Ten days have passed. I fought four matches against the Hanging Gladiator Troupe’s warriors and won them all.

However, as a gladiator troupe, we’ve suffered more losses than wins.

Already, three of our gladiators have died—all of them from our side.

In a month-long spectacle, it’s not unusual for one or two deaths to occur. Even without fatalities, it’s common for someone to sustain severe injuries and retire.

But this time, even considering the usual circumstances, the number of casualties is alarmingly high.

At this rate, by the end of the spectacle, ten of our members could die, and nearly ten more may have to retire.

Sprex is on edge, and even Cradle no longer smiles.

As I considered these grim thoughts, I swung my sword in the waiting area to prepare for tomorrow’s match, checking my movements.

After breaking a sweat, I put down my sword and glanced toward the wall where Emera was seated.

But she was gone.

Just a minute ago, she was sitting there watching me.

I scanned the area, but there was no sign of Emera. Since it was mid-afternoon, none of the other gladiators were around either.

“Emera!”

Panicked, I rushed into the corridor and sprinted away from the arena stage.

Emera never left my side except during matches. Cradle was out in the city, and ordinary citizens couldn’t enter the waiting area.

The only suspects I could think of were the members of the Hanging Gladiator Troupe.

“Emera!”

I called out for her, running frantically through the arena.

(Emera’s POV)

As always, Yamato was swinging his sword.

He’s always so kind, always smiling at me, but when he practices with his sword, his expression changes completely.

He trains even on his days off, so I know that’s why he’s strong. But maybe it’s also because he’s so serious about it.

Cradle often jokes about being too inexperienced to spar with Yamato, but I think Yamato is far stronger than Cradle realizes.

I bet Cradle avoids fighting him because he doesn’t want to lose.

As I admired Yamato’s sword practice, a man approached me—a gladiator I hadn’t seen before.

He must be from the Hanging Gladiator Troupe. His lips twisted into an ugly grin, and his snake-like eyes locked onto me.

He had the same black hair as Yamato and was large, but his demeanor was entirely different.

Feeling uneasy, I stood up to move toward Yamato.

But before I could turn my head completely, the man was suddenly beside me, covering my mouth and nose with one hand.

“...mmph!”

I couldn’t even call out for Yamato or breathe.

He hoisted me up effortlessly and whisked me away.

In the blink of an eye, I was being carried down the corridor, too fast for anyone to notice.

What should I do?

What can I do?

Panic overtook me as these thoughts raced through my head. I struggled desperately, trying to cry out.

But the man tightened his grip on my arms, causing searing pain that sapped my strength.

“...ah...”

Tears streamed down my face from the unbearable pain.

By the time I realized what was happening, I was outside the arena.

Three other men I didn’t recognize surrounded the man carrying me. They seemed to be ensuring no one would notice us.

“Heh heh... that was too easy,” the man holding me sneered.

The others laughed, their chuckles sending shivers down my spine.

After walking some distance, I was thrown roughly onto the ground. It smelled of animals—likely a stable.

“So this is his type? Scrawny as hell.”

“Way too young. Disgusting.”

“Who cares? If keeping her means we can kill him, it’s worth it.”

“Yeah, no doubt about that.”

Hearing their words, I was overwhelmed with despair.

Again.

I’m a burden again.

Because of me, someone important is going to die.

My brother was so kind, but he died because of me.

Now Yamato, so kind and strong, might die because of me too.

Why am I even alive?

If only I had been burned alongside my brother back then...

Then Yamato wouldn’t have to suffer because of me.

“Go tell him. If he loses tomorrow, we’ll return her.”

“Heh, leave it to me. Be right back.”

As the snake-eyed man said this, a tall man laughed and began to walk away.

I couldn’t let him go.

Fueled by desperation, I lunged and clung to the tall man’s legs.

“Whoa!?”

Caught off balance, he stumbled, and I pulled with all my strength to bring him down.

“What the hell are you doing!?”

Before I could answer, a sharp pain tore through my back.

I couldn’t breathe.

The sound of something snapping echoed inside me.

“Ugh...!”

I gritted my teeth and clung tighter to the man’s legs.

“You little brat!”

A fist struck me. Then another.

“Damn it! I’ll kill you and leave you in pieces!”

My hair was yanked violently. Blood filled my mouth as I bit down too hard.

There’s no way I’m letting go.

If I have to die here, so be it.

That’s better than Yamato dying... much better.

Just as I thought that, a hard kick landed in my stomach.

The impact made me lose my grip, and I was torn away from the man.

My head was smashed into the ground.

“You’re not dying easy, you piece of trash!”

As those words were spat at me, my clothes were torn apart, and I was thrown onto the ground.

The cold earth pressed against my back, and my entire body throbbed with pain.

“Man, she’s really scrawny,” sneered the snake-eyed man, leering at me.

I hate how skinny I am too.

But I loved the beautiful white outfit Yamato bought for me.

I will never forgive the man who ripped it to shreds.

“What’s with that face!?”

As his fist rose again, I braced myself.

I won’t give in to scum like this.

But just before his blow could land, the stable door swung open from the outside.

The light silhouetted a figure I could never mistake.

“Y-Yamato... I-I’m so sorry!”

Tears burst from my eyes.

I didn’t want to cry, but the tears wouldn’t stop.

My outfit, the one Yamato had bought for me... it was ruined.

For some reason, that was what scared me most.