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Chapter 14
Wilcock’s booming voice echoed through the arena once more.
“The participants are all wearing uniforms marked with different numbers. There will be only one winner, and anyone who correctly predicts that winner will receive prize money equal to three times the amount they bet. Participation is, of course, completely voluntary!”
“Ooooh…!”
The spectator stands erupted into excited chatter.
“Are you going to participate?”
“Hm… I don’t know. This is my first time seeing an event like this. Maybe I’ll watch first.”
However, the crowd’s hesitation vanished completely when the Head Attendant continued.
“And that’s not all!”
He spread his arms dramatically.
“Her Imperial Majesty herself has also contributed to the prize pool! For this event only, anyone who correctly predicts the winner will receive a personal reward of one thousand gold from the Emperor!”
“WOOOOOOAH!”
Thunderous cheers exploded from both nobles and commoners alike.
Even the finest mansion in the capital was worth less than a thousand gold.
In other words, if luck favored them, anyone—regardless of status—could obtain unimaginable wealth.
The atmosphere grew increasingly frenzied.
Wilcock pressed forward without pause.
“Now then, what matters most is the competition itself!”
“OOOOOOOH!”
“First, let us introduce the contestants!”
Countless eager gazes turned toward the waiting rooms connected to the iron gates.
Clank!
The heavy doors on both sides of the arena slowly opened.
And when the contestants of the Prey Competition emerged—
Only Wilcock continued speaking.
“Allow me to introduce the competitors: the entire House Sands!”
They no longer looked human.
Wooden bits were jammed into their mouths, drool streaming continuously from their lips.
Iron shackles bound their necks and ankles.
Their arms were wrapped tightly in thick leather restraints.
Their bloodshot eyes had lost all focus.
They resembled corpses whose souls had already departed.
“The rules are simple!”
“Starting from the starting line, the first participant to seize the ‘prey’ placed atop the pillar wins!”
“To ensure fairness, the use of aura is prohibited!”
Silence descended upon the arena.
The cheers that had greeted the prize money had long since vanished.
Noticing the mood, Wilcock quickly added:
“For reference, this competition also serves as an execution.”
“It was Baron Cornwell himself who discovered House Sands’ treason!”
At the far end of the VIP section, Baron Cornwell rose from his seat.
Placing one hand over his chest, he bowed respectfully toward Mary.
“Let us all give our applause to a man who continues to dedicate himself to Strovana!”
“Treason? Treason means they tried to rebel, right?”
“I guess so…?”
The audience began murmuring again.
Then came Wilcock’s next announcement.
The atmosphere shifted entirely.
“However!”
“Our merciful Emperor has declared that the participant who places first will receive a full pardon!”
“Ah! Such boundless compassion!”
The public mood changed almost instantly.
“Well… if it’s treason, they were going to be executed anyway, right?”
“Y-Yeah! That’s true! They were doomed from the start!”
“And first place gets pardoned!”
Opinions that had been hesitant moments ago rapidly turned favorable.
“To rebel against our benevolent Emperor! Those bastards deserve to be torn apart!”
“Her Majesty is using them to bestow blessings upon us!”
Not only the commoners—
“We can’t let ignorant commoners win all that money.”
“Exactly. If they suddenly buy noble genealogies, the capital’s order will collapse.”
“This is a good opportunity to leave an impression on Her Majesty.”
Even the nobles’ eyes began gleaming with greed.
Watching public opinion reverse itself in an instant, Evelyn’s gaze darkened further.
Her eyes settled on Baron Cornwell.
If the Head Attendant was the executioner, then Cornwell was his hunting dog.
Though technically a member of the Council, he had inherited his family at a young age through sheer luck and possessed little real authority.
He was little more than a puppet.
A young lord full of greed and ambition but lacking ability.
The one who had extended a hand to him was Wilcock Hopnagen.
The Head Attendant who played the fool at Mary’s side while turning human beings into prey.
Wilcock smiled in satisfaction as he surveyed the arena.
“Glory everlasting to Her Imperial Majesty!”
“Betting will now begin!”
“Please hand your slips and money to the attendants walking around.”
At his signal, servants carrying large sacks appeared throughout the arena.
