Vol 2 Chapter 6 (1/2)

Chapter 6: Those Who Carry the Brand

Part 1

The day of the final match. It had been all the talk since morning.

The Gladiator’s Guild had announced the pairings. Orba and Pas.h.i.+r would not directly confront. That was the one thing the people found most regrettable.

“When it comes to speed, then it has to be Orba. Pas.h.i.+r’s slow as an ox. Honestly, if those two duked it out, the battle would be settled in an instant.”

“That’s not true, Pas.h.i.+r doesn’t make any useless movements. He’s different from Orba who continually moves around. Those little clever tactics of Orba’s won’t work against him. If the fight is drawn out even a little, Orba would run out of stamina and be at an overwhelming disadvantage.”

At the street corners, in front of food stalls, within party venues, people argued back and forth about the gladiator match. This wasn’t limited only to the citizens of Solon, but also included the n.o.bles. They would engage in heated debates over who would survive, betting horses, unusual paintings, or even ten slave girls, busying themselves in wagers that flaunted their status.

Amongst the heated debates posed the question that, supposing Orba and Pas.h.i.+r expectantly survived, which of them would receive the honour as the dragon-slaying hero Clovis?

“If it were His Imperial Majesty,” one such n.o.ble suddenly spoke with a pompous air, “I believe he would likely want Orba to inherit the t.i.tle of Clovis. After all, he is the hero who defeated Ryucown. If he were to win this and the image of him being a former slave stamped out, it goes without saying he will have earned the t.i.tle of corporal or captain. He might even be given the whole Solon garrison company!”

And as the time approached the evening juncture that held the deciding match, the emperor himself made his appearance, as to personally hand over the golden helmet to the victor. The Imperial Guards and slaves that accompanied the emperor, totalling roughly some thirty men, occupied the upper half of the grandstand.

The figures of the imperial princess Ineli and her friends, as well as Garbera’s princess, Vileena, and her head maid, Theresia, were also present.

In the grand stadium, several battles were taking place. Once a pair finished, another pair would be sent in to fill the vacant spot, and so these battles went on without end. However, as the strength of the blazing sun waned, the vacant seats throughout the stadium began to slowly stand out.

By evening, the final battle ended. The sounds of the gladiators and their clas.h.i.+ng weapons below suddenly came to a dead silence, and conversely, the enthusiasm of the crowd knew no end as their roars resounded like a tidal wave.

After a short intermission that held them further in suspense, the four swordsmen who fought fiercely through their battles and won made their appearance, each armed with a weapon of their choosing. One carried a long spear, another stood ready with a battle axe, and Orba carried his usual longsword.

So it’s finally time.

Orba murmured to himself, resting his sword on the back of his shoulders. He may have thrown himself into the gladiator ring, but it wasn’t as if he wanted to, and it was now finally coming to an end. Next would be to use what he heard from Pas.h.i.+r about the plan to corner Noue and Oubary and obstruct the scheme Zaat was a.s.sisting them in.

Right now, they were likely watching the scene unfold from above, enjoying the spectacle of the slaves killing one another from their safe haven.

Once I end ‘this’, you guys are next.

He was fired up, different from how he usually was.

The orator called out their four names, and then saluted the emperor. The four men also did the same, and the emperor lowered his chin to face them. At the same time, one of the accompanying Imperial Guards presented to him the golden helmet with both his hands. A pair of wings were attached on the left and right, the mark of the hero Clovis.

That was the signal to start. The ground shook as the arena erupted in pandemonium and the battles began.

Orba’s opponent was a giant exceeding two metres in height. To add to that, he wielded a long spear. With a difference in reach that made him hesitant to take even a single step forward, Orba was quickly cornered. Not to mention, he had sustained injuries from his battle with Gash.

Before the end of the third thrust, Orba had fallen backwards. The arena went into a stir. The giant thrust his spear down. Orba rolled sideways towards the giant’s flank, and jumping upwards, slashed at him. Blood gushed out from the giant’s neck the moment Orba’s feet touched the ground. Orba’s single slash was well-aimed and cut open his opponent’s artery.

