WWDNND Chapter 35

Supernatural Power.

Unlike magic or sword aura, it was a special ability unique to certain noble families.
The Gideon family’s supernatural power had never appeared in the original story.
It was only mentioned that the Gideon Count family, loyal vassals of the Duke of Winston, often carried out covert missions.
Could it be…?

I looked at Abel curiously and asked,
“Can you really take Dia away without anyone noticing?”
“Yes.”
“…!”

Hope sparked within me. Maybe… we could actually sneak into the Colosseum!

Since I had made a contract with demons, I could already deceive Sophia and Sir Raven and sneak out of the mansion.
With Desmond and Bibi’s abilities, their eyes would be fooled for a while.

But the real problem was after leaving the mansion. A child alone wouldn’t make it to the Colosseum.

However, if I was with Abel, we could safely reach the Colosseum, watch the duel, and return.

Delighted, I said to Abel,
“Then take me there!”
“Understood.” Abel nodded and smiled radiantly. I grabbed his outstretched hand tightly.

Waaaah—! Waaaah—!
The crowd filling the Colosseum roared.

Though the duel hadn’t started yet, the seats were completely packed, and even more people crowded outside.

“Who do you think will win today?”
“Of course, His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“No matter how great he is, can he really beat the marquis who was once called a demon on the battlefield?”

People endlessly speculated on who would win the duel. As time passed, massive sums were bet.

Most citizens of the empire loved the Crown Prince, soon to become the ruler, more than Marquis Lionel—but when money was involved, they became brutally honest.

“Well, the marquis did become a Sword Master earlier!”
“Yeah, and he’s fought in more wars too.”
“I want His Highness to win, but for the bet…”

And so, most of the bets were placed on Cedric Lionel. Even he himself never doubted his victory.

“You must win, Lionel.”
“Yes.”
“Even if it means killing him.”
“…”

Looking into the Empress Dowager’s blazing eyes, Cedric silently nodded.

His eyes flared with fury. Today, he would kill the Crown Prince. He would trample that arrogant face and gouge out those eyes.

Cedric smirked wickedly. He wasn’t afraid of the Crown Prince at all. He was a powerless man, unable to ascend the throne without this underhanded method, beaten down by the Empress Dowager’s influence.

Cedric had already seen through Dantellion’s plan. That business about being rude to Veronica was just an excuse.

‘He wants to beat me and seize power.’

It was obvious what that cunning man was thinking. Even if the Duke of Winston sided with him, it would still be a meager force compared to the Empress Dowager’s faction. This was his only option.

Cedric imagined Dantellion’s face, twisted in defeat after losing their duel.
Or perhaps he wouldn’t even have time to contort his face—he might just be run through and die.

That might even help save the royal family’s honor.

“Hmph.”

Cedric stared at his finely honed blade and chuckled through his nose.
Once this duel was over, everything would return to its rightful place.

He had failed to reclaim Veronica because of that arrogant Dantellion’s interference. But once the Crown Prince fell, even the Duke of Winston wouldn’t be able to resist.

After the Crown Prince, it would be Winston’s turn. Cedric stood with a cruel smile.

“Wow…”
I looked down from the spectator seats. The Colosseum was packed with people. It reminded me of the baseball stadiums in Korea. The grandeur of the tiered, circular arena was overwhelming.

“Careful, Dia.”
“Mhm.”

I was so distracted, I nearly bumped into someone. Abel gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

[Ooh, for a human, he has quite the ability.]
[I know, right? And in broad daylight too—flawless.]

‘Hmmm…’

Abel’s supernatural power perfectly concealed both himself and whoever he was holding, making them invisible to anyone nearby.

It was essentially a stealth technique—one far superior to the ones used by ordinary assassins. Even our presence and voices were erased.

“Abel, you’re amazing!”
“It’s nothing.”

Of course, it would be a disaster if people in the mansion realized we were gone. So I had borrowed the demons’ powers for that.

Right about now, those attending to me probably thought I was sound asleep in my room.

“It looks like it’s starting.”
“Really?”

At Abel’s words, I quickly looked down.

Even though his stealth was flawless, we still took extra precautions by wearing black hoods. I lifted mine slightly to get a better view of the arena.

We had picked a less crowded corner, so our seats were quite high up.

But thanks to my contract with the demons, my vision was sharper than normal. Squinting, I could just make out someone standing in the middle of the arena.

“Now, we shall begin the duel between His Highness Crown Prince Dantellion Noah Sylvester, the Sun of the Empire, and Marquis Cedric Lionel!”

“WAAAAAH!”

The announcer—probably the emcee—used a magical amplifier to shout loudly, his voice booming through the entire Colosseum.

It felt like a festival. Hosting a royal duel this publicly… the Empress Dowager was truly something.

“Huh?”

From the six o’clock entrance, someone slowly walked out. I watched him closely.
‘Cedric.’

It was the first time I’d seen him since the victory banquet. Cedric walked proudly onto the stage, his silver hair slicked back neatly.

“WAAAAH!”
“Go, Marquis!”

Unsurprisingly, more people were cheering for Cedric. The roar was deafening.

Well, most of the bets were on him. I smirked and glanced around at the shouting crowd.

‘You’ll all be penniless today.’

And that money would be mine. I had secretly used Desmond to place a bet for me and grinned to myself.

[Master looks happy dreaming of riches.]
‘Hehehe, obviously.’
[I love money too! Wahaha!]

Desmond shouted joyfully. We were definitely going to get rich today.

The Duke of Winston had spoiled me, so I had collected plenty of treasures. I couldn’t bet it all or I’d raise suspicion, but even a fraction would bring a huge return.

‘Riches, here I come!’

[WAHAHAHA!]
[Ugh, you two are just… really…]

Bibi, perched on my shoulder, shook her head. I just giggled without a care.

I would use that money wisely. Like teasing the male lead who’s going to lose today.

Hiding my dark intentions, I stared down at the arena.

[There he is! The scary Sword Master!]
‘Oooh…’

From the entrance opposite Cedric’s, Dantellion walked out leisurely.

His golden hair, like sunlight woven into strands, sparkled more than usual today. I watched him closely.

‘He’s wearing the brooch, right?’

[He is!]
‘Perfect.’

As expected, the Crown Prince had successfully formed a contract with Dolens and was wearing the brooch I gifted him over his heart.

Cedric was finished. Confident, I fixed my gaze on the two men now standing face-to-face in the arena.

“Lastly, do either of you have anything to say?”

“…”
“…”

The overly enthusiastic emcee shoved the magical amplifier toward Dantellion and Cedric, but neither spoke. They only glared fiercely at each other.

“Haha, well… If neither has anything to say, we’ll begin the due—”
“Wait.”

Just as the host awkwardly tried to step back, Dantellion raised his hand.

He didn’t take the amplifier. Instead, he walked up to Cedric.

“…!”

Whatever Dantellion whispered, Cedric’s face turned red. He stared back at Dantellion, enraged.

“…?”

What on earth did he say to provoke Cedric like that?

The audience seemed equally curious and began murmuring.

The nearby host had apparently overheard it—his face went pale. Trying to salvage the moment, he quickly shouted,

“Th-then! Let the duel begin!”

He retreated in a fluster. I tilted my head in confusion.

Then Desmond asked dryly,

[Curious what the scary Sword Master said?]
‘Yeah, do you know?’
[I do.]
‘What did he say?’

I couldn’t hold back my curiosity. Desmond answered indifferently,

[He said, ‘Once I win the duel and become Emperor, I’ll divorce the noble lady.’]