Chapter 108: Aive’s Cousin

And just as Aive had expected, Sera hadn’t even been seated for fifty seconds in the gladiator arena in southern Rose City before she started to regret it.

"It’s fixed! What a scam!" Sera clenched her fists in regret. "I really should have listened to you, Aive. A Silver Coin and a Copper Coin, just down the drain!"

"These Gladiators are nothing like what the poster said!"

In the arena, the last remaining Gladiator was being chased all over by three Fearsome Wolves. Never mind fighting back; he was struggling just to stay alive.

If he could just maintain a shred of composure and use the arena’s terrain and traps to his advantage, he might have been able to hold out until time ran out. That way, even though he would lose the match with no honor to speak of, he would at least keep his life. But from the looks of it, he had maybe two more laps around the arena before he became food for the Fearsome Wolves.

The three Gladiators’ equipment was shoddy and they were severely malnourished. In contrast, the three Fearsome Wolves were sleek and powerful. If anyone still claimed the match wasn’t fixed, no one would believe them.

But the audience didn’t care, and neither did the organizers. Only the gamblers and the Gladiator himself would lament their unfair fate.

"Generally speaking, a veteran gambler on these fights usually has some inside information. The more resourceful ones will choose to go see the contestants for themselves, whether they’re human or animal."

Aive explained, "And more often than not, the outcomes of these matches are fixed from the start. Who wins and who loses is all intentional. Very few can break the mold."

"Now, I have to disagree with you there. Gladiator combat is the embodiment of courage and wisdom. It’s..."

As Aive was explaining the ins and outs of these fights to Sera, another spectator sitting beside her took offense and immediately turned to retort.

"Maybe it used to be, but now it’s just a cesspool for entertainment and profit, a world away from a real battle—"

Aive, of course, wasn’t about to let a stranger contradict her. However, when the spectator met Aive’s gaze, both of their mouths fell open as they froze on the spot.

"Aive de Kaperen?!"

"Constance Outville?!"

"I thought you’d died long ago in some godforsaken wilderness, your bones picked clean by hyenas!"

"Ha! Sorry to disappoint you!" Aive snorted. "I’m far stronger now than a spineless coward like you!"

"I certainly can’t tell," the woman, who was clearly acquainted with Aive but not on good terms, sneered. "You don’t even respect the spirit of the gladiator games!"

"Er, excuse me, Aive," Ron said, patting her on the shoulder just as she was about to lash out. "Aren’t you going to introduce us to this young lady?"

"Hm? Oh." Aive turned, the sharp edge in her eyes softening slightly. "This is Constance Outville. My cousin, and also a Half-Elf. There’s not much to introduce. She’s been a gutless coward since we were kids, and it looks like she still only dares to watch gladiator fights to pretend she has courage."

Generally, Half-Elves prefer the company of their own kind, as only their brethren can truly understand the hardship of living caught between two races. And since this Constance was Aive’s cousin, one would think the two of them would get along well.

However, as Ron could see, they were practically sworn enemies.

"She inherited her dad’s black hair, but as you can see, its texture is just awful. Hasn’t improved one bit over the years."

"That’s absolute nonsense!" Constance was about to fly into a rage, but then she caught sight of a middle-aged man, round as a ball, turning around. She quickly straightened her posture, composing herself to look like a serene, proper lady.

"You can tell she’s had a good upbringing. It just doesn’t... come across when she’s talking to you," Silvia remarked.

"Connie, what’s the matter?" the heavyset middle-aged man asked with concern, turning with some difficulty. "It sounded like you were arguing with someone."

"Not at all, Father," Constance replied sweetly. "Just... an old friend. We haven’t seen each other in so long, we were just catching up."

"’Father’?!"

Aive’s eyes flew wide with shock, her voice jumping a full octave. "Constance, do you have any idea what you’re saying?! You’re telling me this bald, obese man with reddish-brown hair is my uncle?!"

"Do you dare swear on my aunt’s spirit and say that again?!"

"He is my adoptive father, Aive," Constance said coldly. "After my mother—a free spirit, just like you—died during an adventure, my birth father passed away twenty years ago as well."

"My aunt and uncle both knew, but all you could think about was following your heart and going on your damn adventures!"

"If Mr. Hendricks hadn’t adopted me, I don’t know how I would have survived all these years!"

"Connie!" her adoptive father said, looking at her in shock. "You never told me you had a cousin!"

"Yes, Father. I’m sorry," Constance sighed. "As you can see, my cousin and I have never gotten along, not even when we were children. That’s why, even in that situation, I wasn’t willing to turn to her family for help..."

"No, no, no, I’m not blaming you," Hendricks said, quickly waving his hands. "You’ve been with me for fifteen years; you are my family! I was just surprised, that’s all. This young lady must be from Rose City as well? May I ask your family’s name—"

"The de Capel family," Aive said, nodding to him. "My father is Daniel de Kaperen, the owner of the Night Wind Tavern."

"I was just so shocked earlier. Please forgive my discourtesy."

"Not at all, not at all! I know old Daniel. Your parents are a legendary couple in Rose City, not to mention he helped me out just the other day!" Hendricks boomed with laughter. "It seems this is fate!"

"Excuse me, you wouldn’t happen to be Yunier Cindy Hendricks, would you?" Victoria asked, raising an eyebrow. ’Rose City is ridiculously small,’ she thought.

"The very same?" Hendricks said, smiling at Victoria as he waited for her to elaborate.

"I hear you’ve run into some trouble recently. I happen to be a Priest, so perhaps I can be of assistance—"

"Oh, old Daniel told you, did he?" Hendricks said, cutting Victoria off with a wave of his hand. "We can discuss business during business hours; there’s no rush. More importantly—"

"Miss Aive, you seemed to have some choice words about the gladiator games a moment ago. I wonder what your thoughts are on the matter?"