While Milan and Merka were engrossed in their conversation, a man dressed as a servant quietly approached from the entrance of the exhibition area.
"Boss, we've received new merchandise today."
"The head of the personnel department saw that new merchandise would make good use of the holy relics, so he sent her off to the Crimson Spire Tower."
"The duel performance at the Crimson Spire Tower is about to begin shortly, it's quite rare and special. Would you like to go there as a guest first?"
Approaching Milan, the servant respectfully shared what he had seen and heard in a vivid manner.
"…You're right, let's do that."
"Let's go and watch the performance first, Mr. Merka."
With a hand lightly stroking his chin, the woman nodded thoughtfully. She turned around and placed a hand on Merka's shoulder, gently guiding him towards the exit of the exhibition area.
Is the new merchandise the girl?
Despite the raging anger inside him, Merka managed to suppress the overwhelming fury burning in his heart like a bonfire. A warm flow with Turing's touch passed through various passages in his body, flushing out the heavy anger within.
He knew that even though he wanted to vent his frustration by pounding this woman before him, it wouldn't save anyone. Managers can be replaced, hotels can be rebuilt. But within this tragic cycle, at least he must save the little girl within sight to be able to let go willingly.
Thus, without resistance, Merka silently followed behind Milan, walking out of the exhibition area and reaching the main road. After a long walk through winding corridors, they finally arrived at the so-called Crimson Spire Tower.
It seemed like a duel arena similar to the magic combat arena in Central City. The towering spectator stands stood around silently, adorned with various grandiose seats belonging to nobles and dignitaries. They were mostly gathered in groups, surrounded by numerous enchanting women and handsome men serving them. Countless exquisite dishes were placed on low, wide purple and red tables beside them, tempting any onlooker.
The overall color scheme of the spectator stands leaned towards pink and enchanting purple, extremely seductive and arousing desire, causing Merka to furrow his brow deeply.
Emerging from the corridor, Merka leaned against the railing on the edge of the spectator stands, looking down from a higher vantage point. He noticed a raggedly dressed girl being driven step by step from the edge of the dueling arena by others. She was being pulled towards the center of the arena non-stop by a thick iron chain binding her hands.
Her eyes were vacant, drool at the corner of her mouth, staring fixedly at the handful of red powder held by the servant leading her, moving forward unconsciously like a puppet on strings.
Merka identified her as the girl he had come to find this time.
"Is it just starting? I thought I was late."
"Look at that Curseborn, she's the new arrival today."
"As a Curseborn, she was supposed to have no eyes, but when she arrived, we gave her a pair of new eyes."
"See, doesn't she look much more appealing like this compared to those Curseborn who haven't undergone surgery?"
Without carefully listening to Milan's words, Merka was preoccupied with the state of the young girl who seemed lost in the duel arena.
"She's coming out! Turing!"
"Let's go get her now!"
【No... it's not time yet.】
While Merka roared in his heart, Turing calmly advised him through an aside.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"Tonight, Crimson Spire welcomes a new show!"
"You will witness an unprecedented battle between man and beast!"
"As per tradition, the fight will continue until one party completely loses signs of life!"
"The Viscount of the Marquisate of West City will present his long-coveted war beast - the Lion-Tiger Beast, to welcome our new contender!"
"The odds are the usual for beginners, 2 to 1.1."
"Lion-Tiger Beast 2, Newcomer 1.1!"
A woman dressed as a hostess flew onto the duel arena with extravagant gestures, holding a microphone as she addressed the audience.
She then pulled out a signal gun and fired into the sky.
With a bang, a strange-looking beast suddenly charged out from a corner of the arena, roaring wildly at the girl. Unfortunately, despite its angry fiery gaze, it was held back by several iron chains trailing behind, preventing it from pouncing on its prey.
"After three gunshots, no more bets can be placed! Please state your chips quickly."
As the hostess patiently explained, Merka became increasingly agitated.
"A magical beast...? But why do I feel like there are so many stitched scars on its body."
Merka looked nervously at the fierce beast in the central area of the duel arena, starting to worry about the girl's fate.
Bang! Another gunshot sounded.
"Alright! With the second gunshot, let's allocate relics to the two!"
"According to the rules of Crimson Spire, we will randomly draw relics from our inventory to give to the two!"
"Now, take advantage of the last moments to buy chips again. Once we start, there will be no refunds!"
Can beasts also use relics...?
Merka's face turned pale, too caught up in his intense nervous state to notice the hostess's detailed explanations.
"Alas! What a pity, everyone."
"It seems our newcomer has drawn some great relics!"
"Those who bought chips earlier may have lost out!"
On a large screen above the duel arena, the relics that the two were about to receive were flashing. A servant took out the respective relics from a storage box behind the hostess, placing a string of purple necklace around the Lion-Tiger Beast's neck, and a crown of thorns on the girl's head position.
