In the entire European Dark World, there was likely no one who did not know of a power as dominant as the Nordic Odin Shrine, which held a status comparable to the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church in the Vatican. But now, not only was Lord Hales, the First Red-Robed Bishop of the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church, being insulted to his face, but even Lord Lorid of the Odin Temple was being dragged into it. Someone was pointing at him and threatening to kill him. What a shocking, even hair-raising, major event this was!
After all, even the great Lord Beirut, or Scorched Earth Underworld Emperor Mardo of the Scorched Earth Sect, would probably never dare to point their weapons at both Bishop Hales and Lord Lorid simultaneously, let alone casually speak of killing them. But what was this now!?
"Haha, hahaha! Interesting, truly interesting..."
At that moment, a loud laugh suddenly echoed through the room. It was Scorched Earth Underworld Emperor Mardo, with his earthy-yellow magic hat, laughing uproariously as if he had just witnessed something immensely amusing. His gaze swept back and forth between Chen Fei and Lorid's group before he laughed with renewed arrogance. "Hales, Lorid, how many years has it been since someone dared point a sword at your heads? Can you two really hold back? Why don't you just fight it out? Whoever loses has to roll away from this Round Table! How about it? Hahaha!" His laughter sounded incredibly arrogant, a stark contrast to his lean physique.
"Mardo, this has nothing to do with you. You had best keep your mouth shut!" Bishop Hales shot a cold glare at him, his expression and tone decidedly hostile. Although he was wary of his counterpart, he was not truly afraid.
"Hmph!"
Noticing that Bishop Hales seemed genuinely enraged, Mardo snorted coldly and, in the end, said no more. While he was stronger than his opponent, it wasn't by an overwhelming margin. Besides, Hales wasn't the only one involved now. His eyes flickered as he glanced at Lorid. Compared to Hales, he felt this old man was even more to be feared.
Just then, the pupils of nearly everyone present constricted again, as if they had seen or heard something unbelievable. It wasn't just them; even Mardo, who had just made the suggestion, had a look of astonishment cross his old, arrogant face. Because he had just heard...
"Alright, that's a good suggestion. Let's have some fun!" Chen Fei, Young Master Chen, said, his eyes narrowed into slits, a cold sneer deep within them. "Whoever loses can just roll off this Round Table. It'll save them the embarrassment of being a disgrace."
Because of that sealed battlefield and his own suspicions, he hadn't wanted to reveal too much of his strength right now... but at this point, he couldn't be bothered to care anymore! There are always blind fools who insist on making a spectacle of themselves. Fine, let's play. He could crush four or five of this sort with one hand anyway!
"Whoa!"
"No way, is that kid serious?"
"Impossible! Does he really think he's stronger than Bishop Hales or Lord Lorid? Is he dreaming?"
...
A wave of hushed astonishment spread from the outer circles of the hall, with many people looking on in shock and horror. Clearly, they had never imagined that this kid, who had the audacity to provoke and threaten both Hales and Lorid, would now be the one to actively demand a fight. Was the boy an idiot? Did he not understand how terrifying those two men were?
It wasn't just them. Even Mardo, who had made the suggestion half in jest, never expecting it to be taken seriously, now found his expression changing. His eyelids grew heavy as he stared intently, unable to guess whether this kid was seeking death or was actually serious.
Heavens, even he, with all his arrogance, was unwilling to face both of those troublesome men at once. So what was this? Did this kid really think he's stronger than me, Mardo!?
BOOM!
At that moment, Hales slowly rose from his seat. A terrifying aura, like that of a beast from the abyss, began to emanate from within his loose, red bishop's robes. The ferocious look on his face intensified, growing darker and deeper, now twisted with raw fury! His eyes, glinting murderously, were fixed on Chen Fei, his lips drawn into a chillingly thin line.
"...You're courting death!"
"I'd advise you to save the grandstanding for after you've actually beaten me," Chen Fei retorted without a flicker of anger, the corner of his mouth just curling higher in contempt. "Otherwise, acting like this just makes people scorn you and want to laugh."
"You... Fine. Since we're all just sitting around idly, this one-man show has gotten boring. Now that a clown is willing to provide some amusement, I'll play along. Lord Lorid, would you please leave this little bastard to me?" Hales had wanted to get angry at Chen Fei's disparaging remarks, but his fury twisted into a cold, wrathful laugh instead. As a breeze gently ruffled his robes, it seemed as if holy light was flowing over them like water.
