『Meilia: That's a lie... They don't care about me. 』
Her words echoed in the cell, filled with a despair that, for a moment, broke the heavy silence surrounding them.
『Neizan: Oh, really? Well, your little sister seemed pretty worried when I saw her by chance in that library. 』
『Meilia: My sister? You saw Yaiza? 』
Meilia's eyes widened in surprise, a spark of emotion she hadn't shown in a long time.
『Neizan: That's what I said. 』
His tone was cold and direct, but there was something in his gaze that suggested he was testing Meilia's emotions, watching for her reaction.
『Meilia: My sisters have nothing to do with my parents' decisions... I'm not even considered part of the nobility anymore. 』
Meilia lowered her gaze, her voice fading with a mix of bitterness and resignation.
『Neizan: Maybe. But you brought this on yourself. Now that I see you in such a pathetic state, I don't know whether to laugh or pity you. 』
Neizan smirked bitterly, as if he couldn't decide whether to despise her or feel sorry for her. Meilia remained silent, her face expressionless.
『Meilia: ... 』
『Arthur: …It's all right. 』
Arthur, who had been silent until now, spoke calmly, his tone much more measured.
『Arthur: We still haven't forgiven you, and although I somewhat understand your situation, you'll have to make a decision. 』
Meilia raised her head, visibly intrigued, though distrust lingered in her eyes.
『Meilia: What...? 』
『Arthur: We don't know many mages, much less those who can use advanced magic like yours. If you cooperate with us, we're offering you a chance to get out of here. 』
Arthur kept his gaze fixed on Meilia, trying to gauge her reaction as he extended that unexpected offer.
『Meilia: What do I have to do? 』
The question came out with suspicion, but there was a spark of interest in her tone.
『Arthur: You'll travel with us to the capital. Soon, the Coliseum Games will be held there. Neizan has to participate due to a contract we made with Alberto. So, tell us... What will you do now? 』
The room fell silent. Meilia looked away, resuming her distant stance, avoiding eye contact with both, as if silently considering her answer.
『Neizan: Tsk. Let's go, Arthur. It's pointless. 』
Frustrated, Neizan turned around, patience worn thin.
『Arthur: …You go ahead, I'll be there shortly. 』
Arthur stayed a moment longer, looking at Meilia with a thoughtful expression, waiting for any sign of a response before following Neizan.
『Arthur: You may not want to trust us, but believe me when I say that nothing will happen to you. I just want you to help Neizan, so he has a better chance of winning in the coliseum. You won't have to fight; we only need your knowledge of magic. So, please, think it over. 』
『Meilia: ... 』
『Arthur: If you decide to accept, just speak to one of the guards and give them a letter so we know. Then... we'll see you another day. 』
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
After leaving the prison, the boys returned to the mansion.
『Neizan: I still don't understand why we would need a mage if they aren't allowed to intervene in the fights. 』
『Arthur: That's not why we need her. What we truly lack is her knowledge of magic. We don't know what you might encounter there, or what kind of fighters will show up. 』
『Neizan: Alberto could probably get us a better mage than her. Why don't you just ask him for that? 』
『Arthur: It's not that simple. Besides, it's not in our best interest to trust anyone recommended by that man. 』
『Neizan: Yeah, that's true. Did they tell you how long she has to stay in prison? 』
『Arthur: A year. And most likely, she won't see her family again after that. What she said was true; her parents cut all ties with her. She even lost the right to carry her family name and call herself a noble. 』
『Neizan: That's what happens when someone thinks they're smarter than they really are. 』
『Arthur: Doesn't the contract strike you as a bit odd? 』
『Neizan: What do you mean? 』
『Arthur: Think about it. Why would the most important marquis around here grant you so many privileges and guarantees? All he had to do was make sure you never saw Lina again and leave you in prison, only to offer you the deal at the last minute. Yet, he's given us everything we've wanted so far. 』
Neizan crossed his arms, gazing out the window with a mix of frustration and determination.
『Neizan: I suppose he's pretty convinced that I can win the victory for his faction in that coliseum. 』
Arthur watched him in silence for a moment, frowning slightly, before responding in a thoughtful tone.
『Arthur: And how can he be so sure, even knowing that the champion has been undefeated for over thirty years? 』
Neizan let out a sigh and clenched his fists, as if trying to contain the weight of the pressure on his shoulders.
『Neizan: We'll find that out once we're there. In the meantime, I need to prepare as much as I can. There's no time to waste. 』
With a quick movement, he turned toward the door, his gaze now filled with resolve, making it clear that he wasn't willing to waste another second.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
The following morning, after Neizan and Arthur spoke with Meilia, Neizan and Miguel were training outside the mansion, immersed in a practice duel. The sound of swords clashing echoed in the air. It was then that Alberto appeared, accompanied by four people. Two of them were mansion guards, but the other two were strangers.
『Alberto: Good morning, everyone. 』
Arthur, who was watching the duel from a distance, calmly turned upon hearing the marquis's voice and responded politely.
『Arthur: Good morning, Lord Alberto. 』
Miguel, noticing the presence of his lord, immediately stopped the combat with Neizan. Breathing a bit heavily from the exercise, he approached the noble with firm steps. Upon reaching him, he bowed slightly and placed a hand over his chest in a gesture of respect, maintaining a serious and disciplined expression.