Why did you turn down my offer? a familiar female voice called out to Joshua as he was leaving the waiting room.

Joshua stopped but didnt bother turning his head.

I dont want to play puppet or act on someone elses orders anymore, he said.

The conviction in his voice made Lilith hesitate.

My life belongs to me. No one can get in my way, whether its my father, the Emperor or you.

Lilith boggled at him, shocked. The obvious implication was that he hated upstarts. If she had heard this from any other person, Lilith would be snorting in anger. Coming from Joshua, though, she felt something very different.

When Id heard he left the Agnus Duchy, I thought he was kicked out but maybe he Lilith blinked. She was confident but not the type to show off.

Dont worry about the Lion King. He knows he cant run his mouth when Im around and if he does, I can handle him.

Lilith jumped like a startled rabbit.

Its the same as when I told you about being king. I know how to handle myselfan entire city is not a problem, Joshua assured her. Ill show youno, Ill show themI can do it without resorting to petty tricks.

You

You care about them a lot. I actually feel genuinely envious right now.

Lilith smiled gently, and her mysterious silver eyes sparkled with an innocent light.

Okay. Ill tell you everything I know, including about the Pontiers and the Mercenary King. But before that, answer me this. She stepped closer to Joshua. Can I be your friend?

Friend? Joshua suddenly laughed. Im getting more and more of these friends in this life. How very amusing. Well a friend is fine, as long as its not a wife or soul mate.

Being friends is enough for me. Lilith beamed. Ive never felt like this before. You hurt my prideIll let you go this time, but I still seek a partnership. Her smile turned mischievous. Were friends, but were also business partners. I need something from you. Not collateral, but a token of our deal.

A token? Joshua tilted his head.

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Yes, thats it. Liliths grin stretched from ear to ear as she leaned closer to him.

Soon enough, they were close enough to feel each others breath.

A temporary tent was set up on one side of the colosseum. By the time the Finals were over, there were easily more than a thousand people standing in front of that tent. That is people who bet on Joshua vs. Ulabis. The real gamblers.

The important thing to notice was that most of them looked like theyd given up on life.

Its all gone wrong. Damnit, damnit I didnt think the Prince would lose

Who knew that a 15-year-old kid would win this year?

By the way, do you think hes really fifteen? With how he looks and how he fights, I cant believe it. It doesnt even matter whose child he is, but hes even on par with the Duke Agnus.

Damn, why did this happen? My wife is going to kick me out! I lost a whole years worth of money in this Battle!

Thats what you get for misreading the game. Well, I guess thats fate.

People complained and made noise; the ones who didnt have enough money to make up for what they lost had to swallow their regrets and laugh.

This is fun. How novel. Betting on the underdog is the best way to bet.

You look so happy, Mister. Iceline shook her head at Akshulers happy face.

People should be honest about their feelings. Why dont you tell him how you feel about him now?

Dont mock me. Iceline turned her head, but she was so used to it that her expression didnt change.

Heh By the way A small grin danced on Akshuler lips as he looked out the tent.

A skinny man looked up from where he was working an abacus. Behind him were piles of jewels, pouches of gold, and a variety of other valuables.

Mr. Akshulers winnings are Since you bet 12 times against the odds, your winnings are about 36,000 gold.

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Hah!

The people around him looked envious, but Akshuler was nursing his regrets.

If Id known this would happen, I wouldve dipped way deep into my emergency funds. 3,000 gold multiplied by twelve, but what a shame!

Even when their nets were bursting with fish, people always wanted more. That didnt make Akshuler less deserving of a smack on the head.

Can I pay you in continental coin? If its too much trouble to carry, you can use a Reinhardt-guaranteed note of credit

Akshuler shook his head, cutting the man off. Cash was the best way to get your payout; the feeling of holding all that gold was beyond explanation.

No problem. All in gold.

Oh, okay. I see. In short order, the thin man offered Akshuler a hefty leather patch. Continental coins are 100 gold each. This pouch contains 360 if you care to count

Akshuler weighed the pouch in his hand and grinned. Exactly. Thank you.

The skinny mans poker face broke for a moment, but only just.

Please come again. His taciturn expression was back as he bowed to Akshuler.

Your turn, Iceline.

Akshuler realized everyone had gone silent and looked around, confused. Even Iceline was frozen.

Iceline?

Excuse me. Iceline quietly raised her finger. What was that girls name?

A tall, slender beauty was approaching, accompanied by three men. She stood out. Men were particularly drawn to the curves of her body, but all aspects of the silver-haired, silver-eyed mysterious beauty were jaw-droppingly captivating.

Lilith pushed through the silent crowd toward Akshuler and Iceline. For a moment, she seemed to have a pair of devilish horns poking out of her hair, but then she stopped and smiled familiarly at them.

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We havent seen each other in a long time. Ah, congratulations on taking over the whole continent, Mr. Akshuler!

Akshuler came to his senses and scratched his head. With such beauty

What? The silver-haired woman turned to look at him.

Akshuler looked at Iceline for a moment and then shook his head. No, rather, what brings the best swordswoman on the continent to a place like this? I hope youre here to gamble rather than try something stupid

Well Why wouldnt I come to a place like this?

I know what Lilith Aphrodite is like, and this aint it.

Icelines eyes twitched as the other womans name was revealed. Iceline had been suspicious from the moment she laid eyes on Lilith. Theyd never met, being from different countries, but Lilith was too well-known not to know her name. Whatever field you put her in, she always rose to the top. Even in Avalon, they said she was as beautiful as she was powerful.

This woman Icelines blue eyes gleamed under the hood of her robe. Unlike Iceline, Lilith walked with her face boldly uncovered. Iceline had seen many famous people in Reinhardt, but never a woman her age.

Their eyes met for a moment.

Hmm Lilith looked at Iceline and let out an odd snort, and smiled. Actually Yes. I cant say I dont enjoy gambling, but Im more interested in something else.

Something else?

Lilith nodded. Its my boyfriends victory. Shouldnt I be cheering for him in any way I can?

What?! Iceline reeled.

Boyfriend? Akshuler gaped. Boyfriendyou mean Joshua? The big mercenary struggled to wrap his head around it.

However, it couldnt be Prince Ulabishe was twice as old as Joshua and already married.

It wasnt impossible for Lilith to become Joshuas paramour, but Akshuler just couldnt imagine it. He knew how proud she was.

Iceline stared at her oddly.

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Yes? So what? Lilith pirouetted, basking in the attention she was getting.

The ~~bitch~~ girl was smiling.