"I suppose I need to say it again," said Dinen as they picked out their weapons, "your enemies may intimidate you, provoke you, or, more likely, beg you for mercy—but you must kill them all, as soon as possible, see what I mean, lad?" ”

Behind him, Albert hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Yes." ”

Dineen snorted. He was 100% sure that the other party didn't understand what he meant, or maybe he didn't understand it on purpose. He actually wanted Albert to take care of his own superfluous mercy in advance. Dinen does not deny that mercy is a noble and rare virtue, and that many people, such as himself, are seriously lacking. But on the battlefield and in the gladiatorial arena, it is useless at all, and only adds many variables that are likely to kill others.

But it was useless to say more at this point, and Dineen was sure that he couldn't get this stubborn boy to change his mind in ten minutes, so he simply kept silent and continued to pick and choose on the weapon rack.

The reason why it is limited to ten minutes is because after ten minutes it will be the first gladiatorial match they will participate in. Dineen greeted it almost with joy. His patience had almost worn out over time. When you know that a conspiracy to overthrow the entire kingdom could come at any moment, and you can only be helpless in the dungeon, no one will have enough patience to wait for fate to favor you.

Another cause of his irritability was that his injuries had largely healed. It is said that it is probable, because Dineh found that his strength did not return to the peak level with the healing of the surface wound.

His experience and skills are still in his mind, and his memories of the enemy are as clear as ever. But his body was noticeably sluggish. Although there is no definite data, it is enough to realize that his physical fitness has plummeted by nearly half, and finally stagnated in his twenties, which is the period before he left for the Outlands.

Well, to use the phrase "game", it's a regression from level 110 to level 60.

This change made Dinin's idea of a violent escape come to naught, and although he was able to beat Albert in swordsmanship with experience, and the guards were naturally not a problem, he could not deal with wood and steel. So all day long, his eyes were full of violent killing intent when he looked at the guards. Frightened, Albert thought that he finally couldn't stand the food supply and was going to rush out to eat people.

- Cut, only this kid will be obsessed with food.

Dinen couldn't find a reason. He was pretty sure he didn't leave any injuries that could be crippled, and the increase in strength from weapons and equipment had never been taken into account by him. All he could think of was the destruction of his body by evil energy, but this level of damage was unprecedented. If he was really unlucky enough to be the first, Dineen didn't have much to say about it - the only thing he wanted to do was chop them up a little more when he saw the demons the next time, preferably to the level of making pork pies.

But now he's going to win the fight.

Dineen examined the weapons on the shelves. Each piece is brand new and has been carefully cared for to become sparkling. But he could see with just a glance if it was going to work, and the answer was no. Although the appearance was beautiful enough to make one wonder if the viscount, who could not remember his name, had brought all his personal weapons, their texture was ...... Appalling.

I really think the same ones were made with horseshoes and hoes. Dineen thought sullenly.

He was fondly nostalgic for the weapons he had once had. The first sword Dineen ever owned was crafted by a dwarf, which greatly increased his requirements for weapons. And even in his most decadent period, the weapons he bought and threw away were the work of a blacksmith who was skilled in weapon forging. Years of war have never diminished the need for weapons and armor, and even the skills of the craftsmen have become more and more sophisticated.

And to the end was accompanied by Valagar, who was famous among the warriors. The twin swords lived up to their name, and the power contained in the blades always made his anger and hatred even more violent. Although—Dinen coughed in embarrassment—although they ended up in his hands, it was mostly due to Dinein's response to his master's wishes that he didn't want to leave them to the demons of the Burning Legion.

But no matter what, Valagar was irreparably shattered. When he thought of this, Dineen was sincerely grateful that he had been able to return to this era, and he really, really didn't want to face Odin at all.

Turning his thoughts from the anger of the Lord of Valhalla, Dineen sighed and picked two long swords in his hands. He looked at his partner and saw Albert weighing a hammer.

"I thought you would use a sword."

“…… I'm not sure. His partner looked hesitant, "I mean, I think I'm better at this." ”

The corners of Dineen's eyes twitched, and he seriously considered whether to release water in the future struggle, obviously he overestimated Albert's mental capacity, this young man was about to doubt his life when he lost under him - but didn't he really realize that his swordsmanship had improved by leaps and bounds?

"You can use whatever you want." He rarely used a reassuring tone, "If you're ready, we'll go out." ”

Albert nodded and walked out of the room with him.

***

The Colosseum was open-air, and the bright sunlight shone overhead, which was a strong irritation to Albert's eyes, which had become accustomed to the dim environment, and he had to squint his eyes and look around, but tears still flowed from his sour eyes. Through his tears, he vaguely saw the gladiatorial arena in front of him. The floor and walls are made of stone, while the auditorium is made of wooden frames. At this time, there were already a lot of people sitting on it, and you can know their identities by looking at those gorgeous clothes. It seems that the nobles of this area should have all arrived. Gladiatorial tournaments are clearly a great pastime for them. As for the fate of the participants in this cruel entertainment, it has nothing to do with them.

Albert stared at the figures who were laughing and laughing, unable to suppress the idea that everyone was pointing at him. Even after being framed and kidnapped to this place, he has always maintained an optimistic attitude. But now, standing in the midst of a blood-stained arena surrounded by high walls, and being condescendingly looked down and laughing at these people, he suddenly realized how humiliating his situation was.

Just when he hated the scum like never before, he heard Dineen's voice.

