Galen took a deep breath, glancing towards one side at Gren, as if the spirit of a gambling god had possessed her.

She claimed to have handed her fate to the judgment of the storm and the Wave Holy Spirit, her poker face showing no sadness or joy, only a serious look as she stared at the two opponents on the field.

If she could still remain unmoved, it meant that she didn't bet on the already defeated Saleret, the subject was still on the field.

Seventy thousand plus Golden Dragons, that's putting in a large luxury estate, ten top-notch heavenly maidens as maids, one hundred servants, and a lifetime of sea, land, and air feasts combined with wealth and prosperity.

What astonishing composure.

Galen couldn't help but think so, during this over-a-week-long miraculous gambling journey, Gren had also completed a transformation.

Sky Arena.

After the battle between Xiao Long and Saleret, this floating platform manufactured by the Magic Energy Industry was now full of plowed deep grooves, all mottled, yet still floating.

Gedre and Death Dance Julius were choosing their weapons.

Julius had an extremely slim build, the explosive power contained in those muscle curves was like that of a leopard, his hair flat to his shoulders.

Neck, arms, face, visible places all bore traces of torture, knife wounds or terrifying whip marks.

At this time he was not looking at Gedre, only gazing at the Royal Family special seat, bypassing a large crowd, his eyes staring straight at the Black Sword Netherflame.

As a member of the Imperial Guard.

Black Sword Netherflame wasn't far from Phoenix.

His gray-white hair twisted like a snake, dressed in an all-black magic armor, with curious black flames seeping from the seams of the sword's scabbard.

His face was full of sinister intent, previously maintaining an amused attitude, but now he was a bit unable to keep it up, never imagined a lost dog could fight into the top four.

Indeed, he posed some threat to him.

Everyone's favorite Black Sword Netherflame was not of noble birth; he obtained a position as an officer through various means in the chaotic military and political circles back then, and only through scheming the murder of Zahak's father at the Beima Battle did he secure a vacant spot in the Imperial Guard.

While Julius was a genuine former noble of Aran, an hereditary Earl, although his family was in decline, the foundation was still there, and they had territory and official salary.

One of the means included marrying Julius's sister, within half a year, Julius's father died of an incurable disease, his sister also died of a serious illness, while Julius himself got involved in an odd hallucinogen smuggling case, forcing him into exile.

After paying a hefty inheritance tax to the provincial interior commissioner, Black Sword Netherflame successfully embezzled the family assets, and the subsequent story of buying rank and nobility is its own tale.

Black Sword Netherflame never thought this person would still be alive these years, only hoping Gedre would kill him.

Otherwise, even with this person's position in the top four, if he enters the court in the future, he'll definitely cause trouble for him, and if he challenges him to a duel, it would affect the reputation in the Royal Court that he had slowly improved over the years.

Julius picked up two scimitars, calming the rage in his heart, looking towards Gedre.

This man could blast his opponent with a mere glance; his subsequent opponents chose to surrender.

Yet Gedre only picked up a long spear, holding it in reverse, his expression somber as water.

He stood there, approximately two meters tall, his body like forged metal plates, naturally domineering, his muscle lines shimmered with a granite-like hardness.

Wearing attire provided by the Continent Martial Arts Competition organizers, matching with the Brave Cavalry's half-cape, specifically designed for open and close combat, the Witch King's Curse Poison sewn into the lining.

"It's still not too late to admit defeat now."

Gedre knew this man had enmity with the high-ranking members of the Alan Royal Court.

But he had more important matters to attend to.

Xiao Long didn't seem easy to deal with, he had to conserve more stamina until he won the championship, planning to do something that no one had accomplished in the sixteen sessions of the Continent Martial Arts Competition.

Perhaps some had tried, but those people never reached this step, also having to face completely random opponents, no one could guarantee absolute invincibility.

Only himself, with this naturally unrivaled martial art, and his terrifying talent displayed towards the most widely circulated magical techniques of the Western Continent.

This was his mission.

Gedre, hailed as the strongest dark horse, completely ignored the cheering waves for him on the spectator stands; he wasn't here for fame and fortune, those cheers and laughter were just being treated as a show, like barbed ice skates.

At this moment.

The many high-ranking individuals on the Royal Family special seat weren't focusing on the arena; the person with the highest status on site, besides Augustus, turned their gaze towards the Eternal Sect's special seat.

Cicero frowned deeply.

The Pope was the person who had antagonism with the Emperor, since the Emperor didn't attend this year, this person's emphasis on dignity already surpassed the general concept of formal rivalry, so he also didn't attend.

Under the silver silk curtain at the Church's special seat, there also sat a high-ranking individual, a High Priest.

But what puzzled Cicero the most was.

