Building An Empire Starting From The Labor Camp In Exile-Chapter 294: unexpected

"Ah... this was more than I expected." Atrox winced as the crowd roared again, so loud that the arena shook.

The arena in the capital, the one used for official things, was big enough to accept seven thousand people. And it was so seldom that it filled up.

But that day was different. It was filled to the brim, and the whole street around the arena was shut down.

Atrox was in his own private compartment.

Tiber shook his head. "I didn’t know it was going to be like this as well. People have been arriving since the day before yesterday and even slept in the arena.

"People from neighboring villages and cities are here as well. In fact, some rich people are buying seats with enormous amounts of gold. The people who manage to secure front seats are being treated as royalty, and to buy that seat, only a tycoon can buy it...

"...and they are buying it! Right now, millions in gold are being used in this arena. Those on the street are renting their shops out for people to watch through the enchanted tool that’s capturing it. Too bad that its range isn’t far, or the whole city might be able to watch it in the comfort of their homes."

Atrox’s eyes widened as he turned his eyes back to the middle of the arena where the platform was set up for a woman in her mid-forties to sing.

Apparently, there are a lot of popular people in Atrox’s city who are doing arts and entertainment. They have been performing and keeping the people entertained since the day before.

It was more than Atrox anticipated, but his administration had quickly swung into action to provide security and protocol officers, both in the arena and outside.

A formation that spanned the whole arena had been set up just to see to the protection of the people.

Atrox sighed and said gloomily, "Are you serious that people are really betting against me?"

Tiber winced, but Slya relished breaking the news to him. "Yes! See here, over five million total in gold coins have been bet against you, Atrox. Apparently, your people didn’t trust you!"

Tiber coughed. "Well. You were remembered as a weakling before you left, and all your deeds are like stories to them. They didn’t relate with them.

"Unlike Thrain, who was the star here. The monsters he killed were often displayed. They trusted him. But you... well."

Atrox scowled, and he suddenly had a determined look on his face. "I’m going to make a lot of my people cry tonight. That’s my mission!"

Slya slapped him on the shoulder. "Don’t worry. I bet that you will win. In fact, I withdrew all the money I had for this."

Although she was saying it in a way to encourage Atrox, her eyes seemed to be pleading with him. Atrox couldn’t help the chuckle as he said dryly, "I will try my best."

Tiber cleared his throat. "Based on the information gathered, my bet is also on you."

"Mine too," Eryndor said.

Atrox rolled his eyes. "Thank you. I’d have smacked you otherwise if you didn’t bet on me. Anyway, this festival should let some money flow into my city today. I should do this more often."

Different popular people came to the platform one after the other and performed what they were good at. The crowd went wild after each person showed, they laughed and clapped.

Atrox was glad to see the people happy and to see the way the different popular people paid homage to him. Finally, it was time for the fight.

Svenjar was introduced as the Young Master of the Akatsuki, and even though he was an enemy, the crowd cheered him as he was invited to the platform.

He came together with his Master Knight. The woman walked behind him, wearing even more skimpy clothes.

It seemed the men shouted even more than anyone else.

Svenjar raised his hand. He was dressed in simple clothes that covered only his private areas, leaving behind his muscular form that seemed to make the women shout even more.

Atrox grimaced and grumbled, "I must admit that he has more muscles than me. No wonder they bet on him that much!"

Slya smiled coyly. "He’s not that bad."

Atrox raised his brows, but he didn’t reply because Svenjar was speaking.

"People of the Soryu Clan! I stand before you now as the challenger of your Clan Leader, and I, Svenjar Akatsuki, am going to collect the title of the Strongest Errant Knight from him!"

The crowd shouted; there were even some small cries. Apparently, not everyone knew that Atrox had the ’Strongest Errant Knight’ title.

Atrox didn’t know either.

Suddenly, Tiber exclaimed, "Atrox, see this! The bet for you has risen again. Likely because of what Svenjar just said! The Strongest Errant Knight has gained you more bets!"

Atrox wore a pleased smile. "Maybe I should really claim this title for myself. Anyway, do you think I can bet for myself? I seem to have some gold lying around in my palace somewhere..."

Tiber rolled his eyes. "You are not going to use the Clan’s money for betting, Atrox!"

Atrox raised his hands. "Alright, alright!"

Atrox was introduced next, after Svenjar gave his ’blood-rousing’ speech. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

The whole arena seemed to calm down as Atrox walked up to the platform. This was the first time a lot of people in the Clan would be seeing him, and they focused their attention on him intently. Their Clan Leader. The one that determined their fate in the Soryu territory.

Atrox was dressed in a black cloth that fit his slim muscular body well. The material for the cloth was light, but in actuality, it was made specifically for him. It was one of the things he used his new status to do.

He wouldn’t need to go naked when fighting again.

He walked to the middle of the platform, and then he turned and slowly surveyed the crowd. Atrox became uncharacteristically solemn as he studied them.

’...how many of you will I sacrifice for my ambition?...’ The thought came to his mind, and he sighed. Without hesitation, he bowed.