Merchant Noble is out (2/3 chapters for today)

 

Gladiator Yulia (1)

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The arena in the capital city of Horimas was filled with a large crowd today. In contrast to the gradually worsening life due to poor harvests and wars, the arena was thriving. People came to watch while spending their limited money to relieve stress. The most popular events were the female gladiator matches.

“Not yet, not yet, not yet!!!” (??)

“Do it, strip her quickly!!!” (??)

Men shout from the audience. Two female gladiators were grappling with each other and tearing at their clothes. One of them took some distance, drew her sword, and attacked. However, the other half-naked gladiator skillfully dodges the attack.

“Seiyaaaa!” (??)

Using the momentum from dodging, she landed a backhand punch. Her opponent collapsed without a sound.

“Winner, Yulia.” (??)

The referee’s voice echoes as the audience praised the victorious gladiator and heaped insults on the defeated one before starting to leave.

“She’s still as strong as ever. She doesn’t even use her sword.” (??)

“I wonder how much I will be able to sell her for when she retires.” (??)

Returning to reality after the enjoyable match, the spectators headed home while chatting about such things. For day-to-day laborers and adventurers, this was the most enjoyable time of the day.

When the gladiator Yulia, who had won the match, returned to the waiting area, the owner was waiting for her with a red face. Yulia sighed, expecting another scolding.

“Yulia! I told you to struggle more and extend the match time. If you end it so quickly, the audience gets bored!” (??)

“I’m sorry. I reacted instinctively.” (Yulia)

“Listen! The men are already satisfied with intense battles and power clashes from the male gladiators. Your job as female gladiators is to entertain the men. Just grapple and sweat with those toned bodies, that’s enough.” (??)

He poured the wine he was holding on Yulia. Remembering how avoiding it previously only made him angrier, Yulia took the wine to the face without dodging.

“Make sure the match lasts at least ten minutes tomorrow. Got it?” (??)

“…Yes.” (Yulia)

Satisfied after his rant, the owner starts to leave the room, but not before casually addressing the defeated Eleme.

“Also, Eleme, it’s been decided that you’ll be put up for auction tomorrow. Pray you get bought by a good owner.” (??)

Not only Eleme, but all the other gladiators in the waiting area, including Yulia , gasp.

Gladiators with poor performance are fired. Since they were slaves, they were put up for auction after being fired. Male gladiators, if lucky, might join the military or become bodyguards for nobles or merchants, but most were bought by large landowners and worked to the bone. Female gladiators, on the other hand, become literal pets for wealthy nobles. While many wealthy buyers were masochists, there were also sadists who want to thoroughly torment strong women. For female gladiators, being fired was akin to a death sentence.

“Eleme…” (Yulia)

Yulia rushed over to Eleme, but Eleme had a surprisingly serene expression on her face.

“It’s okay. I’m relieved. Training and matches without proper meals or sleep, I’m exhausted. But I’ll be saying goodbye to this life tomorrow. From now on, I’ll be pampered as a rich man’s pet.” (Eleme)

Eleme returned to the dormitory with a strained smile.

That night, Yulia found it hard to sleep. Many female gladiator colleagues had been bought before, but she hadn’t heard any good stories. She didn’t know what to say to Eleme. Still, she decided to spend the last night with her.

“Eleme?” (Yulia)

Yulia knocked on Eleme’s door. There was no response. The room was eerily silent, as if no one was there. A bad feeling surged through her body. Taking a deep breath, she entered the room. Eleme was there. Her figure was glowing pale in the moonlight coming in from outside. However, her feet were floating in the air.

Eleme had hanged herself, using her clothes tied to the iron bars.

The next morning, the owner, who had come after being notified, grumbled about the loss and ordered Yulia and the others to bury her. While the male gladiators dug the grave, Yulia cleaned Eleme and stared at her lifeless face. Two years ago, when Yulia was bought by the owner and came to the arena, Eleme was the first to talk to her. They trained together, fought many matches, and during the city festival, they snuck out to watch the military parade. She never thought Eleme would leave so suddenly. If Yulia had lost the match yesterday, if her undefeated streak had ended, would Eleme’s life have been prolonged?

“Yulia, it’s your turn.” (??)

Called by a male gladiator, Yulia hurried to prepare.

“West Gate, Yulia———” (??)

As the gate rose and she entered the arena, a huge cheer erupted. With 12 wins and 0 losses this year, Yulia had become one of the top gladiators of this arena. Her opponent today had 3 wins and 9 losses. If she lost today, the auction would loom over her. She looked desperate even before the match began.

“It’s okay. I am strong, I am strong.” (Yulia)

Yulia kept repeating to herself.

I’m not like Eleme. I won’t lose. I won’t be sold.

Eleme’s dead face stuck in her mind, refusing to fade. She tried desperately to shake it off, but it wouldn’t go away.

One day, I’ll lose. I’m still young now, but when my strength declines, I will definitely lose. When that happens, will I be bought?

Yulia continued to question herself, but the louder cheers from the audience brought her back to reality. Her opponent was now dangerously close. At this rate, she would take a direct hit.

Yulia instinctively stepped forward and closed the distance to where she couldn’t use her sword, thrusting her elbow into her opponent’s chin. Unable to dodge, her opponent stumbled forward, suffering a concussion and collapsing. The match lasted only one minute, undoubtedly the fastest in history.

“Winner, Yulia.” (??)

The referee’s voice echoed, met with boos from the audience.

“Boooo!” (??)

“Show us more, damn it!” (??)

Complaints arose not about the outcome but the incredibly short match time. The audience expected sensuality in female gladiator matches. They needed long, gritty fights to be entertained.

She had done it now.

Returning to the waiting area with heavy steps, as expected, the owner awaited her with a devilish expression.

“You… Didn’t I tell you yesterday? Extend the damn match. What’s this? Going through a rebellious phase even though you’re a slave?” (??)

His voice trembled with anger as he held a whip. Unlike male gladiators, whose physical prowess was the main selling point, female gladiators’ beauty was also a commodity. Yulia had never been whipped before, but it seemed she was about to be.

Yulia was too mentally exhausted to muster any excuse. Ever since earlier, Eleme’s dead face dominated her thoughts, and it wouldn’t leave her. Gradually, Yulia felt as if she was being called to the other side herself. Overwhelmed, Yulia slumped in resignation. Just to endure the pain in front of her, she clenched her teeth and closed her eyes.

At that moment, a young man’s voice suddenly echoed in the room.

“Hey, merchant. Can you sell me that slave?” (A??)

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