by Jason Hale
Lars's eyes shone with dark rays, and the shadow of a three-eyed purple serpent appeared at his back. In the middle of his forehead grew a third, pitch-black eye from which vast black fog emerged and spread to all his remaining opponents.
"AAAAAARGH!"
The three-eyed serpent race excelled at controlling poisons. Although theirs weren't as brilliant as Stolien Demonic Beast's, their innate skill was enough to shatter the battle power of most unprepared foes.
Lars' opponents quickly felt their vision darken, and their strength leave their bodies. They fell onto their knees, and couldn't resist his next blows that knocked them all out.
"Group A's victor: Lars Kringel!"
The bishop announced, causing a wave of applause to rise from the crowd.
With a self-satisfied smirk, Lars stepped out of the ring.
...
"Good boy. A pity that Koloman is missing in action. Otherwise, perhaps they could have had a good showdown."
Said the Kriegel Duke upon witnessing his youngest son's performance.
The Slesinger Duke didn't bat an eyelid, keeping a disinterested gaze on the platform.
...
"Group B, on the stage!"
This time, there wasn't much excitement within the crowd as the result seemed too obvious. Indeed, this was Holgren's group. As soon as the bishop announced the match's beginning, the seven other contestants formed one group and encircled Holgren.
However, he didn't seem troubled in the slightest. Seeing the disregard within his gaze, the seven felt humiliated.
"Holgren, don't be too conceited. Although your cultivation is way above ours, with our combined strengths, we might not lose to you!"
"If you say so."
Nonchalantly, he stretched out his palm and summoned his energy sword. Pure white light burst from his form, shrouding his entire body. And feeling the lofty, immaculate power emanating from that light, the seven shivered.
"This is…holy quintessence. You took a Saint-Origin Pill? Why?"
The seven complained. This was no different from using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken!
To say nothing of them, the dukes included, not a single person present understood this sudden change. They could also see that Holgren's cultivation had risen from the fourth to the sixth Arch-Knight Rank.
"You're asking the wrong person. Do you concede, or do I still need to butcher you?"
The seven simultaneously took a step back. However, surrendering at this junction would follow them for a lifetime. Therefore, they unanimously chose to press on.
"True Form!"
Without hesitation, every single one of them assumed their True Forms. Some assumed tigers-based shapes, others eagles, and there was even one red python. However, none maintained a human form.
All the noble houses possessed True Forms in which their battle power soared. However, because their True Forms often looked so similar to demonic beasts, they rarely used them.
In their seven gigantic forms, they towered above Holgren, making him look like a tiny pet.
...
Konnor who'd never witnessed members of the nobility using their True Forms was taken by surprise. His eyes widened, and assumptions flew within his mind.
"Why are they so similar to demonic beasts?"
"Because those so-called nobles all descend from Restoration Beasts. At the Restoration level, demonic beasts can assume human shapes, and the children they give birth to at that stage also possess innate human forms.
The current nobility of the Holy Continent is composed of the descendants of ancient Restoration beasts who surrendered to the Celestial Church eons ago. However, with time, the Celestial Church made sure that knowledge would disappear, creating the belief that those beast descendants belong to entirely different races.
And even though many doubt their ancestry, none dare acknowledge it. Truly an inferior breed. In the Infernal Realm, they're called False Demons."
The Flame Mark replied, dispelling Konnor's doubts.
...
In front of the seven towering beasts, Holgren remained unfazed.
His sword drew a dazzling energy arc, his spiritual energy turned into sword energy, and slammed into the seven beasts in a hissing sound.
The sword energy tore their flesh, cutting large, gaping wounds within. Their blood gushed forth, and they limply fell onto the ground with the noise of their massive bodies crashing onto concrete.
"Group B's victor: Holgren von Juras."
Holgren dispelled his energy sword and walked out.
Chapter 75 - One Move Execution Series
Silence reigned among the spectators who weren't given enough time to react to the scene before them. Although Holgren's victory was a given, no one expected him to make use of a Saint-Origin Pill to increase his cultivation and strengthen his physique. Was there still any point to this competition?
They might as well directly proclaim him the victor!
However, shortly afterward, among the younger females of the lesser nobility, a commotion rose.
"Kyyya! So cool!"
"Holgren, Holgren, Holgren!!!"
In an instant, Holgren's performance turned him into the idol of the airheaded lasses filling many of the stadium's seats.
As for the contestants lying in a pool of their own blood, aside from their relatives, no one paid them any mind. A priest team dragged them off the stage, bringing them to the healing center.
