I Became a Veteran Who Has to Stir Up Trouble to Survive - Chapter 80

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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[080] The City of Pleasure, Ludus Magna
We arrived at Ludus Magna at a breakneck pace.
The moment I stepped down from the luxurious carriage, my first thought was….
‘A medieval version of a red-light district, through and through.’
If Liberta had been a beautiful coastal haven brimming with romance and tourism, this place was a decadent, squalid entertainment city.
Drunkards intoxicated on liquor and narcotics stumbled about the streets even in broad daylight, while beggars who had squandered their fortunes on gambling crowded the entrance to the City Wall, pleading for alms.
“…Everyone keep a tight grip on your wallets. This place seems rife with pickpockets.”
Still, this was relatively manageable.
Having lived through the aftermath of the Great Calamity, I had witnessed firsthand just how far Belheim’s public order could deteriorate.
As I moved forward at a leisurely pace, Karen murmured softly beside me.
“We’ve followed the clues this far… but what do we do now?”
“Well, when you first arrive in a city, there’s a standard protocol.”
“Information gathering, you mean. Let’s try that tavern over there.”
We headed toward the crowded tavern.
But when we sat at a table and tried to pay upfront, the Bartender shook his head curtly.
“First time in Ludus Magna, kid? We don’t take cash here.”
“You don’t accept cash? Then what exactly do we use to—”
“Go over there.”
Following the Bartender’s directions, we exited the tavern and turned down an alley, where a shop with a large sign stood prominently.
[Exchange House]
“Welcome to Ludus Magna! Everything in this city is transacted through these betting chips!”
“Hah….”
Listening to the Exchange House Employee’s explanation, I could finally grasp what kind of place this city truly was.
A nexus where every human desire converges.
Not merely bread and alcohol—basic necessities—but human desires, convictions, dignity itself.
A place where all tangible and intangible values are commodified, weighed on scales as betting chips.
「Congratulations on your formal entry into the City of Sin, Ludus Magna!」
「With betting chips, you can purchase anything here! Love, happiness, even devoted slaves!」
「But beware! Countless heroes have succumbed to corruption in this place, indulging in fleeting pleasures and gambling.」
‘Now I understand why the Butler wore such a bitter expression.’
The countless Adventurers he had witnessed must have squandered their fortunes here, intoxicated by momentary gratification and games of chance.
Even now, gaunt gamblers stood in line before the exchange counter, clutching their meager coins.
“We’ll need those chips to operate here… why don’t we each exchange just a couple of silver coins for now?”
“Ah, I happen to have some spare change. It’s been inconvenient to carry, so let me exchange mine first….”
Radi began counting out copper coins one by one from a patched coin purse.
Karen, who had been watching silently, strode purposefully to the counter and—thud!—set down a heavy leather pouch.
“Exchange it all.”
The moment gold coins cascaded out like a mountain, the eyes of the Exchange House Employee and everyone nearby nearly bulged from their sockets.
Radi, who had been counting copper coins with delicate hands, dropped the coin purse, mouth agape.
“K-Karen….”
“My uncle has been kidnapped. We don’t have time to waste on formalities. From now on, just call me Karen. And….”
Karen looked me, Malton, and Radi up and down before speaking.
“All three of you should change your clothes first.”
* * *
I’d realized it before when shopping for a longsword with Malton, but in this pre-modern society, clothing was a crucial indicator of social status.
Passing beggars who clung desperately to their tattered pants, Karen led us to an upscale Tailor Shop.
A luxury boutique that no one but nobility would dare glance at—the kind of place where a single outfit could cost mountains of betting chips.
When Radi emerged in fresh clothes, Karen nodded approvingly.
“Now that’s more like it. With such a pretty face, it’s been frustrating watching you dress so drabby all the time.”
“B-but isn’t this too conspicuous? It’s uncomfortable to move in, and with all these bright colors, it’ll be harder to hide! Plus, I’ve never worn a skirt before, and even with the shorts underneath, this is just too…!”
“What are you talking about? Compared to what I wore in the Balearic Archipelago, this is nothing. Don’t complain.”
