The door closed behind him, he cracked his knuckles and stood up with difficulty on his two legs. Then he stood in the same position as when he was facing the queen and inserted his two thumbs into the heart, saying:
- Acceleration of heroic regeneration.
The Hero's scars closed much more quickly, though they were not completely healed and the pain was barely eased, but enough for him to stand up and face Beneltig. He would have to hold on until he finished his conversation with the former champion.
- Hello, ex-champion of the fairy-princess, greeted the Hero, long time no see, eh? Since I was locked up in that insalubrious underground prison and you wanted to impress me in front of your blonde? he laughed, I know what you're thinking. "the formless, mute human savage creature in the cell started talking with a rather acceptable Oli'Ane, it must have been the wingless fairy who taught him." but, no, no, I was already speaking it, long before my auntie taught me. After all, they often teach me many things without me having to memorize them, but this knowledge doesn't stay in my mind indefinitely so I am obliged to learn it. However, I am not here to tell you about my life and my special abilities, but to warn you that I am the new protector and champion of your beloved since you are stuck in this block of precious stone.
The Hero moved awkwardly around the room because of his joint pain, he knew very well that he would suffer while doing so, but talking while moving helped him to think better and to know the right words to say in this situation where he was in control without Beneltig knowing it yet. The latter, moreover, followed him with his eyes, making the Hero understand that there was a thin layer of emptiness between the diamond and the body of the young nobleman of the Srevot family.
A trickle of blood ran down the edge of the human champion's lips, the backlash had already debated, he had to be not far and more concise, but he could not help but demonstrate his superiority over his opponent.
- I think it was a genius idea to manipulate this poor Tarkus who was already under the enchantment of his mistress Thoosa, the Hero complimented him, using the strongest of your round to make a bodyguard for you so that he beats your opponents and then you activate the trap that you had created around one of the strongest champions of this tournament to win with this more than dubious stratagem, it is genius. I could never have thought of this because I'm so stupid, but you do have the resources to get this kind of item and with a little bit of thought, you were able to find a way to win without hurting yourself greatly. Hats off to you, or quivering wings as they say back home! But I'm an idiot because I would have fought Tarkus with all my might to save the dream of the one whose attention and support I have because of her trust, but you didn't, you created this plan, not because you didn't see any way to escape your inexorable defeat by the Cyclops or the Siamese Amazon - in fact, by all the opponents on the field - but to escape your responsibility as champion. Now you would probably say to me "No, that's not true! I'd do anything to protect my princess!" you'd openly parody him in a shameful way with a shrill voice, or maybe not, considering what I saw during my rounds of the castle, you're not the guy I'd let my family hang out with at night - if I had any chance of having a daughter. You'd apologize profusely for letting her get groped by justifying your weakness, he said dismissively, but here, for the tournament, you couldn't just give up, you were being pressured from all sides, not only by the queen, but also by these mysterious men who threatened you with death, and you would have been the laughing stock of the kingdom, however with your "beautiful face", that would not have prevented you from shaking beautiful ladies by making them dangle your title behind the back of the girl to whom you swore loyalty. Yes sir, I am aware, not that I have seen you in action, but I have several elements that go in this direction, I have a particular talent to observe others, it must come from my natural mistrust. I'm not judging you, you're in the prime of your life like me, although I rarely let myself do that kind of thing, he half lied. But I'm rambling, I just wanted to tell you that I know you let yourself be trapped in this block so that you could escape the sponsors of the murder of the wingless and nameless fairy and so that you wouldn't have to defend her anymore, I don't know if you really love her, this bullshit goes over my shoulder, but the cowardice you're showing makes me angry. You did all this so that you wouldn't have to be the fairy's champion anymore, waiting for me to propose myself as champion, since you witnessed my incredible strength... But, actually no, you didn't know if I wanted to be her new champion, letting her either give up or take a perverted asshole as champion, the Hero realized, if I hadn't taken pity on her, she would have found herself in a difficult situation. In fact, I wasn't even in the equation. But what kind of son of a bitch you can be, the Hero indignantly said, aren't you ashamed of what you did, running away in that diamond block just out of pure selfishness, you thought you couldn't refuse because you were her boyfriend and her champion when in fact, considering how lenient she is with you, considering all your crooked steps, but you wanted Sermini's gold and her blood, you're really greedy!
The Hero stood in front of the diamond block and approached it, he saw a thin handprint and seemed to recognize the smell of the Fairy on it.
- It's a shame that a girl like her could love you, but at least it proves what I've noticed about her: she's not very smart. I know my mother would say that hating people is not good for the heart and soul, and that you can't live with that much hate in you, but I can't help but hate weak people like you, not because they're weak, far from it, I especially hate those who wallow in their weakness like you do and who wade through their poop hoping to get all the favors! You are one of the worst men in my life and I...
He was cut off in his long tirade by the opening of the door, the eyes of the two men turned towards the entrance and they saw a giant with only one eye making his entrance, it was none other than Tarkus Polyphemus.
What was he doing there?
- So you were there? said the Cyclops, addressing Beneltig, you had a good laugh at me with your toys.
