Exploring Technology in a Wizard World
Chapter 466 - 465: Pride on the Wooden Platform

Chapter 466: Chapter 465: Pride on the Wooden Platform

Fei’er glanced at the wet handkerchief dripping with saliva and quickly intercepted it, saying, "Mr. Winston, no need, I’ll take care of it myself." After finishing his sentence, he whipped out his own handkerchief from his pocket like drawing a weapon for self-defense and wiped the saliva off his face.

Winston continued to smile apologetically, "Ambassador Fei’er, I am really, really sorry. By the way, I was so distracted by my sneeze just now that I didn’t hear what you were saying. Could you repeat it?"

Fei’er suppressed his anger and responded, "Actually, it was nothing much. I was just purely curious about who your kingdom would send for the contest and exchange. Surely it wouldn’t be Princess Rose of the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom?"

"Uh, that—" Winston began, "You’re overthinking it, Ambassador Fei’er. Our Black Holy Mountain Kingdom hasn’t fallen to that extent. Although we don’t have many wizard apprentices, there are a few dozen of them. Why would Princess Rose have to personally step forward?"

"Is that so?" Fei’er said with skepticism but didn’t state it outright. "Then who will be participating?"

"Don’t worry, you’ll meet them soon."

"Very well, I shall wait and see."

"You won’t be disappointed."

"I hope so..."

...

At the same time, within the Duel Arena’s interior, in a room designated for gladiators to rest.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Footsteps sounded as Princess Rose hurried into the room, then stopped short, staring at the sole person there in surprise, "You... who are you? Where is Richard?"

"I am right in front of you," the only person in the room spoke up.

"Huh? You... you’re Richard!" Princess Rose’s eyes widened as she examined Richard, who looked completely transformed, "Why have you suddenly changed your appearance?"

Previously, Richard had rather unremarkable features, except for his bright eyes, while the rest of his face wasn’t particularly noteworthy. Now, however, his eyes had become very small and ordinary, while other features stood out dramatically—his nose was prominent, his eyebrows thick, and on the right side of his forehead there was a barely visible scar resembling lightning, as if it were a burn from flames.

"Just a simple disguise. I don’t want too many people to remember my face," Richard explained.

"How did you do it?" Princess Rose looked at Richard, utterly puzzled, since he looked completely different from before. She guessed, "Is this the work of a spell? What kind of spell is it?"

It was—one of the legendary four evil arts of Asia, on Earth. Richard thought to himself.

Princess Rose speculated, "Could it be a transformation spell, specifically a disguise spell?"

"No, it’s just makeup," Richard answered. "I’ve studied transformation spells for disguises before. They are indeed very effective and can completely change someone’s appearance. However, frequent use can damage the skin, muscles, and bones. In comparison, makeup with some simple materials, as long as you have the right skills, can achieve a similar effect with no side effects."

"Oh, alright, well, you better get out there, it’s your turn," said Princess Rose. "I’ll tell you, I’ve been lurking in a corner of the stands for a long time, listening to that skinny deadbeat from Luobu Kingdom badmouthing the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom. It was infuriating!

Plus, that guy—what was his name? Kelly?—acts as if he’s even more formidable than an official wizard. He’s asking for a beating. You must teach him a lesson, show him not to mess with us, and help me get this off my chest."

"I can do that," Richard nodded, heading towards the exit while asking, "Is there anything else I should be aware of, any other requirements? For example, what should the final outcome be? Should I spare his life, beat him to death, cripple him, injure him, or just fight to a draw, or maybe even purposefully lose?"

"Well..." After hearing his questions, Princess Rose took a moment to ponder seriously before speaking up, "First off, losing is definitely not an option; you have to win. You must properly teach them a lesson and show that Black Holy Mountain Kingdom is much stronger than Luobu Kingdom so they retract whatever schemes they have!

Secondly, it would be best not to kill the opponent. After all, they’ve come under the guise of an exchange, and killing them could lead to complications and unexpected trouble.

Thirdly, although not to death, we shouldn’t make it too easy on them. The opponent must be injured, and the more severe, the better.

Fourth, the injuries should not obviously seem intentional, so it doesn’t appear that we, from the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom, are being bullies. After all, our kingdom never oppresses others.

Fifth, the fight shouldn’t be too boring; some surprises would be good, so Luobu Kingdom cannot fathom our true capabilities.

Sixth, preferably, the contest should be brief for a shocking effect, giving Luobu people no time to react or speak out to stop it.

Seventh..."

Princess Rose, once she started, couldn’t seem to stop and rattled off a long list.

After hearing everything, Richard looked at Princess Rose with a slightly odd expression and summarized, "Let me get this straight. You’re asking me to ensure a victory in this match, severely injure the opponent without it being fatal or appearing intentional, keep the fight from being dull, act swiftly to prevent interruption..."

"Uh—" Hearing Richard’s recap, Princess Rose began to feel her own demands might have been excessive, and said quietly, "Maybe I should drop a few conditions?"

"That won’t be necessary," Richard raised his hand to gesture a stop, "If you’re settled on it, that’s fine. Although these conditions might be a bit troublesome to achieve all at once, I will complete them. Accordingly, I also hope that when I do, the compensation I’ve requested will be fulfilled without any deductions."

"It’s just reading!" Princess Rose spoke very confidently, "I haven’t forgotten, once you’ve finished, I will definitely take you there."

"Good to know," Richard said as he stepped out and followed the long corridor into the Duel Arena.

...

At noon, the sun blazed overhead.

After Richard entered the Duel Arena, he saw people from both the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom and Luobu Kingdom in the stands, and then noticed the wooden stage set up in the center of the arena.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Richard ascended the wooden stage and saw someone already waiting there: gray hair, brown eyes, dressed in blue, a face full of arrogance.

"Kelly, then," Richard recalled the name that Princess Rose had mentioned earlier and silently repeated it in his mind.

At that moment, the other man looked over with a condescending air and called out, "Hey, man from Black Holy Mountain Kingdom, what’s your name? I have killed thirteen people to date, and before I make you my fourteenth victim, I’d like to know your name. That way, when you come seeking revenge as a ghost one day, I’ll know exactly why you’re avenging yourself!"

Richard: "..."

He couldn’t help but shake his head internally: So arrogant, and with that arrogance... a touch of juvenile folly.