After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 68

“Will this be alright? The distance will be quite complicated to walk.”

“I’m fine. It seems like it will be fun because there are many people? There’s a lot to see too.”

“You think it’ll be fun?”

“Actually, this is my first time seeing a festival.”

“…I see. First time….”

Ayla chuckled awkwardly and added, reacting to Leo’s seemingly unexpected response.

“The only thing my father wanted of me was to act like a lady of the court. I rarely came to the capital, and I couldn’t even imagine coming out to see a festival like this.”

Ayla said with a clear smile.

“Your Highness is my partner for my first festival outing.”

“It’s an honor.”

“In that sense, could you buy me just one of those?”

Ayla’s finger pointed to the food displayed on the stall.

Her gaze, fixed on the strawberries dipped in sugar syrup, wouldn’t budge.

‘I feel like I’ve become a little kid again.’

A girl who couldn’t take her eyes off an apple long ago came to mind.

Leo chuckled and approached the stall.

“Shopkeeper.”

“Here you are, young lady.”

As if the merchant had been waiting, he expertly picked out and handed over what Ayla had been looking at.

“Wow. It looks delicious….”

Ayla, who quickly took it, smiled like a child.

Leo watched Ayla, who was turning the skewer in her hand this way and that, then took her free hand.

Ayla, taking a bite of the skewer,’s eyes widened.

“You might get lost in a crowd like this.”

“Ah… That’s right. I don’t know the way well.”

Leo pushed through the surrounding crowd, clearing a path.

As they got closer to the destination, the martial arts tournament grounds, the number of people increased, and the voices of those participating in bets predicting the winner grew louder from all directions.

Trapped in the middle of a crowd with no room to step, Ayla muttered with a weary face.

“I can’t think straight….”

“Why, didn’t you say it would be fun?”

“I didn’t know there would be this many people.”

“That’s understandable. It’s the empire’s best martial arts tournament.”

Leo positioned Ayla inside his body, protecting her, and moved towards the entrance.

From one side, cheers filled with excitement poured out.

Leo glanced that way and said,

“It seems the warriors are entering.”

“Warriors?”

“Yes. We should hurry too.”

Despite his words, Leo’s steps did not quicken.

It seemed he was being considerate, lest Ayla fall if he sped up.

After passing through the large entrance, where people were being pushed in, it became easier to walk.

Only then did Leo position Ayla by his side and look around, asking,

“You haven’t seen a martial arts tournament before, have you?”

“No. This is my first time watching.”

Of course, she knew what it was.

A martial arts tournament was an event held under the Emperor’s patronage, a large-scale competition where anyone, from nobles to commoners, could participate regardless of status. It was a place where skilled individuals gathered from all regions to compete in martial prowess for honor, prize money, and the chance to rise in status, so the atmosphere was incredibly heated.

Walking a bit further, they came to another passage connected to the outside.

Judging by the vigilant guards, it seemed to be an entrance connected to the special viewing seats.

“Please enter.”

After confirming their identities, the knights immediately cleared a path.

Following the private passage decorated with red cloth, they walked in, and one of the standing attendants gestured for them to follow and began to lead the way. Judging by their attire, they seemed to be attendants dispatched from the Imperial Palace.

“Then, please enjoy the viewing.”

The attendant, recognizing Leo, guided them to one of the terraces used by royalty, then closed the curtain and disappeared.

The place they were guided to was a space completely separated from the general viewing seats, offering a good view of the arena.

“Wow… It’s really different.”

As Ayla sat down, exclaimed, and looked around, she flinched and stiffened her shoulders.

Because the arena was circular, the viewing seats on the opposite side were also clearly visible.

Leo followed Ayla’s gaze and checked the opposite viewing seats, saying,

“It’s Duke Everett.”

“Yes… Mother and my sisters are there too.”

It seemed they had spotted them as well, as their expressions hardened.

“If it bothers you, shall we move seats?”

“What? No. There’s no need.”

“Then… how about sitting and finishing that?”

Leo pointed to the half-eaten skewer in Ayla’s hand and chuckled.

