Kirito's POV
The newly opened living area on the seventy-fifth floor was a city
reminiscent of ancient Rome. According to the map, its name was
«Collinia». The entire city was already filled with activity, thanks to
the large numbers of fighters and merchants that have settled in, as
well as others who took no part in clearing the game but had come to
sightsee. On top of all that, a rare special event would be held here
today, so guests had been pouring out of the teleport gate since this
morning.
The city was mostly constructed from square bricks of white
limestone. One building stood out amongst its temple-like buildings
and wide waterways; that was the huge coliseum which towered in
front of the gate plaza. It was perfect for holding the duel between
Heathcliff and me. But…
“Fire-breathing popcorn for ten Coll a cup! Ten Coll!”
“Cold black beer for sale~!”
Numerous merchants were selling their goods in front of the coliseum
entrance; they were calling out to the long line of spectators and
selling them strange looking refreshments.
“…this, what on earth is this…?”
Shocked by the sight unfolding before me, I could only ask Asuna,
who was standing beside me.
“I-I don’t know…”
“Hey, isn’t that a KoB member selling the tickets!? How on earth did
it turn into such a large event!?”
“I-I don’t know…”
“Is this Heathcliff’s real goal…?”
“No, I think that the head of finances, Daigen-san, is the one behind
this. He wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this.”
As Asuna laughed, I sagged my shoulders and felt completely
powerless.
“…let’s run away Asuna. We can go live in some small village on the
twentieth floor and plow fields.”
“I’m fine with that, but…”
Asuna then added teasingly:
“You’ll make a rea-lly bad name for yourself if you run away now.”
“Damn-it…”
“Well, it’s your own fault, isn’t it? Ah…Daigen-san.”
As I lifted my head, I saw a fat man who was waddling towards us; he
was so wide that it was impossible to find a person less suited to wear
the red-white uniform of the KoB.
With a wide smile covering his round face, he started talking to us:
“Thanks ta Kirito-san we’re makin’ lotsa money! If ya jus’ did it once
every month I’d be really thankful!”
