028. A Cursed Nobility

"Are you okay?" Adam asked Ruby who was still shaking.

"Yeah, I'm better now, " Ruby said with a forced smile.

"I assure you, we will make him pay," Adam said determinedly.

"No, you shouldn't do that and don't let others know. Please, it's just between us, don't tell the others, " She then looked around, "And all of you, don't do anything. I'm okay. He is just a civilian. I don't want you to abuse your powers."

Adam was confused at first, but then he understood. They must be like secret services. Actually, Adam had already guessed. It was impossible for a princess to walk around the city without any protection. There must be some trained mages who had special skills to conceal themselves guarded her 24 hours.

Just like Adam guessed, a woman in black who wore a grey mask with a grey lion logo on it emerged from a corner. She then nodded.

Just when he wanted to disappear, Ruby said again, "And say to grandfather's men to not do anything either. If that man was hurt, I assure them I will never meet grandfather again."

The woman nodded then her body gradually became transparent.

"Don't worry. I won't say anything. How about we drink something? To be honest, I'm still angry now. I'm afraid they will notice something has happened if they see us now," Adam made a suggestion.

"But, how about them?" Ruby asked.

"I'll tell Eve to make them go back. So they could take a rest. Don't forget, I'm a summoner," Adam said.

"Alright," Ruby answered.

Adam then pretended to tell Eve by mental connection. The truth was Eve had already realized from the beginning of the conflict. Because not like Adam who didn't like to peep at Eve's mind, Eve did that every time.

***

Outside of the Spear Arena, The other team member of Hellcat were sitting on the public bench, waiting for Adam and Ruby who registered at the office of the arena.

"Guys, the manager asked you to come back earlier. Because some problems occurred in the office, they haven't had an opportunity to register," Eve said.

"Is that so? Actually, I want to immediately do some contents of the paper. Logan, let's go to the captain's house to do some shooting exercise, I will become the goalkeeper," Gavin said enthusiastically.

"Eh, but I'm tired now. I would like to sleep for a while," Logan said.

"Don't be lazy. Hey guys, do you wanted to join? The captain will welcome you two. Don't you know? Captain's wife is very good at cooking," Gavin said to Pete and Cleon.

"Really? I'm In. let's go, Pete!" Cleon said.

"How about the manager and Adam?" Pete asked.

"They are not children. They can take care of themselves." Gavin said.

"Okay," Pete said.

"Coach, how about you? Haldir and Ural come too. You can give some pointers," Gavin said.

Eve who sat on Ural's shoulder nodded," Okay. but don't complain later."

"Hahaha, you can try coach. We are pretty tough," Cleon grinned.

"Alright. Ural, Haldir, you also need to train. let's go," Eve said.

***

Sitting face to face in the cafe inside of the stadium, In front of Adam was a large glass of drinking called soga. Its taste was cool and sweet, a little like mint but cooler. Adam got the information about it from the former Adam's memory.

As for Ruby, she ordered carrot juice.

"May I ask, manager?" Adam asked.

Ruby looked had already been more relaxed said, "Yeah?"

"Why are you so adamant to protect him? You know, it was too much to say something like that to a girl. I almost lost my patience and hit him," Adam asked.

After staying silent for a while, she said, "Because I am a princess. I am the king of this kingdom's daughter. Someone can yell at me but I am not allowed to yell at him."

"I don't understand. You are in power, right? You have the authority to punish him."

Listening to Adam, Ruby smiled bitterly, "You are the heir of your family. One day, you will understand. Being in power means you become the center of your people's attention. If a commoner does wrong, maybe there will be some criticism from the people around him, but as time goes by, it will be forgotten.

But as a noble, if you do some wrongdoing, Many more people will scold you behind your back. As time goes by, and you do any error again, the people will remember your last fault and with their resentment become bigger and bigger, they will say you are a corrupted noble. And as a noble, if you do something to a person because of his words, in people's eyes, you abuse your power."

"If you said like that, it sounds like born as a noble was a curse. But I think it is fair. Every social status has merit and demerit. As noble, we gain power and wealth but we have to be careful with our doing. As commoners, they have to struggle to earn money but they are freer to do what they want," Adam said.

"Well, you get my point," Ruby said.

"But manager, that was only in the theory. The truth is the commoners that are always punished because of their wrongdoings, and something they even do nothing wrong. On another hand, the nobles are protected by the system that was created by them," Adam said.

"I disagree Adam. maybe some nobles do that, but not many. Especially in this kingdom. If the majority of commoners felt oppressed, their resentment would accumulate and many resistance movements will emerge. As we look, we can walk freely in the city is proof that the nobility system in our kingdom is still healthy," Ruby said.

"Well, that makes sense. But, the emergence of AAM is also a fact. It's impossible for such an organized movement could exist, without a cause," Adam argued.

While Ruby thought something to answer Adam's argument, a black-haired man in the twentieth came to them, "Excuse me, may I join your discussion. It sounded fun."

Adam frowned, felt disturbed by this man's presence, but he wanted to listen more. Because he felt the man was not ordinary, "Excuse me, have we met before?"

"No, I think no. I just become interested in your discussion," That man smiled.

"Sorry, mister. I just want to talk with my friend," Ruby looked also disturbed by him.

"Alright, I will sit on that chair. And I won't disturb you. Is it fine?" The man said.

"Alright," Ruby said.

The man then sat on the chair not far from their table.

Adam then whispered to Ruby, "Is it really alright? He seems from AAM. I heard some AAM members hanged out in this arena."

"I just have a thought, it's not a bad idea to let them hear us. After all, nobles rarely debated in front of the public. Let them know our standing," Ruby said confidently.

"If you say so," Adam smiled.

Ruby then started her argument, "If we look at the past, we will know that AAM was founded in the Cameron Kingdom 15 years ago as a response to a case of the atrocity which was done by Count Traze the madman.

One night, he was drunk after visiting a party in a baron's mansion whose territory adjoined his territory. When passed a village on his way home, he saw a wedding party that was held there.

The wedding party was held by a rich merchant in the village, her daughter married a soldier, and the party was held that night.

Count Traze for some reason interested in the hustle of the villagers, then he decided to come by.

The father of the bride felt honored, his lord came to his daughter's wedding party. He then placed the count on the seat of honor not too far from where the bride and groom sat.

Sat on the seat of honor, the drunken count drank some more glasses of Cher, the local liquor which was known pretty strong.

In the drunken state, the count then tried to harass the bride. the groom of course was angry. And unfortunately, he was also pretty drunk, so he yelled at the count.

Felt insulted, the count was so angry. As a level 6 psychic, his strength of course was so tremendous. All utensils in the party, like forks, knives, spoon, etc were flown by his power, he then killed the groom.

Losing his control, his power became rampage. So many people were killed in this accident. The count as the perpetrator also lost his left eye because a fork penetrated in it when his power went rampage."

Ruby then pick up her juice and drink it. Before continuing her story, she realized some chairs around her were sat by many people, some even stood up, "What's going on?"

Adam smiled, "Of course they came to listen to your story. Honestly, I have never heard this version. The popular version is Count Traze had fallen in love with the bride for some time. Knowing the girl he loved married another man, he was mad and slaughter the entire village."

Ruby shook her head, "That was the version which circulated in nobles circle."

Then a man rushed from the crowd, "That's a lie."

***