Chapter 448

"Broly-sama, are you planning to head to Licariss City to have an audience with the Undead Demon King Atofy-sama?"

While Broly was gnawing on the Red Armored Giant Snake's grilled meat, the Three-Eyed Demon Race Notos walked over to strike up a conversation.

"How do you know that?"

"Non-demon powerhouses who head to the Karros Region with a purpose mostly do so for this reason."

"Oh."

"Broly-sama, for this merchant caravan I staked my entire fortune; if not for you lending a hand, even if I could survive the Red Armored Giant Snake's attack, the goods would definitely have suffered heavy losses. I am extremely grateful to you, so..."

Caravan Leader Notos lowered his voice, leaned close to the boy's ear, and only then continued: "I want to tell you, please discard the idea of having an audience with Atofy-sama or challenging her."

"Hm?"

Broly let out a puzzled sound from his nasal cavity, looking at the Three-Eyed Demon Race beside him with some doubt.

"The rumor from the outside world that the Undead Demon King Atofy-sama bestows greater power upon powerhouses who have an audience with her is actually a scam.

I have a sister who works in Atofy-sama's castle; according to her, everyone who goes to have an audience with Atofy-sama, as long as they are recognized as a powerhouse, will be recruited by Atofy-sama into her own Royal Guard.

And those who challenge Atofy-sama, if they are defeated, will likewise be forced to sign a magic contract of obedience to her, becoming puppets unable to defy Atofy-sama's orders."

The Three-Eyed Demon Race spoke these secret rumors in a small voice, and saying this here near the Karros Region was actually somewhat dangerous.

"Is Atofy strong?"

"Of course, few can defeat that personage."

"Then I can arrange a duel with her."

"Eh, Broly-sama, didn't you hear what I just said?"

"Rest assured, I'm very powerful, and moreover, I know the other party's grandson; we're friends."

"Uh..."

Hearing this, the Three-Eyed Demon Race's face revealed a stunned expression.

"You won't tell my words to Atofy-sama, will you?"

"You want to show your face before that Undead Demon King?"

"No no no, that's not what I mean; please, Broly-sama, by all means do not let that personage know of my existence, or that I said things I shouldn't have said."

Notos pleaded, and after obtaining Broly's agreeing reply, he let out a breath of relief and left.

"Is Randolph's grandmother that scary?"

Broly asked the small spirit god beside him.

"Rather than scary, it's better to say she's an idiot."

"Idiot?"

"Well, wait until tomorrow when you arrive at Licariss City and see the other party; you'll naturally know then."

The small spirit god sold a cliffhanger, then disappeared from before Broly's eyes.

The next day, Broly followed the merchant caravan group, entering the Karros Region's 【Licariss】 main city; according to the small spirit god's guidance, he directly arrived at this side of the towering castle built of Black Iron Ore standing in the town center.

After explaining to the two Black Armored Guards standing at the castle front door that he wished to have an audience with Atophi Latophi, the two guards at the door looked at him with sympathetic eyes.

One of them told him which room to go wait in after entering the castle, then let him in, yet not even a person followed along.

Broly followed the directions and arrived at a room that was not spacious; directly opposite the entrance inside the room stood an Iron Throne, looking quite imposing and solemn in appearance.

"You are the outsider preparing to have an audience with Atofy-sama? You do indeed possess the aura belonging to a powerhouse!"

After he entered the room, a soldier wearing a more finely crafted style of black armor came up to meet him; Muya sized Broly up and down, then gave his evaluation, and he did not underestimate the other party just because Broly looked relatively young.

After all, on this Magic Continent side there are also similar races that, even when grown, still look young in appearance.

That's right, this refers to the Migurdia Tribe; even after adulthood, they still have the appearance of a junior high student who seems perpetually three years away from graduation.

"However, to have an audience with Atofy-sama, you still have to endure our Royal Guard's trial."

"What trial?"

"Prove your strength, outsider; Atofy-sama never lightly meets with the weak."

Muya drew the long sword at his waist; the black armored soldiers standing to the left and right made the same motion, and this is precisely the Atophy Royal Guard's entrance examination.

As for why it is an entrance examination, it's probably because those who pass the examination will all be bestowed power by Atofy-sama.

That is, sign a magic contract that cannot be disobeyed to Atofy-sama, join the Atophy Royal Guard, and accept the Undead Demon King Atofy's harsh training.

