Shattered Lake Prison, Cafeteria.
"I won 45 contribution points and still have to participate in the Blood Moon Judgement in a few days!?"
Ash, who was gobbling down food, lifted his head in disbelief, wearing a betrayed expression, "Didn't they say that those with more contribution points would be judged later in the sequence?"
"That's indeed the case."
Lanna said while sipping her milk, "But there's a condition—all inmates must attend their first Blood Moon Judgement; only a select few escape this under special circumstances."
"And those who experience a Blood Moon Judgement and survive will have their subsequent sequences arranged according to their contribution points."
"What if I die in my first Blood Moon Judgement?"
"If you're worried about that, why not throw the match with me and hand over your contribution points?"
"In your dreams!" Ash muttered, then thought for a moment and said, "Didn't you say before that only one person dies in the Blood Moon Judgement?"
"Yes, there are eight participants, but only one will die," Lanna said. "That's only a 12.5% chance of dying, which is actually quite low—that's under normal circumstances."
"Am I a normal person?"
"Obviously not. As the cult leader of the Gods of Four Pillars, you're not. Murder, kidnapping, imprisonment, ritualistic sacrifices... The people victimized by you number in the thousands, and your notoriety is well known. Without any surprises, you're bound to be a major focus during the Blood Moon Judgement."
Heath bravely takes flight while Ash bears the blame... Ash harbored endless resentment toward Heath in his heart. Could Heath possibly drink six walnut drinks to get smarter!? What's with all the cult activities?! It's more infuriating than those relentless online loans!
"How about it, if you're going to give up anyway, why not give me your contribution points?" Lanna said, "I will remember your sacrifice and live happily with my boyfriend..."
"Get lost!" Ash grumbled, "I might survive, you know? I won't give up!"
"Alright," Lanna didn't seem to care about Ash's 95 points of contribution. She said, "Someone wants to challenge you, do you accept?"
"That's the real reason you're waiting for me in the cafeteria, isn't it?"
"Exactly." Lanna admitted, "As for why, you'll understand when you see the amount of contribution points the other party bets—37 contribution points."
Ash squinted his eyes, "Someone who has already fought 36 death matches challenges me? I only bet 2 contribution points."
"That's why I made a special trip to notify you."
"Generally, newcomers challenge veterans in death matches because they can gamble small for a big return. It's not unheard of for veterans to challenge newcomers, but usually, that's after at least five matches, or else veterans aren't even interested in gaining points."
"So when a veteran challenges you, I'm quite curious and want to ask if you have a grudge with them."
Ash shook his head, "Never heard of him."
Of course, he hadn't heard of him, because he didn't have Heath's memories. Even if Valcas had a grudge with Heath, Ash wouldn't know.
"Huh?" Ash blinked, "Who?"
Lanna waved her hand, "Nothing, just reminded of someone familiar."
"So do you want to accept Valcas' challenge?"
"What weapon does Valcas use?"
Ash felt a stirring inside and glanced sideways with the corner of his eye. He saw the Sword Maiden sitting cross-legged on the table, arms folded, calmly watching him, her legs wrapped in eye-catching black stockings.
She gave Ash a sidelong glance, "Sneaking a peek at me is so interesting?"
"Sorry." Ash turned his head to stare at the black stockings, suddenly having a thought, "Say, if you can touch me, does that mean I can touch you too? Ahem, Sword Maiden, wash up for later..."
Clang! The Sword Maiden unsheathed her ornate decorative sword, and Ash instantly composed himself, saying to Lanna, "Tell Valcas to wash his neck clean for me tomorrow!"
"Then show up at the Death Battle Society tomorrow morning. I won't interrupt your meal any further; my boyfriend is waiting for me. Goodbye." Lanna said and left in a gust of wind.
Ash thought that Lanna's boyfriend was waiting for him at the lovers' room, but after a couple of glances, he realized Lanna wasn't heading towards the lovers' room. Conversely, she left in the direction of the Death Battle Society... Maybe there was a late-night death match, wanting to work the medical practitioners to death, Ash thought.
"Back to the dorm," the Sword Maiden jumped down from the dining table, "You have a busy night ahead. I'm going to take you exploring a world you've never known."
Ash's face flushed red with anger—what do you mean a world I've never known!? Do I really look that much like a virginal boy!?
This woman was speaking too arrogantly. If she continued unchecked, I'd have no standing left at all!
"Why aren't you coming?"
At 8:45 p.m., in the Death Battle Society without any other spectators, an unknown death match was underway.
"Ash agreed, but not because of the name you gave me, but because he looks forward to an opponent who uses a sword—when I mentioned you wield a sword, he decided."
"Thanks, this counts as me owing you a favor, Lanna."
"Valcas, you can repay me right now if you tell me why you suddenly have your sights set on cutie Ash. Is it related to that name—Selin Dole?"
In the dimly lit stands, a thin middle-aged man was watching the feast on stage.
Yes, a feast—there probably was no better word to describe it. Although the food moved, tried to escape, screamed, and begged for mercy, it ultimately was just food for devouring.
"I don't mind telling you, as long as you don't regret it."
"Then never mind, I'm blissfully happy with my boyfriend and satisfied with life. I don't want to get tangled up in the chess games of the powerful."
Lanna tore off a piece of warm meat and chewed it carefully, "But is Ash really the cult leader of the Gods of Four Pillars? I think I have pretty good judgment of people. He seems more like a student just starting out. I thought he was innocent."
The middle-aged man snorted coldly.
"Everyone who steps into this cesspool is far from innocent. The only difference is whether only their skin is stained or whether they willingly open their mouths to swallow the stench."
"I'm eating, Valcas, can you not talk about feces."
"Then I won't disturb you. Enjoy your meal."
As the doors of the Death Battle Society rumbled shut, the subtle wailing vanished into the thick darkness.
Valcas walked through the prison corridors, each prisoner and guard he met keeping a cold distance from him.
Occasionally, a newly arrived inmate spotted Valcas' ears and naturally showed a schadenfreude expression.
Because Valcas' ears were pointed.
When Valcas returned to his dormitory, he saw a prison guard waiting at the door.
He had expected this, opening the door as he whispered, "Ash Heath has agreed to duel with me."
"Make sure to completely crush his brain, heart, and spine, to a degree that not even a Two-winged Mage can heal," the prison guard said.
"I will do what you ask, and what about what you promised me?" Valcas opened the door but didn't enter, turning to gaze intently at the guard.
"As long as Ash Heath dies tomorrow, after the next Blood Moon Judgement, you will disappear from this prison," the guard said. "But you and that kid can't remain in Kaimon City, that's Mr. Selin's requirement."
"I have no interest in continuing to breathe the same air as Selin," Valcas grimaced with disgust.
"Free time is almost over; stop standing around outside and enter your cell."
Valcas' mouth twitched as he stepped into his room, letting the automatic door close.
The prison guard turned away, a slight smirk forming, sneering softly.
"A mere elf death row convict, yet still holding onto that noble pride... ha!"