Summoned and Unwanted

One after the other, Vincent, Ester, and Mimi started drinking their potions. They looked surprised by the immediate effects they were feeling while consuming the potions.

While the four of them drank the potions Luciano provided, the slightly unhappy Iris felt her pouch being tugged from below.

Iris became worried the pouch had a small at the bottom she did not know of, and the things she had prepared were falling.

When Iris worriedly looked down, she saw the small Zero extending its two vine-like arms. Her eyes widened after noticing three vials of potions wrapped in small vines being offered to her.

Iris felt ashamed to have been pondering deeply and focusing on unnecessary things. Enough to make her overlook little Zero receiving the potions and approaching her.

Iris received the potions. She glanced at Vincent, and as if he knew she was looking at him, his eyes moved to Iris. When their eyes met, Vincent smiled while drinking the potion in his hand.

Iris knew Vincent enough to know what his intentions were. She could understand he wanted to let her help Lupa.

Iris became delighted to be able to help because out of all the people present, she was the one Vincent asked Zero to hand the potions to.

With her desire to help Lupa recover better, Iris approached Lupa and lowered one knee to the ground. She opened the high healing potion first and moved the vial near Lupa's lips.

Lilith noticed Iris might have some difficulty. She quickly went to the opposite side and leaned Lupa upward to help Iris to feed Lupa the potions.

"Plow does not want to see bad wolf like this. " Plow said while looking at Lupa. The little blue fox was unhappy to see her rival in attention in a weakened and injured state.

Mirey looked at Lilith and Iris, feeding Lupa the potions. She looked at Plow with her tails down, showing she was worried. This scene made her feel terrible for being the catalyst of all this pain and suffering.

[I have eyes, you know. I can see your expression, and I can guess what is on your mind.] Kazumi said after noticing Mirey looking at Lupa as if she was blaming herself.

Mirey moved her gaze to Vincent. She saw Kazumi exit from his body and approach her.

[I suggest to stop not start blaming yourself for what happened.]

[You are a part of our large family. That means all of us to have your back even if we have to fight against the entire world.]

*Humph* Mirey crossed her arms while averting her gaze. She did not want to look at Kazumi. Furthermore, she did not respond because she didn't want Darwin, the commentator, Luciano, and Vlad would start to question her sanity for speaking to herself out loud.

Luciano approached Darwin. "You and I have a lot to discuss." He said, showing he was interested in what Darwin's eyes saw and noticed during the fight.

"Yes. I will comply, Duke Luciano Di Mauro." Darwin respectfully agreed without a second of hesitation.

Vlad stared at his daughter as she drank the potions. *Tsk* After clicking his tongue, he turned around and walked away.

Vlad looked at the soldiers dragging the bodies of the gladiators away. Two had already been taken away. The remaining three were close to an exit each.

"I will check what those disgusting things have become since they are different than the disgusting animals I have killed this week. " Vlad murmured while approaching one of the exits a gladiator corpse was being taken to.

Mimi finished drinking the potions. She moved her gaze and noticed her father leaving without causing trouble for her or Vincent.

A faint warm smile formed on her face. Mimi was pleased that after all the grumbling and tongue-clicking, her father entered the field to check on his daughter and left after seeing she was fine enough not to warrant his help.

"I believe we can start with the announcement of the winners." The commentator said. He looked at Lupa and continued, "I think she can be taken to the waiting room. Healers should have arrived by now."

Awa touched the back of her neck. She swung her hand down, and a shadow cape, about half the size of before, appeared. With the other hand, she grabbed the cape and threw it.

*Neigh* Night materialized after the shadow cape condensed. Night was different than usual. The gently smoking mane and tail were smaller, as if Night didn't have a lot of time to remain materialized.

"I can help take Lupa out of her." She said while approaching Lilith and Iris.

"I will help too." Sofy added while swiftly wrapping the whip around her waist.