He didn't even pay attention to the Hero who was right next to him, he seemed still possessed by the charm of his princess, but the drops of sweat that were beading his body told him that the backlash of the spell that Thoosa had cast on his champion was not far from coming.
- To be beaten by a virgin like you? Never in a million years! I've come to take your miserable life as a tramp, if I don't win, you won't win, and it's not a vulgar block of diamond that's going to stop me from making you bite the dust. And rip you from my lady's heart.
- I'd like to see that," said the Hero, with his arms crossed.
Tarkus finally noticed the presence of the hero and came towards him.
- You're the little human who broke my kanabo!
- No, you were the one who was stupid enough to break it on my arm thinking that it would do something to me. As for the rest, I imagine that from your point of view, I am small, even though I am a respectable size for a human.
- You talk a lot.
- I'm enjoying it because afterwards I won't be able to do it for as long.
- Are you here to protect this worm?" asked Tarkus.
- No, it's a coincidence that we end up in the same place, at the same time for the same person.
- So don't interfere with my retaliation.
Tarkus advanced against the diamond block but the Hero stopped him by grabbing his arm.
- Unfortunately for you as well as for me, I can't let you hurt him, Cyclops warrior.
- Is that so? Do you want to stop me, you human? spat Tarkus, staring at him.
The cyclops freed himself from the hero's grip and hit him in the face.
Seriously? Another fight?" the Hero said.
The one-eyed warrior gave him another punch but the Hero stopped his blow with his arm, and returned the blow he had given him in the stomach. Tarkus vomited on the ground, he was really in no condition to fight.
- Stop!" said a voice behind the doors of Beneltig's "room".
It was Thoosa who arrived completely out of breath, on seeing her more closely, the Hero found her rather pretty despite the malevolence that was discernible in her eyes. However, there was only concern, the arrogance she had shown in the stadium was gone. She caught up with Tarkus as he was about to collapse.
- But it's not right to do that! the princess shouted at him.
- But...
- No, it's over, he won. Period. You weren't smart enough and you let yourself be fooled by a poisoned gift. If I complained about Beneltig's actions, my speech in the arena would be pure hypocrisy.
Thoosa turned to the Hero and asked him if he was the Man that the winged fairy was looking after.
- That's right," he agreed, "and you're one of Beneltig's conquests.
The fairy's complexion reddened like a tomato.
- Co... co... how?
- No need to hide it, said the Hero, I saw your reaction when Beneltig narrowly escaped death, and considering his womanizing behavior and the words of Tarkus, your champion did not only come to restore his honor... well, also if you want but that's it!
Thoosa, ashamed, lowered her head and looked at her feet.
- After all, I know a lot about relationship theory and I know that a good talker will always turn the hearts of other girls. I'm sure you can find a much better man than this cheap phrase in the person of Tarkus.
The fairy looked up, surprised, this boy really knew a lot.
- How do you do it?
- You tensed up when one of the champions said that Tarkus loved Selma-Keltna, especially Selma, but I guess the enchantment you cast on her isn't just a strength boosting spell, is it?
- Yes.
- You don't need this kind of tricks to make yourself loved by the person who is tugging at your heartstrings, said the Hero, you are a rather pretty person, play with your charms, attributes and talents, I'm sure that will be enough, magic is like in fairy tales... temporary.
Thoosa smiled sadly and then said:
- You're not the monster everyone thinks you are.
- They are not entirely wrong to think so.
- Why is that?
- If I want to achieve my goal, I have to become even more monstrous than the man I'm chasing.
- I don't know if this is a good idea.
- Me neither, he retorted with his eyes in the vague.
- Well, we'll let you get on with your business.
Thoosa turned to leave, but the Hero stopped him, he had one last question:
- Beyond the fact that you used a charm potion, didn't you use something else on Tarkus?
The fairy was startled, she didn't even look in the eyes of the Hero anymore.
- So you noticed?
The Hero nodded.
- I can't answer you completely because the walls have ears, but one thing is sure, beware of Dawn and be careful with your princess, since you are her new champion.
Everyone already knows, the young man thought.
- Beware of the dawn? But there's no such thing as dawn. It's more or less an outdated expression, at most.
- Seek the truth for yourself because if I tell you more, I will die.
- So be it. Thank you for the little you told me.
It is after this thanks that Thoosa and Tarkus left them, closing the doors behind them. The Hero could return to his first concern. He cracked his fingers.
- What was I saying before I was interrupted... Oh yeah! You're the worst scum I've known since I got here, so I'm going to give you one and only warning, I don't care about your crazy libido, I don't care if you have the courage of a Minemin, unable to defend the honor of his beloved, but if you put the life of the princess in danger again to save your deplorable life...
The Hero struck a powerful blow into the block, making his hand bleed and cracking it, leaving the trace of his fist on it with blood. Beneltig's eyes widened, helpless, at the raw power of the Hero who was still in bad shape.
- You will have to deal with me.
And he turned and walked out of the room.
But when he left Beneltig's room, he was confronted with a group of people who were totally unknown to him, well, there were some whose heads he had seen in the princely lodges.