Raised From The Wild-Chapter 207: The Colosseum

King Ralden made a mental note to learn more about Ibrahim. There was something intriguing about the man, and perhaps he could task someone to visit the museum and document everything related to him.

Everyone boarded their jeeps. Amaya, however, chose to stand, craning her neck to take in the scenery. A dirt road stretched ahead, winding through the dense jungle. She marveled at the audacity of building a road in such a remote place but recalled that this was a Bio Reserve. It made sense that transportation here was made somewhat accessible.

"It’s a pity we can’t take photos. Look at those flowers—aren’t they stunning?" Amaya pointed to a patch of vibrant blooms.

The jeep began picking up speed as they descended a hill.

"Are those Venus Fly Traps? But why are their leaves so enormous?" Amaya exclaimed, pointing out a cluster of peculiar plants.

Marx turned to look but frowned as the spot had already disappeared from view.

"You seem to know a lot about plants, Princess," a petite guard remarked with a sneer, her tone laced with mockery.

Amaya’s sharp gaze met the guard’s, her voice cutting. "Not particularly. There are countless plants in these reserves I’ve never seen before—not even in the jungles I grew up in."

King Ralden turned to the guard, his expression icy, silently reprimanding her. The guard quickly lowered her head and fell silent.

The group continued uphill. After a few minutes, the jeeps cleared the dense jungle, revealing a plateau in the distance. Its slopes were lush with vegetation, and a glint of sunlight reflected off something at its summit.

From afar, a magnificent white structure stood proudly atop the greenery—it was Ra-Iya’s Colosseum on Balanaw Plateau.

Amaya’s eyes lit up as she took in the sight. According to legend, the first King of Ra-Iya had been hunting in the jungles of Mount Gilas when a massive earthquake struck, accompanied by torrential rain. Forced to camp in the open fields, the king and his men witnessed the mountain’s mysterious peak, once hidden in clouds, crumble to a fraction of its former height.

The king almost had a heart attack, but then a strange phenomenon happened. As the sun rose from the East, a double rainbow appeared over the flattened mountain. The mage who accompanied the king told him it was a good omen and that it symbolized a higher power looking out for the king during his reign. He was destined for greatness! Power and glory would belong to him.

The king changed the name from Mount Gilas to Balanaw Plateau, which means rainbow in the local dialect. He then employed natives living in the nearby mountains and plains to build the Colosseum.

After thirty minutes of bumpy, uphill riding, the few jeeps with their passengers reached the top of the Balanaw Plateau and parked at the designated spots.

Amaya hurried out of the jeep and looked around. The Colosseum had five stories, three of which were above ground and the remaining two underground.

"This is incredible!" she exclaimed. "Is the entire structure made of marble?"

King Ralden walked beside her while a servant assisted Zanzara in getting out of the jeep.

"You can check the diorama of the Colosseum and its brief history over there." King Ralden pointed to a gazebo before the entrance.

"Have you been here before?" Princess Amaya asked her cousins, including the new queen. They shook their heads.

Marx frowned when he noticed King Ralden standing too close to Amaya. The king held Zanzara’s hand on his left, but he made sure that the woman standing on his right was Princess Amaya.

Subtly, Marx positioned himself beside Amaya, ensuring the others could only view the diorama from the opposite side.

The diorama, encased in circular glass, displayed the Colosseum in intricate detail. A second layer of glass barrier kept spectators a half meter away.

King Ralden narrated the Colosseum’s history in a smooth and captivating voice, weaving the legends and architectural marvels into a spellbinding story. Everyone listened attentively to his voice, which was very pleasant to the ears. It was as sweet as honey and as addicting as opium.

A holographic projection emerged as he pressed a button, illuminating the Colosseum’s different sections and showcasing its grandeur.

"My King," Sapiro remarked, awestruck, "I didn’t realize Ra-Iya had such advanced technology."

King Ralden smiled. "Does Lireya not use this as well?"

Sapiro hesitated, caught off guard. "I... I’m not sure. I’ll need to inquire when we return." He spoke softly, sounding inferior.

Ralden’s amusement was evident, but he let the matter drop. "Let’s head inside. The first event begins in fifteen minutes, and there’s still time to freshen up in the lounge."

The king turned sharply to the right and bumped into Amaya, who was still seriously studying the diorama. Amaya took a step back and hit Marx, who was standing beside her.

"Are you alright?" King Ralden asked without apologizing. He was a king, after all. He did not need to apologize to anybody in his territory. His tone was more commanding than concerned. He shifted his gaze from Amaya to the guard whose arm instinctively wrapped around her waist to keep her steady.

Recognition dawned as he pieced together the identity of the guard. Could this be the same man who wore the dragon mask last night? He was too tired from last night’s activities that he missed this important detail.

Marx slowly released his grip on Amaya’s waist, his fingers lingering for just a moment before falling away. Amaya’s cheeks flushed slightly as she offered a tentative smile, her eyes darting away briefly before meeting King Ralden’s gaze. In a soft voice, she assured him, "I’m okay."

Refreshments awaited the guests inside the lounge. Servants, clad in crisp uniforms, glided gracefully around the room, their movements efficient as they attended to every need. They offered neatly folded wet towels infused with a refreshing fragrance to provide cooling relief from the day’s heat.

In one corner, a group of dignitaries from Ra-iya engaged in quiet conversation. Their rich garments adorned with intricate patterns reflected their nobility.

A servant approached Princess Amaya to offer her a wet towel, a glass of juice, and a pastry. When she was an arm’s length away, she stumbled.

"Princess, watch out!"