The giant crashed onto the ground. And in little time, Pas.h.i.+r settled his match as well. His victory was more clear cut. Just when he appeared to put some distance between himself and the axe-wielding man, he flung his sword over his shoulders and threw it with all his might. The sword hit spot-on and pierced the enemy’s heart.

Silence dawned on the five thousand spectators for a brief moment. Not even a minute had pa.s.sed since the battles began. Her hands wrapped in prayer, Vileena exclaimed a breath of relief.

“It seems they weren’t a match,” the emperor, Guhl Mephius, muttered absentmindedly. He blinked his eyes with unmistakable signs of boredom and spoke to his wife seated beside him.

“Neither were fit to be their opponents. What do you think, Melissa? Don’t you want to see a battle between real men?”

The empress replied in modest moderation, a manner befitting her age and betraying her appearance. “Yes, I would,” she a.s.sented in honesty. The emperor lowered his chin.

“It would be upsetting to have it end like this. Pas.h.i.+r and Orba; these two shall now contest. Until the match ends in victory or defeat, the handing over of Clovis’ helmet will be put on hold.”

Those seated in the surroundings all looked up at the emperor in shock.

On hearing this, the arena rose into a commotion, and soon roused in agreement. They were also not satisfied with the amount of bloodshed, and most of all, wanted to know which of them was truly stronger.

What?!

At the shock of the sudden turn of events, Orba instinctively glared up at the emperor. The sword in his hand smelled immensely of blood. And now he would have to stain it with even more blood. The blood of none other than Pas.h.i.+r. The muscles on his arm throbbed.

On the other side,

“Please wait, your majesty,” Simon said as he stood up. “This differs from our annual custom. There exists no other reason for this tournament than to single out the select two swordsmen.”

“Do not fret over the details, Simon.” The emperor pointed towards the ring. “Honestly, I am unable to determine which of the two is more suited to inherit the t.i.tle of Clovis. To have them fight and hand the golden helmet over to the winner—there’s no method more decisive than this. Should the loser die, we can have the Guild choose someone fit to act out his aide, Felipe.”

Seated beside Simon, who now stood speechless, Fedom was panting heavily. Each time he was about to get up and suggest a proposition, he would find himself slumping backwards onto his chair on reconsideration. The emperor grew more and more self-righteous each pa.s.sing day. He was like a naked blade that would cut Fedom to pieces if he did not tread carefully.

“Orba and Pas.h.i.+r! Both of you, return to the front of the gates!” A soldier commanded them.

“Tch.”

Orba spat out. His insides felt like they were on fire.

It’s always like this. They control people’s lives and fates without a second thought.

“Hah, that was a something to see.”

Pas.h.i.+r said. By ‘something to see’, he likely meant the act of him spitting out through his mask. Pas.h.i.+r wasn’t the least daunted at how things ended up.

“Are you going to listen them?”

“The emperor said it. No one can go against that. You’d best ready yourself.”

Saying this, Pas.h.i.+r turned his back to Orba. His branded back heaved up and down. Orba called him to a stop in a hurry.

“Wait, Pas.h.i.+r.”

“I may be the leader of the rebellion for the time being, but it can’t be stopped even if someone tries to put a dent on it. So don’t hold yourself back. Let’s fight to kill to our heart’s content. This’ll be our final gladiator match.”

“Pas.h.i.+r.”

A stadium slave ran up to Pas.h.i.+r and interrupted them, and while wiping away his sweat and pretending to look after him, spoke in a low voice.

“What if you two put up an act? Orba is popular amongst the citizens. It should be fine if you fight normally and then have Orba drop his sword in surrender to you. The people should spare Orba’s life.”

