Slave Knight

Coliseum

The next day, Yule was called into another room, a smaller one with a large table in the middle. A man was waiting for her there.

"Sit," commanded the man.

Yule sat at the table.

"Now that your training is complete, it's time for an informational meeting," said the man. "You are part of the Slayers, an elite group of slaves that helps us conquer new lands and stamp out rebellions. The Slayers were created five years ago when we discovered the collars you wear and gained the means to control unruly slaves. It occurred to us that these slaves may have some use, and they did. Now that you are worthy of Hikari, you have been assigned to the Slayers. Any questions?"

"No," said Yule.

"Good. You may return to your living area until you are needed elsewhere."

Yule nodded and left.

"Hi," said the woman from the previous day, "We didn't really introduce each other yesterday. I'm Julia."

"I'm Jiro," said the man.

"Yule," said Yule.

Later that day, Yule was summoned to learn how to pilot the metal men the empire used. They called them "Giants." Yule quickly picked up how to pilot the machines and became a skilled pilot. Then, she was summoned to the coliseum to prove herself in battle. She was ordered to kill all her opponents.

Yule walked into the coliseum from the North entrance, to the cheers of empire citizens and the voice of an announcer.

"And in the North, the newest member of the Slayers, Queen of Light, Yule!"

A group of ten men came in from the South entrance.

"And in the South, the filthy rebels who interrupted our banquet!"

The crowd booed and jeered at the rebels.

Yule and the men walked to the center of the arena and regarded each other.

"There's no need for violence," said one of the men. "We can get out of this together."

Yule tapped her collar.

"In a couple weeks, maybe," she said. "For now, I have to do as the empire commands."

"Then forgive us."

The men drew their swords and charged all at once. Yule drew Hikari and leapt backwards. Then, the men charged again. As soon as Yule hit the ground, she launched forward to meet the men. She slid under their attacks, knocking the leader's legs out from under him, then stabbing him in the heart as she passed.

Then, she whirled around bisected another rebel. Two men charged at her from either side. Yule leapt into the air, over their strikes, and bisected one vertically as she came down. The other one lost his nerve and ran away.

Yule cut through two men with one slash, then hacked off an attacker's arm. She cut off the head and stabbed another man in the heart. Another man caught Yule off guard, but she managed to turn and parry his blade. Hikari cut the other sword in half. Then Yule cut off the man's head. The remaining three men hesitated. Yule seized the opportunity and attacked, cutting down all three in a single strike. The one who had run away was cowering off to the side. Yule executed him.

The crowd cheered for Yule's victory. Then, Yule was allowed to return to the castle and go to sleep.