Why must the devil be Defeated?
Chapter 432 - 425 ’Things won’t be boring from now on.

Chapter 432: 425 ’Things won’t be boring from now on.

The rampant Magic Power, it was unknown how long it took before it finally subsided.

In the square in front of the Royal Palace on Lake Heart Island, the spectators lay scattered about, still wearing faces filled with shock and doubt.

Luoqi, Liya, Anxi, Aridia, Shanai, William, and those nobles hidden in the shadows stared intently in the direction of the stage.

There, with the Holy Sword in his hand, Shane leaped away, the enormous Magic Blade on the sword’s edge having disappeared without a trace.

Upon closer observation, shockingly, the stage had not suffered any further damage under that astonishing blow; it was exactly as it had been before Shane struck with the "Magical Sword."

Harvis, holding up the Thunderstorm Greatsword, appeared as if he had been ready to receive Shane’s attack in the second before it landed, his face still filled with an undissipated sense of tension.

Clearly, Harvis had adopted a defensive posture in haste, yet he had little confidence that he could have withstood that earth-shattering slash from Shane unharmed.

The reason he could now stand there, unscathed, was all because someone had suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Lord Rocque?"

Harvis immediately recognized the figure from behind.

It was none other than the strongest knight of the Empire, charged with protecting Harvis—Rocque Bigusler.

Only seen at Level 97, the Empire’s mightiest being was holding a greatsword even more exaggerated than the one in Harvis’s own hands, its blade flowing with Magic Power, positioned before Harvis.

That sight made Shane squint his eyes.

Because, just now, it was this person who had suddenly burst into the scene, not knowing from whence he had drawn that terrifying greatsword, with a single swing he had erased Shane’s "Magical Sword."

Yes.

Erased.

Shane saw it clearly; the moment his "Magical Sword" slashed down, making contact with that greatsword, the Magic Power gathered on the Holy Sword’s blade seemed as if forcefully dispersed by some mysterious force, vanishing without a trace.

Thus, the stage was not destroyed because Shane’s "Magical Sword" had been erased. It was only the stream of Magic Power that cascaded like an avalanche, causing tremors and thunderous sounds all around.

Under such circumstances, Rocque placed that terrifying greatsword on his shoulder, took a deep look at Shane, then turned his head back to Harvis without another glance.

"Prince, you have lost this time."

Rocque thereby made such a declaration on behalf of his lord.

Only then did everyone present come to their senses, some exchanging looks of understanding, others still wearing faces of lingering fears, and yet others staring intently at Rocque with somber expressions.

For instance, Anxi and Luoqi both wore serious looks.

Even Aridia’s eyes flickered slightly.

Obviously, they all had witnessed the scene of Rocque blocking Shane’s "Magical Sword."

And regarding the power Rocque displayed, these people also felt threatened.

Harvis’s mouth opened as if he wanted to say something but after a while fell silent again, exhaling a long breath.

The lightning energy on his Thunderstorm Greatsword quietly disappeared.

"Indeed, I have lost," said Harvis as he relaxed his body and looked at Shane, candidly admitting, "I didn’t expect you to possess such astonishing Magic Power and strength. I almost didn’t react in time just now, so I am thoroughly convinced by my defeat."

Having said this, Harvis bowed to Shane as a sign of respect.

Watching Harvis, everyone’s gaze toward Shane changed.

"This guy..."

William’s expression went through a quick succession of changes.

"So... So strong?"

Liya and Shanai, among others, were equally stunned as they watched Shane in the center of the arena, unable to snap back to reality for a long time after witnessing that earth-shattering sword strike.

"Damn it..."

Edel’s face turned pale as he cursed, but his eyes betrayed a sincere fear and wariness.

Similarly, those nobles lurking in the shadows, seemingly having thoroughly grasped Shane’s strength, looked at him with eyes and expressions that were different from before.

Only now had Shane displayed some of his extraordinary strength in public.

Being able to defeat the first Prince of the Empire, such an achievement would likely elevate Shane’s status in many people’s eyes by a considerable margin, wouldn’t it?

Only Luoqi was not at all surprised by Shane’s performance.

After all, she alone knew that the strength Shane was displaying was but the tip of the iceberg of his power.

No, not only Luoqi, another person also knew this clearly.

"He hasn’t even used his own Holy Sword yet; the strength he just showed is probably just a small part of it, isn’t it?"

Nadura watched Shane intently, silently admiring him in her heart.

Having witnessed Shane’s capabilities firsthand, Nadura was quite pleased.

As a result, neither Luoqi nor Nadura felt Shane’s performance was too over-the-top.

Rather, it was the performance of Harvis that drew their attention.

"I didn’t realize Cappelen’s Prince was this strong?"

Luoqi was quite surprised at Harvis’s strength.

That level of ability, without unleashing the Holy Sword, without using a Unique Skill, Luoqi herself wasn’t sure of victory.

Of course, the Holy Sword and Unique Skills are the True cards of a Hero; if these two factors are not considered, all Heroes are not terribly strong - at most, they are only at the level of Aridia and Rocque.

