《One in a Billion》Ch 135: Well, I hope I don’t end up just like her
Advertisement
I have a Patreon page. If you want to support my work, please visit it. There, you could find six chapters in advance for patrons.
https://www.patreon.com/finlegost
You can find the character concepts here:
https://www.instagram.com/finlergost
*******************
I have left an announcement on my Patr eon regarding the future of the novels I publish. It is open to everyone.
*******************
"That's where my life changed completely. And not because of the change of environment, although I don't deny that surely that also affected me, but because I met her. I couldn't do much in my day-to-day life, considering my condition, but I did have a lot of money to spend..." he says with a nostalgic smile on his face.
"... The empire may have many flaws, but it takes special care of its retired soldiers. So it occurred to me to gamble in the colosseum for fun. One day, I saw a female like I had never seen before in my life. She was the most beautiful living being..." he says, and his eyes begin to moisten again.
"...Her figure and her movements resembled the swaying of a young tree being gently swayed by the wind. But the most beautiful thing was her personality. She was proud and dignified, despite the mockery she received when she fought. Whether it was for being a slave, since she was a member of the reptilian race, or mostly using magic to fight. Believe me..."
As Kaelion describes the female, I sense the affection he still has for her.
"... I had never been interested in matters of the heart before, let alone with people of other races. That's why I can only understand what I felt for her the first day I saw her as a crush. She was very good at fighting..."
After saying those words, the old orc's fists clenched tightly to the stone section of the bleachers where we are sitting.
"... For all I knew, she would probably soon have been sold somewhere to use her high-level meat. That horrified me more and more every day. So I bought her..." he says, and a goofy grin appears on his face, despite his watery eyes.
"...She cost me almost all the money the empire had given me for sacrificing my health for their cause, which would have allowed me to live comfortably for several years. But I have never regretted my decision. After that... it was like a dream...."
As he speaks, more and more tears fall down his face.
He seems to be suffering as he recalls the story, but now that he has begun to speak, he doesn't seem to want anyone to stop him, so I let him continue with his tale.
"... She was incredible. Sometimes she would get mad at me and talk back as if she weren't my slave. I loved those moments because that's precisely what I wanted. A couple relationship, but…. I don't know if she ever really fell in love with me... or if she was just taking advantage of my feelings..."
Advertisement
Frowning slightly, I think about how strange the relationship the old orc is telling me about must have been.
One where you own the person you fell in love with.
How can there be a romantic relationship between two people under these conditions?
It seems impossible to me.
"... But our 'relationship' was precisely what we both wanted. I was with the female I had fallen in love with, and she could continue to climb the ranks in the colosseum without fear of being sold for her flesh."
"I don't understand. Why did she want to fight in the colosseum?" I ask, not understanding why someone in the situation of the female reptilian that the old orc is describing to me would want to continue to put her life in danger on a daily basis.
"Ahh, that's because she had a dream. Essentially, her previous master simply wanted to use her to make some money in the colosseum, but she was incredibly brave and intelligent, and it was she who had manipulated her master from the beginning to get her to fight...." he says as he looks at me with a serious look like I've never seen him before, despite the tears still streaming down his cheeks.
" ... She intended to become champion of the colosseum and talk to the emperor to try to get him to change the situation of all the non-Orc people in the empire. So forgive me for lying to you, but the idea I suggested to you didn't really come to me out of the blue. And forgive me also for using you to try to fulfill the dreams of the love of my life."
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
"You don't have to apologize. I also want to fight and become champion of the colosseum for that reason. But I suppose you already knew that, didn't you?" I say, as I feel uncomfortable as I perceive that I am sorry for the old orc's story.
With all my might, I try to convince myself that this is something I would feel for anyone else and that it has nothing to do with the fact that it is Kaelion who is telling me his story.
"Yes, more or less. But I didn't know how to ask you. You're... very secretive about certain things," the old orc says, pulling out a handkerchief and blowing his nose.
"Yeah, well. It's for your sake... How far did your... Couple? climb in the colosseum ranks?" I ask, trying to change the subject.
"Couple is fine, although I don't know if I should call her that when I'm unsure if she ever felt anything for me..." he says, sighing and wiping away tears.
