The Incompetent Bratty Prince is out (6/7 chapters)
Decide to Become a Gladiator
(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
“…Hey, Cas. What do you think about what he just said?” (Harold)
“I think it’s pretty much what it seems…” (Casparleague)
I asked while touching the collar around my neck, and Cas stared at it carefully before responding like that.
Yeah… this is probably something meant to make sure I can’t escape from here, right? The possible options are that if I try to escape, the collar will tighten, or it might send an electric current through me, or maybe even explode? …No, no, surely they wouldn’t do something as extreme as killing me. If that were the case, there’d be no reason to keep me alive like this.
“Ah! Hey, hey, could this be something that prevents me from using mana?” (Harold)
“That’s it.” (Casparleague)
Cas pointed his front paws at me as he answered, and I nodded vigorously.
If that’s the case, it makes sense that Cas couldn’t transform earlier.
“So, it looks like the only thing we can do now is figure out how to get this collar off.” (Harold)
“Right.” (Casparleague)
The crazy guy probably knew we would notice that, so he must have said it so openly. This means the collar probably isn’t something that can be easily removed. Still…
“It doesn’t feel right to just sit here and do nothing.” (Harold)
I put my hands on the collar and pulled with all my might.
“G-give it all you’ve got!” (Casparleague)
Cas cheered me on as I tried to rip it off, straining so hard I thought my veins might burst. But the collar was made of metal, and my physical abilities were capped at the lowest level among all characters, so there was no way I could break it by force.
“Hah… hah…” (Harold)
“It’s no good, huh?” (Casparleague)
Exhausted and collapsed on the floor, I heard Cas’ disappointed voice.
Well, I never thought this would work in the first place, so it’s not a surprise.
“Well, looks like the only thing we can do is figure out how to remove this collar.” (Harold)
I figured the collar might be removable with a key or something. I’d felt a hole when I grabbed it earlier.
“The problem is, how do we get a key?” (Harold)
I don’t have any skills like picking locks with a wire, and there’s no wire around here anyway. It seems like the only way is to take the key from that crazy guy. But…
“Ugh! Without mana, what are we supposed to do?!” (Harold)
I shouted, frustrated, staring at the ceiling and holding my head in my hands.
As the weakest character, there’s no way I could beat that guy who looks like a generic thug, and without mana, I’m practically helpless. Looks like I’m completely stuck…
“Well, well, well. We don’t have to fix everything right now. Let’s keep thinking.” (Casparleague)
“Cas… yeah, you’re right.” (Harold)
I never expected Cas to comfort me like that, but it was true. After that, Cas and I kept brainstorming ways to escape from this cell.
—
“Aah… no use. No matter what we try, it’s impossible.” (Harold)
After thinking with Cas all through the night, we couldn’t find any solutions. Even if we tried to fight, with me being the weakest character, the “incompetent bratty prince”, and Cas, a kitten-like magic beast without any SP, we couldn’t do anything. I also thought about distracting the crazy guy and letting Cas escape, but without any information, it would just end in failure.
“I-I’ll try calling for help! I’ll do it, so please!” (Casparleague)
“No, you can’t. If you do that, you’ll be in danger. I can’t let my partner go through that.” (Harold)
“But…” (Casparleague)
As soon as I denied it, Cas’ shoulders drooped in disappointment. However, he seemed happy about my concern, as his mouth was breaking into a wide grin. He really should learn to keep a better poker face.
“Well, let’s just calm down. They don’t seem like they’ll harm us right away. So, let’s watch and wait.” (Harold)
Yesterday, everything had happened so suddenly that my head was a mess, but after a night of rest, I could think a little more clearly. As expected, we should gather more information before making a decision.
And then…
“Oi, it’s time for food.” (Crazy Guy)
The crazy guy from yesterday brought our meal. It seemed like we weren’t at risk of starving… but…
“You’re not planning to poison this, are you?” (Harold)
“Why would I do that? You’re an important gladiator, and I’m not going let you die so easily before I get my money’s worth.” (Crazy Guy)
“Hm? Gladiator?” (Harold)
“That’s right. From now on, you’re going fight in this colosseum. Until you die.” (Crazy Guy)
I see… so they’re going to make me fight as a gladiator.
“Well, wait! If you make me wear this collar, I won’t be able to use my skills… no, my blessings and gifts!” (Harold)
“Huh? Of course not. If you use your blessings or gifts, it’d be over for you in no time.” (Crazy Guy)
“Whaat?!” (Harold)
It seems these people want us to fight without any skills. Well, in a way, that might make things fairer than deciding fights based on skill levels… but that’s not what’s going on here!
“Stop joking around! Do you seriously think I can fight properly?!” (Harold)
“Oh, I think you can. The audience will love watching you get beaten up and beg for your life.” (Crazy Guy)
The crazy guy patted my shoulder and flashed a crude grin.
—
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