And if those who pass the examination came not to obtain the power bestowed by Atofy, but for the reputation of a hero who defeats the Undead Demon King Atofy, the result still would not change in the slightest.

Those bastards who challenge Atofy-sama will be knocked out by Atofy-sama, forced to sign the magic contract, and likewise become a member of the Atophy Royal Guard, accepting Atofy-sama's training.

Broly looked at this group of black armored soldiers who at most possessed Saint Rank strength, feeling somewhat uninterested; the leader was a guy with a stronger aura, but that was about it.

"Broly, you can tell them about your relationship with Randolph."

The small spirit god suggested from the side.

"Wait, Randolph and I are friends."

Broly adopted the small spirit god's suggestion.

"Randolph?"

Muya frowned, then immediately thought of something and asked: "Is it Death God Randolph Marian?"

"Correct."

Broly nodded.

"All of you, sheathe your swords."

Muya turned his head and said to the other Royal Guards.

"Muya-sama?"

The other Royal Guards looked over with some doubt.

"This is a friend of Lord Karlman's son."

The black-armored soldier at the front removed his helmet, revealing the face of an elderly man of some years.

"My apologies, the soldiers guarding the castle front gate may have misunderstood your purpose; please, this way."

Muya led Broly out of the Iron Throne Palace, and after escorting him to the castle's rear garden and ordering some maids to bring the guest snacks and pour tea, he inquired about Broly's purpose: "Did Lord Karlman, or perhaps Young Master Randolph, have a letter for you to deliver?"

Meanwhile, in the room behind the Iron Throne Palace, upon hearing that yet another person had come to seek an audience, the Undead Demon King Atophi Latophi cheerfully changed into her majestic and solemn black Demon King armor, took up her great sword, and walked in from behind the Iron Throne.

She raised her head, puffed out her chest, and sat upright upon the Iron Throne, striking the pose of a gatekeeping Great Demon King.

"So slow, wasn't it said that someone else had come to seek an audience with me?"

This Undead Demon King — deep purple skin, snow-white hair, bewitching crimson pupils, a single massive horn atop her head, a pair of demon bat wings on her back, brimming with a maidenly air — sat dryly on the Iron Throne for three minutes, and when no one came, she began tapping her foot restlessly and complaining loudly.

"Uh, Lady Atophi, the person has actually already come."

The royal guard serving as a background board at the side only now reminded his Demon King lord with some embarrassment.

"What?"

The female Demon King stood up, and thinking of something, asked somewhat huffily: "Is the one who came this time another good-for-nothing bastard?"

"Uh, not exactly, the other party looks pretty strong."

"Where is the person?"

"Lord Muya took them to the courtyard to entertain them; Lord Muya said the visitor is Karlman..."

The guard's words were not yet finished when Atophi, hoisting her great sword, rushed out.

"So, you merely came to seek an audience with Lady Atophi out of curiosity about what kind of Demon King she is, and there is no letter from Lord Karlman or Young Master Randolph that needs delivering?"

"Mm."

Broly nodded, and by the way also explained that he only knew Death God Randolph, and did not know Randolph's father, Atophi's son, North God Karlman the Second.

"Ah~"

Muya had a bit of a headache; this brat before him understood nothing, yet dared come seek an audience with Lady Atophi out of curiosity — simply reckless.

However, if he just left it be like this, it would definitely cause big trouble.

He thought for a moment, then took Broly's hand and said: "Lord Broli, I'm afraid you'll have to leave this place."

"What's wrong?"

Broly's mouth was puffed out; the snacks here were still quite tasty.

"Lady Atophi has been experiencing the life drama of a hero fighting the Demon King these years; if you are discovered, she might treat you as a hero come to challenge her.

And such a discourteous way of treating a guest would bring shame upon the surname of Lady Atophi's husband, Raybak; as Lady Atophi's subject, I cannot allow such a thing to happen.

Lord Broli, please forgive the poor hospitality."

Muya apologized, and just as he prepared to lead Broly away, an angry roar rang out.

"Muya, you bastard..."

Following close behind was a deep purple-skinned figure sprinting over.

"Bang—"

The next moment Broly took the snacks and teapot off the table, Muya, the captain of the Atophi Royal Guard, was kicked flying.

With a boom, the other party smashed the table and directly embedded herself in the wall not far away, splayed out in a spread-eagle posture.

"You actually tried to let the guy who came to challenge me escape?!"

Broly glanced sideways and saw the demon girl who had rushed over and kicked the old man flying, looking huffy and puffy.

