At dinner time, Ackerman broke rye bread into pieces and put them into the hot soup, then said to Todd, "Boss, are you really not going to consider my suggestion?"

Todd glanced at him sideways but said nothing.

Todd objected to the title "boss" a few times, saying it sounded like a bandit, but since others used it so often, he acquiesced to it.

Seeing that Todd didn't react, Ackerman became anxious: "Think about it, from the beginning until now, every single lesson you've taken has been free! Not only are the lessons free, but you also paid for the materials to make the 'fake blood' out of your own pocket! In fact, with so many gladiators, if we just charged each of them a little money, we would make a fortune!"

Casper added a branch to the fire and glared at Ackerman, saying, "Many people aren't even getting enough to eat, and you expect them to pay for it?!"

The latter protested, "But no matter what, giving it away for free is just too much... I've heard that some gladiators have taken the fake blood we provide and sold it at a high price."

Upon hearing this, Casper scratched his head, also sensing that something was amiss.

“Let’s form an association,” Todd said calmly, looking at the burning branches in the fire. “Similar to a guild, mainly responsible for the daily affairs of gladiators.”

Casper was somewhat puzzled: "The association is geared towards merchants and artisans and doesn't have much binding power. Why can't we establish a semi-military armed force with you as its leader for those unruly gladiators?"

Todd rejected the suggestion without hesitation: "If I dared to do that in the arena, I'd probably soon encounter an army that would wipe me out."

Ackerman thought for a moment and then said, "That's true. But if we're going to establish an association, then we must set thresholds for those who want to join."

Todd nodded.

Ackerman began listing the conditions on his fingers: "First, those who join must be loyal and cannot remain in their original faction after joining the association; second, those who join must be loyal and should not be accepted if they have a history of crimes such as betrayal."

Todd pondered for a moment, then added, "Add another condition: those who join must be slaves who have lost their freedom. Those who voluntarily join the arena for any reason are not allowed to join the association."

Ackerman and Kasper exchanged a glance, somewhat puzzled as to why Todd would make such a condition, but ultimately nodded in agreement.

“There’s one last thing.” Ackerman put down the wooden bowl, his face full of excitement: “We must give this gladiator association a resounding name.”

Todd said with a slight headache, "A name?"

Ackerman raised his hand: "What will happen when I become the champion? It will perfectly suit Lord Boyle's identity as the 'Red Champion'!"

Todd laughed and rejected the proposal: "Like the idea of ​​establishing a militarized force, this proposal is unacceptable. The name is too flashy and will bring us unnecessary trouble."

Ackerman shrugged somewhat helplessly: "Really? I've always liked this name. So what should we call him?"

Stepping on the blood-stained ground and looking at the glowing red branches of the campfire, Todd suddenly said, "Let's call it 'Red Branch'."

——————————————

After dinner, Todd finalized some details about the Red Branch Gladiator Association with Ackerman and Casper. He then handed over the remaining liaison work to the two of them and went to the underground prison area to visit Boyle's people.

When the old barbarian warrior Fried saw the chieftain arrive, he quickly got up from the ground, patted his chest, and indicated that he was in good condition.

Todd leaned against the cell door, looked at his 'kin,' and turned to the jailer, saying, "Open the cell door."

The latter said with a troubled expression, "Lord Boyle, I told you this a long time ago..."

"Open the cell door. I want to say something to my people. If you're worried, you can lock the door after I go in."

The jailer thought for a moment.

Boyle visits these people almost every night, and nothing has happened in all these days; besides, he has now been spared the death penalty and is unlikely to take any risks.

Thinking of this, the jailer opened the cell door, watched Todd walk in, and then locked the cell door again.

After greeting his people, Todd called over the old warrior Fried and the shaman Minnie, and found a quiet corner in the cell. He whispered, "At the end of this month, the Kingdom of Ulster will hold a celebration. The guards at the arena will be too busy managing the prison to handle the receptions for the royal family, nobles, and delegations. That will be the best time for you to escape."

Veteran Fried lowered his voice and asked, "Escape? With so many of us, even if we manage to escape the 'Red Circle,' how could we possibly leave the territory of the Kingdom of Ulster?"

"There was a woman named Deirdre, do you remember her?"

Todd's question made the shaman Minnie look up, and a smile suddenly appeared on the old woman's wrinkled face: "Ah, Deirdre, that poor child..."

Fried looked at Todd: "What does her running away have to do with it?"

"Once we escape the city, she will arrange transportation, travel permits, and disguises for the troops so that we can return safely to the south."

“Deirdre’s father has signed an alliance with Conchierber; she might really be able to send us back!” Fried exclaimed excitedly. Then, remembering something, he asked worriedly, “Could she be colluding with Conchierber to deceive us?”

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