In the morning, when Emera and I left the inn, we found Sprex standing outside, glancing around impatiently.

“What’s going on?”

When I asked, Sprex turned to me with a fierce expression.

“Hey, Matt! You’re representing the Sprex Gladiator Troupe in the Gladiator Festival, got it!? Even that prince remembers you as the tyrant of the Sprex Gladiator Troupe!”

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”

At his words and manner, I furrowed my brows. Sprex snorted and scanned the area with an irritated gaze before speaking.

“Cradle, that fool, got poached. He was taken by the Bearhug Gladiator Troupe. They’re a powerhouse gladiator team that’s competed in the Gladiator Festival for years, but they’re hated because they steal the star gladiators from other teams every year.”

Sprex clicked his tongue in frustration.

“Wait, doesn’t Cradle have a slave contract? How can he just leave the team on his own?”

When I asked, Sprex glared up at me and let out a sharp breath.

“Cradle bought his freedom earlier this year. He was originally just a captured soldier from a defeated country. Not exactly an expensive slave.”

Sprex spoke bitterly, stomping his feet as if trying to crush his frustration into the ground.

Apparently, Cradle, who had been the centerpiece of the Sprex Gladiator Troupe and consistently headlined events, had earned enough to buy his freedom in just five years. According to Sprex, a slave could end their contract by paying the agreed-upon amount to their master, ensuring no illegal exploitation occurred. Once the payment was made, the contract would end the following day.

“Does that mean we won’t see Cradle anymore?”

Emera asked softly, her concern evident as she glanced up at me.

I stroked my chin thoughtfully. I’d had falling-outs and reconciliations with tag partners before, but this felt a little different.

Well, people switch from pro wrestling to mixed martial arts all the time, so it’s not like we’ll never meet again.

Reassured by that thought, I patted Emera’s head gently.

“Don’t worry. We’ll see him again for sure.”

Hearing my words, Emera sighed in relief. Meanwhile, Sprex grumbled venomously.

“Yeah, you’ll see him—on the opposing side!”

His remark brought back Emera’s unease as he stormed off. Truly the worst timing.

From that point on, Cradle was nowhere to be seen. We threw ourselves into intense training for the Gladiator Festival.

Fearing that Cradle, now an opponent, might reveal our tactics and team lineup, Sprex urgently devised new strategies and drilled them into us.

Strangely, I found myself spending more time helping other gladiators train than focusing on my own preparation. Emera, meanwhile, trained under the guidance of Uncle, an elder Medic.

Thanks to the collective effort of everyone who knew about Emera’s past abduction, I was able to fully support the team.

In just over two weeks, every one of us had grown stronger. The Sprex Gladiator Troupe would undoubtedly make waves at the festival.

Three nights before the Gladiator Festival, a familiar face appeared at our doorstep.

It was Cradle.

Greeting us with his usual bright demeanor, he gently ruffled Emera’s hair and turned his gaze to me.

“Long time no see.”

Placing a bottle of what looked like expensive liquor before me, he grinned.

“What’s this about?”

When I asked, Cradle chuckled.

“You’re asking about the booze? Aren’t there more pressing questions?”

His laughter made me exhale in relief. Deep down, I’d been worried we’d never cross paths again.

“Oh, you mean about joining another gladiator team? Well, it’s not like we won’t ever see each other. Let’s grab a meal together again sometime.”

At my words, Cradle smiled.

“Glad to hear it. I couldn’t care less about Sprex, but I was worried about you—and Emera too, of course.”

“Yes!”

Emera responded cheerfully to Cradle’s comment.

After a brief pause, Cradle gestured to the bottle.

“That’s a gift for you. Congrats on qualifying for the Gladiator Festival. Getting a guaranteed headliner match is quite the feat, you know?”

“Thanks. In that case, I’ll accept it with gratitude.”

When I said this, Cradle nodded with a smile.

“Yeah, it’s good stuff. Drink up. You never know when a gladiator’s time might come.”

Something about his words made me pick up the bottle and examine it closely. After a moment’s thought, I set it aside.

“...No, I’ll save it for after the festival. Whether it’s a victory toast or a consolation drink, it’ll taste better then.”

At my reply, Cradle’s expression briefly darkened before he quickly smiled again.

“...I see. Well then, see you at the festival. Even if we face each other in the headliner, I won’t go easy on you.”

“Bring it on. I’ve always wanted to face you at full strength. I’m looking forward to it.”

As we talked, a thought occurred to me.

“Wait, even if you switched teams, wouldn’t the Bearhug Gladiator Troupe already have a lead gladiator for the headliner match?”

When I asked, Cradle smirked.

“Within a week, I took down every single one of them. I made sure they knew I was the strongest. The headliner’s mine.”

“Impressive. That’s the Cradle I know.”

We shared a laugh and parted ways.

The festival had become even more exciting to anticipate.

The next day, when I told Sprex about Cradle’s visit, he was livid, claiming Cradle hadn’t shown his face to him. As usual, Sprex’s temper was in full force.