As Bardronel's hostility spread, the expressions of those following him grew grim, though those guarding me only looked resigned rather than surprised.
<It's not like this is the first time you've done this. You’d think they'd be used to it by now.>
"...I don’t do it because I want to, you know."
<Did anyone say you did? I’m just stating the facts.>
While I bickered with my mentor, Benedict bowed to Bardronel.
"Apologies. My daughter has an unusually... distinctive nature."
"...Just as the rumors say."
Though he sent clear hostility my way, Bardronel couldn’t bring himself to show the same in front of the powerful knight Benedict, so he coughed and composed himself.
"Now, may I ask what brings you to this city? Are you perhaps considering participating in the coliseum, Sir Benedict?"
"Haha, as much as I’d love to, I’m afraid I’m too old to burn with such passion."
"That's a pity."
"Instead, my daughter will be participating in the coliseum."
"Lady Allen?"
Bardronel gave me a once-over, then shrugged with a sly smile.
"How unfortunate. I was looking forward to seeing Lady Allen's famed prowess myself, but the spots in this round of the coliseum are fully occupied."
"Oh? Is there really no way?"
"Since you, Lord Allen, are asking, I’d certainly like to help, but as you know, the coliseum holds great significance here in the Empire."
Even after hearing that participation might be impossible, I remained calm. I’d anticipated this.
It’s not like there would be any openings with all the powerful people vying to enter the coliseum.
In the game, it was nearly impossible to enter the coliseum through conventional means.
"As a substitute, I can arrange seating for you in the audience, at least."
Until now, Bardronel hadn’t even glanced my way, but when he mentioned the spectator seats, he looked right at me.
His meaning was clear: trash like me belongs in the audience.
Ha. His hostility is so blatant it’s almost amusing.
Even someone as oblivious as I could catch on to his unsubtle attitude. Benedict couldn’t possibly miss it either.
Yet he simply forced a smile and shook his head.
"I appreciate your consideration, but we’ll pass. We’ll visit again if another opportunity arises."
"Apologies for failing to provide proper hospitality to such esteemed guests."
Watching Benedict suppress his anger stirred something in me.
It wasn’t about personal offense—it was a burning sense of anger at someone attacking my family.
It was similar to how I’d felt hearing those slurs about Lucy’s mother.
Was there a change in me as a result of being swept up in those emotions?
With that in mind, I set a goal.
Bardronel’s son will be participating in the coliseum, right?
Perfect timing.
I might not be strong enough to crush Bardronel’s head just yet, but I can certainly humiliate his son.
Let him watch his son wet himself from the spectator seats.
Ding.
[King of the Coliseum]
[Defeat all participants in the coliseum and prove your strength.]
What? Since when did that lousy god start giving real quests?
Did he finally develop some awareness?
Did all my frustrated shouting finally get through to him?
Hmm, but the requirements are pretty demanding.
Beating Bardronel’s son would be easy, but winning the entire coliseum is a different matter.
I may be strong, but I’m still just a student who hasn’t graduated from the academy.
Winning against all the skilled fighters in the coliseum... Well, I’ll do my best, but I’m not sure I can pull it off.
[Reward: One-time access to Status Window]
Huh?
Are my eyes playing tricks on me?
Something odd just caught my attention.
I blinked and read the message again, my eyes widening.
A status window?
I can finally check my stats?
I’ll be able to see all the skills I’ve learned and their proficiencies?
Unbelievable. This is too good to pass up. I absolutely have to succeed.
As I mulled over various strategies, I became curious about the penalty for failure.
With a reward this good, the risk of failure must be high.
What now? What kind of embarrassing stunt do they want me to do if I fail?
[Penalty: Pray while in full makeup]
Pfft. Haha. I have to hand it to you for being so straightforward about your desires.
Full makeup, huh?
The kind I wore for that speech?
If that’s the case, then it’s no big deal.
You know what, even if I succeed, I’ll still take the penalty. Getting a look at my status window is worth it.
Prepare yourself, old pervy god—get ready to drool.
“Huh, this is quite the predicament.”
Snapping out of my thoughts at the sound of Benedict’s voice, I glanced over and saw his awkward smile.
"I didn’t expect the coliseum’s participant slots to be full. What should we do?"
"Don't worry...
“No need to fret, foolish Papa. Unlike you, who’s only good at fighting, your competent daughter has a plan."
"Do you really?"
“Yes...”
“Oh, are you doubting me, Papa? That’s so sad, I might just cry.”
"No, I didn’t mean to doubt you. It’s just, well... Anyway! So, what’s this plan of yours?"
Realizing he was only digging himself deeper, Benedict hastily changed the subject.
I could’ve teased him a little more, but I’ll stop here. There’s too much to do.
"I’ll transfer someone’s spot."
“I’m going to snatch the participation rights from some nobody.”
The coliseum in the Empire allows participation rights to be transferred.
The reason is simple: it has to be transferrable for nobles to join the fights.
Since nobles make the rules, it’s only natural for them to craft rules that favor themselves.
“...I’m no expert, but isn’t that easier said than done?”
As Benedict implied, transferring participation rights isn’t easy.
As I mentioned earlier, participating in the coliseum is a huge honor in the Empire, so participants are rarely willing to give up their spot.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no way around it. If non-nobles hold the tickets, it puts the nobles in a bind.
The Empire’s nobles anticipated this situation and added an extra rule.