Over an hour ago, Kierande, the leader of the Eternal Holy Knight Order, who drove off the Military Department personnel at the West District inspection station, was also there, this woman was the champion of the fourteenth session.

The messages from the border a few days ago indicated that the Church was transporting something.

The goods that Chian De can dock with have now arrived at the Continent Martial Arts Competition site. Were they transported here? What trick is the Pope playing again?

Cicero had a bad premonition.

Ben followed Wesker diligently, determined to become a master at bootlicking, whether it's in water, fire, or forest, he must please the leader.

He silently recited the "Fish Dragon Transformation Technique" in his heart.

Fish Head, the leader. Fish Eye, look up to. Fish Belly, a trusted confidant. Fish Back, find a backer. Fish Tail, entrusted with important tasks.

You wouldn't believe how happy I would be to be promoted tomorrow, just want you to understand that I'm willing to eat, eat, eat until I vomit.

Just now, Cicero was teaching the Second Prince how to do things, and the thief's ears were very sharp and heard it too.

SALERET and Kai Deng weren't dead, damn it, then according to Cicero, after the competition, these two would be incorporated into the team attacking Heaven Port, given nominal positions, a substantive commander must be an Aran Superman-level tough guy, they need to bring Sister Ai back, and Liszt is also in trouble.

What are these two up to, and did they get successfully beaten during this process? Doringger's remnants and the Thief Guild will settle accounts in the autumn.

Pressure, Masni.

Ben glanced at Kai Deng on the special seat for the contestants, worried, and at Saleret, who, after emergency treatment, was put back on the ghost mask, looking downcast.

These two are sitting ducks! World! Surrender to me! GEASS! Now that I am a baron, I need to find a CC as an assistant, something for CC to do, if nothing, do CC, Zero's Requiem!

At the special seat for the Church.

"Are the things ready?"

Though he is a High Priest of the Eternal Sect, he holds himself no lower than Phoenix.

Phoenix was also sitting upright on the throne, mindful of influence.

And the High Priest leaned to one side, resting his head on his hand with a dragon face mask made of mithril and Outer Heaven Meteorite Gold, sparkling and extremely showy.

Chian De's status isn't lower than the High Priest's, except one is a civil official, the other is a military general.

It's really fucking over, the Pope must truly have fifty divisions, otherwise, he wouldn't be so aggressive.

Sister Qi will handle it for you.

Rented an apartment in Emmerich, the light was blocked by two big buildings, found Sister Qi, and she got some Arab brothers to fix it.

"Leave it backstage."

Chian De was only in casual attire, but an alpha female through and through, her fierce aura overwhelming.

Not that she was brawny, her figure was tall and slender, but her eyes and aura exuded a sense of killing intent.

"Nothing unexpected happened, right?"

The High Priest knew they had to dethrone the Emperor tonight, and since the Emperor himself wasn't present, even better, his son wasn't gonna handle it well at this age.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, although the Eldest Prince also doesn't get along with the Church, having him pitch in would be a definite yes, later during the reward ceremony after the competition, the Eldest Prince would come to dampen Phoenix's spirits, Cicero, and Augustus serving as Phoenix's assistants, any sensible person can see what's going on.

"Nothing will go wrong, it has been checked."

Chian De replied.

But what she didn't expect was that professors from the Pedan National Arcane Academy were slightly better than experts from the Eternal Sect, outmatching them in magical prowess.

"Hmm." The High Priest nodded, the champion was about to be decided, "What about that deputy?"

"I didn't see him, but the people below said he came, should be in Qili's lounge. Shall I go get him?"

"No need for now, let's see, after all, there are many things we can't bring to the stage."

The High Priest was aware of the insider of Lagrange, the favorite beside the Emperor, being kidnapped a few months ago, if it weren't for that person, the Royal Court wouldn't have proceeded with the religion's follow-up in the Advancement Movement.

Heard from the deputy that the person died, it's better this way, nothing left to trail.

Chian De also watched the Sky Arena competition, glanced and determined the outcome, the one using the Curved Sword was not a match for the one using the long spear.

But...

There's no omen before the sky collapses.

A secret emissary of the King had arrived at the Royal Family's special seat, reporting news from Lostra's civilian media.

Someone came to the Church's special seat too.

An explosive piece of news spread, the echo of thunder, in dead silence, repeatedly crushing the groove of cognition.

"Old Aran Witch Hunting Secret Place?"

Even Phoenix had his mouth slightly open, pupils contracted, an expression of shock, it was quite an ancient term, his gaze inevitably turned to Cicero.

And Cicero, upon hearing the news, stood stupefied, his expression locked, his mind wandered afar, as some memories flashed through his mind.