“That won’t work,” Pas.h.i.+r shook his head, “The people of Solon are used to seeing arena battles, and will immediately see through any concern for the opponent’s life during the match. We can’t have them becoming suspicious of the slaves’ relations.h.i.+ps now. You already know it. We’ve no choice but to kill each other.”

“—”

Orba silently lowered his head. His motives differed from Pas.h.i.+r’s, but Orba also harboured a motive no one could ever imagine. Noue, Oubary, and Zaat...not a single one of their actions were to be trusted.

“Let’s swear on it,” Pas.h.i.+r spoke as a matter-of-factly, “No matter who wins, he’ll carry the weight of these souls. Even if you die, I’ll take on your feelings. I swear to have Gil Mephius’ head. And if I die, you’ll take on my feelings; free all the slaves and burn Mephius to the ground.”

At those words, Orba felt a lump in his throat and was unable to give an immediate reply.

Take on his feelings...

It went without saying that Orba hated Mephius. How he dreamed countlessly of cutting off the necks of those n.o.bles with the swing of his sword by his own hands. However,

“Yeah...”

Orba said while nodding, in a voice that seemed like another person’s.

The two parted and moved towards the east and west gates. The slave called Mira wiped off his sweat and replaced his sword with a new one. Her face was pale and unsteady. Even though he had only met her two or three times, it was clear to Orba that she held feelings for Pas.h.i.+r. Orba tried to open his mouth, but he couldn’t think of anything to say. She wished for Pas.h.i.+r to win. That meant Orba’s defeat—and his death. And that sat fine with him. Orba also held his own reasons for surviving, even if it meant defeating—killing Pas.h.i.+r.

Is it really fine like this?

Such a thought tore at his chest. Orba shook his masked face. It wasn’t fine. Why was he hesitating now? Yes, he bore a hatred towards Mephius similar to Orba’s or one that might even have exceeded his, and Pas.h.i.+r’s goal resembled his own; in the not too distant future, they would surely stand side by side and fight as comrades.

d.a.m.nit! Don’t think too much into it.

He grasped the handle of his sword with renewed vigour. To make matters worse, Orba was covered in wounds. Even the battle just now took what little of all his remaining strength. How many more times would he have to wield his sword to his limits? Orba hadn’t the faintest idea.

Victory seemed to get further and further beyond his grasp. His blade would never reach his target if he thought of the things to come while swinging his sword.

I’ll end it in a single blow.

Orba decided. He would swing with his full strength one time, when he saw a surefire gap. Failing meant death.

“To the east, Iron Tiger Orba! To the west, Strong-armed Pas.h.i.+r!”

The two called names approached each other in the centre of the arena.

“What could be the meaning of this? Did that not end it?”

Vileena breathlessly watched in suspense at the sudden development. The crowd’s cheers were tremendous, such that they rendered Theresia’s voice inaudible. However, a brief exchange of glances, and she was able to calmly understand what she was saying. In the midst of this frenzy, a strange tranquillity drifted between the two who were about to kill each other.

“Start!”

Both parties swung their swords into a clash and then jumped back in retreat.

Solon’s grand gladiator tournament; here, the fight to determine the strongest man commenced.

It was a fight unprecedented in the long history of Mephius’ gladiator fights.

As soon as the match began, the one to charge forward was...o...b... He ran straight for Pas.h.i.+r with the tip of his sword skimming along the ground. Pas.h.i.+r bent his knees in preparation. Orba immediately kicked off the ground to Pas.h.i.+r’s side. Faster than his opponent could react, he jumped once more. Orba planned to settle the match in this instant. Pas.h.i.+r’s legs, arms or back—he would jump in at any gap in defence he saw and finish Pas.h.i.+r off before he could recover.

However, Pas.h.i.+r stopped following Orba with his eyes and immediately rolled forward. Getting up in no time at all, he turned around and swung his sword. Orba pursued after him, but the swing prevented him from advancing further. Orba received the blade with his own and jumped back.

Their unending exchange of blows since the beginning made everyone in the arena to go wild with excitement.

