Chapter 456 - Harrys bad luck (1/2)

The crowd was full and as expected, it seemed like everyone who was there was someone from the empire, but they weren't nobodies. Sylvia could tell just from looking at their clothing and the ties placed on their bodies.

The empire certainly wasn't lacking in funds like the Red Wings were, that was for sure. However there were still a few people that weren't from the empire. In order not to feel so alienated, they had all been boxed up together in their own area, protected by some of the best empire guards.

All of those that had come from other kingdoms had been placed in one area. They had more space and weren't cramped up, and the guards wouldn't allow for anyone else to come in. They had been given the VIP treatment. In a way, they now felt even more alienated from the others.

However, it was all quickly forgotten as the contestants walked into the arena and out onto the field. The cheers erupted and shook the whole place, and soon there was a chant let out between the people.

”Roki, Roki, Roki.” They all chanted their warrior's name.

They were escorted out by guards, and each of them lined up in the centre in two rows. Side by side with their teammates. Standing at the front was Roki, and next to him Sera had come out as well.

Ray and Harry were at the very back, while Roki and Sera were at the front. So it seemed like there wouldn't be much going on.

Back in the crowd, Sylvia had decided to go next to her brother Mathew, who was in charge of looking after the Alure kingdom guests.

”Do you think your participants will do well?” Sylvia asked.

Mathew let out a big sigh, as he looked down at who the Alure kingdom had brought. They were two men. One had two large rings that were blades, apart from the handle. It was a unique looking weapon that made him stand out. Meanwhile the other was a simple sword and shield user.

”I'm afraid not. The Alure kingdom has been weakened significantly due to all of this mess with the Redwings.” Mathew replied. ”Before when Avrion was a part, the best knights with the most potential would be sent there and it looks like the strong ones chose to stay.

”There was the Black ring's group. The strongest guild in the Alure kingdom. They had been bought off by the empire and you guys made a right mess of them. We still chose to invite their guild leader, but there seems to be no sign of them since. So we were left really scraping the bottom of the barrel.”

The news was concerning. To the outside, the Alure kingdom was complying with the empire, doing everything it was told to do. Not supporting the Redwings. However, in reality, Ray and the Queen had a close relationship. So close that the prince of the Alure kingdom was actually part of the Redwings.

The other kingdoms wouldn't try to do anything while the Empire is still supporting them, but if the word got out, it could possibly cause the other kingdoms to try and absorb the Alure kingdom.

The question was, if that was to happen, what would Ray do then?

Looking down, everyone's name was introduced one by one. Starting with those from the Redwing's. Finally they had reached the end. Roki got the loudest cheer, while Sera got the second loudest.

'Is she really an unknown?' Sylvia thought.

”Mathew, do you know anything about that Sera person?” She asked.

On Ray's request, he had asked if she could gather any information to do with Sera. He didn't explain why, but just said it would be important, but from what she knew, Sera seemed to be an almost invisible person until this day. The crowd's reaction proved that.

”I don't know, we knew Roki would be in the tournament. Our guess is that they're probably hiding the other contestants so the other kingdoms didn't get more information.” Mathew explained. ”But this is the first time I'm hearing this name as well. It wasn't like we didn't have a list of suspects. This just came as a surprise.”

The empire would never just put anybody in the ring. They both knew that.

Finally, the emperor Alexander had arrived. He came out on a platform that was built slightly outward from the crowd up midway in the arena. The top and bottom were solid, leaving an open space for him to see the entire arena floor.

With an amplifying crystal in his hand, when he spoke, everyone could hear him clearly.

”We will not waste any time, let's get these matches on the way. I will draw two names and those two will fight immediately.” Alexander spoke and the crowd responded with cheers.

There was no fancy way of selecting. One of Alexander's men handed him a black box filled with several balls. On each ball was a name. He would lift it up and say the name, if they were from the same kingdom, he would place it down and pick another one.

And he did just that, picking up the first ball from the box.

”We have Jones Mutenter against Cliff Bydo.”