The Villainous Lady Doesn't Speak Chapter 119

Martial Arts Tournament 1

On the second and third days of Roland and Princess Edith's visit to Slibegrad Kingdom, a martial arts tournament was to be held. The venue was a massive circular arena located at the edge of the capital, far from the royal palace. Liliana and Riley were to travel to the arena by carriage. The arena was a colossal structure with tiered seating arranged in a circle, overlooking the central plaza.

“That outfit suits you quite well. You seem to pull off most dresses effortlessly,” Riley said with a smile.

Today, Liliana was wearing a dress that was somewhat more practical. Riley’s attire was also luxurious yet functional.

“Thank you. You look quite distinguished as well,” Liliana replied with a smile. Riley thanked her cheerfully.

The arena was said to have been built over a massive chasm created by an explosion of magical energy during the Era of Darkness. While the exact events of the chasm’s creation were unknown, it was commonly believed that it was the site where the Demon King first appeared at the beginning of the Era of Darkness.

It was once a venue for gladiatorial combats and beast fights, popular among the common people. However, such spectacles eventually fell out of favor and were no longer held. Initially, the contests were about swordsmanship, but over time, they became mere bloodsports where winners would slaughter their defeated opponents. Historical records show that the decline of these games coincided with the rise of chivalric ideals and the establishment of the concept of chivalry.

“The arena will be used for its original purpose after a long time” Liliana noted.

“The original purpose? Oh, I see what you mean,” Riley said, momentarily puzzled before understanding and nodding.

“Yes, it used to host gladiatorial games. There were even public executions at one point, but now it’s mostly used for music festivals, operas, and occasionally street performances,” Riley explained.

“Indeed, it is quite cultural now,” Liliana agreed.

Today, the arena was frequently used as a venue for popular entertainment, with regular music festivals and operas accessible to the common people at low prices. Riley chuckled at Liliana’s response.

“Do you dislike the sight of blood?”

“It’s not that, but there’s no need to become accustomed to killing. It’s different from characters dying in operas or plays.”

In the past, most gladiators were slaves or criminals, with only a few commoners ever becoming gladiators. Their status in society was very low, and they were often trained in harsh conditions. Killing opponents without hesitation was part of their job, and even if they survived a match, they would be executed after the games. Some organizers arranged for gladiators to be mercenaries and purely enjoy swordplay, sparing those who put on impressive performances. However, the overall conditions were brutal, and many gladiators ended their own lives.

In any case, using “killing” as a form of entertainment and venerating winners based on appearance or strength did not lead to positive societal outcomes. It could inadvertently promote discrimination and result in people treating others as less than human—essentially, taking lives without hesitation, much like squashing insects.

“Indeed, there’s no need to become accustomed to it,” Riley said, reflecting on Liliana’s words. He seemed to be trying to grasp her perspective.

In this world, there was philosophy but no psychological or psychiatric sciences. Even Riley and Liliana, who received the highest education in Slibegrad, had not been educated on the psychological impacts of frequent exposure to violence as entertainment. Riley was not one to leave questions unanswered, so after a brief silence, he looked up and asked Liliana.

“You mean that becoming accustomed to seeing others harmed might have negative effects, such as an increase in those who easily inflict harm on others?”

“Yes, that’s right. People develop their values through experiences and education. For example, if the environment, such as gladiatorial games, fosters a mindset where it’s acceptable to harm those of lower status, it could lead to a certain number of people mistreating others in daily life. This could undermine societal foundations.”

Liliana explained in simple terms. In her previous life, it was a concern that media coverage of impactful events could lead to copycat crimes. While this world lacked newspapers or television, regular gladiatorial games served a similar function. Ultimately, people's values and behavior are shaped by their education, environment, and experiences.

“That does make sense,” Riley acknowledged.