Karen smiled faintly, as if exacting revenge for all she’d endured, then turned to look at Malton.
“As for him… being an elf, I wasn’t particularly concerned.”
When her gaze shifted to me, she stared for a moment with her mouth slightly open before turning away.
“…You’ll do.”
“Thank you, Karen. I never expected to be dressed like this.”
“It’s a necessary measure to find my uncle. This way, street ruffians won’t dare approach us carelessly. And if the undead discover our identities, it’ll be problematic, so wear these.”
Karen produced custom-made masks that had been crafted at the Tailor Shop.
A turtle for me, a deer for Malton, a rabbit for Karen, and a mouse for Radi.
She settled the bill for the clothes with betting chips and left the shop.
Unlike her previously passive demeanor while reluctantly accompanying us, Karen now displayed formidable momentum once her purpose—finding the missing Belmont—was set.
Whether it was the effect of our aristocratic appearance or not, the beggars on the street only watched us from a distance, not daring to block our path.
The only drawback was that Radi, unaccustomed to the formal attire, kept falling behind.
“Straighten your shoulders and walk with confidence. That’s why you’re standing out even more.”
“I-it’s just….”
“Haha, Radi does have an unexpectedly weak side when it comes to this sort of thing. Did you know? Doran initially mistook Radi for a boy.”
“What? Even so, that’s not possible.”
Karen shot me a look that said ‘are you insane?’
Damn it—a dark chapter I’d barely managed to forget.
I quickly changed the subject.
“S-so… why would those operating here kidnap Belmont? There doesn’t seem to be any obvious connection.”
“That’s what we need to find out now. It’s possible this place was merely their main base. …Should we return to the Tavern?”
“Hmm… I doubt we’d learn anything new by going back. We’ve already grasped the general atmosphere.”
“Then let’s head to the Arena where the Monster Arena matches are held. One of them had an admission ticket.”
To summarize the clues we currently have about the kidnappers:
1. A group of at least three people including the Carriage Driver, with undead mixed among them.
2. There exists a giant over two meters tall.
3. Someone smokes a substance called Widra and has been watching matches at the Monster Arena recently.
We quickened our pace and soon arrived at the Monster Arena.
But we were a step too late—the Attendant was calling out toward the waiting line for admission.
“Today’s admission is closed! Those who haven’t entered yet, please leave!”
As those who came for nothing cursed and clamored, Radi murmured uncomfortably.
“What should we do? It seems the capacity is full… Should we come back tomorrow?”
“Huh? Why would we care about that?”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t waste time. Follow me.”
As Karen strode forward, the crowd that caught sight of her parted hesitantly.
When the Attendant bowed respectfully, Karen jabbed a black betting chip into his chest and spoke.
“Guide us.”
“Ah, understood! I’ll escort you to the VIP Seating with the best view of the Battle Ground!”
“No, not the Battle Ground. A seat where I can see the entire Spectator Seating at once.”
“The… Spectator Seating, you say?”
The Attendant tilted his head in momentary confusion, but when Karen jabbed another chip into his hand, he quietly closed his mouth and led us to our seats.
“This is the highest seat in this Arena! It’s the perfect vantage point for surveying all the Spectator Seating!”
“Good work. And I’d like to request some service.”
“Just say the word!”
“Bring whatever fills the belly, and get the most expensive and finest bottle you have. And… Radi, you liked sweet things, didn’t you? Bring some delicious snacks too.”
“I’ll bring them right away!”
As the Attendant left, I slowly surveyed my surroundings.
Partitions were set up on all sides, so there was no risk of privacy invasion, and it was an excellent place to leisurely view the Battle Ground.
‘So this is what nobility is like….’
I’d usually forgotten about it since she didn’t show it much, but once she opened her purse, her spending was no joke.
Nominally, we were stepping in to help Karen, so perhaps she was returning the favor by providing us with convenience.
Karen didn’t touch the food she’d ordered and kept her eyes fixed on the Spectator Seating.
“All of you, watch the Battle Ground carefully. If you spot anyone tall, tell me immediately.”