But Harvis also had not yet used his Unique Skill, whether he lacked one or was deliberately concealing it, Luoqi hadn’t heard of the Ragnar Empire’s Prince having displayed a Unique Skill in public.

This situation meant that either there was no Unique Skill at all, or, as Princess Luoqi herself experienced, the Unique Skill was so powerful and so special that one would not want to reveal it in front of others.

Princess Luoqi believed it to be the latter.

And so did Nadura.

"Humans are still the same as before; though populous and numerous, most are but ordinary civilians, yet every generation yields a few with astonishing talents,"

Nadura mused.

Shane, on the other hand, did not think as much as others did; he simply watched Rocque and then turned his gaze to Harvis, his lips curving into a slight smile.

"Is that satisfactory?" Shane hinted, "Your Highness must have some tricks up your sleeve that you haven’t used yet?"

Meaning, conceding now, was it not too early?

Harvis could only laugh in response.

"I won’t deny that, but this is just a duel, not a battle to the death, and indeed I am thoroughly convinced by the outcome, and I am content to accept it."

As Harvis said this, a spring-like sense of comfort exuded from him, and his modest and frank demeanor impressed many, even causing some young girls’ cheeks to blush and their eyes to show admiration for him.

However, Harvis’s tone shifted again.

"Moreover, I believe that Lord Beizut also has many tactics left unshown." Harvis smiled and said, "You are much stronger than the rumors suggest. Having realized this, that is enough for me."

Having said that, Harvis nodded toward Rocque standing beside him, then looked over at the royal family on the open-air terrace.

"I have lost this duel!" Harvis announced loudly, "Worthy of the talent appreciated by the Kingdom, I, Harvis Ragna, believe that such a hero is fitting for Princess Luoqi, and thus I am willing to withdraw!"

Upon these words, not only did the royals react, but the surrounding audience erupted into noise as well.

Princess Luoqi was stunned, never expecting Harvis to utter such words.

Shane also raised an eyebrow.

Because, he knew, he might now owe this Prince a favor.

As a scion of the Ragna Empire Royal Family, a competitor of the Mitra Kingdom, and the first in line for succession as the Crown Prince, to publicly concede inferiority and proclaim Shane as worthy of being Princess Luoqi’s husband—in front of everyone—would likely shift the previous public opinion, and the skeptical common folk might start to embrace Shane and Princess Luoqi’s union.

Especially the people of the Kingdom, who, knowing that Shane made the Empire’s Prince admit inferiority, would certainly feel honored by association, and their resistance toward Shane would decrease significantly.

From now on, the Kingdom’s public opinion would likely lean toward Shane’s side.

"That detestable Prince!"

"How dare he do this?"

"Scumbag!"

The elites’ offspring were immediately outraged, cursing aloud.

If the future public opinion were to favor Shane, then their chances as his opponents would be significantly reduced.

After all, the higher the public’s esteem, the greater the chance of acceptance, and in competitions like this, this forms the basis for improving one’s score within the Kingdom, right?

With this move, Harvis had not only bolstered Shane’s reputation but also suppressed the competitiveness and influence of the other contenders.

How could these competitors not curse aloud in the face of such a development?

If this were a fair competition, after this episode, Shane’s chances of becoming the Princess’s consort would have undoubtedly risen greatly.

Unfortunately, there was an inside story to this contest...

Shane’s expression became quite odd.

Only Princess Luoqi seemed outwardly unchanged, but inwardly, her heart bloomed with joy.

This outcome was precisely what she was pleased to see.

Although she had already set her heart on Shane, if the people of the Kingdom could also approve of him as her worthy match, she would naturally be even happier.

With this happiness, Princess Luoqi found herself viewing Harvis much more favorably.

Well, if Shane scored one hundred percent and all other despicable men scored zero, then she might as well give this Prince of the Empire a reluctant 0.1.

Anxi also gave Harvis a serious look.

"Liya, you understand, right?"

Anxi spoke solemnly to Liya beside him.

"...Yes." Liya nodded gravely and whispered, "If he becomes Emperor of the Empire in the future, then the Empire may become more troublesome."

Without a doubt, Harvis’s displayed strength, character, quality, and intellect had been recognized by the two.

"So, this is the Prince of the Ragna Empire..."

Shanai murmured.

Whereas Aridia exchanged a look with Rocque standing next to Harvis, one with a calm face and the other with fighting spirit in his eyes.

As for Harvis, he had already approached Shane.

"Go for it, Lord Beizut." Harvis extended his hand toward Shane and said with a smile, "I’ve got my eye on you, you know?"

Shane regarded Harvis steadily, then, after a moment, shrugged his shoulders and extended his hand, clasping it with Harvis’s.

It was then that Harvis whispered something to Shane.

Shane’s eyes flickered slightly, and before he could respond, Harvis had already withdrawn his hand, taking Rocque back to stand by William’s side.

There, William looked at Shane with eyes entirely different than before, tinged with both wariness and darkness.

Shane watched all this and suddenly smiled.

"It seems things won’t be boring from here on out."

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