"This is the Undead Demon King Atophi Latophi."

The small person god said.

"I knew it, you've never been right once."

The Crystal Palace gave no notification sound, prompting Broly to start complaining.

"Lady Atophi..."

Muya pried himself out of the wall, fell to the ground with a slap, then quickly climbed up from the ground and knelt on one knee before the girl-like Atophi.

"This Lord Broli is not a hero come to challenge you; he is a friend of Randolph Marian."

Muya hurriedly explained.

"Who is Randolph Marian, what does his friend have to do with me? Anyone who sets foot in my castle from outside is either my follower or my challenger!"

Atophi glanced at Broly beside her, still calmly munching cookies, drinking tea, and watching the show; one who could remain so composed eating in this situation was indeed no ordinary person, and she was quite satisfied with this little brat.

"Lady Atophi, Randolph Marian is Lord Karlman's son."

Muya hastily said.

"Huh? When did my husband, who has been dead for many years, father an illegitimate child outside?"

Atophi's eyebrow arched, a terrifying aura radiating from her, and she demanded an answer.

"Not your husband; I speak of your son, Lord Karlman the Second."

Muya corrected his words.

"Eh, is that how it is?"

Atophi's terrifying aura dispersed, and the next moment, her fist knocked on the back of Muya's head.

"It's all this bastard's fault for not making things clear to me."

The Immortal Demon King snorted coldly, then said with some emotion: "That guy Karlman, to think he now has a son of his own?"

"You didn't know?"

Broly asked curiously.

"He and I haven't met for over seventy years."

Atophi answered that point.

"Immortal Demon Kings are all like this — no lifespan limit, extremely poor memory, and they're all a bunch of idiots, stupid goods."

The small person god introduced and explained from the side.

"Lady Atophi, although Lord Karlman hasn't returned, there are occasional letters; I once reported Randolph's matter to you."

Muya, whose back of head had been hammered until it bled, yet looked like a person with nothing wrong, supplemented the explanation.

"Well, who can remember this kind of trivial matter; however, today counts as obtaining a piece of good news."

Atophi looked toward Broly.

"Speak then, outsider who brought news of my grandson — what reward do you want?"

Muya's heart sank; the situation truly had become like this. He looked in Broly's direction and shook his head at the boy.

"Do you want to obtain even more powerful power, or do you want to obtain a hero's reputation?"

Atophi pursued the question.

"Power I already have myself; a hero's reputation I don't need that kind of thing. But if you're going to give me a benefit, I hope you can help me gather this city's women together so I can take a look at them."

Broly proposed his own demand.

At the side, Muya heard this, slapped his forehead once — it's over.

If he had refused, there might still have been a chance to pass Atophi-sama's reward stage safely.

"Don't want power, don't want reputation, but instead want to look at women — you this guy, are you looking down on me, Atophi Latophi Raybak?"

The Immortal Demon King in the form of a young girl flew into a thunderous rage, but the next moment she switched topics and said: "However, beauties are indeed the adornment by a strong person's side; a guy like you who follows his own desires, I don't hate.

However, the premise for me, Atophi, to help you do something is that you must be able to defeat me. As long as you defeat me, the Karros Region's money and women will be yours for the taking — how about it, want to try challenging me?"

"Sure."

Broly nodded in agreement; since hearing of her yesterday, he had wanted to challenge her to a duel.

Now he can finish the fight and also have her help with his own matter — simply perfect.

"Good, worthy of a person with the courage to challenge me, Muya."

"Here, Lady Atophi."

"Open the Colosseum — a hero challenging the Demon King, how could there be no audience?!"

Atophi shouldered the great sword and turned away.

"Ah—"

Muya looked at the boy and said: "Broli-sama, please come with me to the Colosseum side."

Broly didn't refuse, merely confused what this person's sighing at himself meant.

"North God Style founder Karlman I's wife Atophi Latophi, after marrying Karlman I, mastered North God Style and created a new North God Style Secret Art, manually expanding friendly faction."

This Immortal Demon King Atophi Latophi now has the hobby of collecting strong people and cultivating strong people.

And right now she has taken a liking to you; if you lose the fight later, you'll be seized by her and forced to become her subordinate.

And the behavior of seizing your own grandson's friend and forcing him to be a subordinate is very discourteous.

That demon race member is sighing at the shameful behavior his served monarch is currently doing."

"You think I'll lose?"

"I don't think so, but other people think so."

(Chapter End)