I’m the Main Villain but the Heroines Are Obsessed With Me

34 – 15. A New Source of Income (2)

What could be the most interesting sight?

Ian thought of the answer to that question like this.

“Isn’t watching a fight the most interesting?”

Some might say fighting is barbaric, something only uneducated people do. But the fact that watching an exciting spectacle was appealing couldn’t be denied.

In reality, not only in mixed martial arts but also in sports like baseball or soccer, when there’s a bench-clearing brawl, don’t the spectators cheer?

Therefore, Ian was convinced that a fighting competition could be an attractive business idea.

Moreover, isn’t it medieval?

In a place without the internet, with no entertainment, a new spectacle like a fighting competition could become an interesting pastime for people labeled as drunkards, spending their days in imaginary taverns.

Then he needed to select participants… He had already thought about this too.

“I heard recently that there have been frequent cases of fights among the territory residents.”

Ian checked the documents Erri had prepared. Among the documents she handled while he was incapacitated, there was a report mentioning this.

[Security Measures Regarding Violence Prevention]

A report on the frequent acts of violence occurring in the alleys. But this wasn’t mere violence.

“More precisely, they agreed to fight each other.”

Commoners with nothing to do were frequently betting money on each other, clashing bodies while those who watched paid them. If a proper arena were set up for this unofficial practice? And what if commoners could earn money they couldn’t dream of making even if they worked to death?

“Will these guys really not participate in this?”

“If they don’t, that would be insane.”

Ian never thought like that. There shouldn’t be any problem in recruiting people. If anything, he should be worried about too many applicants.

Having made up his mind, Ian looked at Oliver.

“I’m thinking of organizing a martial arts tournament.”

“A martial arts tournament? Are you talking about the Colosseum, by any chance?”

“It’s a bit different from that. It’s purely unarmed combat, with no weapons involved.”

“Hmm… I see.”

After hearing Ian’s plan, Oliver nodded and said, “Certainly, organizing a martial arts tournament wouldn’t be a bad idea. Welcoming new entertainment is always a good thing. But the problem is that the Sacred Kingdom won’t just stand by… Are you okay with that?”

“I’m aware of that. Meaningless fighting, like martial arts, goes against the principles of the Sacred Kingdom.”

Edenia, the Sacred Kingdom. Thinking of them, Ian twirled the pen in his hand.

In their eyes, all humans were believed to be children created by a superior deity, and inflicting harm on each other was considered a taboo.

Of course, they weren’t even organizing the tournament in the Sacred Kingdom, but it was still a matter that couldn’t be taken lightly.

“The Sacred Kingdom maintains a close relationship with the current empire.”

Even the Colosseum that was thriving in the empire had faced objections from the Sacred Kingdom, and there had been talk of its closure.

Would they stay silent this time?

Ian never thought so. Oliver shared the same sentiment.

Deep in thought, Oliver opened his mouth with a worried expression.

“You need to think this through. Of course, they might not interfere too aggressively from their end. But the Sacred Kingdom won’t view the organization of a martial arts tournament favorably. That’s my opinion. There’s a good chance they’ll try various means to stop the tournament.”

Subtly communicating with the officials of the Empire who were in contact with the Sacred Kingdom or sending protest letters to condemn it.

Or, as a last resort, they could prevent the dispatch of their priests.

“If there’s fighting, injuries are inevitable. But if they don’t send priests for treatment, the tournament can’t go on naturally.”

Oliver was worried about that and said it to himself.

However, Ian wasn’t particularly concerned about that aspect.

In the first place, he had no intention of receiving support from the Sacred Kingdom or the like.

“Chronic regeneration can be used on others as well.”

Having healing skills superior to the priests, Ian had no reason to pay attention to their reactions.

The conversation with Oliver ended successfully.

After hearing Ian’s plan to some extent, Oliver agreed and said he would allocate staff to prepare the food and drinks to be sold on the day of the event.

This way, some of the problems would be resolved.

“Phew.”

Ian, leaning on the backrest, took a deep breath.

He remembered the last thing Oliver had said.

“The atmosphere within the family seems off…”

He had said that just before finishing the conversation and leaving. Oliver had firmly held his wrist and said that, for sure.

