Chapter 75
Invitation to Hell
As I carefully rowed to stay straight, he emptied his glass and smiled faintly.
“You’re too slow. Do you actually want to fall in? You must’ve had fun the last time you did.”
Enduring his constant threats, I circled the lake once and ended up completely exhausted—body and mind.
My arms trembled so much I couldn’t move them. It didn’t even feel like they were mine anymore.
“Good job. What a shame the lake is so small.”
If it were any wider, I would’ve just jumped in on purpose.
Ah, screw the consequences. I should’ve dragged him in with me and claimed it was an accident.
As I regretted missing the perfect assassination opportunity, he held out a black envelope.
“A reward. Like I promised.”
With trembling hands, I barely managed to take the invitation.
It was for a performance by the infamous circus troupe called Inferna, known for its exclusivity and popularity.
Of the ten days Inferna was performing, one day had been set aside for a special show just for nobles and Withrow.
And Inferna… was the same circus listed in the “Red Rose of the Valley” documents, where all the information—schedule, location, even slush fund details—had been left completely blank, frustrating Eugene’s investigations.
Their performances were unannounced, irregular, and notoriously difficult to track or gather intel on.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I’ve always been curious—I’ve never seen them perform before.”
“Really? That makes me happy.”
You have acquired an invitation to Inferna—an event no one else can enter.
Another delightful mission awaits.
Mission details will be revealed on the day of the event.
As soon as I saw the status window, my head dropped.
I had a strong feeling this wouldn’t be a smooth experience.
The next day—performance day.
Withrow summoned me to his quarters in the palace.
Lounging leisurely on a sofa, he draped one arm along the backrest and looked me over from head to toe.
“Change.”
“…Excuse me?”
At his nod, a line of maids entered, each holding a satin-wrapped box.
Still confused, I stared at him. Withrow sat up, clasping his hands over his knee.
“You said it’s your first time at a circus, right? It’s a gift. Proper dress code is a noble’s duty. And if it’s something exclusive, everyone will be jealous.”
“…Thank you for the consideration.”
“No need. I just don’t want my future sister-in-law becoming gossip fodder.”
And just like that, I was dragged off by the maids and forced to change in a small side room.
The outfit Withrow had prepared wasn’t a typical dress.
It was a short top and wide pants made of glossy black fabric. Over it was a matching draped cloth, hanging from my shoulders with each corner embroidered in intricate gold thread.
Short cuffs, the neckline, and the waistband were also adorned with the same golden pattern.
When I came out, Withrow handed me a layered gold necklace.
“It’s the traditional attire of the Benturan Kingdom. Looks good on you.”
“…Thank you.”
Following him, I headed to the slums near the palace, where the circus tent had been erected.
Since the crown prince and nobles would be attending, the entire neighborhood had been razed to make space. Only the enormous tent remained.
The moment I stepped inside, the status window appeared again.
Unveil the truth of Hell.
Prepare yourself for the dazzling, provocative spectacle known as the Circus of Hell!
Are you ready to enjoy the show?
Entry to hell begins now.
Success: Choose one of the grand prizes we’ve prepared.
Failure: Debut in the next circus act.
“Ladies and gentlemen, good evening!”
A man in a black tuxedo with a dramatically twisted beard doffed his top hat in greeting.
Beside him, a grotesquely painted clown zipped back and forth on a unicycle.
“It’s been a while—Inferna greets you once again! We’ve prepared many delightful sights today, so stay excited!”
Cheers and applause erupted.
“Well then, shall we begin? To warm things up—how about a little feat of strength?”
The opening acts were fairly standard: smashing wooden clubs on bare bodies, acrobatic dances by feathered and bejeweled dancers, clown juggling routines…
It was nothing particularly unusual.
I glanced sideways. Withrow was resting his chin in his hand, clearly bored.
Then, the clown intentionally fumbled his juggling. Laughter erupted throughout the audience—but Withrow only frowned.
This feels dangerous.
In every conversation we’d had, the word he used most was “fun.”
And right now, he clearly wasn’t having any.
“Oh dear, can’t be making mistakes at such an important event. Off with you!”
The ringmaster exaggeratedly shooed the clown off with a stick.
He then bowed deeply center stage, clearing his throat.
“My apologies. It seems he got nervous in front of such esteemed guests. As an apology, allow us to present the true face of Inferna!”
Drumroll.
Excitement built with the thunder of drums.
“Our first real act: Elephant Bowling!”
As the announcement ended, an elephant wearing a small hat walked in.
An animal you’d never see in the Empire—yet here it was, performing in a circus.
I was watching in fascination when ten people entered from the opposite side, each wearing shirts numbered 1 through 10.
“Allow me to explain. Our circus star, Jumbo, will throw a ball using its trunk. Let’s see how many pins fall!”
Wait… are they the pins? They’re using people?
And it wasn’t a soft rubber ball—it was a solid wooden one. One of the participants was even a child.
I looked to Withrow in alarm, but he had now sat up, finally interested.
“Now, place your bets! Pick the number you think will endure the longest!”
This is insane. They’re gambling on this?
Instinctively, I grabbed Withrow’s sleeve.
Please… stop this. Call it off.
“What’s wrong? No cash? I’ll lend you some. Go on, place your bet.”
“Your Highness. There’s a child in there.”
“So what? If they survive, they get food and a place to sleep. It’s a win.”
While we were speaking, the elephant flung the ball.
It hit a person hard, sending them flying like a leaf in the wind.
“No…”
I gasped, covering my mouth.
I half-rose from my seat, only for Withrow to grab my arm and force me down.
“Just think of them as frogs.”
“…What?”
“If a kid throws a rock at a frog and it dies, do you care? No, right? You probably wouldn’t even notice. That’s what this is. So stay seated.”
For once, Withrow’s tone was cold and commanding.
I bit my lip as I was forced to watch the rest, arm held tight.
The following performances were just as horrifying.
People were chased by lions and had to leap over fire pits. Some were pursued by flame-breathing strongmen and flung from trapezes mid-air.
The nobles bet on who would survive, who would fall, and how many would make it to the end.
How is any of this fun?
As the prince’s companion, I sat in the most prominent spot, unable to look away.
Whenever I tried, Withrow would grip my chin with a sweet smile and make me face forward, scolding me for disrespecting his invitation.
And so, I had no choice but to witness every scream and agonized expression burned into my vision.
“At last, thank you for waiting! It’s time to welcome Inferna’s top knife thrower—Glacia Lavolas!”
To my surprise, the knife thrower who emerged to cheers was a scrawny young boy.
He could barely support the wide leather strap holding the many daggers on his back.
“Glacia Lavolas will be blindfolded and throw ten knives at a person strapped to a rotating board. The challenge: not hitting the target even once! The fewer hits, the higher the payout!”
“Wait.”
Suddenly, Withrow raised his hand and halted the act.
The ringmaster ran over, quick to respond.
“Do you have a request, Your Highness?”
“I just had a more amusing idea. Let’s make that beautiful young lady the target instead.”
