Chapter 60 The Jet-Black Swordsman and the Iron-Blooded Mercenaries
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The illegal colosseum, the “Abyss’s Bottom”—the day had come for its bloody festival, the [Abyss Coliseum], held once a year.
I wasn’t in the waiting room assigned to our team, but in a fancy VIP lounge reserved for the owner.
Through the window, I could already hear the faint roar of the colosseum coming to life. I changed out of my civilian clothes and into my combat gear. The design was jet-black and sleek, balanced for mobility yet carrying an air of authority, and felt like a living shadow.
I put on a cold metal mask to cover up my identity and slipped the [Ring of Transformation] onto my finger. My trusty blade hung at my waist, and on my shoulder rested Kuuko, still in kitten form.
Preparations complete. I headed toward the waiting room where Elenor awaited.
”Sorry to keep you waiting,” I said.
As I opened the door and called out, Elenor—already dressed in a red dress ready for fighting—turned toward me, her gaze sharp like a predator. Her eyes slid over me, assessing, as if checking my presence from head to toe.
”…So you’re the third warrior the owner mentioned?” she asked, her tone refined yet edged with suspicion.
Good. She hadn’t recognized me at all.
”Yeah,” I replied. “I’ll be using my sword and a bit of magic in combat.”
”Hmph. A magic swordsman, then. You look competent enough.” She paused, tilting her chin ever so slightly. “—And your name?”
Shit. I hadn’t even thought about a ring name.
Ah, well. Something decent should do.
”My ring name is ‘Xenos, the Jet-Black Magic Swordsman,’” I said.
”…The same name as that man,” she whispered, her voice dropping.
For just a moment, Elenor’s expression grew terribly complex. A faint crease formed between her brows, showing her inner turmoil.
”Yeah,” I said, shrugging. “The noble princess and the Margrave’s son—politically, eternal rivals—will stand side by side in the ring as a tag team. That’s the concept I heard from the owner.”
I quickly gave an excuse I’d come up with on the spot. Long as it sounded plausible, that was all that mattered.
”Hmph. An amusing idea, but I don’t like it,” she said, her noble tone sharpening. “The thought of fighting alongside a degenerate like that man makes my skin crawl.”
She certainly hated him—but that was fine. I’d done plenty to earn that hatred, after all. Elenor turned away with a sour expression, pouting like a child. It struck me quietly—that childish side of hers was so human, so real.
”Now then.” She fixed her gaze on my shoulder. “That kitten on your shoulder—Kuuko, was it? Are you truly going to have it fight as well?”
She raised a reasonable question, her gaze fixed on Kuuko.
”Of course not like this,” I smiled. “Consider it a surprise for when the match begins.”
”…Very well. I suppose I’ll see your skills for myself,” she said, still sounding doubtful.
Elenor still looked half-skeptical, but she pressed no further. Perhaps she understood that even if she asked, I had no intention of answering.
She’d find out soon enough once the battle started anyway.
Eventually, our turn came.
The crowd’s roar hit like an earthquake, shaking me to the core.
The heat of the spotlights above burned into my skin. Amid it all, we made our way toward the ring, lit by the glow of magic stones. The colosseum’s heavy energy clung to my skin, burning—a thick mixture of blood, sweat, and dust.
At the center of the ring, our opponents were already waiting.
For our team, [Royal Phantom], our first match’s opponents were an experienced mercenary team—all human.
In the [Abyss Coliseum], you never know who you’ll face until the match begins. Still, I’d thoroughly gathered information on every participating team beforehand. All the necessary info was already in my head.
The actual strategy would be decided here, after we’d seen the opponents.
The team was called the [Iron-Blooded Mercenaries]. Veterans of the Royal Capital’s underworld, they were known for taking any dirty job—as long as the price was right.
According to information, their tactics were defined by strong teamwork, developed through years of experience. Their individual combat abilities were powerful too—not a team to underestimate.
Their leader was Golgus, a warrior clad in jet-black heavy armor. His armor, scarred and tarnished, told the story of countless battles.
The sub-member was Rigaldon, a sharp-featured archer—his well-worn bow with its string pulled tight showed his skill.
And providing rear support was a calm sorcerer, Glen Margan, holding an old staff with thoughtful eyes.
Warrior, archer, sorcerer—a balanced and difficult team.
”Humans, huh,” I said. “Alright, Elenor—we’ll take them ourselves. Just the two of us.”
I told my plan to Elenor standing beside me, my gaze already locked on our prey.
”…Excuse me?” she said, her noble poise breaking. “Three against two—you want to fight like that?”
Elenor’s eyes widened in shock, confusion flickering in her gaze.
Her reaction was understandable. Suggesting a handicap match right before our first fight was nothing short of insane.
”What’s the matter?” I said. “Losing your nerve?”
”Hmph, as if!” she replied, her refined voice rising with anger. “A bunch like that—I could crush them on my own with plenty to spare!”
Just as expected, the proud princess took the bait, rising to the challenge with fierce excitement. There was a hint of excitement in her voice.
Good. We were set—just the two of us.
”…You mocking us, you bastards?” Golgus said, his voice like grinding stone. “You think you’re entertainers playing to the crowd.”
Golgus, their leader, who’d been listening to our conversation, glared at us with a desire to kill from within his helmet’s slit. His low voice carried obvious anger.