Commoners and nobles alike rushed toward them.
Evelyn did not move.
She simply watched.
The arena descended into chaos.
“Y-Your Highness…”
After some time, Mori’s voice came from behind her.
Turning slightly, Evelyn saw the girl bowing her head deeply.
“May I… leave my seat for a moment?”
“You… don’t tell me…”
Lilia looked at her in disbelief.
With her head lowered, Mori’s expression was hidden.
“Go.”
“Th-Thank you!”
Evelyn offered no further comment.
This time, Lilia looked at her.
Though she felt the gaze, Evelyn remained silent.
Stopping the Prey Competition would change nothing.
If someone’s heart had already wavered now, then future events would sway them just as easily.
As Evelyn returned her attention to the arena, Robert entered her field of vision.
“Your Highness isn’t placing a bet?”
He looked thoroughly entertained by the entire situation.
It wasn’t surprising.
“I’m not interested.”
“I suppose not.”
“A generous Emperor would never neglect to provide for your expenses.”
“…”
“That aside, you’re more composed than I expected.”
He nodded toward the arena.
“You haven’t reacted at all to the sight of those people.”
The Sands family still stood shackled and restrained.
Drool dripped from their mouths as they stared blankly at the pillar.
No trace of humanity remained.
“For someone of noble birth, it’s a rather unpleasant sight.”
“Yet you show no sign of distress.”
“I’m impressed.”
Robert smiled.
At the same time, Evelyn remembered the first time she had witnessed the Prey Competition in her previous life.
“Evelyn. You look unsightly.”
“Your Majesty… I simply cannot…”
“Are you trying to ruin my entertainment?”
“…No.”
Back then, she had completely lost track of time.
She clenched her fists so tightly to stop herself from trembling that her nails tore open her palms.
She endured the event solely to avoid displeasing Mary.
The moment she returned to her quarters, she vomited everything she had eaten that day.
Of course, humans adapted.
Eventually, she had become numb enough to watch the Prey Competition without outward reaction.
Evelyn’s green eyes moved slowly.
The Head Attendant laughing happily at the railing.
Robert observing everything leisurely.
And—
“Your Majesty, the Head Attendant appears to have put considerable effort into this.”
“Yes.”
Mary smiled faintly.
“It has been a long time since I’ve been this entertained.”
Mary watched the entire spectacle with visible interest.
After exchanging a few words with the Emperor, Robert turned his attention back to Evelyn.
“If it becomes too difficult to watch, tell me.”
“I’ll escort you out personally.”
“If you’re going to keep talking nonsense, go hand that betting slip to an attendant instead.”
“Oh?”
He glanced at the paper resting on his thigh.
“I’ll pass.”
“I see.”
“Aren’t you curious why?”
“Not particularly.”
Robert burst out laughing again.
He bent forward, laughing loudly enough to draw attention from everyone nearby, including Mary.
Evelyn did not even glance at him.
Eventually, after calming down, he answered his own question.
“What fun is gambling when the result is already obvious?”
“You speak as though you already know who will win.”
For the first time, Evelyn turned toward him.
Meeting her eyes, Robert smiled wider than ever.
“Number Five.”
“Number Five will win.”
“…”
Evelyn’s expression froze.
His prediction was correct.
In her previous life, both times the competition had been held, the first event had featured House Sands.
And every single time, the youngest son had emerged victorious.
How does he know?
She knew because she had memories of the future.
But how could Robert be so certain?
Assuming she would not ask, Robert continued speaking on his own.
“I’ll tell you this only because it’s you, Your Highness.”
“The Head Attendant had quite a difficult time handling them.”
“He deprived them of food and water.”
“He brainwashed them repeatedly.”
“And yet their family bonds were absurdly strong.”
“…”
“The moment anyone touched the youngest son, the others went berserk.”
“They couldn’t even properly condition the boy.”
“Though children are driven by instinct, so it hardly matters.”
He crossed one leg over the other.
“The others will try to protect him because he’s the child of the family.”
“So the outcome is obvious.”
“The winner will be Number Five.”
Before Evelyn could respond—
Wilcock’s booming voice rang out across the arena once again.
