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Chapter 05
05. Beast Without a Master (1)
As the sun set and darkness fell, a black carriage arrived at a secret rear gate of the royal palace—known only to a few.
It was an ordinary-looking carriage with no markings.
It slowly descended along the palace backroads, ignored by guards and knights stationed along the route, and headed toward the town beneath the palace.
Those hidden in the shadows, watching for intruders, all pretended not to see it—because they already knew the identity of its passenger was far too important.
“How much longer?”
“We’ll arrive shortly.”
“That’s faster than I expected…”
“We’re not using the main gate, so we take a detour. But since we don’t stop at checkpoints, it’s naturally quicker.”
At Maia’s precise answer, Ariana, who had been peering outside by lifting the curtain, nodded.
In truth, she had meant “faster” compared to when she once fled the palace—but she couldn’t explain that to Maia, so she let it pass.
I didn’t even know a route like this existed.
The king had never allowed Ariana to leave the palace, preferring her to remain where his influence reached.
And Ariana herself had never felt the need to go outside, having grown accustomed to the palace’s luxury.
So this “outing” was, in both her past and present lives combined, only her second time leaving the palace.
Ah… but the first time was me escaping. Can that even count as an outing?
Compared to when she had slipped out hiding in a supply carriage prepared by the queen…
A carriage that takes me comfortably, Maia attending me, and escorts following in the shadows. Perfect.
Since returning in time, her standards for satisfaction in life had dropped significantly.
Well… considering her last memory was the guillotine, that couldn’t be helped.
“It won’t always be like this, right?”
“Pardon?”
“Just talking to myself. We’ve arrived, haven’t we?”
“Ah… it seems so.”
Maia pulled the curtain aside and confirmed outside. Those who had been securing the area vanished one by one into the shadows upon the carriage’s arrival.
“I’ll disembark first.”
The carriage stopped. Maia checked outside, then lowered the curtain and spoke.
Ariana pulled up her hood and carefully tucked in her bright blonde hair so none of it showed.
Maia stepped out first, confirmed there was no danger, then extended her hand.
A signal that it was safe.
Ariana took her hand and stepped down, quietly observing the ordinary-looking surroundings while letting Maia adjust her clothes.
“Is this really the place?”
“It seems they chose a location hidden from public eyes.”
Hidden was one word for it—illegal was another.
Maia frowned, clearly disapproving, but Ariana averted her gaze and walked toward the worn building ahead, aware of the escorts watching from somewhere unseen.
An abandoned commercial building from long ago, they said.
Some said it failed because of bad land, others said it was cursed—but those were just rumors to hide the existence of the “Dog Arena.”
“Maia.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, my name is Arina.”
“Understood. I will remember it.”
Satisfied by Maia’s immediate compliance, Ariana adjusted her hood and dragging robe once more before grasping the door handle of the dilapidated entrance.
“Who dares enter another man’s home so carelessly?”
In the middle of a pitch-dark, unlit lobby sat a man on a creaking chair that looked like it might collapse at any moment.
His face was hidden in darkness, but his tone was unmistakably bold—and shameless.
“I brought an invitation.”
“An invitation? What is that?”
“I hate unnecessary complications. Stop playing around.”
“Playing? I am being serious.”
“Shall I test whether you can still say that after losing your head?”
“…My, you really don’t like jokes, do you.”
The man, who had been lounging with crossed legs, stood and bowed politely.
“It’s been a while since we had such a distinguished guest. Welcome to the Gray Corridor.”
“Gray Corridor… quite a grand name.”
“A place whose true value cannot be seen at a glance.”
With smooth, uninvited familiarity, the man lit a lantern beside his chair.
Short, neatly combed gray hair and black eyes flickered with shifting light and shadow.
“Ruben Gray.”
“You know me?”
“You think I’d come here without knowing anything?”
Ruben—once a merchant whose name was known across Molbian and even the Darsen Empire, thanks to his polished face, eloquence, and unmatched calculations.
And also a patron of avengers.
He had supported foreign tribes who harbored hatred toward Molbian, accelerating the kingdom’s downfall.
Some said he acted out of resentment toward Molbian. Others said it was simply because it was profitable.
Most believed the latter—that he was nothing more than a filthy money-worm.
But it doesn’t seem like it was just for money…
Ariana studied him as he studied her with a faint smile.
“So it wasn’t a coincidence that you obtained the invitation, Princess Ariana.”
“You know my name too?”
“A merchant who doesn’t know the name of a guest holding an invitation is no merchant at all.”
With another exaggerated bow, Ruben gestured forward with the lantern.
“I cannot keep such an esteemed guest in a place like this any longer. I will guide you.”
Then he paused, turning his head slightly over his shoulder.
“Beyond this point, no one else may enter. I will stake my neck on properly escorting the guest, so please remain where you are.”
It was directed at the escorts hidden outside.
Naturally, those of the royal palace would not obey a mere merchant’s words.
But before they could respond—
“That’s an order. Stay.”
Ariana spoke.
If no one of higher authority appeared, they had no choice but to comply.
Even if the king later reprimanded her, she could easily resolve it by acting like a “foolish young daughter.”
A single tearful, pitiful expression would be enough to ensure their safety.
The hidden escorts likely understood this as well.
With no reply from outside, Ariana followed Ruben into the dark corridor.
Ruben walked ahead, clearly satisfied, while Maia followed silently behind.
As they walked deeper, the corridor transformed into a massive underground cavern.
And then—
The sound began to grow.
Louder and louder as they descended.
By the time they reached a massive iron door, it had become a deafening roar.
“Welcome to the Dog Arena.”
The door opened—and the sound that had seemed distant until now exploded like thunder, shaking her entire body.
A massive underground circular coliseum.
Through a wide opening overlooking the arena, Ariana saw the crowd screaming with faces twisted in either ecstasy or despair.
And following their gaze inward—
She found him.
Short white hair, starkly pale against skin slick with blood and sweat.
The owner of the black eyes she had last seen at the edge of death.
