Chapter 50: My Name Is…
A slender girl stepped into the arena.
She wore a blood-red evening gown, adorned with flamboyant decorations, looking more like she was attending a picnic than a duel.
Her short black hair was slightly curled, a single, tragically beautiful red spider lily tucked behind her ear. Her dove-like eyes were still and lifeless. Her beautiful face was undoubtedly a gift from the heavens, but at the cost of a frail body.
She was incredibly thin…
Malnutrition had resulted in a pale complexion, her emaciated frame seemingly ready to be blown away by a gust of wind.
She was like a dove with broken wings, circling and falling within the arena, pure and beautiful, helpless and pitiful…
And her opponent was Taylan, the undefeated champion with 311 consecutive victories.
Taylan showed no mercy to challengers.
“Fight, embrace the ultimate pain, and die with glory.”
Taylan extended his hand, his thick, bandaged fingers slowly tapping his chest.
This was the gesture he made before every deathmatch, and even facing such a frail girl, he still showed her the warrior’s highest honor—respect.
“Will my death please Master?”
The black-haired girl adjusted the black suit jacket that was slipping off her shoulders, revealing the blood-red dress beneath. Her slender, bare legs were exposed to the dust and grit of the arena, fragile and vulnerable.
Her voice was soft, just like her 1.6-meter stature compared to Taylan’s 2.4 meters.
Lena could easily lift her with one hand, snapping her slender leg with a slight squeeze…
“What do you think her chances are?”
“Asking me?”
Jonathan was dumbfounded.
Weren’t the odds obvious? How could a novice girl defeat a seasoned veteran with over three hundred consecutive victories?
From the beginning, the odds were overwhelmingly in Taylan’s favor. No one believed the challenger could win.
But he only dared to think these words. Jonathan could see how much attention Lena was paying to the girl, so he asked cautiously, “Do you know her?”
If she was an acquaintance, or even a lover, and Taylan accidentally killed her, their entire arena would be in trouble.
Fortunately, Lena shrugged indifferently. “I don’t know her.”
Indeed, she didn’t. Lena didn’t have the habit of remembering every face, and she had no impression of this fledgling dove who had wandered into the arena.
“Personally, I don’t think she can win.”
Jonathan stated the obvious.
He was incredibly nervous making this judgment.
It meant the arena would disregard Lena’s identity and proceed with the match fairly.
Lena smiled, sinking into the leather sofa. “I agree, but let’s watch. There might be a surprise.”
Clang—
The bell rang, and the game began.
Taylan didn’t attack, but instead stood still, waiting.
He stood there, firm as a mountain, motionless.
One minute passed…
Two minutes passed…
The gamblers in the stands grew restless. They wanted to see a real fight between men, a clash of blood and passion. Could someone tell them how this little chick had gotten in here?!
Drink containers rained down into the arena.
The gamblers vented their frustration, more and more joining the protest, the situation spiraling out of control…
Jonathan seemed to realize something, staring at the two figures in the arena in disbelief. “She…”
“He’s dead,” Lena answered for him.
Yes, Taylan was dead, a small hole the size of a fingernail in his heart, and no one had seen when it happened…
In the blink of an eye, the man was still standing, his finger still pointing at his left chest, performing his unfinished ritual.
“How did she do that?!” Jonathan exclaimed.
“I think it must be some special weapon, hidden in her skirt, her hair, her suit pocket, or even inside her body. You know the Frontier Outpost specializes in small, concealed, high-powered magic weapons. Achieving a surprise attack isn’t difficult…”
Lena was also curious about the girl. She wanted to know how she had managed to instantly kill a high-level champion.
Besides the hero, no one could achieve such a feat. Could it be…
She was hiding her strength?
“If possible, I’d like to meet her,” Lena said.
“The arena always keeps the challengers’ identities confidential, I’m afraid…” Jonathan feigned difficulty.
“In that case, I’ll just take back my initial investment. As for this bet, consider it a gift, Mister Jonathan. Is that acceptable?”
Lena offered a deal Jonathan couldn’t refuse.
A force compelled Lena to find this girl. It was important. If she let her escape, she would definitely regret it…
…
The game ended.
Lena met the girl in the blood-red evening gown backstage. She was truly thin, like a stick figure, her malnourished appearance suggesting a possibly congenital condition.
“Hello, my name is Lena.”
“Greetings, Master, how can I help you…?”
Her voice was soft and carried a regional accent, as if she had to strain to speak louder.
“Have I offended you, Master? I’ll leave immediately…”
She addressed Lena as “Master,” likely a regional custom.
Lena didn’t know her nationality, but she wasn’t from Almeria.
Lena suddenly remembered that Ling Ling had also wanted to call her Master. Could there be a connection between them?
Ah!
Ling Ling’s homeland!!
Lena excitedly grabbed the girl’s hand, her eyes scrutinizing. “What’s your name, where do you live, why did you participate in the arena, how did you manage to kill him with one blow…?”
Countless questions poured out.
Her abrupt actions made the girl even paler, a faint, unhealthy blush appearing on her cheeks.
“Master, your hand…”
“I’m sorry, this news is too important to me, I couldn’t control my excitement, please forgive me.” Lena released the girl’s hand, apologizing.
She softened her tone, afraid of scaring this fledgling dove.
“My name is Mines, Master…” The girl wasn’t intimidated by Lena’s status, answering honestly.
“Mines.”
Lena repeated the familiar name, unable to recall who it was.
Her memories were too distant; she only remembered people relevant to her, or those involved in major events.
“My home… is gone… Because my younger siblings need money, I had no choice but to… Master, have I committed a crime?”
Mines’s bloodshot eyes trembled, her voice filled with pleading.
She knew she couldn’t be caught by the imperial soldiers. Her younger siblings were still young and needed her care. The person before her, although possibly having ulterior motives, might be able to help her improve her current situation.
Weighing the pros and cons, Mines took a gamble.
“Master, please look…”
The girl with short, curly black hair walked unsteadily, removing her suit jacket.
Her back was covered in reddish-brown scars, her small body emaciated from long-term hunger, her slightly protruding shoulder blades like a pair of invisible wings, moving rhythmically with her arms…
“Master, given your noble status, can you please prevent the soldiers from arresting me?”
In the empty hallway, the scantily clad girl embraced the gray-haired woman, her arms gently wrapping around Lena’s waist, her fingers carefully avoiding Lena’s clothes.
“I’ll do anything, including what you desire the most…”
She whispered softly.
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