“Understood.”
I diligently scanned the Spectator Seating with the binoculars provided at the seat, but finding one person among such a massive crowd was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
‘This approach won’t work at this rate.’
Just then, with the Announcer’s booming commentary, the show began.
“Ladies and gentlemen of Ludus Magna Arena, welcome!! Now begins the greatest bloodbath to dispel your boredom! Blood and entrails flowing….”
As the blast of a horn shook the arena, massive iron gates opened and the melee commenced.
Starving monsters roaring and thrashing as if to break through iron bars.
Gladiators slashing at each other and desperately struggling.
Blunt weapons shattered skulls, and sharp claws tore through flesh.
Each time a victor and loser were decided, cheers and jeers crossed through the Spectator Seating.
The sand floor was soon drenched in blood, the crowd roared with frenzy, and betting slips fluttered through the air.
「You’ve witnessed the famous Arena of Slaughter of Ludus Magna! You feel the intense thrill of blood boiling in your veins!」
「The spectators’ fortunes diverge greatly! [Antagon’s Rune] absorbs the emotions of the people, increasing Luck by 10!」
Without realizing it, I clenched my fists and cooled my excitement as the Announcer reappeared alongside the corpse cleaners.
“Ladies and gentlemen, did you enjoy the Arena?”
A wave of cheers and curses erupted through the arena, and the Announcer continued his speech.
“Haha! From the roar of the crowd, it seems everyone is satisfied! Those of you who lost all your chips, don’t be too sad! Starting tomorrow, we’ll have even more intense and blood-soaked matches! The grand prize for the next tournament is none other than…! Drum roll…! A ring once worn by a renowned Mage!”
As the Announcer unveiled the cloth covering the platform, Karen let out a scream and spewed profanities.
“No way….”
“Uncle’s ring!! I’m going to burn every last one of these bastards right now—!!”
Karen tore off her mana-restraining bracelet and began chanting an incantation.
As her emotions flared, her hair literally ignited in crimson flames.
I hastily stood up and grabbed Karen to stop her.
“C-calm down, Karen!!”
“Does it look like I can calm down?! I’m going to incinerate those bastards and reduce them to ash right now—!!”
“Belmont isn’t the kind of person to fall so easily! Besides, if you use magic recklessly now, we’ll lose an important clue!”
As I desperately restrained her, Karen, seeming to regain some composure, gritted her teeth and lowered her staff.
“What should I do right now?”
“Let’s ask about the source of the prize. It’s quite possible that whoever put up that ring kidnapped Belmont. The chances that he’s being held here have increased significantly.”
“But we must approach this carefully. If rumors spread that a Royal Palace Mage was colluding with Evil Spirits, it would become a serious problem.”
After the Arena concluded, we immediately went to find the Announcer.
But all we received was a formal response that customer identities could not be disclosed.
“…Tell us.”
As Karen desperately suppressed her rage and shoved a heap of betting chips toward him, the Announcer cleared his throat and opened his mouth.
“Ahem… Actually, I don’t know much about the identity of the person who sold the ring to our Arena. It was conducted through a sealed bid auction.”
“So there’s no way to find out?”
“I’m afraid that’s likely the case….”
Just as Karen was falling into despair, a question that had formed in my mind spilled out.
“What happens to the prize if no winner emerges from tomorrow’s matches?”
“Ah, in that case, the prize is returned to the seller! We haven’t received full payment yet! There are cases where it carries over to the next tournament, but since we’re scheduled to close for renovations for a while after tomorrow’s tournament ends….”
“…I see.”
I smiled beneath my mask and took a step closer to the Announcer.
That meant if Malton and I entered as gladiators, beat down all the other participants, and then forfeited, there would be no winner, and the ring would be returned to the seller.
And if I tailed them the moment the ring was returned, I could expose that bastard’s true face.
I confidently slammed my palm on the table and made my declaration.
“I’d like to participate in the tournament starting tomorrow!”
Upon hearing my bold declaration, the Announcer smiled and replied.
“Of course not.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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