Warhammer Divine Throne

"Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Geliza Storm Hammer, from the World's Roof Mountain Range. I am now one of the guardians of this city and also in charge of overseeing the Gladiatorial Arena," the dwarf laughed heartily, "The Duke has said, Mr. Laine is a distinguished guest and close friend of Marinburg, so you can ask for anything you need. Is Mr. Laine here to watch the contest today?"

"Yes, the weather has been getting colder lately, and in this chilly weather, one always needs some fiery exercise to lift the spirits!" Laine smiled, simultaneously giving Veronica a secretive look.

Veronica responded to Laine with a 'work comes first' look.

"Then you've truly come to the right place! Marinburg has everything you want!" Geliza led Laine towards the raised platform of the Gladiatorial Arena, "Today there are exciting chain battles! Let me open the VIP box for you and your beautiful girlfriend, to enjoy a visual feast."

Laine wanted to explain that they were just partners, but then he looked up to see a fireball the size of a washbasin in Veronica's hand, and the woman smiled very mischievously.

Magic can be used in the Gladiatorial Arena, and Laine could only shut his mouth. He wasn't afraid of the Fireball Technique but he didn't want Veronica to get tangled in this issue.

The interior of the Gladiatorial Arena was composed of huge stone pillars and walls, essentially resembling a camp that could accommodate thousands of troops or even a small city. Within the arena, accommodations, restaurants, hospitals, and other facilities were complete, and there were very deep basements and tunnels. It was said that some tunnels had already linked to a very mysterious underground realm— that's the paradise of kobolds and many fierce beasts.

Following Geliza's lead, Laine and Veronica proceeded along a narrow passage towards the inside of the Gladiatorial Arena. The passage leading from the interior of the arena to the arena site was very narrow, giving a sense of oppression. The deep tunnel, the stifling environment, and the walls closing inwards all made one feel gloomy.

But as they reached the end of the tunnel, they were greeted by blinding light and enormous sound waves, tens of thousands of spectators shouting and roaring. The massive stands of the arena, the azure winter sky, and the hundreds of meters squared interior of the arena were all visible, the contrast from small to large stimulating their nerves.

Geliza led the two into a box; though called a box, it was actually nothing more than a small terrace of about ten square meters. Inside the terrace was a long, soft sofa, paired with a table. On the table were some simple snacks, along with a parchment listing the prices of many foods. If needed, one could ring the bell to notify the attendant to deliver them.

"Tsk tsk, a mug of malt beer for three gold coins, dwarves sure know how to do business." Veronica took the parchment, glanced at it casually, and handed it to Laine: "Want to drink something? Pay for it yourself!"

"I thought you were going to buy me a drink!" Laine took the bill and noticed the prices were at least ten times higher than the market price, so he complained, "Veronica, shouldn't you show some generosity to your partner?"

"Generosity? Laine, haven't I been generous enough with you? I'm broke, if you want a wealthy partner, you should look for Trovik, she's Jialan's little princess with tons of money at home." Veronica suddenly said sourly, "She can save you many years of struggle. I can't do that; I have nothing left to give you, in every sense of the word."

"But this is exactly why you are always my partner," Laine said solemnly, a trace of compassion flickering in his eyes, "During the journey, Teresa mentioned it several times, but I never intended to change partners. I promised, as long as you don't let me down, I won't let you down. My partner will not change due to matters beyond us."

"I guess I have judged you correctly, mwah~" Veronica, who was made ecstatic by the man's words, kissed him on the mouth.

"By the way, about what we said yesterday, if I...how will you deal with your little apprentice?" Laine simply pulled Veronica onto his body and asked curiously.

"What can I do? I won't take Catherine's life, I'll just send her to Jialan's Magic Workshop for further study, and then...in a few years marry her off to a Manor Lord or something." Veronica did not resist; she wrapped her arms around the man's neck and laughed softly, "That's her punishment for stealing from the mentor. What I didn't give her, she's not allowed to touch."

The contest started shortly thereafter.

Lops drew the number twenty-three, and he would appear in the twenty-third position.

The Wandering Knight from Nord donned the standard gear of a Gladiator— a set of smelly ordinary leather armor, a wooden long halberd, a wooden escape, and a basic helmet. The Gladiatorial Arena did not allow gladiators to bring their own gear; they only permitted the use of standard wooden equipment.

The Gladiatorial Arena was massive, with gladiators continuously entering and fighting in melee, but Lops wasn't a weakling. Possessing Elite Middle Tier strength, he wielded his long halberd very skillfully, having been educated militarily since childhood as a lord's son, his reflexes and wrist strength were decent. He skillfully used dodge and shield block defense, then overthrew one opponent after another with his halberd.

Like a War God, the Wandering Knight sent one gladiator after another out of the arena, his outstanding strength making the victory appear lopsided.

Until only two remained in the field.

"Next, let us witness the finale of this chain battle, the two opponents, the Wandering Knight Mr. Lops from Nord!"

"And the one who refuses to reveal his name— the Butcher, Mr. Bennett!"

In the dust, Lops was drenched in sweat, carefully eyeing the figure emerging through the haze.

His opponent was tall, wielding a wooden cleaver and shield, wearing a mask, over two meters tall and extremely bulky. The only visible part was his skin, dark as coal, with blood-red eyes fixated on Lops.

The Wandering Knight felt something was amiss but couldn't pinpoint what was wrong. Knowing that Laine was watching him from the stands, Lops clenched his teeth, aware he couldn't back down now.

He yearned to become a Knight like Laine, enjoying flowers and applause, yearning to be a hero in the eyes of people like Laine.

Ever since he witnessed Laine defeat the Chaos Champion and the Barbarian Chief in the defense of Mijordenhaven, Lops decided to follow Laine and become an extraordinary knight like him, so he sought a fresh start, aware he must showcase his worth to Laine.

This world doesn't need trash.

"Ahhh!!" Bennett roared, charging towards Lops with giant strides, his tall figure exerting a powerful pressure.

"The fight has started!"

Lops focused intently, his combat skill naturally inclined towards defensive counterattack, the Wandering Knight raised his shield high while positioning his long halberd towards the approaching Bennett.

The wooden long halberd forced Bennett to sidestep, for if his leather armor was breached by the halberd, it meant he would lose.

Thus, he fell right into Lops' trap, the Wandering Knight's shield blocked the wooden cleaver.

"Ahhhhh!" Bennett's huge body furiously swung the cleaver, while Lops defended with the wooden shield, the wooden cleaver hacked down repeatedly, chips flying.

On the scene, Lops was passively on the receiving end.

The crowd was in a frenzy in the stands, shouts of insults, cheers, roars were nonstop.

"Lops, damn you, I bet all my money on you, you loutish son of a b****, get up quickly!"

"Exactly! Bennett! Hit him like that! Kill him! Kill him!!"

"Get him! Bash his kobold head!"

"@&!@#...￥!（）￥*&@!"

Inside the box.

Laine gently embraced Veronica, smiling, "The outcome is decided."

"Is the Wandering Knight about to lose?"

"No... Victory is within Lops' reach."