"A warrior, a thief." Dinen said calmly beside him, "I thought they could have more people." Okay, which do you like to deal with? I'll take care of the rest. ”

This passage is nothing more ordinary than just listening to the content, but coupled with his casual attitude and the never-ending rules of the gladiatorial arena, the habit of killing contained in it is enough to send chills down anyone's back.

But the young man's agitation calmed down abruptly in this understatement. Once again, Albert realizes that his companion has a maturity and ruthlessness far beyond his own. This made him sincerely wonder where Dinen came from, but he controlled the urge to ask in time. Not right now.

"Warrior." Albert answered Dinein's question. He didn't really care which opponent he was facing, but Dineh's injuries had just healed, so it was better not to face too fierce a fight.

Dinen hummed noncommittally.

But his mood was clearly not as calm as it appeared. As soon as the horn sounded for the beginning of the battle, he rushed out first, and the ferocity of the momentum was so fierce that Albert was startled. The young man rushed over to take cover, feeling as if he had done something wrong.

…… Can Dinen leave the thief with a whole corpse? Really, right?

But soon Albert ran out of room to think. He had to hold back the fighters of the opposing faction. After all, he and Dineh haven't been together for long, and the tacit understanding is definitely not as good as each other. It's better to win one-on-one by relying on their own strength.

The battle, which he had been worried about for a long time, was surprisingly simple. His opponents are more ferocious than skillful, and will only attack straight forward. Albert easily dodged each attack, and then he grabbed the gap and quickly counterattacked, this blow directly caused the enemy's tomahawk to fly out of his hand, and when he was unstable, he hit the chest again, and the force directly made the strong warrior briefly take off for a short time, and then fell heavily to the ground not far away in the exclamation of the audience.

The winner is decided. Albert wasn't even injured, but his opponent couldn't get up on his feet. He struggled in pain, coughing up blood. The young man tried to take a few steps closer, and found that his movements instantly filled the stranger's face with fear and pleading.

The hideous, painful expression frightened him more powerfully than the sword and the threat. Albert subconsciously took two steps back. He knew that what he had to do now was to end the other party's pain and follow Dinein's advice and the shouts of the audience. But he felt the weakness of his arm like never before.

Reason demanded that he be ruthless, but his affection and education made him refuse to pursue an enemy who had fallen to the ground. For a moment, Albert only felt more helpless than the other party. He struggled in pain for a while, but finally couldn't make up his mind.

Even if I don't do it, he won't be able to fight anymore. It doesn't matter if I leave him alone, I should go and see how Dineen is doing.

Convincing himself with such thoughts, Albert chose to turn away. The next moment, however, he realized the danger from the sudden burst of shouts. The young man turned abruptly—

But it was too late.

The dagger hurled at him with the resentment of the dying man shot swiftly into his eyes, and Albert could almost feel the chill on the blade before he could gain a foothold. Neither dodging nor parrying had time to block this blow -

…… Then his eyes went dark, and the strong smell of blood spread.

— but something seems to be missing from this chain of feelings.

Albert blinked blankly, then realized that he didn't feel the slightest pain. The darkness of the vision was not due to injury, but something was blocking the light.

"Oh." He heard Dineen's voice ringing from the side, and his partner grumbled in a tone that could almost be called lazy, "As the saying goes, you have to remember it long when you suffer - but come on, what does that have to do with me?" ”

The next moment the object covering his eyes moved away. After closing the distance, Albert finally saw what it was.

It's a hand.

***

Deaning frustrated, he pulled the dagger out of his palm and tossed it aside, briefly twitching the corner of his eye in pain. But that's all he had to do with the injury. To be honest, this kind of small injury is really nothing, he has long been used to it.

"What's the fuss," Seeing Albert staring at his bleeding hand in a daze, Dinein simply waved it in front of his eyes, "Man, the battle is over." ”

Albert suddenly came back to his senses when he heard this, and looked sharply at his former opponent, who had been pierced through the neck by a long sword. Dinin only shrugged his shoulders disapprovingly: he used a melee weapon as a throwing weapon, and he was absolutely accurate within ten meters—it used to be thirty meters.

Realizing that his mistake had not only killed him but also injured his companion, Albert was visibly depressed. Dineen took a laissez-faire approach to this. In fact, if the dagger wasn't lethal, he wouldn't have intervened, and it's a good thing to be able to remember it for a long time if he's injured.

As for now...... Hey, it doesn't seem like I don't have a long memory.

Until they returned to the viscount's manor in the carriage, Albert remained silent, and followed Dineen back to his cell, and simply fell into bed, and the atmosphere around him looked like he had thought about it on the wall.

Dining, who had nothing to do after putting on the bandage, endured it for a while, and finally got bored enough to start talking to something. He talked from the weather to-day to the fishing tournament at Cape Thorn Valley, and the other side was as lifeless as a log growing on a bed. It wasn't until he mentioned that there were three days left before May that Albert jerked over and stared at him in surprise.

Dineen: ?

"Today," the young man said slowly, with a thoughtful expression, "it's my birthday." ”

So?

“…… It's nothing. Albert was silent for a moment, then suddenly said with a serious face, "It's just... Sorry and thank you. ”

Then he turned over and went back to face the wall in a flash of lightning, so he didn't see Dineh's unbearable expression - he hated it when people showed his true feelings to him, okay!

[The other person thanked you, you didn't want to talk to the other person and decided to go to bed right away.] ]

— but when he was about to fall asleep, he mumbled a happy birthday.