Plow raised her little paw. *Pho* "Plow will come too. Plow wants to see bad wolf get better." She said while making it obvious the little blue fox wanted to win against her rival in attention fair and square.

Iris, Lilith, Sofy, and Awa placed Lupa on Night's back. They placed Plow and little Zero on Night's back as well.

The four women looked at Vincent. After seeing him nod, they left for the waiting room.

Vincent, Ester, Mimi, and Mirey remained. In front of them were Darwin, Luciano, and the commentator.

The commentator looked from left to right. The last of the gladiator's corpses were removed. The five nobles and the royal soldiers keeping an eye on them were a couple of meters away from them. They were waiting to be called.

"Good. We can start with the final part of the judgment by combat." The commentator said while raising his gemstone and activating it.

The commentator looked at the royal area and bowed. Afterward, he turned his head and body to look at all of the audience.

"Ladies and gentelmen. After I checked that the winners are fine with Marquis Darwin Griffinheart, I can now proceed with the finale of the judgment by combat."

"First of all. The winners demand a public apology for everything they have suffered. Additionally, for all they had to suffer to let their truth be known."

"The five nobles are to provide what they owe to the Lionheart family because they have been confirmed to have been the perpetrators by the judgment by combat."

The commentator looked at the five noble teens. They were frowning angrily as if they were being mocked while their hands slightly shivered, showing they were anxious to have their reputation completely ruined.

"Sons of the Broklight, Litrock, Blackotter, Hueclam, and Masotok noble families. Please come here."

"Move." One of the royal soldiers told the noble teens with an aggressive tone.

"Do not dare to run. I am allowed to use force." Another royal soldier said with a disgusted expression.

While the five noble teens and the royal soldiers following them started walking, the commentator looked in Vincent's direction.

"Baron Vincent Lionheart and Lady Mirey Lionheart. Please approach to receive the apologies you deserve."

The audience saw Vincent, Mirey, the five noble teens, and the royal soldiers approach the commentator. The gemstone's sound extended reached the waiting room, allowing Iris, Lilith, Sofy, Awa, and Plow to know what was happening as well.

Ester saw Lucinao approach her. She looked at him while he looked at her. When their eyes met, Ester saw Luciano warmly smile at her again.

"Can I have a private conversation with you when you feel better?" Luciano asked, surprising Ester as she wanted to find the right time to ask the same question.

Ester gently nodded her head while her heart nervously raced. She was happy and nervous to hear what Luciano had to say since he appeared as eager as her to have a conversation.

Ester wanted to say yes because she felt it was rude to nod her head. But before her lips started to move, she heard Vincent's voice, causing her to stop.

"Yes, I will speak... Ahem." Vincent paused before clearing his throat. He held the gemstone in his hand firmly and moved his head to look at the Lionheart side.

"We have won the judgment by combat, but this could not be possible without having people who support us. I appreciate their support in the past week. I also appreciate having them keeping us focused for this big day."

Vincent moved his head to look at the other side of the field. He looked at the people who didn't take his side. Instead of mocking or teasing them, Vincent thanked them for attending and being a witness to their victory.

[I think it is better to praise the king for being present.] Kazumi suggested.

Vincent moved his gaze to the royal area. He respectfully bowed before saying, "I feel blessed to have his majesty and her highness being present and witness my family proving our truth with our own hands instead of using others."

"Hehe. He has a sly tongue." Karta commented with a chuckle here and there.

"I wonder if they will have a victory party and if I can visit them." Anna wondered with a pleasant voice and a pair of sparkling eyes.

"Humph!" Blika did not like what was in Anna's mind.

The king remained silent while looking at Vincent as he looked in their direction. The king did not know much about Vincent other than his daughter being possibly courted by him. He was still wary of him.

Vincent looked at the audience. He raised his arm triumphantly and announced, "We have won against adversity we did not have the confidence to beat. Yet we were blessed by the dragon gods to win. It not only makes the entire Lionheart family happy, but the main victim, my wife, Mirey Lionheart, feel comfortable that justice will be served today."