True Face

Harrot and The Bald Man did not call anyone else over. The two of them ate, drank, and talked alone. After drinking, The Bald Man became extremely emotional and told Harrot his story.

From practicing martial arts to becoming captain of the town guard, from his first time stepping into the arena to being chosen by Count Sarik, from the first time he advised Count Sarik about Man-Beast Combat to being scolded by Sarik today.

The Bald Man said a great deal. After being harshly rejected by Count Sarik today, he had begun to doubt whether Count Sarik was truly as righteous and noble as he had believed.

But Count Sarik was practically The Bald Man's faith. He still could not fully face reality and could only ease his pain by talking to Harrot.

What was supposed to be a celebration had turned into a pity party because of The Bald Man. Harrot did not find it regrettable, though. If The Bald Man could truly see Count Sarik for who he was, it might not be a bad thing.

Count Sarik truly was a cold-blooded, selfish noble scumbag. He had no feelings for The Bald Man at all, far worse than Harrot had initially imagined.

But if The Bald Man no longer wanted to work for Count Sarik, could he get away safely? Harrot was somewhat worried about The Bald Man's future.

The two talked until night had fallen before they parted ways. Naturally, Harrot did not have to return to his cell and sleep on the floor. He was assigned a room next to The Bald Man's.

Not long afterward, The One-Armed Man and a nobleman came to Harrot's door and knocked. Harrot knew they were probably there to recruit him, so he opened the door and spoke with them.

The nobleman took out a Crystal Ball and had Harrot place his hand against it. He explained, "Anyone who receives Sun's Blessing has a chance to become a Sun Priest. This Crystal Ball can test whether you have the talent to become one!"

"Sun Priests can borrow the Sun's great power and use all kinds of miraculous divine arts. Some can make crops grow rapidly, while others can heal wounds or even bring the dead back to life. It is the greatest and most miraculous power in this world!"

Wasn't that just a priest? I actually had the talent to become a priest!

Harrot excitedly pressed his hand against it and watched the Crystal Ball with anticipation. The ball emitted an extremely faint glow, almost impossible to notice if not for the dimly lit room.

Did this count as having talent? Harrot nervously looked at the nobleman.

The nobleman sighed and said, "With such little affinity, it is unlikely that you can become a Sun Priest. But if you are willing, you can still try your luck at the Sun Temple. Perhaps a miracle will happen."

After saying that, the nobleman left with the Crystal Ball without speaking another word to Harrot. Clearly, he did not believe in miracles. Only Harrot and The One-Armed Man remained in the room.

"You have received Sun's Blessing and are no longer a slave of the Gladiatorial Arena. However, Count Sarik still hopes that you will serve him."

"Count Sarik is willing to share his glory with you and make you a noble Knight! Once you complete your tasks, he will also reward you with wealth and land!"

The One-Armed Man did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point. He had been sent by the Count to recruit Harrot. The Bald Man had argued with the Count that morning, so it was not suitable to send him.

Harrot did not answer immediately. The Bald Man had already told him that he had gained his freedom. He was considering how to refuse Count Sarik's invitation without angering him.

Harrot suddenly recalled that Sun Priests could heal wounds and even bring the dead back to life. If they could do that, regenerating a severed arm should not be a problem, right?

Harrot stared at The One-Armed Man's arm and asked, "How did you lose your arm?"

The One-Armed Man froze, not expecting Harrot to ask that. Still, he answered, "I lost it on the battlefield while blocking a blade for Count Sarik to save him!"

Looking into The One-Armed Man's eyes, Harrot said, "You took a blade for him and saved his life, yet this is how you ended up. Do you think I would pledge myself to him?"

The One-Armed Man clenched his fist at once, rose to his feet, and glared fiercely at Harrot as if he were about to attack him.

Harrot met his gaze without backing down. After a long while, The One-Armed Man sat back down, poured himself a cup of wine, and said, "You are different from Cleon. You are smart. Can you see that I am unwilling to accept this?"

Harrot shook his head. "I cannot read minds. I simply put myself in your position. If I were you, I would definitely be dissatisfied with Count Sarik!"

Harrot had truly believed that The One-Armed Man and Count Sarik shared a close, trusting relationship. But after learning that this world had methods capable of healing severed arms, while The One-Armed Man remained disabled, and considering Count Sarik's cold and selfish nature, Harrot made a bold guess.