"... She almost fulfilled her dream, but she was killed when she was in the 15th rank... By the champion himself..." he says, his expressions contracting for a few moments out of ancient anger and resentment.
Advertisement
"... It was a very painful thing to see.... The end of the road to which her dreams had led her. That's why I left the capital and took to wandering the empire. And that is why I began to notice how disgusting and cruel this system of enslavement is. At the end of the day, how can you have a normal relationship with someone that the rest of the world sees as an inferior being to you?"
Kaelion's words echo what I had thought a moment ago, but I prefer not to say anything.
"Ahh, well, I hope I don't end up just like her," I say with a nervous laugh.
'Hmm… Maybe I shouldn't only be worrying about the emperor. I must try to find out what I can about the Colosseum champion.'
'Yeah, I hope so too. I like you, kid. I'd hate to see your life go out..." he says, slapping me on the back.
"... That's why we'd better gather all the information we can about the champion. I don't know much about him since I only saw him fight once. That one time. And the battle lasted only a few moments… but don't worry. I know someone who will be able to help us."
…
After that, Kaelion led me through several corridors of the colosseum to meet a male dark-skinned reptilian.
We eventually arrived at a place that seems to be one of the locations where bets are organized.
Then we entered a place through a passage that remains hidden to the naked eye in one of the corridors of the colosseum, near the location where bets are organized.
A single person sat behind a rickety desk in the small room, which was furnished with a lot of rickety furniture full of papers.
The person is named Gabbro, and from what I could tell with my identification ability, he is a singularity user.
This immediately put me on alert, and for the first time I really regretted the fact that I can't be honest with the old orc, as I can't reveal to him what I know without discovering myself.
The name of the male reptilian singularity is Quantum Prowler, which left me a bit confused for a while by the similarity to the name of my former companion's singularity.
But then I realized that the fact that the singularities’ names are similar doesn't have to mean anything.
Azur made a brief appearance in my head to tell me to watch out for that reptilian.
But when I asked him what he was referring to, he immediately went quiet again.
"... That'ss an interesting sspecimen, old fox.... Couldn't you consider the idea of... sselling him to me?" The reptilian says to Kaelion, referring to me, when we are done explaining the information we want him to gather for us.
"No. The destroyer is not for sale. How could I sell him when he is such a good source of money?" says the old orc, putting a hand on my shoulder to stop me.
But that's not necessary.
Before we came, he told me I'd better keep quiet and pretend as best I can that I'm an obedient slave.
So I'm simply staying in my role.
Even though I find it infuriating the way this reptilian slurs his words when he speaks and the way he leaves sentences hanging in the air for several seconds.
“Ahh, but I ssuppose it all depends on the ssum, right? I offer you... 1000 platinum coins for him..." says Gabbro, pulling a sachet out of his bag and depositing the sachet contents on his desk.
After his action, a large number of platinum coins clink on the wood.
"... Even if he survivess for a few monthss here, it will be hard for you to ssell him as meat... once he gets all mutilated. I, on the other hand, can make use of ssomeone with his abilitiess for a looong time in my.... businesss."
‘So it's true what Kaelion told me about there being organizations operating in the shadow of the Colosseum.’
According to the old orc, slaves make up the majority of these organizations.
They still rely on the protection of their masters to avoid being captured by the empire.
But they maintain a significant level of autonomy within the walls of the colosseum.
"I'm not interested in your business, and I'm not really interested in money, so it's going to be hard for you to change my mind. Even if you offer me ten times that sum..." says the old orc, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
"... So just gather that information we've asked you for. Now I think we can call it a day and end our meeting today."
"That's a pity... Anyway, I guesss I'll ask you again later.... Or not. No one knowss what the future holdss. One day we're walking along peacefully, and... wham… something happenss that changes our livess in the most unsuspected ways... Ssometimes these changes could even be of a permanent nature. And a slave without an owner..." he says with a sinister smile.
"... Haa… Anyway... about the information you asked me for.... Come back in a few dayss... 5… hmm, no… 6 dayss. It's going to take us a while to gather that information. It's been a while ssince anyone has shown any interest in choossing us to look for information on the Champion. That'ss… curiouss. But don't worry; no one will provide you with better information than my family. I jusst hope you can afford it... If not, you might have to pawn ssomething as payment... or ssomeone."