And then they approached a standstill, by the very definition of its meaning. The two ceased all movement, making their previous fast exchange of blows seem like a lie.

Orba stood as he always did, with his bent back eyeing Pas.h.i.+r’s every move. The arm that caught Pas.h.i.+r’s attack had gone numb. A bead of sweat trickled down under his mask. It was fair to say his initial movements had drained him of the majority of his stamina. He had pushed for a short, decisive battle, but Pas.h.i.+r had completely seen through his movements.

Come, Pas.h.i.+r! Come, come, come!

It was dangerous for him to move. Pas.h.i.+r stood with both his ma.s.sive legs entrenched on the ground, blood pulsing through their muscles, ready to crush him at a moment’s notice. Jumping in would be his last, and he would easily have his attack turned on him.

So instead, Orba glared at Pas.h.i.+r through his mask, waiting for him to move. He still held the advantage of speed. Of course, it would also be dangerous if the enemy came charging in, but it would also make it more likely to find holes in his defence.

However, Pas.h.i.+r did not move. He held the sword with both hands above his shoulder, not budging an inch.

Tch.

Orba struck the ground with the arch of his feet. His sword flickered. He jumped in a direction different from where he was looking. However, the actions of his feint were unable to perturb Pas.h.i.+r.

The evening wind blew beneath his mask.

The spectators had suddenly returned to silence. The thousands of eyes fixed their attention on these two swordsmen of unfathomable skill. An expectant tension hung in the air, where the outcome might be decided in the next blink of an eye; however, these two did not permit the slightest movement.

Ten seconds, twenty seconds, thirty seconds—time ticked by. A minute pa.s.sed. Two minutes pa.s.sed. Everyone held their breaths, but it did not last for long.

“Get him!”

Someone shouted at the five minute mark. “Kill him!” a girl shouted after him.

“Get him! Get him! Get him!”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

Everyone present stamped their feet in unison and burst into a clamour of boos. They created the racket in hopes that it would rouse them to movement, but still the two did not move.

Orba was also getting impatient. His sword and armour had never felt so heavy. Standing alone strained his muscles. In the previous clash, Orba had set aside everything for a single strike, but he was uncertain whether he could exert his full strength even on that single strike.

Move.

Orba prayed deeply.

“Don’t move,” Gowen spoke, while he acted as bodyguard in the grandstands.

“Don’t move in a fit of impatience, Orba. Keep that bad habit of yours in check here, please.”

Pas.h.i.+r had likely seen through that habit from bearing witness to all of Orba’s battles until now. Orba excelled in countering. In terms of physique and power, Orba came out as mediocre amongst the gladiators, and suffered many disadvantages in a direct confrontation. Therefore, he founded on circling his opponents and luring them in. And when the enemy was pulled into his s.p.a.ce, he would deliver a strike aimed at their vitals.

Especially because of this, Gowen lectured him time and time again, “Don’t let that quick temper get ahead of you.”

A quick temper was detrimental to his fighting tactics. Techniques that allowed him to provoke his opponent and gain control of their emotions were essential.

They were what allowed Orba to win throughout his two years as a gladiator. He had devised a number of ways of retreating to lure the enemy in. Sometimes he would initiate, sometimes he would be on the receiving end, and sometimes he would take actions to anger his opponent, all to pull the opponent into his pace. However, they all proved ineffective against Pas.h.i.+r. His firm posture was wholly free of any openings. Because Orba understood this, he could not move.

Gowen himself gritted his teeth in impatience, as time freely pa.s.sed. And it was not only him. Amidst the tempest of jeers raining down on them, those the least bit curious in knowing the victor of this sword match could feel the heavy tension between Orba and Pas.h.i.+r, and their faces turned rigid as if they were standing there themselves.

Some wiped away the sweat dripping down their chins.

Like a candle just about to go out, the setting sun wringed its last drops of sunlight and covered the arena in a crimson red—

Suddenly, the match progressed into motion.

“Ah,” everyone in the arena let out.

