After the unfortunate incident with Astera, there had been five other deaths, three victories and two withdrawals.
Now it was ti for the main event, the climax of todays Power gas.
"Alright settle down folks, it is ti for the next and final match for today." The announcer paused as he read the card he was given.
"Oh, this is pretty interesting. From what I’m being told the next challenger personaly agreed to go through the battle arena—"
"Just to challenge the princess for the sake of the Dragon."
The crowd booed while others laughed at the absurdity of soone challenging the princess.
There had been people who challenged the battle gas only to surrender to the princess. To hear that soone was actually willing to go agaist that beast was absurd.
"Where’s the sucker?! Bring him out let’s see how strong he is!" One of them scread at the announcer.
The Ork laughed. "Alright alright, introducing the right hand man of the great Dragon of Enkantria, Xanthos!"
Beneath the stage, Wise rose from his stool and yawned. "It seems it my turn."
Old man Stanley was nursing a deep cut on his shoulder, sothing he got from a particularly vile beast.
His experience and skill had given him the victory, but not without the beast leaving him with a little monto of itself.
Stanley winced as he hurried to stand. "Keep your eyes on the enemy at all tis, never run, it’s not like they will let you go after all."
He paused, racking his head for more tips.
"Hold your sword firmly and strike with everything you have! Eyes, ears, privates, anything that will give you an advantage will be your target."
Wise nodded, scratching his ears as he old man spoke. "I’ll take note, thank you. Well, let be off then."
As Stanley watched the young man wander away without a care in the world, he slowly shook his head.
’Ahh, that one is as good as dead. And he was such good company...’ He thought as he sat down in front of the window, ready to watch the match.
"Xanthos, please co and spin the gacha wheel!" The announcer said.
The audience waited in anticipation to see the man bold enough to challenge their princess and soon he erged from the entrance.
And their first impression was—
"The fuck? He’s just a pretty boy!"
"This kid is going to die in the first minute!"
"Hahaha, even Astera, a battle hardened warrior died. Who the hell is this nobody?"
"Is this really the main event? I want my money back!"
"He looks pretty handso though, he shouldn’t fight!" A girl scread from sowhere in the crowd causing everyone to stare at her.
anwhile, the announcer had a crooked smile on his face the whole ti, knowing that the interest of the crowd would be piqued not too long from now.
He stared down at the young man from up above the way an eagle watched its prey.
’Sorry kid...’ He thought. ’This is just the way show business works.’
Wise sighed at the reaction of the crowd, a steel sword in hand as he walked over to the gacha wheel.
The machine as like a large hexagonal box attached to a small wheel which would spin the entire thing.
He grabbed the handle and spun it nonchalantly. The girl next to him picked up the ball and opened it before gesturing towards the announcer.
His smile broadened.
"This is interesting folks! It’s either this young man’s Luck is terribly bad or he has already been fated for death!"
"The monster he has drawn is none other than the Profane Mockingbird!!! A demon from the kings personal collection!"
The crowd went ecstatic. They all knew how powerful the king was and how dangerous his collection of beasts could be.
Those beasts were never displayed in the battle area, they were kept for a higher tournant held for only the most experienced warriors.
Wise on the other hand scratched his head.
"Mockingbird? Reall? Well I’ve never heard of that one before."
The woman beside him gave him one last sympathetic look before running towards the exit.
"What’s with her?" He wondered as she ran.
’Now for my strategy...’
Apart from the skills he had gained from his princesses, his major ability was fire manipulation.
There was no way he could use that here obviously, not unless he wanted to reveal his true identity.
That left him with only the abilites the girls had but he decided to keep most of them hidden for now.
If he showed too much strength, then the queen might just pull out of the deal or make a stupid excuse.
"Let’s not waste anyti! Release the demon!"
This ti the monster did not erge from the regular gate, instead a bunch of guards walked over to the other side of the building where a huge tallic gate stood.
It took all seven of them to undo the seals of the door and swing it open, after which they all ran away.
The crowd went silent.
For a second nothing happend.
And then—
"Ha."
"Ha ha."
"Ho ho ho."
"HAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!"
Their blood ran cold at the sound of such an dented laugh the worst part was that it was coming out of that room.
And then it erged.
Like a tidal shadow a creature suddenly stepped into the light.
Skin so dark that it was as though it stole the light, feathers so sharp that they could cut through steel, a humanoid figure so tall that it dwarfed any man two tis over—
And a bloody beak the colour of obsidian.
The demon was like an amalgamation of man and bird but twisted to a forbidden degree.
It was an abomination.
Whooosh!
With a step, the beast appeared right in front of Wise, staring him down. The feathers on its throat shiffed, bussing as though it was stuck in a glitch, and then it opened its beak.
"Ho Ho Ho Ho."
Wise glanced at the queen. With his dragon eyes he could eaily see her clearly, and see the wide smile she had on her face.
The selection had been rigged...
Wise laughed.
"So much for keeping my strength hidden."
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