Chapter 732: The Queen [Bonus]
The half-elves were happy, but their joy was about to reach a new height in the next few seconds.
âEveryone, this year, we are privileged to have King Thalirion gracing us with his presence. I am the one officiating the competition, but with him here, be assured that every judgment will be sound and just.
But he wonât be the only one here today. This year, we are also privileged to have with us Queen Jascia, our Queen.â
The moment the queen was revealed, everyone fell quiet, watching as the queen, the king, and Princess Elowen were unveiled. They were seated in a spot where everyone could see them.
As they did, their cheers rang out, filling the arena. Queen Jascia smiled, waving at everyone.
Just like how everyone was happy to see her again, she was also happy to see them â her people.
Events like these competitions were something she held close to her heart. As a warrior who frequented the Ancient Battlefield of Parting, she was always returning with something to give away.
Almost every year, there were competitions, and many participants received generous rewards from her. Seeing her return was just too much for them to handle.
Their happiness was palpable. Some even started to shed tears seeing their queen, who nearly died saving their king, rise back up and look more energetic than ever.
Lord Yael looked around and then turned to Kent, giving him a nod that conveyed his thanks. Kent brought them great joy, one that would lift the spirit of manyâŠ
âBefore we start, the queen would like to say a few words.â Everyone quieted down to hear their queen for the first time in a thousand yearsâŠ
âEveryone, it is good to see you all,â Queen Jascia began with a smile. âItâs been a long time since we last saw each other. The reason, for those who donât know, was because I was weak, and some idiot nearly claimed the life of the king.
But I survived, and he is dead, so what do we sayâŠâ
âTHE EVIL WILL BE CRASHED BENEATH OUR FEET!â
Thousands shouted the queenâs slogan. It was her most famous phrase whenever she gave a speech or commanded warriors on the battlefield. So they were quite familiar with her words.
Queen Jascia smiled while the king shook his head, smiling at his wifeâs unruly behavior. âI was told the long ears decided to push their luck while I was asleep. They even gave us five slots this year⊠I say we shouldnât worry.
For now, the deed has already been done; however, it wonât be the same. We are equal to the elves in every right, so starting from the next three years, we will get 15 slots, the same number as the elves.â
Cheers rang out yet again, everyone feeling their confidence return.
âAlso, the five who will be making it inside the Flame Tower after the competition, I have something for you.
We must show the world that we are Hybrids, possessing the best of both worlds, so we canât be inferior to others. We must show the world why we are Half-Elves.
Lastly, there will be another competition in five months, where the rewards will not pale in comparison to this. So be ready⊠those who canât make it to the top five, you have five months to prepare, because trust me, things are about to get interesting very soon.â
After saying her words, she leaned back with a smile on her face.
âWe love you, Queen Jascia.â
âYou are the best, Queen Jascia.â
âI heard she was amazing. Being here and hearing her for the first time⊠she is indeed the best.â
âI know, right? I learned from my uncle that she was the only thing preventing the Elves from attacking us. He said whenever she appears on the battlefield, all hell breaks loose.â
âMy uncle said the same thing. He was once in her cohort when they explored the fractured island in the Ancient Battlefield of Parting⊠He said they managed to get into the Inner Area and killed a certain strange Beast, even obtaining a few treasures along the way.
He said the queen was a force of nature on the battlefield.â
âShe is amazing. Look at Mother, she is already itching to take her spear and enter the wild with her,â Madea, one of the Half-Elves, everyone was banking on her to be part of the top five, said, looking in the direction of her mother, who was watching the queen, her happiness palpable.
Her mother was part of the queenâs main cohort back when she went exploring the Ancient Battlefield of Parting.
Everyoneâs last contestant heard something amazing about the queen. They were all less than 100 years old, so this was their first time seeing her in person.
So to them, this was like seeing a true legend in the fleshâŠThe queen is indeed a legend.
Lord Yael let everyone absorb the queenâs words before continuing.
âThe first round will be an elimination-type round. You all have tokens with numbers on them. You will be matched with an opponent. When your numbers appear on the viewing formation board, it means it is your turn to fight.â
Kent looked at his token, and the number engraved on it was 1204. âLooks like I was the last addition. I wonder who I will be facing.â
âOf course, this is a competition meant to select the best. However, in the context of finding the best, we are actually looking for the best flame-type users.
This means from start to finish, all battles will be fought using just your Soul Flames. If other skills aside from the Soul Flame are employed, the formations will detect it and kick you out.
So be sure to use only your flame element and nothing else.â Those who had registered were aware of this, so the announcement was intended for Kent.
He nodded slightly, eager to see what he would be going against and who would be his first opponent.
âRemember, death is not permanent⊠You will respawn outside the stage if you die from an attack. However, while death is not permanent, the pain will be felt, so do well not to die.
Also, donât intentionally kill your fellow contestant if they surrender or if you see they canât keep fighting anymore.â
âThat said, let the first rounds begin.â The Viewing Formation Board showed the first contestants:
âNumber 4 and 897.â Two ladies walked onto the stage, and the rest of the group backed away.