…
"I didn't expect the imperial family to be this extravagant. Granting a Saint-Origin Pill to an Arch-Knight junior? Isn't that a tad bit too…excessive?"
Heinrich commented in the Saints' booth. However, neither Verena nor Else paid him attention.
"This must be Elmar's doing. But I wonder, is Holgren the only one?"
Verena's eyes moved toward Nier, and following a brief assessment, she frowned.
"I'm afraid Konnor no longer has any shot at victory."
She told Else in a mental message.
"Oh? What do you say about a bet, then?"
"Why are you still that confident in him?"
The tables had changed. If Konnor had accepted their gifts, Verena wouldn't be that pessimistic about him. Now, however, victory could only elude him.
Her eyes then fell upon Konnor for a new analysis that soon left her dumbfounded.
"I can no longer see through his disguise. Not only that, but even the nature of his physique eludes me. How can this be?"
"Are you accepting the bet or not?"
"I'd…rather not."
…
"Group C, on the stage!"
Nier' group went on the stage. Just like the first group, it was well balanced, with a few first step Arch Knights while the rest were at the second step. Nier, however, was the oddball as she was supposedly at the ninth step Grand Knight and Priest Ranks.
Still, if she unleashed her True Spirit form, it would become a whole other matter.
Konnor felt something different from today's Nier and used his Origin Sight to analyze her body.
What he saw caused his eyes to widen in amazement.
"Having a good background is truly the foundation of success."
On the stage, Nier' eyes swept through those surrounding her, and disappointment flashed within her gaze.
"Begin!"
On the bishop's order, the battle began. The two first step Arch-Knight formed a team to contend with the rest. Besides them, no one joined hands, and for an instant, no contestant made a move. All paid close attention to the rest, hoping to spot flaws, and unwilling to leave openings for others to exploit.
"What a bore."
Nier whispered, but her words didn't escape the other six who took it as a direct provocation.
"Well, if you're that annoyed, perhaps we can dispatch you first, and return to our -boring- fight."
"Well said, we shouldn't let an imperial prince remain unentertained. That would truly be a dereliction of duty!"
/> "Hahaha."
Without scruples, the six banded together to surround Nier. Their spiritual energy gushed forth, and weapons drawn, they shot toward her.
Immaculate light burst from her and enshrouded her body as she summoned her energy weapon. All could now clearly see that her cultivation had risen to the third step Arch Knight and Arch Priest Ranks.
"Not…you too."
This was clearly holy quintessence. For Holgren to receive a Saint-Origin Pill was already strange enough, but for Nier to obtain the same treatment at the peak of the Grand Rank?
Absurd!
However, they didn't have time to complain.
Nier drove her sword in a frontal thrust, elemental wind force erupted from its tip and turned into dozens of wind blades that hacked at her assailants' defenses.
"AAAARGH!"
They howled as their blood soared from their torn flesh, and just like the previous group, limply fell onto the ground.
"Group C…victor: Nier…von Juras."
Even the bishop couldn't believe his eyes. Since when did Saint Origin Pills become cabbage casually thrown to babies?
The initially promising fight had turned into unilateral slaughter. The spectators no longer knew what to say.
…
"Well, I suppose the final will be von Juras vs von Juras."
Heinrich concluded upon seeing Nier' performance. Group A's victor would fight group B's, and group C's group D's.
Therefore, unless someone could topple the von Juras siblings, the final would be a showdown within the imperial family.
"It's too early to say. Why don't we have a bet?"
Verana's voice seized Heinrich's attention, and he shifted his eyes toward her.
"I believe you're well aware that betting is forbidden within the church."
"Oh, don't be such a bore. It's not betting, it's…divining the future. If you guess right, it proves you're blessed by the Divine Lord. If you fail, maybe you should give up the cassock."
Heinrich pulled in a deep breath to suppress the anger within his belly.
"In any case, rules are meant to bind the feeble. Does an exarch also need to worry about church rules for a simple wager? I believed your position stronger than that."
"Fine. What are the stakes?"
Verena's lips curled into an enchanting smile.
"A hundred holy crystals."
Holy crystals contained pure, holy energy and were often used by Saints to cultivate. Some Semi-Saints from hegemonic families such as the three sovereign prince houses and the von Juras also had access to them.
A holy crystal was worth one million purple crystals. However, even if one possessed the money, buying them was nigh impossible.
"Very well."
