Free Web NovelChapter 50: Chapter 50
The crowd at the Colosseum began to stamp their feet and chant for the octagon. He was a giant man. He carried an axe, a chain rod, and wore a spiked helmet. His back and check were covered in scars, and he limped when he walked.
"That’s a scary man," Iris whispered. "I wouldn’t even think to fight him, ever. Or even if I contemplated it, I would need all the help I can get from my sisters."
"He is strong," Penelope said in agreement.
"Why do I sense a but there somewhere?"
Penelope turned towards her and smirked. "You’re not so dumb after all. Well, he’s not invincible. He’s been beaten before. Just not by many."
Iris rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Ahh... I see."
The octagon beat his chest and growled at the crowd.
"This will definitely be very fun to watch," Iris said.
"And for his opponent," the herald continued. "We have the mighty Ajax, son of Senator Christos."
The crowd jeered and booed
"Wow, that’s harsh," Iris scoffed.
"Nothing personal," Penelope chuckled, "the crowd is the crowd, and they will do what the crowd does best. Be herds."
Ajax emerged. He wasn’t too bad-looking. His body was covered in what looked like grease, and he held nothing but a sword.
"Does he really expect to defeat that giant of a man with just a sword and whatever he’s lathered on his body?" Iris furrowed her brows.
"You actually caught that?" Penelope said with a hint of surprise.
"You mean the grease? It’s hard not to notice. He looks like he’s been dipped in oil."
Penelope let out a hearty laugh. "True. But not a lot of people would have associated that with a fighting strategy. I’m impressed."
Iris scoffed. "Fighting is all I’ve ever known, princess," she said. "I know a lot more than you think."
Ajax stood beside the octagon, and then they turned to bow to the king.
"Let the games begin," the king stood and announced.
The two men turned towards each other, watching them study them. But the octagon could now wait too long without fighting. He charged towards Ajax and swung his axe towards his neck. Ajax bent downwards, dodging the blow and simultaneously slashing his thigh.
The crowd burst into happiness.
"I thought they were rooting for the octagon?" Iris furrowed her brows.
"Support is fickle in the colosseum, my dear Iris." Penelope said, "They love whoever wins."
"That’s just awful," Iris said and shook her head.
"There’ll be a lot for me to hate about the game, Iris, but for now, I suggest you enjoy it."
The men continued in their tussle. The octagon landed a whip of his chain on Ajax’s back, and he cried out.
"He’s probably thinking that that grease is a bad idea," Penelope said to Iris, and they shared a laugh.
"You’ve been talking since the games began, Pen. I need you to be quiet," the king said over his shoulder.
Iris grimaced. She was better than this.
"Sorry, Father. We’ll be quieter."
The battle did not last too long. Ajax had successfully worn out the octagon, and when he could no longer be as swift as he was, he drove his sword through his stomach and cut down with all his might.
"And we have our winner!" The herald announced.
The people cheered and shouted so loudly that the whole structure shook.
A few attendants came forward and dragged the octagon’s body away.
"That was an interesting fight," Iris whispered.
"Indeed, it is." Penelope nodded.
"For our next fighters, " the herald announced. "Nikolas Aetos, son of Senator Grascus Aetos."
The crowd cheered.
"And for his opponent, Invictor!!!!"
The crowd went wild with excitement.
"Do they ever stop with the shouting? Will they do that for every fighter?" Iris asked, a bit taken aback by the sheer excitement from the crowd.
"You underestimate the crowd and its power, my dear friend. They have an unlimited amount of energy to spare. Plus, this is just the second match. Excitement will waver until a real fighter comes along."
"Well, let’s watch out and see how our dear Niko fares."
He did poorly and was almost liked, but unexpectedly, was saved by luck. Niko pushed him just in time for him to fall on his sword.
"That was underwhelming." Penelope clicked her tongue.
"Well, he’s the man after our princess’s heart; give him a little grace."
The games went on and on, with most of the sons of the nobles coming out victorious, while a few were not so lucky. And just like Penelope had said, the excitement from the crowd fluctuated. freewёbnoνel.com
By the time they called out the last fighter and his opponent for the day, the sun had set.
"For our last fighter, please welcome the champion, Commodus."
The crowd began to jump, shout, and stump one another.
"What is this reaction?" Iris asked. She’d noticed that everyone beside her, even the king, who had dozed off at one point, was wide awake when they called the name.
"I could say he is the greatest fighter we’ve seen in a decade." freёwebnovel.com
"Wow, that’s a big title."
"For someone like him, that is an understatement."
"That is very interesting."
"And for his opponent..." The herald paused, heightening the anticipation, "Please welcome, Theodore Diomedes..."
The crowd erupted like a burst of flame. Much louder than they had last been.
"Son of the prime minister."
Iris looked at the roaring crowd, taking in their excitement and joy. "I thought you said Commodus was the best fighter of the decade?"
Without taking her eyes from the stage, "and I didn’t lie." Penelope replied. "However," she said and turned to Iris, "Theo is just as good."
"Ohh."
The two fighters emerged at once, electrifying the crowd once more with their presence.
"Theo learned to fight ever since he could talk. He is the most competent among his brothers. They’ve just never been good enough to compete," Iris said in a low tone.
"So, what would you call the rubbish Niko did here today?"
"He was never good enough to fight. But he’s his father’s favourite son."
"That is absolute rubbish."
Penelope smirked. "True."
The king stood up, "People of Erindros, the most anticipated fight of the tournament..."
The crowd cheered in agreement.
"My good men, the floor is yours," he announced. "May the games begin."
