CHAPTER 128 - SEE YOU AT THE FINALS
Fireworks light up the night skies with a loud bang. The Saltside City lights made it as lively as possible, and the spotlights focused on the center of the arena the coliseum. The crowd cheered wildly as they saw the participants for this second part of the Battle Fiesta. Excitement and joy filled the air as the Kaisers and Gladiators presented themselves at the center of the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second and final round of the Entry-Grade Battle Fiesta!" The emcee shouted out loud.
The crowd cried once again, taking the encore to the next level. I felt thrilled as the audience looked at me with their smiles. My Gladiatrix Rayne waved her hand to the spectators and the camera. I followed her lead, awkwardly, until I noticed a weird couple staring at us.
It was the beautiful brown-haired Irida Nanahara and his handsome blonde Arth Victus. When our eyes met, they gave a smile to us. We smiled back at them.
"After so many days and nights of waiting, we have resumed the Battle Fiesta for everyone's entertainment! These eight Kaisers and eight Gladiators are the best of the best of this year! Which of these eight shall emerge the victor and become the Kaiser and Gladiator Champion?"
While the emcee was busily making his speech, Rayne grabbed my wrist and pulled me. We slowly approached Irida and Arth, who seemed to be expecting our acquaintance.
"Good evening, Mister Chaldeas and Miss Treenity. Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners? It should be President Treenity." Irida bowed politely.
"Good evening to you too, Miss Nanahara." Rayne waved with a smile, but then she shifted to a serious gaze. "Knowing that you are up-to-date in regards to Treenity Innovations' private affairs, I guess you already know why we wanted to talk to you?"
Irida also met us with a stern gaze and erased the smile on her face. "It's all about that psycho who has been murdering Numbered Kaisers one by one for the past months, right?"
Rayne slowly nodded. "I will go straight to the point. Irda Nanahara, Number 2 of the Numbered Kaisers. I wanted you to join Treenity Innovations for your protection. As the President of the corporation who is responsible for experimenting on you, we will do all our might to protect you from the real Raynevere Treenity."
In this instance, the Cyber Paladin Arth Victus went between the girls, seemingly protecting his Kaiser like a real knight in shining armor.
"I'm sorry, Miss President. But there is no way I will let Irida go with that corporation again." Arth gave a silent cold glare with an unbreakable spirit. "I know that you are a good leader, President Treenity. But the corporation itself is the problem. Treenity Innovations is the reason why Irida suffered for years. It is also the reason why she is being hunted down. If only Irida was not a Numbered Kaiser, then we should have not resorted to hiding."
Irida gently held Arth's bulky armored arm and also stared at Rayne. "He is right. I know it's not your fault, and you just wanted to straighten things out. But I will never involve myself with Treenity Innovations again."
There was a strong silence between us four. It is just logical for Irida and Arth to not trust the corporation as it was the cause of all the problems we are facing nowadays. Just like them, I almost lost a life just because I was involved with it. It is only because of my love for Rayne that I decided to move forward and fight.
Arth shifted to a friendly smile, and the tension in the air immediately went off. "Don't worry, Mister Chaldeas and President Treenity. I am strong enough to fight the Masked Kaiser's Cyberdemons. I have beaten countless of them, even the dinosaur variants."
"Don't worry about us. There is no way Raynevere Treenity can ever touch me or even a strand of my hair. Arth is strong." Irida said with a reassuring smile.
Rayne crossed her arms and then uttered a sigh. Then she looked at me as if she was asking what we should do with these two. It seems quite risky if we just let these two on their own, but they are confident with their abilities. However, we don't know much about Raynevere Treenity's plans. She already got four of the Numbered Kaiser codes. Who knows what she would do if she could summon the Elder God?
"Challenge," I uttered.
"Huh?" Irida and Arth uttered.
"Eh?" Rayne tilted her head in confusion.
I took a deep breath and then smiled at the weirdly optimistic couple. "We would want to challenge your strengths. If you can be the Kaiser and Gladiator Champion, Treenity Innovations will not bother you anymore. However, if we become the champions, you should at least do what Rayne says."
Rayne was flabbergasted at my provocations at first since she knew how much of a silent guy I was. But she seemed to be thrilled and approving of my idea. The only way we can settle our differences is a Gladiator Battle, right here, and right now, in this Battle Fiesta.
Arth and Irida glanced at each other for a few seconds and then the paladin answered me.
"So you are saying that you want to prove our strength?"
"Precisely." I smiled.
"If you two beat us, that just means you do not need our protection," Rayne said as she confidently put her hand on her hips.
"Well, I will never back out. I will show to you that I can protect Irida with my power alone." Arth replied, clenching his armored fists.
"I am more than capable enough to protect myself as long as Arth is by my side. We don't need any Kaisers or Gladiators to babysit us." Irida gave a kind but threatening smile.
"This is decided then." Rayne clapped. "See you at the finals!"