Chapter 737 - 681: The Demon From Hell (1/2)
”Please do remember that this is a friendly competition so fatal attacks on already incapacitated opponents is strictly prohibited. Feel free to go all out but… ehm, within the limits, yes?”
Arthur was met with casual nods or silence, which he didn't particularly mind. Most, if not all of the present guardians have lived for a long time so the absence of the excitement emitting from their young pupils is to be expected, more or less.
After adding a few more words and explaining simple things, Arthur left the eight guardians and rejoined with Lucy. She was done talking with Shu Ru, Rosea, and co, and it was finally time for the trial to begin.
Unlike the previous trials, Arthur will take Gutcha's place as a host. If there needs to be an interference mid-trial, Gutcha won't be able to stop the guardians. While it's true that the Pigolo, thanks to the seed of Dark Magic, can compete with Overgods albeit only being a God-Monarch, he still has not enough strength to completely subdue the participating guardians, especially those at the Exalted God Realm.
Including Lucy MoonStar, there were nine guardians who wished to partake in the last trials; Halone, the Ageless Elven Maiden of the Katrisan Grand Forest, Buolong of the Blossom Merchant Company, Veia of the Holy Dominion, Rasnod Ak Dark Blaze Patriarch of the Dark Blaze Sect, Lakandro The Serpentine Patriarch of the Eternal Rouge Sect, Dan of Green-Leaf, Celina, Mother of all Mermaids, and the one of the 72th demons of Hell, The Blood Duke, Xavier Landres.
While not all guardians joined the competitions, those who did were renowned across the multiverse. Whether it's Ageless Elvan Maiden, who was basically like a God to all the Elven Race, or the notorious Blood Duke, who had actually managed to trick Arthur's eyes and fool the system.
Arthur was able to figure out the man's identity only thanks to Isadore, who was fairly knowledgeable about the 72 Demons. Now that the truth was spilt, Arthur paid more attention to the tall and stoic-faced red-haired demon.
Unlike his reputation, the demon behaved like a common noble, elegant and slightly arrogant. He wore a thick black furred coat and an expensive attire, which wasn't suitable for combat.
Even Arthur, who hasn't paid any heed to their warfare, which had been ongoing for hundreds of thousands of years, had heard of Solomon, the strongest living demon. It was documented, as well as rumored, that Solomon had a power equal if not stronger than the Mythical Beings, making his prowess equal to the ancient and Creation Gods. Then again, one needs to experience Solomon's prowess firsthand to ascertain said rumors.
”I can't sense his aura at all.”
Lucy, who learnt of Xavier's identity, tried to probe the demon but came out empty-handed, but that didn't discourage her. Amongst the eight soon-to-be her opponents, only Xavier and Halone could prove to be a challenge. Furthermore, as she had been resting for quite a while, Lucy had been itching to fight a strong opponent for a while, which was also why she replaced Arthur as one of the participating guardians.
After giving his wife a warm hug, Arthur wished her good luck and, soon, the two of them teleported to the rising plateau, in which the new participants were waiting.
”Let us begin.”
Arthur's voice reverberated across the city, igniting the excitement of the chit chatting crowd and grabbing their attention.
The parasite warned the guardians not to resist then, with a swift snap of his fingers, he teleported them all to a vast and flat green plain with massive red circles engraved on the grass.
”This trial is simple; Capture the flying flags, take them to their respective bases and defend them until the timer runs out. Basically, it's a battle royale.”
None of the guardians questioned Arthur's words or objected to the rules. Some curiously inspected the green plains whereas others, like Rasnod, were giving him a piercing glare.