…
As she went down the stage, Nier' eyes fell upon Konnor. However, seeing that his never glanced toward her, she turned her gaze away from him and walked back toward Holgren's side.
The defeated contestants were quickly brought off the platform.
"Group D, on the stage!"
With the previous round's winner within it, group D was initially one of the most eye-catching. However, with the von Juras siblings' performance, many had lost interest in it.
"Well, at least we won't get sent flying in one blow."
"That Kracht boy cannot pull off the von Jurgens' tricks. The True Form of Nature Serpents is also not that tyrannical. Once we join hands, he cannot resist."
"Isn't that what the ones before us thought? I'm no longer that confident…"
"Fool! The situation is different! We can definitely put up a fight and avoid public disgrace."
"Should we use our True Forms?"
"Of Course!"
The six stepped onto the stage like a well-trained battalion that'd been through life and death together. Clearly, they were ready to battle for their dignity, and avoid the sorrowful fate of the "one move execution."
Following them, Konnor stepped onto the stage.
They made no attempt to hide their intentions, forming one line opposite to him.
"Begin!"
The bishop's voice echoed, and the six assumed their True Forms.
A golden-eyed lion, a devouring serpent, a twin-headed snake, and three other towering monsters appeared before Konnor who observed them with great interest.
Thousands of eyes locked on the platform with rapt attention. Many were curious about how Konnor would handle them if he could handle them. Could he live up to his number one title, or reveal his previous performance to be nothing more than a fluke?
Headed by the golden-eyed lion, the six beasts pounced onto Konnor with their massive bodies hissing against the wind.
*BAM*
A single smacking sound thundered, echoing within the ears of the thousands of spectators.
The six massive figures flew off the platform, crashed against the invisible magical barrier protecting the public, and dropped onto the ground, unconscious.
"Group…D…victor: Anselm…Kracht."
There was no holy quintessence, no outlandish display. From beginning to end, Konnor stood in the same spot with his arms crossed beneath his back.
And as leisurely as he'd arrived, Konnor stepped off the stage.
Chapter 76 - I Just Want to Beat You Senseless
The stadium once more fell to silence and stupor. However, unlike with Holgren's case, it wasn't due to shock. Instead, confusion was to blame. Among the thousands of spectators, less than a tenth comprehended what had just occurred.
…
"Interesting. Each got knocked out with a single slap. However, it was so fast that most people could only register a single sound. As for the move, it was even more challenging to follow.
That boy's speed already reaches the mid-level Transcendent Knight Rank. Among those present, only the counts, margrave and dukes can follow him effortlessly."
Heinrich analyzed.
In the Holy Flame Empire, high-level Transcendent Rank cultivators could receive the title of counts. Low-level Semi-Saints of margrave, and high-level Semi-Saints of dukes.
As for Saints, they were eligible for the sovereign prince title. Therefore, among the nobles below, only the counts or above flawlessly witnessed Konnor's move.
Seeing his performance, Heinrich couldn't help but reevaluate him. Although he'd received news of Konnor's previous results, he didn't place many hopes on him. After all, his cultivation level was by far insufficient.
But now it seemed like he'd severely underestimated him, and that this lack of foresight was about to cost him money.
"No wonders the von Juras resorted to the Saint-Origin Pill. His performance must have frightened them."
Still, Heinrich wasn't optimistic. If speed was the strongest tool at Konnor's disposal, perhaps he could seize victory from Nier, but defeating Holgren was impossible.
He shifted his attention to Verena and Else and saw pleasant surprise flash within their gaze. Clearly, they also didn't have a full grasp of his abilities.
Of the two, Verena's surprise was the highest. After all, she had no knowledge of Konnor's demonic lineage. The only thing she knew was that the last time she saw him, he was a mid-level Grand Knight. Now he had reached the Arch Rank in both the martial and spiritual path.
Better, his physique and battle power seemed even more outstanding. She couldn't believe that this was merely the result of hard work and suspected that some hidden expert was dedicated to training him.
Her suspicion fell on Else for an instant, but she soon rejected the thought.
"I'm curious of how much progress he actually made."
…
The unknown often terrified the many. Konnor received no ovation. Instead, terror-stricken eyes observed him from afar. Of course, there were a few exceptions.
"WOOOHOOO! See this? This is my daddy! My big daddy! No one can compete with him!"
Daphne yelled from her seat. Ilaina threw her a disapproving glance, but for once,
she said nothing. Although she didn't agree with Daphne's "unique" word choice, she was just as elated by Konnor's performance.
