n

n

n

nThe Third Prince, the Crown Prince, and the others could only stare at the figure in the sky. The moment Souta revealed his identity as a member of a God's Legion, all opposition vanished.

nMoreover, he wasn't just a simple warrior in the God's Legion-he was a Hero Candidate. His status was so high that this might be the last time they would ever see someone of Souta's caliber.

nHero Candidates were rare, and ordinary citizens in various nations around Olympus might never see one in their entire lives.

nSouta descended from the sky after his declaration. With his hands clasped behind his back, he glanced at the Crown Prince and the others.

nThe Crown Prince and his followers quickly reacted, bowing their heads.

"We welcome the envoy of Olympus to our country!

"

nThere was no doubt about Souta's identity. If he were faking it, he would have faced the wrath of Olympus.

n

"Go on,

" Souta said.

nWith that, the crowning ceremony proceeded under his watch. The Crown Prince finally took the empty throne left by his father and was crowned the King of Creona Kingdom.

nAfterward, Souta left the country, flying straight toward the Champion's Den to report back. What he did was simple.

nHe had tested the Crown Prince and the Third Prince in their dreams to determine who was suitable to become king. In the end, the Third Prince forfeited and betrayed the country just to stay alive, while the Crown Prince never surrendered his kingdom.

nThey had no idea that the dreams they experienced that night were manipulated by him.

nIt showed how much control he had over his Douion. He was getting better and better at using it.

nIf he mastered it, he could potentially pull thousands of people into a dream in an instant.

nSoon, Souta arrived at the Champion's Den and immediately reported to the Division Commander.

n

"I see...

" Cicero nodded as he listened to Souta's report. He tapped his finger on the table and said,

"The next test will be in the arena of the Champion's Den. We won't tell you who your opponents are, but prepare yourself-this one is meant for you to prove your strength.

"

n

"Opponents?

" Souta raised an eyebrow.

n

"Yes, there will be a lot of opponents to see how far you can go. You have five hours to prepare, so do your best.

"

nSouta gave a slight bow and was about to leave when Cicero stopped him.

n

"One more thing. What do you want? Tell us-this is also one of the benefits of being a Hero Candidate. Anything, as long as it's within our power,

" Cicero said with a serious look.

nThis was it. Souta knew this moment would come; after all, he had completed this process in the game.

nHe slowly opened his mouth and said,

"I only want one thing. If possible, I want the blood of Lady Echidna.

"

n

"Lady Echidna?

" Cicero narrowed his eyes at Souta's request.

"The Monster Lord of Retribution... I can't promise you anything right now, but I'll let you know if it's possible.

"

nEchidna, the Monster Lord of Retribution, was one of the monster lords under the banner of Olympus. She was shrouded in mystery, as no one had seen her in this era; she always remained secluded in her cave.

n

"I have a question,

" Souta said.

n

"Go on,

" Cicero replied, raising an eyebrow.

n

"Is the use of weapons permitted in the upcoming matches?

"

n

"Of course, a weapon is a part of one's self. Why do you ask?

" Cicero responded.

nSouta nodded and said,

"Can I see one of your forbidden spells, Division Commander? You see, I have a special weapon here.

"

nCicero Flavius, known as the Grand Mage, had mastered several forbidden spells.

n...

nSouta stood in a dark space, surrounded by crackling blood lightning that surged around his body. In front of him was a red humanoid figure radiating a dangerous aura.

n

"You have to think carefully. Your Archetype is special because you've mixed it. Consider what you can do with it and how you can strengthen it,

" Saya advised.

n

"I know...

" Souta replied, narrowing his eyes. The intensity of the blood lightning around him grew stronger and more violent.

n

"You've delayed your Archetype for a long time. Now that you've encountered the entity from the other side, I think you realize that you need to improve it. When you face those

nbeings again, you'll need a way to destroy them,

" Saya said.

nSouta charged forward, engaging the red humanoid in a fierce exchange of blows, using only his fists and the crackling blood lightning around him.

nBang! Bang!

nShockwaves erupted, rippling out in every direction.

n

"You want the blood of a monster lord, right? Is it related to your ability?

" Saya asked.

n

"Kind of. When I became an Emperor, I unlocked another trait gene, but it's still vacant. I want to try filling it with the blood of a monster lord. If that doesn't work, I'll settle for Kessa,

" Souta replied.

nThe two figures continued clashing at high speed, their movements blurring as they exchanged powerful blows. Souta pushed his Archetype to its limits, channeling every ounce

nof his power.

n

"This is also why I'm trying to prove myself as a Hero-candidate so early. I want to test my luck with the monster lords in Olympus,

" Souta said, his voice laced with determination.

n

"A monster lord wouldn't just hand over their blood willingly. You know that, right?

