Chapter 298: The Colosseum Effect (3)
Finally, the circuit-style Colosseum was completed.
Short, medium, and long-distance straight tracks.
And a complex track with 19 corners.
At this novel and fascinating sight, Cherochan, the chief of the Centaur tribe, cocked his head.
“Hmm, is this what you called a Colosseum?”
“Yes.”
“Tsk, it’s bizarre.”
“Is that so?”
Lloyd smiled wryly.
Not because the chief’s reaction was tepid—rather, it was exactly as he had anticipated, prompting an involuntary smile.
‘Well, think about it, this reaction is only natural. Just because I built something unfamiliar doesn’t mean they’ll go, “Oh, so this is a Colosseum!” and lose their minds with excitement.’
Indeed, modern technology isn’t always a cure-all.
Moreover, the Centaur tribe isn’t foolish.
The value of the Colosseum they had worked hard to build would now have to be judged and appreciated by them themselves.
With that thought, Lloyd suggested, “How about you take it for a test run, chief?”
“What? You mean me?”
“Yes. Aren’t you the representative of the Centaur tribe of the plains? It seems only fitting that you should have the honor of running on the first circuit-style Colosseum track.”
“Heh, heh, heh?”
“My humble sincerity. Please, this way.”
With flattery smoothly inserted into the conversation, the chief’s lips subtly curled up in a smile.
Seizing the opportunity, Lloyd guided him to the track.
“As you can see, the track is divided into five parts. There are three drag racing straight tracks, each 300 meters, 800 meters, and 1.5 kilometers long. And there are two complex tracks, one 2.577 kilometers and the other 1.3 kilometers long.”
“Hmm, then I’ll casually run the 800 meters straight track.”
“An excellent choice.”
The chief still showed a racer’s spirit despite his age.
Once on the track, a change flickered in his eyes.
Soon, the veteran’s sprint began.
“Kyaa!”
Thudding feet!
The former champion exploded out of the start, sending sand flying explosively across the track and quickly crossing the finish line. Catching his breath, he returned to the start.
The expression on the returning chief’s face had completely changed.
“Ha… Ha ha! This track, it’s really something!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, truly. Wow, just wow!”
Was it that good to run on?
The chief beamed with satisfaction for a while before speaking.
“It’s completely different from running on an unkept plain. There you have to watch for unseen stones that might break your hooves, or you might trip over tough brush and lose your balance. Here? None of those hazards, so I can focus entirely on running.”
“How was the feel of the track?”
“The best.”
The chief gave a thumbs up.
“I thought the sand would just bog me down, but that wasn’t the case. The layer of sand nicely absorbed the shock without being burdensome, and then the solid ground underneath supported my hooves. It reduced the strain on my joints while still allowing powerful propulsion.”
“So, did you perhaps improve your record?”
“Without a doubt. But, do you have more questions?”
“Uh?”
“I’d like to run some more, if you don’t mind.”
“Ah, of course.”
“Then I’ll be off. This time, the complex course!”
Before Lloyd could even respond, the excited chief was already clattering off towards the complex course.
He spent the whole day sweating like foam, showing off the might of his prime.
The news spread quickly among the Charcoal Breeze tribe.
“Did you hear about the chief?”
“What? Why the chief?”
“They say he broke his old records.”
“What? At his age? Really?”
“Yes. Really.”
“How?”
“How? It’s that Colosseum built by the human Lloyd Frontera.”
“He ran there?”
“That’s what they say.”
“That’s incredible.”
“Should we try running there too?”
Thus, everyone revealed a desire to set new records.
Most of the tribe flocked to the Colosseum.
Lloyd didn’t bother to stop them.
He considered charging admission but let it be.
‘It’s a trial period.’
Like an open beta in games.
Or a promotional teaser in movies.
Experiencing the circuit track firsthand was the best way to understand its true value.
‘They need to run on it and feel its benefits themselves. That’s how you promote it.’
If all the Centaurs of the plains were to use the Colosseum, its advantages needed to be well advertised first.
He was grateful that the Charcoal Breeze tribe was flocking in on their own.
It meant the Colosseum would be promoted throughout the plains through their word of mouth.
So, he left the track open to everyone for five days.
And on the sixth day, he announced the rules.
[From today, the Colosseum’s tracks will be operated by reservation.]
[Minimum reservation number: 2 people]
[Eligibility for reservation: Contestants in courtship races]
[How to reserve: Apply at the Colosseum office. Complete the reservation by stamping a hoof on a document detailing the reserver’s name, race date and time, and the track to be used.]
[Track usage precautions: No cutting in under 6 seconds from start]
He placed a sign with these rules at the entrance to the Colosseum.
Surprisingly, the Centaur tribespeople’s backlash was minimal.
This was thanks to the consistent communication that the Colosseum was built specifically for courtship races.
And from the next day.
Reservations surged.
‘Whew, is this for real? Are there really guys crazy enough to divorce just to race here and then propose again?’
Lloyd was astounded.
It had to be so.
The Centaur tribe was even more race-crazy than he had anticipated.
Just to run on the track, many Centaurs went through with divorces.
Then they immediately proposed again to their just-divorced ex-partners.
Quickly identifying an adequate challenger (?) to arrange a race and snapping up a reservation.
‘Well, I’m not interested in their love and war.’
After all, it wasn’t his business to meddle.
Thus, Lloyd focused strictly on enforcing the rules as he operated the Colosseum.
Courtship races only at the Colosseum.
In the village, no running faster than a trot.
As these rules were observed, another fortnight passed.
Gradual changes began to appear.
