Vol 3 Chapter 80 – Yuri Valenninikov【Vol 3 – The Amazon Queen Arc】

I was being led along by the man. Was this… a new member welcome (physical)?

Heh… things were looking good. He’d take me somewhere out of sight, where several companions would be waiting to gang up on me. I understood perfectly.

Now, what kind of place would it be!? I followed behind him excitedly, but where we arrived was actually a place with many people.

“This is…?”

“The dining hall. We gladiators eat here. Mind joining me for a chat over a simple meal? Don’t worry, it’s my treat.”

The dining hall…? Would I get beaten up here? Even I thought spilling blood in a dining area was questionable…

“Come, have a seat.”

“Ah, thanks.”

I sat in an empty seat. …I knew there wouldn’t be any beating. I’d grown.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“Ah. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Yuri Valenninikov. I’m being made to work as a gladiator here.”

Being made to—so this man, Yuri-san, didn’t want to be here either. I’d gladly dive in myself.

“How polite. I’m Erik.”

“Erik… I think this country’s Hero had that name…”

“Yes, I was humbly appointed by King Rei.”

When I said that, his eyes widened in surprise. But my name had reached even this arena.

Come to think of it, Anne-san also attacked me after learning who I was… hehe, being sought after by the Amazons was an honor. They’d probably beat me up.

“What? Why is a Hero in a place like this…”

“I was kidnapped…”

“What happened to you…”

Yuri-san looked dumbfounded at my words. I was just struck in the back of the head from behind.

“But I thought so.”

“Thought what?”

Did kidnappings happen frequently?

“Unlike the others, you didn’t have the atmosphere or eyes of a criminal. You weren’t filled with greedy, glittering desire. Those types can’t even have a conversation. That’s why I chose you.”

I see, so that was it. But my inner self was brimming with masochistic desires… though he apparently couldn’t see through that.

“I’m honored you chose me, but I don’t actually live in Raat domain—I was just passing through when I got kidnapped, so I hardly know anything about this territory. I apologize, but if you wanted to hear about recent events in the domain, I probably can’t help.”

“I see… No, that’s fine.”

Yuri-san smiled faintly, though he seemed slightly disappointed.

“I can’t ask you anything, but is there anything you want to ask me? I’ve been here quite a while. I know most things.”

Yuri-san considerately offered. How… that was helpful.

“Then, a fundamental question—what is this place?”

“Right… First, this is within the territory ruled by a noble named Raat. The Amazons built a town there and live in it. This is the Amazons’ greatest entertainment facility.”

“Entertainment facility…?”

Arenas existed in several human countries and towns. So the Amazons weren’t special in that regard… but I never thought I’d get to participate here.

Life was full of surprises.

“Yes, entertainment. You know the racial characteristics of Amazons, right? Female warriors who truly love blood and combat.”

“Yes.”

On the way here, Anne-san had said such things with a smile. Even a friendly, approachable girl like her sought bloody battles—quite shocking.

Though I loved being bloodied.

“People who volunteer or commit appropriate crimes in Raat domain get sent here. Then they engage in bloody battles. Well, you’re the first I’ve seen kidnapped by Amazons and thrown in.”

“I’m flattered.”

“…Is that something to be flattered about?”

I see, so this was equivalent to punishment. Certainly, making criminals kill each other required little effort and delivered heavy punishment.

And I, having done nothing wrong, was thrown in here—such pleasure…!

“If you repeatedly put on matches that the Amazons recognize, you can get out of here. It’s the ultimate goal for gladiators, but… well, only a handful have managed it. Since I arrived, not one person has escaped.”

“My goodness…”

Everyone was dying? Wonderful… the ideal paradise I sought was right here…

“But I must escape from here no matter what. By any means necessary.”

Yuri-san’s eyes seemed to hold strong determination. We’d just met the seniors, but did any of them have such strong obsession with escaping as he did?

To me, they seemed wonderful at bullying the weak… I mean, they seemed resigned. They couldn’t escape anymore, it was hopeless. So they might as well enjoy it.

That’s the impression I got. Setting aside whether that was good or bad, perhaps few people thought like Yuri-san.

“…May I ask why you’re here?”

I asked Yuri-san. He didn’t seem like someone who’d committed a crime and been sent here at all.

Well, I wasn’t very interested, but if this was something he didn’t want touched on, I hoped he’d hurt me in anger. I asked with that thought.

“Let’s see…”

Just as Yuri-san was about to answer.

“Erik! Is there a rookie named Erik!? You’re up already!!”

My name was called. Up already…? It hadn’t even been a few hours since I arrived… how unreasonable.

And I wasn’t even a criminal…

“…If you come back alive, I’ll tell you. So don’t die. People like you who are calm and can hold a conversation are rare.”

“Understood.”

Yuri-san chuckled, and I smiled back. Perhaps having a near-term goal to live for increased one’s survival chances.