Episode 6: The Devil's Child (Part 1)
Fontania, capital of the Rob Empire.
The imperial palace at its heart stood as the empire's largest and most magnificent structure, its gilded tiers making the entire area shimmer gold under sunlight.
This was home to the emperor, his family, nobles, and high-ranking officials. More than mere residences, it served as the empire's administrative, political, artistic, and cultural nucleus.
Within, walls and floors of polished marble showcased endless decorations and statues. The inner palace remained forbidden to all except imperial attendants. From a vantage point overlooking Fontania, Prince Mercar conversed with General Eugenia.
"The boy slave was in one of five caravans headed to Palemon," Eugenia reported.
"Palemon... You're certain he lives?" Mercar frowned without turning from the city view.
"Many servants and soldiers witnessed his departure. But survival odds diminish there - over a week has passed."
"Hmph. Since execution was denied, they've exiled him to hell." Both knew Palemon's infamous reputation through rumors.
"Any retrieval methods?"
"This matter no longer falls under our purview."
"Damnation!" Mercar's fists clenched. By imperial decree, Colosseum affairs belonged to Senator Montecorato - royal interference would stir discord.
"May I inquire?" Eugenia ventured cautiously.
"Speak."
"Why this fascination with a slave boy? He merely lucked through Colosseum games."
Mercar turned with a bitter smile. "Perhaps. But I disagree. That child possesses something extraordinary. When we met, I sensed... a feral energy lurking within him."
"Surely not—" Eugenia's eyebrow twitched.
"He might share my nature," Mercar stated gravely.
Eugenia shook her head. "That's excessive conjecture."
"Regardless, verification is necessary. Can we extract him covertly?"
"Palemon lies beyond our influence. The task would be difficult, time-consuming, with no survival guarantee."
After prolonged contemplation, Mercar struck the balcony rail. "Dispatch scouts to confirm his status secretly. Should he live—" He met Eugenia's gaze squarely. "I'll retrieve him personally."
"Your Highness, that's—" Eugenia's protest died at his unyielding expression.
As the slave caravan reached Palemon, Karon committed the terrain to memory. Parched air and sandstorms hinted at desert proximity, while dried fish and brine suggested coastal closeness.
The crumbling city's cheers intensified as they approached - evidence of another Colosseum. Their destination emerged: a gray compound near the arena, surrounded by towering walls enclosing vast grounds.
"Unload the slaves!"
Scarred, whip-bearing guards herded them inside. Karon found himself among twenty youths until two figures appeared on an upper terrace - Batia and a cunning-faced stranger. He caught fragments: "...Beast Onslaught... just a child..."
Karon's final group held five men - all older, taller. One bore cracked ribs, another illness-weakened. Karon positioned himself in shadowed corners, noting the cell's bloodstained floor.
"Only one survives per cell by sunset. Multiple survivors mean execution."
A dagger clattered before Karon. Without hesitation, he kicked it toward the injured man.
Thud!
Chaos erupted. Four men scrambled for the blade as Karon strategically aided the injured combatant until only two remained - Karon and the gasping, grateful survivor who suddenly lunged.
Crack!
Karon's heel smashed fractured ribs. Before the man collapsed, Karon seized the dagger and drove it deep.
"You... devil..." The man's grip slackened.
Panting, Karon surveyed his crimson prison as distant screams echoed.
Batia watched intently, suspicion etched across his features.
He'd ordered the dagger placed before Karon, yet the boy rejected it. The ensuing slaughter unfolded exactly as if Karon had planned it.
Could he have assessed all four men beforehand?
Beside him, Altantic's greedy gaze lingered on Karon.
Profit potential...
Dawn revealed each cell's sole survivor. Karon sat straight-backed atop corpses, blood pooling beneath him. The training officer froze at the sight.
Throughout the night, Karon's mind had replayed crucial memories:
The black-clad killers of his parents. A red-eyed giant. A blue-haired noble clutching the Demon's Orb.
"We've retrieved the Orb. Withdraw."
If he escaped, he'd trace that artifact. For now, he'd use this gladiator school.
Then came the memory of warmth - a girl with tear-filled silver eyes and diamond-marked forehead from the slave cart.
And Mercar - the only kindness after his mercenary troop's annihilation. That strange heartbeat acceleration when they'd met...
Clang! Clang!
Morning bells startled Karon awake. Sunlight revealed his blood-caked form, back rigid against death. The stunned officer could only stare.