Traffic accidents within the village notably decreased.
Cases of broken legs or serious injuries during courtship races also dropped.
Fierce races were confined to the track.
In living areas, everyone behaved calmly.
Simple rules had brought about amazing changes.
This also proved the approach Lloyd had initially proposed to the chief.
This brought additional changes to Centaur society.
A fundamental shift in the concept of running.
“Run firmly only where it’s meant for running, and don’t cause trouble or harm to others at other times. We’ve come to think that’s the true attitude of a runner. I and our tribe believe this.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Lloyd was called to the stables.
There, the chief welcomed him with a content smile.
“It’s thanks to you. Your Colosseum and its facilities have changed everyone’s minds. The distressing accidents that used to occur during courtship races have remarkably decreased.”
“It’s thanks to everyone’s cooperation, not just me.”
“Heh, well spoken. Anyway, now it’s time for me to keep my promise with you.”
“You intend to tell me the location of Taupo.”
“Exactly.”
The second core material of the Jewel of Truth.
The moment to learn about its whereabouts had arrived.
Lloyd perked up his ears.
The chief spoke.
“The Taupo that our distant ancestors brought with them consists of 16 pieces, all perched at the top of the northern snow mountain.”
“The top of the snow mountain?”
“Yes. You shouldn’t have trouble finding it if you ride your giant Bone Dragon. It’s placed quite visibly.”
The chief handed him a piece of parchment.
Unfolding it revealed a map.
The topography of the northern snow mountain and the location where Taupo was placed were marked.
“Thank you.”
Lloyd quickly secured the map.
Just then…
Ding-dong.
As if it had been waiting for him.
A welcome message appeared.
[Race Unlocked]
[Cherochan, the Centaur tribe’s chieftain, recognizes you as a true friend and ally.]
[Thanks to the circuit-style Colosseum you provided, the Centaur tribe has gained a new understanding and concept of safe driving.]
[They will continue to improve their awareness of safe driving, and eventually establish the first traffic law in their history, which will be a turning point for their race.]
[The first traffic law will be based on the rules you have announced, and in this process, your name will be forever remembered in the history of the Centaur race as a crucial contributor to the traffic law.]
[The Centaur tribe now considers you an equal in friendship.]
[Increase your favor with the Centaurs and earn RP.]
[A race opening bonus of 100 RP has been specially awarded.]
[Current RP: 1,755]
‘Whew.’
Lloyd clenched his fist secretly.
‘I did it.’
The location of the second key material, and as a bonus, he had gained the favor of the Centaur tribe.
A sense of achievement bubbled up.
‘It’s been a long journey, indeed.’
Suddenly, he remembered his initial months on the plains.
When he first received a red speeding ticket.
Competing in a running race with the plains’ champion.
And then the arduous seven-month construction of the Colosseum.
Plus nearly a month to validate the effects of the Colosseum.
All to find out the location of the second key material, Taupo.
‘Of course, thanks to the time freeze, not a second has actually passed.’
He felt inwardly relieved.
At the same time, he thought it was time to end the time freeze.
‘The northern snow mountain the chief just mentioned is in the frozen zone. I’ll have to unfreeze time to go there.’
His tasks here were complete.
There was no reason to delay further.
“Thank you for everything, chief. Let me offer you a service.”
“Service?”
“Yes.”
Lloyd nodded with a sly smile.
Every task must end beautifully.
No matter how hard the construction or how generous the favor.
If the conclusion is uncomfortable and unpleasant, all the good that came before fades.
‘So, I should end this well. That way, if I ever need something later, I can come back and ask.’
Life is long, and one never knows what might happen.
Investing in human relationships for the future is always right.
With that in mind, Lloyd borrowed the chief’s ear.
He taught him how to maintain the Colosseum track.
“So, do this and that, and it will be fine. If not, you can request maintenance from the Frontera estate in the eastern part of the Magentano kingdom.”
“Frontera estate?”
“Yes, that’s my home.”
Having thoroughly taught the track maintenance, he shook hands firmly with the chief and left the stables.
He looked up at the sky.
The ice wall looked like an overturned rice bowl.
The sky, which had been unchanging for a total of eight months as time stood still.
The sun, stuck in the same spot, was also visible.
‘I can’t believe I did something so unbelievable.’
He found it hard to believe himself.
Swallowing the strange feeling, he opened the skills menu.
He prepared to end the time freeze.
But then…
‘Uh?’
Lloyd narrowed his eyes unknowingly.
‘Something strange… is coming.’
And it truly was.
From beyond the ice wall, towards this side.
Something was flying in.
Falling from the sun, plunging towards here.
With wings swept back.
Its massive body braced as it collided with the ice wall.
Crash!
A large crack appeared in the ice wall.
Then the crack widened.
A giant head burst through the crack, even larger and whiter than Bone Dragon Yongyong.
Beneath two heavy horns, a pair of chillingly bright eyes stared right at him.
‘Dragon?’
The moment Lloyd’s eyes widened with a shocking realization.
The dragon threw a frosty question.
“Human, you possess the Heart of Winter, correct?”
“…!”
His heart sank.
Lloyd’s shoulders flinched involuntarily.
The entity that had flown here to reclaim the Heart of Winter.
The overwhelming dragon once called the tyrant of the polar regions.
Encountering Ice Dragon Tirannus and receiving an unexpected question at such a critical moment.
Lloyd instinctively put on a poker face.
He moistened his tongue.
He was serious.
In a tone so convincing that anyone would feel sorry for misplacing their question.
He shamelessly replied.
“Not at all?”