"Don't worry, we'll come prepared..."
Advertisement
- In Serial41 Chapters
Journey On Pokemon Island
Survive in a wilderness filled with mysterious and dangerous beasts? Then why do these beasts resemble Pokemon that he is familiar with in his memories? Edward Johnson signed his name on the agreement and was brought into the island as a pioneer. [That damn yellow rat, I was nearly killed by its lightning strike!][Watch out for that purple ball monster. The toxic gasses it emits can kill you!] The audience watched on as many contestants besieged constantly by wild beasts during the live stream. Still, only Edward led many Pokemon to start a leisurely life. DISCLAIMER:I don't own any character other than my OCs.The cover pic is also not mine.
8 182 - In Serial9 Chapters
Second Chance
What happens when God gives an expert who's reached the 7th mythical stage, Deification, a second chance?
8 173 - In Serial7 Chapters
the City
This is a futuristic novel set in a dystopia metropolis called the City. It's still a work in progress.
8 112 - In Serial15 Chapters
Become Leviathan
A young man struggles to put his life back together after his long-term girlfriend is killed in a mass shooting, but as he discovers more about the life, family history, and mysterious ethos of the shooter, everything, including reality itself, is called into question. A non-linear, multi-perspective, kaleidoscopic novel about the inextricable links between individuals, society, religion, and nature. Content Warnings: mass shootings, gang violence, violence towards animals, drug abuse, abusive relationships (romantic, familial, and interpersonal), various severe mental illnesses, and general suffering. However, please note that these elements are NOT included simply to be edgy--each topic is intended to be handled with respect and contain a genuine discussion of ethics. If you feel I have not treated a given topic with respect, please let me know, as I feel doing so is vital to the heart of the work.
8 201 - In Serial41 Chapters
Hail to the King (RE8 Harem/fanfic)
[I do not own Resident Evil. This is a Y/N insert where you've traveller to the Village to find your missing friend who went missing in the area regardless the local police say about no findings.]This will be a semi-lemon mature action/harem plot, completely Fan-Con for those who love to r34 the lady of the castle, This is clearly a mature novel meant for mature readers so you've been warned my friends. !! Heads up, best read in scrolling mode since i wrote this on my phone !!-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-~ Teaser ~ Y/N had landed himself on the exact coordinates Travis had left behind, the message itself didn't matter but where he stood is where the message was sent from a week or so ago. He listened to the locals babble on the bus ride over about hunters and hikers disappearing in the woods this deep into the mountain scape, those who did make it back where sent to a asylum for uttering such absurdities like lycans and cultists. While bus left him behind, a unscheduled stop for the driver, Y/N sighed and pocketed his phone. Y/N: {Thoughts} Travis... You better be screwing around with some European model cause im gonna be really upset with your dumbass...Y/N peered over a guard rail, a narrow trail in the snow leading off the slope into the woods, a faint red dusted by the fresh white is barely visible through the dead shrubbery. Y/N hops the rail sliding his way down to the trail below, the red he was a scarf lightly buried alongside a few other random odds and ends like mittens and hats but this only told Y/n somes bag must've fallen open or it was tossed off the road. Until stepping forwards something beneath the white sheet tripped, face first into the fluff. He wiped his face looking down into the snow to find something staring back.....
8 153 - In Serial33 Chapters
Marigold; Adventures of Scarlet Lady and Chat
You all know the story. The one about miraculous superheroes, a man who wants his family back, a girl who just wants her crush to notice her, and a boy who so desperately seeks love.Miraculous; Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir. We've all seen the TV show...but what if it DIDN'T happen like that?What if a mistake was made?Marinette was supposed to have the ladybug miraculous. But before she could ever know the secrets it held, the miraculous box was stolen from her. But even as someone new held Tikki and the Ladybug Miraculous, Marinette stands up for what's right.In a strand of the Universe where everything has gone upside down. Where Adrien's in love with Marinette, while Marinette blushes at the thought of a masked Chat, and Chloe holds the power of good luck, anything can happen...but are you willing to find out what?
8 174