Caring and Being Cared For

The next day.

The gates of the Gladiators' cavern dwelling opened, and the Slaves who delivered food on feast days had come again.

But today was not a feast day before a major gladiatorial battle, so the Slaves had brought only very ordinary food.

Such as the bread and fresh water Oeno had once given Qin Xa and Angron.

Qin Xa paid a little attention and noticed that the female slave whose son was a Gladiator had come as well.

"Distribute the food and water." The female slave was clearly one of high status. She spoke softly and gracefully to the slaves she had brought with her.

Then every Gladiator received food and water.

Qin Xa noticed that the food and water came in square packages, one portion per person.

That meant the food Oeno had given away before had been his own. He had thrown it out, rather than sharing what belonged to all the Gladiators.

"Gentlemen." The female slave bowed to the Gladiators and said with poise, "The schedule for the next few days of regular gladiatorial matches has been announced."

The moment she finished speaking, a little boy who looked no older than eleven entered the cavern.

The boy did not dare meet the Gladiators' eyes. He was terrified of these executioners.

Avoiding every gaze, the boy walked to the gate, preparing to post the schedule in his hands there.

When the boy used all his strength and could only reach a height of four feet, Oeno stepped forward and helped him post the schedule where the Gladiators could more easily read it.

"Thank you," the boy said quietly.

"My little brother will always be your age in my memories." Oeno crouched down and looked at the boy. "What's your name, buddy?"

"Yochuka," the boy answered.

"Alright, Yochuka." Oeno gestured for the boy to look at the other Gladiators. "We're only being forced to stay here. We aren't bad people, so you don't need to be afraid next time."

The boy turned to look at the Gladiators around him.

Kleist smiled at him.

Qin Xa sat cross-legged with his eyes closed.

Angron nodded.

When Yochuka's gaze fell upon the pair of twin Gladiators standing in the middle of the cavern, something in their icy stares sent a chill down his spine.

But Yochuka still forced himself to look around at everyone, then nodded to Oeno. "Mm-hmm."

While the two were talking, the high-status female slave carried two packages of food over to Angron.

When Angron looked up at her, the female slave smiled and offered him the two packages. "The overseer said you should eat and drink your fill before you enter the Arena."

After saying that, the female slave turned to look at her son. She clearly had something she wanted to say, but hesitated over whether she should.

Angron had something he was curious about, so he spoke first. "Ma'am, what is your son's name?"

"His name is Yochula. He is only seventeen. He is not a warrior and has received little combat training. He merely became a Gladiator one month before you and the gentleman beside you."

Upon hearing that the female slave's son was named Yochula, Angron pointed at the young boy named Yochuka. "Are they brothers?"

"Yes." Yochula came to his mother's side and nodded vigorously. "Yes, he's my brother."

Yet Yochula's mother did not immediately acknowledge it.

After half a second of silence, a trace of sorrow crossed the female slave's face before she silently nodded. "Yes, sir. But Yochuka is my adopted son. His parents..."

Halfway through her sentence, Yochula's mother swallowed the rest of her words.

"Ma'am." Kleist moved close to Yochula's mother. "When will the postponed feast day begin? It's been a month since that little lady from Mahe City met with me, and I can't wait to see her again."

Hearing this, the female slave examined Kleist. Only now did she realize he was a woman.

After a brief moment of surprise, the female slave shook her head. "The overseer said the feast day before your battle against the Slaughterer has been completely canceled. It will not be held until before your next major gladiatorial battle."

"Why was it canceled?" Kleist's expression changed instantly. He seized the female slave's arm and pulled her toward him. "If you can't explain it clearly, you'll be staying here with me today."

"Let go of my mother!" Yochula shoved Kleist away.

Kleist smiled. "Relax, Boyz. I was joking. I wouldn't dare lay a hand on a female slave rumored to have once served as maid to the Patriarch of Tark Family."

"Can you stop pretending to be a man and acting so aggressive just to protect yourself, especially at a time like this?" Qin Xa said helplessly. "Kleist, you don't have to do that. We'll all protect you."

Qin Xa's words stripped away the "mask" on Kleist's face, and he fell silent.

He thought about it and felt that it was true.

"Sorry, I'm used to it..." Kleist lowered his head and spoke despondently. "I'm not the one here who needs a feast day, but my good brothers always need one."

The female slave pulled her son behind her. Facing Kleist, she put on a show of strength. "The overseer said this feast day was canceled. How could I possibly know the reason? Would he tell me what he was planning, rather than sending his personal slave to deliver his orders directly?"

Kleist was left speechless.

The female slave looked at the others. "The overseer's personal slave said that, as compensation, this supply package contains two rolls of bandages in addition to food."

Hearing there were bandages too, the Gladiators were all stunned, then hurriedly opened their supply packages to inspect what was inside.

When they saw the two rolls of fluorescent bandages inside, the Gladiators erupted into cheers.

Cheers louder and more joyous than those of the spectators enjoying a gladiatorial match.

"Two rolls of bandages?" Qin Xa picked up a glowing roll of bandages and examined it in puzzlement. He could tell it contained a certain degree of radiation, but he did not know why the Gladiators were cheering over it.

"If I were you, I'd hide that roll of bandages," Oeno said as he walked over. "It can heal any wound. Even if someone stabs you three times and leaves six holes in you, it can still heal you as long as the wounds aren't fatal."

Though it sounded absurd, Qin Xa did not think Oeno was lying.

To him, these bandages were similar to the anesthetics among Nuceria's three treasures—proof that this damned place kept its advanced technology in the hands of the nobility.

Slavery, savage gladiatorial battles, and slums.

Rulers armed with high technology like gods, and technology so advanced it was staggering.

Qin Xa suddenly thought of Ultramar.

Nuceria was not particularly far from the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar in the future. Compared to the heavily Roman flavor of Ultramar, Nuceria also had a strong Roman flavor.

Only, Nuceria represented Rome at its darkest and most brutal.

"Yochula." The female slave led her son to a spot farther away from Angron and gently instructed him, "This afternoon's first regular gladiatorial match will have you fighting alongside Mr. Angron and Ms. Kleist. Your opponents will be the Nusa Twins and the Skinner."

"Stay behind Mr. Angron no matter what. He is also new here, but I think he will definitely be able to protect you. He will protect you."

As she spoke, the female slave lowered her voice, not wanting Angron to hear.

There was nothing shameful about such words, but saying them aloud always made them sound like a transaction.

Yet Angron still heard her.

Even whispers in a cavern could not escape a primarch's hearing. He could faintly hear even the words of spectators taking their seats in the Arena.

The emotions this mother felt for her Gladiator son at that moment—worry, affection, concern...

Compared to the emotions Gladiators usually felt, this mother's emotions made Angron feel warm.

"I'll protect him," Angron suddenly said to the female slave. "Even if only because someone who cared about him gave me an extra piece of bread."

"Thank you." The female slave froze for a moment, then hurriedly thanked him. She led the others away, and as she left, she stuck out her tongue and quickened her pace.