" Saya cautioned.

n

"I know,

" Souta nodded.

"But their blood will enhance my strength. I'll gain a new armor, and my Emperor Armor will be more stronger.

"

n...

nMeanwhile, in Ekatoe City...

nFranklin, Vashno, and Eztein returned after their journey to a distant land.

n

"Hu~ I'm exhausted,

" Eztein groaned as he slumped onto the sofa, staring blankly at the

nceiling.

nVashno stretched and said,

"I'm going to report to Souta.

"

n

"The boss isn't here...

" Eztein said, glancing over at Vashno.

n

"What do you mean?

" Vashno asked, frowning.

n

"If he were here, he would've summoned us already. There's no way we could enter Astros without him sensing us. It's impossible, you know?

" Eztein explained.

nVashno nodded.

"Then, I'll store the artifacts we collected in the vault.

" He said before

nleaving the room.

nEztein leaned back comfortably on the sofa, slowly closing his eyes. It had been a while since he'd had a moment to relax, and he intended to enjoy it while he could.

nKnock!

nSuddenly, a knock echoed through the room.

nEztein's eyes snapped open, and he turned his head toward the door, his senses instantly on

nalert.

nAfter sensing who it was, he said,

"Torkez, you don't have to knock. Just come in. Also, what are you doing, old man? Open the door.

"

nThe door creaked open, and Torkez stepped inside. His eyes swept across the room, scanning

neverything.

nEztein was on the sofa, while Franklin sat on the other side.

n

"Good,

" Torkez said as he took a seat in a vacant chair. He crossed his arms and slowly added,

n

"I have something to say.

"

nEztein stretched out his hand.

"Oops, I don't want to hear it. Don't say anything.

"

n

"Palleo Kingdom, a nation in the Obsidian Desert, has requested our help. Our leader, Souta,

nmentioned before that we should assist Palleo Kingdom if an opportunity arises since he owes them a favor,

" Torkez continued.

n

"Argh!! Don't!! No!!

" Eztein started writhing on the sofa as he covered both of his ears.

n

"I wanted to send people, but we lacked manpower. Souta, Alice, Eilish, and the others are away, so there's no one to lead our men. Even Yuko went to the central region because of the legendary fruit.

"

n

"It can't be!! I...!!! Argh!!

" Suddenly, Eztein stopped moving. He slowly turned his head and looked at Torkez.

"I'm sorry, Torkez, but I'm on the verge of breaking through the Fourth

nShackle, so I can't go.

"

n

"Hmm...?

"

n

"I'm serious. I've been stuck at the Third Shackle for quite some time. I don't even know why,

nbut after the events in Selnes Country, my strength has decreased. The old man's the same as me.

"

nTorkez glanced at Franklin.

nFranklin nodded.

"He's right. Something strange really happened in Selnes Country. Vashno, Eztein, and I have all experienced a decline in strength.

"

n

"I see...

" Torkez sighed.

n

"I'll go. I think it's better to clear this favor as soon as possible. I'm sure Souta would want

nthat too,

" Franklin added.

n

"You'll really go?

"

"Yeah, it's better to test myself in that place. It's quite chaotic in the Obsidian Desert, right?

nWell, it's better than nothing,

" Franklin replied.

n...

nChampion's Den.

nThe time had come, and Souta emerged from his training. He had much to do; Archetype and

nDouion were his priorities right now.

nAs soon as he stepped out of the room, Souta was greeted by a warrior.

"Grain Leader Souta, please follow me to the arena. Everything is ready,

" the warrior said.

nSouta nodded and smiled faintly. It was finally here, and after this, he would go to the Land of Eternal Spring. Then, he would be dispatched to war once again to gain more achievements.

nSoon, he arrived at the arena.

nThe arena was alive with energy. The event was certainly a big one, and the spectators were all

nexcited. The sun hung overhead, bathing the entire arena in golden light, while colorful banners bearing the insignia of various Gods' Legions waved proudly in the breeze. Souta sat in the waiting room, feeling the lively atmosphere and the excitement in the air. He stretched out his arms and said with a smile,

"It's time for me to do what I always do:

nbattle.

"

n

n