“Hahaha, I am just kidding. But, I was acting a bit too familiar, sorry about that.”

He took a step back and apologized with a relaxed expression. But is it just me or do those blue eyes look quite serious? I would like to believe otherwise.

“By the way, why is the adorable fairy miss over there glowing while glaring at me?”

When I looked back, I found Lily taking an intimidating stance on Merry, glaring down at Farkius.

“Kurono, this person is also dangerous! Don’t get close!”

I completely agree.

However, he’s a big name so I can’t really look at him with a bad light either. I want to more or less act friendly with him. Of course, after keeping an appropriate distance between us. I am scared of going too close.

“Sorry, I am just a bit cautious.”

“I don’t mind, I am the one at fault here, after all.”

As always, wearing his refreshing smile, Farkius walked up to Merry and extended his hand over to Lily, who was glaring at him.

“Sorry about that, cute fairy-san. I am Farkius, nice to meet you.”

“I am Lily. No touching Kurono, you got it?!”

While giving a warning, Lily shook his hand.

“There’s nothing as scary as a female fairy after all, I hear you loud and clear.”

After somehow having a proper introduction with Lily, his gaze shifted to Fiona.

“Please don’t mind me.”

Fiona said, indicating a ‘no’ with her hand. Even with such a handsome man in front of her, she shows not a fragment of interest.

“The witch miss is cool, huh?”

Or rather, she’s just a natural airhead.

“Even still, what interesting members for a party. I am pure gladiator but I do interact with adventurers quite a bit. This combination is a first for me.”

After all, we are a combination of a cursed weapon black magic user, a fairy and a witch. Even I didn’t see a party of this combination before. Well, there are only a few people who use cursed weapons and anyone can look the part of a witch. However, you can’t really find a fairy like Lily.

“It would be interesting to fight with you guys but I won’t force you to the stage.”

It seems he isn’t a battle maniac like a certain blonde swordsman. That’s a relief.

“Ah, but that reminds me, you went up there once, didn’t you, Kurono-kun? The Grand Colosseum, that is.”

“You knew?”

“I heard it was an amazing fight. Thanks to you, my fan base has decreased a bit.”

He said with a smile which gave off no hint of ill will. He probably isn’t bothered.

“I know, I will invite you as an athlete next time. You went up there once so surely you must feel—”

“No, I will have to decline.”

I just wanted a cursed weapon. And to be honest, it’s not like I want to fight with someone strong or gain fame. It would be too dangerous to go up to that stage.

“That’s unfortunate, I really wanted to par with you. I am sure it would have been a good fight.”

And before I realized, Farkius’ was standing closer than before. Eeii, don’t look at me with those beautiful eyes.

“I am sorry but I absolutely don’t have any intention of doing that.”

“Fufu, I am aware. But at the very least, I would like it if you came to see my stage once. I will invite you once this war is over.”

“I would gladly accept that.”

I took a step back casually and regained my personal space of comfort. I would feel bad for Farkius if he’s just trying to be friendly but I can’t let my guard down yet.

“Well, I guess it’s more important to think of this battle now than of what comes after it. Aik should begin the briefing soon.”

Ohh, at last. When I glanced around a bit, I spotted red armored Spada knights assembling in front of the main gate.

“Is this Aik person the leader of the Gladiators?”

“My bad, Aik is just a nickname. His real name is Aizenhart, Spada’s first prince.”

First Prince Aizenhart—I just know of his name. I did see his portrait during the awarding ceremony for what it matters.

It looked as if his majesty Leonhart was young again—just what you would call a junior. He is a burly strong young man, so much that it makes me doubt if Will and him are actually related by blood.

“Since you call him by a nickname, you guys are close?”

“I guess you could say our relationship is like yours and Willhart prince.”

Your sworn friend, eh? I understand. They look about the same age from their appearance so the chances of them being in the same grade when in theological school is quite high. One can become friends with royalty there so it isn’t weird.

“Well then, I will be taking my leave with this. I have others I want to meet as well, you see.”

“I see, then I will see you later. I wish you good luck in the war.”

“Same to you. I will be displaying the real strength of the gladiators in battle so as to not humiliate the gladiators.”

And then, the crowd split again and Farkius left gallantly. Seeing his back, with his red mantle flying in the wind, was kind of reassuring.

He seemed very friendly upfront but I am also kinda worried that he is that.

“Haa, I just experienced a bad feeling of tension…”

“He called you pretty. Are you not happy?”

“It’s scary when a guy says that. I wouldn’t like that even as a joke.”

Or rather, don’t remind me of it, Fiona.

Well, it isn’t like I will be forming a party with Farkius so I guess it’s fine. ‘Pretty’ and ‘invitations’ and what not—that’s probably just his way of being polite.

“More importantly, it seems like the briefing will begin soon. Wouldn’t it be better if you get off the horse?”

“I guess that’s true.”

“Ye-s.”

And like that, we stood by in the crowd for a while. Of course, no one else came talking to us after Farkius.

That was kinda lonely in itself, though.