The scene unfolded with a roar of excitement.
Dust flew as a monster, freed from its chains, roared and charged. A woman, alone, met the charge, her short hair whipping in the wind, narrowly dodging the two-meter-tall boar-like monster, a "Battle Boar."
A cacophony of sound echoed through the stadium, designed to hold fifty thousand spectators.
The circular arena in the east of the city.
Before a massive crowd, the main event of the Monsterphilia began.
In the central arena, the captured monsters were unleashed. Four-legged beasts charged at their prey. Their powerful charges could crush rock, yet the Ganesha Familia's beast tamers skillfully evaded them, earning cheers from the crowd.
To an expert, it resembled bullfighting. An elegantly dressed woman, wielding a whip and cape, danced with the enraged monsters.
Her mission wasn't to defeat them, but to train them. Her life-risking taming captivated the crowd, inspiring awe, respect, and excitement. Unpredictable events kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
The monsters' roars, the amplified announcements from the MC, the shouts of the crowd—the excitement was boundless.
"It's begun…"
Seeing the spectacle, Eina muttered.
Waiting outside the arena, she felt the vibrations and sounds from within, turning to look at the arena building.
The Guild staff were assigned to various areas, mainly to manage the crowd and support the Ganesha Familia.
The Monsterphilia wasn't a spontaneous event. Though the Ganesha Familia hosted it, the Guild had conceived the event.
(I shouldn't think this… but why would they hold such an event?)
Holding the Monsterphilia was a decision by the Guild's higher-ups. Eina, a lower-ranking member, couldn't object, but she found it unsettling.
Even without city-level danger, bringing monsters to the surface wasn't something she approved of. She believed that to ensure Orario's safety and peace, all potential dangers, big or small, should be eliminated.
Monsters were terrifying.
They weren't trying to promote friendship with monsters, were they? Prioritizing entertainment over safety seemed wrong—at least, from the Guild's perspective, Eina thought.
"And… bread and circuses. How ironic."
"Eh? Eina, did you say something?"
A colleague heard her muttering; Eina shook her head, smiling wryly.
Orario, due to its nature, had many Familias and adventurers. While it sounded good, many adventurers were rough and lawless. Their behavior often clashed with citizens, causing dissatisfaction.
The Guild, aiming to efficiently utilize the Dungeon's magic stones, supported the adventurers. So, even if some considered the Monsterphilia a way to appease the citizens, there was little they could do.
Just two days ago, she'd overheard complaints about it at the Babel Tower.
(Whatever happens, I hope nothing goes wrong…)
She always felt nervous during the Monsterphilia, becoming anxious until it ended. Or was she just being too rigid?
Looking at a colleague who whispered, "I wish I could go," Eina pressed her fingers to her forehead, lost in thought.
"He's not here…"
"Maybe he's already inside?"
(…Hmm?)
A familiar figure entered Eina's view: Arthas.
He was looking around the arena, seemingly searching for someone. A Goddess seemed to be with him. Glancing at her colleagues, Eina judged a brief absence acceptable and approached the young adventurer.
"Arthas?"
"Eh, Miss Eina?"
"What are you doing here, half-elf?"
Hestia, annoyed by the interruption, looked wary, making Eina chuckle wryly.
Despite this, Eina bowed respectfully to the Goddess.
"Goddess Hestia, I'm Arthas's advisor."
"I know, but it's not training time."
Hestia waved dismissively; Eina bowed again. Arthas looked at Eina with a strange expression.
Arthas was worried Eina would tell Hestia about his actions.
Hestia thought Arthas had only been to the first five floors, but he'd been to the tenth floor many times. Eina didn't know this.
She only knew about his unauthorized trip to the ninth floor.
"Miss Eina, why are you here?"
"The Guild is helping with the festival preparations. I'm guiding the audience. Are you here for the event?"
"No, I'm looking for someone… but she's not here."
There's a small entrance fee; Syr wouldn't be able to get in without money.
"Looking for someone? Need help?"
"No, it's crowded, and you have work."
Arthas said this; Eina raised an eyebrow. He was unusually polite today, probably because of the Goddess.
Remembering Arthas's usual attitude at the Guild, Eina pouted.
"Alright, good luck. I have to work."
Eina bowed, about to leave, but Hestia stared at her, refusing to move.
Confused, Eina waited. Hestia spoke slowly.
"Advisor."
"Yes?"
"You haven't been flirting with Arthas… have you…?"
Eina was stunned.
Realizing Hestia was serious, her mouth twitched.
"I… I'm professional…"
"I believe you."
Hestia nodded seriously, patting Eina's arm.
Then, she and Arthas left.
Eina, feeling warned, watched them go, sweating.
With a slight headache, Eina returned to her colleagues.
"What's going on?"
"Complaining later. Send people over."
A commotion arose among the staff.
An unusual atmosphere made Eina look surprised.
"What happened?"
"Some staff at the west gate fainted."
"Eh…"
"They're conscious. They just can't stand… probably partied too hard. We need replacements."
A male beast-person staff member said, scratching his head.
Eina felt uneasy. A sense of dread crept up her spine.
(Am I just being paranoid…?)
Listening to the cheers and screams, she looked up at the massive arena.
The monsters' roars, from the depths of the earth, echoed in her ears.
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