Chapter 10 The Plan
I have not visited this area of the city much and it's quite different. The main infrastructure is the same but the way houses and shops are built alongside the road is not like before.
The houses were built in the blocks of six houses, and then there was a road and then again a block of six houses. Completely different from the area near the south gate where the houses were built in a straight row.
Right now I was in the center part of this city, headed toward a certain place. I quickly noticed the change in my and the clothing of people here.
It was not that surprising because the system in this world says that the rich people live in the center of cities and the poorer you are the more outer side of the city you will live in.
It was made this way so in case a city was attacked then the rich and important nobles will be the last ones to come in contact with the enemy giving them enough time to escape.
My family was neither rich nor poor so we live in between the central and outer parts.
Well leaving that aside it looks like I have reached my destination. It sure took a long time to come here on foot, almost an hour.
In front of me was a huge coliseum, the one we used for training was nothing compared to its size.
This was the 'Bull's Stage Coliseum', the biggest coliseum in this city. It was located in the exact center of the city and was mainly used for hosting tournaments or other big events.
The huge size of this coliseum was the main reason behind it. I am not sure but according to the people, an audience of 10,000 people could fit in here.
And the reason I came here was also vaguely related to this, and it was the battle tournament that was going to happen here.
"Excuse me, is this the place where the 'Champion of the decade' battle tournament will be hosted?" I asked a man who looked like have just come out of the Coliseum.
"Huh? Yes, this is the place. Are you going to participate in it kid?" said the man, he was a bald man with a muscular body and a long beard.
"No no, with a weak body like this I can't even imagine going against strong people like you," I said while I shook my hands in a motion to say NO.
"Hahaha, that is true. I am strong right!" he bragged laughingly as he wrapped his arms around my neck.
'Damn this guy smells so bad and sweaty!' I thought, but I can't say it if I want some information. So I replied to him with a smile.
"Oh, by the way, I remembered. The princess from the royal capital is also coming to watch this tournament right?" I asked while I gently released myself from his grip.
"Hoho? Ah yes yes, that beauty is also coming here. After all, this tournament will decide the champion of this decade, many people from outside the city are also coming to participate and test their strength," he said as he touched his beard.
"You know, I have also heard something interesting. Do you want to know?" the man asked, narrowing his eyes.
I replied with a nod, showing that I was interested in that *thing* he has heard.
He brings his face close to my ear, making sure that no one else can hear our conversation.
"See, I got this information from inside. You look like a good guy so I'm telling you but don't tell anyone else about this," he whispered and stopped for a second.
Idiot, you are telling me this because I am not participating in the tournament and won't pose a threat to you. At least try to conceal your intentions.
"I have heard that the winner of this competition will get a chance to meet the princess. If you are lucky then the royalty may hire you," he mouthed in my ear.
"Damn! Are you serious?" I exclaimed.
"Hahaha, it's amazing, right? Wish me luck that I win and get the chance to meet that chick," he laughed while he patted me on my back.
"Well, I'll be rooting for you," I said with a smile as I carefully distanced myself from him.
"You are a nice guy I see. Take care, I have to go now. Have to train, you know," he said and slowly walked away while laughing in arrogance.
"Sigh!" an exhausted sigh escaped my mouth as soon as I found myself alone.
I got the information I wanted but I won't say this was clearly worth it.
The Champion of the decade battle tournament will be hosted in the coliseum two days from now. And the princess who's coming here from the royal capital.
These are the things that will play a big role in my plan to stop Anya from getting married.
Now that I'm here I should check the coliseum before leaving, I will also confirm the information he gave me from some other people.
I went inside the coliseum after that, confirmed things from many other participants, and did some *adjustments* in the arena to make things go according to my plan.
Then I left for home, it was evening when I reached home. On my way, I also visited a public library to confirm some more things. After all, I won't act till I'm 100% sure that everything will work the way I want.
Opening the entrance gate of my house I went inside. I intentionally avoided meeting with Ainge or Ron because…well, I am not in a mood to hear a lecture on getting home late.
Right now I wanted to meet with Anya; obviously, she is needed for my plan. I am working this much for her sake so it's not like I'll leave her to rest while I do all the hard things.
Yes she is under mental pressure and I'm sounding evil right now for wanting to make her work but that's just how I am.
I tried searching for her in the backyard and other parts of the house but she wasn't to be found anywhere.
As the last resort, I went to her room.
I stood in front of the door and knocked three times, I usually don't come here so I was getting a little awkward feeling.
I waited for a while but no one answered, 'Maybe she's thinking of me as Ainge or Ron?'
"Hey Anya, it's me Zero," I knocked again, this time revealing my name.
'No matter what you say, Zero does sound like a weird name and I'm not used to it.'
After waiting for a few more seconds the door opened and Anya came in sight, wearing her usual nightdress.
"There are some things I want to tell you," I stated.
She nodded and stepped aside, I entered the room. Inside the room was a sweet girlish type smell you'll find in the room of any person from the female species.
I won't say the interior and décor of her room were completely girlish but it did give off those vibes.
I tried looking for a chair to sit on but there wasn't any. No, there was one but it was at the end corner of the room.
"Sit on the bed," said Anya, stopping me who was about to go there and drag that chair here to sit on it.
Following her advice, I sat on the bed and she sat beside me at a distance.
"So? What's this about?" she asked while raising her brow.
"I did say that I'll find a way right?" I said; I was referring to the time I said to her I will find a way to save her from this forceful marriage.
"Yes, you said that. Did you already find a way?"
"Well, yes. But I need your help to make that possible. That's what I'm here to talk about," I explained.
She nodded and waited for me to complete my talk. Following her lead, I continued.
"You know about the battle tournament that is going to happen right?" I asked. She replied with a nod.
"I need you to participate in that and win."
"What!" she exclaimed and jumped out of her bed.
"Have you gone crazy? Why would I participate in that?" she asked in a loud voice.
"It's important for my plan and you are the so-called 'person with the strongest status in this city right? Winning that tournament won't pose a problem for you?"
"You know exactly why I don't wanna do this don't you?" she solicited, pointing her index finger at me.
"You don't like to show off your strength, right? I know that, but you winning that tournament is the key point for my plan to work. You do trust me right?" I said as I stood up.
She went silent for a while but said afterward, "I trust you but…isn't there any other way?"
"I would have preferred that but we only have four days before your marriage. Say, will you participate in that?" I asked, a sense of determination in my eyes.
"Sigh! Okay, I will do that. This is my problem to begin with, and now complaining about it makes me feel like the bad guy here," Anya sighed.
"I'm grateful that you understand," I replied with a smile.
Originally I had planned to participate in this tournament myself but after thinking in the long term, making her do that will be more beneficial.
And while she will be busy fighting I will have to do so some *things* behind the scenes so it's better this way.
I thought while I began to leave her room.
"Wait a minute Zero!" Anya called out to me from behind, stopping me midway.
"What?"
"Mom has called you to her room. You came home pretty late, I'm sure you'll get scolded."
'Ah shit! Here we go again!' I thought as a troubled look formed on my face.
Ainge is a good and caring mom but when she was angry…damn, just thinking about it sent shivers down my spine.
I then left her room, accepting my fate I headed toward where Ainge had called me.