Cruel Reality [2]

"Hello, Prince Merca. What are you doing in such a blasphemous place?"

Montecorato politely showed his courtesy and spoke in a pretentious voice.

"You're not planning on killing the kid who passed the test, are you?"

Prince Merca glared at him and asked.

Montecorato smiled sheepishly and waved his hand.

"Is that possible? But what business does the prince have with such an insignificant child?"

Issac, who had remained silent in response to his question, stepped forward.

"Representative Montecorato. Who are you questioning?"

Issac exuded tremendous intimidation. Montecorato did not dare to raise his face and fell down on the spot.

"Ah! I'm sorry. I was presumptuous. Please forgive me."

"Stand up."

When Prince Merca spoke in a humble voice, Montecorato slowly stood up and hesitantly took a step back.

"Thank you. Then I will leave."

"Representative Montecorato."

At that moment, Prince Merca called Councilor Montecorato, who turned around.

"Yes, prince."

"If you're going to kill this kid, you better be prepared."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Prince Merca spoke in a cool tone.

He was well aware of Montecorato's atrocities. Representative Montecorato bowed respectfully and stepped back.

His face was distorted as he lowered his head.

'Fuck! If I can't kill it directly, I'll just send him to living hell!'

He decided to send Eren to a place called 'Palemon,' known as ant hell, at the southern edge of the Morgan Empire. As he left the basement, the corners of his mouth turned up evilly.

When Montecorato disappeared and only the three of them remained, Prince Merca took a step closer to Eren.

There were numerous scratches on Eren's cheeks and all over his body, and his stomach was chubby, as if he hadn't eaten properly for several days.

"What's your name?"

Eren remained silent in response to his question. His eyes, hidden by brown curly hair, still had an empty look.

"How dare you ignore the prince's question…."

When Issac tried to step forward, Prince Merca raised his hand and stopped him. His golden eyes were looking calmly at Eren's unfocused eyes.

"You don't have to talk if you don't want to. My name is Merca."

Prince Merca introduced himself with a dignified appearance. Eren lifted his head and slowly focused his eyes on Merca.

Their eyes met.

At that moment, both of them felt an unknown pounding.

Prince Merca was inwardly surprised, and Eren was puzzled.

Prince Merca, speechless for a moment, slowly opened his mouth with a smile on his face.

"You give off a really unique aura."

Prince Merca said something unknown and turned to Issac.

"Issac, how about we take this child? We can raise him to be one of your soldiers."

Issac answered his question politely.

"Of course, it is possible, Prince. However, if His Majesty the Emperor finds out about this, he will definitely protest again. It would have been possible if Councilor Montecorato had not known of the child's existence, but not now, right?"

Montecorato was a highly trusted subject of the emperor.

The emperor entrusted him with full authority to run the Colosseum, and there was nothing related to the Colosseum that did not go through Montecorato's hands.

If this child is taken away, Montecorato will notice, and naturally, it will reach the emperor's ears.

Prince Merca, who had a frown on his face, seemed to have made up his mind and spoke in a firm tone.

"Hmm. I'll find a way to do that. So, prepare Issac too."

"I understand, Prince."

Issac smiled and answered as if he couldn't stop him.

"It's late today, so let's come back tomorrow. Remove the shackles and give him water and food. It looks like he hasn't eaten for a few days."

"I understand, Prince."

It was when Prince Merca turned around and was about to leave the prison. A dull voice like scraping metal was heard.

"Eren."

Prince Merca looked back.

It was a mouth that had never been opened. What on earth made him open his mouth?

His instincts were speaking. Prince Merca was similar to himself.

Then Prince Merca nodded and answered.

"It was nice to meet you, Eren. I hope to see you again."

Prince Merca smiled brightly and then walked away again.

* * *

Prince Merca, who was passing through the underground passage, looked around at the corpses piled up around him and frowned.

"How long are you going to keep doing stupid things like this, father?"

He said with a deep sigh.

The prince was still too young to understand the cruel things happening in the Colosseum.

However, as he looked at the numerous corpses, no emotion was felt, which was inappropriate for his age.

Perhaps that was why one side of Issac's expression showed sadness.

Although he tried hard to hide it, the prince's heartless side was revealed from time to time.

"What do you think, Issac?"

When the prince looked up at him and asked, Issac answered by lowering his head as if he was grateful.

"How could an ignorant warrior like me know the deep intentions of His Majesty the Emperor? However, it is said that there is nothing more effective than the Colosseum in relieving the suppressed desires of the people of the Morgan Empire."

Merca frowned at his words.

"Do we have to sacrifice this much to win the public opinion of the Morgan people? This is such an inhumane act."

"The power of the people must not be overlooked, Prince."

Issac spoke to the prince in a somewhat stern tone.

Considering the gap in their status, it shouldn't have happened, but their relationship was a bit special.

Issac had protected Prince Merca since he was a newborn. Issac valued Prince Merca more than his own children.

The prince, who was not unaware of that feeling, smiled and hurried his steps.

"Of course, I know that. I'm just frustrated. Let's get out of here quickly. I want to get some fresh air."

"Yes, prince."

* * *

That night.

Underneath the Colosseum, where silence reigns. Eren, who was locked in a cage, was tossing and turning, making groaning noises.

His body temperature rose rapidly, and cold sweat covered his entire body.

He instinctively looked for Anessa's arms but soon realized the reality and shrank like a shrimp.

Then suddenly, Eren opened his eyes and stood up.

He looked around for something that could be used as a weapon, but all he could see were dried blood stains here and there.

At that moment, urgent footsteps of soldiers were heard, as if they had made an appointment. "Everybody jump out quickly! You are moving!" "Come out quickly!"

With loud voices, the soldiers opened the iron cage doors and began pulling out the slaves.

"I see you again."

And in front of his cage stood a man who looked like a toad.

It was Congressman Montecorato.