Initially, he had intended to give the Brad Family face and avoid starting trouble. Secondly, he had been unwilling to act rashly before seeing through this enigmatic little bastard, lest it lead to an unpredictable outcome. But now, he couldn't be bothered with such considerations. As Hales, the First Red-Robed Bishop of the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church, who had he ever feared below the SSS Realm?
With his confidence and conviction restored, he no longer saw the little bastard Chen Fei as a threat. His tone reverted to its usual lofty condescension, full of blatant mockery and scorn, completely convinced that Chen Fei was nothing more than a clown.
"A clown? Wait until I smash that laughable face of yours into a pulp with my fists. Then you'll know who the real clown is. Hmph!" When it came to verbal sparring, had our Chen Fei, Young Master Chen, ever truly lost? With a slight upturn of his lips, his disdainful and scornful words flowed without restraint, causing Bishop Hales's expression to contort.
"Gentlemen, may I ask you to stop, for my sake?" At that moment, Beirut, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.
In truth, it wasn't that he hadn't wanted to intervene earlier, but the conflict had escalated so quickly that he'd hesitated. That brief hesitation, however, seemed to have cost him the best opportunity to stop them.
Thus, before Hales could reply, Lorid, his face equally grim, said directly, "Lord Beirut, I'm afraid it's too late for that now." Clearly, if not for the fact that Hales had a greater grievance with the little bastard, he would never have given up this chance to act, let alone drop the matter entirely. That was impossible.
"Lord Beirut, it's not that I, Hales, refuse to give the Brad Family face, but this little bastard... you saw him, didn't you?" As Lorid's icy words faded, Hales's equally frigid voice followed, his tone chilling. As he spoke, anyone could feel a terrifying killing intent slowly radiating from his body.
Is Bishop Hales truly intent on killing him!?
Suddenly, many in the crowd looked at Chen Fei with scornful, even gloating eyes, wondering just how many minutes this young man, this Easterner, could last against a full-power attack from Lord Bishop Hales. Or would he be stomped into the ground like a dead dog within seconds? Then, they would see if the expression on this kid's face could remain as it is now!
"...Regardless, let's try to avoid any fatalities," Beirut sighed, recognizing the situation was beyond de-escalation and shaking his head helplessly.
Hearing this, Chen Fei couldn't help but smirk. Of course, he could tell that even though the old man hadn't named names, everyone knew he didn't think highly of his chances. He probably even thought Hales might actually kill him.
At the same time, Bishop Hales gave a proud, cold laugh. His contemptuous gaze swept over Chen Fei as he said, "Rest assured, Lord Beirut, I, Hales, won't make things difficult for you. I'll just casually twist off one of this little bastard's arms and make him kneel and beg for my forgiveness. Then, this matter will be settled. Wouldn't you agree, Lord Lorid?"
"I think you're being a bit too merciful, Bishop Hales. But I suppose that suits your noble status as the First Red-Robed Bishop of the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church, hahaha," Lorid sneered, then burst into loud laughter.
Beirut's expression changed drastically at his words. He instinctively glanced towards the spot where Chen Fei had been standing, only to freeze. "Where is he?"
Chen Fei was gone.
"What? He ran away?" Bishop Hales and Lorid's faces fell. To think that little bastard managed to slip away right under our noses!
"Ran away? He hasn't fled at all. In fact, I think he's much more eager to fight than you are! Hales, just make sure he doesn't actually smash your face to a bloody pulp. Now that would be amusing, hahaha, hahaha..." Scorched Earth Underworld King Mardo, in his earthy-yellow magic hat, began to laugh with wild arrogance. He pointed a finger towards the palace gates, a hint of surprise flickering deep in his eyes. Could this kid really believe he can defeat Hales? How old is he!?
"This little bastard..."
Suddenly, the laughter died on the faces of Hales and Lorid. Their expressions darkened instantly, turning ashen and livid. The boy's actions had made them look like a pair of ridiculous clowns.
BANG!
"Reckless fool!"
Hales violently shoved his chair aside. His face a grim mask, he strode quickly toward the palace gates.