Chapter Prologue (ch1-2)

It was a dark basement . This space where the suns rays shone in from a small overhead windows were finely punctuated by cells lined up in rows .

In this prison-like cell I laid down to rest .

I was only laying down, not sleeping .

It was because of a certain noise I wasnt able to sleep .

It was a noisy girl, it wouldnt have killed her to do it more quietly .

The sound I heard was a female voice, I can hear the sweet voice, appealing, by offering flattery perhaps, to gain some pleasure .

Here is where as usual, the wardens perused the goods they liked for themselves .

Nobody cared, and even if they do nobody would lift a finger .

I quickly threw the threadbare blanketthe flea-ridden piece of cloth on myself .

Before long the voices faded, and silence returned .

It wont be long until sunrise now, but I should get as much sleep as I can .

I closed my eyes, enjoying what short rest I can before dawn .

I came here before I was aware of what was going on .

When I realized it I was already here, I dont know where I was before I came here, nor did I know how I got here .

I myself said that my age was 13 or 14, but still, I dont know what it is exactly . As far as I could hear from the people who brought me up, they said I might have been sold by my parents, or maybe kidnapped by some robbers .

What this place here is can be clearly explained .

This was a place where boys and girls are gathered, and the perverted guests enjoy themselves by embracing them or making them kill each other .

I awoke to the coarse ringing sound of a bell and jumped to my feet .

The only thing I need to prepare was my own body .

Today is another day where I would have to battle for my life .

I left the small room, went to the mess room to fill myself with soup that looked like vomit, and awaited my orders .

Finny, your guest is waiting upstairs so you hurry up and get a bath!

Dora! Youre accompanying the ladies! Youre allowed to receive money . Dont let them hit you for free! TN:

Aegir! Youll be fighting . Hurry up and pick a weapon!

The warden yelled and the kids gathered here dispersed .

This Aegir was me, it was a name that came out of some legend .

I got this name in a previous fight where I cut my opponent right in half from the top of his head to his crotch .

I dont quite catch the others names, not that Ill remember them .

At any rate, they all soon die so remembering them is pointless .

The expression of the man Ill be fightingthough I call him a man he is only a boy not even 15 years old changed when he was designated as my opponent .

The fight is in short, a match to the death, viewed by the guests .

The guests bet money, yell out cheers, and in the end enjoyed the gruesome spectacle .

There were not only one-on-one fights, but also off-color fights like fights against animals, or one-sidedly tormenting and killing little girls .

The reason why my opponents expression changed was me .

Unlike the others, I am seldom taken by the guests .

I am muscular and Im not short, not the type that the child-ravishing perverts like .

I dont have the manners and charm to keep the female guests company, either .

My job in this place is to fight, and when it comes to fighting, defeat means death .

The fights I have survived in this place numbered 100 battles and then some .

They took off my manacles and fetters and sent me off to fight .

The weapon in my hand is a greatsword familiar to me .

It was a two-handed double-edged sword, 1 . 2 meters long and probably over 10 kg in weight .

It looked clearly unsuitable for me who doesnt even reach 160 cm in height, but this blood-and-oil ridden sword with chipped blades is how I survived until now .

My opponents weapon is a 60 cm long one-handed sword and a round leather shield .

Judging from how he took a stance and did trial swings with his sword, it wasnt his first time holding a sword .

However .

Youve picked the wrong equipment, I muttered in my head .

There is no way a leather shield can defend against my two-handed sword .

His only chance to win was to land a blow by jumping onto my chest .

Shields would only hinder his movements and vision .

Of course I didnt say that out loud .

The opponent is making it easier for me to kill him out of his own free will, after all .

The place is called the Great Hall, though no more than 20 people could go in at once .

In the middle of it there was an [arena] surrounded by iron fence .

Surrounding it, 10-odd chairs were laid down for the guests who were raising their voices, cheering and jeering .

Among them there are wardens wielding armor and spears, and the owner of this place, a porcine-looking fat man .

With him around then there must be a VIP among the guests .

That was the case every time that pig does anything besides raping girls, eating, drinking, or counting money .

Thats got nothing to do with me, though .

The pig was talking about how strong I am and how my opponent was going to face me .

He was exaggerating things, but with this the stakes are raised, so I can smile at that .

I simply faced my opponent .

There was nothing difficult about it .

If I win I can look forward to a tomorrow where I can eat as much as I like .

If I lose, then Ill die here, thats all .

I took a stance with my left foot forward and my sword resting on my right shoulder .

My opponent also braced with his shield and pointed the sword on his open side at me .

Well then, let the fight begin .

Will I kill, or will I be killed, we wont know until its over .

The betting rounds closed at last and the great hall felt like it became prickling