Chaos' Heir Chapter 1006: Open arena

Chapter 1006: Open arena

Lord Blind Sword's words still echoed in Khan's ears while the teleport unfolded.

The hall disappeared, replaced by a vast, open environment with few relevant details. The place was a simple but immense arena consisting of a black metal floor with four huge pillars at its corners. Those structures had red runes s.h.i.+ning on their surfaces, but their light was too distant for Khan to study.

Zedekiel's unnatural red sky shone above Khan, and a series of gazebos rested past the area covered by the metal floor. Khan had initially thought his arena on Baoway was big, but that immense structure put his creation to shame.

The teleport had made Khan lose track of his location. Actually, he had been lost since the Thilku s.h.i.+p had crossed one of such machines to reach Zedekiel. Still, failing to sense any traces of the Royal Palace or the lingering auras inside it told him that the ability's range couldn't be short.

Khan glanced at the bald evolved Thilku, but the latter ignored his gaze, walking toward one of the distant and barely visible gazebos. Khan almost wondered why Lord Envoy bothered using his legs at all when he wielded such an incredible ability, but those questions remained in the back of his mind. He had far greater problems to worry about.

The arena wasn't something Khan had spotted while flying to the planet. He had expected the test to happen in the warehouse-like structures seen from orbit, but the idea didn't make sense in hindsight, and the reason stood a few meters from him.

The warehouse-like structures probably were training grounds, but Khan was no simple soldier. His opponent was even greater than that, and only a special place could house their fight. Khan could also confirm that uniqueness from the sensations filling his bare feet. The metal floor felt even st.u.r.dier than the Royal Palace, and his mind struggled to find structural flaws in its fabric.

"[I should warn you, Blue Shaman]," The huge Thilku suddenly spoke, a broad grin still on his face. "[I never learned to hold back]."

The news was hardly surprising after witnessing the banter and inspecting the evolved Thilku's towering size, but Khan only pointed his cold eyes at him, replying with emotionless words. "[I wouldn't ask something so dishonorable anyway]."

Lord Mighty looked pleased by the reply and stepped away, distancing himself from Khan while stretching his ma.s.sive arms. The evolved Thilku was getting ready for the fight, and Khan decided to do the same.

Khan didn't know whether those tests had specific rules or arrangements, so he ignored the issue entirely. He only removed his cape and crown, gracefully kicking them away before putting some distance from their landing spot.

Those preparations were short but lasted long enough to bring changes to the area. Lord Envoy had almost reached the gazebo, and a mountain seemed to have descended to the place. Of course, that was nothing more than a feeling enhanced by Khan's sharp senses, and its source was apparent.

The Emperor and Lord Enforcer soon appeared past the gazebo, walking over the trembling brown ground to reach it. Cracks didn't open, but not for lack of trying. Zedekiel's soil looked oddly dense, making it able to endure the Emperor's heavy existence.

Lord Envoy, Lord Enforcer, and the Emperor eventually reached the gazebo, occupying the seats under it. The Emperor obviously sat on a central spot but didn't immediately give the order to start the fight. That delay confused Khan until he saw the now-distant Lord Mighty performing a capeless traditional bow.

As annoyed as Khan felt about the test's necessity, he suddenly realized what it meant from the Empire's perspective. The Emperor would never deign ordinary soldiers with his attention. He would never let random warriors challenge a member of the Royal Guards. That opportunity alone stated how much Khan was worth in that species' mind.

The realization dispersed part of the annoyance, allowing Khan to perform a genuinely respectful bow. Lord Mighty had straightened his back by then, and the gesture broadened his grin, but his following words rekindled the goodwill earned by the exclusive opportunity.

"[I'll give you the first move, Blue Shaman]!" Lord Mighty shouted. "[I won't fight you if you can't make me budge]!"

Khan couldn't help but feel irritated. He was the weaker party there, and Lord Mighty didn't speak out of arrogance. His ma.s.sive body and existence hinted at physical-related abilities, so making him budge had to be the essential requirement before a potential fight. However, that honest statement acted as the last straw. Khan had left the Global Army, revealed his deepest secret, and endured the Royal Guards' pressure just to be openly disrespected. His element was already at its limit, and he no longer attempted to suppress it. "[I have one question, Lord Mighty]," Khan exclaimed, the air around him twisting as if boiling under the hottest fire. "[What happens if I kill you]?"

"[Ah]!" Lord Mighty cried. "[Then I wouldn't be worthy of protecting the Emperor]."

"[I meant what would happen to me]?" Khan explained.

"[The Empire would acknowledge your strength]," Lord Mighty announced, proudly crossing his arms.

"[You can start]," The Emperor suddenly spoke, his heavy voice covering the entire arena and stretching far past it.

Lord Mighty voiced an excited cry, his body tensing up to prepare for the imminent attack. His muscles bulged, making him look even bigger than he already was, but the greatest changes happened to his existence.

Lord Mighty's aura was relatively simple but intense. It felt superficial, but no one could underestimate its power. Khan saw it clearly through his glowing eyes. The symphony morphed under the evolved Thilku's influence, condensing into something almost solid. That consequence wasn't intentional. Lord Mighty didn't care about the symphony. He probably couldn't even sense it, but his existence automatically caused such effects. As for his actual aura, it acted as an extension of his body, reflecting the sheer power his muscles contained.

In some ways, Lord Mighty reminded Khan of Bruno. The evolved Thilku also resembled a mountain, but his nature vastly differed. His existence carried unlimited, explosive energy, which Khan had to pierce to hope to reach his body.

For that exact reason, Lord Mighty didn't expect a human foot to suddenly fill his vision and slam violently on his wrinkled forehead.