“Do the gods who don’t know about the decrease in sales think that the business’s profits are decreasing and are pressuring me?”

In that moment, Ian’s lips curled upward.

It felt like he was bursting into ironic laughter, even though he had only imagined it.

“Sales are a load of nonsense. That’s just a superficial reason. The real reason is probably that they don’t like me.”

When he thought about it, it made sense. They sold his father’s name, who was lying in a coma, and didn’t let him relax. They even asked him to prepare a report out of the blue.

In their position, which had been comfortable all this time, how bad must he have looked to them?

But Ian had his own reasons.

“After all, if we don’t do it this way, how is the family going to survive?”

He couldn’t just stand by as a mere stand-in for the family business.

They hadn’t been doing their jobs properly, and the low-ranking citizens were suffering because of it. Meanwhile, they were living comfortably.

Ian thought it was only right that they at least make amends if they had messed things up.

That’s why he had decided to give it his all.

With the family’s reputation on the line, he couldn’t afford to fail, especially when there were people hoping for their failure.

He had to succeed at all costs. Ian was consumed by this thought, showing signs of obsession.

Strangely enough, the one who had helped him at that time was Ria.

“A combat competition that prohibits the use of mana and weapons to reduce cruelty? This idea is great! Even when the Colosseum is gone, there are people among the nobles who miss it. I think this will be popular.”

As Ria reviewed the business plan, her eyes sparkled.

As someone with exceptional business acumen, she could grasp the essence of the plan just by reading it.

With a pen in hand, Ria made notes and marked the areas that needed revision.

“Of course, there are still issues to be resolved. We need to prepare a location and establish some rules, too. Oh, should we also create some simple equipment?”

“That sounds like a good idea. Making protective gear is essential, especially if we won’t be using mana.”

“Right! As for the equipment, we’ll have our family handle that. Now… how about the judging?”

“How about Igor handling that?”

“Would that work? He has a fierce look, and people might listen to him.”

“Hey… you all… we can hear you.”

As expected, Lya and Eri showed exceptional teamwork. Together, they turned the weak and vague plan into a detailed one.

Eri, who was reviewing the completed plan, nodded in satisfaction.

“There don’t seem to be any major issues. The number of participants should be fine since commoners won’t miss a chance at a windfall. Nobles will spend generously, and if we can take advantage of the additional income generated, it should be a profitable venture.”

Nobles were known to lavish money predicting the winner, and even a small percentage of that could bring in substantial earnings.

Ian had his sights set on this opportunity.

“With a competition like this on the Day of Ascension, success is almost guaranteed.”

The Day of Ascension was the day the Empire’s hero, Alex Bolkanov, had slain Nathalian. The Empire celebrated his achievements during that time.

“Traditionally, on the Day of Ascension, the Empire’s nobles were invited to the mansions to witness the knights’ martial arts demonstrations.”

Ian didn’t hold these events in high regard.

“Unless you’re someone with a deep understanding of swordsmanship, it’s hard to appreciate for the average person.”

The martial arts demonstrations were a spectacle only for those who understood swordsmanship, as it was different from what Kilaine used.

“They’re just showing the basics of the martial arts our family’s knights use.”

It would be challenging to satisfy the audience with that alone. However, the Bolkanov family had been doing it for years.

Most people probably assumed they would hold the same event again.

Ian aimed to capitalize on that expectation.

“They’re suddenly organizing a tournament when they usually don’t? What’s this, a combat competition?”

(Note: The translation may not perfectly capture the atmosphere and nuances of the original text, but it conveys the general meaning and phrasing.)

Sure, here is the translation:

Certainly, he would be able to attract the attention of the imperial nobility. It would have been easier to find enjoyment, coming without any expectations from the start.

If he were to ride the current until the end and continuously open tournaments?

It might turn the desolate Volkanov into a mad place that sweeps up the empire’s money.

‘Of course, there will be a lot to prepare for him. We need to find participants for the competition. We also need to create a venue for the tournament.’

There is still a lot to prepare for. Ian decided not to be impatient and to finish what needs to be done first.

The only thing that must be done first for a stable event is one.

‘We need to tidy up the barbarians a bit.’

Ian looked out at the vast mountain range and smiled slyly.