As the soldiers hurriedly restrained Cradle, the king spread his arms wide and approached me.

“Magnificent! I never imagined such a battle could exist! Are you the ‘Tyrant’ that Torbezino spoke of? Ah, what an entertaining fight it was!”

Standing before me, the king spoke with great enthusiasm. I began to kneel to show my respect.

However, the king laughed and slapped my shoulder.

“Hahaha! Don’t bother with such formalities! Truly, I’ve taken a liking to you! I’d gladly give you one of my daughters in marriage! Though, alas, I have none left! Hahaha!”

Laughing at his own joke, the king stood there, exuding an over-the-top friendliness.

At that moment, one of the soldiers approached and knelt.

“Your Majesty, what should be done with this man?”

Hearing the question, the king nodded with a laugh.

“Of course, the punishment is death. Behead him and display his head before the castle.”

A terrifying king indeed—casually issuing orders like a demon. The soldier also accepted this without hesitation.

“Your Majesty, I have a request to make,” I said resolutely.

The king, still cheerful, gestured for me to continue.

“Go on. You saved my life, after all. Say whatever is on your mind.”

Encouraged by the king’s high spirits, I made my plea.

“Grant me Cradle’s life.”

The king’s eyes widened momentarily as he stared at me, then furrowed his brows in a puzzled expression.

“Hm... but, Tyrant, I can’t let someone who aimed for the king’s life escape the death penalty. Besides, the things that man has lost are irrecoverable. I eradicated the royal family of Wrestle Kingdom and divided their lands among ten high-ranking nobles and their heirs. What else could he hope for but vengeance?”

Hearing this, I bowed deeply.

“Of course, I don’t ask for him to be pardoned. Make him a slave, and I will have him work as a gladiator.”

The king raised his eyebrows, clearly intrigued.

“Oh? The crime of plotting regicide deserves no release from slavery. But if it’s for the purpose of gladiatorial combat, he’ll need to be kept in one piece. For a lifetime of slavery, that’s practically a lenient sentence.”

The king regarded me with a testing gaze. I met his eyes head-on and spoke.

“There’s something I wish to attempt.”

The king tilted his head.

“Oh? Something you wish to attempt? What is it?”

For some reason, the king leaned forward, keenly interested in what I would say next. Though puzzled by his enthusiasm, I appreciated his willingness to listen.

Looking directly at him, I straightened my posture.

“I want to create my own gladiator troupe. As you can see, my fighting style is somewhat unconventional. Therefore, those who can learn it would be invaluable.”

The king grinned, clearly entertained.

“A Tyrant’s gladiator troupe? Now that sounds interesting!”

He laughed heartily.

“Yes. I promise to put on matches more thrilling than any other gladiator troupe. That much, I can guarantee.”

Hearing my words, the king roared with laughter and clapped me on the shoulder.

“Wahahaha! What a fascinating man! Not the strongest troupe, but the most entertaining one, you say? Very well! Raise that man into a fine gladiator!”

And just like that, the king, in his excitement, pardoned Cradle’s punishment.

I heaved a sigh of relief, grateful for the king’s unexpectedly reasonable nature.

“...Thanks.”

The next day, Cradle said this to me.

Wearing nothing but a shabby fur wrap around his waist, he came to the inn where I was staying and immediately looked away after those words.

Slavery marks were deliberately engraved onto his back and chest, emphasizing a gang-like aura.

Seeing this, I nodded.

“Yeah, Cradle, you’ll be the heel.”

“Huh? Heel? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Cradle frowned at my muttered comment, and we both burst into laughter.

“Come on, let’s drink. I’ve got some fine wine we were gifted.”

“Wait a minute. You drink that yourself. I’ll pass.”

“What are you saying? You’re the one who got this wine, after all. You should have the first drink.”

“Is this some kind of joke? Ugh, fine! I get it, all right! Cut me some slack, boss!”

Laughing together, Cradle and I returned to the room, where Emera greeted us with a beaming smile and a leap into my arms.

And thus, my gladiator troupe was officially born.

At the time, it only had three members.

[Later, at the Sprex Gladiator Troupe]

Thanks to Prince Torbezino’s intervention, I was released from slavery. Moreover, I was spared from various complications, and before I knew it, I’d been appointed leader of a gladiator troupe.

However, Sprex, wide-eyed with shock, immediately began complaining.

“You bastard! Not only did you forget your debt to me, but you even took Cradle and Emera away! What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Calming the agitated Sprex, I replied with a smile.

“By the way, I was thinking of recruiting Hatch and Uncle as well.”

“You’re still poaching? How shameless can you get?!”

“In exchange, I’ll make sure to prioritize the Sprex Gladiator Troupe for performances in the capital’s regular events.”

“Fine, take Hatch and Uncle! Anyone else you need?”

And just like that, my gladiator troupe grew to five members.

It turned out recruiting gladiators wasn’t as difficult as I thought.