Kingdom Conqueror

Chapter 32: Kroldo

The arena, a huge circular dome that holds gladiator matches. These gladiator matches are used by the masters of houses for their slaves to fight each other and use their blood for entertainment. Some may also use the matches to gain money from betting. It holds matches consistently every 3 days. The people of Philipia watch the matches like a man attending church every sunday.

At the center of the arena is the battle field. The floors are covered in damp sand, wet with blood. At the top of the middle north side of the field are the officiators. The officiators include the King, master of houses, and the announcer. The chairs that circled around the arena are crowded with the noisy, cheering, and excited people.

"Ladies and Gentleman!" The announcer starts and the crowd cheered loud.

"Today we stand before the presence of the King Euron Philipia together with his highness' princess, Princess Eufemia Philipia."

The crowd along with the announcer stood in silence and performed a bow towards the King. King Euron raised a hand to ease them from bowing and signaled the announcer to continue with the orientation.

"We also stand at the presence of the 4 great masters of houses."

The crowed cheered for every master's name. However, when Priscilla was called it was the only time that the crowd went silent. Priscilla's house looked like it didn't have any supporters. After all, who would support a house that's about to fall. The past performance of the house's slaves have been poor and no one in their right mind would place a bet on them.

Among the arena, only Princess Eufemia clapped for Priscilla's house which led to an awkward silence. After all, Priscilla and Eufemia are friends. Priscilla appreciated what the princess did. The small gesture was enough to keep her spirits up.

Under the crowd, the slaves are benched and are getting ready for the arena. The arena held 4 gates-north, east, south, and west. Each gate contained the slaves of each houses. The other houses have slaves ranging roughly from 10 to 15 while Priscilla's house only had 3. 

The budget of the houses rely on the payment for participation. However, In reality, the bets placed on their champions is what really raises their budget. A portion of the total bet of the crowd shall be received by the house at the end of the day.

Priscilla had a low reputation and so, the additional money to raise their budget is very low.

Priscilla swallowed and clenched her fists. She prays that her old slaves, Bartz and Tacus would survive their battles since she don't have enough budget to buy anymore slaves and follow her father's beliefs. She's high hopes on the capabilities of her new slave Drakar. It's like she's betting on Drakar to make turning point for the house. 

Today was Drakar's first day attending such a match. He has heard about gladiators in his past life and he knows how brutal matches can be. He also knows that the lords used the blood of their slaves just to entertain them and that it is done at some parts of Rome.

"Get your *sses out there and beat the hell out of those *tches."

Drakar, Bartz, and Tacus were lined up and Clause was trying to get them fired up.

For a start, the announcer began the match between a slave and a lion. The slave came from a house that housed many slaves and it's clear that that house's master just sent the slave for disposal. The crowd enjoyed the sight of the slave being severed by the lion.

Drakar also watched as the lion severed and ate the slave.

I've never fought a Lion before. Lions were supposed to be menacing but now it just seemed weak to me and the slave that fought it just looked even weaker. Drakar thought.