Seras tilts her head as if she doesnt understand what I meant.

[However, why are they doing such a thing when this final duel is supposed to be staged for the public?]

The final duel would be finished after the popular Blood Champion achieve victory.

Its unmistakably a happy ending.

For the Blood Champion, that is.

However, what about the duel-loving audience they were leaving behind?

[After the popular Blood Champion leaves, the Blood Colosseum would need to find another person that would be popular. Now then If they could just make someone popular overnight, what do you think would be the most effective way to do this?]

[Ah]

It seems that Seras had finally realized what I meant.

[Its exactly as what youre thinking. The person who could kill the popular Blood Champion would have all of her popularity gushing into the next popular person at once.]

This is the best way in turning over towards the new generation.

The management wants to prepare their new hero that would attract the audience

by making use of the popularity of the final duel of a Blood Champion.

[They would probably let those people who werent good at attracting the audience have their freedom after they won their final duel.]

There were indeed some people that have successfully gained their freedom.

Its not zero.

This is really important.

Because, they would be showing to the public that there were a few people that successfully regained their freedom.

This is also where that lie called hope is born.

[However, Eve Speed is the undefeated champion. Shes immensely popular. If they want someone to be more popular than her]

[Almost certainly, the management would have her killed in her last duel so that they could produce the next celebrity.]

[Thats how it is.]

The one who killed Eve Speed.

That guy would probably get called as the Undefeated Slayer.

The next day, he would then be sitting on Eves throne.

Seras still doesnt look convinced.

[However, isnt she really popular among the duel-loving citizens? They were going to the Blood Colosseum to see her victory If its depending on how the public wants, wouldnt they want to see Eve Speeds final victory as she gains her freedom?]

So, thats how Seras views humanity huh

[Unfortunately, youre mistaken about that.]

[What do you mean?]

[The audiences gathered in the Blood Colosseum to see Eve Speed who entertains them. I dont think they would particularly like Eve Speed herself.]

The two may seem similar but theyre completely different.

The Eve Speed that isnt a Blood Champion.

For them, such a person doesnt have any worth for them at all.

[I- I see If you were to think about those duel-loving audiences, it would be exactly as Milord says]

I like the book that the author has written, but that doesnt mean I particularly like the author himself.

An author who doesnt produce any book is worthless.

No one would be interested in him.

The values of most people were something like that.

Separating my body a bit from Seras whose body had been as close as if shes glue towards my body, I changed topics.

[Well, thats not the point.]

Only one thing is important.

[That duke whos part of the management will almost certainly do something in Eves duel tomorrow.]

[That is to say, well be stopping what would happen tomorrow?]

Seras seems to be quite eager.

I think Eve had managed to draw Seras emotions toward her.

[No, I dont have any intention of doing that.]

[Eh?]

I look towards the Blood Colosseum.

[We dont particularly need to wait for tomorrow.]

The sun is about to set.

I could see the appearance of the were-leopard leaving the Blood Colosseum.

[]

I look towards my pocket watch.

She really came out according to the information.

Information we gathered from earlier in the morning.

I had gotten different kinds of information from Seras.

Eve Speed often leaves during this time.

I got this information from one of the guards in the Blood Colosseum.

However, there was a problem.

Can she freely get out the day before her important duel?

Should I go and approach Eve myself?

I was quite concerned about it.

However, is it one of the privileges of being the strongest Blood Champion?

Or is it thanks to the trust she had accumulated?

It seems that she could freely go outside.

Eve isnt heading towards the main street.

It seems that she was heading towards a district where public security is quite poor.

Eve heads into a dark alley.

On the way though, she stops.

Her hand positioned near the sword on her waist.

Her back turned towards us, Eve asks.

[Do you need something from me?]

As I thought, our act of tailing her was exposed.

A dark alley.

Theres no sign of any people around.

Well, this place should be alright.

Slowly, Eve turns towards me.

[Its you.]

[I want to speak to you, Eve-san. Can I have some of your time?]

[I thought Ive already told you that aforementioned rumor about the Witch of Taboos was a lie]

[Thats just a lie, right?]

[What a rude man.]

[Are you indebted towards the Witch of Taboos?]

[No.]

Walking behind me, Seras steps forward.

[That just now was a lie.]

[So thats how it is]

At this instance, my acting stops.

[So youre in debt of gratitude towards the Witch of Taboos huh]

Eves eyes turned sharp.

I immediately understood that her vigilance towards me increased.

[Bastard, who the heck are you?]

[The both of us]

Returning back to my usual expression, I spoke.

[How about we make a deal, Eve Speed?]