Riley nodded, seemingly satisfied. Fortunately, there was no slavery in this country. After the Era of Darkness, the meritocratic system had taken root in the Slibegrad Kingdom, creating an environment where merit was valued over social status. Compared to other nations, Riley's perspective was relatively close to what Liliana knew from her previous life. Nevertheless, the divide between nobility and commoners remained significant. Riley, having carefully chosen those around him, seemed somewhat uncomfortable with certain behaviors of both nobles and commoners.

“Considering that, it's a good thing we set strict rules for this martial arts tournament. We’ve also prepared medical teams on standby and deployed mages and knights to forcibly end any matches if necessary,” Riley said.

In this tournament, attacks that could cause fatal injuries were prohibited. However, given the nature of the event, rules prohibiting any injury to opponents could not be implemented. Nonetheless, any match not conducted in accordance with the chivalric spirit would be invalid, and the offender would lose immediately. Two judges would make the initial decisions, and in the case of a tie, the royal family would make the final decision.

“The final decision on the outcomes will rest with Will, so it’s a significant responsibility,” Liliana remarked.

“Please don’t put too much mental pressure on me,” Riley responded with a wry smile. Then, as if recalling something, Riley’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

“Oh, but I’m looking forward to it. Sasha’s guardian is competing in the magical swordsmanship division, right? There’s a chance she might face Austin.”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m looking forward to it too,” Liliana agreed with a smile.

It was Olga who secured a spot in the magical swordsmanship division. She was a mercenary mage and highly sought after for her skills. Although Liliana hadn’t heard this directly from Olga, a drunkard named Gild had informed her of Olga’s prowess, and if Gild vouched for it, it was likely true. Liliana had considered asking Olga to participate when the tournament details were announced. While the prize money was undoubtedly attractive to Olga, Liliana also had a personal interest in seeing her fight seriously. Olga had seemed hesitant initially but had eventually applied for the competition herself.

“I’ve heard that there were fewer applicants for the magical swordsmanship division compared to other divisions, so there was no selection process. It’s truly a one-shot deal,” Liliana noted.

“That’s right. While other divisions are also exciting, the magical swordsmanship division is definitely the highlight,” Riley said.

The magical division would also be spectacular, but the combination of swordsmanship and magic was a rare sight, so it was expected to attract more spectators compared to other divisions.

However, the first day featured the general swordsmanship and martial arts divisions. The magical swordsmanship and magical divisions were scheduled for the second day.

Liliana’s smile deepened.

“While the magical swordsmanship division will be flashy, I’m also looking forward to the martial arts division.”

“The martial arts division? That’s unusual. I didn’t think it would be something women typically enjoyed,” Riley remarked.

“I’ve heard that many participants in the martial arts division come from the Kennys and Calvert knight orders,” Liliana explained.

The general swordsmanship division focused on sword techniques, but the martial arts division allowed for any means of combat. There were no restrictions on attack methods—striking, grappling, and even the use of weapons were permitted. The only prohibited items were concealed weapons. Using swords or spears was allowed, but magic was not.

“I see,” Riley said, nodding as he realized something. “Given that, I’m also quite curious about it.”

“So you expect many ‘northern immigrants’ to participate,” Liliana said.

“Yes, exactly,” Riley confirmed.

It is said that the "northern immigrants" possess high combat abilities. Of course, not all of them are exceptionally skilled in combat. Both the Slibegrad Kingdom and the Yunatian Empire refer to those who came from the north collectively as "northern immigrants," but Liliana's guards, Gild and Yeori of the Kennys Knights, distinguish themselves as "descendants of Alvaldi." Liliana knows that the "descendants of Alvaldi" are almost certainly highly skilled in combat, but she is less certain about the rest of the "northern immigrants." However, it is certain that among the Kennys and Calvert knights participating in the martial arts division, there will be some "northern immigrants" with exceptional combat abilities. This martial arts tournament presents a great opportunity to observe their physical prowess up close.

"I’ve heard that there will also be mercenaries in the martial arts division. There are relatively few knights participating; most are entering the general swordsmanship division," Riley said.

"Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing the results of everyone’s training," Liliana agreed.

"Considering that, I suppose the magical division has the lowest expectations," Riley remarked with a wry smile.

He couldn't say it openly, but Liliana could only agree. 

In truth, she wasn’t very excited about the magical division. Most of the participants were mages affiliated with the Magic Bureau. It was easy to imagine that, unlike other divisions, the matches might end up being rigged. It would be interesting if the general participants managed to pull off an upset, but that was unlikely.

Riley cast a suggestive glance at Liliana. However, Liliana elegantly ignored it.

It was likely—no, almost certain—that Riley suspected Liliana could use magic. Since Liliana had previously avoided the topic, Riley had chosen not to press further. Aware of this, Liliana avoided bringing it up herself. Riley, perhaps wary of crossing boundaries or considering other possibilities, refrained from probing deeper.

Even if Riley knew Liliana could use magic, she had no intention of participating. Liliana was confident she could dominate and secure first place without a doubt. Such a one-sided victory would not be entertaining for the audience. The appeal of a tournament lies in the excitement of evenly matched competitors.

Riley, observing Liliana, let out a slight, rueful smile and gazed out the carriage window.

"We should be arriving soon."

"This will be my first time at the amphitheater," Liliana replied.

"Is that so? It’s my first time as well."

Exchanging these calm words, the two waited for the carriage to come to a stop. As they approached the amphitheater, the roar of the crowd grew louder, indicating that spectators had already filled the stands.

People were being easily thrown aside. The moment the referee signaled the start, it was as if one participant had vanished. The opponent who was thrown crashed into the wall and lay there, unmoving. They seemed to be alive, but had clearly lost consciousness.

"---An overwhelming victory," Riley murmured.

Liliana, sitting next to him, nodded ambiguously. They were seated in the specially designated royal viewing seats within the amphitheater. On the opposite side, in the special seats, were Prince Roland and Princess Edith.

The audience, initially silent due to confusion about what had happened, soon began to clap sporadically, albeit hesitantly.

"The winner is Yeori of the Kennys Knights!" announced the referee.

Yeori, who was progressing smoothly in the tournament, was a boy Liliana had met before. When they first met, he was around fourteen or fifteen, but after two years, he had grown quite robust. Still, compared to his mercenary opponent, he appeared somewhat slender, which made it understandable if he was underestimated as someone who could be easily tossed around. However, he was winning decisively, leveraging his agility and flexibility to overpower even the strongest of opponents.

"Is he one of the 'northern immigrants'?" Riley asked.

"That might be the case," Liliana responded vaguely.

Although she couldn’t admit it, Liliana acknowledged the suspicion. Riley seemed to be certain, reflecting deeply as he muttered, "The Royal Knights might need people like him to strengthen their ranks."

"One person could potentially be worth several knights," Liliana agreed.

"Yes. That’s probably why the Kennys and Calvert Knights are actively recruiting 'northern immigrants.' Considering that, the disappearance incidents are certainly worrisome. It would be problematic if they had flowed into neighboring countries."

At Riley’s grim words, Liliana responded.

"Have there been any recent reports on the disappearances?"

"It seems the Kennys and Calvert border regions have managed to get their countermeasures up and running, so the numbers are gradually decreasing. The problem lies in areas outside these two regions. We’re not even sure if disappearances are occurring there. Naturally, neither the perpetrators nor the masterminds are known."

Many lords who do not have favorable views of the foreign peoples are unwilling to investigate the disappearances of 'northern immigrants,' resulting in nothing more than perfunctory reports stating "no abnormalities."

Liliana glanced down.

It appeared that the top five in the martial arts division were now competing amongst the participants from the Kennys and Calvert Knights. The Kennys and Calvert Knights had a good relationship and occasionally held friendly matches, so they were essentially vying for third place among themselves. Conversely, it meant that spectators would witness matches between opponents of nearly equal skill—indeed, very strong fighters. This inevitably heightened the excitement among the audience.