The one to step into the light and aim towards the enemy was Pas.h.i.+r. He appeared to have been the one unable to bear the overly unusual standstill. However,

“Orba, NO!”

Gowen screamed.

Part 2

Within the battle ring of the stadium, which held as much significance as any statue and had weathered years to decades of exposure, Pas.h.i.+r breathed life into his body and made a sharp step forward with his left foot. He applied a thrust that cut through the wind.

The bodies and minds of these two were taxed to their utmost; to Orba, who waited on Pas.h.i.+r, his sudden movement was the greatest feast to be had. Orba, eyes practically screaming with delight, matched his movements so superbly that they seemed almost premeditated.

Orba bent his legs and sprung into the air, avoiding the turning thrust sent his way, and then swung down, executing a series of superior movements. But Pas.h.i.+r had also antic.i.p.ated this.

He displayed a thrust of full force, but had one foot stepped back, and using that as leverage, pushed away Orba’s swing. He slashed diagonally downward, the trajectory curving to take the shape of a perfect circle.

Whoosh.

The ear-splitting swing, along with the cries of the audience, indistinguishable between screams and cheers, sounded across the stadium. Orba staggered backwards, blood gus.h.i.+ng out his chest along where his leather armour tore.

To Orba, it was the same as the enemy suddenly having disappeared right before his eyes, following up with an unseen slash sent his way; the way Orba had always done it to others. Attacking with the ferocity of an animal, Pas.h.i.+r gave him no quarter. Two, three strikes. He was barely able to follow the attacks with his eyes and was forced to rely on his body’s ingrained reactions. Half his consciousness had been blown away.

The brand is....

Orba was forced further into retreat.

The brand is burning up...

When he circled around Pas.h.i.+r, Orba saw a faint glimmer on his back. Orba saw the brand of a slave seared onto his back burning with flames.

The dying wishes, hearts, and souls of each person Pas.h.i.+r was said to have killed; now, they manifested themselves as flames ready to incinerate Orba to ashes. Or perhaps, the malice wanted Orba’s soul to join theirs.

Join us, join us, join us.

Faces appeared on the floating wisps and whispered to him.

You also hate Mephius; you also hate Mephius...

And yet...

And yet, you hold ‘doubts’. You ‘hesitate’.

Pas.h.i.+r delivered an attack at lightning speed. The strike was too much to take and Orba stumbled backwards.

That’s why it’s impossible for you. You can’t do it. We can’t entrust them to you.

So join us inside Pas.h.i.+r.

Pas.h.i.+r can do it; Pas.h.i.+r can accomplish what we want and burn Mephius in a sea of flames.

“Stop.”

Orba voiced hoa.r.s.ely. His body would not listen to him. It wasn’t only because of the damage he had incurred. Even now, the grudges of their souls gushed forth not only from Pas.h.i.+r’s back, but also from Orba’s. They spread and oozed over him, entrenching him. As it were, the hundreds of souls of gladiators...o...b.. had killed were abandoning their host all to become one with the ominous flame lit on Pas.h.i.+r’s back.

If you won’t do it...

We’ll have Pas.h.i.+r do it for us. We’ll have Pas.h.i.+r burn Mephius down.

You die as well. Die and join us and become a spark of the flame burning in Pas.h.i.+r’s brand. Burn alongside Mephius, Orba.

O-r-b-a.

Having turned the tables, Pas.h.i.+r plunged his sword down without a second’s hesitation.

Orba looked up in a haze at the sword about to plunge down him.

Doubts——Hesitation——

Orba had no power in him to resist them. If there had to be a reason, it was because these questions and enticing suggestions all sprouted from within him. Through the tip of Pas.h.i.+r’s sword, the thousands of faces belonging to the flame engulfed Orba whole. He felt an unbearable pain, as if his heart was being burned to a crisp.