We were a popular team, sure—but nobody took our strength seriously. In their eyes, we were nothing more than cheap copies of royalty, made to fight goblins and monsters for the crowd’s amusement. “Circus performers.”
Their scorn was hardly surprising, coming from experienced warriors like them. So I decided to pump up the crowd before the match began.
”What can I say?” I said, raising my voice. “You all looked so weak that I figured a third member would be overkill.”
I raised my voice just enough, provoking them more. I could feel the audience’s attention focus on us instantly.
”Whoa!” the announcer shouted. “The Jet-Black Magic Swordsman Xenos, brimming with confidence! Against the [Iron-Blooded Mercenaries], he says a third isn’t even necessary!”
The announcer used my provocation to build up the crowd’s excitement.
In response, the desire to kill from our opponents grew, sharp enough to pierce the skin. The air in the ring grew very thin.
”Kuuko,” I said. “You stay outside the ring.”
”Nya!” she said.
At my command, Kuuko hopped off my shoulder and walked quietly outside the ring’s edge, her small shadow crossing the boundary.
At last, the match began.
With the colosseum’s favorite “Princess Elenor” participating, bets were apparently climbing. The crowd’s excitement reached a high point, and the stadium shook with loud cheers.
The announcer built up the excitement.
”Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve been waiting for!” he shouted. “The historic inaugural match of the [Abyss Coliseum]—a battle destined to be etched into legend! The gong of fate now sounds!”
His voice echoed as if reaching the sky.
”A clash of blood, sweat, and souls! Let the match BEGIN!”
GONG!
Along with the bell’s ring—
The flames of the Iron and Blood Festival had been lit.
—
Summary:
The protagonist, posing as Xenos, meets Elenor in the colosseum’s VIP lounge and convinces her to fight as a two-person team against the Iron-Blooded Mercenaries. He provokes the enemy team and the crowd with bold words, establishing his ring persona. The chapter ends with the match officially beginning, the protagonist’s familiar Kuuko having been ordered to wait outside the ring.
—
Trivia:
- The Abyss Coliseum is an illegal tournament held once a year in the “Abyss’s Bottom” colosseum.
- The protagonist uses a [Ring of Transformation] to conceal his identity.
- Elenor is known as “Princess Elenor” and is a popular colosseum fighter.
- The Iron-Blooded Mercenaries are veterans of the Royal Capital’s underworld who take any job for money.
- Golgus wears jet-black heavy armor scarred from countless battles.
- The protagonist’s team name is [Royal Phantom].
- Kuuko is a small kitten-like creature that normally sits on the protagonist’s shoulder.
- The protagonist claims he can fight without a third team member, provoking the enemy.
- Gambling bets on Elenor’s matches are said to be high.
Notes:
• de – A particle used in the aristocratic name of the Margrave Albion de Blanchefort.
• Kuuko – A cat beastkin infiltration agent disguised as a tiny black kitten via a transformation ring. Delicate and childlike, she speaks in simple mews while perched on Xenos’s shoulder. Powered by his mana, she can shift into a massive monster for combat, fighting alongside him in the colosseum. She is a cherished team member affectionately doted on by Cecilia and Lizel.
• Elenor – Princess Elenor, the “Saint of Light,” is a proud, haughty gladiator for Xenos’s Royal Phantom team. This elegant, blonde-haired princess with piercing sky-blue eyes carries herself with royal dignity, though she masks a stubborn, tsundere nature. Bound by Xenos’s Magic Seal, she shares a complex history with him, secretly harboring twisted desires for his dominance despite her outward disdain.
• Xenos – Xenos Grimlock, a reincarnated otome game villain, masks his genius as a loser heir to manipulate events from the shadows. Known as the “Black Magic Swordsman” under a cold mask and jet-black attire, he uses his [Magic Seal], [Ring of Transformation], and mind control to build an empire. Strategic and theatrical, he commands a loyal household of allies, including his slave Cecilia and familiar Kuuko.
• Golgus – A heavily armored warrior clad in thick steel plate with a greatsword. He is the center fighter of the [Iron Blood Mercenary Band]. He has a low, rumbling voice. Countless scars mark his armor. He is a seasoned veteran with high defense and devastating one-hit power. Leader of the Iron-Blooded Mercenaries. A warrior clad in jet-black heavy armor scarred from countless battles. Speaks with a low, grinding voice full of insult and fury. Views the protagonist’s team as circus performers.
• Rigaldon – A sharp-featured archer. Sub-member of the Iron-Blooded Mercenaries. Carries a well-worn bow. An archer clad in light leather armor with a supple, low stance. He carries a quiver with venomous green fletchings. He is a swift and precise sniper-type capable of status-effect attacks. He fought on the side of the [Iron Blood Mercenary Band] but was defeated by Elenor.
• Glen – A cool-headed sorcerer. Rear support for the Iron-Blooded Mercenaries. Clutches an aged staff. Has calculating eyes. A sorcerer clad in gray robes with a hidden face. He is the team commander of the [Iron Blood Mercenary Band], skillfully weaving offensive and defensive sorcery. He has a strained voice when concentrating. He was defeated by Elenor with a blow to the back of his neck.
• Margan – Glen’s last name. The Sorcerer.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply