Chapter 149: Do You Want a Wife or Not?
"Daeren Grafton's gone to the fighting pit again, this time with Jorah Mormont," Ander Poole said to his ally. "Looks like he really intends to settle things with me in the upcoming tournament."
"Jorah's only so-so. His two most glorious victories were both due to his armor, whether it was killing Drogo's bloodrider or beating the final opponent in the Meereen pit," Belwas shook his head. "However," he changed his tune, "if he really had the strength from the show, even with his armor, he'd still be troublesome enough. That was the first tournament Daenerys held after banning gladiatorial combat for a long time. All of Meereen's strongest pit fighters were sent to that competition. Jorah's championship is arguably far more valuable than the championships your teammates have won this time."
"Perhaps we should send 'The Elephant Slayer' to deal with him? That Ibbenese has superhuman strength; shields and armor are as fragile as parchment in front of him," Ander Poole suggested after a moment's thought.
"What if Jorah goes on early? The Elephant Slayer is our ace. If he gets exposed, what if Daeren sends that Water Dancer master to deal with him in the next round? Besides, as I said, it's still unknown whether Jorah is even competent. It would be a waste to use the Elephant Slayer against him."
"Damn it, I didn't expect Daeren to get involved. He suddenly has two more skilled fighters under Hazan's command. Otherwise, the betrayal of those two Water Dancers alone would have given us a sure win."
"We still have the upper hand," Belwas said dismissively. "Don't forget the swordsman we recruited yesterday. His swordsmanship is beautiful, and his dagger work is incredible. He switches between the two weapons seamlessly. 'Banshee's Claw' thought he was about to win, but then that sellsword suddenly plunged a dagger into the gap in his visor. I didn't even see how he did it."
"Speaking of which," Belwas suddenly asked, "how confident are you about facing that sellsword?"
"If it were our first meeting and we were to fight, I'd have less than fifty percent chance. He's too cunning and slippery, and his experience dealing with fully armored knights is superb. But after seeing him fight, I'd be about eighty percent confident. Don't forget, my strength has already surpassed fifty, and my agility is almost forty, plus my skills from my previous life."
"Of course I know your strength, otherwise I wouldn't have given you all the reward points I've earned so far. I hope you won't disappoint me."
"Don't worry, brother," Ander Poole nodded. "We'll win. How's the investigation into Ginny Taymee going?"
"Apart from the time she appeared at the Red Temple, there haven't been any other leads. To be honest, I'm very suspicious."
The campfire crackled in the courtyard, sparks dancing in the rising heat.
The White Blade Pit was brightly lit under the night sky, and four eunuchs stood in the courtyard.
As soon as they saw Ian and his group arrive, one of the eunuchs stepped forward and led them down the stairs to the underground.
The pit hall was much livelier at night than during the day, and the small viewing stands were already full of people.
The eunuch simply led Ian and the others to the main viewing stand as if it were daytime.
Case, having been recommended by Ian and Master Yada, directly obtained his spot and didn't need to fight, so he stood directly below the main viewing stand.
Jorah Mormont, however, was different. Ian himself didn't know his true strength, so he needed to participate in the trial match. Therefore, under the eunuch's arrangement, he left the main viewing stand and went to the preparation area.
At this time, only three people were seated in the main viewing stand: Prince Hazan, his betrothed Delilah Haukott, and...the red priestess Ian had seen at the banquet?
What the hell?
Ian wasn't surprised by the red priestess's appearance, as he knew she and Delilah were close.
He was surprised that the red priestess wasn't sitting next to Delilah, but rather beside Prince Hazan, with Delilah on his other side.
"You've come, Ian," Hazan once again rose to greet him. "I've been waiting for you for some time."
As Hazan spoke, the woman in red robes rose and offered the seat to Hazan's right, taking a seat in the adjacent chair. Ian, guided by Hazan, then sat in the woman's previous spot.
"Let me introduce you. You should have met before; this is my sister, Celia."
"Your...sister?" Ian's mind went blank. "I remember she introduced herself as the daughter of the High Priestess of the Red Temple." And the investigation the little bird had helped with later confirmed she wasn't lying.
"That was just a cover. In fact, she's my mother's natural daughter. To protect the reputations of both my parents, she was secretly fostered at the Red Temple from a young age."
His mother's natural daughter, the daughter of Marian Fregar, the richest Keyholder of the Iron Bank!
"Sorry, I was just curious," Ian immediately apologized, then gave Celia an apologetic smile.
"You should apologize, but not for this," Celia wrinkled her nose and complained. "Why didn't you come to the Red Temple to find me?"
Her tone was almost like a petulant child. Ian thought to himself as he smoothly fabricated an explanation: "I should indeed apologize for this, but as you can see, I've been busy with your brother's tournament these past two days and haven't been able to find the time. I was planning to go tomorrow."
Since the quest loophole showed that Celia was not hostile toward him, and her identity was clear, then going to the Red Temple atop the hill wasn't out of the question, now that he had control of a squad of Unsullied from Illyrio.
Then, Celia smiled.
As she moved her head, the red hood slipped down from the back of her head, fully revealing her face.
Perfect, exquisitely flawless—that was Ian's impression.
Celia's beauty wasn't the kind that was breathtaking at first glance like Daenerys or Delilah, but every time you looked at her, you seemed to discover something new, and then you were amazed again.
Especially those amber eyes, which seemed to be able to intoxicate someone without them realizing it.
"How is it?" Hazan's voice brought Ian back to reality.
"How is what?" Ian asked reflexively.
"Hahaha," Hazan laughed, seemingly satisfied with Ian's expression. "Ever since my sister fell for you at the banquet at Drogo's palace, she hasn't been able to forget you. So, Ian, would you mind if we became closer allies?"
What the hell? Was his first instinct right? Was this really just good fortune with women?
Was this the reason Hazan was so enthusiastic toward me this morning? A doting brother?
Do you think I'd believe that?
But if I didn't believe it, how could I explain Hazan's behavior? My current status and position shouldn't warrant Hazan rushing to befriend me, even offering his sister, right?
It felt like I wasn't the one rushing to curry favor with Hazan, but rather he was rushing to curry favor with me! Did I deserve it?
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Ian's mind, and he reflexively began to observe the reactions of the people present.
Hazan looked at him, clearly waiting for a response. Delilah also seemed quite interested, her teasing gaze shifting back and forth between him and Celia.
Celia herself, however, maintained a ladylike demeanor, remaining silent, though her eyes kept glancing at him from the corner of her eye, her small ears twitching slightly from time to time.
(End of Chapter)
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