And,

Just before they could burn him completely and before the sword pierced his chest—

A golden object fluttered in front of the two. It was the medal attached to the chain Orba wore over his neck. Freed from the tear in Orba’s leather armour and Orba’s stumble, it danced in the air.

It burned with a brilliant flame.

It shone vividly, almost as if it were ama.s.sing the flames from the bonfires in the evening night.

“Ugh.”

Pas.h.i.+r averted his eyes.

And at the same time, the inexplicable restraints that held him disappeared. Orba desperately rolled to the side and evaded the sword plunging down on him.

Vileena!

Reciting that name within himself, he swept Pas.h.i.+r’s leg. Pas.h.i.+r fell forward, but immediately regained his footing in the time Orba took to stand up. Their swords collided at a distance both equally away from their faces.

The malice was gone. They should never have been there from the start. If they had existed, then they would have originated from Orba’s back and not Pas.h.i.+r’s.

I won’t shoulder them.

Supposing whose life it was, supposing whose soul it was,

Even if the ama.s.sed mountains of corpses curse me all night; even if your grudges goad me countlessly, I won’t let them influence me, no matter who, what, how...

Sword clashed with sword. Even that single strike proved too much for the wounded Orba to endure. He doubled over.

“Oof.”

Orba’s iron mask struck Pas.h.i.+r’s nose.

The swordsman whose mask was dyed red and Pas.h.i.+r, who likewise had blood dripping down his face, both staggered backwards, and yet also tightened their grip on their swords at the same time.

They approached another to the distance of a blade, and near simultaneously let loose a single swing. Theresia instinctively turned away, and beside her, Vileena dug her nails into her clenched fists, burning this instant into her eyes.

The broken half of a sword was sent spiralling into the air before it pierced into the ground.

There was no sword in Orba’s hand. The tip of Pas.h.i.+r’s sword shone dully against his neck. He had already used up all his strength, and there was no reason to match Pas.h.i.+r in a confrontation.

That was something Orba was more aware of than anyone. He swung on his right with all his strength and snapped his sword, or may have even deliberately allowed his sword to be broken, and, taking a step to the left, dodged the incoming attack while delivering a right punch to Pas.h.i.+r’s jaw. It happened in an instant. After that, Pas.h.i.+r fell on his back, collapsing face up.

Pas.h.i.+r was knocked unconscious and laid still, and Orba’s body heaved heavily with laboured breathing.

The victor was illuminated a bright red by the bonfires.

Solon’s grand stadium shook.

The surroundings suddenly became dark. Orba was overwhelmed by the terrifying moans sent from the skies by the numerous souls freed from his brand.

“Spare him!”

“Kill him!”

The noise made from these two chants were nearly the same. As if paralyzed with hesitation, Orba did not move.

Then, the arena shook, in a different manner of speaking. The one who stood up and was pointing down her thumbs was the empress, Melissa.

Naturally, that was the signal to ‘kill’.

Orba limped towards Pas.h.i.+r, and wresting away the sword in his hands, extended his arm. However, in that instant his body stooped down, and he too fell down and collapsed. Neither winner nor loser existed between these two who lay collapsed on top one another. That, above all else, gave testimony to the breath-taking fight that had unfolded.

“Like this, it seems there is little choice but to wait and see who wakes up first to deliver the final blow,” the emperor said. “However, that would leave a poor aftertaste. It is an unfitting end for such splendid battle. The victor is...o...b... That will do.”

“Princess——Princess.”

Theresia shook both of Vileena’s shoulders in a huff.

“He won. Orba-sama won.”

“Yes...he did...”

Vileena lowered her head, eyes wide open. Her once paled face returned in colour and her neck was drenched with sweat. The spectacle wasn’t as horrendous as the young girl thought. It was the depiction of an atrocious and wretched battle, but she had also felt something take hold deep within her and shake her very being.

“That is the medal the princess sent to Orba-sama, is it not? Orba-sama has done the favour of wearing it, and I’m sure that the princess’ friends.h.i.+p has bestowed him with victory.”

“Uh huh—”