Chapter 64 |
Inside the VIP box of Dwarf Elder Burlo Warhammer, there was complete silence.
It formed a sharp contrast with the deafening cheers outside.
Though the axe-blade storm had not struck them physically, it had slashed straight into their hearts.
Several elders felt as though their hearts were bleeding… the only difference was how much blood each was losing…
“Th-that…” Burlo was now completely sober.
“I’ll send that old fox—Elder Mick—an invitation later to have a drink at the Silver Moon Tavern. Are you… coming?”
That wasn’t just top-ten level! Top three was probably no problem!
Maybe even first place was possible!!!
That tornado alone had overshadowed every other performance in the first round!
Lizardman Elder Simoni answered first, speaking so fast he nearly bit his tongue.
The others nodded repeatedly, all expressing their intention to join.
***
In the VIP box of Elf Elder Ailianna, the atmosphere was equally subtle.
Several non-human elders looked at one another, unsure how to comment.
In the end, Ailianna broke the silence.
She took out an elegantly patterned piece of elven stationery from her spatial pouch and swiftly wrote upon it in flowing, beautiful Elven Mage Script. After folding it and sealing it in a specially crafted envelope, she handed it to the guard at her side.
“Yina, deliver this letter to Elder Mick. Tell him that his conditions and plan… I agree.”
“Yes, Elder.”
The tall, agile elven female guard accepted the letter. Suppressing the accelerated heartbeat still lingering from that heart-stopping tornado, she turned and walked toward Mick’s VIP box.
***
After the first round ended, the tournament entered a one-day rest period.
That day, every street and alley of Coral Thorn City buzzed with noise. Heated discussions about the recently concluded battles echoed everywhere.
Major gambling houses and betting counters were packed to the brim.
Everyone was captivated by the tournament’s fervor.
Baruk’s final, awe-inspiring strike had pushed the competition’s popularity to its absolute peak.
Countless professionals who had witnessed the match firsthand tirelessly reenacted and boasted about its brilliance in every possible setting, gesturing wildly as they described the scene.
Meanwhile, Casilo, hiding inside his hotel room, listened to the exaggerated praise drifting in from the streets—praise that glorified Baruk while inadvertently elevating him as well. His face alternated between red and pale.
Especially when he heard that he had inexplicably earned the nickname “Giant Bear Whipper,” he felt so embarrassed he wished the ground would swallow him whole.
Several of his friends were laughing uncontrollably beside him.
Only his girlfriend Bemi remained gentle, massaging his bruised and numb arm—the one that had blocked Baruk’s blow head-on. Around her slender waist was wrapped the long whip that had been the only weapon to cause Baruk any real damage.
“Don’t mind what they say, Casilo. You need to focus your energy on the upcoming matches.”
“And meeting that Bearman in the first match might not be a bad thing. At least before the top twelve elimination round, you won’t face him again.”
“If you’re lucky, you might not encounter him until the battle for the top five. You still have a strong chance to break into the top ten.”
Bemi’s gentle comfort gradually soothed Casilo’s turbulent emotions.
“I know, Bemi…”
Seeing the two begin their public display of affection again, the friends quickly left the room in mock disgust—thoughtfully locking them inside from the outside.
***
If Casilo still had a chance to aim for the top ten—
Then the defeated merfolk priestess, Alexia Nash, was not in such a pleasant mood.
As the loser of the first match, according to the tournament rules, she was scheduled to face the winner of the final match—Baruk!
This was simply a catastrophic opening!
“It’s fine… it’s fine…” Alexia tried to comfort herself.
“Even if I lose two matches in a row, there are still two revival slots! Right! Two slots!”
But the more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. In the previous tournament, she had been a strong contender for the top five. This time, she might have to fight in the revival round!
No!
Even if I lost, I would make that old bear pay dearly!
I had to display the imposing momentum worthy of a top-five contender!
***
“What a pity. It seems I missed a splendid match.”
Irlton Aiven walked casually along the bustling streets of Coral Thorn City, as though no one else existed. The passing crowd seemed equally unaware of him, moving straight through his figure.
Having just awakened, he took interest in observing this prosperous human metropolis.
It had been centuries since he last walked among human lands. But, weary of social interaction, he had no intention of revealing himself to outsiders.
Thus, he concealed himself within deep space. Any existence lacking the ability to tear open space would be incapable of perceiving him.
“Alvaro, prepare some of the local delicacies for me,” he ordered calmly.
“And inform that paladin who wishes to see me that I will meet him tonight. I’m quite curious what earth-shattering undertaking you youngsters are planning behind the backs of us old fellows.”
Irlton’s words caused Alvaro, who had been silently following him around the city, to tremble inwardly.
He had no idea how this ancestor had discovered Kyle’s cooperation with O’Brien.
“Don’t be surprised. For the Aiven family to have endured and flourished to this day, we old fellows are hardly useless,” Irlton said with a faint smile as his figure vanished.
The next instant, he appeared within the estate where Kyle usually resided, leisurely admiring Kyle’s collection of art pieces.
“Mm, the lad’s taste isn’t bad…”
“Oh? This painting is rather interesting. I’ll take it back for those old fellows to see.”
Without the slightest politeness, Irlton pocketed the painting.
“This sculpture is nice too. Clearly crafted by a master. Taking this as well!”
While Irlton enthusiastically plundered Kyle’s collection, Alvaro wasted no time. He immediately sought out Isos to contact Kyle.
Upon receiving the news, Kyle was equally shocked. Even the chaotic streams of information raging in his mind seemed to pause for a brief moment.
Could it be that his elders possessed abilities similar to his own?
…Wait.
If they did, they wouldn’t need to ask O’Brien. They could simply follow the threads of causality and see for themselves.
Heh! As expected, I’m still the most special one!
It was probably discovered through prophecy or some similar technique. The family library contained plenty of such secret arts.
He could only admit that he had been somewhat careless—and had underestimated how much importance the family placed on him.
They hadn’t blindly trusted Alvaro’s account. Instead, they had paid a tremendous price to use prophecy-like abilities to confirm his condition.
That left Kyle feeling both touched… and guilty.
He hesitated for a moment over whether to tell his elders that he could transmit information outward through Isos.
After a brief silence, Kyle decided to tell the truth. He could not allow the elders who cared about him to worry.
“Alvaro, take Isos to meet Great Ancestor Irlton.”
“I want to speak with Great Ancestor personally.”