“It’s about to melt, Ayla.”

“What? Oh my. When did it….”

Leo brought a small tray from a table placed to the side and offered it.

“If you’re not going to eat it, it’s best to throw it away.”

“I suppose I should.”

As she placed the skewer onto the tray, a little sugar syrup got on her fingertips.

“Oh dear… Do you happen to have a handkerchief…?”

“It’s sticky, so it won’t be cleaned by just anything.”

“I suppose so? Then I’ll have to go to the lounge to wash it…”

“There’s no need for that.”

Then, Leo took Ayla’s hand, lifted it, and put her fingers into his mouth.

For a moment, Ayla stopped breathing as if she had forgotten how.

The sensation of soft flesh at her fingertips was acutely felt.

“There. That should do it.”

Leo whispered playfully and met Ayla’s eyes.

While doing so, he didn’t forget to wipe her fingers, which he had taken out of his mouth, with a handkerchief.

“Good. Problem solved.”

Leo smiled with satisfaction, like a beast that had its fill, and sat down on a chair, still holding her hand.

Ayla, her cheeks flushed, fidgeted with her held hand, but Leo didn’t seem inclined to let go.

“Why?”

“Ah, you’re holding my hand….”

Leo chuckled and gestured with his chin towards the opposite viewing seats, adding,

“It’s good to show we’re getting along well.”

“Ah….”

Although the distance was considerable, to Leo, whose senses were superior to others, it was perfectly clear.

The displeased expressions of the Everett family members.

His gaze shifted slightly to the viewing seats one row above.

There, Rodrigo of the Earl of Esteban’s family was watching them with a furious face.

As if projecting his worsened mood, Leo’s lips curled up crookedly.

“Let’s continue to stay close and affectionate.”

He turned the back of Ayla’s hand, which he was holding, towards himself and slowly kissed it.

Ayla’s cheeks, which turned red with surprise and shyness, were a pleasing sight.

And just then, the trumpet announcing the start of the martial arts tournament sounded grandly.

After the Emperor’s opening speech ended, the crowd in the stands erupted in cheers.

In the center of the arena, men who had removed their armor and appeared bare-chested stood in a line. Their bodies, honed by training, glistened under the sun. Knights and participants who were former mercenaries, as well as fighters who roamed the streets, all came forward to prove their honor and skill. Regardless of their status, the eyes of those lined up shone sharply with their respective resolutions.

“The first match is a free-for-all for the preliminaries.”

The announcer’s voice echoed through the arena.

“The time limit is 10 minutes! Those still standing after 10 minutes will be given the chance to advance. Now, good luck to the participants.”

As the brief explanation ended, the whistle signaling the start of the match blew for a long time.

Instantly, the men lined up scattered, lowered their bodies, and began to survey their surroundings.

Ayla gripped my hand as the tension reached the stands, and Leo patted her hand reassuringly with his other hand.

“Watch with peace of mind. If there’s a fatality during the match, they’re disqualified, so there’s no need to be tense.”

“Yes.”

With a more relaxed heart, she turned her gaze back to the arena, and saw a man kicking off the ground.

The tense formation instantly broke, and the free-for-all began.

Some threw punches at nearby opponents, while others retreated to focus on defense and look for openings.

Meanwhile, the man who kicked off the ground charged at a giant man using his shoulder.

Thump! A dull impact sound was heard, and a cloud of sand rose.

As the dust cleared, the charging man, contrary to expectations, was flung out and lay fallen.

“Wow!”

Ayla unconsciously gasped.

How could the person who attacked be flung away?

Ayla’s wide eyes soon turned pale.

The giant man had kicked the fallen man away.

The giant man, glancing at the man who had flown some distance, charged towards another opponent.

Ayla, unable to tear her eyes from the arena, muttered,

“Is that person going to be alright?”

“He protected his abdomen just before being kicked. He’ll be fine.”

“That’s a relief….”

“Look at the others. If they fall, it’s over, so most have chosen a strategy of defending and enduring.”

Leo continued his explanation, watching the arena indifferently.

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