CHAPTER 817: 815: RULE AND SHOWDOWN

The theater beneath the Abyss.

William’s carefully designed ’negotiation’ successfully executed, using the "Yellow Skin" as bait to completely capture the interest of all the nobles present, including the Great Emperor.

William knew very well that the desires of those infected with the Blood Plague would be much higher than the average Patient.

Even though they had changed somewhat due to ancient defeats, ’a dog can’t change its habit of eating shit.’ Showing them a treasure that could severely tilt the balance with the Skin Factory was bound to tempt them.

However, Marquis Enwei, speaking as a Negotiator, said:

"The best-of-five format... will take quite a bit of time.

After all, we’re trapped here, unable to perceive the outside situation. If someone launches a sneak attack on our area during this period, it would be very troublesome.

We can accept the performance proposal, but we must shorten the time.

Change it from ’best of five’ to ’best of three.’

In the first two rounds, two people will fight in pairs. If you truly have the skill to tie with us one-to-one in the first two matches, then in the final round, the Great Emperor Pulaid will fight personally.

If you do not agree to this modification and cannot propose a better scheme, we will completely destroy this tent and try to kill as many of you as possible. .

Even if we waste a lot of time in the Subspace turbulence, as soon as I return to the Old World, I will awaken Pierwina and accuse you of being the Skin Factory invaders."

William showed a helpless expression, "Ah, aren’t we negotiating a good cooperation? No need to suddenly threaten me... Best of three? Not impossible.

But... we were just discussing your rewards if you win, and haven’t talked about how to distribute rewards if we win.

Though the Great Emperor is indeed formidable, none of us here stand much chance against him.

But if we can secure the first two rounds, and the Emperor hasn’t played yet, wouldn’t we already have won? So before the performance begins, let’s discuss the conditions in advance and sign a Soul Contract to avoid mutual breaches of contract.

After all, you wouldn’t want to see me suddenly escape into the Abyss, would you?"

"What rewards do you want?"

William adjusted his pure silver glasses, "I won’t ask for a lion’s share of the rewards, since you bear the risk of coming here, holding both ’guest’ and ’audience’ identities, and we hold the advantage on the field.

How about this~ if we happen to win against you, the esteemed blood nobles, in the performance.

I don’t need any substantial reward, not the Ancient Treasure Vault, and nothing for yourselves.

As I previously proposed in our first cooperation suggestion, I hope you all will fully assist me in sidelining [Pierwina the Great] and let me become the new Factory Director.

Of course, since I won... subsequent cooperation terms might need to be adjusted in my favor.

To add, I won’t play any tricks, and the Soul Contract to be written soon will explicitly state that if I do anything to affect the fairness of the competition in the upcoming show, it will result in an immediate loss.

Lastly, on a trivial note, although I and Art are the Chief Group of the [Fear Circus], only Art can be referred to as the ’Big Three,’ and I am merely a newly appointed and bottom-ranking chief.

Additionally, Catherine is just Art’s deputy, and Teacher Zede just recently joined the Circus.

As for my friend Reagan here, he’s a gentleman from the same cohort as me, who currently holds no special identity in the Old World... but you are all renowned figures from the Old World, ’Seven Marquis,’ who were feared in ancient times.

The Great Emperor Pulaid is a figure who can be mentioned alongside the Plague Master,

I believe you would not shy away from a fight.

If you can’t even handle us, when the boss brings Mr. Rabbit, Mr. Jian, and Beast Zock over, you’ll probably huddle behind Pierwina, trembling.

The Great Emperor Pulaid may very well regard the performance I initiated as a personal challenge to you. I shall remain for the ultimate showdown with you, Your Majesty."

This remark set off the plague within the blood people, activating their latent infection, with only Marquis Enwei maintaining an absolute calm.

"You seem to ask for nothing, but in reality, you demand a grand gift. You wish for us to bear the risk of opposing the Plague Master;

your linguistic skill is quite impressive.

This challenge, we are willing to accept, but I must amend your rewards.

If you truly win the contest, we can assist you in becoming the Factory Director. But it has to be step by step, and specific details need to be negotiated with us item by item."

"Alright."

A Soul Contract was quickly formed, with the Great Emperor Pulaid personally inspecting the content to ensure no error before signing it along with William and Art.

Watching the contract with signed names disappear into thin air, William wore his signature actor’s smile as he retreated to the center of the field.

As he raised both arms high, four biomechanical chairs, designed based on the Marquis Traits, mirroring those in their manors, rose from the opposite seats.

Perfectly matching with biological aesthetics, intricate black lines outlined ’Entwined Female Form,’ ’Mouth, Esophagus, Gastric Sac, and Large Intestine,’ ’Heart of Envy,’ and ’Crown of Arrogance’ on the chair backs.

The four marquises led the group of earls to sit down,

Marquis Enwei also admired the chair material, feeling the fused biological technology within, even contemplating incorporating such designs into his manor.

Host William also loudly announced, "Not wasting your precious time, let us quickly proceed with the versus-style contest!

Apart from the final match being between me and the Great Emperor Pulaid,

the previous two matches are determined by each side independently, without mutual disclosure, entering simultaneously when the time comes.

You have one minute to finalize the participants, starting now."

Although it seemed as if William was hosting the contest, he had already established a ’local network’ of five people using Madness Brain.

Catherine was the first to offer her opinion, ’I don’t have much confidence... The other side’s four people, none easy to deal with~ My suggestion is to ensure at least one win in the first two rounds, that is, to team up with Big Brother Art! As long as I can coordinate with Big Brother Art, I’m confident in handling the marquises.’

Reagan had no opinion, ’William, you arrange it.’

Teacher Zede had only one request, ’Try to let me face Glatoni.’

As for Art, he appeared nonchalant, ’The contest itself is fine. The most interesting part of this performance lies in your match against the Emperor, William. We should strive to win at least one match upfront.’

Upon arranging the four people’s opinions, William provided the final lineup,

’Hmm~ Catherine’s idea is not bad. Other than the Emperor, the other three are not simple characters either.

We must ensure at least one win in the first two matches, so I will combine two powerful characters to secure a victory.’

Catherine interrupted happily, ’Great! I can team up with Big Brother Art, and let these guys witness the power of the ’King and Queen’.’

’Catherine, you’ll team up with Reagan. Teacher Zede and Art will pair up.’

Catherine was stunned, ’Ah? What’s happening! I’ve collaborated with Big Brother for years, our cooperation yields results greater than 1+1=2, William, can you arrange properly or not?’

However, without needing William to say anything further, Clown Art leaned over, patting Catherine on the shoulder, orally conveying, "Shall we follow William’s arrangement?"

"Okay..."

Catherine’s expression changed drastically, as she turned her head, wiping away the dejected expression, greeting with a black-and-white smile, and waving to Reagan not far away.

To her surprise, a woman faintly appearing amid electric currents glared at her intensely.

Time is up.

’Catherine, Reagan, you’re up first.’

As the two landed together in the Duel Arena, the pair of blood people also simultaneously descended into it,

"Who is this?"

Catherine tilted her head, noticing that one of the opponents was not a Marquis character, and no matter how hard she searched her Memory, she couldn’t find any scenes related to this person.