Count Sarik had never cared about The One-Armed Man, even though he had saved his life! His monthly visits to the Gladiatorial Arena to see him were nothing more than a show!

The One-Armed Man was no longer as loyal to Count Sarik as he had once been!

The One-Armed Man gave a cold laugh. "I fought for him through life and death, and I even sacrificed an arm to save him. What did I get?"

"My glory was taken back. I am no longer a Knight with extraordinary power. I have no land, no wealth, no honor. I can only live as a cripple he keeps around! How could I not resent him?"

"Heh, now I am a cripple. I can only live with dignity because he supports me, so I do not dare anger him. I will tell him that you accepted Marcus's invitation. Then he will not be angry with you or me."

"Do not tell anyone about what we said tonight. Also, you should speak with Cleon! He is even more foolish than I was. He is only now beginning to doubt Sarik!"

The One-Armed Man said nothing more. He drained his wine in one gulp and left. His mission had failed, yet he was not upset. Instead, he felt relieved. If Harrot had truly pledged loyalty to Count Sarik, that would have made him miserable.

As The One-Armed Man stepped outside, he happened to encounter The Bald Man standing there in a daze.

The Bald Man looked distracted and conflicted. There was no need to think about it—he was certainly troubled by his conflict with Count Sarik during the day.

The One-Armed Man stepped forward and asked, "Hey, Baldy, what are you thinking about?"

Seeing that it was The One-Armed Man, The Bald Man said, "You are closest to Count Sarik. Tell me, when I asked the Count to stop the gladiatorial match today, why did he refuse? Did he already know Harrot could defeat the Ogres?"

The One-Armed Man was speechless. Could he really be this stupid? He was still agonizing over this? Of course the Count had ignored his request. He was merely a pawn. Why would the Count care whether he asked or begged?

The One-Armed Man sighed, leaned close to The Bald Man's ear, and whispered, "How long are you going to remain this foolish? Count Sarik never saw us as brothers! Whether it is me or you, we are nothing but dogs in his eyes!"

The Bald Man stared at The One-Armed Man in shock. The person most loyal to the Count and most trusted by him had actually said such things.

After checking that no one was around, The One-Armed Man pointed at his missing arm with his only hand. "My left arm was severed while I blocked a blade for him! It would not be an exaggeration to say I saved his life!"

"And what did he do? He took back the glory he had shared with me and tossed me into this Gladiatorial Arena to waste away!"

"At first, I brainwashed myself just as you did. I told myself the Count could not be such a cold and heartless man, that he would surely remember my loyalty!"

"But aside from coming to the Gladiatorial Arena once or twice every month to put on a show, he gave me absolutely no compensation!"

"Several Knights from my generation became lords of villages or received great wealth. Only I have neither money nor power, left to waste away in the Gladiatorial Arena!"

After hearing The One-Armed Man's words, The Bald Man stood there blankly for a moment before finally understanding. Every doubt now had an answer, and every inconsistency fit together.

He was not stupid. It was only because Count Sarik had lifted him up during the lowest point of his life that his gratitude toward the Count ran too deep. Combined with Count Sarik's skillful manipulation, he had been deceived for more than a decade.

Because of his heartfelt admiration and gratitude, he had spent half his life serving the Count tirelessly without asking for anything in return. He had always believed Count Sarik was different, someone special.

The One-Armed Man continued, "Scarface was also arranged by the Count. Once he has made enough money, the Count will throw him out as a scapegoat."

"And you kept ridiculously trying to persuade the Count not to listen to Scarface!"

"I truly feel it is not worth it for you. With your strength, what could you not do? You could pledge yourself to the King, gain glory, and even become deputy commander of the Royal Knight Order. Why waste your life serving trash like Sarik? He will give you nothing!"

"Do not stay here any longer. Count Sarik is a man who pursues profit and disregards human lives to the core. You cannot change the fate of gladiators. Let it go!"

The One-Armed Man said nothing more. He patted The Bald Man on the shoulder and left. He had served the wrong person, lost an arm, and become disabled. His life was completely ruined, but The Bald Man could still have a better future. He had only offered this advice out of kindness.

The Bald Man watched The One-Armed Man leave, and the confusion in his heart finally vanished. The One-Armed Man had once been the person most loyal to the Count, and now he was the person who understood the Count best. His words had completely awakened The Bald Man.