"This isn't right." Maximus suddenly spoke, attracting everyone's attention.

"Two against two hundred?" Grendalf asked. Thinking that's what bothered the king too.

But before Maximus could respond, house Belmont head, Richter Belmont, replied faster.

"Heh, Agnus brought that upon himself. No backing out now." He said with a sneer.

His eyes fully open to enjoy Blake's loose face.

"But still, he asked, and everyone agreed. Don't we have our own image to uphold too?"

"Yeah, even if our children won, what would be the point anyways?"

"So what do you suggest? We let our kids back out?" The vampire clan representative asked, "Never."

"Anyway it's just a spar. Even if someone's hurt, plenty of people are here to heal them."

Maximus's words had caused a new wave of chitchat among the seniors, but Maximus ignored it all, and finished what he wanted to say.

"The stage is too cramped. There are too many people and too little space."

As he finished speaking, he opened his fist, throwing out a mirror-like disc which floated over the arena, before directly replicating everything side by side.

From the complex magical runes, formations, spells, to simple designs and painted lines across the tiles on the floor - the mirroring disc copied everything.

Directly enlarging the scope of the battlefield by thrice.

"...."

The whole crowd was speechless.

Many thought that with the relationship between Blake's and Royals, King Maximus would take their side, and probably do something advantageous to them.

But looking at the open arena , with ample space for mages and archers to stay far away and aim freely, while melee warriors blocked the siblings. Everyone couldn't help but feel confused.

Only a few old foggies who knew Maximus's personality better, looked at each other and smiled evilly.

(Finally this day had come too.) They all thought, sending different messages to their descendants. Telling them to follow Alfred's all commands. And not hold back in their attacks anymore.

Rio seemed to sense the change in several people's expressions surrounding him, and glanced at the king meaningfully.

(System….)

[On it, host.]

He spoke, and without even the need to finish his sentence, the system already took up the task.

[Scan complete.]

[There are no hidden traps, host.]

(You sure?) Rio asked doubtfully.

[Affirmative.] System responded confidently. [Though that mirror is capable of doing more, the King had indeed only used it to expand the arena. Nothing more.]

Rio heard system's reply and thought for a second, wondering what Max's endgame was. But still just to be safe, he chose to spend his points, and secure the battlefield.

(Lock the arena. Make sure nothing interferes in the match without my permission.)

[As you wish.]

System replied, immediately setting up it's own barrier, blocking all outside connections.

The moment system's barrier covered everything, Maximus seemed to sense something, and glanced at the mirror first, and then at Agnus.

"Was that really necessary?" He asked under his breath.

But unlike what he expected, Agnus seemed to not understand what he meant. Still busy in his banter with Artemis.

Maximus frowned, but as if remembering something, he looked back towards the arena, at the centre.

Rio felt the gaze behind him, and turned his shoulder to glance backwards, before continuing to tease Zirrix again.

[He is full of surprises.] Indra said what Maximus thought. Before adding something further in a cold tone.

[Which we both don't like now.]

"Stop with the whispers. I get it already." Maximus muttered in annoyance. Too tired with the constant reminders.

"I'll deal with him soon."

…..

"Agnus, may I propose something?" Carmine Grayborn, the Duke of Thidrol city suddenly spoke. Attracting the crowd's attention.

Agnus too stopped his flirting actions and glanced back at Carmine. His face devoid of any smile and turning serious.

Unlike Belmonts with whom house Blake had generational rivalry and enmity, the relationship between them and Grayborns could be said to be quite neutral.

There were conflicts now and then, but nothing major. Mostly because unlike other nobles and elites, Grayborns usually only kept to themselves. Avoiding politics and power games. Being satisfied with what they already had.

Seeing Agnus nod, Carmine gave a slight smile, and then spoke his request.

"We've all seen the combination attack between the siblings. The clash of chaos and darkness is - ."

"They won't use that attack." Agnus promised.

"I know." Carmine nodded, "But we've all fought wars, and can agree that sometimes mistakes gets made in the heat of battle."

"I don't want my children to get hurt."

"So what you mean is.."

"We separate them." Carmine said, and ignoring the surprise, continued further. "The arena is now big enough too. So they can have their battles simultaneously."

"As for their challengers, our kids can pick their own opponents."

Everyone heard Carmine's proposal and couldn't help but voice their approval.

Anyway, beating them together, or beating them separately didn't matter. What mattered _ was just beating them.

And that didn't change.

"Alfred, this wasn't…" Kendrik leaned closer to Alfred and tried to say something, but the prince only glared at him angrily.

Shutting him up immediately.

Alfred was in no mood to entertain this useless cripple, as he was already in a bad mood.

(Damn it, this wasn't supposed to happen.)

(If Rio isn't around then what's the point of going after Amy.)

(First father, and now this old fossil. Do they have to butt in so much for a spar?)

Alfred was very annoyed at this moment, as his plan to hurt Rio was already showing signs of going awol.

And the worst part was, he could just stand and listen as these fossils kept discussing it.

…

On the other hand, without even getting Agnus's proposal, house Belmont's head, Richter, waved his hand. Sending a wave of spear style qi which directly cracked the floor in two. Dividing the arena in two equal parts.

Agnus ignored him and looked at his son, remembering their previous conversation and the skill he showed as proof of his growing strength.

"I agree." He said.

The arena token flashed a little and immediately a voice seemed to appear in the minds of everyone standing on stage.

[Amy or Rio?]

Just three simple words.

Soon everyone recited their choice in their hearts, and found themselves 'teleported' (dragged) on the respective division of the arena.

"Enough chit chat. Begin already." Richter said, completely ignoring the glaring eyes of Artemis. Who seemed to finally have had enough of his constant disrespect.

But before her figure could merge in shadows and disappear whole, Agnus placed his hand on her shoulder. Calming her down.

"Ignore him for now. The fight has already begun." He said. Storing her daggers in his ring. "Let's focus on our children for now."

….

In the ring, the moment Richter's words finished , and Agnus gave the signal. As if a signal was sent and a fuse was lit - immediately dozens of people ignored everything and charged forward.

"Follow the plan." Alfred said to Kendrik before pushing him towards Amelia's side of the arena, while he himself moved in the opposite direction.

After all, he too wanted to face his childhood friend and old classmate.

….

Away from the hustle and bustle of Blake's party, in the city filled with gambling dens and casinos, few figures gathered in a dark room.

Their faces hidden behind a mask and hood draped over their bodies.

"It's time." A man's grumpy voice echoed in the silence.

".... To hunt."