Chapter 5: The Masterless Beast (1)
As the sun set and early evening darkness settled over the kingdom, a single carriage rolled up to a secret back gate of the royal castle—a gate known only to a select few.
It was an ordinary-looking black carriage with no crest or identifying mark.
Following the secluded road behind the castle, it made its way down toward the village below while the guards and knights on duty deliberately looked the other way.
The hidden sentries watching for intruders all pretended not to notice the carriage for one simple reason—they had already been informed that the person inside was someone of the highest status.
“How much farther?”
“We’ll be there shortly.”
“That was quicker than I expected…”
“Since we’re not using the main gate, we have to take a slight detour. But we don’t have to stop at every checkpoint, so the trip ends up being much faster.”
At Maia’s crisp reply, Ariana, who had been admiring the scenery outside through the parted curtain, nodded.
In truth, she had only meant that it was faster compared to the time she’d escaped the castle in her previous life. But there was no way she could explain that to Maia, so she let the misunderstanding stand.
Back then… I didn’t even know a route like this existed.
The king had never liked Ariana staying anywhere beyond his reach, so he had never permitted her to leave the castle.
And Ariana herself had grown so accustomed to the luxurious life inside the palace that she’d never felt any need to go outside.
As a result, this was only the second time she had ever left the castle across both her past life and this one.
…Actually, does running away from the castle even count as going out?
Compared to the last time—when she’d hidden behind the queen’s supply wagon to escape…
Now I have a comfortable carriage to take me to my destination, Maia attending to me, and hidden escorts following behind. It’s perfect.
Somehow, ever since returning to the past, her standards for satisfaction in life had dropped dramatically.
Then again…
Her last memory before returning was standing beneath the executioner’s guillotine.
Perhaps that was only natural.
“This won’t become the norm, will it?”
“Pardon?”
“I was talking to myself. We’ve arrived, haven’t we?”
“Ah… I believe so.”
At Ariana’s question, Maia lifted the curtain slightly and looked outside before nodding.
Those who had arrived ahead of time to secure the safety of their distinguished guest and keep watch over the surroundings silently disappeared back into the shadows as the carriage came to a stop.
“I’ll get out first.”
After confirming through the window that everything was safe, Maia lowered the curtain and spoke to Ariana.
In response, Ariana pulled on the hood she’d set aside and carefully tucked every strand of her bright golden hair beneath it so none would peek out.
Watching her, Maia stepped down from the carriage, confirmed there was no danger, and then extended her hand.
It was the signal that it was safe to descend.
Taking Maia’s hand, Ariana slowly stepped down from the carriage. As she took in the ordinary-looking surroundings, she quietly accepted Maia’s gentle hands straightening the folds of her robe.
“Are you sure this is the place?”
“Since it’s meant to remain secret, I imagine they chose somewhere hidden from public view.”
Secret?
More like illegal.
Turning away from Maia, who frowned with obvious disapproval of the location, Ariana walked toward the dilapidated building before her while feeling the hidden gazes of the escorts watching from somewhere nearby.
It was said to be an old shopping arcade that had gone bankrupt long ago.
Some claimed the location had terrible feng shui.
Others insisted it had been haunted.
But in reality, those stories were nothing more than rumors spread to conceal the existence of the dog fighting arena.
“Maia.”
“Yes?”
“From now on, my name is Arina.”
“Understood. I’ll remember.”
Satisfied with Maia’s obedient nod, Ariana adjusted her deeply pulled hood and the robe dragging across the floor before reaching for the worn door handle.
“And who might you be, barging into someone else’s home so boldly?”
In the center of the spacious lobby, where not a single lamp had been lit, a man lounged in a creaking chair that looked ready to collapse beneath him.
His face was hidden by the heavy darkness, but his voice carried unmistakable confidence—and shameless audacity.
“I brought an invitation.”
“An invitation? What’s that?”
“I hate unnecessary complications more than anything. Stop playing games.”
“Playing games? I assure you, I’m perfectly serious.”
“I wonder if you’d still say that after your head’s been cut off. Shall we find out?”
“…Well now. Can’t even make a joke.”
The man uncrossed his legs, rose from his chair, and bowed politely.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve welcomed such an esteemed guest. Welcome… to the Gray Corridor.”
“The Gray Corridor… That’s quite an impressive name.”
“A place whose true value can’t be judged by appearances.”
Without waiting for permission, the man straightened and replied with a sly smile before lighting the lantern beside his chair.
Its flickering glow illuminated neatly trimmed short dark-gray hair and black eyes that seemed to deepen and fade with the shifting light.
“Ruben Gray.”
“You know who I am?”
“Did you think I’d come here without finding out?”
Ruben.
A great merchant.
In her previous life, his handsome appearance, silver tongue, and unmatched business acumen had earned him fame not only throughout Molvian but even across the Darsen Empire.
And he was also the patron of those seeking revenge.
He had actively funded foreign tribes harboring hatred toward Molvian, threatening the royal family and accelerating the kingdom’s destruction.
Some claimed he held a deep personal grudge against Molvian.
Others insisted he acted simply because war was profitable.
Most people believed the latter, pointing at Ruben as nothing more than a greedy money-obsessed merchant.
Though… I doubt money alone was his motive.
Remembering the path Ruben had walked before her regression, Ariana calmly met the smiling merchant’s probing gaze.
“So obtaining the invitation wasn’t merely a coincidence, Princess Ariana.”
“You know me as well?”
“If I didn’t know the name of the guest carrying our invitation, I couldn’t call myself a proper merchant.”
Once again, Ruben offered an exaggerated bow before turning sideways and extending the hand holding his lantern.
“I can’t very well leave someone of your stature standing in such a shabby place. Please, allow me to guide you.”
Just as he was about to walk away, he turned only his head, looking past Ariana’s shoulder.
“You may proceed no farther. I stake my life on ensuring our honored guest’s safety. Please remain where you are.”
He was speaking to the hidden royal guards outside.
Naturally, soldiers of the royal castle were not about to obey the words of a mere merchant.
Knowing his request alone would not be enough, Ruben looked toward Ariana.
As though she had been waiting for exactly that, she spoke.
“That’s an order. Wait here.”
Unless someone of higher rank than Ariana appeared, the command was absolute.
Even if the king later reprimanded everyone involved, all she had to do was play the role of his naïve, foolish young daughter.
And if she shed a single tear while looking suitably pitiful…
The guards assigned to protect her today would undoubtedly escape punishment as well.
The escorts hiding in the shadows surely knew that.
Receiving no reply from outside, Ariana withdrew her gaze from the doorway and gave a small nod.
Apparently delighted with how things had turned out, Ruben burst into hearty laughter before leading the way down the dark corridor.
Ruben walked ahead.
Maia followed quietly behind him.
Ariana trailed after them.
Listening to the echo of their footsteps mingling with her own, she walked for quite some time.
Then the corridor gradually transformed into a massive underground tunnel.
From somewhere deep ahead, a faint sound reached her ears.
The farther they descended, the louder it became.
By the time they stopped before an enormous iron door, the noise had grown into a deafening roar.
“Welcome… to the fighting pit.”
The massive doors swung open.
The sounds she’d heard until now suddenly seemed insignificant as an overwhelming wave of cheers crashed over her, shaking her entire body.
A colossal circular arena stretched beneath the earth.
Drawn forward as if entranced, Ariana approached the enormous viewing window overlooking the stadium.
Below, countless spectators screamed themselves hoarse, their faces twisted into expressions that were impossible to tell apart—ecstasy or despair.
Following their line of sight into the arena itself…
She found him.
A man with short snow-white hair that contrasted sharply against skin slick with blood and sweat.
The owner of those black eyes…
The very same black eyes Ariana had looked into moments before her death.