A rule that makes it easy for them to snatch the tickets from others.
I plan to use that rule just like in the game.
“Just watch.”
“Watch and learn, foolish Papa. I’ll handle this.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, I walked into a tavern tucked away in a corner of Bardronel’s estate.
The stale smell that hit me as I entered made it clear this wasn’t a place any noble lady would visit.
“Lucy. Are you sure this is the right place?”
I answered Benedict’s uncertain question by stepping inside, drawing the eyes of the rough-looking patrons. I walked over to a large man who was occupying two chairs by himself.
“Hello.”
“Hey, stinky trash.”
“And who the hell are you, picking a fight?”
“Coliseum ticket. You have one, right?”
“...”
The man scowled, glancing over my shoulder at my companions.
That reaction confirmed it—he had the ticket.
Thank goodness.
I was worried things might be different from the game.
"I’m doing you a favor by offering to take your ticket ♡ It’d be better off in my hands—a cute, strong girl—than with someone who’ll just lose and cry in the first round, don’t you think? ♡"
With every word, his expression twisted more, but he still didn’t get up from his seat.
"...Crazy little... psycho."
Wow. He actually held himself back from throwing a fit over my rude remarks.
Despite his brutish appearance, he’s surprisingly composed.
But I had no intention of stopping here.
If I wanted that coliseum ticket, I’d have to fight him.
“What’s wrong? ♡ Scared of a little girl? ♡ Haha ♡ You look like a perverted creep, but deep down, are you just a big softie? ♡ You’re so disgustingly cute it’s making me sick ♡”
I pretended to gag, and that finally set him off—he grabbed a bottle and threw it at me.
Of course, it didn’t hit me. A barrier of divine power had already appeared in front of me.
“Hit a nerve? ♡ Angry that I exposed your shameful side? ♡ Sorry~♡ I guess I was just too blunt ♡ But what can I do? It’s so disgusting I felt like I’d throw up if I didn’t say it ♡”
“You little...!”
The man shot up, swinging his fist at my face.
Maybe it’s because he’s a resident of a fantasy world, but his punch was surprisingly quick and forceful.
But that’s all it had going for it.
His movement was sloppy, his fist was loose, and he hadn’t even thought about what would happen if he missed.
I tilted my head to dodge his punch, then struck his chin, sending him reeling forward as I kicked him in the gut, slamming him into the table.
With his eyes rolled back, it was clear he was out cold.
How disappointing. I was hoping he’d last long enough to vent some of my frustration.
Just as I was about to approach him again, Benedict grabbed my shoulder.
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“Yes, Lucy?”
“What?”
“What is it, foolish Papa?”
“...Can I ask what exactly you’re doing right now?”
“I’m in the middle of getting a ticket.”
“I’m taking an undeserved ticket from this weakling.”
“...Lucy.”
After a deep sigh, Benedict took my wrist in his hands, looking at me sternly.
"I know you want to participate in the coliseum, but you shouldn’t resort to intimidation to take it from others. That’s dishonorable."
Only then did I realize Benedict had misunderstood me.
Does he think I was just trying to take the ticket by force?!
That’s not it! It’s actually one of the coliseum’s official rules!
If both parties agree or the ticket holder attacks first, the winner can claim the ticket.
I was just following the rules!
It’s a common occurrence during the coliseum season!
“Lucy, it’s different now. You have strength.”
But Benedict didn’t believe a word of my explanation.
This is so unfair! For once, I’m actually not doing anything wrong!
Maybe it was a bit underhanded, but it wasn’t entirely wrong!
What’s even more annoying is that I can understand Benedict’s disbelief.
I have quite the track record, after all!
But that was the old Lucy! I don’t cause trouble... well, not as much.
I mean, I don’t go around tormenting innocent people anymore!
If I were really up to no good, would I have brought you along? I’d have done it solo!
“Excuse me, Lord Allen.”
Interrupting Benedict’s scolding, a man in the tavern spoke up.
Nervously sweating, he met Benedict’s and my gaze, but forced himself to continue.
“The young lady is right. She hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“...Pardon?”
“Ask anyone living in Bardronel’s estate, and they’ll say the same. The one who couldn’t control his temper and threw the first punch is at fault.”
Blinking in surprise, Benedict slowly looked around the tavern, where the patrons nodded in agreement.
“This man is correct, Lord Allen. If he wasn’t confident, he should’ve held back.”
“The ticket was too much for that guy anyway.”
“The young lady’s right. All that guy would do is lose and bawl in the coliseum.”
“The only fault she has is understanding the Empire’s customs too well.”
“Heh, and you—get up. How long are you planning to stay down?”
“Huh? Wh-what happened?”
“Don’t remember? You threw the first punch and lost.”
"Damn it, really?! Damn it. I thought I’d finally get to enter the coliseum!"
With even the big guy blaming himself more than anyone else, my innocence was fully proven.
Releasing his grip, Benedict forced a smile as he withdrew his hand.
"So, Lucy... as you know, I’m not well-versed in these matters."
“Hmph ♡”
“And, well, let’s say you didn’t explain things very clearly. Like you often say, Papa’s a fool who wouldn’t understand without a full explanation.”
“Hmph? ♡”
“So, could you forgive me just this once?”
Meeting Benedict’s pleading gaze, I beamed back at him with the brightest smile.
"I hate you, Papa ♡"