Gladiator 1

"Your Majesty, I have something to report," one of the Gavian knights announced.
"What is it?" King Andrian asked.
"The number of demon kings has increased by one," the Gavian knight explained.
"Is it not Bagong?" King Andrian asked.
"This new demon king is now the fourteenth, one of the shadow existers like me and William was sent to this world as a demon. His name is Jack Heritson," Dion clarified.
King Andrian resigned himself to the news, but not without hope. It wasn’t despair—but rather a quiet acceptance. If only he were at a different age, if only he weren’t already bound to the mandatory combat of his people, he would have acted decisively. But now, all he could do was await death.
"My time has come. So with that, I entrust everything to my son after I die," King Andrian sighed.
"After Father passes, I’ll have the researchers further develop exoferite, and I’ll use the money from selling Father’s skin to fund the research," Prince Dadang declared.
Most of the allied troops were furious. They thought Prince Dadang was being disrespectful. They didn’t know this was part of Gavian culture.
"Prince Dadang, isn't that disrespectful to your father?" Arga scolded.
"No, it’s our tradition. We are of a monster race. We were meant to be hunted. But because we possess ethics and intelligence, we are not," King Andrian explained.
"So it is customary that after mandatory combat, the Gavian race sells the organs of the deceased Gavian?" Arga asked.
"That’s correct. Though in your eyes it may seem barbaric, to the Gavian it is normal," Prince Dadang replied.
"You are the prince of the Rogobanyu Kingdom, correct?" King Andrian asked, turning to Randiman.
"That’s right," Randiman answered.
"Perfect. Please fight me in the gladiator arena," King Andrian pleaded.
"I’m sorry, I cannot do that without my father’s permission," Randiman declined.
"In that case, could you go to your fragthesis and call King Surowuluh Rogobanyu? Considering the Antasen race can fragthesizing themselves without using mythical-level magic," King Andrian requested, pointing at one of Randiman’s guards.
"Very well, I shall do it," the chosen guard responded.
He immediately transformed into water and seeped into the ground. Moments later, two springs emerged, forming a humanoid body. He appeared very similar to Randiman: scaly blue-green skin like the deep sea, snake-like eyes, and blue hair resembling a clear ocean.
"Did you ask my son to fight you?" King Surowuluh asked.
"Yes, I did," King Andrian confirmed.
"I agree," King Surowuluh declared.
"Son, once you inherit the throne, please welcome our guests and open an alliance with the Kingdom of Rogobanyu," King Andrian said, turning to Prince Dadang.
"Yes, Father," Prince Dadang bowed respectfully. "I will not abandon our culture."
"My apologies if this is a bit rude," Dion said, addressing Prince Dadang.
"What’s the matter?" Prince Dadang asked.
"In the Aryapanggulu Kingdom, I have a friend with the same name as yours," Dion explained.
"In that case, just call me the Crown Prince of Ghaviles," Prince Dadang suggested.
"Then I’ll be called the Princess of Ghaviles too," Princess Darmi added.
"So that makes me the second Prince of Ghaviles then," Prince Ujang quipped.
"Don’t copy me!" Prince Dadang shouted.
"But Brother, if you're the Prince of Ghaviles, then it applies to us too," Prince Ujang added.
Princess Darmi nodded in agreement.
"Forgive me for bringing you directly to the gladiator arena, but please consider this fight as a part of your welcome," King Andrian said, bowing low on all fours to apologize.
"Very well, we understand," Sudirja replied.
"There are 18,000 of you, right? How about you ride on my back?" King Andrian offered.
William’s entourage was stunned by the offer—except for Randiman, his father, and their three guards. Arriving without diplomatic ties or prior notice was already pushing the limits of rudeness. But being asked to ride on the king’s back? That was unthinkable. It felt like an unforgivable sin. Even Sudirja, a king himself, found it unethical. So did Prince Dein, King Eldwäs, King Donov, and King Uves.
"Forgive us, but we cannot," Sudirja refused.
"No need to hesitate, just climb on," King Andrian insisted.
"It would be disrespectful to you," Sudirja declined again.
"You are guests, so it's natural for me to do this," King Andrian reasoned.
They wanted to refuse further, but they knew it was pointless. Whatever reason they gave, King Andrian would insist. They had no choice but to accept.
They climbed onto King Andrian's back while he remained in a crouched position.
"Why don’t King Surowuluh and Prince Randiman ride too?" King Andrian asked.
"No need. We only need to leave these bodies and form new ones at the destination, as long as there’s water," Randiman replied.
Just then, Randiman's body liquefied, followed by King Surowuluh and the three guards. To William and the others, they simply seemed to melt. But in truth, one minute later, they were already inside the gladiator arena.
"I will not return. Please tell Dudung to escort the guests at the arena after my death," King Andrian said to one of his knights.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the knight replied.
"Who’s Dudung?" William asked.
"Willia—"
"It’s fine," King Andrian interjected. "Dudung is the royal servant in charge of escorting guests. He’s from the 18th generation."
"How old is he?" William asked.
"Still relatively young—32,500 years," King Andrian answered.
"Father, allow me to join," Prince Dadang requested.
"We would like to come too," Prince Ujang and Princess Darmi added.
"Very well," King Andrian allowed.
They departed for the gladiator arena. After a long journey, they arrived. King Andrian entered the arena. The three young Gavian followed him. Inside the gladiator arena, Randiman was already waiting at the center, along with his three guards. King Surowuluh sat in the stands.
King Andrian lowered his snout, touching it to the edge of the wall—intending it to serve as a ramp. William's group knew they should sit in the spectator stands, but they hesitated. If it wasn’t for the fact that the ramp was the king’s snout, they would have stepped on it gladly. But this was the king’s snout. To tread upon it felt like crossing a sacred line.
"Are you feeling reluctant?" King Andrian asked.
"Is it really okay?" Sudirja asked, unsure.
"You are my guests—it is only right for me to do this," King Andrian said.
"But you’re lowering yourself too much," Sudirja replied, still uncomfortable.
"I don’t mind. That may be rude for humans—but not for a race like ours," King Andrian explained.
Still hesitant, they had no choice but to step onto King Andrian's head. Once they reached the spectator seats, they bowed their heads to King Andrian in deep apology.
"No need to apologize—I’m not angry," King Andrian reassured them.