t do that.”

But his request was flatly rejected.

“Wh-why…!?”

“Listen up. The process doesn’t matter. If you’re sent here, all you can do is fight. And get recognized by those Amazon bitches. There’s no other way out of here.”

“N-no way…!”

The middle-aged man looked shocked and dejected. If forced combat to the death was truly happening here, he didn’t seem likely to survive.

He didn’t look trained… while the stern man talking to him was all muscle. But I see. Even though I didn’t commit any crime, I can’t escape either.

Ugh… such pleasure…!

“Listen! Here, opponents aren’t chosen based on a gladiator’s skill. There’s no training. You’re thrown into battle immediately, and you win and survive. That’s what you do here. Figure out the rest yourselves. Eat, train on your own—whatever. Dismissed!!”

After saying that, the man walked off somewhere. The men who seemed to be in his group also left, grinning.

Well, from their perspective, lots of beatable beginners had arrived, so smiling wasn’t strange. The remaining rookies engaged in various activities.

Some scattered elsewhere, others got into violent fights with those nearby. Hmm… truly befitting criminals…

Now, what should I do? As I stood there pondering…

“Got a minute?”

“Yes?”

When someone called out and I turned around, a man with refined features stood there. Hmm, he didn’t seem to be among the criminals transported in the cage…

Receiving my gaze, he smiled faintly.