Despite being a one-day event, it seemed that patrons had already developed favorites, with some shouting out the names of the competitors they supported.

"It’s frustrating that we can’t join in the cheering," Liliana said.

"Yes. Is there anyone you’re rooting for?" Riley asked.

"To be honest, yes. There are some I’m cheering for. I suppose I’m inclined to favor those of the same age," Liliana admitted.

As a member of the royal family, she couldn’t allow others to perceive her as favoring a particular individual. Moreover, in such a setting, shouting out names of favored competitors was considered improper. To avoid any misunderstandings or unnecessary considerations from those around her, she had to be careful with her words.

Nevertheless, Riley, who had whispered to Liliana, seemed to want Yeori to win. All the other competitors were likely over twenty years old. Liliana, feeling a natural inclination to support Yeori, whom she recognized, gave a small wry smile and told Riley,

"What a coincidence. Actually, I feel the same.”

The two watched intently as the match unfolded. Even the competitors who had previously overwhelmed their opponents with clear skill gaps were now struggling in a tightly contested match.

Yeori was no exception. Both fighters circled each other, gauging distance and waiting for an opening, but such openings were elusive. In the next moment, Yeori’s figure vanished. Dust swirled and the spectators lost sight of him, but the opponent’s mouth curled into a smirk. In an instant, the opponent’s right hand moved and reached behind Yeori. The audience was unsure what had happened, but it became clear that Yeori’s left foot was being held by the opponent’s right hand. However, Yeori was not easily caught. He twisted his body and struck with his right hand. The opponent’s expression changed briefly, and he released Yeori and jumped back. Yeori landed effortlessly.

“That movement was so fast, it’s hard to tell what happened,” Riley remarked.

“Yes. If they don’t slow down a bit, it’s impossible to see anything,” Liliana agreed.

“Did that boy have a dagger in his right hand?” Riley wondered.

When they faced each other again, the two finally noticed the weapon Yeori had been holding. They stared at each other, assessing their opponent.

Yeori was agile, while his opponent seemed confident in his brute strength. Having seen Yeori easily kick opponents away before, it was frightening to imagine the strength of his current opponent. Nevertheless, the match had become quite engaging.

After a period of stalemate, Yeori made a move, and his opponent defended. This was repeated several times until, on the fourth attack, the opponent finally took the initiative. He slammed his fist into the ground, causing a significant tremor that could be felt even from the spectators' seats. Naturally, Yeori, who relied on his speed, lost his balance. It was only a momentary lapse, but it was enough for the opponent. The man quickly closed in on Yeori, twisting his arm with his strong grip and pinning him to the ground. The opponent then glanced at the referee, as if to say, “What now?”

The referees, who had been seated on the ground, hurriedly got up and fumbled with their words.

Then, with a faltering voice, they announced the winner.

“The winner is Henrik of the Calvert Knights! Advancing to the semifinals!”

The arena erupted in cheers. Riley and Liliana exchanged glances. Although it was disappointing to see a boy of their generation lose, it was a valuable opportunity to witness the abilities of the 'northern immigrants.' They possessed astonishing physical prowess even at a young age.

Among those who watched the tournament, some might start to consider actively incorporating 'northern immigrants.' If Riley were seriously thinking about strengthening the Royal Knights, he would need to consider recruiting 'northern immigrants' first. At the same time, there would need to be efforts to investigate the possible disappearances of 'northern immigrants' occurring in various regions. Even if the motivation was self-serving, it would be beneficial if the lords took action.

“I’m looking forward to the semifinals,” Riley said with a smile.

Liliana nodded in agreement. The tournament had proven more rewarding than expected. There might even be 'northern immigrants' who chose not to participate in the tournament. If so, the finals might not represent their peak abilities.

The 'northern immigrants' possessed immeasurable potential. Just catching a glimpse of it was enough. And it was likely that Roland, who had come from the Yunatian Empire, shared this sentiment as well.

—

ToC

Chapter 120